MIGRATION CELEBRATION at South Cove, Battery Park City (Sept. 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.). At the same time that children are going back to school, many birds, butterflies and other creatures are heading south for the winter. This free program from Battery Park City Authority brings together some of those species and little humans for a festive blend of science and creativity. The fun starts with an art project, followed by a half-hour bird-watching and nature walk in which participants may see wild travelers like hummingbirds, various warblers and monarch butterflies. At noon, the charmingly offbeat band Lard Dog and the Band of Shy will add peppy pop music to the mix, with a concert that promises to help young listeners migrate all the way to the imaginary planet Belopio.

212-267-9700, bpcparks.org

[Read about the events that our other critics have chosen for the week ahead.]

REVOLUTIONARY SUMMER: BLACK NEW YORK at the New-York Historical Society (Sept. 7-8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.). Although colonial New Yorkers fought for freedom from British rule, their victory would bring no liberty to enslaved Africans, whose population in the city at the time of the Revolution was second only to that of Charleston, S.C. This program, part of the soon-to-end series Revolutionary Summer, explores what life was like for them and free black inhabitants. Children can meet historical interpreters like Joel Cook, who will explain the work of black sailors, and Nastassia Parker, who will discuss millinery and dressmaking, trades often pursued by free black women.

212-873-3400, nyhistory.org

‘THE RINGDOVE’ at Bishop’s Green, the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (Sept. 6-8, 7:30 p.m.). In a world filled with division and strife, where one group always seems to be questioning the rights of another, it may feel restorative to watch this gentle allegory from the master puppeteer and theater artist Ralph Lee and his Mettawee River Theater Company. Returning to their usual outdoor space — the performances will take place in Synod House if it rains — Lee and his troupe are reviving “The Ringdove,” which they first presented in 1988. The production, which incorporates Lee’s signature elaborate masks, draws on the ancient Indian texts of the Panchatantra to tell the story of a crow that befriends a rat after seeing it free a flock of trapped ringdoves. The pair then join a turtle and a gazelle to outwit a human hunter. With music by Neal Kirkwood and a script by George Sand and Kristine Haruna Lee (who is not related to Ralph Lee), the show demonstrates how four very different creatures can find purpose and hope by banding together.

212-929-4777, stjohndivine.org/calendar

RUPAUL’S DRAGCON NYC at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (Sept. 6, 4-8 p.m.; Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Whether or not they identify with the L.G.B.T.Q. world or have ever watched “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” young people will find plenty that is entertaining and educational at this three-day extravaganza. Billed as the “largest all-ages and family-friendly celebration of drag” — visitors 10 and under are admitted free with a paying adult — the event offers a kids’ zone on Saturday and Sunday, where, in the morning, those who aspire to be Jedi masters can take lightsaber training, and, in the afternoon, all children can enjoy several sessions of Drag Queen Story Hour. DragCon will also present a kids’ fashion show (Saturday, 4:15 p.m.); panels including Disney on Broadway (Friday, 4:30 p.m.), about the costumes and makeup for shows like “Frozen” and “The Lion King”; and two chances to boogie to the tunes of a very cool D.J.: RuPaul. (A full schedule is on the website.)

rupaulsdragcon.com