*Be sure to call venues ahead of time to make sure events are still happening in the wake of COVID-19 concerns.*
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. You can also find weekend fun in our Long Island, Westchester and Rockland county, and Brooklyn and Queens roundups—and check out our Manhattan calendar for hundreds of things to do each month!
RELATED: Get Great Weekend Activities in Your Inbox!
Spring Has Sprung!
WHEN: March 16-20, see website for schedule
WHERE: Children's Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Soho
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Help decorate the museum with flowers, foliage, butterflies, bees, and any other spring-related sculpture.
WANT TO GO? FREE with museum admission ($13; free for children younger than 1). 212-274-0986. cmany.org/.
FREE Recreation Day
WHEN: Friday, March 20, 12-3:30pm
WHERE: J. Hood Wright Recreation Center, 351 Fort Washington Avenue, Washington Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: A day filled with jumbo games, art activities, and lots of fun!
WANT TO GO? https://nycgovparks.org/parks/j-hood-wright-park/.
FREE DEUTSCHE KLEINKIND ZEIT Bilingual German/English Story Time
WHEN: March 7-21, see website for schedule
WHERE: Tompkins Square Library, 331 East 10th Street, East Village
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy bilingual stories, songs, finger plays, and rhymes at the library's first German/English Storytime!
WANT TO GO? https://nypl.org/locations/tompkins-square.
MOCACREATE: Vintage Family Albums
WHEN: March 7-21, see website for schedule
WHERE: Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre Street, Chinatown
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: Illustrate and then "vintage-fy" beloved family memories by aging them with tea and coffee. Showcase them in a personalized scrapbook page.
WANT TO GO? FREE with museum admission ($12; $8 for children, students, and seniors). 855-955-6622. http://mocanyc.org/visit/events/mocacreate_vintage_family_albums.
FREE SUPER SÁBADO! Family Day at El Museo del Barrio
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 12-5pm
WHERE: El Museo Del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave., East Harlem
AGES: All
WHAT: Bring la familia and enjoy a fun-filled day of art-making workshops, storytelling, concerts, and more. SUPER SÁBADO! showcases traditions, cultural expressions, and the latest in Latino art.
WANT TO GO? 212-831-7272. elmuseo.org.
Vida Americana Family Day
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 10:30am-3pm
WHERE: Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District
AGES: All
WHAT: Create huge murals with an artist, take fun family portraits, and explore the museum through interactive tours. All activities will be conducted in both Spanish and English.
WANT TO GO? $25; free for anyone younger than 19. 212-570-3600. whitney.org.
FREE Saturday Family Workshops Masquerade: Japanese Matsuri
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 11am-12:30pm
WHERE: 6 River Terrace, Battery Park, Lower Manhattan
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Make your own Japanese-inspired mask and enjoy a dynamic drumming performance by Taiko Masala.
WANT TO GO? 212-267-9700. bpcparks.org/event/friday-night-for-teens-10/2015-12-11/.
Arch Madness
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 10:30-11:45am
WHERE: Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, Battery Park City
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: In the spirit of “March Madness,” architectural features of skyscrapers will be pitted against each other and young architects will have to choose which ones will rise to the top.
WANT TO GO? $5. https://skyscraper.org/.
FREE Family Wellness Day
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 11am-2pm
WHERE: Highbridge Recreation Center, 2301 Amsterdam Ave., Washington Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: In collaboration with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, a monthly day of fitness, health, and fun in the park for the whole family!
WANT TO GO? nyc.gov/parks.
Family Concert: Who is Dave Brubeck?
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 1pm and 3pm
WHERE: Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway and 60th Street, Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Budding music enthusiasts and their families will learn about the life and art of the great jazz composer and pianist Dave Brubeck in this hour-long interactive concert.
WANT TO GO? $10-$25. 212-258-9800. jazz.org.
Aaron Nigel Smith
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 11am
WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Join reggae rocker Aaron Nigel Smith and the NYC branch of his One World Chorus for some of his best-known children's songs, featuring island rhythms that inspire the audience to get up and sing, dance, and play music together.
WANT TO GO? $14-17. 212-864-5400. https://symphonyspace.org/events/just-kidding-aaron-nigel-smith.
FREE Children's Garden Family Day
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 1-4pm
WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: See how worms wiggle, touch and discover the QBG plant collection, create your own tasty and healthy trail mix, plant your own seedling in the Children’s Garden, and do a garden-wide scavenger hunt.
WANT TO GO? 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.
Cinderella
WHEN: Saturdays and Sundays, March 7-22, 2pm
WHERE: Galli Theater, 74 Warren Street, Tribeca
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Cinderella could live happily ever after if a certain silver slipper fits her foot.
WANT TO GO? $15 children; $20 adults. 212-731-0668. gallitheaterny.com.
One Morning I Left
WHEN: March 21-22, 11am and 2pm
WHERE: Clark Studio Theater, 165 W. 65th St., 7th Floor, New York
AGES: 5-8
WHAT: In this Spanish-English bilingual production, children will be invited to discover, feel, and enjoy this journey of colors, sounds, landscapes, and animals.
WANT TO GO? $25 (Member Price $18). 2128755375. http://lincolncenter.org/kids?_ga=2.80949207.1761371398.1568035735-1607202316.1554131208.
Brain Awareness Weekend
WHEN: March 21-22, Saturday and Sunday, 12-5pm
WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the wonders of the brain and learn how this remarkable organ evolved in animals to make sense of surroundings and guide behaviors.
WANT TO GO? free with museum admission ($23; $13 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2). 212-769-5100. amnh.org.
Marvel Madness Family Disco!
WHEN: Sunday, March 22, 1-5pm
WHERE: The Venue, 2284 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., Harlem
AGES: 3-5, 5-8, Adult
WHAT: Families can party to a DJ playing a mix of genres while incorporating Disney, KidzBop and Sesame Street sounds. There will be a tummy time area for youngest guests, healthy snacks, noise makers, and a souvenir photo.
WANT TO GO? $12 general admission, $40 family of 4, $15 at door. 201-565-2564. https://kidsdancerevolution.com/.
Stripes stART for Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
WHEN: Through March 28: see event for schedule
WHERE: Children's Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Soho
AGES: Newborn to 5
WHAT: Kids can explore different art mediums through sensory experiences, music, and movement activities. Children build motor skills and self-regulated independence and social skills while connecting with their siblings and caregivers. Registration required.
WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission: $13; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org/.
Women of the Revolutionary War
WHEN: March 1-29, Saturdays, 1pm and 2pm; Sundays, 1pm
WHERE: Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl St., Downtown Manhattan
AGES: All
WHAT: Explore the incredible, often overlooked stories of women who played a pivotal role in the Revolution, including patriotic women fighting for independence, loyalist women fighting to suppress the rebellion, and African American and Native American women whose future and security were caught in the cross fire.
WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission: $7 adults, $4 children ages 6-17, free for children younger than 6. https://frauncestavernmuseum.org/.
Parallel Exit Presents World Premiere Of ‘The Artist Will Be With You In A Moment’
WHEN: March 7-29, see website for showtimes
WHERE: A.R.T./New York Theatres, 502 W. 53rd St., Midtown
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: An immersive audience experience featuring Joel Jeske in a solo comic performance as an artist, performer, and clown.
WANT TO GO? $30. 646-765-4773. https://theartist.brownpapertickets.com/.
Family Art Workshops: Art as Activism
WHEN: March 7-29, Saturday and Sunday, 10:30am and 2pm
WHERE: The Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St., Midtown
AGES: 9-17
WHAT: Turn your attention to art that comments, responds, and reacts to the times we live in and create artworks that send a message. Advance registration required.
WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission: $25; free for children younger than 17. 212-708-9805. moma.org/family.
Treasure Island
WHEN: March 20-29, see website for days and times
WHERE: New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street, Midtown
AGES: 9-12
WHAT: In this rendition of the classic pirate story, 12 puppeteers animate exquisitely handcrafted marionettes to tell the swashbuckling adventures of cabin boy Jim Hawkins.
WANT TO GO? $22 and up. 6462233010. newvictory.org.
Don't Break the Rules
WHEN: March 7-April 4, Saturdays, 1:30pm and 3:00pm (March 14 also has 11:00am and 12:30pm performances)
WHERE: Magnet Theater, 254 W. 29th St., Chelsea
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Join the fun alongside four voice-actors as they create new characters based on audience suggestions and compete in crazy games!
WANT TO GO? $8. https://magnettheater.com/.
FREE Macy's Flower Show
WHEN: March 22-April 5, daily, 10am-10pm
WHERE: Macy's Herald Square, 100-104 W. 35th St., Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Dive into the vibrant colors of deep-sea florals and stunning marine life at the upcoming Flower Show, “Voyage to Oceanum.” Visitors to Macy’s will embark upon an exciting under-the-ocean odyssey, discovering long-lost treasures and breathtaking aquatic beauty along the way.
WHY WE LOVE IT: It's a highly visual way to engage little ones while you get some shopping done!
WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400. https://macys.com/s/flower-show/.
Planet Play
WHEN: Through April 24: select Saturdays, 9:30am
WHERE: The Wetherby-Pembridge School, 7 E. 96th St., New York
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Welcome to Planet Play: our magical world of sensory learning, wonder and exploration for babies and toddlers ages 0-3 years. These 45 minute sessions encourage young children to explore the world around them through songs, music and movement in a wonderful sensory experience.
WANT TO GO? $15 per person. 646-569-5742. https://chickenshed.org.uk/nyc.
FREE Movies for Tots
WHEN: Through April 27: Fridays, 11am
WHERE: Kips Bay Library, 446 Third Ave., Kips Bay
AGES: Newborn to 5
WHAT: A short cartoon or movie suitable for a younger audience.
WANT TO GO?
FREE New York City Ballet Access Workshop for Children with Autism
WHEN: Through May 23: see event for schedule
WHERE: Samuel B & David Rose Building, 7th Floor, 165 W. 65th St. between Broadway and Amsterdam, New York
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Don't miss the next installment of Unlimited, MoMath's mix-n-mingle evening for students in late middle school through high school. Enjoy a fun-filled, math-focused night where you can hang out with old and new friends, enjoy some snacks, and move to some great tunes!
WANT TO GO? 212-870-5636. https://nycballet.com/Educate/Access-Programs/Workshops-for-Children-with-Autism.aspx.
T. rex: The Ultimate Predator
WHEN: Through Aug. 9: daily, 10am-5:45pm
WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W., 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.
