District News
Kids Summer Activities
Jun 7, 2023
School’s out! Not forever, but at least for summer. And that means it’s time to find some new activities for the kids.
Fortunately, there are plenty of free (or low-cost) options in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Here is our list of the top cultural events and programs for pre-teens and tweeners – all within walking distance. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re artsy, sporty, science-y or something in between:
What: Your lunches just got a little groovier thanks to “Summer Jazz Sessions,” the Lincoln Square BID’s very own free, midday outdoor concert series in Dante Park. Curated by saxophonist Eric Person, the lineup features a range of renowned quartets, trios, and bands that play everything from Latin pop to electric jazz.
When: Wednesdays from June 21st through August 30th, from 12pm to 1:30pm
Where: Dante Park (Broadway and 64th Street)
What: A visit to Color Me Mine, the pottery-painting workshop, lets you create a new artwork and support a local business. Kids get to express their creativity on mug, flowerpot, or animal figurine (to name a few options) and then take the piece home. The workshop also hosts events like “Kids Night Out,” an evening of pottery painting, games, a movie, snacks, and pizza.
When: Open daily, 10am to 7pm (weekdays) / 8pm (weekends)
Where: 177 Amsterdam Avenue on the corner of 68th Street
Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center
What: If you’re under 18, you are entitled to a free membership at NYC Parks Department’s Recreation Centers. That’s great news for kids and teens who are looking for a place to swim, play basketball, and – for older kids – take part in “teen strength” program in the gym. At the Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center, they can also take advantage of the media lab and join various organized classes.
When: Open weekdays from 7am to 8pm and Saturday from 8am to 4pm (check schedule for class times)
Where: 232 West 60th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues
What: Did you know that Central Park’s largest playground is right near Lincoln Square? The Heckscher Playground, originally built in 1926 and most recently renovated in 2016, features slides, swings, climbing equipment, and more – perfect for getting some energy out. The Migrant Kitchen, which recently opened as the vendor at the Ballfields Café, is a nearby option for lunch or snacks.
When: Open daily from dawn ‘till dusk
Where: Mid-Park between 61st and 63rd Streets
What: Celebrate the Summer Solstice with the family by taking in a unique music festival. For nearly 20 years, Make Music NY – a nonprofit organization – has hosted performances across the city. Our first “Summer Jazz Sensations” concert featuring Eric Person’s Soul Saturation is part of the lineup. We’re also lucky that the “Roomful of Pianos,” an unforgettable performance in a piano rental shop, is taking place right here in the neighborhood.
When: June 21st from 12pm to 1:30pm (“Summer Jazz Sensations”) and 4pm to 5pm (“Roomful of Pianos”)
Where: Dante Park (Broadway and 64th Street) for “Summer Jazz Sensations” and PianoPiano Theater (37 West 65th Street, 4th Floor) for “Roomful of Pianos”
What: Few things signal the start of summer like an outdoor movie. The NYC Parks Department and Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment host free, family-friendly showings across the city, including one here in Lincoln Square. The first in the series is “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” starring LeBron James alongside Bugs Bunny and friends.
When: June 14th at 9pm (check details for upcoming dates)
Where: Samuel N. Bennerson 2nd Playground (200 W. 64th Street between Amsterdam and West End)
What: Lincoln Center is turning it up to 11 again this year with “Summer for the City,” a festival encompassing hundreds of free events and thousands of artists. Over three months, Lincoln Center will host diverse performances across several of the complex’s venues – perhaps the most notable one being at the city’s largest outdoor dance floor, complete with a 10-foot disco ball, that’s constructed on the Josie Robertson Plaza.
When: June 14th to August 12th (check programming schedule for individual shows)
Where: Various venues in Lincoln Center (check programming schedule for details)
What: The annual outdoor arts and culture festival, sponsored by the NYC Parks Department, is returning to Riverside Park this year. A wide range of activities, including kite-flying, star gazing and a movement scavenger hunt, will be held for free in the park – and for most events you don’t even need to register. Another highlight: the Moosiki Kids are leading “Locomotive Lawn Live,” a musical storytelling show at 10:30am on Thursdays.
When: See program for individual event details
Where: Riverside Park South (Hudson River between 59th & 72nd Streets – see program for location details)
What: Registration is now open for camp at the Y. There are several groups to accommodate various ages and interests: Traditional Summer Day Camp (ages 6-12), Kinder Camp (4-5), Swim Camp (7-12), and Early Childhood Camp (3-4). For something less structured, memberships are also available to use the pool, family gym, and other programming for teens.
When: Camps run from July 3rd to August 25 in four sessions; the Y is open weekdays from 6am to 9pm and weekends from 8am to 5pm.
Where: 5 West 63rd Street (between Broadway and Central Park West)
What: The New York Society for Ethical Culture is a humanist community that aims to foster ethical relationships, social justice, and democracy. While its weekly Sunday Platform is for adults, they simultaneously host “Young Explorers” sessions that address these topics in age-appropriate ways for children from 4 to 13 years old. Activities include discussion, storytelling, dramatization, music, art, games, and field trips.
When: Sundays from 11am to 12:30pm
Where: New York Society for Ethical Culture (2 West 64th Street on the corner of Central Park West)
This story was written by Scott Etkin.
Photo Credit: Elena Olivo