GUIDE

Free Things to Do with Kids in NYC

Free family fun, no tickets required

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🎨 Arts & culture4🍕 Food & giveaways2🎶 Music & nightlife1🌳 Outdoors1🧘 Fitness & wellness1🧸 Family & kids45🥕 Farmers markets1🤝 Volunteering1🧺 Markets & pop-ups11
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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.

126 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Starts in 2h 12m
Every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat · 8 AM–6 PM
52°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 2h 12m
MON, NOV 2 · 8 AM–10 PM
52°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ 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)
Starts in 4h 12m
MON, NOV 2 · 10 AM–7 PM
59°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ 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
Starts in 5h 12m
MON, NOV 2 · 11 AM–10 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ 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
Starts in 5h 12m
Daily · 11 AM–10 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ 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 5h 12m
Daily · 11 AM–6 PM
62°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 5h 12m
Daily · 11 AM–7 PM
61°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Japan Village, 934 3rd Ave, Brooklyn · official listing on japanvillage.com · checked Oct 26
Markets & pop-ups

Japan Village food hall in Industry City

📍 Japan Village, 934 3rd Ave · Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Free to walk in; food priced at stalls
Starts in 5h 12m
MON, NOV 2 · 11 AM–12 PM
62°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 10h 12m
MON, NOV 2 · 4 PM–7 PM
64°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at The Green-Wood Cemetery, Main Entrance Meadow & Historic Cha, Brooklyn · official listing on green-wood.com · checked Oct 29
Family & kids

Day of the Dead Family Celebration at Green-Wood

📍 The Green-Wood Cemetery, Main Entrance Meadow & Historic Chapel · Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 2d 4h
WED, NOV 4 · 10 AM–4 PM
64°F · 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 3d 9h
THU, NOV 5 · 3 PM–5 PM
70°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Environmental Education Center, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn · official listing on brooklynbridgepark.org · checked Oct 28
Family & kids

Free Environmental Education Center Open Hours

📍 Environmental Education Center, Brooklyn Bridge Park · DUMBO, Brooklyn
Free; drop-in.
Starts in 4d 4h
FRI, NOV 6 · 10 AM–5 PM
67°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · at 96 A, Brooklyn · official listing on magneticme.com · checked Oct 28
Markets & pop-ups

Magnetic Me’s Holiday Playhouse

📍 96 A · 96 A, North 5th Street, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Free
Starts in 4d 18h
NOV 7 – NOV 8
62°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Oct 27, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · at Empire Stores, Brooklyn · official listing on fadmarket.co · checked Oct 27
Markets & pop-ups

FAD Market fall pop-up in Dumbo

📍 Empire Stores · Dumbo, Brooklyn
Free admission · items for sale
Starts in 5d 2h
SAT, NOV 7 · 8 AM–12 PM
59°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 2h
SAT, NOV 7 · 8:30 AM–11 AM
59°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 4h
Every Sat · 10 AM–12 PM
63°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park, Brooklyn · official listing on prospectpark.org · checked Oct 30
Outdoors

Introduction to Birdwatching Outings in Prospect Park

📍 Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park · Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Completely free, no registration
Starts in 5d 4h
Every Sat · 10 AM–7 PM
63°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at DUMBO Archway, Brooklyn · official listing on dumbo.nyc · checked Oct 31
Markets & pop-ups

Dumboween

📍 DUMBO Archway · DUMBO Archway, Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Free
Starts in 5d 5h
Every Sat · 11 AM–2 PM
64°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 Wyckoff House Museum, Brooklyn · official listing on wyckoffmuseum.org · checked Nov 1
Family & kids

Saturday house tours at the Wyckoff House Museum

📍 Wyckoff House Museum · Brooklyn
Suggested donation · pay what you wish · Guided house tours by donation
Starts in 5d 6h
Every Sat, Sun · 12 PM–5 PM
65°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park, Brooklyn · official listing on prospectpark.org · checked Oct 30
Arts & culture

Exhibit: The Shirley Chisholm Way at Lefferts Historic House

📍 Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park · Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Completely free
Starts in 5d 7h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–5 PM
66°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Environmental Education Center, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn · official listing on brooklynbridgepark.org · checked Oct 28
Family & kids

Environmental Education Center: Saturday Open Hours

📍 Environmental Education Center, Brooklyn Bridge Park · DUMBO, Brooklyn
Free; drop-in.
Starts in 5d 7h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–4 PM
66°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 5d 7h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1:30 PM–2:30 PM
66°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Salt Marsh Nature Center, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Family & kids

The Lott House: Update Talk at Salt Marsh Nature Center

📍 Salt Marsh Nature Center · Marine Park, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 6d 5h
Every Sun · 11 AM–6 PM
61°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Breeze Hill, Prospect Park (enter at Lincoln Rd), Brooklyn · official listing on smorgasburg.com · checked Oct 26
Markets & pop-ups

Smorgasburg Prospect Park (Sundays)

📍 Breeze Hill, Prospect Park (enter at Lincoln Rd) · Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free entry; food sold by vendors
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 · 10:30 AM–2 PM
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn · official listing on roeblingrink.com · checked Nov 1
Markets & pop-ups

Roebling Rink Opening Day Celebration

📍 Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park · Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, NY, USA
Free
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 1w 6d
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–3 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Gymnasium, St. John's Park, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Gobble Games Family Board Game Extravaganza

📍 Gymnasium, St. John's Park · Brooklyn
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 1w 6d
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Carmine Carro Community Center, Marine Park, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Ricitos and the Three Bears

📍 Carmine Carro Community Center, Marine Park · Brooklyn
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
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 3d
THU, NOV 19 · 12 PM–3 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Success Garden - East New York, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Family & kids

Giving Thanks to Community at Success Garden

📍 Success Garden - East New York · East New York, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 2w 6d
SUN, NOV 22 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Owl's Head Park (lawn area), Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 1
Family & kids

Magnetic Archery in Owl's Head Park

📍 Owl's Head Park (lawn area) · Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
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 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 3d
THU, DEC 3 · 4 PM–7 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Manhattan Bridge Archway & Plaza, Brooklyn · official listing on dumbo.nyc · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Dumbo Holiday Tree Lighting

📍 Manhattan Bridge Archway & Plaza · Dumbo, Brooklyn
Free; cider and drinks for sale.
Starts in 4w 4d
FRI, DEC 4 · 5 PM–6 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn · official listing on fortgreenepark.org · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Fort Greene Park Tree Lighting

📍 Fort Greene Park · Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 4w 5d
SAT, DEC 5 · 11 AM–2 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Carmine Carro Community Center, Marine Park, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Festival of Lights: Santa in the Park

📍 Carmine Carro Community Center, Marine Park · Brooklyn
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
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 4w 6d
SUN, DEC 6 · 3 PM–4:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Carmine Carro Community Center, Marine Park, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Festival of Lights: Chanukah

📍 Carmine Carro Community Center, Marine Park · Brooklyn
Free (per NYC Parks listing).

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

126 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.