Before you check out this month’s events, don’t forget to sign up your kids (K-12) for a 901 Student Passport at 901studentpassport.com. The summerlong passport gets students and a parent free admission to 12 different cultural institutions through August 2. The attractions include the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis Museum of Science & History, Metal Museum, Fire Museum of Memphis, Memphis Rock ’n Soul Museum, Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, Memphis Cotton Museum, Lichterman Nature Center, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and Davies Manor Historic Site. Students can also take their 901 Student Passport to their local YMCA to receive a free swim lesson.
1 ◊ Saturday
Super Saturday - Design and Decorate
Celebrate the Brooks’ special exhibition, “Christian Siriano: People Are People,” with free admission and art making for all ages. Art-making activities include designing your own stamp, printing it on a tiny tote bag to take home and creating a tote in the studio. The museum will also have a fashion-themed scavenger hunt in the galleries.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, June 1, 10 a.m.-noon, free
Pop in to the Dixon for a pop-up like no other. Each month, participants explore a new part of the Dixon with an inspiring project for all ages. Supplies are provided.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, June 1, 10-11 a.m., free
Overton Park Conservancy is popping up waterslides on the Greensward. Cool off with us the first Saturday of June, July, and August.
Overton Park Greensward, June 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., free
The Metal Museum hosts a Family Fun Day in conjunction with Repair Days and the annual F.I.R.E. Conference at the Museum. On these days, families can learn about different metalworking processes through educational activities, view the museum’s latest exhibitions with free admission, and watch as the foundry artists pour molten iron.
Metal Museum, June 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free
Enjoy a fantastic and memorable time with family and friends at the 2024 Memphis Dragon Boat Festival! In addition to electric boat racing, the festival is also enjoyed by stage performance, art crafts, Asian street food, and other vendors.
Hyde Lake at Shelby Farms Park, June 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., free admission
6 ◊ Thursday
Overton Square Movie Series: Moana
Join Overton Square for a free screening every Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Chimes Square courtyard on Trimble Place. Blankets and folding chairs welcome; no outside alcoholic beverages, please.
Overton Square, June 6, 6 p.m., free
7 ◊ Friday
First Fridays with Y on the Fly
Join the YMCA without walls for fun literacy, water safety, and physical activities the first Friday of June through August.
North Lawn in Tom Lee Park, Friday, June 7, July 5, August 2, noon-4 p.m., free
The classic saga of rags to romance is wonderfully captured with all the wonderment that comes with a fairytale.
Theatre Memphis, June 7-30
Dixon Gallery & Gardens leads children (5-12 years old) through a fun art project.
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, June 7, 3-3:45 p.m.
8 ◊ Saturday
Free Family Day: Celebrating Black Music Month
In honor of Black Music Month, join Stax for a celebration of culture and history at the June Family Day! Live music will be in the iconic Studio A, featuring a lineup of Memphis talent including house band Soul CNXN. Enjoy food trucks, arts and crafts, games, and various other activities throughout the afternoon. The best part: free admission from 1 to 5 p.m.
Stax Museum of American Soul Museum, June 8, 1-5 p.m., free
Kids in the Garden (ages 7-10)
This fun, hands-on gardening workshop teaches kids the basics about horticulture and the flora around them.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens, June 8, 10:30 a.m.-noon, $10
Exploration Station: National Get Outdoors Day
Join Memphis Botanic Garden on the Great Lawn for family-friendly games and good times.
Memphis Botanic Garden, June 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mission: Astronaut is an interactive journey designed to give visitors a taste of life as an astronaut. Each section presents tasks that require an astronaut’s mindset to solve, using skills like engineering, physics, teamwork, and most importantly for young minds — fun!
Museum of Science & History, opens June 8
Cossitt Library Book Festival and Book Sale
The day’s event will include along with the Book Sale author talks, children's arts and crafts, live music, DJ, story time, poetry readings, and more.
Cossitt Library, June 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Become a real paleontologist and unearth hidden treasures at sand sensory bins, make your own dinosaur with dough, dig up dino eggs, show off your free dino mask, and adopt your very own dinosaur with a custom certificate. Plus, kick your claws back and enjoy The Good Dinosaur movie.
Overton Square, June 8, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
9 ◊ Sunday
Summer Sundays: Puppies on the Plaza!
Bring your friends and family out for some summer fun and explore the mesmerizing work of Banana Plastik. The Brooks will have refreshments to keep you cool, music to keep you dancing, and summer activities to keep you entertained. Craft pawprint ornaments, groove to DJ Sledro's sounds, and meet adorable adoptable dogs from Tails of Hope Rescue.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, June 9, 2-4 p.m.
10 ◊ Monday
Come learn how to play Hong Kong Style Mah-Jong! In this beginner-friendly lesson, learn how to set up your mah-jong game, basic rules, and various combinations for a winning hand. All are welcome. Spots are extremely limited; register here.
Novel, June 10, 5:30 p.m.
Meet a new little friend and enjoy a story and activity for ages 3 to 5 years in your favorite park. Register here.
Rainbow Lake Playground, June 10, 10 a.m., free
12 ◊ Wednesday
Grab dinner from food trucks, enjoy games and activities, and dance the night away to live music. There’ll also be a cash bar available as well. Dogs are welcome. No registration is necessary. Free with Garden admission. Canceled if raining.
Memphis Botanic Garden, June 12, 5-8 p.m.
13 ◊ Thursday
SciPlay with TVA
Explore water science with fun activities led by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Tom Lee Park, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, noon-1:30 p.m., free
14 ◊ Friday
Juneteenth Douglass Freedom & Heritage Festival
In its 31st year, the Juneteenth Douglass Freedom and Heritage Festival will feature young talent and local entertainment.
Douglass Park, June 14-16
15 ◊ Saturday
Superheroes and Sidekicks at Overton Square
Meet your favorite superheroes in person, watch superhero movies, pick up complimentary superhero masks and bracelets, and have a super fun time. Snacks and drinks available from Sweet Noshings.
Overton Square, June 15, 10 a.m.-noon
Memphis Juneteenth Festival
The two-day, celebrating African-American culture, event will include food, music, and entertainment.
Health Sciences Park, June 15-16
19 ◊ Wednesday
The National Civil Rights Museum is celebrating the Juneteenth holiday on June 19, as a Community Day with free museum admission. The museum welcomes all visitors to learn more about the origins and importance of the holiday and the stories of hard-fought freedom since its origin.
National Civil Rights Museum, June 18, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., free
23 ◊ Sunday
Yoga with 901Goats at Overton Park Shell! Goat Yoga is not recommended for children under the age of 6. Get your tickets here.
Overton Park Shell, June 23, 5:30 p.m.
27 ◊ Thursday
Youth Workshop: Wood Carving (ages 10-13)
Learn the basics of wood carving and the essentials of tool safety in this workshop.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens, June 27, 1:30-3:30 p.m., $30
29 ◊ Saturday
Expect to see parrots, tarantulas, geckos, pythons, boas, feeder insects, bird cages, bird toys, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, and lots more.
Landers Center, June 28-29
Teen Workshop: Embellished Bags (ages 14-18)
In this intensive three-hour workshop, learn the basics of hand-sewn embellishments, from applique to beading and embroidery. Each participant in this workshop will receive one canvas tote bag and all the supplies needed for embellishment and are welcome to bring other items from home such as hats, shoes, or clothing.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens, June 29, 1-4 p.m., $15
Ongoing
“Christian Siriano: People Are People”
This exhibition honors Christian Siriano’s electrifying contributions to fashion, drawing from his extensive archive of bold looks for every body at every age. The exhibition is complemented by the interactive gallery, “Atelier to Runway,” where visitors can explore fashion design from sketching to draping and strut their own creations or ready-to-wear looks on the runway.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, on display through August 4
Join Memphis Botanic Garden in My Big Backyard for a drop-in docent-led learning experience for kids and kids at heart. Nature-themed topics and activities vary.
Memphis Botanic Garden, Second Friday and Third Sunday each month through September, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Introduce your little ones to the arts and nature with crafts, movement, and more.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Each week, participants will enjoy an art or horticulture project that sparks creativity and critical thinking.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m.
Flowertots: Story Time at the Garden
Join the Memphis Botanic Garden for storytime with Kristen Zemaitis, youth education program director, followed by a motion activity or show-and-tell for pre-K and kindergarten-aged children (with an adult).
Memphis Botanic Garden, Thursdays, March 7 through April 25, 10-11 a.m.
Story Time
Enjoy stories, songs, art activities, and creative play that connect with Collierville history every Friday at the Morton Museum.
Morton Museum of Collierville History, Fridays, 10:30 a.m.
Enjoy free hands-on activities at the Morton Museum every Wednesday in June. Explore different themes in Collierville's rich history and get an up-close look at rarely seen artifacts. All ages are welcome! No registration required.
Morton Museum of Collierville History, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Family Yoga at the Garden is a fun way for parents to bond with their kids while learning simple yoga poses and relaxation techniques. This outdoor yoga class is open to all ages and family members, with a creative focus on children ages 1-6.
Memphis Botanic Garden, Mondays, 10-10:45 a.m.
Join Memphis Botanic Garden on the Mud Pie Patio in My Big Backyard for a mud-tastic time! Children can dig in and craft their own mud pie using natural materials. This event is canceled if it is raining. Free with Garden admission. No reservation is necessary.
Memphis Botanic Garden, Mondays, 10 a.m.-noon
Get Outside! Fitness - Kids’ Yoga
Stretch, breathe, move, dance, relax, create, and have fun! These classes will include age-appropriate yoga and movement for ages 5 through 14, including breathing, poses, games, stories, music, relaxation, meditation, and more. Bring a yoga mat and water. Register here.
Shelby Farms Park, Sundays, 1 p.m., free
Get Outside! Fitness - Kidokinetics
Finding the right sports enrichment program for your child shouldn’t be a hassle. Kidokinetics of Memphis’ carefully designed PE programs offer numerous benefits that extend beyond physical fitness. Explore how Kidokinetics of Memphis sports enrichment programs can empower your child’s growth. Register here.
Shelby Farms Park, Wednesdays, 5 p.m., free