Grab and Go! Where to Take the Kids This Weekend

After three months entertaining the kids, you might not need a party to get psyched about the start of school, but for the more reluctant kiddos, check out our Labor Day weekend picks. Starting Thursday, there's enough back to school celebrating in the neighborhood to make even the wariest school-aged kid ready for his first day.

What? After a summer full of fabulous free activities and events, our friends at Habana Outpost top off the season with a celebration of the last days of summer. So get your kids down to the corner of Fulton and S. Portland for their final helping of face painting, balloons, stilt walkers, clowns, and fun and messy arts and crafts. Musical acts, back-to-school giveaways and your summer’s final couple of Pacificos await.

Where? , 757 Fulton St. at S. Portland Avenue.

When? Monday, Sept. 5, noon to 4 p.m.

How Much? FREE.

Ages? All ages.

What? Only a hurricane can stop Still Hip’s seasonal bag sale – which is exactly what happened last week. The good news is they're back, just in time for back-to-school shopping. Buy a bag, fill it up with anything in the sale area—including kids' clothes, maternity wear, toys and gear—and leave with enough cash for a scone at nearby Choice Market. Deja vu!

Where? – 283 Grand Ave., between Clifton Place and Lafayette Avenue.

When? Sunday, Sept. 4, noon to 6 p.m.

Ages? All ages.

Cost? $15 small bag, $30 large bag.

Blooming Babies: Balloon Art

What? Is there anything a toddler loves more (besides jumping in a sprinkler or dumping a bowl of rice on her new dress) than balloons? This weekend at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, your kids will be toddling on air with at their balloon arts and crafts fair, which features something called dripping balloons the kids can use to create pieces of aeration-themed art.

Where? Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Mark's Avenue.

When? Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4 at 11:30 a.m.

How Much? Free with Museum Admission.

Ages? 18 months – 2-½ years.

Stargazing in Brooklyn Bridge Park with the Amateur Astronomers Association

What? If the first thing that your kid thinks of when you ask them to name a star includes a High School Musical cast member, it may be time to introduce them to a real "something new." In this weekly event, astronomers welcome amateur astrophiles for a night of guided stargazing and education about wonders of the sky.

Where? Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1, Old Fulton Street and Furman Street, Brooklyn. Look for the Syfy telescopes on the Pier 1 Promenade. Limited telescopes available.

When? Thursday, Sept. 1, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Ages? 8 and up. 

How Much? Free.

The 44th Annual West Indian Carnival Festival

What? Get out your gold lame bikini and ostrich-plumed hats! It’s time for the biggest festival and parade in the United States. This annual float-filled bacchanal will be rocking Eastern Parkway in its 44th annual celebration for five feather-festooned days. Over 3 million participants are expected to be strutting their stuff from Sept. 1-5. The festival will feature a variety of fun, family-friendly activities—including a stay in school celebration and all the reggae and steel drum you can handle.

Where? Brooklyn Museum for shows, Utica and Eastern Parkway for the parade. Click for Directions.

When? Thursday, Sept. 1 through Monday, Sept. 5. Times vary.

Ages? All ages.

How Much? Ranges from $2 for parade entry to $45 for brass fest. A festival pass can be purchased online for $130.