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The Parent Loop
Because parenting is better when we share the good stuff.
August 21–23, 2026
This weekend on the UWS
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| Discover handpicked and budget-friendly happenings on the UWS, plus a couple of nearby highlights too good to skip — not everything happening, just the ones we'd text a friend about. Because "What should we do?" shouldn't be stressful. |
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Hi loopers,
Friday's giving us blue skies, Saturday's the kind of day where a stroller rain cover earns its keep, and Sunday should dry out enough for an afternoon out — so pencil in some indoor back ups (listed here). On the highlight reel: the Neopets pop-up in SoHo runs the whole weekend, the K-Culture Festival wraps its run Saturday, Amsterdam Avenue Open Streets returns Saturday with an outdoor Mamma Mia! screening that night, and Arthur Ashe Kids' Day closes out Sunday in Queens.
As always, everything below is free unless noted, because "What should we do?" shouldn't turn into Saturday morning stress. Don't forget to check out the recurring activities at the end.
Have a friend who wants to sign up? Share the link here and follow @theparentloopnyc for more. Quick tip: Click on the "Read online" (top right) so your reading view doesn't get trimmed. |
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Around The Loop: Little shoutouts, local sightings, and meaningful connections from the week.
A WhatsApp group for single and co-parenting parents: A space for parents navigating single parenting or co-parenting, whether after divorce, separation, or another family structure, to connect and share resources. Just reply to this email with your phone number, and I'll add you to the WhatsApp group!
Join the Big Apple Grandmas (BAGs)! Is your mom or mother-in-law looking for more local friends? Share BAGs, a community of grandmothers on the UWS connecting through childcare buddies, bike rides, mahjong, cards, dinners, walks, shows, and more. To join, have them text Melissa at (479) 719-1586.
Loved catching up with La Escuelita's school director and Claudia, their PTA president, to plan our yearly community block party in September. Look out for your invite!
Got to venture upstate with my friend Chris to see Brandi Carlile and grab lunch at Wildflower Farms. Weather was 8/10, but the company, laughter, and singing were 100/10.
One more ask: we're looking for someone to donate waters and coffee for an upcoming event — a nice, no-pressure way to get your brand in front of our community (and do something genuinely helpful for local families). If that's you, just reply!
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| Friday - August 21 |
| Le Carrousel Extravaganza @ Bryant Park (40th St entrance), 10–11 AM, all ages. Magic, puppetry, science, and storytelling — part of the Mon/Wed/Fri series running through September 23. |
| Neo York: Neopets Pop-Up @ Shopify NY (131 Greene St, SoHo), 10 AM–7 PM, all ages. Free immersive nostalgia pop-up — merch, claw machine, trading-card demos, photo booth. Runs through Sunday. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Kids In Motion @ Bloomingdale Playground (104th St between Columbus & Amsterdam), 10 AM–6 PM, all ages. Drop-in sports, games, and fitness — also runs Saturday. |
| Open Playtime @ Bloomingdale Library, 11 AM–12 PM, ages 0–5. |
| Ghetto Gastro: Red Rice @ Little Island (The Glade), 5–6:30 PM, free. A culinary event from the Bronx-based Ghetto Gastro collective — may be more adult-oriented. |
| Free Friday Nights @ Whitney Museum, 5–10 PM. Free, but advance tickets recommended since capacity is limited; tours and a free dance class run through the evening. |
| Harlem Moves with Jose Limón Dance Company @ Riverside Park (W 125th St & Marginal St), 6–7 PM, all ages. Outdoor Limón-technique dance class with live music. |
| Family Fridays: Dice Auction @ National Museum of Mathematics (Chelsea), 6:30–8 PM, all ages. Probability-themed dice game with Two Sigma; registration required. |
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| Saturday - August 22 |
| Locomotive Open House @ Locomotive Lawn, Riverside Park South (61st St), 10 AM–1 PM, all ages. Tour the renovated locomotive and learn West Side rail history. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Puzzles & Play @ Bloomingdale Library, 10 AM–2 PM, preschool–elementary. |
| K-Culture Festival @ Korean Cultural Center New York (122 E 32nd St), 11 AM–5 PM, all ages. Interactive K-pop-culture installations, K-beauty zone, gaming and food sampling. Last day of the run. |
| Wetlab Look-ins @ Pier 40, 11 AM–5 PM, all ages, free. Drop-in tours of the Hudson River Park's research aquarium. |
| Amsterdam Avenue Open Streets @ Amsterdam Ave (106th–110th St), 12–7 PM, all ages. Local vendors, games, and music. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Great Summer Bar Drop @ Brooklyn Bridge Park, 12–6 PM, all ages. Ben & Jerry's free ice cream bar giveaway with games. |
| CPDSA Skate Circle @ Central Park Skate Circle (mid-park, 69th St), 2:45–6:45 PM, all ages. DJ-soundtracked roller skating; bring your own skates, helmets required for 14 and under. |
| Tales of Summer: Mamma Mia! @ Amsterdam Ave (106th–110th St), 8 PM, best for school-age and up. Free outdoor screening capping off Open Streets, same block. |
| Star Gaze Saturdays @ Pier I, Riverside Park South, 8–11 PM, all ages. Telescope viewing with the Amateur Astronomers Association. |
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UWS and Morningside WhatsApp community
If you want to join the UWS/Morningside parents' WhatsApp, just hit reply with your neighborhood and I'll send the link. One note: this is a peer community group. The Parent Loop is not responsible or liable for transactions, exchanges, or recommendations shared by members. Please use your own discretion.
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| Sunday - August 23 |
| Arthur Ashe Kids' Day @ Arthur Ashe Stadium, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (Flushing, Queens), 9:30 AM–4 PM, all ages, free. Registration required — currently sold out. |
| Neo York: Neopets Pop-Up @ Shopify NY (131 Greene St, SoHo), 10 AM–7 PM, all ages, free. Last day — final chance. |
| Wetlab Look-ins @ Pier 40, 11 AM–2 PM, all ages, free. |
| Family Kayaking @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 2), 12–2:30 PM, ages 7+. Kayaks, paddles, and life vests provided; advance reservation required. |
| Great Summer Bar Drop @ Coney Island Boardwalk (btwn W 10th & W 12th St), 12–6 PM, all ages. Last stop of the weekend series. |
| CPDSA Skate Circle @ Central Park Skate Circle (mid-park, 69th St), 2:45–6:45 PM, all ages. Bring your own skates, helmets required for 14 and under. |
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| Ongoing events |
| Storytime @ Book Culture on Broadway (2915 Broadway at 114th St), Fridays 10:30 AM & Sundays 1 PM, young kids. The cozy weekly read-aloud continues. |
| Central Park Model Yacht Club Races @ Conservatory Water (E 72nd–75th St), Saturdays 10 AM–1 PM, all ages. Wind-powered remote-control boats; spectators welcome, rentals available. |
| Guided Tours @ American Museum of Natural History, daily, tours start on the half-hour 10:30 AM–3:30 PM, all ages. Included with admission. |
| Juggling Lessons @ Bryant Park, Saturdays 11 AM–2 PM (weekdays noon–1 PM), all ages. Equipment provided. |
| Le Carrousel @ Bryant Park, daily 10 AM–8 PM, all ages. $5 per ride. |
| Governors Island: ferry is free on weekends before 11:30 AM (otherwise $4). Blazing Saddles' Learn to Ride classes for beginners are also on the island. |
Boating (first-come, first-served):
Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse @ Pier 2, Wed–Thu 5–7 PM, Sat 10 AM–3 PM (Sunday's family kayak session is listed above).
Central Park Boathouse @ E 72nd St, rentals from ~$30/hour.
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| Indoor favorites for rainy or hot days |
| Discovery Room @ American Museum of Natural History, Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 AM–1:30 PM & 2:15–5:15 PM, ages 4–12 (PreK drop-in weekday mornings). Included with admission; free timed passes, first come first served. |
| The 81st Street Studio @ The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thursday–Sunday 10 AM–5 PM, ages 3–11. Free, no museum admission required. |
| Little Red's Hood @ Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Central Park (W 79th St & West Dr), weekend matinees, ages 3–7. $10 children/$15 adults, advance online purchase only (no walk-ups) — the theater has moved to weekend-only shows ahead of upcoming renovations. |
| Discovery Tank: Guided Gallery @ Pier 57, hours vary by day this week (Fri 3–6 PM, Sat 11 AM–5 PM, Sun 3–5 PM), all ages, free. |
| DiMenna Children's History Museum @ The New-York Historical, all ages, included with general admission. |
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Because parenting is better when we share the good stuff.
The Parent Loop
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| I'm always looking for great sponsors and partners. If your business would like to sponsor or connect with parents, contribute to a swap, or be part of a future The Parent Loop event, just reply here and let's grab coffee! |
| The Parent Loop is not responsible for changes to hours, pricing, availability, reservations, closures, or event details. Please confirm all information directly with the venue before visiting and choose activities that fit your family's needs, comfort level, and circumstances. This newsletter may contain affiliate links. The Parent Loop is not responsible or liable for transactions, exchanges, or recommendations shared by members in community groups. Please use your own discretion. |
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| The Parent Loop · Upper West Side, NYC |
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