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Wonderland Dreams, Submerge Science Fest, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Hudson River Park presents the free, two-day long Submerge Science Festival. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park presents the free, two-day long Submerge Science Festival. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park
5/15/24 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

We're mid-May and NYC is pulling out all the stops. Can't-miss events this weekend include the Submerge Marine Science Festival, plus Family Fun Day at Hudson Yards and a Sound and Color fest in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The New York Botanical Garden is going down a magical rabbit hole and opening its new Wonderland experience, and the Hippo Playground Fair—rescheduled from Sunday, May 5—finally materializes in Riverside Park.

More Things To Do in New York City this Week with Kids

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Best Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Sister Act at Harlem School of the Arts

Harlem
Thursday, May 16-Saturday, May 18
The Harlem School of the Arts presents its end-of-the-year musical, with star students performing a staged production of the hit movie. READ MORE

STEM Career Expo at New York Hall of Science

Flushing, Queens – FREE
Friday, May 17
NYSCI's free STEM career expo invites high school, trade school, and college-aged students to learn and mingle in a friendly, inclusive environment. Food and fun are included. READ MORE

Teen Night: Disco Carnival on the High Line

Chelsea – FREE
Friday, May 17
A free, youth-led event features activities, art workshops, performances, an open mic segment, snacks, and food tastings, dancing, and a celebratory moment in honor of the High Line’s 15th birthday. Teens are encouraged to wear something "carnival disco-esque." READ MORE

Submerge: NYC Marine Science Festival at Pier 84

Midtown West – FREE
Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18
The Hudson River Park presents Submerge—a free, two-day science extravaganza devoted to raising awareness about our coastal waters.  READ MORE

Family Fun Day at Hudson Yards

Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, May 18
Hudson Yards hosts a showstopping lineup of family-friendly activities all day long, including a spring family movie screening of DC League of Super-Pets on the 30-foot big screen, a special jazz performance by Mozart for Munchkins, and a live interactive puppet show of The Little Red Hen, by WonderSpark Puppets! Inside, kids can enjoy face painting and custom balloons.   READ MORE

Doktor Kaboom: Look Out! Science is Coming! at the Kupferberg Center

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 18
Sporting chrome goggles, an orange lab coat, motorcycle boots, and wicked cool hair, Doktor Kaboom travels the world, thrilling adults and children alike with an explosive comedic style. READ MORE

Big Climb Metro New York at Citi Field

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 18
Join the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in the fight to cure blood cancers while also getting the chance to climb up and down the iconic steps of Citi Field, home of the New York Mets! Experience a high-energy, behind-the-scenes journey through one of the most beautiful ballparks in the nation, climbing up and down the steps of the upper tier, running the concourses, and finishing strong!   READ MORE

Sound & Color! Spring Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights – FREE
Saturday, May 18
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy takes its beloved kite festival to the next level with live musical performances, food vendors, kids activities, and more. Watch your kite soar above the Manhattan skyline the one day of the year kite-flying is open to the public at Brooklyn Bridge Park. READ MORE

Spring Festival presented by the Forest Hills Youth Athletic Association

Forest Hills, Queens
Saturday, May 18
The Forest Hills Youth Athletic Association hosts its annual spring fling, featuring bounce houses, face painting, a home run derby, lawn games, food vendors, live music, boutiques, a pie-eating contest, raffles, and much more!   READ MORE

Touch-a-Truck at PS 295

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 18
At this unique street fair, NYC kids and families can get up close and personal with a wide variety of special vehicles, including emergency trucks, service vehicles, construction equipment, luxury vehicles, and more. Food trucks, bouncy houses, music, and more round out the day. READ MORE

Brooklyn Circus at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 18
ABCirque returns to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for a day of interactive performances and hands-on workshops! Swing on silks, try your hand at juggling, test your balance, take a spin on a gigantic wheel, and more.  READ MORE

Dance Parade + DanceFest in the East Village

East Village – FREE
Saturday, May 18
Dance Parade returns to the streets, celebrating its 18th annual procession and festival with 10,000 dancers and more than 100 unique styles of dance. READ MORE

LIC Springs into Summer

Long Island City, Queens – FREE
Saturday, May 18
The Long Island City Partnership celebrates Long Island City with live music, dance, and performances, plus interactive lessons, art, fitness classes, outdoor dining, pop-up activities, games, and more. READ MORE

Big Truck Day on Randall's Island

Randall's Island – FREE
Saturday, May 18
Strap on your seatbelt and get a close-up view of the big trucks that keep New York City clean and safe. Learn how firefighters, garbage truck drivers, and other big truck operators use these vehicles to drive our city forward. READ MORE

Queens International Children's Festival at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning

Jamaica, Queens – FREE
Saturday, May 18
JCAL's Queens International Children's Festival returns with high-quality arts performances and craft activities to inspire young people and families to enjoy the arts. Programming includes a Japanese Drum performance by Taikoza, a dragon dance performance by NY Chinese Cultural Center, magician, bouncy house, popcorn, mini golf, games, arts and crafts, and more. READ MORE

Dance Africa 2024 at BAM

Downtown Brooklyn
Starts Saturday, May 18
The nation’s largest festival dedicated to African diasporic dance and music returns to the stages and streets of Brooklyn for its 47th year, featuring the iconic outdoor bazaar, traditional dance and music from Cameroon, classes, workshops, late-night dance parties, and FilmAfrica’s lineup of cinematic gems. READ MORE

Wonderland: Curious Nature Opening Weekend at the New York Botanical Garden

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Opens Saturday, May 18
Head down the rabbit hole as Wonderland: Curious Nature transforms NYBG's 250 acres into the sights, settings, and scents of the classic story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Step into a botanical experience that grows curiouser and curiouser as you set off on your immersive journey. READ MORE

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival

Midtown West
Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19
Enjoy cuisines from different countries, including Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Japan, Thailand, and more. From open to close, visitors can browse the offerings along 15 city blocks of gourmet food and beverages. READ MORE

Aloha Days Children’s Festival at the National Museum of the American Indian

Battery Park – FREE
Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19
This year’s family festival at NMAI celebrates all things Hawai’i! Enjoy a hula dance performance and learn the history behind it, get to know Hawaiian musical instruments, watch animated short films about ocean safety, and participate in a variety of hands-on activities for all ages.  READ MORE

Wings over Wave Hill

Riverdale, the Bronx
Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19
Wave Hill hosts a weekend of amazing bird encounters! In May, migratory and resident raptors and songbirds animate the gardens and the skies above Wave Hill, and naturalists and expert birders are on hand to reveal and explain their activities. Wave Hill's popular annual falconry demonstration returns, and there’s fun for all ages with hands-on activities, walks, talks, and a bird-themed Family Art Project. READ MORE

Opening Weekend of Open Worlds at the Museum of the Moving Image

Astoria, Queens – FREE
Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19
Open Worlds is an accessible, 15,500-square-foot, climate-controlled, WiFi-enabled community resource for visitors of all ages with programming that includes a wide range of free community and technology-focused activities spanning themes of content creation, Pride, accessibility, science on screen, special effects, video gaming, and much more. READ MORE

Hippo Playground Spring Fair in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Sunday, May 19
An Upper West Side institution, the Hippo Playground Spring Fair celebrates the season with pony rides, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, games, prizes, crafts, food, cupcake decorating, face painting, entertainment, and more. READ MORE

The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, May 19
Head to Park Slope's Fifth Avenue to peruse this street fair, featuring food and sale items, rides, bouncy castles, music performances, and more.  READ MORE

Greek Jewish Festival

Lower East Side – FREE
Sunday, May 19
This Greek Jewish Festival celebrates the unique Romaniote and Sephardic heritage of the Jews of Greece. Enjoy a feast for the senses, including authentic kosher Greek foods and homemade Greek pastries. READ MORE

All in the Family Kids n Comedy Show at the Gotham Comedy Club

Chelsea
Sunday, May 19
Every month Kids ‘n Comedy presents a showcase of their best and brightest teenage stand-up comics at Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan. This one is dedicated to parents, and young comedians (lovingly) roast the adults in their lives.  READ MORE

Met Opera Spring Open House

Upper West Side
Sunday, May 19
The Metropolitan Opera and Mythik Camps join forces to present this season’s Spring Open House, prior to the May 19 performance of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice. Designed as an immersive quest experience, this event invites young operagoers and families to explore the extraordinary tale of Orpheus and Euridice by discovering clues, completing missions, and participating in mythology-inspired activity stations around the opera house. READ MORE

Kickstarter Festival

Bed Stuy, Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, May 19
Kickstarter is coming to Bed-Stuy, with an afternoon of live music from DJs, good food, great vibes, and shopping from local businesses.  READ MORE

Friendship Circle Carnival

Upper East Side
Sunday, May 19
Bumper cars, inflatables, face painting, and all the other carnival staples, take over E 77th Street in support of children with special needs. Kosher food, including hot dogs and burgers, is available for purchase as well.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Goldstein Theatre
Forest Hills Youth Athletic Association
Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York
Wave Hill Garden and Cultural Center