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Dumbo Drop, Drums along the Hudson, 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
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5/17/24 - 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 waving good bye to May at Brooklyn's iconic Dumbo Drop on Friday, and jumping straight into June with Picnic Performances in Bryant Park, Fish Migration fun on the Hudson and Harlem Rivers, a Pinkster celebration in Prospect Park, Classical Kids Day at the BCM, and Drums along the Hudson in Inwood. Plus, Circus Amok is running wild in the city parks again!

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

2024 Dumbo Drop on Washington Street

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Friday, May 31
One of Brooklyn’s most iconic experiences, the annual Dumbo Drop—a flying elephant fundraising spectacle—sends thousands of parachuting toy elephants from the rooftops surrounding Washington Street.   READ MORE

Family Fridays: Dazzling Diffraction Patterns at MoMath on 5th

Chelsea – FREE
Friday, May 31
Sarah Goodman, teaching professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, invites families to explore how diffraction is used to reveal hidden structures in nature and in everyday objects. Use laser pointers to create dazzling diffraction patterns and learn how to use a diffraction pattern to uncover nature’s smallest secrets. READ MORE

Carnival at PS 111

Midtown West
Friday, May 31-Saturday, June 1
PS 111 hosts a fantastic spring carnival. The giant schoolyard is filled with bouncy houses, face painting, carnival games, crafts, food, and drinks.  READ MORE

Red Hook Fest 2024 in Valentino Park

Red Hook, Brooklyn – FREE
Friday, May 31-Saturday,June 1
Red Hook Fest 2024 kicks off with a dance party and community barbecue at PS 15. With activities, free food, and great music, the opening night event is a fun neighborhood gathering for the whole family. The festivities continue on Saturday, June 1, with main stage events at Valentino Park and Pier.  READ MORE

Picnic Performances in Bryant Park

Midtown West – FREE
Starts Friday, May 31 with a Puccini Celebration
Picnic Performances are the perfect way to spend a summer evening, with 25 live and in-person music, dance, and theatrical shows. Bring a blanket and a picnic (of course). READ MORE

Live Salsa Music, Free Ice Cream and Kids Activities on The East River Waterfront Esplanade

Upper East Side– FREE
Saturday, June 1
EsplanadeFriends host a FREE Salsa Celebration on the East River Waterfront, with live music from the all-female sensation Lulada Club, free A La Mode ice cream (while supplies last), and craft activities for kids...All with a spectacular water view!  READ MORE

Summer on the Hudson: World Fish Migration Day in Fort Washington Park

Washington Heights– FREE
Saturday, June 1
Wade into the Hudson River to collect and count species of fish at this interactive seining event in partnership with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.   READ MORE

World Fish Migration Day on Randall's Island

Randall's Island – FREE
Saturday, June 1
Wade into the Harlem River to collect and count species of fish at an interactive seining event to survey the incredible underwater life along the shores of Randall’s Island. READ MORE

Poppy Harlow and Laura Jarrett at CMOM

Upper West Side
Saturday, June 1
CNN news anchor Poppy Harlow and Saturday TODAY’s Laura Jarrett read from their new book, The Color of Love, with a special art-making activity to follow.   READ MORE

Hands On History: Queer Pride & Possibility At King Manor Museum

Jamaica, Queens – FREE
Saturday, June 1
Happy Pride Month! King Manor Museum invites kids to create rainbow salt dough heart ornaments popularized in the Victorian era. READ MORE

Celebrate Pinkster in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, June 1
The Prospect Park Alliance presents a Pinkster celebration in the yard of Lefferts Historic House, an 18th-century Flatbush farmhouse that serves as the park's historic house museum. The celebration coincides with the completion of a multi-year restoration. READ MORE

Spring Launch Fest 2024 in Hunts Point Park

Hunts Point, Bronx – FREE
Saturday, June 1
Bronx-based youth develpment program Rocking the Boat celebrates another semester of boat building, environmental science, and sailing programs for teens in the South Bronx.   READ MORE

Ants on a Log on the PAC NYC Lobby Stage

Financial District – FREE
Saturday, June 1
Ants on a Log perform a special concert, as part of Ants on a Log’s Pride Month Tour! The Ants’ Pride show features themes of inclusion, self-expression, community, and allyship. READ MORE

Pride Summer Movie Nights at Rockefeller Center

Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, June 1
Rockefeller Center is hosting movie nights at The Rink throughout the month of June to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride. Seating is first come, first served, so arrive early.  READ MORE

Bobbi and the Strays’ 15th Annual Walk for Paws at The Shops at Atlas Park

Middle Village, Queens– FREE
Saturday, June 1
Bobbi and the Strays’ 15th Annual Walk for Paws promises raffle baskets, adoptable dogs and vendors/merchandise for sale.   READ MORE

Family First Saturday: Library Tour and Storytime at the Morgan

Midtown East
Saturday, June 1
Enjoy a family tour of the exhibition Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature, followed by a picture book storytime: Beatrix and Her Bunnies. READ MORE

Family Program: Building Ornament at the Center for Artchitecture

Greenwich Village
Saturday, June 1
The Greenwich Village neighborhood boasts many beautiful buildings with exquisite architectural details. In this program, families start with a neighborhood walk to find examples of different types of ornament, then return to the Center to create building detail designs out of modeling material.   READ MORE

Circus Amok in NYC Parks

Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn & St Mary's Park, Bronx – FREE
Saturday, June 1 & Sunday, June 2
Circus Amok runs, well, amok once again presenting a series of free, outdoor circus performances in NYC entitled The Double, or The Wisdom of the Owl. The fun-for-all- ages, gender-bending production proves that everyone thrives when the community is fabulous and fair. READ MORE

Book Shelf Miniatures at Lehman College Art Gallery

Kingsbridge/Norwood, Bronx – FREE
Sunday, June 2
Join an inquiry-based inclusive family tour of the Architecture on the Lehman College campus and create your own Book Shelf Miniature. READ MORE

Classical Kids Fair at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Sunday, June 2
The Classical Kids Fair invites families to enjoy live performances, an instrument petting zoo, arts and crafts, radio broadcasting workshops, and more. Listen and play music along with WQXR, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and dancers from the Met Opera ballet. READ MORE

Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival in Inwood Hill Park

Inwood – FREE
Sunday, June 2
The annual Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival and Multicultural Celebration marks its 21st anniversary as Manhattan’s only open-air pow wow. The all-day event features Native American crafts, storytelling, and traditional food and dance. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Washington Street Brooklyn
National Museum of Mathematics Pop Up
Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
Rockefeller Center - The Rink
Various Locations in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Manhattan