Looking for things to do with kids in NYC this weekend?
This weekend is packed with family-friendly fun across New York City, from hands-on festivals and outdoor celebrations to interactive museum programs, live music, and fun art experiences. Whether you’re looking to celebrate Earth Day, explore creative workshops, or just find a playful way to spend the day with kids, there’s something happening in every corner of the city.
At a Glance:
Festivals & Community Events: Earth Day Festival in Union Square, Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center, Tiny Indie at Rockefeller Center, Davis Center opening celebration
Shows & Performances: Family Day Spring Fest at Carnegie Hall, ASL Baby Slam, Family Concert: Mozart, The Lion King
Museums & Exhibits: MoMA Frida & Diego, Paley Museum exhibits (Survivor, PAC-MAN), Color Factory, ARTECHOUSE Blooming Wonders, Morgan Library Mozart program
Outdoor & Family Activities: Junior Keepers at Central Park Zoo, Living History street food program, Banksy stencil class, Spring Fling: Little Sprouts, Empire State Building Ghirardelli pop-up
Fun Things to Do and Family Events Taking Place This Weekend
Earth Day 2026 Festival in Union Square
The Earth Day 2026 Festival returns to Union Square, bringing a free afternoon of climate action, art, education, and community programming hosted by Earth Day Initiative. The event features interactive workshops, live performances, kids’ activities, sustainable food, and environmental organizations from across NYC, along with installations like a melting ice sculpture highlighting climate change and collective action.
April 19, noon – 6 pm
Earth Day Festival, East 17th St. and Park Ave. South
Tiny Indie, Record Store Day For The Next Generation
Rockefeller Center and Space Club are hosting TiNY iNDIE, a family-friendly Record Store Day celebration with hands-on activities like tie-dye and DIY vinyl-making. The event leads into iNDIEPLAZA, an all-day independent music festival featuring live performances, a DJ set by Avalon Emerson, and a headlining show by Say She She, along with food, merch, and more.
April 18, 9 am – 12:30 pm
Rockefeller Center, 30 Rockefeller Plaza
Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center
The Big Umbrella Festival returns to Lincoln Center this spring for a multi-week series of free and choose-what-you-pay performances, workshops, and outdoor installations designed with and for the neurodiverse community. From April 10-26, the festival invites audiences of all ages to experience the arts in welcoming, accessible ways with offerings across dance, music, theater, comedy, art installations, and more.
Through April 26, all day
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza
Spring Fling: Little Sprouts
Families are invited to enjoy a fun mix of reading circles, children’s yoga, music classes, and hands-on crafts. Designed for all ages, these engaging activities offer something for everyone. RSVP required.
Through May 16, Saturdays 9:30 am
The Shops at Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Circle
Ghirardelli Pop-Up on Empire State Building’s 86th Floor Observation Deck
To celebrate its 95th anniversary, Empire State Building has teamed up with Ghirardelli to debut a limited-time pop-up on its 86th Floor, featuring the exclusive Kong Sundae inspired by the building’s pop culture legacy. Running through May 10, the experience pairs classic sweets like hot fudge sundaes and cocoa with panoramic skyline views for a uniquely New York treat.
Through May 10 ,10 am – 9 pm
Empire State Building, 16 W 34th St.
Family Day: Spring Fest
Families can celebrate spring at Carnegie Hall during Family Day: Spring Fest, a free afternoon of interactive musical activities, performances, and hands-on experiences designed for kids ages 3–10. With everything from live shows and multilingual sing-alongs to beat-making, instrument building, and calming sound meditation, the event offers something for every energy level in a welcoming, family-friendly space.
April 18, noon – 4 pm
Carnegie Hall, 7th Ave.
Davis Center Community Celebration
The Davis Center at the Harlem Meer is kicking off the season with a free, family-friendly opening celebration featuring music, games, and art. Hosted by the Central Park Conservancy, the event is open to all with no registration required and marks the return of spring programming to the park.
April 18, noon – 4 pm
Davis Center, 106-51 East Drive
Living History: 18th-century Street Food
In the late 18th and early 19th century, the streets of New York City would have been bustling with activity. The most notable would have been the many street vendors attempting to sell their wares. Join Historical Interpreters in learning about the diversity of these vendors and experience what it would have been like to buy street food in the 18th and early 19th century in New York City!
April 18, noon – 2 pm
The New York Historical, 170 Central Park West
ASL Baby Slam at Lincoln Center
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, ASL Slam brings its dynamic, family-friendly performance to the Big Umbrella Festival this April at the David Rubenstein Atrium, highlighting American Sign Language through creative and community-driven storytelling. Designed for all ages, especially young children and neurodiverse audiences, the event offers an inclusive, interactive space that encourages playful language exploration and connection.
April 18, 11 am – noon
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, 61 W 62nd St.
Color Factory: Colors in Bloom
Open to the public through the middle of May, Colors in Bloom offers the perfect adventure, including seasonal treats, new photo ops, and a spring-themed confetti room. Stroll through a transformed space that evokes the allure of the thousands of signature cherry blossoms that surround the city each spring.
Through May 15, all day
Color Factory New York, 251 Spring St.
All-Ages Weekend Stencil Class
Get creative every weekend at the Banksy Museum NYC with the all-ages Rebel Stencil Class. Drop in anytime between 1–3 pm, work with an instructor, and create your own street art—then explore the museum at your own pace.
Through July 26, Saturdays and Sundays, 1 – 3 pm
Banksy Museum, 277 Canal St.
South Street Seaport Museum Lenape Games
Celebrate the Lenape Games at the South Street Seaport Museum. Book your free April family activity tickets online. April offers families the opportunity to experience the Greater New York region’s rich past through fun, interactive games! Discover the traditions of the area’s Indigenous people and play the same games that were enjoyed here long before the city we know today.
Through April 26, Fridays – Sundays 11 am – 4:30 pm
South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St.
Junior Keepers: Aquatic Avengers
Calling all Junior Keepers! In this hands-on program, you’ll discover what it takes to tackle the daily responsibilities of Central Park Zoo Keepers. We’ll play animal care-themed games, meet a small ambassador animal, and visit zoo exhibits as part of our training!
April 19, 9 am – 10:30 am
Central Park Zoo, 64th St. & Fifth Ave.
Family Concert: Music of Mozart
Families can enjoy an interactive afternoon concert at the Morgan Library & Museum featuring Young Concert Artists, where children are invited to listen, sing, and move along to the music of Mozart. Designed for ages 5 and up, the program also includes art-making activities and a gallery exploration tied to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Treasures from the Mozarteum Foundation of Salzburg, making it a welcoming, hands-on cultural experience for all abilities.
April 18, 2 pm – 3 pm
The Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Ave.
Blooming Wonders: A Celebration of Spring
Visitors can step inside a vibrant digital garden where pixels bloom, and art, technology, and nature converge in stunning, high-resolution projections and interactive visuals.
Through May 31 noon – 7 pm
ARTECHOUSE NYC, 439 W 15th St.
Survivor Exhibit at The Paley Museum
In celebration of Survivor’s landmark 50th season, this dynamic exhibit honors the iconic reality series. Featuring memorable props, iconic wardrobe pieces, and original artifacts spanning all fifty seasons, the exhibit offers fans a unique opportunity to relive Survivor’s most unforgettable moments.
Wednesdays – Sundays noon – 6 pm through May 31
The Paley Museum, 25 West 52 St.
The Lion King
Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, The Lion King brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals.
Select dates until June 28
Minskoff Theatre, 200 W 45th St.
The Museum of Modern Art Presents Frida and Diego: The Last Dream
The Museum of Modern Art presents Frida and Diego: The Last Dream, celebrating Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Created with the Metropolitan Opera, this exhibition pairs their artwork with theatrical design inspired by the opera El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego.
Through Sept. 12, Saturdays – Thursdays, 10:30 am – 5:30 pm, Fridays, 10:30 am – 8:30 pm
The Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St.
Celebrate 45 Years of PAC-MAN at The Paley Museum
Join Paley for a retro-cool family day packed with games, creativity, and classic arcade fun. Meet PAC-MAN, jump into gameplay, snap a photo with the world’s favorite hungry hero, and get crafty with PAC-MAN–inspired arts and crafts.
Through May 31, Wednesdays – Sundays, noon – 6 pm
The Paley Museum, 25 West 52 St.
Psst… Check Out the 15 Best Pizza Spots in NYC, Loved by Locals
The Lowdown on Kids’ Activities in NYC
Is it worth going to New York with kids?
Absolutely! Taking kids to New York City is always a great idea. The city is packed with kid-friendly things, especially on weekends, and parks and playgrounds are plentiful. There are amazing museums and zoos, carousels to ride, and food on every corner. That said, it’s a busy place: it’s loud, there’s a lot of walking, and it can be overwhelming if you try to do everything.
It’s better to plan just one main activity each day, leave time for playgrounds and snacks, and not stress about seeing it all. Truthfully, the little moments are what kids tend to remember most, like riding the subway, running around Central Park, or spotting dinosaurs at the museum. These stick with them more than checking off every big landmark.
Where are good places to take a child in NYC?
When you’re visiting New York City with kids, the goal is to keep things easy and fun for everyone, including yourself!. If you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, Central Park is a go-to. Kids love Heckscher Playground, and there’s always something new to see at the Central Park Zoo.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is another favorite on the weekend. It has big open spaces and playgrounds, and the views of Manhattan are stunning, plus you’re right by the water.
Rainy or cold day? Weekend or weekday, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the American Museum of Natural History are both winners and stroller-friendly! If you’re just looking to squeeze in some quick fun, hop on the SeaGlass Carousel, wander around Little Island, or visit a neighborhood playground (there are SO many). Then treat yourselves to authentic NYC pizza or ice cream nearby. Picking one main activity, planning for snack and bathroom breaks, and calling it a day before anyone gets tired is the real NYC parenting hack.
Looking for even more family fun? Be sure to check out our comprehensive calendar of events, updated daily with the latest happenings across NYC and beyond, from holiday events and new attractions to performances and free local activities for all ages.
