3 Fun Things to Do on Staten Island This Weekend, August 28–30

Looking for things to do on Staten Island this weekend? You have some great choices as August comes to a close, including an active morning for the kids, a photography adventure across New York Harbor, and a completely free end-of-summer community celebration.

And here's the best part: you don't need to sort through a giant event calendar to find something worthwhile.

I've narrowed this weekend down to three local picks for three different kinds of plans. Whether you're looking for something to do with the kids, planning a Sunday date, or simply want free family fun, there's an option for you.

This Weekend's Quick Picks

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families: Never Stop Moving 365 at the Staten Island Children's Museum

• 📸 Best Date-Day Idea: OCEANUS Photo Walk across New York Harbor

• 🎈 Best Free Event: End of Summer Blast at the Bernikow JCC

Here's what you need to know before heading out.

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What Are the Best Things to Do on Staten Island This Weekend?

Three of the best things to do on Staten Island this weekend are Never Stop Moving 365 at the Staten Island Children's Museum, the OCEANUS Photo Walk, and the free End of Summer Blast at the Bernikow JCC.

What makes these three especially appealing is the variety.

Parents can give their kids a chance to move, play, and learn Saturday morning. Adults can spend Sunday afternoon photographing some of New York City's most recognizable harbor views. Families looking to keep the weekend budget under control can attend a free community celebration on Sunday.

In other words, you don't have to leave Staten Island to make the final weekend of August memorable.

Here are the details.

What Is a Fun Family Activity on Staten Island This Saturday?

Never Stop Moving 365: Aiming and Target Games is a hands-on family activity happening Saturday, August 29, from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM at the Staten Island Children's Museum.

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026

⏰ 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM

📍 Staten Island Children's Museum
1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M
Staten Island, NY 10301

🎟️ Included with museum admission

If your kids have energy to burn, this is a good place to start your Saturday.

Never Stop Moving 365 is an interactive movement experience built around rotating target-based challenges. Instead of simply running around, children work on hand-eye coordination, control, accuracy, focus, precision, and problem-solving as they move through different activities.

According to the Staten Island Children's Museum, the program uses different types of targets to encourage kids to develop those skills while staying active.

There's another reason I like this pick for families: the event doesn't necessarily have to be the end of your outing.

The program itself lasts only 45 minutes, but it's included with museum admission. The museum also has its Walk-In! Workshop: Mola Designs from noon until 4:00 PM on Saturday, giving families another activity to explore after the movement program.

That can turn a quick Saturday morning activity into a much fuller family outing.

Good fit for: Families with children looking for an active and educational Saturday activity.

Local tip: Arrive with enough time to get settled before the 11:00 AM start, especially if you plan to spend more of the day exploring the museum.

According to the Staten Island Children's Museum, the target games program is included with admission.

Official event information:
https://sichildrensmuseum.org/event/never-stop-moving-365-aiming-and-target-games/

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Looking for a Unique Staten Island Date Idea This Sunday?

The OCEANUS Photo Walk is one of the most unusual Staten Island date-day ideas this weekend, combining photography, the Staten Island Ferry, New York Harbor views, and local maritime history.

📅 Sunday, August 30, 2026

⏰ 2:45 PM to 4:30 PM

📍 Meeting Point: Empire Outlets
55 Richmond Terrace
Meet by the large “EO” sculpture facing the water

💵 $30 per person

📸 Space is strictly limited

You don't need an expensive camera to participate.

In fact, your phone is perfectly fine.

The Noble Maritime Collection is bringing photography fans together for an OCEANUS-inspired photo walk led by photographer and exhibition co-curator Michael McWeeney.

The adventure begins in St. George before participants board a Staten Island Ferry for a round trip across New York Harbor.

Along the way, you'll have an opportunity to create your own photographs while learning more about how some of the images featured in the museum's OCEANUS exhibition came to be.

That's what makes this one different from simply hopping on the ferry and snapping a skyline photo.

You're seeing the harbor through a photographer's eyes.

And if you're looking for a different kind of Sunday date, wouldn't walking the waterfront and photographing New York Harbor be a nice change from another afternoon sitting across a restaurant table?

Bring the camera you enjoy using, whether that's a dedicated camera or the phone already in your pocket. The Noble Maritime Collection notes that equipment is not provided and recommends wearing comfortable, sturdy shoes because this is a walking tour.

Good fit for: Couples, photographers, creatives, adults, and anyone who wants to experience the Staten Island Ferry from a different perspective.

Important: Space is strictly limited, so this is one event where checking availability before making your Sunday plans is especially important.

According to The Noble Maritime Collection, the photo walk runs from 2:45 PM to 4:30 PM and costs $30.

Official event information and RSVP:
https://noblemaritime.org/events/2026/8/30/photo-walk-1

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Where Can You Find a Free Family Event on Staten Island This Weekend?

The End of Summer Blast at the Bernikow JCC is a free Staten Island community event happening Sunday, August 30, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

📅 Sunday, August 30, 2026

⏰ 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

📍 Bernikow JCC
1466 Manor Road
Staten Island, NY

🎟️ FREE and open to the community

Want one more big family day before September arrives without adding another admission charge to the weekend budget?

This is the pick.

The Staten Island JCC's End of Summer Blast brings families together for an outdoor celebration featuring inflatables, face painting, balloon art, Rosh Hashanah and fall crafts, demonstrations, and more. Food will also be available for purchase.

There is a scheduled lineup of demonstrations throughout the event:

• 11:30 AM: Happy Day Play

• 12:00 PM: Chai Defense Krav Maga

• 12:30 PM: Soccer Stars

• 1:00 PM: Hip Hop

That means families can do more than simply stop by. You can plan your arrival around something your children might particularly enjoy.

And there's one especially helpful detail for parents watching the weekend weather.

The event is expected to move indoors in case of inclement weather.

So a questionable Sunday forecast doesn't automatically mean your plans are ruined.

Most parents know how quickly a supposedly “free weekend” can become an expensive one once tickets, snacks, entertainment, and multiple children enter the equation. That's part of what makes community events like this worth knowing about.

You get a local outing and plenty of activities without paying an entrance fee.

Good fit for: Families, younger children, community-minded Staten Islanders, and anyone searching for free things to do on Staten Island this weekend.

According to the Staten Island JCC, the event is free and open to the community.

Official event information:
https://www.sijcc.org/calendar

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How Should You Plan Your Staten Island Weekend?

The easiest way to choose among this weekend's Staten Island events is to decide whether you're looking for family activity, an adult experience, or free community fun.

Here's the quick breakdown:

Choose Never Stop Moving 365 if:
You have younger kids and want a Saturday activity that combines movement, play, and learning.

Choose the OCEANUS Photo Walk if:
You're looking for a date-day idea, love photography, or want to experience New York Harbor in a more creative way.

Choose the End of Summer Blast if:
You want a free Sunday family outing with plenty of different activities.

Could you do more than one?

Absolutely.

Because the Children's Museum event takes place Saturday and the other two happen Sunday, it's easy to combine the Saturday family pick with one of Sunday's events.

There's even a possibility for an ambitious Sunday combination. The End of Summer Blast ends at 2:00 PM, while the OCEANUS Photo Walk begins at 2:45 PM in St. George. That schedule is tight, though, so I would treat them as separate choices unless you've carefully planned your travel time.

One final tip: Always check the organizer's official event page before leaving home. Event times, capacity, registration requirements, and weather-related plans can change.

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Why Are Local Staten Island Events Worth Supporting?

Local Staten Island events give us opportunities to enjoy our borough while supporting the museums, cultural organizations, community centers, artists, and programs that make Staten Island feel like home.

It's easy to think you need to cross the harbor whenever you want something interesting to do.

Weekends like this are a reminder that you don't.

From Snug Harbor and the Children's Museum to the Noble Maritime Collection, St. George waterfront, and community organizations across the Island, there's a lot happening close to home.

And that's part of what makes living on Staten Island unique.

You can spend Saturday morning watching your kids tackle a new challenge, Sunday afternoon photographing the Manhattan skyline from the harbor, or a few hours celebrating the end of summer with neighbors.

Sometimes the best weekend plans are already in your own backyard.

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Your Staten Island Weekend Starts Here

Summer may be winding down, but there's still time to squeeze a little more fun out of August.

Whether you choose target games at the Staten Island Children's Museum, a photography adventure across New York Harbor, or the free End of Summer Blast at the JCC, this weekend offers something for different ages, interests, and budgets.

Most importantly, get out and enjoy Staten Island.

Know someone who's always asking, “What are we doing this weekend?” Send them this guide and make the decision easy. And check back for more Staten Island events, local happenings, community guides, and things to do around the borough.

Have a fantastic weekend, Staten Island!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do on Staten Island This Weekend

What are the best things to do on Staten Island this weekend?

Three standout options for August 29 and 30 are Never Stop Moving 365 at the Staten Island Children's Museum, the OCEANUS Photo Walk with The Noble Maritime Collection, and the End of Summer Blast at the Bernikow JCC. Together, they provide options for families, adults, couples, and budget-conscious weekend plans. Always confirm details with the organizer before heading out.

Are there free things to do on Staten Island this weekend?

Yes. The End of Summer Blast at the Bernikow JCC is free and open to the community on Sunday, August 30, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Activities include inflatables, face painting, balloon art, crafts, and scheduled demonstrations. Food will be available for purchase.

What can families with kids do on Staten Island this weekend?

Families can visit the Staten Island Children's Museum Saturday morning for Never Stop Moving 365: Aiming and Target Games. The 45-minute activity helps children practice coordination, focus, control, and problem-solving through interactive target challenges. The museum also has a Mola Designs workshop scheduled afterward from noon to 4:00 PM.

What is a good date idea on Staten Island this Sunday?

The OCEANUS Photo Walk is an unusual Sunday date idea for couples who enjoy photography, art, walking, or New York Harbor views. The experience starts near Empire Outlets and includes a round trip aboard the Staten Island Ferry. You don't need professional photography equipment because mobile phones are welcome.

What events are happening on Staten Island on Sunday, August 30?

Two of this weekend's featured events happen Sunday, August 30. The free End of Summer Blast runs from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Bernikow JCC, while the OCEANUS Photo Walk begins at 2:45 PM near Empire Outlets. The Children's Museum calendar also lists its recurring Walk-In! Workshop: Mola Designs from noon to 4:00 PM on Sunday.