FAMILY FUN FOR THE SUMMER

"The Fantastic Mr. Fox" is among many free outdoor kids' movies being shown at the South Street Seaport this summer.

SEAPORT EVENTS

Outdoor Movies and Storytelling This summer at the South Street Seaport is a gamut of outdoor movies for kids (and adults, see page 28) that range from “Fan­tastic Mr. Fox” (above), to “E.T.,” to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Other free weekend offerings include storytelling, visits by TV and storybook characters and performances by Tim and the Space Cadets and Rolie Polie Guacamole. Details at southstreetseaport.com/events.

ARTS, CRAFTS & PLAY

Preschool Play & Art Songs, games and storytelling. For toddlers with an accompanying adult. Ages 2–4. Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10 am. Free. Wagner Park near Battery Pl., bpcparks.org.

Hudson River Art Outpost Teaching artists from the Children’s Museum of the Arts lead art projects. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1–4 pm. Free. Pier 25 near N. Moore St., hudsonriverpark.org.

Art and Games Lawn games and art projects using clay, wood and other materials. Ages 5 and up. Free. Wednesdays, 3:30 pm., Teardrop Park near Warren St. Thursdays, 3:30 pm., Rockefeller Park near Chambers St., bpcparks.org.

Chess Learn the game from an expert. All ability levels are welcome. Ages 5-15. Wednesdays, 3:30 pm. Free. Rockefeller Park near Chambers St., bpcparks.org.

Stack ’Em High Kids learn about materials architects use to construct tall buildings, then design their own high-rise models. Ages 4–8. Sat, 7/12, 10:30 am. $5. Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl., skyscraper.org.

Ink Experiments A Chinese calligraphy workshop that teaches basic skills. Sat, 7/12 & 8/2, 11 am. $10. Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., mocanyc.org.

Let’s Make a City A reading of Virginia Lee Burton’s picture book “The Little House” is followed by a workshop in which kids design their own buildings. Ages 5–7. Sat, 8/9, 10:30 am. $5. Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl., skyscraper.org.

DANCE

Summer Dance! Native American storytelling and dance lessons for the whole family. Tuesdays–Fridays, 11 am & 1 pm. Free. National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, nmai.si.edu.

West African Family Dance Kotchenga Dance Company leads the audience in traditional West African steps. Sat, 7/12, 6:30 pm. Free. Esplanade Plaza near 2nd Pl., bpcparks.org.

Family Dance DJ Rekha leads Bhangra dancing accompanied by drummers and dancers who perform a fusion of Punjabi-style folk dance and hip-hop. Sat, 8/16, 6:30 pm. Free. Esplanade Plaza near 2nd Pl., bpcparks.org.

Chinese Ribbon Dance Demonstration of traditional Chinese ribbon dancing. Afterward, kids try the moves themselves with ribbons provided. Thu, 8/21, 4 pm. Free. Battery Park City Library, 175 N. End Ave., nypl.org.

FILM

Origin Tales of the Northwest Coast Three short animated films teach children about the lives and cultures of the Native peoples whose ancestors have lived in the Pacific Northwest for thousands of years. Daily starting Monday, 7/21, 1 & 3 pm. Free. The National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, nmai.si.edu.

MUSIC

Teen Drumming Circle Master Senegalese drummer leads a drumming circle. Drums are provided. Tuesdays, 4 pm. Free. Rockefeller Park near Chambers St., bpcparks.org.

Taino Music Kids ages 18 months to 4 years learn about Taino culture through stories, song, movement and activities. Wednesdays, 10:30 am & 2 pm. Free. National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, nmai.si.edu.

NATURE PROGRAMS

Big City Fishing Do catch-and-release fishing and learn about river ecology and the many species of fish in the Hudson River. Rods, reels, bait and instruction provided. Ages 5 and up. Sundays, 1–5 pm & Mondays, 5–7:30 pm. Free. Pier 25 near N. Moore St., hudsonriverpark.org.

River Rangers Kids learn about the Hudson River and nature with environmental educators. Hands-on activities including touch tanks, puzzles, science experiments, nature-inspired crafts and more. Ages 3–9. Mondays, 2 pm. Free. Pier 25 near N. Moore St., hudsonriverpark.org.

Young Sprouts Gardening Simple projects including planting, watering and picking vegetables in an organic garden. Also storytelling and crafts. Ages 3–5 with an accompanying adult. Tuesdays, 3:15 pm. Free. Rockefeller Park near Chambers St., bpcparks.org.

Gardening Club Kids prepare soil, plant seeds and bulbs, water, weed, harvest, compost and more. Registration required. Tuesdays, 4 pm. $130/two months (July/August, Sept­ember/October). Rockefeller Park near Chambers St., bpcparks.org.

Composting Workshop Learn about worms and composting and make a container of compost to bring home. Ages 5 and up. Thu, 8/7, 3:30 pm. Free. Battery Park City Library, 175 N. End Ave., nypl.org.

SPORTS

Basketball and Soccer Games and fun drills to improve skills. Basketball on Mondays, 3:30 pm: ages 5–6; 4:30 pm: age 7 and up. Soccer on Tuesdays, 2:30 pm: ages 3–4; 3:30 pm: ages 5–7; 4:40 pm: ages 8–11. Free. Rockefeller Park near Chambers St., bpcparks.org.

Family Yoga Class Kids practice yoga, play games, do art projects and sing. Fri, 7/25 & 8/22, 6 pm. Free. Charlotte’s Place, 109 Greenwich St., trinitywallstreet.org.

STORYTELLING

Storytime Picture books, finger-puppet plays and action songs. Free. To 18-months-old: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:30 am (to 7/31). Ages 1–3: Wednesdays, 4 pm (to 7/30). Battery Park City Library, 175 N. End Ave. Tuesdays to 8/12, 10:30 & 11:30 am at New Amsterdam Library, 9 Murray St., nypl.org.

Picture Book Stories A librarian reads classic and new picture books. Tuesdays to 7/29, 4 pm. Free. BPC Library, 175 N. End Ave., nypl.org.

Children’s Storytime Readings of new and classic children’s books. Saturdays, 11 am. Free. Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St., bn.com.

Story Pirates The Story Pirates sing, dance and improv their way through never-before-seen adventures based on prompts that come from the audience members’ imaginations. Mon, 7/14 & 8/11, 6:30 pm. Free. Pier 25 near N. Moore St., hudsonriverpark.org.

Storyteller Therese Folkes Plair tells the story “I Have a Dream and Other Important Wishes,” about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 “dream” speech and other stories. Kids make a dream book to take home. Ages 5 and up. Sat, 8/16, 11 am. Free. Teardrop Park near Warren St., bpcparks.org.