Free summer events for kids in New York City

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June 1–7 | June 8–14 | June 15–21 | June 22–30

June 1-7

Brooklyn Public Library Block Party Kickoff

Photograph: Al Pereira

Maclaren Soho Playdate
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun noon-6pm. 150 Wooster St between Prince and W Houston Sts (212-677-2700, maclarenbaby.com).
Even a company that sells strollers designed by Burberry, Kate Spade and Philippe Starck is not oblivious to the needs of the less rich and famous. Although the store originally had designated times for families to swing by and use its swanky playroom, the owners decided to forgo the schedule and allow folks to swing by anytime its doors are open. While the kids enjoy art supplies and kiddie DVDs, you can enjoy the air conditioning…and a break! All ages.

Brooklyn Public Library Block Party Kickoff
Thu Jun 4 noon–4pm. Central branch, Grand Army Plaza at Flatbush Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-230-2100, brooklynpubliclibrary.org).
How do we love the public library? Let us catalog the ways. For starters, take this brink-of-summer bash aimed at keeping vacationing students hooked on books. Children of all ages can sign up for library cards, receive summer reading lists and pogo to punk-pop sensation Care Bears on Fire, a Ramones-influenced trio of 13- and 14-year-old Brooklyn girls. All ages.

BAM Rhythm & Blues Festival
Thursdays, noon–2pm. BAM at MetroTech Commons, Flatbush Ave at Myrtle Ave, Downtown Brooklyn (718-636-4100, bam.org).
Whenever the big imaginations at BAM are involved, even a full-price event can feel like a bargain—so this lunchtime series of ten free outdoor concerts is a true windfall. This Thursday, June 4, catch '70s funk legends Lakeside. All ages.

Global Story Hour at Mercy Corps
Fridays at 3:30pm. Mercy Corps Action Center, 6 River Terr west of North End Ave (212-537-0511, actioncenter.org).
Teach kids to be socially conscious before they’re conscious you’re teaching them. Mercy Corps is a humanitarian aid organization (and Nobel Prize nominee!) that fights hunger and poverty around the world. Every Friday at its interactive learning center in Battery Park City, children can listen to stories and participate in activities that promote cultural understanding and green practices. The spanking-new HQ, built as part of the 9/11 redevelopment, is worth the trip in itself. All ages welcome, but recommended for kids under 7.

Governors Island
Fridays 10am–5pm; Saturdays, Sundays 10am–7pm. Ferry leaves Lower Manhattan from the Battery Maritime Building, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal (212-440-2202, govisland.com).
Much of this national monument’s land-that-time-forgot vibe springs from its having been off-limits to civvies for so long. The island, now owned by the city, is making it up to us by offering loads of weekend freebies through Oct 11, starting with the ferry ride, an 18-hole mini-golf course, Friday bike rentals and kayaking lessons. Children’s Museum of the Arts will sponsor a tented open-art studio, with activity stations, a dress-up theater and guided workshops for visitors young and old. All ages.

Wave Hill Family Art Projects
Saturdays 9am–noon. Wave Hill, 675 W 252nd St gate at Independence Ave and 249th St, Bronx (718-549-3200, wavehill.org).
On Saturdays, the Bronx cultural institution waives its admission fee until noon. Bargain hunters can explore 28 bucolic acres before heading over to the learning center for themed art activities, held weekend days from 1 to 4pm. Both in the center and out in the lush gardens, kids will create works like panoramic paper scrolls of Hudson River vistas. Check the website for specific project information. Ages 3 and up.

Abracadabra Magic Show
Sundays at 3pm. 19 W 21st St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-627-7523, abracadabrasuperstore.com).
Escape the glaring summer sun in the dark shadows of Chelsea’s Abracadabra magic and costume store. The shop puts on a 20-minute kid-friendly show every Sunday, no purchase required. After witnessing simple feats of legerdemain and, um, scarf-barfing, kids can wander around the shop and try on a new identity or two. All ages.

Kayaking on the Hudson
Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-5pm.
•Riverside Park at 72nd St (downtownboathouse.org). Subway: 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St.
• Pier 96, Twelfth Ave at 56th St (downtownboathouse.org). Subway: A, C, D, 1 to 59th St–Columbus Circle.
• Pier 40, West St at Houston St (downtownboathouse.org). Subway: 1 to Houston St.
It’s no fun being taken for a ride…unless, of course, it’s a free family boat trip. The New York City Downtown Boathouse is offering complimentary kayaking every weekend through October at three Hudson River docks. No need to make a reservation; just walk right up and wait on (a bit of a) line. Don’t worry if you’ve never kayaked before: The nautical experts provide the equipment and the know-how—although they do ask that you sign a liability waiver. Now’s a good time to review your swimming skills. Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult in the same boat. Ages 2 and up.

Egg Rolls and Egg Creams
Sun Jun 7 noon–4pm. 12 Eldridge St between Canal and Division Sts (212-219-0888, eldridgestreet.org).
The connection between the Jews and the Chinese began long before the former made a tradition of heading out for moo shu and dumplings on Christmas Day. To celebrate that history, the Museum at Eldridge Street is throwing a block party where Chinatown and the Lower East Side meet. A klezmer march and Chinese acrobatics are followed by Chinese art activities for kids, calligraphy, Yiddish and Chinese language lessons, mah-jongg and tours of the newly restored historic snagogue. And of course, there are eggs: roll and cream. All ages.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sundays. (718-318-4340, nyharborparks.org).
There are plenty of places to glimpse flora and fauna in and around the waters of New York City, but none beat the otherworldly sanctuary abutting JFK Airport. Biologists-to-be can get a gander at sunning snakes, beached horseshoe crabs, shy turtles, radiant butterflies, maybe even a glossy ibis—more than 330 species of feathered creatures make the place a birder’s nirvana. Explore the trails on your own, or reserve your spot in a weekly nature walk, and a park ranger will share his or her knowledge of bird migration routes, local wildflowers or turtle species. All ages.

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