NYC Family & Kids FREE (& cheap) events June 20, 21, 2009

The Mermaid Parade (June 20) is awesome but we still have nightmares about the crowds. The 4th Annual Kid’s Fest just seems a little too done. And you’ve already been told about the Make Music Festival a million times by other media. So here are some more obscure alternates if you don’t want to be a salmon swimming upstream.

Father’s Day: Check out our Top 15 list of things to do on Father’s Day the whole family will enjoy.

To keep up to date with the absolute latest happenings in NYC, follow us on Twitter. We Tweet events happening all week that don’t warrant a whole post.

Summer Solstice Celebration at the Socrates Sculpture Garden
WHY: It’s the longest day of the year to kayak, get your face painted, perform a special solstice ritual (no livestock involved) and sample local foods.
WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park
WHEN: Sunday, June 21, 2009; 5:00 p.m.- Sunset (rain or shine)
AGES: All
COST: FREE.

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Brooklyn Hip Hop Family Day
WHY: Support local artists and the borough through music, seminars and demonstrations.
WHERE: Main stage 12 p.m – 4 p.m.; 4p.m. to 8p.m. North Lawn of Empire Fulton Ferry State Park
WHEN: Saturday June 20, 2009; 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
AGES: All
COST: $10 adults

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Real Men Cook (compliments of Around Harlem)
WHY: When was the last time a group of guys cooked 150+ dishes for you to try? Or that you got to try them all for one price? Plenty of activities for kids too.
WHERE: 646 Lenox Ave, corner 142nd St; Minisink Townhouse
WHEN: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
AGES: All
COST:$20 adults, $10 kids; benefits Real Men charities.

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Rocket Park Mini Golf
WHY: Opening Day to learn the laws of physics while golfing.
WHERE: NY Hall of Science
WHEN: Opens on June 20th until October or season ends.
AGES: All
COST:$6 adults, $5 kids; members: $5 adults, $4 kids

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Dan Zanes Sing Along to ocean-themed songs Under the Whale (American Museum of Natural History)
WHY: Unless you’ve got a scuba date with Zanes, this is the closest you’ll get to singing ocean songs in context.
WHERE: Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, first floor; Amerian Museum of Natural History
WHEN: Sunday, June 21, 11 am & 2 pm
AGES:
COST: Free with museum admission (free for members)
NOTE: Get there early: Tickets will be available onsite on a first-come, first served basis at 10 am on the day of the event. Limit 4 tickets per family.

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Tagged as: dad, festival, food, golf, kids, Music