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.

135 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Starts in 9h 30m
Every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat · 8 AM–6 PM
57°F · 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 9h 30m
WED, NOV 4 · 8 AM–10 PM
57°F · 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 12h 30m
Daily · 11 AM–10 PM
68°F · 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 12h 30m
Daily · 11 AM–6 PM
68°F · 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 12h 30m
Daily · 11 AM–7 PM
66°F · 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 2d 15h
Every Fri · 2 PM–5 PM
67°F · Showers And Thunderstorms
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · repeats, so you can go another time · at New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), Queens · official listing on nysci.org · checked Nov 1
Family & kids

NYSCI Free Community Hours (Fridays)

📍 New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) · Corona, Queens
Free · registration required · Free; reserve tickets from 10 AM the same day
Starts in 1w 1d
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 3w 0d
WED, NOV 25 · 9 AM–5 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Downtown White Plains, Westchester · official listing on hudsonvalleysojourner.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Santa's Mailbox in White Plains

📍 Downtown White Plains · White Plains, Westchester
Free
Starts in 3w 2d
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 6d
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 5w 2d
FRI, DEC 11 · 6 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Hezekiah Easter Memorial Park gazebo, Nyack & Rockland · official listing on nyackchamber.org · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

Nyack Holiday Lights

📍 Hezekiah Easter Memorial Park gazebo · Nyack, Nyack & Rockland
Free

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

135 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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