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GUIDE

Free Things to Do with Kids in NYC

Free family fun, no tickets required

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🎨 Arts & culture2🍕 Food & giveaways2🎶 Music & nightlife1🌳 Outdoors1🧘 Fitness & wellness1🧸 Family & kids36🥕 Farmers markets1🖌️ Painting & crafts1🧺 Markets & pop-ups8
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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.

150 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat · 8 AM–6 PM
66°F · Rain
✓ 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
Happening now
FRI, NOV 6 · 8 AM–10 PM
66°F · Rain
✓ 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 1h 33m
FRI, NOV 6 · 10 AM–7 PM
66°F · Heavy Rain
✓ 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 2h 33m
Daily · 11 AM–10 PM
66°F · Heavy Rain
✓ 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 2h 33m
Daily · 11 AM–6 PM
66°F · Heavy Rain
✓ 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 6h 33m
FRI, NOV 6 · 3 PM–4 PM
66°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 4, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at 2252 Broadway, Manhattan · official listing on eataly.com · checked Nov 4
Markets & pop-ups

Eataly Caffè Upper West Side Grand Opening

📍 2252 Broadway · 2252 Broadway, New York, USA, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 23h 33m
SAT, NOV 7 · 8 AM–12 PM
57°F · Sunny
✓ 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 1d 0h
SAT, NOV 7 · 8:30 AM–11 AM
57°F · Sunny
✓ 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 1d 1h
SAT, NOV 7 · 10 AM–6 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 4, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at 12 E 14th St, Manhattan · official listing on figma.com · checked Nov 4
Markets & pop-ups

Hello Kitty’s Birthday Party

📍 12 E 14th St · 12 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 2d 0h
Every Sun · 9 AM–11 AM
55°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Manhattan · official listing on bryantpark.org · checked Nov 5
Family & kids

Bryant Park sensory quiet skate mornings (Sundays)

📍 The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village · Midtown, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Free admission with your own skates (timed reservation required). Music off 9–11 AM Sundays Nov 1–22.
Starts in 2d 1h
SUN, NOV 8 · 10 AM–11 AM
57°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Dongan Lawn, Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Kid Birding in Fort Tryon Park

📍 Dongan Lawn, Fort Tryon Park · Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Free; reserve a spot
Starts in 2d 7h
SUN, NOV 8 · 4 PM–9 PM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 4, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Bhakti Center, Manhattan · official listing on eventbrite.com · checked Nov 4
Markets & pop-ups

Diwali In Manhattan

📍 Bhakti Center · Bhakti Center, 1st Avenue, New York, USA, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 3d 2h
MON, NOV 9 · 11 AM–12 PM
56°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: Zing! Kids Fitness

📍 Le Carrousel in Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 3d 9h
MON, NOV 9 · 6 PM–7 PM
52°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Online via Zoom, Long Island · official listing on ccesuffolk.org · checked Nov 3
Family & kids

The Family Table: Free Online Parenting Workshop

📍 Online via Zoom · Suffolk County (online), Long Island
Free; Zoom registration required.
Starts in 6d 2h
THU, NOV 12 · 11 AM–8 PM
54°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ 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 6d 8h
Every Thu · 5 PM–6 PM
56°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 4, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Shops at Columbus Circle, Manhattan · official listing on theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com · checked Nov 4
Markets & pop-ups

Broadway Under The Stars

📍 The Shops at Columbus Circle · The Shops at Columbus Circle, New York, USA, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1w 1d
SAT, NOV 14 · 11 AM–7 PM
✓ Verified Nov 4, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at 182 Lafayette Street, Manhattan · official listing on gruns.co · checked Nov 4
Markets & pop-ups

Grünsgiving

📍 182 Lafayette Street · 182 Lafayette Street, New York, USA, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1w 1d
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 4d
TUE, NOV 17 · 3:30 PM–4:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at St. Agnes Library, Manhattan · official listing on nypl.org · checked Nov 5
Painting & crafts

Perler Bead Art at St. Agnes Library

📍 St. Agnes Library · Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1w 4d
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 2d
SUN, NOV 22 · 5 PM–7 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Patchogue River, Long Island · official listing on patchogueboatparade.org · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Patchogue Holiday Boat Parade (30th)

📍 Patchogue River · Patchogue, Long Island
Free
Starts in 2w 6d
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 0d
FRI, NOV 27 · 10 AM–5 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Sam Bridge Nursery, 437 North St, Lower Connecticut · official listing on greenwichreindeerfestival.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop

📍 Sam Bridge Nursery, 437 North St · Greenwich, CT
Free to attend; photos with Santa cost extra
Starts in 3w 0d
FRI, NOV 27 · 7 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Village Park, Long Island · official listing on longislandplaybook.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Northport Village Christmas Tree Lighting

📍 Village Park · Northport, Long Island
Free
Starts in 3w 1d
SAT, NOV 28 · 5 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Mary Jane Davies Green, Long Island · official listing on north-hempstead.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Manhasset Holiday Lighting Ceremony

📍 Mary Jane Davies Green · Manhasset, Long Island
Free
Starts in 3w 3d
MON, NOV 30 · 6 PM–7 PM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Online via Zoom, Long Island · official listing on ccesuffolk.org · checked Nov 3
Family & kids

Managing Family Stress During the Holidays

📍 Online via Zoom · Suffolk County (online), Long Island
Free; Zoom registration required.
Starts in 3w 4d
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 3w 6d
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 0d
FRI, DEC 4 · 4:15 PM–5:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Greenwich Town Hall, Lower Connecticut · official listing on weeklyshenanigans.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Greenwich Tree Lighting

📍 Greenwich Town Hall · Greenwich, CT
Free
Starts in 4w 0d
FRI, DEC 4 · 6 PM–9 PM
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Main Street, Lower Connecticut · official listing on chamber.inridgefield.com · checked Oct 28
Family & kids

Ridgefield Holiday Stroll

📍 Main Street · Ridgefield, CT
Free
Starts in 4w 1d
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 2d
SUN, DEC 6 · 3:30 PM–6:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Main Street, Long Island · official listing on chamberofcommerceofgreaterbayshore.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Bay Shore Holiday Spectacular & Tree Lighting

📍 Main Street · Bay Shore, Long Island
Free
Starts in 4w 2d
SUN, DEC 6 · 4 PM–5:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Argyle Park, Long Island · official listing on longislandplaybook.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Tree Lighting at Argyle Park

📍 Argyle Park · Babylon, Long Island
Free
Starts in 4w 2d
SUN, DEC 6 · 5 PM–7 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Landmark Square → Latham Park, Lower Connecticut · official listing on ctvisit.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Stamford Heights & Lights

📍 Landmark Square → Latham Park · Stamford, CT
Free

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

150 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.

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