June 29, 2017 By Nathaly Pesantez
A six-week program for kids featuring music, a live animal show and yoga returns to the Long Island City waterfront again this year.
“Summer Kids”, a free series organized by the Gantry Parent Association (GPA) and the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy (HPPC), will take place for the second year running at the LIC Landing restaurant at Hunters Point South Park beginning July 10.
Last year, 2,500 children were entertained by the program that featured 40 events.
“Last year’s series exceeded all expectations and we recognized the need to grow this program,” said HPCC president Rob Basch in a statement. “The number of young families in our community continues to surge and we want to give them a reason to stay in Long Island City and make this their home.”
This year’s lineup will bring back many of the popular programs.
The core programming will include “Mr. Andy”, a Long Island City-based musician who will perform twice a week. The other weekly performers include “Story Time with Friends of Court Square Library” and “Arts & Crafts with Leonie.”
Like last year, there will be a live animal show, which is expected to be well attended.
“There will be a wide range of children’s activities and events for many different age groups,” said Dana Aussenberg, Education and Resource Chair of Gantry Parent Association. “We hope to provide fun and engaging developmental experiences for the children in Long Island City and also hope that Summer Kids will provide a way for families to mingle, meet one another and grow roots in our community.”
There will be several new activities this year, which will include the McManus Irish Dance Jiggy Tots, Puppetsburg Puppet Show, Bricks 4 Kids Lego, Tots Creative Movement and Banana Jam Family Yoga with Suzanna.
Summer Kids will close out the year with a production put on by The Secret Theatre, a Long Island City-based theater company.
A full lineup of the series is listed below. To keep track of activities as they are added, see the HPCC’s calendar or the GPA’s site. Updates will also be posted on their Facebook pages.
McManus Irish Dance: Jiggy Tots
Mondays at 10:00 a.m.
7/10, 7/17, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14
Tots Creative Movement with Samantha Eckhart
Monday, July 24, at 10:00 a.m.
Banana Jam Family Yoga with Suzanna
Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
7/18, 8/1
Live Animal Show
Tuesday, July 11, at 3:30 p.m.
Gabegross Bubblemaster
Tuesday, July 18, at 4:00 p.m.
Puppetsburg Puppet Show
Tuesday, July 25, at 3:00 p.m.
Joe Magic Man Show
Tuesday, August 1, at 4:00 p.m.
Mad Scientist Show
Tuesday, August 15, at 4:00 p.m.
Music with Andy and Suzanna
July 12 – August 17
Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m
Thursdays at 3:00 p.m.
Story Time with Friends of Court Square Library
Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.
July 12 – August 16
Bricks 4 Kids Lego Open Play
Thursday, August 3, at 4:15 p.m.
Art with Leonie
Fridays at 10:00 a.m.
July 14 – July 18
Featured Events
One Comment
This is awesome! I only wish (as a working mom) that there would have been some events scheduled for the weekends. Unfortunately, it seems the majority of children’s events here, and throughout the LIC area (especially for the infant/toddler set) are scheduled with SAHM’s in mind, and no thought to those of us who need to work to support their household, but would still like to spend quality time with the kiddos!