Last summer, my husband and I were walking around Union Square on a date when we spotted Spider-Man scaling a building. There were spotlights and camera crews and crowds of onlookers. “They’re filming the new Spider-Man movie,” someone told us.
The Amazing Spider-Man is coming out on July 3, and in the film, Spidey will ’round the city fighting bad guys once again, even hanging from the Queensboro Bridge in one scene. (So cool!) Next week, the Marvel Comics character will make his debut in the flesh as part of Spider-Man Week, running from June 25 to July 1 in NYC. What is it? Well, let’s just say this is a serious celebration: The Empire State Building will be lit up in Spider-Man red and blue in honor of the super hero’s arrival.
For Spider-Man Week, Sony Pictures is partnering up with cultural institutions across all five boroughs to offer Spider-Man events as well as events to promote volunteerism. “Spider-Man’s alter-ego, Peter Parker, is a New Yorker, and his story is ultimately about his choice: What is he going to use his powers for?” Diahann Billings-Burford, the city’s chief service officer with NYC Service, told the Daily News. “We hope this will be a launching point for more people to get involved to help our city become better.”
Check the Spider-Man Week calendar to see which event is right for you, but here are the most kid-friendly options.
On June 27, Spider-Man will hand deliver the very first spider to the new “Spiders Alive” exhibit at The American Museum of Natural History, which opens to the public on July 28th. It’s a good place to go to escape the heat on a hot summer afternoon.
Bring the kids to Sony Wonder Technology Lab for an animation workshop on June 30th, where they can create their very own animated short film to bring home with them, or head to the Bronx Zoo for a Spidey Scavenger Hunt or to watch Spider-Man’s stunt double show off his tricks. Kids can produce their own special-edition newspaper (just like Peter Parker!) at the Skyscraper Museum on June 30.
On a visit to the New York Botanical Garden on July 1, you can bring the kids to get up close to the “Wild, Wonderful Spiders” exhibit. Or, head to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for Spider-Man themed activities.
If you think your kids would be wowed by a face to face with Spidey, stop by Spider-Man Square on the Intrepid’s Pier 86 on July 1 to meet the super hero in the flesh.
