August is the last big stretch of summer before the back-to-school scramble — and this year it's a good one. There's overnight camping in Central Park, outdoor movies on the Hudson, a kite festival at Pier I, magic and puppet shows almost every weekday morning in Bryant Park, and two free museum block parties. Here's my curated list of the best family events this month on the Upper West Side and in Midtown, with lots of free picks and easy weekday options.
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Happening All Month
A few things repeat weekly — worth building into your routine:
Tuesdays (Aug 4, 11, 18, 25) — StoryTime with Cali Co Cat — Bryant Park, 10:30 AM
Ages 2–8. FREE. Stories plus live "Meowsic," and free books while supplies last.
Wednesdays (Aug 5, 12, 19, 26) — Hippo Playground Summer Concerts — Hippo Playground, Riverside Park, 3:30–4:30 PM
All ages. FREE. Suzi Shelton (8/5), Flor Bromley (8/12), Matt Heaton (8/19), Hopalong Andrew (8/26).
Thursdays (Aug 6, 13, 20, 27) — Summer on the Hudson: Tots Soccer — 71st Street Soccer Field, Riverside Park South, 9:30–10:30 AM
Ages 0–5. FREE. Non-competitive skills session with Carlos Oliveira Soccer Academy.
Saturdays (Aug 8, 15, 22, 29) — Storytelling in Central Park — Hans Christian Andersen Statue, 11:00 AM
Ages 6–12. FREE. Live folktales from a rotating pair of storytellers each week.
Weekends all month — Little Red's Hood — Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Central Park
Ages 3–8. Ticketed. The classic marionette production, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM most weekend days.
Week 1 & 2
August 5 — Music Storytime With Divinity Roxx — David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center
All ages. FREE. 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, with the GRAMMY-nominated artist.
August 5, 12, 19 — Pier I Picture Show — Pier I, Riverside Park South (W 70th St), 8:30 PM
All ages. FREE. Outdoor movies at dusk, open captioned: The Good Dinosaur (8/5), La Chimera (8/12), National Treasure (8/19). Pack a picnic.
August 7 — Kids' Magic Show: Loonie Louie — Bryant Park, 10:00 AM
All ages. FREE.
August 8 — UNIQLO Family Day — MoMA, 10:30 AM–5:00 PM
Ages 4–10. FREE. Duchamp-inspired art-making, animation, prop-making, and games in the Sculpture Garden.
August 8 — Block Party 2026 — Museum of Arts and Design, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
All ages. FREE. Outdoor community celebration with collaborative art-making.
August 8 — Jamaica Day: The Heartbeat of Jamaica — David Rubenstein Atrium, Lincoln Center, 12:00 PM
All ages. FREE. Family concert of dancehall and reggae with the Brown Rice Family.
August 14 — Family Camping: Manhattan — Central Park at W 106th St & CPW, 7:00 PM–8:00 AM
Families. FREE, but by lottery — registration runs August 3–6, so sign up this week. Overnight camping with the Urban Park Rangers.
August 15 — Summer on the Hudson: Fly NYC — Pier I, Riverside Park South, 12:00–5:00 PM
All ages. FREE. Kite festival with music; free kite kits for kids while supplies last, or bring your own.
August 15 — Mozart for Munchkins: Parade & Play — Public Square and Gardens, Hudson Yards, 11:00 AM
All ages. FREE. Marching, clapping, and interactive moments for the whole family.
August 15 — Living History: The Lives of Black Dolls — The New York Historical, 12:00 PM
All ages. Museum admission. See Betye Saar's exhibition, then draw from the Black Dolls collection.
August 16 — Family Storytime in Japanese — Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, 11:00 AM
Ages 0–5. FREE. Songs and stories read aloud in Japanese.
Week 3 & 4
August 17 — Gu-pit Gu-pit: 3-Dimensional Paper Sculpture — Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, 2:30 PM
Ages 6–12. FREE. A two-hour workshop building sculptures from a single sheet of paper.
August 17 — StoryFaces — Bryant Park, 10:00 AM
All ages. FREE. Interactive storytelling as part of Le Carrousel Extravaganza.
August 20 — STEAM Time: Chromatography — 53rd Street Library, 4:00–5:00 PM
Ages 6–12. FREE. Make flowers out of coffee filters.
August 21 — Open Play: Sensory Time! — 53rd Street Library, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Ages 0–3. FREE. A two-hour library playdate with age-appropriate play materials.
August 22 — Storytelling and Art-Making: The Boredom Monster Book — Museum of Arts and Design, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
All ages. Ticketed.
August 24 — Juggling 101 — Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, 3:00 PM
Ages 6–12. FREE. Hands-on beginner class.
August 25 — End of Summer Dance Party with Bubbles the Silly Entertainer — Columbus Library, 3:30 PM
All ages. FREE.
August 25 — Family Movie: The Goonies — St. Agnes Library, 2:00–4:00 PM
Ages 6–12. FREE. A pirate-treasure adventure with air conditioning.
August 26 — Perler Bead Art — St. Agnes Library, 3:30–4:30 PM
Ages 6–12. FREE.
August 28 — Looney Louie's Juggling Magic Show — 53rd Street Library, 3:00–4:00 PM
Ages 3–10. FREE.
August 28 — Summer Celebration: Bubble Show with Wow Party! — St. Agnes Library, 3:00–4:00 PM
All ages. FREE. Giant bubble sculptures and giveaways.
August 31 — The Science of Bubbles — Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, 3:00 PM
Ages 6–12. FREE. Hands-on experiments.
August 31 — Puppet Show: Lucky Duck Puppets — Bryant Park, 10:00 AM
All ages. FREE.
My Top 3 Picks
If you can only squeeze in a handful:
- UNIQLO Family Day at MoMA (August 8) — a full free day of art-making, animation, and games in the Sculpture Garden. The single best rainy-or-shine option in Midtown this month.
- Family Camping in Central Park (August 14) — a free overnight with the Urban Park Rangers, a few blocks from home. It's a lottery and registration closes August 6, so this is the one to act on today.
- The Science of Bubbles at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (August 31) — hands-on bubble experiments for ages 6–12, free and air-conditioned. A nice low-key way to close out the summer.
By Neighborhood
Plan the Rest of Your Month
Every event above is on the full August calendar — plus dozens more I couldn't fit in this roundup, including daily library storytimes, open play, and craft afternoons. I update it weekly with new pop-ups, story times, and free activities across the Upper West Side and Midtown so you always have something to do with the kids.
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