Summer does not begin until June 21st, but we are already in summer mode over at my home. I think that both Reggie and Michael are kind of “done” with school for this year. A few more weeks and they will be “free”! Meanwhile, there is a ton of great free and low-cost activities that are starting this month. Below are the ten that I’m most excited about:
1. Madison Square Kids (beginning on 6/4) – Madison Square Kids is such an amazing free program. It offers a varied lineup of music, comedy and other performance acts – all with a focus on kids. When I take Michael and Sean to one of the performances, we make a day of it. There’s a great playground with a sprinkler for the kids to cool-off underneath. Madison Square Park is also home to one of the Shake Shacks. Their burgers and fries are tasty, but it’s their vanilla custard/ice cream that makes us wait in their super-long lines.
2. Summer Library Kick-Off (beginning on 6/9) – I love libraries. Michael was practically weaned at the library from the time that he was born because there was a nearby library in our old neighborhood. I recently started visiting our Forest Hills library and I am so impressed with all of the great free books, programs and such. On June 9th, there will be a variety of big summer library kick-off events, so be sure to check your local library for details.
New York Public Library (Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island) – www.nypl.org
Brooklyn – brooklynpubliclibrary.org
Queens – www.queenslibrary.org
3. Curious George at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (beginning on 6/11) – I just might like Curious George even more than my kids. That is why I was excited to learn that a new “Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!” hands on exhibit will be coming to CMOM. I really liked this museum when Michael was little. I think that this one of the only museums where I actually bought a membership in the past.
4. 2011 Big Apple BBQ (6/11-6/12) – Besides the long lines, what is there not to love about a big old barbecue block party?
5. Egg Rolls & Egg Creams (6/12) – This celebration of both the Jewish and Chinese communities is typically a fun event. Both the arts and the food of both cultures will be shared at this fun block party for the Lower East Side/Chinatown neighborhood.
6. Museum Mile Festival (6/14) – If you love museums, then this is a great family event. All of the museums along Museum Mile (Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 104th Streets) will have free admission from 6pm – 9pm.
7. NYC KidsFest (6/18) – If you take the family uptown to Morningside Park, you will enjoy a free family fun day of juggling, face painting, performances and more.
8. Sing for Hope Pop-Up Pianos (beginning on 6/18) – In an effort to “bring art to all”, Sing for Hope is bringing 88 pianos to the 5 boroughs for free public use. There will also be concerts and competitions with the pianos at the center, so be sure to check their site for updates.
9. Cars 2 (beginning on 6/24) – My sons have been looking forward to this movie since they first saw the trailers. (It does look good.)
10. Family Day at Morris Jumel Mansion (6/25) – Take the family uptown to Washington Heights for this free event. The kids can play colonial games, make crafts, and take a tour of this historical mansion where George Washington made his headquarters during the fall of 1776.
Are there any June family activities that excite you?
(Also, I took the post image last week at the playground. Sean was contemplating whether or not to run through the sprinkler for the second time since he was already wet. Michael had pulled him through the first time. Hot days in the city 
…)
