Give us feedback

Choose your city

Not in NYC? Change city

GUIDE

Free Things to Do with Kids in NYC

Free family fun, no tickets required

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.

149 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat · 8 AM–6 PM
62°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
Happening now
WED, NOV 11 · 8 AM–10 PM
62°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 20h 58m
THU, NOV 12 · 11 AM–8 PM
58°F · 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 2d 21h
SAT, NOV 14 · 11:30 AM–1 PM
47°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Coro, Queens · official listing on queensmuseum.org · checked Nov 3
Family & kids

ArtAccess Museum Explorers for Children with Disabilities

📍 Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free; advance registration advised. Capacity unconfirmed.
Starts in 2d 23h
SAT, NOV 14 · 2 PM–4 PM
49°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Coro, Queens · official listing on queensmuseum.org · checked Nov 3
Family & kids

ArtAccess Open Studio for Teens and Adults with Disabilities

📍 Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free; advance registration advised. Capacity unconfirmed.
Starts in 1w 2d
SAT, NOV 21 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Baisley Pond Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Beginner Fishing at Baisley Pond Park

📍 Baisley Pond Park, Queens
Free
Starts in 2w 0d
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 2w 5d
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 0d
WED, DEC 2 · 6 PM–7:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Springfield Park, 184th St & 146th Rd, Queens · official listing on volunteersforspringfieldpark.org · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Springfield Park Christmas Tree Lighting

📍 Springfield Park, 184th St & 146th Rd · Springfield Gardens, Queens
Free
Starts in 3w 4d
SUN, DEC 6 · 3 PM–5 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Astoria Park Great Lawn, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Family & kids

Astoria Park holiday festival & tree lighting

📍 Astoria Park Great Lawn · Astoria, Queens
Free

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

149 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.

Related guides