One good thing about hot summer days is warm summer nights. And, in DFW, that means perfect weather for outdoor live music! And there’s nothing we like more than a family-friendly spot to listen to some tunes. From Concert by the Lake in Rockwall to Cool Thursdays at the Dallas Arboretum, we’ve gathered our favorite summer concert series that offers some of the best live music in Dallas. See them all below.
A popular summer music series held at the outdoor auditorium at The Harbor in Rockwall, fun cover bands like Def Leggend, Infinite Journey and Memphis Soul. Held on Thursdays from 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m., you can bring in your boat, enjoy music from the lake, and eat at one of the restaurants while listening or setting up on the lawn. There’s a fun fountain for the kids, too.
Sounds of Summer Concert Series in Highland Village
Head to The Patio Courtyard for free concerts at Highland Village. On Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can bring chairs and blankets, grab a bite from a nearby restaurant and let the kids splash in the interactive splash pad.
Every second Saturday through Sept., Denton Drive Live! offers a family-friendly concert (two bands each night) with all types of music including salsa, rock, blues, pop and more. There are activities for the kids and plenty of food and drinks for purchase. Be aware that pets are not allowed at the concert series.
This fun summer music series will feature several local or Texas musicians on the rise. Every other Thursday, head to Winters Park where you'll find food vendors and an activity area for kids.
This is one of the best places to see live music in Dallas! Cool Thursdays at the Dallas Arboretum brings you to one of the most beautiful spots in the metroplex, overlooking White Rock Lake.
Levitt Pavilion Summer Concert Series in Arlington
This impressive venue offers family-friendly free concerts every weekend during the summer. It’s BYOB and okay to bring your own summer picnic. They also have ticketed events that are perfect for a date night.
This popular food hall has concerts running most of the year. They start late, so while it might be a better fit for older kids, they are still family-friendly events!
Head for the Dallas Zoo on Saturday nights to enjoy live music, food, and of course, your kids' favorite animals! The show starts at 7 p.m., but you can arrive earlier.
Every Tuesday night there's a free concert held in Old Town Lewisville, at Wayne Ferguson Plaza. There are two bands, and the show starts at 7 p.m. Dogs are welcome, and you can bring your own food, but there are food vendors like Righteous BBQ, TM Ice Cream and more.
Jam with the fam with the return of San Diego’s summer concert scene. There are tons of FREE outdoor family-friendly music fests where you can boogie down all over town. Let the kids stay up late and enjoy a sunset picnic while music fills the open air. Read on for our guide to concerts in your neighborhood and create new summertime rituals with the entire family.
NORTH COUNTY COASTAL
CARLSBAD: TGIF Concerts in the Park This popular series is held in four local parks, so there’s always something new to check out.
WHEN: June 24; July 1, 8, 15 & 22, 29; Aug. 5, 12 & 19 from 6-8pm. Free.
Stagecoach Park Poinsettia Park Calavera Hills Park Alga Norte Park
ENCINITAS: Summer Concerts by the Sea Rock out right on the beach with classic cover bands, country, alternative rock and rockabilly.
WHEN: Sundays on July 10, 24; Aug. 7 & 21 from 3-5 pm. Free.
Moonlight Beach 400 B St., Encinitas, 92024 Online: seecalifornia.com
ENCINITAS: Switchfoot Bro-Am The Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am is the ultimate family-friendly music beach party. Check out an awesome surf competition and free concerts on the sand while raising money for local community and youth programs supporting music in schools and fighting hunger.
WHEN: June 18 from 7 am-5 pm. Free.
Moonlight Beach 400 B St., Encinitas, 92024 Online: broam.org
LEUCADIA: Summer Fun on the 101 This fun, free music festival features multiple live bands for a day of celebrating music and musicians.
WHEN: July 9 from 12-7:30 pm. Free.
Leucadia Roadside Park 860 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 Online: leucadia101.com
SOLANA BEACH: Concerts at the Cove Head down to the beach and catch an evening concert by the ocean.
WHEN: Thursday evenings from June 23 – Aug. 25 at 6 pm.
ESCONDIDO: San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum Attend a Summer Serenade this year full of live music, food trucks, kids crafts, beer & wine and more.
WHEN: July 9 and Aug. 13 from 5-7:30 pm. Cost: $10/members; $15/non-members. Registration required.
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum 320 N Broadway, Escondido, 92025 Online: sdcdm.org
POWAY: Summer Concert Series All you need is love, a picnic (or cash for the food trucks) and chairs to enjoy Sunday concerts in Poway. Concerts at held at two different parks.
WHEN: June 26, July 10, 17, 24, 31; Aug. 7 & 14 from 5:30-7pm
SCRIPPS RANCH: Symphony in the Park Rock through the summer with these concerts in Scripps Ranch.
WHEN: July 10 & Aug. 14 from 6-7:30 pm
Hoyt Park Scripps Ranch Blvd. + Aviary Dr., San Diego, 92131 Online: symphonyinthepark.org
CENTRAL SAN DIEGO
ALLIED GARDENS: First Friday Concerts This series has become increasingly popular with residents each year as a wonderful way to connect with the community.
WHEN: 1st Friday each month from June-October from 6-8pm. Free.
Allied Gardens Community Park 5155 Greenbrier Ave., San Diego, CA 92120 Online: facebook.com
BALBOA PARK: Spreckels Organ Pavilion Every local has to attend this iconic organ concert at least once.
WHEN: every Sunday at 2pm and Monday at 7:30pm from May-August. Free.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion 2125 Pan American Rd. E., Balboa Park Online: balboapark.org
POINT LOMA/LIBERTY STATION: Subaru's Great Big Family Play Day Join us for this once a year family FUN day filled with live music, entertainment, activities and family memories! Frequently referred to as “Coachella for Kids”, this event is the family music festival you won't want to miss! Tickets are now on pre-sale at discounted prices!
SEAPORT VILLAGE This is one of the longest running music series of the summer held at both the Carousel District stage and the Lighthouse District stage.
WHEN: every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm. Free.
Seaport Village 849 W Harbor Dr., San Diego, 92101 Online: seaportvillage.com
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS: Summer in the Park Grab dinner before or after the fun at one of the many popular restaurants nearby. Bring cash to buy dessert from mobile vendor Mrs. Frostie for ice cream treats.
WHEN: July 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 6-8pm. Free.
Trolley Barn Park 1943 Adama Ave., San Diego, 92116 Online: uhcdc.org
EAST SAN DIEGO
EL CAJON: Dinner & A Concert No need to bring a picnic when grabbing dinner is quick & easy from the nearby restaurants in downtown El Cajon. This is one of the longest running concert series of the summer.
WHEN: every Friday from May-September from 6-8pm. Free.
Prescott Promenade 200 E Main St., El Cajon, 92020 Online: downtownelcajon.com
LA MESA: Sundays at Six Concerts This series takes place in the park's amphitheater so there's no need to bring your lawn chairs if you get there early! There's lots of room for kids to run on the grassy knolls and a playground with great equipment.
WHEN: June 19, 26; July 10, 17, 24 & 31 at 6pm. Free.
Harry Griffen Park 9550 Milden St., La Mesa, 91942 Online: lamesaparks.org
SANTEE: Town Center Summer Concerts You'll be singing and bopping along to these summer tunes.
WHEN: every Thursday from June 9 - Aug. 18 (except June 30) from 6:30-8pm. Free.
Santee Town Center Community Park 550 Park Center Dr., Santee Online: cityofsanteeca.gov
SOUTH SAN DIEGO
CHULA VISTA: Summer Sundays Chula Vista really knows how to celebrate family with concerts and lots of extra fun for all ages. Samples bites from mall restaurants, send the kids to the fun zone for the free crafts, balloon animals and face painting (bring money for tips), or check out the rotating car club shows each week.
WHEN: every Sunday from June 5 - July 10 from 5-7 pm. Free.
Eastlake Village Walk 884 Eastlake Parkway, Chula Vista, 91914 Online: shopvillagewalk.com
CORONADO: Ferry Landing Weekend Concerts Enjoy San Diego like a tourist and take the ferry across the bay for a summer concert in Coronado. (You can also drive over there too, but the ferry is way more fun!)
WHEN: every Saturday and Sunday from 2-5 pm. Free.
CORONADO: Summer Park Concert Series Coronado takes pride in featuring many local bands and award-winning music you won't find anywhere else in the city. Bring a picnic and join in this long-loved musical family tradition.
WHEN: every Sunday from June 5 - Aug. 14 at 6 pm; and Aug. 21-Sept. 4 at 5 pm. Free.
Looking for a quick and cool summer getaway? Indoor water parks near NYC are open and ready for you and the kids to splash down. Whether the family is in need of a one-day fun day or a longer escape, there are plenty of indoor water parks nearby in spots like New Jersey, the Poconos and upstate. Of course, you can also visit an outdoor water park ( these are our favorites), or stay local and hit an NYC playground with a sprinkler. And don’t forget: there’s always an NYC beach or one worthy of a trip.
New York Water Parks
The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark
Kartrite Resort
At long last, The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark is open! (The pandemic put things on pause for a bit.) Located about two hours away in The Catskills' Monticello, Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark is now the state's largest. The 80,000-square-foot space features 11 water attractions, from mild (lazy river) to thrill-inducing. Constructed with a transparent, energy-efficient Texlon roof, the space is column-free, includes a living plant wall, and kept a pleasant 84 degrees year-round. If you're too pooped to leave after riding the waves and slides, you can crash in one of the resort's many lodging options. Also, FYI, Resorts World Casino is next door, and there's a spa on site (which also offers kid's treatments).
Good to know: If you do stay a while, there's plenty else to do besides splish and splash. The resort is home to eight dining options, from grab-and-go to sit down, with many serving food made with ingredients from local suppliers. Diversions for kids include an arcade, mini bowling alley, LED-lit climbing wall, laser tag, and a VR experience. Also nearby is Holiday Mountain (10 minutes away) which has skiing and tubing in the winter and go-karts and mini-golf in the summer, and Bethel Woods, home to Woodstock Music Fest in 1969 and concert series and events today. Also: the brand new LEGOLAND Resort in Goshen, New York is a quick drive away.
The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark 555 Resort World Dr. Monticello, NY 845-397-2500 Online: thekartrite.com
Great Escape Lodge
Six Flags Great Escape
Located right by Lake George, Great Escape Lodge in the Adirondacks attracts tourists and locals alike; especially because it's part of the well-known and established Six Flags family of theme parks. Not only do fun characters like Scooby-Doo, a moose, and a fox come visit kids in the Lodge's lobby, the indoor water park is literally just off the lodging area — so you can walk from your hotel room right into the water park in your flip-flops without ever going outside.
The water park is 38,000 square feet, maintained at a warm 82 degrees, and splashy attractions include the Tall Timbers Treehouse (great for pre-school aged kids) which features water jets, steering wheels and a gigantic water bucket above that can soak you down below at any time. Older kids can float down the "lazy river" on inflatable tubes; splash in the lagoon, where cascading jets of water douse guests below, enjoy "Avalanche" tubing on a large raft that seats four, and twist their way down slippery slides. If you're traveling with a toddler, bring them to the mini pool area, which features very shallow water, baby swings, a baby slide, and wildlife-themed fountains. Johnny Rocket's is on site serving up burgers, and kids can blow off even more steam at the hotel's arcade.
Good to know: When booking your reservation, you can request that costumed character bring your kids some cookies before bedtime. For the parents, there's an adults-only heated spa dubbed "Soakum Spring" and if you love massages and facials, there's a day spa on-premises.
Generations of families have visited Rocking Horse Ranch, an all-inclusive resort known for its year-round outdoor horseback riding (yes, even in the middle of winter). Guests like the personalized attention they receive here, and although the Ranch's indoor water park isn't as grandiose as others, it's the perfect place to visit and enjoy in one afternoon, without the large crowds. Big Splash Indoor Water Park is kept at a comfortable 85 degrees, features a 250-foot flume for kids who can't get enough of water slides, water geysers, aqua stations with mini-slides, fountains, large dumping buckets, and more.
Good to know: They also have other winter fun like skiing and snowtubing, and the ranch is home to outdoor water slides, bungee jumping and rock climbing, should you want to make a trip in warmer months. The 2020 summer season brought a new "Outdoor Aquatic Adventure" area, with water slides, Eldorado hot springs and a zero-depth entry pool.
Rocking Horse Ranch 600 State Route 44/55 Highland, NY 845-691-2927 Online: rockinghorseranch.com
Pennsylvania Water Parks
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge
Located in the Pocono Mountains, Great Wolf Lodge offers 80,000-square-feet of space to splish and splash, and it recently wrapped up a $12 million upgrade to its facilities and hotel rooms. (We stayed in a new-and-improved room—it had a modern, woodsy-chic vibe, and ours, a suite on the top floor, had a sky-high ceiling making it feel extra roomy. Comfy beds, a small balcony, and a separate area for a couch and TV upped the cozy factor.)
Younger kids will enjoy the indoor mini-pool with spray-and-play features as well as well as a tree house to play in. Older kids gravitate towards The Big Foot Pass, where they "walk" from one end of the pool to another by hanging on to a rope and a signature water slide using a large raft called "River Canyon Run." Great Wolf is also home to twin, three-story slides that provide an escape route out of the wet Fort Mackenzie tree house, tons of slide drops, and a one-of-kind water slide/roller coaster dubbed the "Hydro Plunge." There's also two hot whirlpools (one just for adults) and "Slideboarding", in which you use thumb controls to hit LED targets and get a score after your final plunge.
Good to know: Great Wolf is super family-friendly, especially if you stay a night. (The main lobby, with its huge antler chandeliers and large fireplace, is very welcoming, and many guests—kids and adults alike—make it home, hanging out enjoying juice and jammies and vino and loungewear, respectively.) Aside from the waterpark, this space acts as "fun HQ", with everything from face-painting and balloon twisting, to story time, shows, movie screenings, and a killer pajama dance party right before bed. (Seriously, it's great.)
Great Wolf is home to lots of other ways to keep the kids entertained and busy, including a "MagiQuest" adventure that takes them on hunts using a magic wand; a buzzing arcade, kid-friendly bowling, a "Creation Station" where they can pick a stuffie to be filled; Glow Golf, and more. Great Wolf also has outdoor water play spots and a rope course, so it's also a good choice for escapes in any season.
Great Wolf Lodge 1 Great Wolf Dr. Scotrun, PA 570-688-9899 Online: greatwolf.com
Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark
Camelback Resort
Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark is unique in that it offers visitors places to slip and slide both inside and out. For wet and wild fun, there's Aquatopia, a 125,000-square-foot, multi-level indoor waterpark where it's always a pleasant 84-degrees. The balmy bubble features seven pools and 13 slides — including the Venus SlydeTrap, the first Aqua-Sphere-Manta slide of its kind in the world, and a wave pool. It's also home to the Storm Chaser, the longest indoor watercoaster in the U.S.
Good to know: Camelback is also where you will find the giant outdoor waterpark, Camelbeach. The resort offers plenty of opportunity to have fun in the snow, with a full ski resort and the largest snowtubing park in the country.
Camelback Resort Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Water Park 301 Resort Dr. Tannersville, PA 570-629-1661 Online: camelbackresort.com
The Kalahari Resort
Kalahari Resorts
Also located in the Poconos,The Kalahari Resort is a 220,000-square-foot indoor waterpark inspired by the spirit of Africa. You'll find twisting waterslides, a lazy river, indoor/outdoor family whirlpool, spots for little ones to play and body-board and stand-up surfing opportunities for bigger kids (and adults). Poolside cabanas are available for rent here and it's got a retractable roof for when the temps rise.
Good to know: You'll also find multiple dining options on site, a spa (with kid options), additional entertainment ranging from an arcade and Virtual Reality experiences, as well as ziplines, ropes courses, mini golf, mini bowling, an escape room and more.
This DreamWorks-branded indoor water park is part of the American Dream shopping and amusement complex, which is also home to Nickelodeon Universe amusement park; Big SNOW, an indoor ski slope; an indoor ice rink, Angry Birds mini golf, and retail shops.
The water park has something for everyone in the family. For thrill-seekers there's the world’s tallest indoor drop slide with a 50-foot free-fall. You can also ride with dragons around the entire water park on "Toothless Trickling Torpedo," the world’s tallest and longest hydromagnetic water coaster. For calmer fun, float down the lazy river, or hang out in the world's largest indoor wave pool. The Kung Fu Panda Temple of Awesomeness is an interactive water play structure including slides, dump cups, and even a giant tipping bucket, and little kids will love the Penguins Frozen Fun Zone. You can also expect appearances from characters in DreamWorks films throughout the day (ask for a schedule when you arrive to see who is on tap for the day).
This large 60,000-square-foot park provides plenty of fun for people of all ages. For families with small children, the park's Lizard Lagoon is a feature dedicated entirely to young children and infants (it’s a play area with small slides) little kids will also enjoy TimBukTu, a play area outfitted with numerous interactive water features. The indoor water park has a retractable roof (it opens in the summer), and private cabanas for rent, adding to the tropical feel of the park regardless of the season. Cool water rides for those who love to surf, slide, soak, or be sprayed include The Flow Ride indoor surf simulator, The Congo Bongo (a leisurely float around the park in a tube), tube slides, the Crocodile Flats obstacle course, and more.
Recent additions to the park include Tut's Twisters, head-first, side-by-side racing slides with a five-story-high drop, and indoor leisure pool Cleopatra's Cove. If the whole family's ready for an adventure, check out Mount Kilimanjaro, a towering, massive water slide on which up to four people ride a raft into a large pool.
Good to know: Kids under two get in free, and the park holds special events for kids on weekends, such as cookie decorating, games and giveaways with a DJ, or even visit from a large dump truck. Also, be sure to check the park's events calendar for events for kids with special needs.
Sahara Sam's 535 North Route 73 West Berlin, NJ 856-767-7580 Online: saharasams.com
The key to being a rock star is displaying a killer combo of enthusiasm and self-confidence. In other words, be a toddler. (They’re the only ones that can get away with scream-singing “Itsy Bitsy Spider” while shaking a diapered butt.) Channel all that energy into these music classes for kids in Chicago that focus on learning and fun.
The underlying premise of Kindermusik is that music is the best method for early childhood development. Bucktown Music offers a progressive Kindermusik class for toddlers, which teaches vocal development, tone and rhythm patterns to instill a musical ear. Parents learn songs, poems and games to incorporate into everyday life, while a class album, e-book and interactive guide reinforce lessons.
Marsha’s Music teaches Music Together toddler classes in which parents participate alongside their kids, who learn by imitation. Each mixed-age class features songs, rhymes, movement and instrument play, and there’s plenty of room to improvise. A CD and illustrated songbook are take-homes for parents who want to bring the party back to their place.
Saint Paul & the Redeemer, 4945 S. Dorchester Ave., Hyde Park; Online: marshasmusic.com
In the early childhood classes at this music springboard located in the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center, gets tots their first taste of rhythms and beats. The Movers and Shakers program for ages 18 mos.-3 yrs. encourages peer interaction as kids sing and play simple percussion instruments.
Pros introduce kids to music fundamentals, like tapping out a beat and singing in tune. The philosophy behind the Music Together program is that the strongest way to learn is for parents to model music behaviors. Mixed-age classes (ages 0-5) include standard folk songs like “Skip to My Lou,” but also Bollywood, Klezmer and American Indian melodies to introduce children to different keys and musical meters.
Not only will you find live music classes for kids ages 4 & under, but Mr. Dave also partners with Buddha Belly Kids Yoga to teach Movement & Mindfulness to tots starting at 18 months. Open-Ended Art classes allow students to uniquely express how a particular piece of music makes them feel, and Baby Raves get the whole family on the dance floor.
Music Together classes fill up quickly at Music House. Their 45-minutes classes aim to increase family bonding while developing everyone’s love of music. Children learn how to make music while improving literacy, self-expression and motor skills.
2925 W. Devon, West Rogers Park & 1018 N. California Ave., Humboldt Park; Online: musichouseinc.com
Musikgarten classes build fundamental music skills by revisiting songs, stories and dances from session to session. The Family Music for Toddlers program includes singing, dancing, playing instruments and lots of movement so kids can learn to feel a beat. Working with the parent is an instrumental part of the program, so grownups are given a CD and guide to continue the learning at home.
Various locations throughout the city & suburbs; Online: musicinst.org
Instill in your kids a deep love and understanding of music through highly engaging, play-based classes. From infant sensory classes to music discovery and mixed-age adventures in singing and piano, 45-minute lessons are made memorable through repetition, gamification and just plain fun
The Old Town School of Folk Music brings its laid-back, hippie approach to its kid program, Wiggleworms. Teachers lead the class on guitar, banjo or ukulele while singing folk, rock and pop (think “Yellow Submarine”.) Kids sing, bang out rhythms, play with parachutes and bubbles and learn to socialize with each other.
Classes are currently held at the main Lincoln Park and Lincoln Square locations, as well as one at a satellite location in Evanston.
4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square & 909 W. Armitage Ave., Lincoln Park; Online: oldtownschool.org
Looking to further encourage that new music appreciation? Check out these live music venues that are sure to bring out the inner groupie in you and your kids.
The Rock and Roll Playhouse is the largest kid-friendly concert series in the country and, lucky for us, Chicago is among their many stops. The Rock and Roll Playhouse brings together local musicians to play songs from the most iconic musicians, like The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, Phish, Bob Marley and Prince in order to provide a shared musical experience between parents and kids (ages 1-7, mostly.) In Chicago, you often find shows at Gallagher Way and Thalia Hall.
There is no better way to have a relaxing weekend brunch than when your kids are in the next room dancing their bottoms off. Beat Kitchen has long hosted Concerts for Kids on Sundays at 11 a.m. Catch acts like Mary Macaroni, Super Stolie or The Boogers. Tickets are only a few bucks, and you are free to bring your mimosas and Bloody Mary’s into the stage room and cut a rug yourself. While the Concerts for Kids is on hiatus, due to the pandemic, it has been temporarily replaced by Bluegrass Brunch for all ages on Saturdays at 11 a.m. Tickets are free.
2100 W. Belmont Ave., Roscoe Village; Online: beatkitchen.com
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Listen to the classics in a captivating way with programs such as Once Upon a Symphony which incorporates storytelling, magical set designs and costumes alongside live music, with the help of the Chicago Children’s Theatre. As children grow, Family Matinees are geared towards kids ages 5 & up.
Catch many of the city’s best children’s concerts at Gallagher Way during their free Wiggleworms sessions in the summer, or enjoy various genres during their French Market and many other events throughout the year. With ample space for the kids to run around or play in the fountains, it’s easy to kick back and enjoy a cocktail while you listen, dance or sing along.
The Old Town School of Folk Music is working on bringing back their Kids Concerts, where local favorites such as Little Miss Ann, Laura Doherty perform regularly, and even Justin Roberts has appeared annually.
The well-known summer festival also includes Kids Concerts. Prior performances have included the world-famous Laurie Berkner. Get there before the show to enjoy the KidsLawn, which includes an Interactive Musical Playground. The 2022 lineup will be announced on Mar. 24, with tickets going on sale on May 4.
201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park; Online: ravinia.org
Some of the best places to enjoy live music with the whole family are the many, many street festivals in Chicago during the summer. Most street festivals have a family stage during the day with lots of local kid bands on the schedule, and if you can keep the kids out a little late, you can all rock out to the headliners at night.
There’s no doubt that Manhattan’s playground game is strong, but some on the island go above and beyond, with design features that make them more of a destination than the basic park around the corner. From playgrounds featuring awesome jungle gyms for adventurous climbers to imaginative play spaces, hidden slides and a playground kids make themselves, there’s an outstanding playground for kids of every age. Keep reading to check out the best playgrounds in Manhattan where you can slide, climb, splash and imagine the day away. You should go at least one time; you’ll probably go many.
This cutting-edge, eco-inspired play area opened in December of 2021, but expect spring 2022 to be huge here. Its extended hours for the warmer months (7 a.m. - 9 p.m.) began March 2. Triple the size of the previous playground space in The Battery, Playscape was constructed post-Hurricane Ida and is built to flood and recover. Children experience five ecology zones: Bluff with five granite slides; Riverbed and Marsh with vast salt-tolerant gardens, elevated tree houses, and sand/water play; and Dune and Meadow presenting ShowBox, the first improv/puppet theater in an NYC playground. Other features include a climbing wall, rope ladders and a sandbox with "animals" (like a concrete octopus) waiting to be discovered. (Reminder: you can't visit The Battery with kids without taking a spin on the magical Seaglass Carousel, and if it's hot out, don't miss the Spiral Bosque Fountain.
Playscape The Battery State Street and Battery Place The Battery Online: thebattery.org
To Beat the Heat On the West Side: Chelsea Waterside Playground
One of the newest playgrounds in the city (Domino Park and Pier 3 in Brooklyn also recently debuted) the Chelsea Waterside Play Area in Hudson River Park has always been a popular spot for locals and otherwise. A $34 million overhaul from architect Michael Van-Valkenburgh (his firm is behind the design of Brooklyn Bridge Park as well) brought playground equipment from Danish firm MONSTRUM to the northeast for the first time. Play structures include a giant, one-of-a-kind, multicolor Robina wood pipefish (found in the Hudson), and a 64-foot wooden slide. You'll also find sprinklers, a large sandpit, and limestone cattle head sculptures salvaged from an old building in the meatpacking district. After you’re done playing, hold hands and cross the West Side Highway to access a sprawling grassy field along the Hudson River. After you relax, go for a ride on the Pier 62 Carousel, featuring 33 hand-carved wooden animal figures, open daily for rides ($2 each).
Where: Chelsea, West 23rd St. and 11th Ave.
What’s in it for you: Lots of tree plantings for shade and shutting out city noise, and tiered granite seats made with material from Pier 54, where the Titanic was to have docked.
Water feature: Gentle sprinklers.
Restroom: There’s a Port-o-let in the playground for emergencies and a public restroom across the street on the north side of Chelsea Piers building.
To Splash and Slide: Heckscher Playground
Constructed in 1927, Heckscher Playground is the oldest playground in Central Park and the largest at 1.8 acres. It’s best known for its rock hills with ladders that lead down into tunnels, providing city kids with hours of exploration. Kids can also swing and slide in a shaded area, run and roll on a synthetic turf, and climb and splash in a large, maze-like climber and water feature with tunnels, ramps, and slides. There really is no shortage of things to do here. Plus, the playground is housed in a confined area — helpful for keeping your critters from darting into the Central Park Zoo.
Where: Columbus Circle, 7th Ave. and Central Park South from 61st to 63rd St.
What’s in it for you: Plenty of benches and green grass, lots of room to play.
Water feature: Water spews from the highest point of the climber and down to elevated water channels, plus there’s a separate semi-enclosed area for tots to splash.
Restroom: Located at the playground entrance inside the Heckscher Building
For an Upper West Side Institution: Safari, or "Hippo" Playground
Hippo Playground Project
Much-beloved by the community (and taken extra special care of, thanks to The Playground Project), Hippo Playground takes its name from the impossible-to-miss Bob Cassily hippopotamus statues found "frolicking" in the park. There's something for all ages here, including swings, a wood play structure, jungle gym, a slide, a soft play surface, sand pit, and spray fountain. There's also picnic tables, and shade, to keep everybody cool. In the summer, there's free art in the park, as well as a free July concert series. (Check The Project's Facebook page for the day's happenings.) Come fall, head to the park for pumpkin carving and a Halloween parade.
Note: Thanks to a renovation, the playground's Park House can now be booked as an affordable party space. Click here for booking inquiries.
The Playground Project also holds a boffo fundraiser every year (typically in the spring) with pony rides, a bounce house, petting zoo, face-painting, glitter tattoos, and much, much more.
Where: Riverside Park at 91st Street
What's in it for you: Shady spots, and picnic tables. Plus free programming in the summer. (Plus: a cool Joan of Arc statue at 93rd Street!)
Water feature: Yes—in the shape of a hippo, naturally
For Play for Big & Small Kids: Margaret L. Kempner Playground
A major renovation of the popular Margaret L. Kempner Playground was completed in late 2019. Improvements include new custom-built wooden play structures, a central water spray feature, an accessible sandbox feature and the addition of a picnic area. This playground is a great spot for families with a big and a little kid; it's designed to accommodate kids ages 2-5, and 5-12, with separate but connected play areas for the two groups. For example, older kids can be challenged with net-climbing, while younger ones can tackle spinners and balance features.
Where: Northeast side of the park at 94th. Enter at 96th Street.
What’s in it for you: Play for a wide range of ages, new plantings and a picnic area.
Water feature: Yes
Restroom: No.
For a Playground You Can Hit Coming Or Going: Evelyn's Playground
You'd be forgiven for thinking this is called "Union Square Playground", because it anchors Union Square Park on the north side. A good spot for kids of all ages, the park has climbing structures, slides, swings, a gentle water feature in warmer weather, a generous sandbox, and a big giant silver dome to scale. A great spot to play in the heart of the city, and steps from the Union Square subway lines, making it easy to get to, and leave. Bonus features of the park include statues of Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln, and a dog run.
Where: Union Square, Union Square West and E. 17th St.
What’s in it for you: The famed Union Square Greenmarket is a stone's throw away.
Water feature: Gentle sprinkler.
Restroom: Accessible restrooms are located on site. (There's also a Barnes and Noble across the street on 17th.)
Way on the west side in the 40s, sits a gentle giant waiting to be scaled and slid down. The Tom Otterness Playground sits between two apartment buildings and it features a massive play-sculpture by the artist who gives the spot its name. (If the towering metal man looks familiar, it's probably because Otterness' whimsical work, "Life Underground", featuring similar tiny beings and alligators emerging from manholes, inhabits the subway station at 14th Street and 8th Avenue.) Canine lovers will also enjoy the dog run nearby — although watch your step: not everyone cleans up after their four-legged friend.
Where: Midtown West, 630 W. 42nd St. between 11th and 12th Aves.
What’s in it for you: You'll find some shady spots to get a respite from the sun, and will probably think the play-sculpture is pretty cool, too.
Water feature: No.
Restroom: Again, no. It's really about the art here.
For a Triple Play: Washington Square Park
NYC Parks
It’s been called “a battleground for chess enthusiasts,” but Washington Square Park (home to the famous arch) is so much more than that. For starters, it’s gone through some major renovations, so if your kids love to climb, this is a must-visit. Washington Square Park actually contains three playgrounds. The first is a small kids' playground for newly-minted walkers (that also has an infant swingset). There's also a play space for older kids where they can dig in the sand, run amok, and go down slides. Surrounded by artificial turf mounds, Washington Square Park is perfect for good old-fashioned play like rolling down a hill. In addition, a new rope, spider-web-like obstacle course in the southwest corner of the park offers extra fun for city kiddies of all ages. Note: The playground features JennSwings, which are full-body positioning support swing, adding an extra touch of safety.
Where: Greenwich Village, 4th St. to Waverly Pl. and Macdougal St. to University Pl.
What’s in it for you: Musicians such as jazz bands and a piano man entertain at all corners of the park. And yes, there are chess players for your little Bobby or Barbara Fisher to watch or challenge.
Water feature: The “big kids” playground has a mini-arch that sprays a tunnel of water; kids also like to jump in and out of the big water fountain in the middle of the park.
Bathrooms: Comfort stations on site.
For an Updated Park With Two Granite Slides: Billy Johnson Park
Pioneering landscape architect M. Paul Friedberg designed the Billy Johnson Playground (in 1981!) to be a rustic, mini reflection of the surrounding area in Central Park, featuring stone walls, bridges, a small shelter and naturalistic plantings. The big draw here is the 45-foot granite slide built into the landscape; not only is it fun to slide down, it's also a bit of an adventure to scale the slight grade to the top.
The playground recently underwent a major renovation and upgrade, which not only made it safer and accessible for kids of all abilities, but added many new features. Additions include new swings, a sand table, and refreshed rustic structures and seating. The renovation also added a dozen user-activated water jets to the playground's amphitheater area.
A major new feature is a custom-designed net climber, made with climbable cables and nets on sloped embankments, with stairs, platforms, slides, and a rope bridge; designed for kids ages two to five, it will probably draw the attention of older kids, too. Keeping with the aesthetic theme of the playground, the structure's rustic timber posts are made from Douglas fir trees.
Where: Upper East Side, E. 67th and Fifth Ave.
What’s in it for you: A brand new playground, spots to sit, some shade, and lovely plantings. The slide is adult-friendly, too.
Water feature: Yes
Restroom: No.
To Make Like King Tut: Ancient Playground
Just north of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ancient Playground has a climbing pyramid, obelisk and sundial inspired by the museum’s collection of Egyptian Art. You’ll also find pyramid-shaped climbers with slides, and tunnels linked by concrete bridges to make older kids happy. Little ones like to explore an obelisk-shaped structure in the sandbox. Bucket, tire and strap swings will also get a squeal out of all ages.
Where: Upper East Side, East Side of Central Park at 85th St.
What’s in it for you: You’re right near the Met!
Water feature: Water runs from a central obelisk across two bridges and cascades like a mini-waterfall into an open area with water jets. A separate space for younger kids has spray nozzles set into a wall.
Restroom: Comfort station in the playground.
For Downtown Playtime: Nelson A. Rockefeller Park
BPCA
Nelson A. Rockefeller Park is best known as the large lawn at the north end of Battery Park where kids can run, tumble and play yard games with oodles of green space to spare. The park has a large playground that reopened in October of 2020 following a significant renovation, the last of upgrades to all four play spaces in Battery Park City. You'll find colorful climbing structures for older kids and plenty of sand, swings, and small slides for the toddlers and infants. There’s also a small kid-powered merry-go-round. All sports equipment, toys, books and games are available to rent for free, at the on site Park House — just bring a photo ID.
Where: North end of Battery Park City, west of River Terrace
What’s in it for you: Soft rubber turf protects the knees and legs. Plus, there are picnic tables and benches to unwind and have some snacks.
Water feature: There are small water fountains inside the playground to keep little ones cool, or you can drop by nearby Teardrop Park featuring a natural rock climbing wall, which takes you up to a long slide back down.
Restroom: Located at the northwest corner of the Solaire Building, across the street from the Park House.
For Fans of Secret Spots & a Fantastic Slide: Teardrop Park
The two-acre, sustainable Teardrop Park was designed by child development experts and it shows. The park's play elements are integrated into the awesome landscape, which allows children to interact with water, plants, rock, and sand. The shadier southern half of the park features a rock step-path that leads up to a long slide, two sand pits, “theatre steps”, and a water playground. The northern half of the park features a broad lawn (which receives lots of sunlight), park benches, a wetland, and a perched gathering area made from rocks, the last of which is an installation created by artist Ann Hamilton. Dividing these two areas is a large wall, composed of rocks brought to lower Manhattan from elsewhere in New York State. A short tunnel connects the two areas, and paths criss-cross the site, providing elevated views within the park and beyond as well as connections across the park. It’s a hidden gem of a spot for those really looking to connect with nature and take a literal few steps out of the hustle and bustle of New York City.
Where: Warren Street; Battery Park
What’s in it for you: Its relaxing vibe. Plus it’s not your run-of-the-mill playground.
Water feature: Water sprouts from the ground in a special section of stacked rocks, creating kid-friendly sprinklers.
Restroom: Located at the northwest corner of the Solaire Building, across the street from the Park House
For the Toddler Set: Toll Family Playground
Central Park Conservancy
The Toll Family Playground is a prime spot for toddlers and preschool kids, offering a full selection of features for a wide variety of play. The hallmark of the playground is two small house structures, a nod to similar shelters from the playground's original 1936 design. (The playground was renovated in 2018.)You'll also find a smaller slide and play structure, swings, spinner and spring toys and an area for sand plays that's sized for smaller children.
Where: West side of Central Park at 84th Street, near Mariner's Gate 85th Street entrance
What’s in it for you: The playground is located at the base of Summit Rock, the highest point the the park and a popular point of interest.
Water feature: A low-key water feature provides gentle sprays.
Restroom: No
To Spark Creativity: Imagination Playground
Daniel Avila, NYC Parks
More than your standard swings and slides, Imagination Playground, designed by famed architect (and dad) David Rockwell, is a an interactive play space that prompts kids to engage in unstructured creative free play and make a play space of their own. Kids use sand, water and loose parts like giant foam blocks, mats, and fabric to engage in fantasy and cooperative play, as well as good old fashioned running around like nuts. Where: The flagship Imagination Playground is located near South Street Seaport at Burling Slip (South St., Front St. and and John St.). Portable Imagination Playgrounds pop up in playgrounds around the city as well. (Check the Parks Department website for news on where they will be.)
What's in it for you: It's a pretty cool idea — and you'll probably want to play along!
Water feature: A separate water play area for hot weather fun is open during the summer at the Burling Slip locale.
Restroom: Public restrooms on site.
For a Waterwheel Near a LEGO Store: Madison Square Park
NYC Parks Department
Madison Square Park Playground is known as a smaller space with big fun. The playground features a jungle gym and appropriate play equipment for both tots and older kids. The highlight during the summer is when the 15-foot tall waterwheel and sprinklers are activated. Bonus: a LEGO store/experience is located a stone's throw away on 5th Avenue at 23rd Street.
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Where: Madison Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets
What's in It For You: Wifi hotspots, and Eataly is right across the street on Fifth Ave.
Water Feature: The aforementioned water wheel.
Restroom: No
For a Water Park with a Pirate Edge: Pier 51 Hudson River Park
Friends of River Park Trust
Ahoy, mateys! A neighborhood favorite with river views, Hudson River Park’s Pier 51 Playground is great for water lovers. At the heart of the playground is a wooden pirate ship. A spiral ramp leads to the lookout, then kids slide down into a water play area outfitted with huge water gushers and buckets. Kids can also "search for lost treasure" in the sand pit. A yellow, tree-like structure spritzes water for those who kiddies who can’t get enough of H20. Brass animals, such as turtles and crabs, adorn the playground and the sand play area and fences explain Manhattan’s ecological history. Little tots like wading in the moving stream and playing in the small spray sprinklers. Don’t forget your towels and sunscreen!
Where: West Village, Horatio St. at the Hudson River
What’s in it for you: It’s a public water park! Who needs a Montauk getaway?
Water feature: The whole park is a splash-splash paradise.
Restroom: Comfort station on site along the walking path.
For Fun for Everyone: Pier 25 Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park Trust
River Park’s Pier 25 Playground is the golden ticket of playgrounds with a rock climbing wall, two space-age climbing structures for big kids, small slides for toddlers, a modern merry-go-round, roomy sandbox, multiple swing sets and huge water play area. Not to mention, it’s next door to a skate park, snack shack, mini-golf course, beach volleyball court and soccer field. Need more?: how about a historic steamship and tugboat? There really is something for everyone here. The park also features an on-site (free) Art Shack, where kids can get crafty and creative at no cost.
Where: Tribeca, North Moore St. at Hudson River
What’s in it for you: Giving back! There’s an on-site snack bar with yummy treats, and proceeds support the park and Manhattan-based youth programs.
Water feature: Large buckets and spray cannons create a splashy, wet-and-wild time.
Restroom: Courtesy station located on site along the walking path.
Take a break from city life and spend this long weekend skiing (we list our favorite slopes here) or get cozy at one of these winter wineries for a family-friendly day trip. In celebration of MLK Day on Mon., carve out some time to reflect on the great civil rights leader with these DC library events or step into history by standing on the very step Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech from. Scroll down for more ways to fill your holiday weekend with at-home and virtual events.
photo: iStock
Beethoven Symphonies Abstracted
To accompany the National Symphony Orchestra’s Beethoven & American Masters concert series, author and illustrator Mo Willems presents Beethoven Symphonies Abstracted, an exhibition of nine large-scale, painted abstractions inspired by the music and genius of Beethoven. The nine works will be on display from January 8–March 20 in the Hall of Nations during the Center’s public operating hours. The works can also be viewed online here. Fri.-Sun.Event details.
Maple Sugaring
Ever wonder how maple syrup is made? From steel buckets and oxen-drawn wagons to the advanced technology used today, maple syrup production has changed considerably over time. But one thing has remained constant – maple trees and their sweet sap. Join Steve to learn about the history, production, and biology of maple sugaring. He’ll also discuss the maples found in the collections of the U.S. Botanic Garden and the U.S. National Arboretum. Fri. Event details.
Advocate Speech Contest
Take a moment to listen (or read) MLK’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech here. After soaking in the power of this great orator’s words, consider issues that move you to write your own speech in hopes of moving others. In celebration of MLK Day, Takoma Park Library is challenging all kids 5-19 to create a speech where you highlight an issue or cause that is important to you. Activity details.
Collaborative Poster Project
This self-directed project shows the power of coming together! Head to Shepherd Park Library to get a small “puzzle piece” of a portrait to color at home. Decorate your section of this collaborative poster as you see fit and return your segment to the library by the end of Jan. These pieces will be glued together to create one giant portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. Your small piece is needed for the greater work! Activity details.
Letters to Community Helpers
Pen a letter of appreciate to your favorite local hero. Share your heartfelt thanks with your favorite teacher, a local emergency worker or your neighborhood bus driver. These letters are being collected by Northeast Library in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s commitment to service. Drop your letter off at the designated mailbox by Jan. 16 to share words of kindness with community helpers. These letters (artwork is also welcome!) will be on display before being delivered. Activity details.
“I Have a Dream” Poetry Contest
In honor of MLK Day, Petworth Library is hosting a poetry and essay contest where kids can wax poetic about their vision for a better world. Kids 5-19 are invited to participate in this contest, simply drop your entry off by Jan. 20 (or email it to the library). Activity details.
Few neighborhoods in Los Angeles have seen as much change as DTLA has. A decade ago, it was a ghost town after sunset—office workers would clear out at 5 p.m., leaving the streets empty. Through revitalization efforts, it’s become the more than just a place of commerce, it’s become the hub of culture for our city, museums, boutiques and the hottest new restaurants and bars all call DTLA home. When it comes to kid-friendly activities, one might think Downtown is a virtual desert but having raised my own little Mowgli in the concrete jungle for the past five years, I can attest there are adventures aplenty. In fact, some of the most uniquely LA experiences are sandwiched between the 110, 101 and 10 freeways. Here are 10 of our favorite kid-friendly things to do in Downtown LA.
Best Things to Do in DTLA: Vista Hermosa Natural Park
Carter Jung
This hidden gem of a park tucked on the other side of the 110 freeway, known as the western gateway to Downtown Los Angeles, offers some of the best views of the city. And one bench in particular is easily the most picturesque in the city. In addition to stunning vistas, the 10.5-acre well-sculpted park is home to small manmade stream, picnic benches, and hidden nooks and crannies. A play area consisting of giant, crawl-able turtle and snake sculptures is a hit with kids and a circular dirt path is perfect for running with a jogging stroller.
Best Things to Do in DTLA: Walt Disney Concert Hall
Sydney has their Opera House, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, and we in Los Angeles, have the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Designed by the legendary Frank Gehry, the sweeping stainless-steel structure with dramatic curves inspired by the sails of a clipper ship is an architectural icon. For kids ages 5 to 11, the Toyota Symphonies for Youth concert series hosts music-themed workshops followed by a session with the LA Phil orchestra (canceled this season due to COVID). Currently available are free self-guided audio tours of the concert hall. When telling your kids about this destination, uttering the first two words are going to take some managing of expectations. As impressive as the facilities are, an amusement park this is not (we learned this the hard way).
Having opened in 2015, The Broad is a great addition to the modern art scene in Los Angeles. Inside the honeycombed exterior structure is a collection of contemporary art from the biggest names, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barbara Kruger, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, and Keith Haring. For little ones, exhibit highlights include Under the Table by Robert Therrien, a comically oversized dining set that will have parents empathetic of their kid’s height, Jeff Koons’ Tulips, giant polished stainless-steel flowers coated in highlighter hues, and Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors, mind-bending rooms that are life-sized kaleidoscopes. Best of all, The Broad is completely free. Head to their website to reserve a spot before showing up.
The Grammy Museum celebrates music and the artists who have won the prestigious award from the Recording Academy. The whole family will enjoy the interactive installations that walk through the process of creating music and the multimedia displays telling the stories of famous singers past and present, including artifacts from early sound recordings. If you appreciate fashion, the museum has a collection of some of the most recognizable outfits worn on the red carpet, from Taylor Swift to Lionel Richie.
There are bookstores and then there is The Last Bookstore. Located in a former bank building in the heart of DTLA, The Last Bookstore is touted as the largest new and used bookstore in California, measuring 22,000 square feet. But more than just a vendor of the printed word, it’s a two-store world where books are thoughtfully staged in installations worthy of a gallery. There is a tunnel of novels, books arranged by color of their cover, and crime and mystery novels housed in the bank’s former vault. For your junior reader, there is a kid’s section offering new and used books at a discounted price. For discerning parents, there’s a room with first edition, rare books and collectibles.
Located at the foot of City Hall, Grand Park spans three city blocks, adding a welcomed bit of greenery to DTLA. The park features a custom playground area filled with colorful berms and a 12-foot tube slide that looks like it was plucked from a Dr. Seuss book. A water fountain at the other end of the park features a splash pad your kiddos can wade into. In addition to the fixtures, the park offers a variety of must-go programming throughout the year, ranging from holiday lights, live music and dance lessons.
Best Things to Do in DTLA: Los Angeles Central Library
Carter Jung
The Central Library isn’t your average library. The art deco architecture, gardens, water fountains, sculptures, and murals built in 1926 is a walk down memory lane of early LA with a museum feel. The third largest public library in the US, it’s massive, the children’s book section on the second floor alone is the size of most neighborhood libraries. Beyond loaning books, the Central Library hosts tours, regular events, classes and community services. It’s the perfect place to sign up your child for a library card, stoking a thirst for knowledge and a lifelong love for books.
In the same area as The Grammy Museum, is LA Live—home of the Staples Center, Microsoft Theater and The Novo, the biggest entertainment venues in LA. It’s also home to solid restaurants, Lucky Strike bowling alley, and one of our family’s faves, the Regal theater. The multiplex has one of the nation’s few 4DX theaters boasting motion seats and wind, fog, mist, and scent special effects, all synced to the biggest blockbusters, creating an immersive experience (think Star Tours at Disneyland). During the holiday months, LA Live sets up an ice skating rink with a brightly lit Christmas tree at its center.
800 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles Online: lalive.com
The birthplace of Los Angeles, Olvera Street is home to the city’s earliest standing architecture—the Avila Adobe house dates back to 1818 and the main square is from the 1820s—when the area was still part of Mexico. That heritage continues in the bustling Mexican marketplace lined with stalls offering sombreros, ponchos, string puppets, candies and pottery. Tiene hambre? Cielito Lindo at 23 Olvera St. has been frying up crispy taquitos since 1934, and come slathered in their signature green avocado sauce. Afterwards, take the familia to Mr Churro for one of their fried treats. Perfecto.
The summer is JUST starting to heat up with block parties, festivals, concerts, art walks and movie nights. Where will your family head off to this fine summer weekend?
San Francisco
Visit Presidio’s New Marshland & Trail Visitors can enjoy an up-close experience of nature along an elevated pedestrian bridge and trail that winds through the marsh. Native salt marsh and riparian plants create an extraordinary habitat for fish, crabs, oysters and birds – bring binoculars!
Jessi St Block Party This summer, the Westfield San Francisco Centre will host a block party complete with music, arts, and dining every Friday and Saturday night. Fri.& Sat. Event details.
Stern Grove Festival The retro-soul band, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, plays at Stern Grove this Sunday. Make your reservations for this free concert the whole family will enjoy.
Island City Waterways Art Walk The Rhythmix Island City Waterways Art Walk showcases the diversity of Alameda’s West End as Webster Street honors the people and cultures, past and present, who have defined and continue to shape the character of the neighborhood. Live music and performances.
Wild Wonders Wildness awaits! Explore the wonders of the wilderness through games, activities and explorations at the Sunol Regional Preserve. Sun. Event details.
Pacific Pinball Museum With five rooms of unlimited play and over ninety classic pinball machines, your kids will not want to leave this museum! Fri.-Sat.Event details
South Bay/Peninsula
Magical Bridges Summer Concert Series The beloved Music is Magical concert series returns with delightful performances that is family-friendly and sensory-friendly for all to enjoy. Fri.. Event details
Family Field trip to Filoli A guided 1.5-mile hike through grounds only accessible to staff will be just the field trip you need out in the open while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of Filoli. Fri. Event details
Take the Kids to Raging Waters Raging Waters has a little bit of something for everyone sure to guarantee a fun, splashy day for all! Fri.-Sun.Event details
Marin
Movie Nights at the Mart Every Friday night is Movie Night at the Mart! With plenty of dining (and dessert!) options nearby, your family is sure to kick off the weekend with a bang. Fri.Event details
Jazz and Blues by the Bay The City of Sausalito Park and Recreation Department is proud to present Jazz and Blues by the Bay once more in Gabrielson Park. Buying a table for the entire season ensures you have the best seat in the house every Friday! Fri. Event details
Virtual
Empowered Kids Storytime Bay Area Discovery Museum is launching its newest program, Empowered Kids, afree monthly virtual program! Using meaningful storytelling and activities, this program will equip your family with tools to explore positive social change in your lives and community.
This weekend is all about music and movies! Don’t miss your chance to see a family favorite on the beach as part of the Tribeca Film Festival, grab a blanket to claim your spot at the return of this jazzy lawn party, or experience NYC’s brass band community first-hand at this summer kickoff festival. Scroll down to check out the rest of our fun weekend event picks for kids below!
Featuring immersive visualizations of distant worlds, groundbreaking space missions, and breathtaking scenes depicting the evolution of our solar system, Worlds Beyond Earth, the newest Hayden Planetarium Space Show at the American Museum of Natural History, explores the unique conditions on Earth that make life possible. Event Details.
On Fridays in the Archway, Jan Bell of the Brooklyn Americana Music Festival curates a Happy Hour Concert Series, featuring Americana, folk, bluegrass, country blues and jazz acts. Event Details.
Bring your friends and family for a day of fun in the woods and learn what it takes to build, maintain, and ride the most progressive urban bike park in America! Event Details.
This is the original, and official Jazz Age Lawn Party, founded and hosted by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra. All ages are welcome for music, dancing, food, and fun! Event Details.
For the first time, enjoy the Tribeca Film Festival on the beach in Rockaway. They’re screening the family favorite Moana in their Borough to Borough series! Event Details.
Experience big screen magic with the beautiful backdrop of golden hour in the evening. In addition to enjoying seasonal, movie-themed food and refreshments and exclusive after-hours access to the Garden, participate in a hands-on craft activity or enjoy a live performance (varies based on featured film). Event Details.
Through storytelling and creativity, Drag Queen Story Hour teaches children about gender diversity and all forms of difference to build empathy and give kids the confidence to express themselves however they feel comfortable. Event Details.
Enjoy a brand-new summer kickoff event that will feature both roving and stationary live musical sets by a diverse and energetic range of NYC’s brass band community. Event Details.
There are tons more events on our calendar – be sure to check them out all week long!
Spring and summer in the city are the best times to hit the streets and enjoy some outdoor entertainment. This year, the draw of the great outdoors is even stronger than before, as families look for ways to have fun while remaining safe. NYC is delivering! There are plenty of awesome concerts, festivals, and other exciting events happening in NYC in the summer months of 2021. Head out to these often free events for kids in NYC and have some fun in the sun!
If we can't have a few large performances, the logical solution is to have many smaller performances! At least, that's the thinking behind the NY PopsUp movement, a festival that's meant to bring some life back into the city streets and joy back into the NYC people.
Since the idea behind these programs is to draw a very small crowd of people, the lineup isn't advertised in advance — instead, you're meant to just stumble into performances as you go about your daily lives for a fun pick-me-up. You can get a sneak preview at what's happening by following the program on Twitter or Instagram, @nypopsup.
Price: Free! Date: Through August 11 Location: Various locations Online: nypopsup.com
Restart Stages at Lincoln Center
Sachyn Mital/Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center's massive initiative aimed at at helping kickstart the performing arts sector and contribute to the revival of New York City, is making 10 outdoor performance and rehearsal spaces and civic venues available to artists and arts organizations across its campus and the five boroughs. The iconic campus has been transformed into "The GREEN", where the public is welcome to gather. (Don't miss the Outdoor Reading Room here, created by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.)
All programming is free, with tickets to events made available through the TodayTix Lottery, the Official Ticketing Partner of Restart Stages. The TodayTix Lottery will open for entries two weeks before the performance and close three days prior to the performance at 12:59 p.m. EDT. Attendees who secure tickets will be required to follow safety protocols. For more information visit TodayTix.com or download the TodayTix app.
Announced programming includes:
TheJuilliard NOW performance series featuring a new generation of artists in music, dance, and drama A Pride celebration with new stage works from National Queer Theater’s Criminal Queerness Festival, performances by Taylor Mac, Staceyann Chin, Migguel Anggelo, and Treya Lam Chamber Music Society’s Summer Evenings Outdoors with evenings of Beethoven and Saint-Saëns, and Brahms High school seniors from The Maxine Green High School for Imaginative Inquiry making their Lincoln Center debut, reciting from Howard Zinn’s Voices of a People’s History A special Concerts for Kids in honor of Juneteenth with Coming Together, a celebration of Black culture through music, dance, and poetry A performance art installation by Andrea Miller. From July 14-31, the installation will transform two Lincoln Center plazas into places of sound, sculpture, and live performance, through art that comes alive — literally. The installation will begin with a look at a diverse cast of New Yorkers through sound and sculptures. In the second half of the art piece, the sound will be transformed into actual live performances at Hearst Plaza. On the installation's last day, there will be a celebration with all the performers live in the plaza.
Additional surprise Pop-Up performances of music, dance, art, and weekend family workshops, children’s recitals, public school graduations, polling for the NYC election, Blood Drive with New York Blood Center, NYC’s Mobile Vaccine Bus, and more to take place on The GREEN and across Campus.
Price: Free, via lottery through Todaytix.com or app. Date: Throughout the summer Location: Lincoln Center Online: lincolncenter.org
The Public Theater's free Shakespeare in the Park returns to Central Park's Delacorte Theater this summer, staging a single show for the 2021 season. Merry Wives, and adaptation of the Bard's The Merry Wives of Windsor will run from July 6 to August 28. Set in South Harlem amidst a vibrant and eclectic community of West African immigrants, the show will be a celebration of Black joy, laughter, and vitality. Information on ticketing and policies have yet to be announced.
Picnic Performances & Outdoor Programming at Bryant Park
Ryan Muir
Bring your picnic basket and blanket, and enjoy live performances in Bryant Park with a full season of 25 concerts. Concerts will feature music, dance, and theater performances. The season kicks off with a show by the New York Philharmonic orchestra and ends with a 100th-anniversary celebration of The Town Hall.
Stop by for relaxed performances by the NYC Opera, the Classical Theatre of Harlem, the New York Chinese Cultural Center, Lincoln Center jazz, and many more in this varied lineup. Plus, nearly all the performances will be available to livestream from anywhere.
In addition to this concert series, the park is bringing back its usual outdoor activity offerings like ping-ping, birding tours, the art cart, chess, the reading room, and more. Plus, stop by on Saturdays and Sundays June 26 through August 22 (except on July 4th for children's programming like music, magic and puppet shows, science experiments, and arts and crafts. This event will be held 12-2:30 p.m.
Price: Free! Date: June 20-Sept. 20 Location: Bryant Park Online:bryantpark.org
Daily Dose of DUMBO
DUMBO BID
DUMBO is ready to rock this summer, with some kind of programming happening every single day! Activities will center around the famous DUMBO archway and its pop-up bar, DUMBO Station, where you can grab a beer and a bite and play giant Jenga or corn hole, or try some Drink and Draw. But there are tons of activities for kids, too.
The Adams Street Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, will offer activities specifically for kids on Thursdays at 5 p.m., from June 10 to August 26, including a Junteenth celebration (June 10), high-energy dance classes (June 17, July 15, August 19), stories and crafts, paper-making activities, and more to be announced. Following the activities for kids, a DJ will spin in the Archway until 8pm, starting with Dumbo’s own DJ Kai Song.
Fridays from June 11 to August 27 will bring live music under arch from 5-7 p.m., and a new Six Foot Platform Experimental Residency Program will take place on Saturdays through August 29 on Washington Street, Dumbo’s most iconic block, from 12pm to 9pm. Presented in partnership with the Brooklyn Arts Council, this project will feature eleven Brooklyn-based artists in full day residencies on Saturdays throughout the summer.
Additional events include The Mobile Drag Performance Unit (June 12, June 19), Carnegie Hall's Citywide concert series (Hazmat Modine at 6pm on June 21 and Slavic Soul Party at 7pm on June 26), Brasil Summerfest (dates TBD).
And yes, The Brooklyn Flea continues its takeover of the Dumbo Archway from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday through October.
Price: Free! Date: June 7 - Aug. 29 Location: 155 Water St. DUMBO Archway DUMBO Online:dumbo.is
SummerStage in Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park
Summerstage
The sounds of summer are back as SummerStage returns to fill Central Park and Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park with music.
Many genres will be represented, featuring performances with an NYC twist in hip-hop, Latin, indie rock, contemporary dance, and more. The annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is also returning in August for a special focus on jazz.
All performances will be held in accordance with current city restrictions and regulations. Attendees will require a free ticket, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test, and/or a health screening questionnaire. Can't make it out, after all? Many performances will be streamed online on SummerStageAnywhere.org.
Check back on the website for tickets and more information!
Price: Free! Date: All summer Location: Rumsey Playfield in Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park/Richard Rodgers Amphitheater Online:cityparksfoundation.org
Summer on the Hudson
Summer on the Hudson
This riverside celebration of art and culture is back. The summer 2021 schedule is still taking shape, but kid-friendly events locked in include The Locomotive Lawn Live read-alongs, which present musical reading experiences in front of a big locomotive to kids ages 5 and under; astronomy workshops, and presentations from the Billion Oyster project on restoring New York harbor. A full list of all the programming and their dates can be seen here.
Every program in this lineup is free to the public and works on a first-come, first-served basis. Events may be canceled in case of heavy rain so check the program listings on the NYC parks website two hours before the event is scheduled.
Price: Free! Date: All summer Location: From 59th street to 153rd along the Hudson River Online:riversideparknyc.org
Outdoor Concerts by the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra
iStock
The Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra has announced its season of outdoor concerts. Held once a month, the program features a whimsical mix of well-known tunes by classical composers like Mozart and Vivaldi and more modern selections like music from "Star Wars," Adele, and Disney.
Each concert features a one-hour program, which will be played twice. No tickets are required — just show up!
Attendees will be distanced, and children over 2 are required to wear a mask.
Price: Free! Date: June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, and Sep. 19, 2-4 p.m. Location: Outside of the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy Online:brooklynsymphonyorchestra.org
If you enjoy your music with a healthy dose of history, this concert series is the obvious choice. GatherNYC presents outdoor performances held on the lawn of the Morris-Jumel Mansion, the oldest house in Manhattan that's still standing today.
The full performance list is still to be announced, but the first concert will give you a taste of what's to come: It features Laufey, the cellist and singer/songwriter who was named the "Best New Artist" by the Icelandic Music Awards.
Reservations and masks (for everyone 2 and older) are required for this event, and attendees will be required to fill out a health screening to gain admittance.
Price: Free! Date: Sundays May 23-June 20, 4:30 p.m. Location: Outside the Morris-Jumel Mansion, 65 Jumel Terrace Online:gathernyc.org
You don't need to go to the movie theaters to make it a movie night. Head outdoors, instead, and enjoy movie screenings around the city.
Drive-ins have made a comeback this year thanks to their convenience and safety, so enjoy a movie from the comfort of your car (or an outdoor picnic) at drive-in locations like Rooftop Films in Queens and Skyline Drive-in in Brooklyn.
You can also catch screenings in NYC parks and more this summer, like Summer on the Hudson's Pier I Picture Show and Snug Harbor's Taking It to the Streets free Friday movie series.
You can also check to see if any local parks are showing movies outdoors at the NYC Parks website.
From open streets to entire open boulevards, the city's outdoor spaces are leveling up again. The amped up open streets project will transform entire blocks of the city into communal spaces featuring outdoor dining, seating spaces, performances and events, markets, and — at their core — space for pedestrians to slow down. Open boulevards are coming to 33 neighborhoods around the city for all New Yorkers (and visitors) to enjoy.
Price: Free! Location: Various locations Online: nyc.gov
Scandinavian Music Festival at Fort Tryon Park
Fort Tryon Park Trust
Bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic to the sounds of Scandinavian music. Cone enjoy three outdoor concerts, performed by the New York Scandia Symphony as well as various guest artists. The festival will feature both new and classic music from Scandinavian countries, and will provide a great opportunity for visitors to learn a bit about the culture and music of Scandinavia. As the concert progresses, performers will address the audience and share a bit of information about the music, cultures, and traditions of their countries.
Price: Free! Date: May 30, June 6, and June 13, 2-3:30 p.m. Location: Billings Lawn in Fort Tryon Park Online: nycgovparks.org
Roll-A-Rama at the TWA Hotel
TWA Hotel
Strap on your skates and hit the floor rolling at the TWA Hotel's outdoor roller-skating rink. Skate on the tarmac around the hotel's famous 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane, affectionately named "Connie," to retro and disco tunes.
Each skating session includes skates (which are disinfected after each use) and a 50-minute spin on the skate floor. Socks are required, so be sure to bring your own (though if you do forget, there are socks for sale at the TWA Store and the cabin), and helmets are encouraged and available in limited numbers. Masks are required.
Please note since you can't buy tickets in advance, entry will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, and capacity is limited.
Price: $20 per adult and $16 per child under 12 (price includes skate rentals) for a 50 minute session, credit card only Date: Fridays 4-8 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays 12-8 p.m. Location: The TWA Hotel, One Idlewild Drive at the JFK Airport Online: twahotel.com
NYC's newest island is complete and open to the public as of May 21! This man-made floating island will serve as a way to get away from the crowds right in the middle of the city. The island features several levels to explore, with lush meadows and green spaces, performance areas, calm spots perfect for rest and relaxation, and more. Little Island has its own roster Artists-in-Residence, which includes tap dancer and choreographer Ayodele Casel, playwright and director Tina Landau, actor, singer and music director Michael McElroy and musicians and storytellers the PigPen Theatre Co. The groups will help curate events, festivals and ongoing programs, while selecting acts for the the Perform in the Park program.
Price: Free! Date: May 21 Location: Pier 55, Hudson River Park West 13th Street Online: littleisland.org