Your summer bucket list
Photograph: Luciana Golcman
There’s still time to make this your family’s best summer ever. Just tackle this lineup of 16 last-minute musts! By Hannah Doolin
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BLAST OFF IN THE ROCKET PARK The New York Hall of Science is always home to incredible, interactive exhibits for kids, but the outdoor attractions are especially fun! Putt your way through the awesome space-themed minigolf course, which teaches tots about scientific principles at each hole. Even if they’re not Masters-in-the-making, they’ll love playing in the shadows of two gigantic rocket ships. Drop by on August 14 for the final installment in the Rocket Park Recess summer program, which gets kids moving with an Adventure in Fitness video (a workoutmeets-history lesson), plus a demo and workshop with Circus Warehouse (ages 8 and up), inviting the audience to join the circus, if only for an hour. With help from contortionist Kira Fath, the kids will stretch to increase their flexibility, then witness some of her mind-bending moves. New York Hall of Science, 47–01 111th St, Queens (718-6990005, nysci.org). Workshop Aug 14 noon–4pm; $6. Space is limited. Minigolf Saturdays, Sundays 10am–6pm through Nov 30; $6, children $5 plus general admission.
Rocket Park Recess
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GRAB A SNACK AT SMORGASBURG To sate your hungry gang through the scorching summer afternoons, ditch the freezersection popsicles and switch it up with a pilgrimage to the epicurean extravaganza that is Smorgasburg (now in five locations throughout the city, including Queens and Coney Island). Your brave departure from your air-conditioned apartment will soon be rewarded with refreshing sips from Brooklyn Soda Works, fancy push-ups from Alchemy Creamery and juicy popsicles from People’s Pops, not to mention tons of top-notch savory fare. While you’re at it, take advantage of other ways to cool off nearby, like a breezy stroll along the waterfront in East River Park, the awesome water features at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park or squeal-inducing roller coasters at Coney Island’s Luna Park. Various locations, days and times. Go to smorgasburg. com. Through Nov 22; free. All ages.
top photograph: Courtesy Andrew Kelly
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Smorgasburg
Cruise with NYC Audubon Take in the sights of New York Harbor and learn a little something about our local ecosystem aboard the New York Water Taxi’s Audubon ecocruise. These 90-minute tours take seafarers to one of three locales, capping the season off with a trip to the Brother Islands, uninhabited, expansive marshes that house herons, gulls and egrets in the East River. With live commentary by naturalist Gabriel Willow, kids will learn firsthand the kind of wildlife sanctuary a city can be. Try identifying various feathered species that nest nearby as you cruise along. South Street Seaport, Pier 16 (212-7421969, nywatertaxi.com/tours/ audubon). Aug 16 7–9pm; $35, children ages 3–12 $25. Ages 5 and up. timeoutnewyorkk ds.com 37
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Get your fill of fireworks Why should fireworks be limited to the Fourth of July? Get the family together and close out the season with a bang on the Coney Island Boardwalk with a stunning display of sparks every Friday night. Park your family on the boardwalk, beach or pier, and munch on hot dogs from Nathan’s or clams and funnel cake from Paul’s Daughter while watching the impressive light show over the ocean. Can’t go Friday? The Brooklyn Cyclones shoot off their own fireworks after select Saturday games. Make a day of it by squeezing in some final beach time before sunset. Coney Island Boardwalk at 10th St, Brooklyn (718-449-8836, coneyisland .com). Fridays at 9:30pm through Aug 21. All ages.
Socrates Sculpture Park
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Coney Island Boardwalk
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Hear the Tales of Brier Rabbit CityParks’ roving puppet truck rolls out a summer show that tells the story of how the mischievous Brier Rabbit learns an important lesson about playing tricks on his fellow animal friends. The PuppetMobile brings the production, performed by Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater puppeteers, to parks, playgrounds and rec centers throughout the city and follows it with puppetmaking workshops that give little ones a chance to try the craft. Various locations (cityparksfoundation.org). Through Aug 30; free. Ages 4–10. 38 timeoutnewyorkk ds.com
Hip Tot Family Day
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Hightail it to Hip Tot Family Day This summer music series keeps all ages entertained with sweet sets from your favorite family bands. Chase away back-to-school blues with one last bash featuring free crafts, giveaways and a performance by The Trummytones, then treat the kids to burgers, fries and shakes at Bluestone Café’s shady picnic tables. Lakeside at Prospect Park, enter at Lincoln Rd and Ocean Ave, Brooklyn (hiptot.com). Sept 13 11am–2pm; free. Ages 2–5.
Show off your sports skills No matter what kind of exercise your kid is into, they’re sure to get in the game during the NYC Parks Summer Sports Experience. This dropin workshop (parents stick around) provides kids with a variety of different sports activities at parks and playgrounds throughout the city. Your kid can compete and brush up on their technique in basketball, soccer, flag football, kickball, street hockey and other highenergy games until school sports start back up for the year! Registration required by email to sarah.bishow@parks .nyc.gov. Various locations and times (718-543-8672, nycgovparks.org). Through Sept 4; free. Ages 6–13.
photographs: clockwise from top right: Courtesy Socrates Sculpture Park; Marielle Solan; Courtesy Luna Park NYC
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Create an original masterpiece Drop into Queens’ inspirational Socrates Sculpture Park for free family classes led by a different local artist each week. The final weeks of workshops channel kids’ creative juices with cool projects, including puppet- and mask making, boat building (and racing!), clay sculpting, stamp and fabric design, and collaborative mosaic making. Don’t miss out on a special art and movement session, in which youngsters will use recyclable materials to transform the park’s education area into a colorful discotheque, then boogie down to music on the dance floor (September 12). Socrates Sculpture Park, 32–01 Vernon Blvd, Queens (718-956-1819, socratessculpture park.org). Saturdays noon–3pm through Sept 26; free. Ages 5 and up.
Feast of San Gennaro
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Go fly a kite School may have started by the time the Brooklyn Kite Festival soars into town, but you can still catch a breeze from the river and watch colorful kites flutter against the skyline. First-time flyers can purchase kites of various prices on the Harbor View Lawn. For a bite to eat, head to Brooklyn Bridge Garden Bar for burgers. Brooklyn Bridge Park between Adams St and Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn (718-802-0603, brooklyn bridgepark.org). Sept 19 11am–3pm; free. All ages.
Brooklyn Kite Festival
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Discover urban wildlife Explore the West Side through the eyes of a naturalist at Hudson River Park Wild! weekly tours. Adventurous kids will wander the waterfront in search of the park’s 85 species of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and other cool insects. Meet at the Christopher Street Fountain near Pier 40 and wear comfortable shoes. Hudson River Park, West St at Christopher St (hudsonriverpark.org). Sundays 9–10am through Sept 27; free. Ages 6 and up.
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Feast on Italian eats Bid summer arrivederci with the 10-day Feast of San Gennaro. Every September, Little Italy transforms into a street fair with food vendors, live music and carnival games. Don’t miss the main events: the Annual Pizza Eating Competition (September 11) and the Grand Procession, a parade with floats and marching bands (September 12). Dance to Italian tunes and enjoy cannoli with the kids at this delicious NYC staple. Mulberry St between Broome and Canal Sts (212-7689320, sangennaro.org). Mondays– Fridays 11am–11:30pm, Sat–Sun 11am–midnight Sept 10–20. All ages.
photographs clockwise from top left: Courtesy Liz Ligon/Friends of the High Line; Elyssa Goodman; Luciana Golcman
Stargazing on the High Line
Get starstruck on the High Line As summer starts to dwindle, the sun is setting sooner and the stars are twinkling a little earlier. Take advantage by taking in the cosmos with the kiddos and the Amateur Astronomers Association. At the High Line’s Tuesday night stargazing sessions, kids will chat with the experts and use highpowered telescopes to catch some astronautworthy views before bedtime. Keep an eye out for Venus and Jupiter! The High Line, Tenth Ave at 14th St (212-206-9922, thehighline.org). Tuesdays dusk–11pm through Oct 27; free. All ages.
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Bait a big fish Through its Big City Fishing program, the Hudson River Park Trust runs beginner lessons in multiple locations throughout the summer. Kids can practice rod-and-reel basics and get acquainted with the fish species that swim the local waters while learning about river ecology. Equipment for up to 25 participants is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at the drop-in sessions. Hudson River Park, various locations (212-627-2020, hudsonriverpark.org). Various times through Sept 27; free. Ages 5 and up.
Governors Island Art Outpost
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hit up a bumpin’ outdoor concert It’s been a long rockin’ summer, thanks to the Brooklyn Kids Block Party music series, presenting a new musical performance every third Thursday in Albee Square. Catch the final alfresco concert, an interactive instrumental show from Mil’s Trills on September 3. You might even get a preview of some fresh tunes from the band’s new album, Now That We’re Friends…, before its release on September 23. Albee Square, Fulton St at Bond St, Brooklyn (downtownbrooklyn.com). Sept 3 10–11am; free. Ages 10 and under.
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Visit NYC’s island in the sun Now’s the time to hop aboard a ferry from Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park or other East River locations and zip over to 172-acre Governors Island. Your little ones will stay busy tracking down natural and recyclable materials for craft workshops with the Children’s Museum of the Arts, putting around the FIGMENT minigolf course and exploring art installations at Liggett Terrace. High-energy kids can run off some steam on the 14-acre Play Lawn before grabbing a refreshment from vendors like El Paso Taco and Blue Marble Ice Cream and vegging out in one of the Hammock Grove’s 50 lounge spots. Governors Island Ferry at Battery Maritime Building, 10 South St. Mondays–Fridays 10am–6pm, Saturdays– Sundays 10am–7pm; $2, ages 12 and under free. • Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6, Joralemon St at Atlantic Ave. Saturdays–Sundays 11am–7pm; $2, ages 12 and under free. • East River Ferry, various locations. Sat–Sun 9:30am–5:30pm; $6. • (212-440-2200, govisland.com. Through Sept 27. All ages.
photographs from top: Courtesy Hudson River Park; Courtesy CMA
Big City Fishing
Pig out at the Blues BBQ Festival Hungry kids can get their fix of finger-licking-good munchies at this outdoor festival featuring food from classic NYC ’cue joints. This year’s vendors include Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Butcher Bar, serving up smoky, sticky grub to please your whole clan. While chowing down, enjoy performances from gritty blues group Otis Taylor Band, soulful quartet Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens, acousticfocused vocalist Jarekus Singleton and others. Hudson River Park, Pier 26 (hudsonriverpark.org). Aug 22 2–9pm; free admission. All ages.