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The 5 Best Free Summer Events In New York City For Families

The kids may be happy that school's about to be out for the summer, but if you're fretting about how to spend the hot days with the youngsters - don't. CBSNewYork has you covered with these summer-long, free events that are fun for the whole family. By Carly Sitzer.

Madison Square Kids Concert Series

Madison Square Kids Concerts
(credit: Madison Square Park)

madisonsquarepark.org
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Madison Square Kids will have free concerts for kids every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. all summer long. For more details and the full line-up, check out Madison Square Park's Web site.

The Downtown Boathouse Kayaking Trips

Downtown Boathouse Kayaking
(credit: Downtown Boathouse)

downtownboathouse.org/

The Downtown Boathouse is offering kayaking lessons and trips for free throughout the whole summer. The kayaks are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and you don't need any previous kayaking experience to go out on the harbor. Outings will take place on every weekend all summer, but visit their Web site for specific times and pier locations.

Bryant Park Word for Word Kids

Word For Word
(credit: Organizing The Soup Program at Bryant Park)

bryantpark.org
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Check out Bryant Park every Saturday at noon for their Word for Word Kids series, which is a free book-reading for kids that goes beyond the words in the text. Kids will get to hear concerts, watch magicians and do arts and crafts while they listen to their favorite books read out loud. To see the books being read this year, visit Bryant Park's website.

Summer on the Hudson: Game Days

Riverside Park Game Day
(credit: BCWF Wetlands Education Program)

riversideparkfund.org
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Riverside Park is inviting all kids age 12 and younger to bring their competitive side the park every Tuesday from 10 AM to 2 PM for Game Days. Kids will be invited to participate in a variety of games and relay races, such as giant tic tac toe, lawn bowling, hopscotch and more!

Saturday Sculpture Workshops

Saturday Sculpture Workshops
(credit: Socrates Sculpture Park)

socratessculpturepark.org
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Socrates Sculpture Park will be offering free sculpture workshops for kids every Saturday at noon, until September 24. The drop-in classes will feature a new artist each week, so children learn a variety of skills and styles. There will also be a free series of workshops for teens and adults. Visit their website for a full schedule of artists.

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