A guest reader, a rotating stack of picture books and an hour in a park field house, with the Hudson a minute's walk away, is the least complicated thing you can do with a small child this weekend. Riverside Park Conservancy has run it every weekend of the season, so it is a settled routine rather than a one-off. If you need an hour that will hold a three-year-old, this is it.
What to expect
A relaxed hour of reading aloud at the 102nd Street Field House, with rotating titles and a guest reader each session. Seating is limited and unreserved, so families arrive early and sit on the floor. Riverside Park's paths, playgrounds and river edge are all immediately outside.
Good to know
- Take the 1, 2 or 3 to 96th Street and walk north through Riverside Park.
- Seating is limited and first-come, first-served, so arriving early helps.
- It is aimed at younger children, roughly pre-school to early primary age.
- No registration is required and it costs nothing.
- Heavy rain can cancel outdoor Summer on the Hudson programming, so check ahead.
- Combine it with the playgrounds and river path either side of the field house.
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Common questions
What age is it aimed at?
Younger children, broadly pre-school to early primary age. It uses rotating picture books and guest readers to hold attention across an hour.
Do we need to book?
No. It is free with no registration. Seating is limited and unreserved, so turning up a few minutes early is worthwhile.
Who reads?
Special guest readers rotate session to session, alongside a changing selection of books, so it is different each week.
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