We are half way through summer but still have so much fun to be had. We all know August in NYC is HOT! The month of August is sweaty, sticky, and the heat can be exhausting. I wanted to include some NYC activities for this month to keep all our kids cool and hydrated while still enjoying the summer outdoors with some other events.
NYC Activities to Enjoy in August
Color Factory
Head indoors for the most exciting traveling art collaborative. Color Factory is bound to excite joy with its vibrant colors and interactive installations. Past exhibits have included scratch and sniff wall, a confetti room, a yellow ball pit, and more…With many local New York artisit being included in this years event its bound to be artful fun. Exhibit runs from August 20- September 30th.
Tennis Family DayΒ 
Β With this years U.S Open beginning August 26, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will commence the fun activities with their annual free Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on August 24th. Festivities will include face painting, interactive games, balloon artists, music, prizes, and more. Tennis activities are designed for all ages and abilities. Past events have included special appearances from some professional players. Gates open at 9:30am. Dont forget your sunscreen!
Story Time At Books Are Magic
Head to Brooklyn every Saturday and Sunday at 11am for storytime at Books Are Magic! Every story time will offer a new special guest reader to help us all get lost in the world of books and story telling. This is the perfect indoor fun that allows our families to take a break from the heat while also not consuming our whole day. Books Are Magic also offers a Spanish story time every Thursday at 10:30.
Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari
Kids love the wonder of Dinosaurs and their prehistoric existence. Between April and November The Bronx ZooΒ is exhibiting a time travel experience through their Dinosaur Safari. Take your family on this guided tour to learn about these creatures of the past and the impact dinos continue to have on the animals we have today. Also explore how to uncover fossils at the dino dig site. Its bound to be a roaring day on this safari!
Summer Cooking Camp At Taste Buds Kitchen
If you forgot to enroll your kids in camp this year or have decided to last minute, look no further. Taste Buds Kitchen offers an array of menu making courses of our little chefs! Camp options include Cupcake baking, “Around the World” menus, Baking 101, Chocolate Lovers, and more! Offering early drop off and late pick up options this is the ideal camp for NYC working parents. Taste Buds also offers a “Counselor in Training” program for children 10+ allowing them to grow as leaders to younger children. This is the best experience for all the little kitchen helpers in our lives.
Dragon Boat Race
Take your kids to experience a bit of culture with the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Race. Rain or Shine this race takes place in Flushing Meadow Park on August 3rd and 4th. Festival includes multi-cultural performers, traditional arts and crafts, and tons of food!
Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day
Lincoln Center presents a family fun day around cultural music, dancing, arts, and so much more. All taking place at Hearst Plaza this is just one of the many events Lincoln Center offers all year round. Siella and I often love taking part in their fun events, all while supporting the arts and all the contributions Lincoln Center continues to give towards the arts.
Summer Streets
Summer Streets is an annual festival that encourages the residents of NYC to get out into the open public streets to partake in fun outdoor activities all while promoting the use of sustainable transportations. Held on August 3rd between 7:00am – 1:00pm from The Brooklyn Bridge to Central ParkΒ along Park Ave. All activities are free and designed for all ages. Event goers can expect water slides, bike routes, lawn games, dancing, yoga, hammocks, and so much more. This year participants will attempt to break The Guinness Book of World Recordsβ standing record of 399 people executing a handstand (register here to partake). Its a great way to get the great outdoors right outside your apartment doors.
Coney Island Sand Sculpture Contest
What’s more summer than a beach day? A beach day with a sand castle contest! On Saturday August 27 Coney Island will be hosting their 29th annual Sand Sculpting Competition. I truly don’t know if theres a better event for a summer day in August. The beach, the castles, the amusement parks, the boardwalk snacks and refreshments, this all truly makes for the best summer day!
Honey Weekend
Head North to Wave Hill on August 17th or August 18th for a day full of sweet honey fun. Dress up as a bee, participate in the candle making worksop, or witness a honey retrieval. This is a great way to escape the city for the day and teach our kiddos about the wonders of nature.
What are your family’s favorite NYC activities during the hot month of Auust?
13 thoughts on “10 Family Fun NYC Activities For August”
That water slide and the ball pit look so fun. So many great activities.
I can’t believe there are so many fun options! Checking out those sand sculptures would be so cool.
These all would be great activities to experience as a family in NYC. There is just so many things for the kids to do.
NYC looks amazing in itself! You have shared much fun stuff to do! That ball pit looks amazing!!
I just want to jump right in!
Everything looks like so much fun. I wish I were there right now. That color factory is something I’d love to do.
This is such a great guide! Makes me want to spend the whole month of August in NYC!
Hehe! Would definitely be one very hot month!
How many beautiful events you can attend in NYC! I would love to visit the Sand Sculpting Competition.
So cool right?
So many fun things to do as a family! I know my kids would love all of these. I need to plan a trip.
looks like everyone had a blast. my kids would love to do everything on this list.
So many great options!