Family events in Amherst, NY

Take part in a free outdoor Family Mat Class with Dana Robbins of Buffalo Health and Fitness at Paddock Park Grove. This welcoming session brings adults and kids together for simple mobility work, stretching, and strength exercises performed on the mat. Light HIIT-style movements are included to lift heart rates, add energy, and keep things playful. The focus is on building healthy habits, teamwork, and confidence while staying active as a family. Please bring a mat or towel and water. The class is weather dependent, and updates will be shared on Facebook.

Buffalo Convention Center becomes a prehistoric playground for a limited weekend, featuring towering dinosaurs that move and roar. Families can look forward to fossil digs for kids, raptor training sessions, baby dinosaur meet and greets, dinosaur shaped scooters, dinosaur rides, and plenty of bounce house fun. General admission includes the life size dinosaur displays, fossil digging activities, scooters, rides, a coloring area with dino themed projects, a themed playground with bounce houses, and live entertainment. Optional add ons, or benefits included with VIP, include face painting, gemstone mining, and green screen photos with three Jurassic style backgrounds.

Unplug and reconnect with family and friends over a relaxed day of board games. A wide selection for every age will be available, and no registration is required.

Give your puppy a head start with a six week series that introduces important basic life skills and builds a solid foundation for training. Rolling enrollment allows new participants to begin while the series is underway, and sessions are offered on Saturdays.

Let creativity take the lead at this LEGO Club at Kenmore Library. Choose a monthly challenge or spend time free building with the provided bricks. All LEGO pieces are supplied, so bring plenty of imagination. Recommended for ages 6 to 12, and participants of any age are welcome.

Summer Fun at The Boulevard brings free, family friendly festivities to The Courtyard on second Saturdays, with a new theme each month. Activities include craft stations, face painting, games, and live entertainment. This edition highlights Circus Fun Day with magic shows, aerialists, and more.

Children can enjoy a weekly Saturday storytime held in the Kids Department. This friendly gathering centers on stories and a welcoming atmosphere for young listeners.

At The Howling Rooster, guests can meet adoptable dogs while enjoying a drink and brunch. This recurring gathering is scheduled on multiple dates across the summer and fall.

A $15 donation covers a half chicken with salt potatoes, coleslaw, a roll and dessert. Clam chowder and beverages will be sold separately, and you can choose carryout or take a seat for dining. Extras include a 50/50 drawing and an automatic entry with each ticket for a chance to win a Ninja Ice Cream Maker, and the winner does not need to be present. Presale tickets are available from Doyle 1 firefighters, or call Nate at (716) 310-8264.

Experience a summer performance from The Bomb Band at Cheektowaga Town Park. Known for a polished, soul-rich sound that gets crowds moving, the group blends the classic groove of Motown with the lively pulse of contemporary dance hits. The concert takes place at the Cultural Center Stage and Mega Shelter within the park, and admission is free. Presented with support from NYS Legislator Tim Meyers.

Join this 5-day SUPER Skills Hockey Camp for boys and girls ages 2015 and older. The program focuses on hockey skill development with a full camp schedule running Monday through Friday. Camp runs from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM each day.

Pop Punk Camp is a high-energy, hands-on music camp for students ages 7 to 18. Campers will spend weekdays learning and practicing popular pop punk songs, with daily rehearsals and practice time, plus music games and activities. The week culminates in a live performance on Friday. Instruments offered include bass, drums, guitar, keys, and vocals. Lunch, snacks, water, and hearing protection are required each day.

Head to a Harry Potter-themed summer camp with hands-on activities like making enchanted magnets and building a Hogwarts-inspired castle, plus games and creative projects such as Shrinky-Dinks, creative writing, and puzzle-style challenges. Camp runs weekdays with a mix of themed crafts, science-style potion activities, math games, and cooperative learning activities throughout the week, designed for kids ages 3 to 10.

This afternoon slime-focused summer camp is packed with hands-on, gooey experiments and creative projects. Kids will explore a variety of slime types and mess-free and messy activities, including science-themed read-alouds, art and drawing activities, and games. It is a fun mix of science, creativity, and teamwork designed for ages 3 to 10.

Set in Kenmore and led by Miss Julia, this summer camp turns the spirit of a carnival into a hands-on learning adventure filled with crafts, games, stories, science, and themed snacks. Campers create personalized popcorn buckets, make marshmallow cotton candy art, and design their own tickets, then take part in friendly competitions like a spoon and egg balance, a potato sack hop, charades, and a carnival toss game. Daily literacy activities highlight fair-inspired stories and word play with read-alouds such as Olivia and the School Carnival, If I Ran the Circus, and The Circus Book, plus a carnival word search and mad libs. Creative exploration continues with scratch-off art cards, an ice cream name craft, and a build your own carnival map, while curiosity gets a spark during a balloon pop reaction activity. Treats match the theme with a crunchy snack mix, cookies, chocolate-dipped Oreos, and ice cream sundaes.

Water Animal at Dingens Pool is part of the weekly lineup of special pool events offering no cost summer fun in the sun. Only the shallow section will be closed during this activity. A valid resident ID card is required to participate, and preregistration is not needed.

Celebrate all things feline with a family-friendly big-screen compilation of the newest and most beloved cat videos, gathered from unique submissions, animations, music videos, and classic internet favorites. The 75-minute reel is presented exclusively in theaters and turns cat fandom into a shared experience for all ages. A pre-show contest features audience-submitted photos and clips on the big screen. Every ticket helps local cats. A portion of proceeds supports Second Chance homes for stray cats, with additional partnerships directing funds to area shelters and animal welfare organizations. Since 2019, CatVideoFest events have raised more than $150,000 for local groups, alongside adoptions, fostering, volunteer sign-ups, and more.

This free community event takes place at the playground in Lincoln Park, behind the Youth Park and Recreation Office. Children can take part in movement and exercise activities led by TOT Police officers, along with coloring and art. Free freeze pops are available, and there will be a meet and greet with Lucy. This is not a drop-off program, so parents must remain with their children. Activities are weather dependent, so check Facebook for updates.

Enjoy free summer fun with weekly special activities at the pools. During this event, the main pool will be closed and the wading pool will be open. A valid resident ID card is required to participate, and no pre-registration is needed.

Children ages 3 to 6 take part in a 45-minute group led by a pediatric occupational therapist, focusing on building skills for kindergarten readiness. Over five weeks, the sessions explore early learning concepts, social and emotional growth, everyday self-care and life skills, and development of both gross and fine motor abilities. Support is provided for caregivers and children with a wide range of needs.

Campfire Story Nights returns for the summer at Jefferson Youth Center with a family evening centered on reading and playful learning. Kids ages 4 to 13 can spend time reading on their own, exchange books with other readers, take part in literacy-focused games and activities, listen to stories shared aloud during group story time, and enjoy s'mores. The program runs rain or shine, with activities moving indoors if the weather calls for it. Online pre-registration is available.

Settle in for a summer evening of live music in the heart of the neighborhood as The Bidwell Parkway Concert Series welcomes Nineties by Nature. The concert is free and family friendly, open to all, and offers a relaxed setting where attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets, gather with friends and family, and enjoy the music. This community event is made possible by the support of West Herr Auto Group and West Herr Lincoln, Canterra, Chandler Street Breweries, M&T Bank, The Benchmark Group, MJ Peterson Real Estate, Hodge Liquor, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Erie County, NY, and the City of Buffalo, with special thanks to Council Members Joel P. Feroleto, Leah M. Halton-Pope, and David A. Rivera.

Gather at the playground at Kenney Park for extra family fun in a relaxed, community setting. This free community gathering features board games, frisbees, footballs, soccer balls, and classic backyard games. Free art supplies and simple crafts are available to use while you are there. This is not a drop-off program, and parents must stay with their children. Plans depend on the weather, and updates will be shared on Facebook.

Enjoy a game of water basketball at the Town Park Pool in Cheektowaga Town Park. This free activity is part of the weekly special events at the pools during the summer. A valid resident ID card is required to participate, and no pre-registration is needed. The intermediate section is closed.

Night Owl Storytime welcomes children ages 0 to 8 along with their caregivers for a cozy mix of read-alouds, interactive activities, and a simple craft. Registration is available by phone at 716-892-8089 or in person, and walk-ins are accommodated as space allows.

At Kenney Field, the playground is the gathering spot for weekly stops by the Library Bookmobile. Children can hop aboard to browse, borrow, and return books during each visit. A storytime is part of the program, followed by an art activity inspired by that week's featured book. This event is free. A parent or other adult must remain with children. Plans are weather dependent, so check Facebook for updates.

This session features story sharing, engaging activities, and a hands-on craft for children from birth through age 8 attending with their adults. Register by phone at (716) 892-8089 or in person. Drop-ins are welcome as space allows.

Take part in a free water polo activity at Town Park Pool, presented as part of the weekly special events at Cheektowaga Town Park. The intermediate section will be closed for this event. A valid resident ID card is required to participate, and no pre-registration is needed.

The Underdogs return for the season with a casual patio meet-and-greet at Fattey Beer Co. Kenmore, where visitors can connect with adoptable dogs. Plans depend on the weather, so the gathering takes place only when conditions allow.

Bike Night returns to Main Street in Tonawanda for a lively gathering at Elks Lodge - 860, highlighted by music performed live and a friendly atmosphere. Buffalo C.A.R.E.S. will be on site with adoptable dogs, adding a heartwarming element to the festivities. It is a community-focused celebration where bikes, music, and the chance to meet adoptable dogs share the spotlight.

Young builders ages 4 to 12 can explore their imagination with Lego bricks. Space is limited. To reserve a seat, please call 716-668-4991.

Miss Buffalo II hosts a Rock the Boat Concert Series cruise featuring 90s and 00s hits performed by Prestige Worldwide. This two hour, all ages, family friendly experience centers on pop and party rock from those decades. A cash bar is available and accepts all forms of payment, with a valid ID required for alcoholic beverages. A snack bar offers a selection of sweet, salty, and frozen treats. Capacity is limited and the event sold out twice last year. The boat departs on schedule, so plan accordingly. No refunds will be issued.