38 Fun Things To Do This Weekend with Kids in New York City

By NYMetroParents Staff April 13, 2018

Plan your best weekend yet!

Weekends are the best to spend quality time with your kids, whether you are planning a huge outing or are staying close to home. There’s lots to do this Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15, with your family, from concerts and performances to museum exhibits, shows, crafts activities, seasonal events, parades, and more. 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. Check out our picks for kids' activities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Also see our guides for weekend fun on Long Island and Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen counties.

Manhattan Weekend Activities

'Love Heals All Wounds'
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 3pm and 7:30pm
WHERE: NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: Featuring the intricate and urban choreography of Lil Buck and Jon Boogz, the stirring words of spoken word artist Robin Sanders, and an all-star cast of movement artists.
WANT TO GO? $40. 212-998-4941. nyuskirball.org.

Family Tours at The Met Breuer
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 11am-12pm, 2-3pm
WHERE: The Met Breuer, 945 Madison Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Share ideas and enjoy stories, sketching, and other gallery activities that bring works of art to life. This month, explore the exhibition Like Life: Sculpture, Color, and the Body (1300-Now).
WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-731-1675. metmuseum.org.

Family Day: Design for Living
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
WHERE: Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Families will see examples of creative designs and new options for affordable housing being built in other countries. Kids will then have a chance to create their own innovative housing designs for New York City.
WANT TO GO? $6; $12 children. 212-358-6133. centerforarchitecture.org.

Family Tours
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 10:45–11:20am, 11:45am–12:20pm, and 12:45–1:20pm
WHERE: The Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Join a short, interactive family tour of kid-friendly works on view. Learn about art together through lively discussion and fun gallery activities.
WANT TO GO? $25; $18 seniors and students; free for children 18 and younger . 212-570-3600. whitney.org.

Very Young People's Concert: 'Make-Believe'
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 4pm
WHERE: Stanley H. Kaplan Playhouse, 165 W. 65th St., Samuel B. and David Rose Bldg., 10th flr., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Musicians from the New York Philharmonic invite audiences on a playdate—where musical instruments are toys, songs become games, and kids can make believe whatever their hearts desire.
WANT TO GO? $18. 212-875-5656. lincolncenter.org/big-umbrella.

'This Is New York'
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 10:30-11:45am
WHERE: The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, Battery Park City
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: A reading of the book This is New York by M. Sasek. Children will learn about the history of New York’s different neighborhoods, then draw their own neighborhood or create a new one from their imaginations.
WANT TO GO? $5. 212-945-6324. skyscraper.org.

'Robin Hood Now'
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 2:30pm
WHERE: The Tank, 312 W. 36th St., Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: A new family-friendly dance production of the age-old tale of Robin Hood with a contemporary twist, Robin Hood Now updates the famous folklore by drawing inspiration from real stories about acts of kindness shared by children around New York.
WANT TO GO? $10-$15. 419-349-2465. sparkmovementcollective.org.

FREE Artists At the Atrium: Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 11am and 2pm
WHERE: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: David Rubenstein Atrium, 61 W. 62nd St., Upper West Side
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Get ready for a whimsical Americana mashup when the Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter brings his rootsy, accordion-laced pop and rock tunes to Lincoln Center. Designed for kids on the autism spectrum, this performance is part of the Big Umbrella Festival.
WANT TO GO? 212-875-5000. kidsportal.lincolncenter.org.

FREE Saturday Morning Storytelling with the Hans Christian Andersen Storytellers
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 11am
WHERE: Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave., Murray Hill
AGES: 5-8
WHAT: Renowned storyteller Laura Simms presents the fabulous Norwegian fairytale The Lindworm. When twins are born to a king and queen—one handsome, and one a serpent— the royal couple must find a bride for their supernatural son.
WANT TO GO? 212-779-3587. scandinaviahouse.org.

FREE Artopia!
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 11am-2pm
WHERE: The Anderson School, 100 W. 77th St., Upper West Side
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Professional artists will lead age-appropriate projects inspired by art from around the world, while students from the Cabaret Troupe and after school dance and music classes will perform. Kids can also get their faces painted, hop in the photo booth, or design their own button.
WANT TO GO? 212-586-2330. wingspanarts.org.

The Big Apple Comic Con
WHEN: April 14-15, Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm
WHERE: Penn Plaza Pavilion, 401 Seventh Ave., Chelsea
AGES: All
WHAT: Expect dozens of independent and up-and-coming comics creators and publishers displaying their work. Plus, plenty of panel programming, films, and special kids activities, alongside comics, toys, T-shirts, DVDs, cards, collectibles, and jewelry for sale.
WANT TO GO? $25; $15 for children younger than 14. nycbm.com.

'Bubble Guppies Live! Ready to Rock'
WHEN: April 14-15, Saturday, 2pm and 5:30pm; Sunday, 11am and 2:30pm
WHERE: Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: The Bubble Guppies are getting ready to rock 'n’ roll with everyone’s favorite tunes, but when a special band member goes missing, the show can’t go on. With help from Mr. Grouper and giggly little fish, Molly, Gil, and the whole gang embark on a musical expedition as they search every corner of their bubbly world for their friend.
WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 212-465-6000. msg.com.

Moroccan Cultural Festival
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Children's Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Moroccan culture with workshops and performances inspired by artistic traditions. Look at artwork from Moroccan artists Bouchra Khalili and Omar Bouragba, and create your own art based on their practices.
WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.

Spring Family Fair
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 2-4:30pm
WHERE: The Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Ave., Murray Hill
AGES: 3-17
WHAT: Inspire your family’s love of books with a visit to Mr. Morgan's historic library, explore the spring exhibitions, compose your own poetry on the poetry wall, and make crafts inspired by the collections.
WANT TO GO? $20; $13 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger. 212-685-0008. themorgan.org.

Living History: Fighting the Revolution on Horseback
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 11am-4pm
WHERE: DiMenna Children's Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Meet living historians from the Second Continental Light Dragoons, an organization that brings to life the first congressionally authorized cavalry regiment in American history. Watch a saber drill and take a close look at their special helmets, military saddle, and other equipment.
WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

Light Show
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 11am and 2pm
WHERE: Samuels Teaching Studio, 165 W. 65th St., 7th Floor, Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: The show takes children and their families on a multisensory journey of textures, smells, and tactile experiences, all accompanied by enchanting live music from a virtuoso double bass player.
WANT TO GO? $25. 212-721-6500. lincolncenter.org/big-umbrella.

FREE Earth Day New York 2018
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 12-7pm
WHERE: Union Square, Broadway and East 17th Street, Union Square
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: This annual outdoor event features dozens of exhibitors, including environmental non-profits, green businesses, kids' activities, and live performances. With more than 70 organizations represented, there is something for everyone.
WANT TO GO? 212-922-0048. earthdayinitiative.org.

FREE Workshops for Kids with Disabilities
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 10:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: 5-17
WHAT: Examine art on view and create a work of your own in these programs for families with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. Workshops include gallery activities and an art project.
WANT TO GO? 212-423-3200. jewishmuseum.org.

'Sleeping Beauty'
WHEN: Through April 15: Saturday-Sunday, 2pm
WHERE: Galli Theater, 357 W. 36th St., 2nd Floor, Midtown
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: A wicked fairy is upset at not being invited to a princess’s birthday celebration and casts a sleeping spell on the entire kingdom for a hundred years. Will the perfect prince arrive?
WANT TO GO? $20; $15 children. 212-731-0668. gallitheaternyc.com.

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'Air Play'
WHEN: Through April 15: Friday-Sunday, see website for times
WHERE: The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Watch as umbrellas take flight, balloons sprout minds of their own, and shimmering silks ripple to the rafters in a modern circus spectacle. The globetrotting Acrobuffos, Seth Bloom, and Christina Gelsone, animate airflow, goad gravity, and make buoyant, beautiful, and really, really high art out of the very thing we breathe.
WANT TO GO? $16 and up. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

Brooklyn Weekend Activities

'Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live: King for a Day!'
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 2pm and 6:30pm
WHERE: Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush
AGES: Newborn-5
WHAT: The characters from PBS's wildly popular children's series come alive in this lively theater show, where Daniel and his friends introduce new songs to sing, new lessons to learn, and even a few surprise guests.
WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 845-469-2287. kingstheatre.com.

Ma*Jid Album Release Party
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 7pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 80 N. 6th St. , Williamsburg
AGES: All
WHAT: NYC musician Ma*Jid will premiere his second, family-friendly album featuring spoken word poetry and original compositions performed with a string string quartet and an MC.
WANT TO GO? $25; $20 in advance. 646-779-8455. nationalsawdust.org.

FREE Discovery Hike: Forensic Forest
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 1-2:30pm
WHERE: Canarsie Park, Seaview Avenue and East 102nd Street, Canarsie
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Search for signs of spring along this round-trip hike and discover clues that nature has left behind. This hike will be approximately one hour long.
WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

FREE Down to Earth McGolrick Park Farmers Market
WHEN: Through April 29: Sundays, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Park Church Co-op, 129 Russell St., Greenpoint
AGES: All
WHAT: Shop for local foods all through the winter at the indoor McGolrick Park Farmers Market located in the basement of the Park Church Co-op just outside McGolrick Park. Find regional farmers and local food makers.
WANT TO GO? 914-923-4837. downtoearthmarkets.com.

RELATED: Your Complete Guide to Raising Kids in Brooklyn

Queens Weekend Activities

Let's Go Mets:vs Milwaukee
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 7:10pm
WHERE: Citi Field, 126-01 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: There will fireworks on the field and after the game when the Amazin's take on the Milwaukee Brewers. Fans enjoy an exciting fireworks show after the game.
WANT TO GO? $15 and up. 718-507-8499. mets.com.

Toddler Tales: '10 Little Rubber Ducks'
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 10:30am
WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Take an adventure with 10 little ducks as they meet new animal friends in Eric Carle’s colorful book. Encourage your child’s love of reading by listening to a nature related story especially chosen for the littlest nature lovers. Registration required.
WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Saturday Family Matinee: 'Pete The Cat'
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 2pm
WHERE: Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, 161-04 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica
AGES: All
WHAT: When Pete the Cat gets caught rocking out after bedtime, the cat-catcher sends him to live with the Biddle family to learn his manners—and boy are they square! But for the groovy blue cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up.
WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children. jcal.org.

'Princess Particular'
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 2:30pm
WHERE: The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City
AGES: Newborn-5
WHAT: Princess Particular is off her rocker, all she can think about is her latest scheme to become a ballerina. Her Mom and Dad, King Loadsadough and Queen Patience, want her to focus on her Princess duties. Luckily, her four maids and the Chancellor and Lady in Waiting are on hand to help make her dream come true.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 for children younger than 17. 718-392-0722. secrettheatre.com.

FREE History of Hip Hop Dance
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 2pm
WHERE: Cambria Heights Library, 218-13 Linden Blvd., Cambria Heights
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: This event highlights the origins and history of hip hop dance from the past to present day, featuring Virgil “Lil O” Gadson is a dancer, actor, choreographer, and educator who has appeared on TV shows such as America's Got Talent and MTV America's Best Dance Crew, and was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance.
WANT TO GO? 718-528-3535. queenslibrary.org.

FREE Queens Jazz OverGround Spring Jazz Fest
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 12-10pm
WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: The Queens Jazz OverGround, a collective that promotes jazz performance and education, presents the annual Jazz Fest: a free, day-long series of jazz workshops and performances.
WANT TO GO? 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

'Doktor Kaboom's Look Out! Science Is Coming!'
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 1pm and 3pm
WHERE: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Corona
AGES: All
WHAT: An over-the-top German physicist with a passion for science that knows no bounds. Sporting chrome goggles, orange lab coat, motorcycle boots, and wicked cool hair, Doktor Kaboom travels the world, thrilling adults and children with an explosive comedic style.
WANT TO GO? $14. 718-760-0064. queenstheatre.org.

Art for Tots: Rhythm In Art
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 10:30am
WHERE: The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Road, Long Island City
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Parents will learn strategies for engaging their children during museum visits while exploring art materials and The Noguchi Museum galleries as a family. Reservations required.
WANT TO GO? $10 families with up to four members. 718-204-7088. noguchi.org.

Spring Performance Festival
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 12-6pm
WHERE: P.S. 1, 22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City
AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: Incorporating six-hour long durational pieces, videos, improvisational theater, live music, and solo performances, the festival brings together work from artists that intersect music, art, and nightlife.
WANT TO GO? $10; $5 students; free for children 16 and younger. 718-392 6447. moma.org/sundaysessions.

Family Cooking Class: Whole Grain Bowls and Salads
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 1-4pm
WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Cook some fun and nutritious grains as a base for a number of meal-sized salads incorporating the bright and fresh produce of early spring, like radishes, baby greens, and peas. Children must be accompanied by participating adult, registration required.
WANT TO GO? $6; $4 seniors and students with ID; $2 ages 4-12; free for children ages 3 and younger.. 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.

Brian Stokes Mitchell: Simply Broadway
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 3pm
WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell performs an afternoon of song from a nearly three-decade career on Broadway, including selections from his upcoming album Plays With Music.
WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 718-631-6311. visitqpac.org.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company: CrossCurrent V
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 2pm
WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: This live music and dance project features a curated concert by Nai-Ni Chen and Prof. Yin Mei bringing guest artists from Taiwan and China. The program is accompanied by classical and contemporary music performed by the New Asia Chamber Music Society.
WANT TO GO? $16; $10 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Let's Go Mets:vs Milwaukee
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 1:10pm
WHERE: Citi Field, 126-01 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy the final game of the series with the Milwaukee Brewers. The first 15,000 fans receive a Youth Baseball Glove presented by Coca-Cola.
WANT TO GO? $19 and up. 718-507-8499. mets.com.

Children's Carnival
WHEN: Through April 15: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-6pm
WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy two full weekends of fun with carnival rides, hayrides, midway games, prizes, and food vendors.
WANT TO GO? $15 includes carnival rides; prices vary for other activities. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

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