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8 Things To Do With Your Kids This Weekend

By Daniel Jumpertz | September 17, 2015 7:47am | Updated on September 18, 2015 7:39pm
 Exciting adventures abound this weekend, right across the city!
8 Things To Do With Your Kids This Weekend
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Saturday September 19

Brooklyn Book Festival Children's Day
Where? MetroTech Commons and NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering in Downtown Brooklyn
When? 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How Much? Free
There are activities aplenty for kids on Saturday at New York City’s largest free literary event. At 11 a.m., make simple pop-up books with Esther K. Smith, the author of "How to Make Books," and at noon authors discuss their inspiration behind creating and naming their beloved characters. There are also kids' literacy and storytelling workshops and a live action drawing competition featuring Kevin Sherry ("Monsters on the Run"), Kazu Kibuishi ("Amulet"), George O’Connor ("If I Had a Triceratops"), Aimee Sicuro ("Bright Sky, Starry City") and Frank Morrison ("Little Melba and her Big Trombone"). Books by participating authors and other new and beloved children's books will be on sale with author book-signings after each program.

Brooklyn Kite Festival
Where? Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Heights
When? 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How Much? Free
Bring your own kite or purchase one at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the waterfront park with rolling hills, riverfront promenades, lush gardens and spectacular city views.

Morningside Lights
Where? Miller Theatre at Columbia University, 2960 Broadway at 116th St., Upper West Side
When? From 12 p.m. The sessions continue every day this week leading up to the procession on Saturday September 26. 
How Much? Free
Help create a fleet of lanterns for the fourth annual Morningside Lights Procession. Collaborate with friends and neighbors to create lanterns inspired by the sights and sounds of New York City after dark. All materials will be provided and no experience is required.

Play:ground: Adventure on Governors Island
Where? Governors Island
When? Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How Much? Free
This free two-day adventure on Governors Island provides kids ages three through 12 with the opportunity to use their imaginations to build and create, and through self-directed play, to make their own decisions on how to use materials, space, and time. Collaborate to build an entire city, with all materials provided, including cardboard boxes, fabric, markers, string, tape, and more.

Sunday September 20

Coney Island Film Festival
Where? Coney Island Museum, 2nd Floor, 1208 Surf Ave., Coney Island
When? 1 p.m.
How Much? $8
The Coney Island Film Festival celebrates the power of independent film through the unique Coney Island experience. This afternoon catch an eclectic selection of animated shorts, including “The Ballad of Holland Island House” a clay animation telling the story of the last house on a sinking island in the Chesapeake Bay and “The Alphabetical Adventures of Zelda Zingaro,” a story of a little girl from the suburbs who ends up in the care of the Gypsy Queen as her parents go off to the opera. 

Children's Garden at Queens Botanical Garden
Where? 43-50 Main St, Flushing, Queens
When? 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
How Much? $20
Hands-on learning for children ages 5 through 12, as they plant, harvest and cook vegetables. Bookings here.

The Beast Speedboat
Where? Pier 83, Hudson River, Hell's Kitchen
When? Every hour on the hour between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
How Much? Kids $23, adults $29. 
Online reviews have been very positive for The Beast — a custom-built, 70-foot speedboat that flies down the Hudson River to the Statue Of Liberty and back. Be prepared to get wet!

92Y Annual Street Festival
Where? Lexington Avenue at 92nd St, Upper East Side
When? From 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.
How Much? Free
92Y, the multifaceted cultural institution and community center, is holding its annual Street Festival Sunday with dozens of performances across two stages, including the Broadway Cast members of Something's Rotten (12:05 p.m.) and Chicago (12:35 p.m.), plus, rock and Caribbean bands and plenty of dancing. Explore the International Way, a cultural tour of more than a dozen countries, take advantage of special discounts on upcoming 92Y events, classes and fitness memberships and tackle the Tiny Tumblers Toddler Obstacle Course.