Family Fun Events with Happy Day Play at the JCC
Staten Island's most-loved family events for ages 0 to 5
Happy Day Play produces the family events Staten Island parents actually plan their year around. Every event is $25 per family, with big helper siblings always included, and every experience is built for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers alongside their grown-ups. These are not drop-in classes but rather full 1 hour ticketed experiences with music, themed activities, photo moments, and the kind of core memories your family will look back on for years.
Our events are developed by a Family Life Educator and member of the National Council on Family Relations. We host every event at the Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, a trusted community partner with safe, accessible, family-friendly spaces.
Featured Upcoming EventDaddy Derby Father’s Day Family Event featuring Music with Patrick
📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026| 10:30 to 11:30 AM
📍 Bernikow JCC| 1466 Manor Rd, 2nd Floor Gym
🎟️ $25 per family| Ticket required, limited spots
Think your kid is the fastest hooligan on Staten Island? Prove it.
Join us for a fun-filled morning of friendly competitive races and open play, celebrating the man, the myth, the legend, Dad. This year, our special guest judges are Mr. Patrick and Mike from the Music with Patrick duo, who will also kick off the morning with a short live performance.
Along with our signature open play, parachute, and bubbles, expect plenty of surprises and once-in-a-lifetime photo moments with your little one. Moms, grandparents, and big-helper siblings are all welcome.
What every event includes
Every Happy Day Play family event takes place in the expansive 2nd floor gym at the Bernikow JCC. Each event includes open play on our wooden and soft play equipment, our signature parachute activity, and bubbles. On top of that, every event features special themed activities and music experiences built around the occasion.
The combination of familiar elements your child already loves with something completely out of the ordinary is what has turned these events into family traditions for so many of our regulars and brings new faces through our doors.
What makes our events different
Built on family science
Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process. Our events are scientifically built for families to be able to enjoy together.
One price, whole family welcome
Every event is $25 per family. That includes siblings, grandparents, and any caregiver who comes along. Family time should not come with per-head fees, and we are committed to keeping our events accessible to every family.
Out of the ordinary, every time
Many seasonal events elsewhere offer the same old handful of predictable activities. Happy Day Play events combine the open play, parachute, and bubbles your child already loves with completely out-of-the-box experiences they cannot get anywhere else. That is the formula that has turned our events into family traditions.
Our Signature Family Events
Throughout the year, Happy Day Play hosts numerous signature family events. Each one is built around a holiday or seasonal moment families already look forward to, and each one transforms it into a tradition your family will keep coming back to.
💕 Pizza My Heart: Love Day Party
Our Valentine's Day family event reimagined. Little ones decorate their own personal pizzas, dance to love-themed music, and take home a craft made with the people they love most. A sweet morning for showing the whole family some extra love.
🐰 Peter Rabbit Springtime Family Party
A storybook-inspired spring celebration with garden-themed open play, a live Peter Rabbit storytime, hands-on spring crafts, and photo moments with bunny ears for the whole family. One of our most popular event of the year!
💐 Mom Prom
The Mother's Day event Staten Island moms ask us about all year. Picture a dance party for moms and their little dates with live music, photo backdrops, flowers for mom, crown making for the MOM PROM QUEEN (aka you!), I Heart Mom tattoos, and the kind of one-on-one time that turns Mother's Day into a memory instead of a brunch reservation.
🏁 Daddy Derby
A toddler-friendly take on a Staten Island family classic. Little ones experience their own mini parade with create your own parade balloons, marching music, and a Thanksgiving-themed open play setup. A new family tradition for families who want the magic of the parade without the crowds, the cold, or the early wake-up call.
🎃 It's the Great Pumpkin Party!
Our fall family event with pumpkin-themed open play inspired by the classic It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!, a mini indoor pumpkin patch and decorating station, harvest music, meet and greet with Snoopy and the perfect hay bale photo setup. Costumes encouraged but never required!
🦃 Thanksgiving Parade Extravaganza
A friendly race-style competition and open play experience that celebrates Dad in the best way possible. Featuring live music, themed activities, and the chance for your little one to officially earn the title of fastest hooligan on Staten Island.
🎊Early Noon Years' Eve Party
The countdown your toddler can actually stay awake for and practice for before the hype of the holiday. We practice ringing in the New Year at noon with a balloon drop, live music, sparkling cider toasts for the grown-ups, and confetti the whole family will be finding for weeks. An popular family New Year's inspired event on Staten Island.
Do not miss the next event
Our family events have limited spots and sell out. Drop your email below to be the first to know when the next event opens for tickets.