There’s a lot to do this weekend with your family, whether you're planning a day trip that's close to New York City or are looking for the best things to do with kids in Manhattan this weekend. After all, weekends are the best because you get to spend time with your kids, so make the most of your time together and check out our picks for the best kid-friendly activities in Manhattan! From concerts and performances to museum exhibits, shows, crafts activities, seasonal events, and parades, you're sure to find something to do that keeps everyone happy and having fun. Look no further for ideas and plan your weekend in New York City with our guide that highlights the best family-friendly events happening in and around your neighborhood, including family fun in Central Park, the Lower East Side, the Upper West Side, Harlem, Midtown, the Upper East Side, Greenwich Village, Battery Park, Bryant Park, Sugar Hill, Tribeca, the Bronx, and Lower Manhattan.
RELATED: Get Great Weekend Activities in Your Inbox!
FREE Storytime For Kids
WHEN: Friday, July 19, 10:30am
WHERE: Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, 421 East 61st Street, New York
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Listen to ice cream-themed stories and then pretend to make ice cream like New Yorkers did in the 19th century.
WANT TO GO? 2128386878. http://mvhm.org.
Watson Adventures’ Secrets of Central Park Family Scavenger Hunt
WHEN: Saturday, July 20, 10:30am-12:30 pm
WHERE: Central Park, 5th Avenue & 66th Street, New York
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Work together to explore the park below 72nd Street.
WANT TO GO? $17.50-$21.50. 877-946-4868. https://watsonadventures.com/location/new-york-city/central-park/#event-8222.
SpaceFest
WHEN: Saturday, July 20, 11:00am-5:00pm
WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy a day of family-friendly presentations, performances, and hands-on activities about the wonders of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
WANT TO GO? free with museum admission ($23; $13 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2). 212-769-5100. amnh.org.
FREE Underwater Neighbors of Riverside Park
WHEN: Saturday, July 20, 4:00-7:00pm
WHERE: Fort Washington Park, 172nd Beach in Fort Washington Park, Upper Manhattan
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the educators from Hudson River Sloop Clearwater to catch, observe, and identify fish and invertebrates.
WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.
Revolutionary Summer: Everyday Life in Camp
WHEN: July 20-21, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00am-3:00pm
WHERE: DiMenna Children's History Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Meet the women who helped prepare for military campaigns, play with period toys and games that children in camp might have enjoyed, and see how soldiers passed the time repairing clothing and equipment, cleaning arms, or drilling for the next engagement.
WANT TO GO? FREE with museum admission ($21; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 5). 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.
FREE Power Play Annual Block Party
WHEN: Sunday, July 21, 1:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St., Flatiron
AGES: All
WHAT: Join thousands of other New Yorkers at this outdoor event featuring art and more for all ages inspired by the Rubin’s yearlong exploration of the power that dwells within us and flows between us.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Activities include making your own stress balls, creating a portable lamp with LED lights, recharging with a guided meditation exploring constellations in the Himalayas, and a Brazilian women’s drumline!
WANT TO GO? 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.
FREE Read to our New York Therapy Dog!
WHEN: July 6-27, Saturdays, 10:30am
WHERE: New York Public Library - Webster Library, 1465 York Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: 5-17
WHAT: Enjoy one-on-one, no-pressure reading time with a furry friend! Pre-registration is required for each 15-minute slot and opens 1 week in advance.For ages 5 and up.
WANT TO GO? 212-288-5049. https://nypl.org/locations/webster.
Sam Eaton's The Quantum Eye - Mentalism and Magic Show
WHEN: July 13-27, Saturdays, 7/13 and 7/27, 4:00 PM
WHERE: Guild Hall at The Little Church, 1 East 29th Street, New York
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: An entertaining and fascinating exploration of mentalism, magic, perception and deception, where extraordinary ability and humor blend with audience participation to make for a unique performance every time. Join Sam on an interactive journey past the limits of possibility in a show that you will never forget.
WANT TO GO? $55 - $250. (212) 842-9717. http://TheQuantumEye.com.
Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady
WHEN: Through July 28: Check schedule for details
WHERE: Alice Tully Hall, 1941 Broadway, Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: "My Fair Lady" tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?
WANT TO GO? $87 and up. 212-875-5788. chambermusicsociety.org/.
Aladdin
WHEN: July 13-28, Weekends, 2:00pm
WHERE: Galli Theater, 74 Warren St., Tribeca
AGES: All
WHAT: When Aladdin finds a genie in a lamp his dreams of riches come true. In order to win the love of the princess and save the kingdom, Aladdin will need more than a genie’s magic!
WANT TO GO? $20 adults; $15 children. 212-731-0668. gallitheaterny.com.
Dorothy's Adventures in Oz
WHEN: July 20-28, Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am and 1:00pm
WHERE: 92Y, 1395 Lexington Ave, New York
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: In this original re-telling, a modern heroine is whisked away from Auntie Em's newsstand at 92nd and Lex in a windstorm of papers to a magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow.
WHY WE LOVE IT: The show is short and sweet, running just 35 minutes, and the July 21 matinee will be a sensory friendly performance!
WANT TO GO? $18 in advance; $25 at the door. 2124155500. https://92y.org/event/dorothy-s-adventures-in-oz.
FREE Carnegie Hall Citywide
WHEN: July 12- Aug. 2, Fridays, 6:00-7:30pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Carnegie Hall Citywide kicks off its 2019-2020 season with free concerts that feature outstanding artists in a range of musical genres, bringing New Yorkers together to share in the joy of music.
WANT TO GO? 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org.
FREE STEM Kids NYC
WHEN: May 25- Aug. 4, Weekends, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Governors Island, Ferries leave from 10 South St., New York Harbor
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Learn the physics of making and flying kites, make polymers, and code an app.
WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.
FREE Art Force 5
WHEN: May 25- Aug. 4, Weekends, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Governors Island, Ferries leave from 10 South St., New York Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Superheroes-in-training can make an action figure and customized cape.
WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.
FREE Le Carrousel Magique
WHEN: June 9- Aug. 4, 2-3pm
WHERE: Bryant Park Carousel, 35 W. 40th St., Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Magicians perform fun-filled tricks.
WANT TO GO? 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org.
New York Musical Festival
WHEN: July 8- Aug. 4, Times vary, see website for details
WHERE: Various Locations,
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: The New York Musical Festival nurtures the creation, production, and public presentation of stylistically, thematically, and culturally diverse new musicals to ensure the future vitality of musical theater.
WANT TO GO? Prices vary, see website for details. http://nymf.org/.
FREE Science Saturday at Pier 84
WHEN: June 1- Aug. 10, select Saturdays, 12-4pm
WHERE: Hudson River Park: Pier 84, Twelfth Avenue and West 44th Street, Hell's Kitchen
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy catch and release fishing, microscopic investigations, and river-inspired crafts.
WANT TO GO? 773-577-8763. hope.abta.org/nyc2015.
FREE Le Carrousel StoryTime
WHEN: July 13- Aug. 10, Saturdays, 2:00-3:00pm
WHERE: Bryant Park Carousel, 35 west 40th street, New York
AGES: All
WHAT: Cali Co Cat and her carousel pals get you jumpin' and leapin' with fun, games and stories to boot.
WANT TO GO? FREE. 2127684242. bryantpark.org.
FREE Summer on the Hudson: Play Dates!
WHEN: July 13- Aug. 10, 7/13 and 8/10, 1:00-4:00pm
WHERE: West Harlem Piers Park, 125th Street and Marginal Street, West Harlem
AGES: All
WHAT: Join us at this fun family-friendly outdoor party featuring a children’s entertainer, arts and crafts, and neighborhood fun!
WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.
Morgan Explorers: Family Drop-in Museum Experience
WHEN: June 9- Aug. 11, Second Sundays, 1:30-3pm
WHERE: The Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Ave., Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Discover art activities, handle touch objects, and answers from an educator.
WANT TO GO? $22; $14 senior; $13 students; free for children younger than 13. 212-685-0008. themorgan.org.
FREE Shakespeare in the Park Presents: Coriolanus
WHEN: July 16- Aug. 11, see website for details
WHERE: Central Park - Delacorte Theater, 81 Central Park W., Upper West Side
AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan directs a modern-day version of this riveting epic of democracy and demagoguery.
WANT TO GO? 212-539-8500. publictheater.org.
Ocean Cube
WHEN: June 8- Aug. 18, 10am-8pm
WHERE: 60 Grand St., 60 Grand St., Soho
AGES: All
WHAT: Ocean Cube is an immersive pop-up exhibit of a futuristic, undersea world.
WANT TO GO? $24; $18 advance; $18 students; $14 children ages 2-21; free for children younger than 2. 646-480-4849. oceancubenyc.com.
FREE Harlem Meer Performance Festival
WHEN: June 16- Sept. 1, Sundays, 2:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Central Park - Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues, Central Park
AGES: All
WHAT: The Harlem Meer Performance Festival brings the best local talent to Central Park! Enjoy a variety of performances featuring multicultural music and dance, family-friendly entertainment, and more while admiring the lakeside views.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Shows spans genres such as Jazz and Blues, Gospel, Klezmer/Yiddish, Afro jazz, Caribbean / Hip Hop, R&B/Funk/Soul, and New York Salsa.
WANT TO GO? 212-860-1370. http://centralparknyc.org/events/individual-events/Discovery-Walks-for-Families-North-Woods-11-7-2015-1.html.
FREE Summer on the Hudson: Stargazing
WHEN: June 1- Sept. 7, First Saturday of each month, 8-11pm
WHERE: Pier I, Riverside Park South, Riverside Drive between 65th and 72nd streets, Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Expert stargazers help us see stars and planets.
WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.
South Street Seaport Museum: Sail New York Harbor Aboard the Pioneer
WHEN: May 25- Sept. 8, see website for schedule
WHERE: South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St., Lower Manhattan
AGES: All
WHAT: Sail the New York Harbor aboard the historic 1885 schooner, Pioneer.
WANT TO GO? $32; $28 children and seniors . 212-748-8600. southstreetseaport.com.
South Street Seaport Museum: Sail New York Harbor Aboard the Pioneer
WHEN: May 25- Sept. 8, see website for schedule
WHERE: South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St., Lower Manhattan
AGES: All
WHAT: Sail the New York Harbor aboard the historic 1885 schooner, Pioneer.
WANT TO GO? $32; $28 children and seniors . 212-748-8600. southstreetseaport.com.
FREE Hudson River Nature Walk
WHEN: June 2- Sept. 22, Sundays, 9-10am
WHERE: Hudson River Park- Pier 45, Hudson River Greenway, Greenwich Village
AGES: All
WHAT: Each nature walk offers a treasure hunt-like experience.
WANT TO GO? hudsonriverpark.org.
FREE Parent and Me Yoga
WHEN: June 1- Sept. 28, Saturdays, 9-9:45am
WHERE: Fort Tryon Park: Abby's Lawn, Broadway, between Dongan Place and Bennet Avenue, Upper Manhattan
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy yoga with a certified children's instructor.
WANT TO GO? 212-795-1388. nycgovparks.org.
FREE Fairy and Folk Tales From Around The World!
WHEN: June 1- Sept. 28, Saturdays, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Central Park: Hans Christian Andersen Statue, 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue entrance, Central Park
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Hear fairytales, folk stories, and stories, told by professional storytellers.
WANT TO GO? storytelling-nyc.org.
FREE Summer on the Hudson: Sun Gaze
WHEN: May 26- Sept. 29, Last Sunday of the month, 1:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Pier I, Riverside Park South, Riverside Drive between 65th and 72nd Streets, Upper West Side
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: The Amateur Astronomers Association and solargazing return with solar telescopes specifically designed to safely look at the sun and see sunspots and prominences under a summer sky.
WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.
Choco-Story NYC
WHEN: Through Oct. 16: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Jacques Torres Chocolate, 350 Hudson St., Hudson Square
AGES: All
WHAT: Visitors will discover in the 5,000-square-foot museum the story of chocolate and its journey from tree to bar through a self-guided tour of original artifacts, eight premium tastings including original Mayan hot chocolate freshly ground by hand, and a bon-bon making demonstration, offering an educational–and delicious—experience for families, children, and chocolate lovers.
WANT TO GO? $10-$15. 917-261-4252. mrchocolate.com.
FREE Urban Farm Exploration Days
WHEN: May 11- Oct. 19, Weekends, 11:00am-5:00pm
WHERE: Randall's Island Park, 20 Randall's Island Park, Randall's Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Explore the Urban Farm's variety of crops, rice paddies, and fragrant herbs, and meet the chickens, too! All ages welcome.
WANT TO GO? 212-830-7722. randallsisland.org.
FREE Art on the Farm
WHEN: May 5- Oct. 20, Weekends, 2:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Randall's Island Park, 20 Randall's Island Park, Randall's Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Join us for unique family art projects inspired by the farm.
WANT TO GO? 212-830-7722. randallsisland.org.
FREE Hester Street Fair
WHEN: April 13- Oct. 26, Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-6pm
WHERE: Hester Street , Corner of Hester and Essex Streets, New York
AGES: All
WHAT: Spend the weekend perusing handmade goods, creative products, and artisanal food.
WANT TO GO? https://hesterstreetfair.com/.
Play N Go™ Friday
WHEN: Through Nov. 29: Fridays, 6-8:30pm
WHERE: P.S. 87, 160 W. 78th St., Upper West Side
AGES: 8 and older
WHAT: League Play (drop in players permitted) (3) Rounds, Players are paired in "Quads" starting with the (4) highest USCF rated players based on their current rating and continuing down to new and unrated players. *Unrated players will be matched by age, eldest to youngest, and receive a USCF provisional rating immediately following the play. Once the matches are complete, players have a 5-minute grace period to begin their next game. Players leave upon the completion of their (3) scheduled matches. Participants will earn points, (2) per win, (1.5) per draw and (1) for each game played. The Top 20 Point Earners (beginners and advanced) qualify for the Ca$h Prize Challenge at the end of each season. **Same school students will be separated by request at check in whenever possible**
WANT TO GO? $36. chessnyc.com/fridays-play-go-events.
Sam Eaton's The Quantum Eye - Mentalism and Magic Show
WHEN: Aug. 13- Dec. 26, 5pm
WHERE: Theatre 80, 80 Saint Marks Place, East Village
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: An exploration of mentalism and magic where ability and humor blend with audience participation.
WANT TO GO? $49-$79. 347-294-0092. thequantumeye.com.
Saturday Sketching
WHEN: May 18- Dec. 28, Saturdays, 10am-4pm (July 6)
WHERE: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Art materials are available for exploration of architectural shapes and spaces.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 students and seniors; free for children younger than 12. 212-423-3500. guggenheim.org.
Open Studio
WHEN: May 18- Dec. 29, Weekends, 10:30am-3pm
WHERE: Whitney Museum of American Art , 99 Gansevoort St., Chelsea
AGES: All
WHAT: Make your own art inspired by works on view.
WANT TO GO? $25; $18 seniors/students; free for children younger than 18. 212-570-7713. whitney.org/events/families-open-studio.
Open Studio for Families
WHEN: May 19- Dec. 29, Sundays, 1-4pm (no session July 7)
WHERE: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: Enjoy a drop-in studio art-making program.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 students and seniors; free for children younger than 12. 212-423-3500. guggenheim.org.
The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages
WHEN: June 29- January 11, 2020
WHERE: Harlem Rep/Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 E. 123rd St., Harlem
AGES: All ages
WHAT: "The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages," with its timeless score and eternal allegories, is a magical experience for young (and young-at-heart) audiences.
WANT TO GO? 212-868-4444. wizardofozjazzmusical.com.
Weekly Powerful Meditation to Manifest Your Best Life
WHEN: March 10-March 8, 2020, Sundays from 6-6:30pm
WHERE: Bode NYC Upper Eastside, 173 E. 83rd St., New York
AGES:
WHAT: A suggested donation of $10 benefits Super Happy Healthy Kids, a non-profit after-school program for New York City Public School children.
WANT TO GO? $10 suggested donation. 917-369-0032. http://superhappyhealthykids.com.
T. rex: The Ultimate Predator
WHEN: Through Aug. 9, 2020: daily, 10am-5:45pm
WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: T. rex: The Ultimate Predator will introduce you to the entire tyrannosaur superfamily and reveal the amazing story of the most iconic dinosaur in the world through stunning life-sized models, fossils and casts, engaging interactives, and an immersive multiplayer virtual reality experience developed exclusively for this exhibition.
WANT TO GO? Free with admission: $23; $18 seniors and students; $13 for children ages 2-12. 212-769-5100.amnh.org.
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