August 01st, 2015

written by Jen #supermom

Although so many of us Brooklynites decide to leave town during these hot summer days, there is lots to see and do this August with our families.    What I personally love about being in the city during the summer is that it can sometimes feel like we have it all to ourselves…the playgrounds are much less crowded, early mornings at Prospect Park are so peaceful and hushed…and you might not have to wait for a table at your favorite restaurant!   Here are some of the fun happenings in our neighborhood over the next month:

* Adoptapalooza (Bartel-Pritchard Square, Prospect Park):  If your family is looking to adopt a new furry companion, on August 1st from 11am-5pm there will be over 150 cats and dogs from rescue organizations at this adoption fair.  You’ll be able to purchase a dog license and take home free pet food samples, free photos from the fair’s photo booth, ID tags and more.  http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/events/featured/adoptapalooza/index2015PP.htm


* Animation for Kids (Peter Jay Sharp Building, BAM Rose Cinema): At 2pm on August 1st,  BAM Cinema will be playing a collection of the year’s best family-friendly animated shorts, gathered from both festivals and the major studios.  Total run time is 65 minutes and tickets are $14 ($7 for members).  Recommended for ages 4-8. http://www.bam.org/film/2015/animation-for-kids


* Sesame Slam:  A Retrospective on Sesame Street Animations (Peter Jay Sharp Building, BAM Rose Cinema):Come enjoy Sesame classics along with cartoons from the iconic program on August 2nd at 2pm.   65 minute run time, tickets are $14 ($7 for members).  Ages 1-5.  For more detail, please check out:http://www.bam.org/film/2015/sesame-slam


* Pattern Wizardry Exhibit (Brooklyn Children’s Museum):  A hands-on object-based exhibit, this event is designed to encourage children’s curiosity about their world through patterns.  They can play with special wands to play rhythmic beats, walk inside a 360 degree mirror, and more!  This exhibit runs through September 6th.  All ages.  http://www.brooklynkids.org/exhibits



* Figure 8 Playdate (Lefrak @ Lakeside, Prospect Park): Skate with your favorite storybook character and enjoy a meet & greet, story time, arts and crafts, breakfast and a favorite episode of the character’s show.  August 2nd, 10am-12pm is Curious George; and on August 16th from 10am-12pm will be Where the Wild Things Are! http://lakesidebrooklyn.com/activities/lakeside-kids/



* KIDtivity Wednesday (Lefrak @ Lakeside, Prospect Park): Every Wednesday through August 25th, there is a full day of 3 separate activities for our little ones. Starting at 11am kids can partake in a 60 minute fitness party, where they will enjoy kid-friendly circuit stations, games and stretches as they help increase muscle coordination and most importantly, have fun (ages 2-5). At 1pm they can enjoy puppet shows, dancing and bubble time with Puppetsburg (ages 0-4).  Creative Kitchen is at 4pm, where they can make recipes and kitchen crafts, enjoy fun food stories and sing songs (ages 2-5).  Tickets for all are FREE but make sure to reserve in advance: http://lakesidebrooklyn.com/lakeside-events/event-calendar/



* Shira & Friends Concert (Albee Square Fulton Street & Bond Street, Fulton Mall): Combining original tunes and kids classics, Shira & Friends will be performing a mix of singalong, danceable, smile-inducing music for both little and big ones to enjoy.  August 6th from 10-11am, FREE! http://downtownbrooklyn.com/events/family-community/bk-block-party-shira-friends


* Dirty Socks Funtime Band (Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6): On Sunday August 9th from 11am-1pm, come enjoy the fun and groovy, SUPER high energy Dirty Socks Funtime Band perform.  Performance is followed by activities from the Private Picassos at 12pm and an outdoor pop-up reading room from the Uni Project.  Free. http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/event-series/pier-kids-1


* 25th Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest (Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk, West 10th-12th Streets): On August 15th from 11am-4pm, check out this annual sculpting contest and festival, where all are eligible to compete (kids and adults) to win prizes in multiple categories.  There will be live entertainment on the boardwalk, face painting, clowns and live music!  Entrants can sign up on-site.  Free!  http://www.wearebcs.org/bcs/news_events/coneyislandsandsculpting/


* 239th Anniversary of the Battle for Brooklyn (Greenwood Cemetery):  For the older kids who are interested in learning a bit about our local history, the week ofAugust 22nd-30th celebrates the first battle of the American Revolution.  The annual commemoration at Green-Wood Cemetery on Sunday, August 30th from 10am-2pmis a day filled with fun events for kids and families.  Features reenactments, trolley tours, horse rides, cannon fire, live period music, old-school games and a soldier-filled parade.  Free but does require registration in advance:  http://www.green-wood.com/event/commemoration-of-the-battle-of-brooklyn/


Hope you all enjoy this last month of summer, whether local or somewhere else, and that you are able to get out and take advantage of these unique events in our neighborhood.  Reminds us once again how lucky we are to live here!


Posted on August 1st, 2015
Posted by Matteo