Don’t pay any attention to those back-to-school ads! There’s more than a full month of summer left, and we’re here to help you squeeze every last drop of fun out of August. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen and your picnic blanket at the ready, because there are outdoor storytimes and Shabbat celebrations everywhere from the Brooklyn Bridge to Washington Heights and in between— including Long Island and Westchester too!
Heading out to the Hamptons? You can check out storytimes, Shabbat on the beach and challah baking while you’re out there.
Need a little A/C and relief from the sun? These 5 Jewish museums have kid-friendly tours and activities.
And if you can’t bear to turn on the stove, we’ve got 9 kid-friendly dinner ideas with little to no cooking required.
Brought to you in partnership with PJ Library in New York
Brooklyn | Long Island | Manhattan | Westchester | Rockland
Brooklyn
Under The Bridge
Celebrate Shabbat outdoors with live music, grape juice and challah, BYO picnic blanket and dinner. All ages. Free
Brooklyn Bridge Park, PIer 1 Bridge View Lawn
Friday, August 4, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
ShaJam Singalong
A fun, interactive Shabbat experience for families with Tkiya: The Jewish Community Music School including singing, dancing, stories, and bubbles. Choose from two different locations. Free
East River State Park, Kent Ave
Saturdays, August 5 & 19, 4 – 5 p.m.
Fort Greene Park, Washington Park St. & Dekalb Ave
Saturdays, August 12 & 25, 4 – 5 p.m.
BYO Baby
Schmooze with other parents of infants and toddlers over wine and cheese while the little ones play.
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Ave & 81st St
Tuesdays, August 8,15, 22 & 29, 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Songs & Stories @ Underwood Park 
Spend the afternoon in the park with music, stories, and other fun with PJ Library in NY and the Kings Bay Y. Best for ages 4 and under, RSVP requested. Free
Underwood Park, Lafayette Ave
Tuesday, August 8, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday Morning Songs, Play & Snacks @ Busy Bodies
Listen to stories, schmooze over snacks and play outside with other neighborhood families with children ages 0-4. RSVP requested. Free
Busy Bodies, 1004 Fulton St
Sunday, August 13, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Israeli Scouts Friendship Caravan Concert
Sing, dance, nosh, and meet the teenage participants in the Israeli Scouts Friendship Caravan. Israeli snacks and other refreshments will be served before and after the performance. All ages.
East Midwood Jewish Center, 1625 Ocean Ave
Wednesday, August 16, 6 – 9 p.m.
Shabbat Katan
Family-friendly Shabbat morning service with songs, games, and snacks. Free
East Midwood Jewish Center, 1625 Ocean Ave
Saturday, August 19. 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Pop-Up Shabbat in Prospect Park
Celebrate Shabbat with a story and sing-a-long, grape juice, challah, and popsicles. Bring your own picnic blanket and picnic dinner. Free.
Prospect Park – Picnic House South Lawn
Friday, August 25, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Long Island
Challah Days
Braid and bake your own challah to take home for Shabbat. While the challah is baking learn about Jewish holidays through games, crafts, stories, and songs. RSVP requested.
Chabad of the Hamptons, 13 Woods Ln, East Hampton
Thursdays, August 3, & 31, 4 – 5:45 p.m.
Challah Day
A Shabbat playdate for kids and adults with challah braiding, Shabbat songs and stories, and crafts for families with children ages 5 and under. Drop-in. Free.
Temple Adas Israel, Corner of Elizabeth St. & Atlantic Ave, Sag Harbor
Fridays, August 4,11,18 & 25, 11 a.m. – Noon
Shalom Shabbat
A family-oriented Shabbat celebration with activities, Shabbat songs, blessings, and a B.Y.O. picnic dinner. Free
Temple Adas Israel, Corner of Elizabeth St. & Atlantic Ave, Sag Harbor
Fridays, August 4,11,18 & 25, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Shabbat on the Beach
Welcome Shabbat while digging your toes in the sand with a family-friendly musical service hosted by the Jewish Center of the Hamptons.
Main Beach, 101 Ocean Ave, East Hampton
Fridays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25, 6 p.m.
Sizzlin’ Summertime Shabbat Sing-Along
Celebrate Shabbat with singing, music and movement, PJ Library storytime and a refreshing summertime kiddush. Best for ages 8 and under, all are welcome. Free
Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave, Rockville Centre
Saturday, August 5, 10 – 11 a.m.
Layla Tov East Hampton
Wear your favorite pajamas for stories, a healthy bedtime snack, and a good night song. For ages 2 – 8 years, RSVP requested. Free
Chabad of the Hamptons, 13 Woods Ln, East Hampton
Tuesdays, August 8 & 22, 6 – 7 p.m.
Shabbat in the Park
Welcome Shabbat under the stars with a musical Friday evening service with Makom NY.
Plainview-Old Bethpage Park, 175 Washington Ave
Friday, August 11, 6 – 7 p.m.
Petting Zoo and Pony Rides
Toddlers can pet ducks and bunnies, ride a pony, and meet other animals. RSVP requested. Free
HANC Plainview, 25 Country Dr, Plainview
Wednesday, August 16, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Shabbat on the Beach
Celebrate Shabbat with B’nai Israel Reform Temple of Oakdale while you watch the sun set over the water. Bring your own chairs or blankets.
Sayville Marina Park, At the foot of Foster Ave, Sayville
Friday, August 18, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Family & Friends Shabbat Service
A family-friendly, musical Shabbat service, storytime, and Shabbat-themed craft. Bring your own picnic dinner. Grape juice, challah, dessert, and ice cream will be provided. RSVP requested. Free
Temple Avodah, 3050 Oceanside Road
Friday, August 18, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m
Shabbat Fun at the Beach
Celebrate Shabbat with stories, songs, games, swimming and other fun with North Shore Synagogue. Fun for the whole family, all ages. Free
Tobay beach (bay side), 1 Ocean Parkway, Massapequa
Saturday, August 19, 10:30 a.m.
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Manhattan
Downtown
Storytime in the Square
Stories, live music, and sing-alongs with local artists. Sponsored by PJ Library in NY and the 14th St. Y. Free
Children’s Activities Pavilion, Union Square Park, South Plaza
Thursdays, August 3 & 10, 2:30 – 3 p.m.
All of a Kind Family Walking Tour
Learn what it was like to grow up on the Lower East Side in the early 20th century. Follow in the footsteps of the characters from the classic children’s series All-of-a-Kind-Family with stops for pickles and candy. Advance registration required, best for ages 5 and up.
Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St
Sunday, August 13, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Upper East Side
Shababa in Central Park
Celebrate Shabbat in Central Park with singing, nature, and outdoor play. Bring your own blanket, event is canceled in the event of rain, check here for updates Free
Central Park, 96th St & 5th Ave (just inside the park entrance)
Saturdays, August 12 & 26, 10 – 11 a.m.
Upper West Side
Pela: Storytime, Songs & Movement
Learn about Jewish holidays through stories, songs, and movement while meeting new friends, for children ages 4 and under and their grown-ups. Free
Book Culture, 450 Columbus Ave (btw 81st & 82nd)
Tuesdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, 11 a.m.
St Agnes Library, Children’s Section (1st fl), 444 Amsterdam Ave
Friday, August 4, 11 – 11:30 a.m.
Storytime @ JCC Manhattan
Cool off indoors with stories, songs, and puppet shows appropriate for ages 4 and under. Free
JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave
Thursdays, August 3, 10 & 17, 3 – 3:30 p.m.
Makom Family Service @ SAJ
An inter-generational family service and sing-a-long on the roof with kiddush lunch, lemonade, and watermelon. All ages. Free
Society for the Advancement of Judaism, 15 W 86th St
Saturday, August 5, 11:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Harlem
Friday Songs & Stories @ Morningside Park
Get ready for Shabbat and the weekend with stories, music, and fun in Morningside Park every Friday in August with PJ Library in NY and JCC Harlem. All neighborhood families are welcome, best for ages 5 and under, RSVP requested but not required. Free
Morningside Park, (West 117th St entrance by Morningside Ave)
Fridays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25, 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.
Saturday Songs & Stories @ Morningside Park
Celebrate Shabbat with songs, stories, and music PJ Library in NY and JCC Harlem. All neighborhood families are welcome, best for ages 5 and under, RSVP requested but not required. Free
Morningside Park, (West 117th St entrance by Morningside Ave)
Saturdays, August 12 & 26, 11 a.m. – Noon
Washington Heights
Friday Songs & Stories @ Fort Tryon Park
Get ready for Shabbat and the weekend with stories, music, and fun in Fort Tryon Park with PJ Library in NY and the YM&YMWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood. All neighborhood families are welcome, best for ages 5 and under, RSVP requested but not required. Free
Fort Tryon Park- Cafe Lawn, 1 Margaret Corbin Dr
Fridays, August 11 & 18, 10:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday Afternoon Songs & Stories @ Fort Tryon Park
Stories, songs, and movement in the park are a perfect end to a summer day. Join other neighborhood families with children ages 5 and under, PJ Library in NY and the YM&YMWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood. RSVP requested but not required.
Fort Tryon Park- Cafe Lawn, 1 Margaret Corbin Dr
Tuesday, August 14, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Saturday Songs & Stories @ Fort Tryon Park
Celebrate Shabbat with stories, songs, and movement along with other neighborhood families with children ages 5 PJ Library in NY and the YM&YMWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood. RSVP requested but not required, look for the blue PJ Library picnic blanket.
Fort Tryon Park, Abby’s Lawn
Saturday, August 19, 9:50 – 11 a.m.
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Westchester
Tzofim Friendship Caravan Concert
Sing, dance, nosh, and schmooze with the teenage participants in the Israeli Scouts Friendship Caravan. All ages.
Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Ave, New Rochelle
Wednesday, August 2, 7 p.m.
Shabbat on the Beach
Celebrate Shabbat surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature with Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester. RSVP requested.
Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary, 100 Playland Pkwy, Rye
Friday, August 4, 6:30 p.m.
Shabbat Under the Stars
Welcome Shabbat outdoors with a casual, family-friendly, musical service at a private home sponsored by Shaarei Tikvah: The Scarsdale Conservative Synagogue. RSVP to the synagogue office for the exact location 914-472-2013 ext. 300.
Private home (RSVP for address), Scarsdale
Friday, August 11, 5 – 7 p.m.
Westchester Jewish Music & Arts Festival
Family activities, live music, Israeli dancing, face painting, crafts vendors, kosher food available for purchase.
Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Sunday, August 20, Noon – 6 p.m.
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Rockland
Bim Bam Shabbat
Get ready for Shabbat with singing, stories, grape juice, and challah. For toddlers and preschoolers and their grown-ups.
Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, 303 Christian Herald Rd, Nyack
Fridays, August 4 & 11, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m
