The summer is an amazing time to be a kid in New York. From outdoor activities to street fairs and summer camps, NYC has an enormous number of organizations that offer cultural, fun, family-friendly events throughout the five boroughs.

These opportunities are a great way to help your child develop new skills, explore New York City’s parks, and take in Broadway shows in the park. Here is our short list to get you started on a summer of fun.

Attend These 8 Kid-friendly Summer Activities in NYC

Art Start

Art Start, a NYC-based community outreach program that uses art to help transform the lives of children experiencing homelessness, is hosting an opening reception for the 2019 Family Portrait Project. This is a multimedia project and platform for the powerful stories, voices, and images of New York City families experiencing homelessness, and the reception will feature several family-centered activities.

Register for a Day of Family Activities

 

Girls Who Code

If you have a girl between the ages of 10-18 and they are interested in coding, Girls Who Code offers 2-week summer courses throughout the city. Girls Who Code is a nationwide program to encourage STEM studies in girls, providing coding programs to prepare girls for a future in STEM studies.

Learn How to Code This Summer

 

Irish Arts Center

The Irish Arts Center presents a full day of celebrating the best contemporary Irish and NYC-based authors and illustrators of children’s literature. Storytelling workshops and activities will take place throughout the day for children ages 4-8, along with a breakout session on Children’s Book Publishing for adults.

Explore Contemporary Irish Literature

 

City Parks Foundation

The City Parks Foundation aims to use NYC’s vibrant network of parks as centers for community and recreation throughout the city. They are presenting two puppet shows at outdoor venues throughout the summer: Puss in Boots and Bessie’s Big Day.

Attend a City Parks Puppet Show

 

Wildlife Conservation Society

The NYC Wildlife Conservation Society is in charge of the Central Park, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx zoos, as well as the NY Aquarium in Coney Island. The aquarium is hosting a volunteer clean-up of the Coney Island River on June 1, followed by a parade on June 8 to bring attention to the issue of plastic in the ocean.

Attend the Party for the Planet

 

Broadway in Bryant Park

On Thursdays throughout August, fans of Broadway can gather in Bryant Park and listen to free, live performances of the best shows Broadway has to offer.

Watch a Broadway Show in Bryant Park

 

PopUp New York Street Fairs

New York has a long history of summer street fairs, taking over entire blocks of the city throughout all five boroughs and offering food, music, entertainment, and more. PopUp New York has a new take on the traditional street fair, partnering with local nonprofit organizations as well as local merchants, food vendors, and entrepreneurs.

Find a New York Street Fair

 

The Strand

The Strand bookstore offers a children’s story time every Saturday, featuring well-loved characters including Peppa Pig, Curious George, and more. Bring the family, enjoy a story, and find some new reading material for lazy summer days in the world-famous Strand Bookstore.

Attend Children’s Story Time