"Kidding Around" in Manhattan

If you’re living in Manhattan, you know that children are rare sightings. I’ve gotten so used to seeing adults wherever I go that when I do see a bunch of kids or a baby in a stroller, I’m thrown off! Exaggerations aside, it’s not often that I frequent places in the city with heavy kid traffic. But this past Saturday, I found myself at the Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair (organized by the Tribeca Film Festival). 

How did I find myself at a street fair for children, you ask? With my little niece and nephew in town, I knew the usual touristy activities that I recommend to visiting friends wouldn’t do (read: no shopping in SoHo, or visiting a rooftop restaurant or hanging out in the Lower East Side!). Luckily the events calendar on the Yelp! pages came in handy and the Tribeca Street Festival seemed like the perfect place to take the little kids. Upon arriving, it took a moment to adjust to seeing tons of little children running around everywhere. The familiar cobblestone streets of Tribeca, where one usually goes to enjoy a fancy “grown-up” brunch or dinner at a trendy spot, had transformed into bustling street fair. 

 

With numerous activities for children such as face painting, kite making, arts and crafts, acrobatic performances and storytelling, my niece and nephew had a whale of a time. Swayed by the lively atmosphere and the laughter and excitement of children, I soon found myself succumbing to my inner child. If you saw someone going crazy over the “Decorate Your Own Cupcake” booth, that was probably me. And if you saw grown-ups in the “Bubble Garden” blowing giant soap bubbles, I was likely one of them. By the time we left the street fair, my niece and nephew were tired from the excitement of the day but happy. As for me, I thought of how refreshing it was to experience NYC through a different perspective…and to be a kid again, if only for a few hours.

Street performers and cupcake decorating

Acrobat shows, food trucks, and kiddy play areas

Hula hoop lady with mad skills

 What about you, readers? Which children's activities do you enjoy doing even now?