It’s finally warm outside and summer vacation is right around the corner. And your kids are going to need something to do. We’ve put together a list of storytimes, tot Shabbats, Shavuot celebrations (mmm….cheesecake), and a whole bunch of outdoor events in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, and Westchester to keep them busy and help tire them out.
Shavuot 2016 begins at sundown on Saturday, June 11 and ends at sundown on Monday, June 13. Wondering what Shavuot is all about? Here’s everything you need to know.
Bronx | Brooklyn | Long Island | Manhattan | Staten Island | Queens| Westchester
Bronx
Vacation Day Programs
City schools closed? No problem! Sign them up for vacation day camp at the Y. Program includes specialty classes like sports, arts, and drama, as well as swim and kosher snacks. Early drop-off and extended day available, for kids in grades K – 5, click here to register.
Riverdale YM/YWHA, 5625 Arlington Ave
Thursday, June 9 & Tuesday, June 14, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Brooklyn
PJ Library It’s Friday
A music and movement class combining elements from a tot Shabbat service with stories and movement to introduce kids 3 and under and their favorite grown-ups to the sights, tastes, and sounds of Shabbat and holidays. Drop in.
Park Slope Jewish Center, 1320 8th Avenue (at 14th Street)
Fridays, June 10 & June 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Tot Shabbat
Preschoolers and their parents celebrate Shabbat with songs and prayers along with guitar accompaniment, dancing, and stories. Each service ends with snacks for all.
Park Slope Jewish Center, 1320 8th Avenue (at 14th Street)
Saturdays, June 11, 18 & 25, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Here’s the Scoop: Ice Cream and Crafts for Shavuot
Celebrate the holiday of Shavuot while learning how to make your own ice cream and taking a spin on the custom ice cream-churning bicycle. RSVP requested. Sponsored by the Kibbutznik program at the Marks JCH of Bensonhurst.
Ample Hills Creamery, 623 Vanderbilt Ave
Sunday, June 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Under The Bridge
A community Shabbat celebration with live music. Bring your own picnic dinner.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 Bridge View Lawn
Fridays, June 17, July 22, August 19
Kane Street Sundays
Open play, PJ Library stories, music, and snacks. For families with kids ages 4 and under, drop-in.
Kane Street Synagogue, 236 Kane St (between Court & Clinton)
Sundays, June 19 & 26, 9 a.m. – Noon
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Long Island
Kids Paint Party
Celebrate Shavuot and create your own painting guided by a professional artist followed by ice cream. For ages 8 – 12 years, RSVP required.
Private home, address provided upon RSVP, Port Jefferson Station
Sunday, June 12, 3 – 5 p.m.
PJ Library Tot Shabbat
A lively Shabbat celebration with songs, stories, and movement followed by a free, kid-friendly Shabbat dinner. RSVP requested.
Plainview Jewish Center, 95 Floral Drive, Plainview
Friday, June 17, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
Fun Bus Shabbat
Gym time on the “Fun Bus”–a mobile, supervised, fitness studio, followed by Shabbat songs and a bagel lunch. For children ages 4 and under, RSVP requested.
Temple Judea, 333 Searingtown Road, Ext 36 on the L.I.E., Manhasset
Saturday, June 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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Manhattan
Bim Bam
Explore Shabbat through songs in Hebrew and English, lighting candles, saying Sabbath blessings, and giving tzedakah. For children ages 3 and under, registration requested, sibling discount available.
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, 270 West 89th St
Fridays, June 10 – August 19, 9:15 – 10 a.m.
Shababa Saturdays in the Park
Celebrate Shabbat in Central Park with singing, sun, nature, and play time. For children ages 4 and under, drop-in. Bring your own blanket and meet up outside the 5th Ave and 96th St playground.
Central Park, 96th St & 5th Ave
Saturdays, June 11 & 25, 10 – 11 a.m.
Shavuot Party on the Pier
Celebrate Shavuot with The Jewish Community Project and enjoy sports, ice cream, and music while enjoying the outdoors and a view of the Hudson River. Fun for all ages, RSVP requested.
Pier 25, 225 West Street
Sunday, June 12, 2 – 4 p.m.
PJ Library’s Stirring up Summer
An interactive performance of “Stone Soup” by Play Me a Story. Participants will craft props for the performance and enjoy a post-performance snack. For ages 8 and under, RSVP requested.
Temple Israel, 112 E. 75th St
Thursday, June 16, 3 – 4:30 p.m.
PJ Library Story Time in the Square
Head over to Union Square Park for dramatic readings of PJ Library books along with music by Shira Kline (Shir-La-La) and Joanie Leeds.
Children’s Pavilion – Union Square Park South Plaza (near 14th St)
Thursdays June 16 – August 11, 2 – 2:30 p.m.
PJ Library Shavuot Ice Cream Party in the ParkCelebrate the holiday of Shavuot in the park with ice cream, songs, and stories. Meet on the lawn outside of the Diana Ross playground at 81st St and Central Park West, RSVP requested. Sponsored by PJ Library at Congregation Rodeph Sholom.
Central Park, Diana Ross Playground, 81st St and Central Park West
Sunday, June 12, 3 – 4:30 p.m.
PJ Library Story Time
Listen to a variety of classics, perennial kid-favorites, and some new books as well. For children ages 4 and under, advance registration requested.
JCC of Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave
Thursdays, June 16 – August 18, 3 – 3:30 p.m.
Egg Rolls, Egg Creams & Empanadas Festival
Celebrate the Jewish, Chinese, and Puerto Rican communities of the Lower East Side at a block party with crafts, music, games, and food.
Eldridge Street Synagogue, 12 Eldridge St
Sunday, June 19, Noon – 4 p.m.
Fiddler on the Roof Sing-Along
Sing along with your favorite hits from the 1971 film adaptation, along with guest appearances by cast members from the film. Click here for tickets.
Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place
Sunday, June 19, 3 p.m.
Central Tots – Midsummer Music
Led by experienced preschool teachers, this class includes music, outdoor time, water play, blocks, games, crafts, and more. For children ages 12 – 24 months with a parent or caregiver, limited space available, advance registration requested.
Central Synagogue, 123 E 55th St
Wednesdays, June 22 – August 10, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Mr. G @ Central Park SummerStage
Groove along to PJ Library musician Mr. G and other performers in a free concert at Central Park Summer Stage.
Central Park SummerStage, E 72nd & 5th Ave
Sunday, July 10, 2 – 6 p.m.
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Queens
Shabbat Services & Shavuot Pot Luck
Shabbat services followed by a dairy potluck dinner at a private home in Jackson Heights. RSVP required.
Private home, address provided upon RSVP, Jackson Heights
Friday, June 10, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Jewish Together
Learn about the holiday of Shavuot through music, movement, stories, crafts, and food. RSVP requested, for ages 4 – 7 years, co-sponsored by the Central Queens Y and Kehillat Tikvah.
Community United Methodist Church, 81-10 35th Ave, Jackson Heights
Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m. – Noon
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Staten Island
Family Sports Festival
Warm up with the fitness staff, complete an obstacle course, learn basketball and soccer skills, and play in a mini-tournament. For families with children ages 4 and up, advance registration requested.
JCC of Staten Island, 1297 Arthur Kill Rd
Sunday, June 26, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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Westchester
PJ Library Tot Shabbat
Songs, crafts, PJ Library story time, and snacks led by synagogue clergy. For children ages 4 and under, drop-in, RSVP requested.
Congregation B’nai Yisrael, 2 Banksville Road, Armonk
Friday, June 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Mindfulness & Judaism, A Shavuot Celebration
Learn about how mindfulness can add to your Jewish life while the kids bend and stretch in a yoga class followed by playtime.
Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Avenue, New Rochelle
Sunday, June 12, 4 – 7 p.m.
Summer Bim Bam Shabbat
Sing Shabbat songs, listen to stories and have challah and grape juice at this pre-Shabbat music class led by camp staff.
Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, 303 Christian Herald Rd, Nyack
Fridays, July 1 – August 12, 9:30 a.m.
This post is sponsored by PJ Library New York, a program that provides free Jewish children’s books, music, and events to families with young children in the New York metropolitan area. Click here to learn more and sign up.
