It’s time for you to be the master of your universe. Explore worlds of your own creation, inhabited by beings that only you can imagine.

     In the Creating Otherworlds workshop from Uptown Stories, you'll work together—whether you prefer fantasy, science fiction, magical realism or dystopia—to bring your ideas to life. We'll map out stories rich in symbolism, unleash our hidden storytelling skills, and be each other's sounding boards along the way.

     For ages 9–12.

     Monday through Friday from 10 to 2 at the Cornerstone Center, in Hudson Heights on Bennett Avenue at 189th Street.

     Tennis is a life-long sport that can start at an early age. This summer camp introduces kids to the game and helps older players hone their skills.

      The Riverside Tennis Association hosts the five-week course. Coaches lead drills, teach stroke fundamentals, and set up matches. Campers compete with each other — and take plenty of breaks in the shade when it’s hot. The small camper to coach ratio allows for a lot of persnoalized instruction and attention to each camper’s needs. 

     For ages 6 to 14.

     $400 per week for a full day, $275 per week for a half-day. Monday through Friday from 9 to 3 on the courts in Fort Washington Park. Coaches meet the students in Lafayette Plaza, in Hudson Heights at 181st Street at Riverside Drive, before walking together to the courts. Through August 21.

     Whether you’re working on college applications or trying to figure out what career is best for you, the library’s College and Career Pathways program is ready to help.

     Get customized assistance with any college- or career-related questions from one of the staff’s trained Young Adult Librarians. Walk in or schedule a virtual one-on-one session today.

     Free. Monday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 at the Fort Washington branch of the public library, in Fort George on 179th Street between St. Nicholas and Audubon Avenues. 

     Summer Shorts presents an hour of films from this spring’s Inwood Film Festival.

     It features a selection of  award-winning and poignant shorts that showcase the resilience, creativity, and multi-cultural diversity of Northern Manhattan. Appropriate for families.

     Reservations are required. The outdoor screening is part of Inwood Art Works’ summer Films al Fresco series. Before the film starts, enjoy a rock ’n’ roll concert by Edge at 7:30.

     Free. Monday night at 8 at The Hudson, in Inwood where Dyckman Street meets the river. 

     Look, listen, sing, and have fun with storytime at the Met cloisters. The museum and Literacy INC shares tales through picture-book readings in English and Spanish connected to objects in the  Cloisters’ collection.

     Recommended for families with children ages 18 months to 6 years. Participants will receive a free book with onsite registration.

     Space is limited; first come, first served.
     Free with Museum admission; admission is pay as you wish for New York state residents, and free for children under 12 with an adult. Tuesday mornings at 11:30 at the museum in Fort Tryon Park.

     Get creative with building toys like Legos, train sets, and more in the community room. The New York Public Library will help develop your child’s spacial and problem-solving skills.

     For children 6–12 with caregiver.

     Free. Wednesday afternoons at 2:45 at the library’s Fort Washington branch in Fort George, on 179th Street between St. Nicholas and Aububon Avenues. Weekly.

     The dolphin park is back!

     Properly known as the George Washington Bridge Park, it had been closed for years. After a renovation that includes a pink elephant, it re-opened yesterday. Toddlers and their caretakers are welcome to enjoy the playground.

     The park honors the legacy of JeanLee Poggi, an indefatigable community advocate and leader of the West 181st Street Beautification Project, which helped operate and maintain the playground. Poggi died in 2021.

     The pocket park is open daily from 10 to 4 through September, on Cabrini Boulevard at 180th Street. 

     Get ready for the Inwood Jazz Festival with four children’s interactive jazz workshops, featuring Opus 118 from the  Harlem School of Music.

     The festival itself is on September 20. 

     The hour-long kids’ concerts are ideal for ages 1–10.

     Free. Saturday morning at 11 in Bruce’s Garden in Isham Park, in Inwood at 11 Park Terrace East (not West!), below 215th Street. Also on August 15, and September 19. 

     Like all New Yorkers, wildlife in the city loves to explore the parks, like this peregrine falcon near the Hudson River.

     Use the city’s wildlife calendar to learn about what’s happening with Uptown wildlife neighbors each month, and find parks where you might be able to better see them in action.

     Most of New York’s wildlife is not dangerous; however, maintaining a safe distance is the best way to protect your safety and the safety of your wild neighbors. If you see an injured animal, leave the animal where it is, give it some distance, and call 311.

     Can you find the flora and fauna in an Uptown park?

     The next time you’re exploring Isham Park, head to Bruce’s Garden. Then, click this link on your cell phone for clues to find the treasures in this prized patch of greenery.

      Isham Park is in Inwood, at 213 Park Terrace East (not West!) and is open every day.

     Where are you going?

     Use a compass rose to help you get there. A video from the Hispanic Society will show you how to make one with a potato, some paint and a few more household objects.

     You’ll also learn a bit about maps through the centuries and how explorers used them to travel to places they’d never seen.

     Here’s a way to make your next outing with the kids a little different.

     Print out a family scavenger hunt booklet and take a walk through Fort Tryon Park’s historic estate remnants.

     Find, draw, and map natural marvels and constructed treasures while you explore the path network that leads from Billings Lawn to the Palisades Overlook.

     The booklet is provided by the Fort Tryon Park Trust.

     Need something new for the kids to do?

     The Hispanic Society of America offers several coloring pages, each based on one of the most famous paintings in the museum’s collection. Recognize the Duchess of Alba? Download the pdf below.

      For adults, the society has posted several lectures here.

      ¿Necesita algo nuevo para que hagan los niños?
      La Hispanic Society of America ofrece varias páginas para colorear, cada una basada en una de las pinturas más famosas de la colección del museo. ¿Reconoces a la duquesa de Alba? Descargue el pdf a continuación.
       Para los adultos, la sociedad ha publicado varias conferencias aquí.

     The NYPL’s bookmobile provides access to the library’s riches.

      While it used to make a regular stop Uptown, the closest weekly visit is now in East Harlem. The hours vary, so check here.

      Of course, there are the branch libraries waiting for your visit. In Fort George you can visit the Fort Washington Branch, which offers new resources after an extensive renovation. The branch hours are here. 

     Welcome to ’Zine Machine, Uptown Stories’ latest workshop.

     It’s self-publishing group of rebels spreading the word on things they think everyone should know. Obscure cat breeds? Survival tips for a zombie apocalypse? Favorite board games? All are must-read ’zines.
     In this workshop, there’s only one rule: All analog, all the time. Think collage, hand-drawn images, markers, and glue. ’Zines may sound like a simple idea, but they have started revolutions and educated the masses. 

    For ages 10–13.

     Monday through Friday, July 20–24, from 10 to 2 at the Cornerstone Center, in Hudson Heights on Bennett Avenue at 189th Street.

     In this 2019 film, four friends journey through Latin America on the way to the World Cup in Brazil to explore the deep cultural connection people have with the world’s most popular sport.

     American Futbol was filmed in Ecuador but captures a global spirit.

     Free. Wednesday night, July 22, at 8:30 on the Dyckman Fields in Inwood Hill Park

     Get some stress out during a creative session of arts and crafts.

      It’s collage night, when you can repurpose old book materials, magazines, and more.

     Supplies & vibes will be provided. 

     Free. Thursday evening, July 23, at 6:30 at Recirculation in Lower WaHi at 876 Riverside Drive near 160th Street. Monthly on the third Thursday.

     Discover the biodiversity of an Uptown hidden gem with the Urban Park Rangers, who will highlight the birds, mammals, and other wildlife that call this Muscota Marsh their home.

     The excursion honors City of Water Day.

     Free. Saturday afternoon, July 25, at 1 at the march in Inwood, on 218th Street and Indian Road.

     Mother Nature was nurturing our home on Earth Day, so the party with Hila the Earth was postponed to this weekend.

     Kids can join Hila the Earth for music, movement and a fun hands-on workshop.

     Free. Saturday afternoon, July 25, at 4 in Fort Tryon Park on the Anne Loftus Playground in Inwood. 
 

     Sketch from works of art in The Met Cloisters galleries and experiment with different drawing approaches. Build your skills with a teaching artist and share your works of art with other teens.

     Thinking of applying to an art high school or college? These classes are a great way to build a portfolio. For ages 12 to 18.

     Museum admission is free, with registration, for teens as part of this program. All experience levels welcome; all materials provided.

     Free with registration. Saturday afternoon, July 25, at 1 in Fort Tryon Park. On the second and last Saturdays of the month.

     Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. In A MineCraft Movie, they’ll have to master this world while embarking on a quest with an unexpected, expert crafter.

     Take a blanket and maybe some bug spray.

     Free. Saturday night, July 25, at 8 in Highbridge Park in Fort George; enter near Amsterdam Avenue between 189th Street and Laurel Hill Terrace.

     It’s inconceivable that you haven’t taken your kids to see The Princess Bride in an actual movie theater.

     When a bedridden boy’s grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate, we are all entranced by the story of obstacles, enemies, and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love. Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, and Mandy Patinkin. Directed by Rob Reiner. Written by William Goldman. 

     $12.72. Sunday evening, July 26, at 5 at the United Palce in Lower WaHi, on Broadway at 175th Street.

     Calling all kid journalists and fiction writers!

     With a home base at the Cornerstone and an adventure-scape of the entire neighborhood, the Our Uptown workshop is the ideal avenue for diving into our community.

     In one week, you will hone your journalistic skills by interviewing the people who manage, work at, and visit our favorite neighborhood spots.

     Once your reporting is complete you’ll write poetry, fiction, and more, inspired by these vibrant visits and interviews. 

     For ages 12 to 15.

     Monday through Friday, July 27–31, from 10 to 2 at the Cornerstone Center, in Hudson Heights on Bennett Avenue at 189th Street.

     Lend a hand to help clean up Manhattan’s Hudson River shoreline. Volunteers will collect trash to keep the waterfront clean.

     The ninety-minute effort is organized by the Inwood Canoe Club and Friends of Inwood Hill Park.

     Trash bags, work gloves, latex gloves, and grabbers will be provided. Wear clothes to get wet in, and take a water bottle and a snack. The canoe club asks that you release it from its potential negligence before volunteering. 

     Free. Saturday morning, August 1, at 10:30 at the Inwood Canoe Club, where Dyckman Street meets the river—then look to your left. On the first Saturday of the month through September. 

     Carnival may be over, but your kids can still get a feel for a Cajun celebration.

     Jazz WaHi Jazzy Jambalaya Storytime offers a special musical performance by musicians from Jazz WaHi. 

     Open to children of all ages and their caregivers as long as they’re ready to dance in this one-hour program. Knowlege of zydeco is not required.

     Free. Saturday morning, August 1, at 11 at the Fort Washington branch of the library, in Fort George on 179th Street between St. Nicholas and Audubon Avenues. On the first Saturday of the month.

     If you can’t wait to turn the page, the writer has succeeded in telling you a great story. What does it take to develop characters, settings, dialogue, and plot elements that have you on the edge of your seat?

     The Elements of Fiction workshop answers those questions and more. You’ll break down the parts of fiction writing each week and test what you’ve learned with some on-the-spot writing. You’ll work with your peers, too — giving advice and feedback, while hearing what they have to say about your work. 
     Not only does this workshop make you a better writer, but when you understand the process, it makes you appreciate your favorite writers even more. 

     For ages 8 to 12.

     Monday through Friday, August 3–7, from 10 to 2 at the Cornerstone Center, in Hudson Heights on Bennett Avenue at 189th Street.

     Little Lions Camp is a kid-centered, fun-based day camp focused on keeping kids physically and creatively active, hosted by Columbia University.

     Programming features a combination of classic PE games, backyard favorites, sports, and special surprises to keep kids happy and engaged. A highly trained, eclectic staff turns physical education into games are always changing. The counselors tailor programming to fit children’s needs and likes. 

     August 3–7 Tie-Dye Week

     August 10–14 Fall College Sports

     Register online. At the Baker Athletic Complex in Inwood on 218th Street.

     Games Week is for kids who love learning new games, playing with their peers, and getting creative both indoors and outdoors.

     At this popular day camp for children entering fourth and fifth grades, kids design their own games and animations, try their hand at historical and contemporary games related to Farmhouse history, and use games to learn about how the Dyckman Farmhouse has changed over time. Kids will also explore the half-acre property and make meaning from the eight-bed educational garden. 

     There’s no cost to attend, and a free lunch is also available. Participants are chosen by lottery; apply here by noon on July 7. Winners will be notified on July 10.

     Free. Monday through Friday, August 3–7, from 10 to 2 at the farmhouse in Inwood, on Broadway at 204th Street.

     Let your kids explore life in colonial New York at Manhattan’s oldest remaining house, where the Morris-Jumel Mansion offers family-day programming with a fun, hands-on activity for children and their care-givers.

     Last month, kids celebrated the country’s 250th by makin ge a festive folk art paper star banner. In Colonial America, stars were popular motifs in folk art, symbolizing guidance, hope, and patriotism, and were often made from simple materials to decorate homes and celebrations. 

     All materials will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. 

     Free. Saturday afternoon, August 8, from 1 to 3 in the colonial kitchen in the basement of the mansion; enter on the east side. On Jumel Terrace in Lower WaHi. On the second Saturday of the month.

    Do some digging, then get in some riding with your BMX buds and ride the most progressive urban bike park in America, with the help of the New York City Mountain Bike Association.

     There will be light trail maintenance tasks for all ages in the morning. Every volunteer receives a free 20-minute clinic and, in the afternoon, a guided ride throughout the trails from 12:30 to 3. Even better, bikes and helmets are provided, so you don’t need your own.  

     Uptown is the home of the city's first mountain biking course, 3 miles of trails of varying difficulty and a free-ride trail that includes drops, steeps, and berms. The park also features a dirt jump park and pump track, making it a good place to develop different skills at all levels.

     Free. Saturday morning, August 8, from 10 to 3 in Fort George at the BMX trailhead in Highbridge Park, on Fort George Avenue, just northwest of the Buczek Ballfield. Monthly on the second Saturday.

     Whether they’re throwing the dice, shuffling cards or plotting your 
next move, everyone loves to play games. In this workshop you can take your enthusiasm a step further: You’ll invent your own game. 
     In the game masters workshop, you’ll create 
your own characters, design the setting, and develop the plot. Then your fellow games will apply your ideas as they play your game. And yes, we’ll
be making the pieces, boards or cards you need.

     For ages 12 to 15.

     Monday through Friday, August 10–14, from 10 to 2 at the Cornerstone Center, in Hudson Heights on Bennett Avenue at 189th Street.

     Follow the Urban Park Rangers on an exploration of the forest.

     From fungal networks that live out of sight in the soil to towering canopies that are hundreds of years old, this hour-long trek demonstrates how wildlife, plants, and micro-ecosystems collaborate to persevere. Join in on a discussion considering the wisdom that these woodlands hold in the future of the city’s green spaces.

     Free. Saturday afternoon, August 15, at 1 in Inwood Hill Forest; meet at 218th Street and Indian Road.

     When you think of storytelling through time, what usually comes to mind are oral history and the written word, but storytelling through arts and crafts has made just as big of an impact.

     Crafting Stories is a storytelling class made tactical, through Uptown Stories. In this series you’ll explore all kinds of handicrafts through history, such as bookbinding, weaving, paper sculptures, and clay modeling, to tell tales that spring to life.

     For children ages 8 to 11. 

     Monday through Friday, August 17–21, from 10 to 2 at the Cornerstone Center in Hudson Heights, on Bennett Avenue at 179th Street.

     Follow the Urban Park Rangers into Manhattan’s only untouched forest for a deep dive into the extraordinary world of insects—the tiny creatures that quietly run our ecosystems.

     On this hour-long adventure, you’ll uncover the surprising lives of pollinators, predators, decomposers, and parasites, and learn how each plays a critical role in keeping the city’s natural areas thriving.

     Free. Saturday afternoon, August 22, at in Inwood Hill Park; meet at 218th Street and Indian Road.

     Embark on a poetic journey and let nature become your muse

     Join the natures of poetry workshop, a vibrant group of young poets who venture into Uptown’s flourishing summer landscapes.

     Youll write and read poetic verse, discover what’s beneath every rock, leaf, and flower, open yourselves up to all of our senses. You will also use what you find around you to create drawings, fairy dwellings, pocket pals, and whatever calls our imaginations.

     For ages 8–12.

     Monday through Friday, August 24–28, from 10 to 2, meeting at the Cornerstone Center in Hudson Heights, on Bennett Avenue at 179th Street.

     What do K-Pop Demon Hunters, Star Wars, and The Hunger Games have in common? They all started as great ideas that were turned into awesome stories—and then into unbelievable movies. If you have inspiration for a movie, here's your chance to get busy writing it down. 
     In Uptown Stories’ screenwriting workshop, you’ll learn to write a mini-script, just like the professionals. It includes scene headings, dialogue, transitions, and camera shots. You'll work with your fellow screenwriters to get and give suggestions as you all write the next summer blockbuster.

     At the end of the session, you’ll bring your film to life, acting it out with your classmates in front of an audience packed with your family and friends.

     For ages 10 to 13. 

     Monday through Friday, August 24–28, from 10 to 2, meeting at the Cornerstone Center in Hudson Heights, on Bennett Avenue at 179th Street.

     We camp to create lasting memories, connect with the natural world, and bond with our families.

     The Urban Park Rangers carry forward the tradition of camping in an overnight event in Manhattan’s only untouched forest.

     Families are chosen by lottery, which opens on Monday August 17.

     Free. Friday evening, March 28, at 6 in Inwood Hill Park and concluding at 7 on Saturday morning.

     If you like fairies and monsters, epic battles and poisoned apples, there is no doubt you will love fairytales, myths, and fables.

     In the week-long workshop from Uptown Stories, you’ll unravel the stories everyone knows, learn about their origins, alt versions, and why they seem to have everlasting staying power in readers’ minds. This class is so popular that Uptown Stories added a second session, with both meeting at the same time.
     You’ll write your own magical tales, add to spine-tingling myths, and put new twists on fantastical fables. 

     For ages 8 to 12. 

     Two sessions on Monday through Friday, August 31–September 4, both from 10 to 2, meeting at the Cornerstone Center in Hudson Heights, on Bennett Avenue at 179th Street.

     Celebrate the magic of children’s literature and the back-to-school season at the premier Uptown children’s book festival.

     Word Up Community Bookshop invites young readers to meet beloved local authors and illustrators as they present new books, lead story times and activities. There will be plenty of readings and discussions, workshops, games, and more.

     Here’s the list of authors to plan to attend. Plus, free books and school supply giveaways to all registrants.

     Free. Sunday, September 13, from 11 to 4 on Pat’s Lawn in Inwood Hill Park; enter from 218th Street and Indian Road.

     Experience the largest production of The Nutcracker in North America. It’s a breathtaking holiday spectacle featuring  international dancers, gravity-defying acrobatics, magnificent costumes, and towering puppets.

     Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, the grand production has become an annual treasure

     $49.50 to $213.40. Saturday evening, December 5, at 5:45 at the United Palace, in Lower WaHi on Broadway at 175th Street.

     Is your teen interested in the sciences? Maybe she’s thinking about a career in medicine?

     If so, consider the Lang Youth Medical Program at the Columbia Medical Center. It’s a free opportunity to expose high school students to the science of medicine and aims to inspire teens to achieve their college aspirations through hands-on learning and mentorship.

     It’s open only to students in WaHi who are enrolled in Community School District 6. The program meets on seventeen Saturdays through the year and during the entire month of July. Find out more here.

     The deadline for the next session is in March.

     Celebrate 35 years of one of the video game Sonic the Hedgehog. 

     Sonic Live in Concert features rock musicians, electronics, and vocalists performing an array of the defining songs from the games and instrumental renditions of fan favorites from the Genesis era to now.

     $68.75 to $101.75. Saturday night, March 6, at 8 at the United Palace, in Lower WaHi on Broadway at 175th Street.

     Take a step toward the New York Marathon at the Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K.

     Both races are sponsored by the New York Road Runners, so the perennial Uptown jaunt is a qualifying race for the fabled autumn marathon. The course takes you from Lower WaHi, up through Hudson Heights,  turning around at the edge of Fort Tryon Park to head back downhill.

     On a Sunday morning in early March in Lower WaHi on Fort Washington Avenue between 172nd and 173rd Streets.

     The annual Drums Along the Hudson began in 2002 as a traditional Pow Wow to celebrate Native American heritage and culture, and also to commemorate the Lenape people who first inhabited Inwood Hill Park, or Shorakkopoch (“edge of the water”).

     The celebration will be led by Louis Mofsie and the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers with Host Drums Heyna Second Sons. Mohawk Elder, Tom Porter, will give the opening Thanksgiving Address and ceremonial Tree of Peace Planting.
     Free. Usually on the first Sunday of June from 11 to 6 in Inwood Hill Park at Indian Road and 218th Street.