Hi loopers,
Bom dia from Porto, Portugal, where I’m resetting (mentally and time-zone wise) with our toddler, my mom, and my sister. After weeks of dreaming about this trip, we're finally here, and I can't wait to explore.
A lot to celebrate this weekend. Juneteenth is a day to celebrate freedom, honor Black history and resilience. I’ll be reflecting on how we can continue raising thoughtful, inclusive children and communities.
And a Happy Father's Day on Sunday to all the dads, grandpas, and father figures in our community.
Good luck to all of us as we head into summer mode, where schedules get a little looser and the days get a lot longer.
Sending this weekend’s plans your way. As always, the events below are free unless noted, because “what should we do?” should not turn into Saturday morning stress. Don't forget to check out the recurring activities list at the end!
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Around The Loop: Little shoutouts, local sightings, and meaningful connections from the week.
Aside from being overall wonderful, Catherine, one of our class parents, had the idea of hosting a joint birthday celebration for the kids with summer birthdays. We held it during the school day, which made scheduling a breeze, and the planning was pretty simple: one cake, one setup, one dance party, one cleanup. I loved this idea and had to share in case it resonates with any of you.
What a way to wrap up my daughter's first school year. This year, I served as one of four class parents across two 2s classes, and I'm so glad I said yes.
Was it extra work? Absolutely. Did every event or activity come with a learning curve? Yup. But it also led to meaningful friendships, memorable school moments, and a much deeper connection to our community. One of my favorite WhatsApp groups to be a part of.
Friday - June 19
Kid's Magic Show: Le Carrousel Extravaganza @ Bryant Park, 10-11am, all ages, Mon., Wed, and Fri.
Kids in Motion @ Gertrude Ederle Playground (60th/Amsterdam Av), 10am-6pm, all ages.
Mark Devine @ Bryant Park (Upper Terrace at the base of the William Cullen Bryant Statue behind NY Public Library), 12:30-2:30pm, ragtime, stride, and jazz, all ages.
Juneteenth: Seneca Village @ West 81st and CPW in Central Park, 1-2:30pm. Learn about the largest community of African-American property owners in New York in the 1800s.
Juneteenth Family Picnic @ St. John the Divine, 2-5pm, in the gardens. Bring your blanket and your own picnic favorites.
Little New-Yorkers: A Flag for Juneteenth @ NY Historical Society (Lower level, 77th & CPW), 3:30-4:30pm, ages 3-6. Inc. with museum ticket (adults $24, ages 5-13 $6, ages 0-4 free; family membership $160). Includes a special hello song, silly dances, games, book reading, and your own community flags. The Parent Loop pick!
Harlem Moves with José Limón Dance Company @ 125th and Marginal St, 6-7pm, all ages.
The Unsung Collective: Starburst @ Bryant Park, 7-8:15pm, all ages. Juneteenth celebration by a chamber orchestra performance. Bring your blankets and lawn gear. The Parent Loop pick!
Carousel: Two-day delivery, but make it cute.
Did your kids suddenly outgrow everything? Carousel curates stylish secondhand kidswear into Baby and Mini Capsules based on your kid’s style preferences, with two-day delivery. No endless scrolling, no mystery quality — just cute, practical clothes with a lighter footprint. The Parent Loop readers get 10% off selected capsules with code PARENTLOOP. I can’t wait to get our next one. Get yours here. *Minimum purchase $46.
Saturday - June 20
Teen Advisory Group @ Bloomingdale Library (100th & Amsterdam Av), 10am-2pm, all ages.
Puzzles & Play @ Bloomingdale Library (100th & Amsterdam Av), 10am-12pm, ages 13-18.
Youth Skills Academy @ near Tavern on the Green (Central Park), 10am-2pm and 4-8pm. Come play and check out the temporary FIFA pitch. For any age and any skill leave, built for younger players.
Big City Fishing @ Pier 51, 11am-3pm, ages 5 and up can participate in on-site catch-and-release fishing and tutorial. All equipment provided.
Billion Oyster Project Presentation @ The Baylander’s Jungle Deck (125th and Marginal St), 12-2pm, all ages. Come check out the latest effort to restore the harbor.
Theater Games @ Bloomingdale Library (100th & Amsterdam Av), 1-2pm, ages 6-12.
Summer on the Hudson: Story Hour! @ 102nd street field house in Riverside park (bottom level), 3-4pm, all ages. Note: Stairs to get down there.
Revival 10: Naomi and Friends @ Grant Tomb’s Plaza, 5-7:30pm, all ages. Dance workshop at 5pm and performance is at 6pm.
RTA Summer Sunset Concert Series ft. Ron McClure @ 96th St Tennis Courts, 7-8:30pm, all ages.
NY Classical: “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” @ enter at Central Park West & West 103rd Street, 7-9 pm. See details above.
Star Gaze Saturdays @ Pier i (W 70th St), 8-11pm, all ages.
Sunday - June 21
Make Music New York celebrations @ different times, all ages. The Parent Loop pick!
Don’t miss the Waterway Horns @ Different locations, 12:00-12:15 (Pier i), 2-2:45 (Pier 45), and 3:30-3:45 (Seaport).
Concerts 2-4pm @ Pier I from performers from Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, and Special Music School
River of Song at 4:30-5pm, a flash mob parade of joy, marches @ 84th to 70th and ends with a final at Pier I.
West Harlem Piers featuring Melissa Jones @ 6:30-8pm.
Sunday Story Time: Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five @ NY Historical Society (Lower level, 77th & CPW), 11:30am-12:30pm, ages 3-6. Inc. with museum ticket (see prices above). Hello song, silly dance/game, story time, and a friendship high five craft.
Summer Social: Welcome to the new Tang Wing for American Democracy! @ NY Historical Society, 12-3:30pm, all ages, see ticket costs above.
Let’s Dance! w. Piel Canela Dance and Music School and DJ Ray Colon @ Pier I (W 70th St), 6-9:30pm, all ages. Learn salsa, bachata, and more.
UWS and Morningside WhatsApp community
Reminder: If you want to join the UWS/Morningside parents’ WhatsApp, just hit reply or DM me 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.
Ongoing events
FIFA Arena: Free Soccer @ near Tavern on the Green (Central Park). All ages. June 10-July 18, most days are open play with two sessions (10am-2pm, 4-8pm). Drop in and join a game but check the deets and calendar.
FIFA World Cup Watch Parties @ Hudson Yards, ends July 19. Featuring a 30-foot outdoor screen. Bring your blankets and snacks.
World Cup Watch Parties @ Pier 57 and Intrepid Museum on Pier 86. 11am-9pm.
FIFA Arena: Free Soccer @ near Tavern on the Green (Central Park). All ages. June 10-July 18, most days are open play with two sessions (10am-2pm, 4-8pm). Drop in and join a game but check the deets and calendar.
Juggling class @ Bryant Park, all skills welcome + equipment provided, 12-1pm, Mon-Sat, April-December.
CPDSA Skate Circle Events w. Live DJs @ Skate Circle (middle of Central Park, 69th), music starts 2:45pm-6:45 pm, all skills and ages. Bring your own skates and helmets required for 14 and younger. Most Sat, Sun, and holiday weekends. Ends in October.
Model Yacht Club Races @ Central Park (Conservatory Water, East side, between 72nd&75th), 10am-1pm, all ages. Every Saturday, ends in November.
Boating, make sure to confirm holiday hours. Usually first-come, first-served; free unless noted otherwise:
Manhattan Community Boathouse @ Pier 96 at W 56th St, Sat and Sun, May 23–Oct 11, 1-6pm
Downtown Boathouse @ Pier 26 in Tribeca, Sat and Sun 10am-4:30pm
Central Park Boathouse @ Central Park at E 72nd St), $30/hour rental
Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse @ between Piers 1 and 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Wednesdays + Thursdays 5-7pm, Saturdays 10am-3pm, kids and family paddle Sundays 12-2:30pm through August. And you can volunteer. Or learn how to play kayak polo. Yes, it’s free! More info for ages and specifics; limited walk-ins and reservations open 2 weeks in advance here
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood @ The Bronx Zoo, ages 2 and under free, ages 3 and up +28, prices vary, ends Sept 7.
Storm King Art Center @ Hudson Valley, ongoing events for kids and families, children 0-4 free, ages 5 and up +$15.
Brooklyn Cyclones game @ Maimonides Park (Brooklyn), $16-61, times/dates vary, all ages. Don’t forget to hit up the Original Nathan’s Famous nearby. Check out the know before you go here for more info and make sure it’s not an away game.
Coney Island @ Brooklyn (1208 Surf Av); Check out the museum, the shows, and Luna Park (exact times/dates vary; no fee to access the amusement park but rides/attractions prices vary $49-$90).
Always check the NYC Ferry schedule (New York City Ferry Service) before you go, especially on weekends.
From the East 90th Street landing by Carl Schurz Park, families can take the Astoria Route or the Rockaway-Soundview Route for an easy ride with skyline views.
From Pier 11/Wall Street, you can connect to Governors Island on summer weekends and holidays, or take the South Brooklyn Route to Atlantic Ave/BBP Pier 6 for Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Water Lab playground.
Conservatory Garden @ 104th/106th East Side of Central Park, 8am-dusk.
Romeo & Juliet’s @ Shakespeare in the Park, ages +5, ticket info is here.
Start thinking about 4th of July in NYC and the 250 year celebration!
NY Classical: “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” @ enter at Central Park West & West 103rd Street, 7-9 pm. Tickets are free but make sure to make your reservation for details. Be ready to move with the actors (5-6 times) from scene to scene. Fri to Sun, until July 5, and they also have matinees and family events.
Storytime @ The Strand (81st & 82nd), Sundays, 12pm & 3pm, ages 0–7.
Storytime @ Book Culture (2915 Broadway & 114th St), Sundays, 1pm, ages 0–7.
Start thinking about 4th of July in NYC and the 250 year celebration!
Indoor favorites for rainy days
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre @ 81st and CPW, in Central Park, tickets +$12 for ages 2 and up, for ages 3-7, various times.
The Met’s 81st studio @ The Met (on the bottom floor; a state-of-the-art space), stroller parking, 10am-5pm, ages 3-11.
Hands-on-activities (Discovery Room ages 0-12, Climate Learning Lab ages 8+, Human Origins Learning Lab ages 8+) @ American Museum of Natural History, NYC residents pay-what-you-wish. Note: The Discovery is moving from a first-come, first-served to a registration-based approach so make sure to sign up when you get to the museum.
Libraries are open Friday and Saturdays, closed Sundays: Bloomingdale Library (99th st), Riverside Library (66th st), St. Agnes Library (81st st), Columbus Library (51st st).
Bookstores, times vary: Book Culture (@112th, @114th), The Strand (81st & 82nd on Columbus), Barnes and Noble (@82nd st).
Because parenting is better when we share the good stuff.
The Parent Loop
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Disclaimer: Event details, dates, prices, and links are subject to change — please check with venues before heading out. Some product links may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share items we genuinely use and love. The Parent Loop and its admins are not responsible for member posts, recommendations, transactions, services, or arrangements made through WhatsApp groups. Participation is voluntary, and each member is responsible for their own decisions, screening, and interactions.