Things to do this weekend in and around Buffalo
Friendly fun in Buffalo for July 15-20, 2025
(Scroll down for full list of weekend activities.)
Friday, July 18, 2025
Kick off your weekend with some playful outdoor fun at Free Play Friday With Explore & More At Canalside from 11am to 1pm. Kids can enjoy soccer, baseball, tennis, and more in a lively, no-registration-needed environment. For a cozy farm experience, bring the little ones to Story Time at Kelkenberg Farm: Rosie and Tippy with readings at 10:30am and noon, followed by a craft session. If your family loves art and nature, don’t miss the Inspiration Stations at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens from 10am to 12:30pm, where you can create botanical crafts inspired by the garden’s beauty. Lastly, explore the Living Earth Month at Buffalo Museum of Science from 10am to 2pm, with family-friendly programs about Earth’s biodiversity.
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Saturday offers a wonderful mix of science, art, and nature. Start your day at the Planetarium Show at the Buffalo Museum of Science from 10:30am to 11:15am, where the whole family can explore the skies and stargazing targets. Then, get hands-on with the Gyotaku: Fish Printing workshop from 11:30am to 12:30pm, learning the art of fish printing. For a creative afternoon, visit the Pop-Up Portraits with Jeff Lennox at the Botanical Gardens from 10am to 12:30pm to receive a personalized sketch. Kids can also join the Desert Discoveries - Kids Succulent Workshop from 2pm to 3pm to learn about desert plants and make their own succulent planter. Don’t miss the International Moon Day at RMSC from 11am to 3pm, celebrating the moon landing with lunar-themed activities perfect for space enthusiasts.
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Sunday continues the weekend excitement with a special event for animal lovers at the Bloom and Bark event from 10am to 2pm at the Botanical Gardens, in partnership with Awesome Paws Rescue. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy nature and support a good cause. Families can also visit the Safari Tours At Hidden Valley Animal Adventure for an up-close experience with exotic animals like camels, zebras, and bison. For a more relaxed afternoon, head to Becker Farms’ Free Admission Playground & Farm Animal area, where kids can meet rescued farm animals and enjoy the playground. Finally, wrap up the weekend with a visit to the Butterfly Experience at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens from 10am to 4pm, surrounded by hundreds of live butterflies in a tropical setting.