GUIDE

Free Things to Do with Kids in NYC

Free family fun, no tickets required

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🎨 Arts & culture3🍕 Food & giveaways2🎶 Music & nightlife1🧘 Fitness & wellness1🧸 Family & kids32🥕 Farmers markets1🖌️ Painting & crafts1🧺 Markets & pop-ups5🏛️ Community resources1
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Free things to do with kids in NYC: story times, family days, parades, park programs and kid-friendly pop-ups. We only list events we’ve checked on the organizer’s own site, and the list updates itself as new ones are added.

117 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
SUN, NOV 1 · 8 AM–10 PM
57°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · registration required · kid-friendly · at The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park, Manhattan · official listing on bryantpark.org · checked Oct 30
Fitness & wellness

The Rink at Bryant Park (free-admission ice skating)

📍 The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan
Free admission with your own skates (book a free timed slot online; released a week ahead)
Happening now
SUN, NOV 1 · 10 AM–7 PM
57°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St, Manhattan · official listing on bfplny.com · checked Oct 31
Arts & culture

Canstruction: giant sculptures made of food cans

📍 Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St · Battery Park City, Manhattan
Free admission · canned-food donations welcome
Happening now
SUN, NOV 1 · 11 AM–10 PM
57°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Times Sq - 42 St, Manhattan · official listing on envoyevents.com · checked Oct 31
Arts & culture

The Grand Ofrenda at Times Square

📍 Times Sq - 42 St · Times Square, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 11 AM–10 PM
57°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, 65 Bayard St, Manhattan · official listing on chinatownicecreamfactory.com · checked Oct 26
Food & giveaways

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

📍 Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, 65 Bayard St · Chinatown, Manhattan
Free to walk in; scoops priced in store
Starts in 13h 19m
Every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat · 8 AM–6 PM
53°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 23, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Union Square, 17th St between Broadway & Park Ave South, Manhattan · official listing on grownyc.org · checked Oct 23
Farmers markets

Union Square Greenmarket

📍 Union Square, 17th St between Broadway & Park Ave South · Union Square, Manhattan
Free to walk in · produce is paid
Starts in 16h 19m
Daily · 11 AM–6 PM
63°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Economy Candy, 108 Rivington St, Manhattan · official listing on economycandy.com · checked Oct 26
Food & giveaways

Economy Candy: old-school candy store since 1937

📍 Economy Candy, 108 Rivington St · Lower East Side, Manhattan
Free to walk in; candy priced in store
Starts in 16h 19m
MON, NOV 2 · 11 AM–12 PM
63°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Le Carrousel in Bryant Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 30
Family & kids

Le Carrousel Extravaganza: Music with Erin Lee

📍 Le Carrousel in Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 2d 15h
WED, NOV 4 · 10 AM–4 PM
65°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · at 1 West 58th Street, Manhattan · official listing on theplazanystore.com · checked Oct 28
Markets & pop-ups

Eloise at the Plaza Event

📍 1 West 58th Street · 1 West 58th Street, New York, USA, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 5d 13h
SAT, NOV 7 · 8 AM–12 PM
58°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan · official listing on rockefellercenter.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Meet the Tree Day (Rockefeller tree arrival)

📍 Rockefeller Plaza · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 5d 13h
SAT, NOV 7 · 8:30 AM–11 AM
58°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Intrepid Museum, Manhattan · official listing on intrepidmuseum.org · checked Oct 29
Family & kids

Early Morning Opening: To the Stars! Space Exploration (sensory-friendly)

📍 Intrepid Museum · Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
Free · advance registration required · for kids 3–18 with autism or sensory sensitivities + families
Starts in 5d 14h
SAT, NOV 7 · 9 AM–3 PM
58°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Athletic Field (in Starlight Park), Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 1
Family & kids

Every Play Counts, Every Player Matters

📍 Athletic Field (in Starlight Park) · Starlight Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 5d 15h
SAT, NOV 7 · 10 AM–1 PM
60°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Wave Hill, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Family & kids

Family Art Project: Raptors in Autumn Sky

📍 Wave Hill, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 5d 15h
Every Sat · 10 AM–4 PM
60°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, Bronx · official listing on poecottage.org · checked Nov 1
Family & kids

Edgar Allan Poe Cottage Weekend Visits

📍 Edgar Allan Poe Cottage · Bronx
Suggested donation; pay what you wish; free with Culture Pass; no one turned away
Starts in 5d 17h
SAT, NOV 7 · 12 PM–4 PM
62°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 23, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Bronx River House (in Starlight Park), Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 23
Painting & crafts

Traditional Indigenous crafts at Bronx River House

📍 Bronx River House (in Starlight Park) · Starlight Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 5d 17h
SAT, NOV 7 · 12 PM–4 PM
62°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Bronx River House (in Starlight Park), Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Family & kids

Indigenous Art Workshop with NAIC-NY

📍 Bronx River House (in Starlight Park) · Starlight Park, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 5d 18h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–3 PM
62°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 27, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at The Bronx Museum, Bronx · official listing on bronxmuseum.org · checked Oct 27
Family & kids

Family Time: Día de Muertos at The Bronx Museum

📍 The Bronx Museum · Concourse, Bronx
Free · drop-ins welcome · optional RSVP · organized groups require advance registration
Starts in 5d 18h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–6 PM
62°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Growing Good Community Garden, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 30
Community resources

Antiques Appraisal & Garden Party at Growing Good Community Garden

📍 Growing Good Community Garden · Wakefield, Bronx
Free
Starts in 5d 18h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–4 PM
63°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Asia Society, Manhattan · official listing on asiasociety.org · checked Oct 30
Family & kids

Diwali Lights Up Asia Society

📍 Asia Society · Upper East Side, Manhattan
Starts in 6d 15h
SUN, NOV 8 · 10 AM–1 PM
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Wave Hill, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Family & kids

Family Art Project: Raptors in Autumn Sky

📍 Wave Hill, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 1w 3d
THU, NOV 12 · 11 AM–8 PM
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · at Union Square Park (south end), Manhattan · official listing on urbanspacemarkets.com · checked Oct 29
Markets & pop-ups

Union Square Holiday Market

📍 Union Square Park (south end) · Union Square, Manhattan
Free to enter; items for sale
Starts in 1w 5d
SAT, NOV 14 · 6:30 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Morse Hall, The Juilliard School, Manhattan · official listing on juilliard.edu · checked Oct 30
Music & nightlife

Juilliard MAP Open Recital (free)

📍 Morse Hall, The Juilliard School · Lincoln Square, Manhattan
Free; no tickets required
Starts in 2w 1d
TUE, NOV 17 · 5 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at West 125th Street, Manhattan · official listing on neighbors.columbia.edu · checked Oct 28
Family & kids

Harlem Holiday Lights

📍 West 125th Street · Harlem, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 2w 4d
FRI, NOV 20 · 5 PM–9 PM
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at The Mall at Bay Plaza (Mall Village Courtyard), Bronx · official listing on mallatbayplaza.com · checked Nov 1
Family & kids

Mall at Bay Plaza Christmas Tree Lighting

📍 The Mall at Bay Plaza (Mall Village Courtyard) · Co-op City, Bronx
Free
Starts in 3w 3d
THU, NOV 26 · 8:30 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Central Park West to Macy's Herald Square, Manhattan · official listing on macysinc.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

📍 Central Park West to Macy's Herald Square · Upper West Side to Herald Square, Manhattan
Free to watch from public viewing areas
Starts in 3w 4d
FRI, NOV 27 · 5 PM–6 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Palmer Square, New Jersey · official listing on princetonol.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Palmer Square Annual Tree Lighting

📍 Palmer Square · Princeton, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 3w 5d
SAT, NOV 28 · 4 PM–6 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Morristown Green, New Jersey · official listing on morristown-nj.org · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Santa's Arrival & Lighting of the Morristown Green

📍 Morristown Green · Morristown, New Jersey
Free to attend; photos with Santa cost extra
Starts in 3w 5d
SAT, NOV 28 · 5 PM–7 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Downtown Westfield, New Jersey · official listing on westfieldnj.gov · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Westfield Christmas Tree Lighting

📍 Downtown Westfield · Westfield, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 4w 1d
TUE, DEC 1 · 11 AM–7 PM
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · at Columbus Circle (Central Park entrance), Manhattan · official listing on urbanspacemarkets.com · checked Oct 30
Markets & pop-ups

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

📍 Columbus Circle (Central Park entrance) · Columbus Circle, Manhattan
Free to enter and browse; vendor gifts and food are extra
Starts in 4w 2d
WED, DEC 2 · 4 PM–6 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Captain Roscoe Brown, PH.D. Plaza, Aqueduct Walk, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Holiday Tree Lighting

📍 Captain Roscoe Brown, PH.D. Plaza, Aqueduct Walk · Bronx
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 4w 3d
THU, DEC 3 · 3:30 PM–6:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · seasonal special · at New York Stock Exchange, Manhattan · official listing on nyse.com · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

NYSE Tree Lighting

📍 New York Stock Exchange · Financial District, Manhattan
Free and open to the public.
Starts in 4w 5d
SAT, DEC 5 · 4:30 PM–6 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at West Harlem Piers, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Holiday on the Hudson tree lighting

📍 West Harlem Piers · West Harlem, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 6w 6d
SUN, DEC 20 · 5 PM–6:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Winter Solstice Campfire and Storytelling

📍 Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Van Cortlandt Park · Bronx
Free (per NYC Parks listing).

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

117 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

How are these listings checked?

Every listing links to the organizer's own page: the venue, the city agency or park, or the official ticket or RSVP page. We don't copy listings from other event sites.