Weekend Events for NYC Kids: Free Brooklyn Festival, Games, Astronomy, Kid-Friendly Opera and More

2/18/10 - By charlotte

The kids are heading back to school on Monday, but there is plenty of only-in-New-York fun to be had before then. This weekend there are so many cool Purim events, like a Hamentaschen Workshop and Family Concert, plus you could use the weekend to go on a no-car ski-filled day trip. There's also what sounds like it will be an awesome Brooklyn Inventgenuity Festival (complete with Kids World Record Day, a major Washington's Birthday celebration, a free kid-friendly Magic Flute performance, Olympic medal making and games, plays, movies and more, and, of course, this weekend hosts the big Lunar New Year Celebrations in Manhattan and Queens. 
 

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Friday, February 19
Native American Stories & Games--Fort Greene, Brooklyn 
Learn about history and nature, make crafts to take home, and enjoy stories and games. FREE



All Weekend
Brooklyn Inventgenuity Festival--Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Inventgenuity Festival brings kids and their parents together with artists and big thinkers for a weekend of hands-on building and making workshops and demonstrations. and demonstrations. Kids aged 6-17 and their parents can make things out of electricity, fabric, wood, dirt, food and other materials. What sounds super cool is the Kids World Record Day, where all kids have a chance to set their first world record. Records last year included Most Armpit Farts in 30 Seconds and Most Fake Mustaches Worn at Once. FREE but registration is required. Check site for details. 



Saturday, February 20
Arts, Culture and Fun: Black History Recognition Week--Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
On Saturday, Black History Recognition Week celebrates Mardi Gras, with a traditional food sampling and theater performance. FREE 


SUPER SÁBADO!--UES, Manhattan
El Museo del Barrio's Target Free Third Saturday is back this month with a sweet array of events, like mask and jester hat making, storytelling, gallery tours specifically for families, and jazz and dance. FREE 

Olympic Medals and Games--St. George, Staten Island 
Stop watching the Winter Olympics and start playing at this event which has the Staten Island Childrens Museum's version of curling and skiing, plus you make your own Olympic medals and pins. $6 

Medieval Arts Children's Workshop--UWS, Manhattan
In this two-hour workshop, kids will make stained glass, carve limestone, create medieval illuminated letters, design gargoyles and weave. $6/child

 


Sunday, February 21 

Astronomy Club--Mid Island, Staten Island
This weekend looks like it will be perfect star-gazing weather: clear and not so cold (always call ahead to make sure astronomy events are still going on, since they are so weather permitting). Gaze into the skies with their high-powered telescope and identify constellations, stars, and the moon. FREE 

Are You Smarter than a Park Ranger?--Fort Totten Park, Queens
Kids put their park knowledge to the test in this Park Ranger version of "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader." FREE 

Film Festival at the Audubon Center--Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Sunday is the last day of this film festival at the Audubon Center, so it is your last chance to catch The Discover Channel's Planet Earth and PBS' Clever Monkeys, part of their "Nature Series." FREE 

Washington's Birthday Ball--UES, Manhattan
Celebrate our Nation's First President as New Yorkers would have in the 19th century. A period dance ensemble will perform traditional country dances, and kids are invited to join! Afterwards, tour the Mount Vernon Hotel & Museum Garden and enjoy refreshments. $15/adults, $8/children under 12

Robin Hood...Prince of Monsters!--Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Something went awry in Sherwood Forest, and an evil wizard has turned Robin Hood into a scardey cat and his band of Merry Men into Merry Monsters. A 12 year old girl and her sidekick turn Robin Hood back into his old self by teaching him what it means to be a hero. $5/person

Also check out our post on Outdoor Parks Ranger programs for kids in Queens for this and upcoming weekends.

Looking for more to do this weekend? There are even more event ideas in our new event calendar!

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