Summer activities for New York City families

First, the bad news: 7-Eleven Day is canceled this year because of the virus, which means no national day of Slurpee giveaways—July 11 will be just like any other day this summer. Now, the good news: 7-11 will donate $1 million meals through Feeding America, and it will give loyal customers who have a free 7REWARDS with a free Slurpee—a coupon to be used July1–31 will automatically be added to every account. All ages.

Our West Coast neighbors are exploring all-things creepy crawly in a new exhibit that's sure to delight curious kids: "Spiky, Hairy, Shiny: Insects of L.A." will premiere digitally on May 15 until it is able to open at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County later this year. Take an up-close look at these tiny critters thanks to macrophotographs of insects from NHMLAC’s  Biodiversity Science: City and Nature (BioSCAN) research project. You won't believe your eyes! All ages. 

One of the most beloved storytelling traditions in NYC is now online! In previous years, you could bring your little ones to the Hans Christian Andersen statue in Central Park for an hour of storytelling every Saturday at 11 am. The statue is an iconic setting for a repertoire of international fairytales and folk stories since 1956. Bonus: The stories are often accompanied by live music! This year, the readings will be held online on the Hans Christen Andersen Storytelling Center's Facebook page and YouTube Channel until public gatherings are permitted in Central Park. Ages 5 and up.

Learn how to draw your favorite Peanuts characters at the Snoopy School of Fine Art, an online academy with YouTube tutorials, step-by-step how-tos and complete lesson plans. Follow along, and you too will master Snoopy's elegantly swooping lines, that distinctive nose, those eyes and all the other details that make him the world's most famous beagle. Ages 3 and up.

Parks@home Jr. brings the magic of NYC's Parks to your home. This new web hub includes virtual zoo cams, DIY crafts, virtual park tours, virtual exploration of wildlife habitats and more! There are new activities each week, including Live with the Urban Park Rangers every Tuesday, Live Walk in a Park every Wednesday and DIY Arts & Craft Classes every Thursday. All ages.