Outdoor restaurants for NYC families

Kids take to the park for skateboarding clinics and ’60s and ’70s street games like double dutch and lemon twist hula-hooping. There's also a box car derby and obstacle course for those who are feeling adventurous! Those who are less inclined to play can watch yo-yo master, hip-hop breakdancers and the Dance Theatre of Harlem do their thing. The event is open to children of all abilities. All ages. 

Kids can take in the springtime sun as they stroll through the cherry blossoms of Randall's Island. They'll also have the opportunity to get their faces painted, fly kites, enjoy live music and experience Japanese culture with an Origami studio and even get a chance to try on a kimono. All ages.

You might think you've been transported to Japan at the BBG's legendary spring festival celebrating the peak of the cherry blossom season. The Japanese tradition of Sakuri Matsuri celebrates spring, the arts and the great outdoors with a slew of cultural arts and merry making. All ages.

World Science Festival has partnered up with Con Edison for this science education initiative. Families will enter a mini metropolis in which they’ll learn about science, technology, engineering, and math through a variety of interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities. Walk on water; create an orbiting universe a the Warped Space Gravity Simulator; use a seismic accelerator to launch objects 20 feet into the air; and topple seven-foot-tall dominoes all in the name of science. Brains will get a workout trying to solve challenges and puzzles and discovering physics. An activity guide is also available for download that is full of fun experiments you and your child can conduct before and after the event. All ages.

Enjoy an afternoon of arty fun at the Rubin Museum’s annual outdoor fete, where the whole family can watch live music and dance performances, participate in art making and nosh on Van Leeuwen ice cream and snacks from Brooklyn Popcorn Truck. This year’s edition gives a nod to the Rubin Museum’s year-long exploration of "The Future" with activities and performances inspired by the theme, including a drone demo and a social timeline. Make sure to spend some time wandering around inside the Rubin, which has free admission all day. All ages.  

Embrace your inner kid with the best finger foods around! Sauce-slathered ribs, crispy wings and out-of-this-world pulled pork are just a few of the tasty nom-noms on offer at Madison Square Park’s coolest event of the season. Stop by stands manned by top-notch chefs, pit masters and restaurant owners to try all kinds of delicious offerings before taking your ’cue (and kids) to a nearby park bench to enjoy the live music. All ages.

Lincoln Center Education proudly presents Big Umbrella Festival, the first month-long festival focused on artistic programming for children on the autism spectrum. Big Umbrella Festival will feature performances specially designed to accomodate the developmental needs of this particular audience and their familes. All ages.

A cross between literature and human activism, the PEN America World Voices Festival shines light on important issues in our society. For the first time, it's attracting a younger crowd thanks to the new Next Generation Now series, which includes a variety of exciting events. Little ones (pre-K–third grade) can head to Town Stages for a workshop and mini-march with the author of The Little Book of Little Activists at 3:30pm. At 7pm, the author of the bestseller Wonder, R.J. Palacio, will discuss the beauty of being different at Cooper Union. All ages. 

Give city kids a chance to explore lush landscapes on this 250-acre expanse