NYC has thousands of things for families and children to do, and during the spring and summer, the city has activities that include museum exhibitions, concerts, arts and crafts, sports, nature walks in local parks, and many other outdoor activities. Here are some of today's kid-friendly activities in Queens, from performances to exhibitions!
Family Yoga - Wave Hill
July 30, 2010 - Bronx
Learn and practice fun yoga poses to build strength, increase flexibility and relax the body and mind. Incorporate breathing and relaxation techniques into a dynamic and playful experience that you and your child can enjoy together.
Total Praise in Concert - Rochdale Park
July 30, 2010 - Rochdale Village
Total Praise, a multi-generational choir that includes an assortment of studied professional and aspiring musicians, presents its interpretation of sacred song.
Dance Visions Workshop 'Creating Dreamscape' - Long Island Children's Museum
July 30, 2010 - Garden City
Join choreographer Beth Jucovy and Dance Visions company members on stage as they share the creative process used in creating "Dreamscape." Children with all levels of dance experience are welcome!
Garden Explorers - Old Westbury Gardens
July 30, 2010 - Old Westbury
Through hikes and hands-on activities, children ages 6-12 learn about plants and animals that are native to Long Island. Registration required. $10 per session or $50 for all six classes. Includes one accompanying adult. Fridays through August 13.
Broadway Blockbusters: American Fantasy, A Tribute to Hollywood's Greatest Musicals - Flushing Town Hall
July 30, 2010 - Flushing
Some of the most talented individuals in the Greater New York Area will perform some of the most beloved music of the big screen, including classics from Singin' in the Rain, The Wizard of Oz, Hello Dolly, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Oklahoma, Titanic, and Chicago.
Cityscape: Surveying the Urban Biotope - Socrates Sculpture Park
Through August 01, 2010 - Long Island City
This exhibition features 11 artists who explore both the cultivated and invasive presence of nature in our built urban environment.
Chase 2010 Latino Cultural Festival - Queens Theatre in the Park
Through August 08, 2010 - Flushing
The festival will feature 13 events, including music, dance, comedy, film, and family-friendly performances. This year's participants hail from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Venezuela.
Making Your Mark - The Noguchi Museum
Through August 12, 2010 - Long Island City
This program introduces teens to the work and vision of world-renowned artist Isamu Noguchi. Participants look at, discuss, and interpret Noguchi's art and the work of others from a personal standpoint; experiment with a variety of art materials and methods; and create their own artwork inspired by these experiences. For more information or to enroll, email education@noguchi.org.
Bike Drivers Ed - Cunningham Park
Through August 19, 2010 - Queens
A multi-session bicycle skills and safety program that teaches youngsters (ages 8-14) how to "drive" their first vehicle and ride more confidently. Bikes and helmets provided.
Priscila de Carvalho: '(In)visible Cities' - Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
Through August 21, 2010 - Jamaica
De Carvalho's project points out the ever-growing poverty on the global level and raises the question of what to do. The installation consists of a few large-scale paintings of mixed media and bridge structures that connect the paintings together.
Amazon Voyage: Vicious Fishes and Other Riches - New York Hall of Science
Through August 22, 2010 - Flushing
Take a virtual journey on the widest river in the world and learn about some amazing creatures, including piranhas, anacondas, caimans, stingrays, and pink dolphins. Investigate the scientific, social, and economic choices that shape the Amazon's future through the eyes and hands of field researchers and the local people. Through August 22.
Outdoor Cinema - Socrates Sculpture Park
Through August 25, 2010 - Long Island City
This annual international film festival spotlights a different country or culture each Wednesday evening (weather permitting). Visitors are also invited to sample regional cuisine from neighborhood restaurants, picnic on the grass, and watch musical and dance performances.
Music and Movement - Long Island Children's Museum
Through August 27, 2010 - Garden City
Kids can join this class to enjoy musical instruments and sing-along songs, plus get their bodies moving. Offered every Wednesday and Friday through August 27.
What on Earth? - Long Island Children's Museum
Through August 27, 2010 - Garden City
Kids learn new ways to explore our natural world in the museum's backyard. They'll learn fun ways to help the environment, enjoy a variety of outdoor experiences, try cooking, crafts and other science activities. Weather permitting. Mondays-Fridays, through August 27.
Garden and Building Tour - Queens Botanical Garden
Through August 29, 2010 - Flushing
Experience a guided tour of the Garden and Buildings, focusing on what is currently in bloom. Visitors should meet in the lobby of the Visitor and Administration Building and check in at the Front Desk. Tours will be given on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to 25 visitors. Offered on weekends throughout the spring and summer months.
Preschool Place Puppet Show: Amazon Voyage - New York Hall of Science
Through August 29, 2010 - Flushing
Tots can learn about the animals and fish of the Amazon River region through a puppet program.
Messy Afternoons - Long Island Children's Museum
Through August 29, 2010 - Garden City
Kids will be up to their elbows in goop, guts, shaving cream and play-doh in this class full of artistic activities that everyone loves, but not one likes to clean-up after. The afternoon will offer a variety of sensory activities for children ages 18 months to age 4. Offered every Saturday and Sunday, through August 29.
Walk-Up Paddles - Socrates Sculpture Park Beach at Hallets Cove
Through August 29, 2010 - Queens
Kayaking for all ages.
stART (Story + Art) - Long Island Children's Museum
Through August 31, 2010 - Garden City
Kids can join this class, which offers a combination of story time plus art, every Tuesday through Friday, through August 31.
Sweet Dreams - Long Island Children's Museum
Through August 31, 2010 - Garden City
Kids ages 3 and up design their own pillowcase using fabric paint, markers and stamps while listening to lullabies from around the world. Mondays-Fridays, through August 31.
Animal Talk with Scout Stacey - Long Island Children's Museum
Through August 31, 2010 - Garden City
Kids can join Scout Stacey every Tuesday for an exploration of the animal kingdom in the museum's Alive gallery. Observe reptiles, birds, and insects, and learn about their habitats, what they eat, and how to take care of them. Tuesdays through August 31.
Climate Change Activity - New York Hall of Science
Through September 05, 2010 - Flushing
Compare the changes in temperature caused by differing levels of carbon dioxide, learn about climate change, and find out how you can help our Earth.
Preschool Place Puppet Show: "Go Hide!" - New York Hall of Science
Through September 05, 2010 - Flushing
Felix the catfish and Pinky piranha are out playing a dangerous game of hide-and-go-seek in their home, the Amazon River. Help them hide from the fisherman who is trying to catch them and learn about the animals and fish of the Amazon River region.
Night Journeys: An Adventure in the World of Sleep and Dreams - Long Island Children's Museum
Through September 12, 2010 - Garden City
Take a fascinating journey through the world of bedtime rituals and routines and into the nighttime experience of sleep and dreams in this new exhibit. Visitors enter into a whimsical bedroom setting, where they are introduced to sleeping places from many parts of the world. Lie down on an ancient Egyptian bed, try out a headrest from Japan or Somalia or carry dolls using a Mexican rebozo. Peek into unusual sleeping places, shine giant flashlights under the bed to scare away the monsters and explore bedtime rituals from around the world. Through September 12.
Visitors continue their journey into the world of sleep and dreams by exploring the “active” state of sleep in an animated video that shows eye movement, body movement and brain activity during sleep. Next, compare some of your dreams to those of both children and adults and see what they mean. Explore different approaches to dream interpretation by people around the world. Learn about dreambooks from China, feed a bad dreamto Baku—the Japanese dream eater and see how a family in Malaysia share their dreams over breakfast. All Ages. Free with museum admission.
This traveling exhibit was developed by The Brooklyn Children’s Museum for the Minnesota Children’s Museum and The Youth Museum Exhibit Collaborative (YMEC). The exhibition was funded by YMEC with additional support provided by the Spunk Fund, Inc.
Exhibition: The Sea Around Us - Nassau County Museum of Art
Through September 12, 2010 - Roslyn Harbor
NCMA’s newest exhibition portrays the magnetism we feel for bodies of water alongside the dangers, even the terror, that seas often present. This exhibition examines the romantic fascination artists have always had for expanses of water through American and European artists working in many styles from the mid-19th century to the present. Through September 12.
2010 Members' Art Exhibition: 'New Works: The Creative Process Revealed' - Flushing Town Hall
Through September 12, 2010 - Flushing
Members of Flushing Council on Culture & the Arts who are visual artists show their work in this exhibition, a yearly tradition at historic Flushing Town Hall. This year's theme pays homage to the creative process of the visual artist in an exhibition that looks at works created in the past three years.
Yoga in the Park - Socrates Sculpture Park
Through September 18, 2010 - Long Island City
On Saturdays, join a free Kripalu Yoga class, a system of Hatha Yoga that integrates body postures, breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation. Suitable for all experience levels. Participants should bring a mat or towel.
Tai Chi in the Park - Socrates Sculpture Park
Through September 19, 2010 - Long Island City
Led by members of the Taoist Tai Chi Society. Classes are designed for all experience levels. Participants should wear comfortable clothing.
The Edible Garden at The New York Botanical Garden - The New York Botanical Garden
Through October 17, 2010 - Bronx
See a garden wide exhibition of edible plants and vegetables plus cooking demos, special programs and more.
Science Farmers Market - New York Hall of Science
Through November 14, 2010 - Flushing
Now in its fourth year, the market offers fresh food and fresh ideas, to help New Yorkers improve their quality of life and better understand produce.
Adventure Course - Alley Pond Park
Through November 21, 2010 - Bayside
The largest ropes course in the tri-state area, open Sundays through November 21. Programs foster trust, problem-solving, and team-building while providing outdoor recreational fun. Open to families and individuals ages 8 and above.
Family Sunday at the Museum - Nassau County Museum of Art
Through December 26, 2010 - Roslyn Harbor
Each Sunday the museum offers a 1pm docent-led family walk-through of the museum, beginning at 1:30 pm, supervised art activities for the whole family. Special family guides of the main exhibition are available in the galleries. Every Sunday through December 26.
Karate for Children + Adults - MKD Karate School
Through December 31, 2010 - Jackson Heights
Karate classes for children, teens and adults, are taught by an instructor with a 3rd degree black belt. Learn physical training, mental strength, discipline and ethics. Try out the class with your child. Enrollment is on a rolling basis. Call or e-mail Sensei Orlando at sensei.orlando@mkdkarate.com. Through December 31.
Joint Karate for Children & Parents - MKD Karate School
Through December 31, 2010 - Jackson Heights
This karate class for children ages 3-7 and their parents meets every Tuesday at 7pm and Saturday at 12pm. Visit the website or call for more information and pricing. Through December 31.
Science Playground - New York Hall of Science
Through December 31, 2010 - Flushing
Through dozens of playground elements such as slides, seesaws, and sand pits, visitors of all ages and abilities can explore the scientific principles of motion, balance, sound, sight, and simple machines.
Rocket Park Mini Golf - New York Hall of Science
Through December 31, 2010 - Flushing
Putt your way through this nine-hole mini golf course and learn about propulsion, gravity, escape velocity, launch window, gravitational assist, and more.
Moms in Babeland: Parent Support Group - Great Neck and Forest Hills Locations
Through December 31, 2010 - Great Neck and Forest HIlls
Feeling overwhelmed? Come meet new moms (newborn-12+months) and make lifelong friends for you and your baby in a support group led by licensed psychotherapist/mom, Jean Geffen. First year of development and interaction between parent and child is crucial. With sensitivity and humor, explore: life changes, balancing your needs with baby, partner and others, relationship issues, work/alternatives and more. Great Neck and Forest Hills. AM/PM Groups forming. Call 516-466-7876 for Great Neck schedule and 718-520-7299 for Forest Hills schedule. E-mail jeangeffen@gmail.com for more info.
Moms in Babeland: Parent Support Group - Babeland
Through December 31, 2010 - Queens
Meet new moms of children age newborn up to 12 months in a support group led by licensed psychotherapist/mom Jean Geffen. Explore life changes; balancing your needs with baby, partner, and others; relationship issues; work alternatives; and more. Call 516-466-7876 for Great Neck schedule and 718-520-7299 for Forest Hills schedule. Email jeangeffen@gmail.com for more info.
