Family First

Family First: Keeping Kids Active During Summer

NEW YORK (CBS) ― We're well into the summer, but who says the learning stops here. With our list of kid-friendly events, the little ones can stay active while learning a thing or two.

Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band kicks off Brooklyn Children Museum's Free Friday Family Jam, a series of multicultural music and dance performances. The band infuses African and South American rhythms and instruments with family-oriented lyrics to create fun sing-a-longs and engaging dance moves. The performance series will be featured in the Museum's Commons Theater every Friday, beginning July 13, until August 17. All shows are first come, first serve, and begin at 6:30pm.

Brooklyn Children's Museum "Free Friday Family Jam"
Fridays, 7/13-- 8/17
6:30 pm
Brooklyn Children's Museum, Commons Theater, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (at St. Marks Ave.)
For more info: Brooklyn Kids
(718) 735-4400

Take a bird-watching tour through Brooklyn's flagship park, and discover more about its natural wonders and fascinating feathered inhabitants. Prospect Park's Introduction to Birdwatching tours are led by informative Audubon naturalists, and offer a fun lesson in spotting birds like the pros.

"Introduction to Birdwatching"
Saturdays through 12/29/2007
12-1:30 pm
Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse
Enter the Park at Lincoln Road & Ocean Ave., Parkside & Ocean Aves., or Flatbush Ave. & Empire Blvd. (Willink entrance) and follow the directional signs. By train: Q, S, or B to Prospect Park Station. By bus: B-16, B-41, B-43 and B-48 will bring you close to the Park's Willink entrance.
For more info: Prospect Park
(718) 287-3400 X101

Grab your dancing shoes; the kids can take part in one of New York City's most exciting summer festivals. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' 19th annual Midsummer Night Swing features Kids Day! on Saturday morning. Ismael "Bongo Bruno" of Bongo Bruno Quartet will lead the ensemble, while Franklin Ayala of DanceSport will lead the dance lesson, teaching children of all ages the basics of meringue, salsa and mambo.

Lincoln Center's "Midsummer Night Swing" Kid's Day
6/19-- 7/21
7:30 pm
Lincoln Center, Josie Robertson Plaza, Columbus Avenue at 63rd St.
For more information and a detailed schedule: Lincoln Center
Free for children ages 5 and under

Why not catch a movie under the stars this weekend? Hudson River Park's River Flicks for Kids will air a kid-friendly movie every Friday evening, on the Hudson River. Everyone's favorite story of loyalty and trust, Charlotte's Web, will lead the summer series.

Hudson River Park's "River Flicks for Kids"
Fridays through 8/24
Movies begin at dusk (generally 8:30 pm)
Hudson River Park, Pier 46 at Christopher St.
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Movie Schedule:
July 13 CHARLOTTE'S WEB, rated G
July 20 OPEN SEASON, rated PG
July 27 BACK TO THE FUTURE, rated PG
Aug 3 BABE, rated G
Aug 10 WIZARD OF OZ, rated G
Aug 17 HAPPY FEET, rated PG
Aug 24 4th ANNUAL SHOWING OF WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 1971, rated G

For more info: Hudson River Park

It's not too late to get your kids active this summer. City Parks Foundation offers free track & field, golf and tennis lessons to 5-16 year olds, at various parks throughout the boroughs. Track & field lessons begin this Monday. But hurry, registration for these events are on a first come, first serve basis.

City Parks Foundation Sports Instruction
Track & Field, 7/9-8/15
Days and times vary by borough; registration at sites during instruction hours
Please call (212) 360-8162 or log-on to City Parks Foundation for more information.

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