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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.

146 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
THU, NOV 12 · 3:30 AM–4:30 PM
60°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Family & kids

Storytime: Lenape and Corn

📍 Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley) · Blood Root Valley, Staten Island
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Happening now
THU, NOV 12 · 8 AM–10 PM
59°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ 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 27m
Daily · 11 AM–10 PM
59°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ 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 27m
Daily · 11 AM–6 PM
59°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ 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 27m
THU, NOV 12 · 11 AM–8 PM
59°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ 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 4h 27m
THU, NOV 12 · 3 PM–7 PM
57°F · Rain
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at National Museum of Mathematics, Manhattan · official listing on momath.org · checked Nov 7
Family & kids

MoMath Free Play (extended evening hours)

📍 National Museum of Mathematics · Flatiron, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Free general admission; register all attendees; first-come, first-served once capacity is reached
Starts in 6h 27m
Every Thu · 5 PM–6 PM
54°F · 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

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

146 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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