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 Toddlers in Rhythm
WHEN: Feb. 7-28, Fridays, 4pm
WHERE: New York Public Library—53rd Street, 18 W. 53rd St., Midtown
AGES: Newborn to 5
WHAT: In this movement workshop for little ones, we explore the fundamentals of rhythm and movement, using the lens of African Dance. Listening to the beat of a live drummer, participants and their caretakers have fun exploring their range of movement and feeling how the rhythm moves them to their core!
WANT TO GO? https://nypl.org/locations/53rd-street.
The Brave Little Tailor
WHEN: Feb. 22-29, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm
WHERE: Galli Theater, 74 Warren St., New York
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: The hero in this story is armed with wit, cunning, and a sense of humor, and he conquers all before him, including giants, a unicorn, and a princess.
WANT TO GO? $20 adults; $15 children. 212-731-0668. gallitheaternyc.com.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 29, 11am
WHERE: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St., New York
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Three beloved stories by Eric Carle, award-winning children's book illustrator and author, are retold on stage through the magic of black light and fanciful puppets.
WANT TO GO? $30. 212-220-1460. https://tribecapac.org/event/the-very-hungry-caterpillar/.
FASTELAVN WORKSHOP
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 29, 2pm
WHERE: Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave., Murray Hill
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Join for Scandinavia House’s celebration of this holiday, which includes dress-up, traditional games, goodies, and songs.
WANT TO GO? $12. 212-779-3587. scandinaviahouse.org.
FREE National Girls & Women in Sports Day: She's on Point!
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 29, 11am-3pm
WHERE: Chelsea Recreation Center, 430 W. 25th St., Chelsea
AGES: All
WHAT: Challenge yourself with sports like handball, basketball, water aerobics, and jumbo games, plus an obstacle course!
WANT TO GO? 212-255-3705. nycgovparks.org.
Family Workshop: African Dance
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 29, 12pm and 4:30pm
WHERE: New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Experience the power, grace and culture of African Dance, from drumming to movement!
WANT TO GO? $19. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.
Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 29, 11am
WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St., Upper West Side
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Lucy Kalantari is a songwriter, composer and producer based in Brooklyn, making jazz age inspired music for families.
WANT TO GO? $14-17. 212-864-5400. https://symphonyspace.org/events/just-kidding-lucy-kalantari-and-the-jazz-cats-1.
Weekly Powerful Meditation to Manifest Your Best Life
WHEN: Through March 8: Sundays, 6-6:30pm
WHERE: Bode NYC Upper East Side, 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.
How to Eat Like a Child… and other lessons in not being a grown-up
WHEN: Through March 8: Saturday and Sundays, 2pm and 4pm, plus select other dates
WHERE: TADA! Youth Theater, 15 W. 28th St., Chelsea
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Children and adults will laugh along to comical numbers such as How to Torture Your Sister, How to Beg for a Dog, How to Understand Your Parents, How to Stay Home from School, and more.
WANT TO GO? $30 adults; $15 children. 212-252-1619. tadatheater.com.
The Pop Ups
WHEN: Sunday, March 1, 11:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Catch the high energy of the Grammy-nominated band The Pop Ups as they light up the stage in a special unplugged acoustic concert with their musician friends. Experience live drawing with sound, hilarious puppets, and an epic costume party just in time for Purim!
WHY WE LOVE IT: Hear favorites from their hit albums Giants of Science, Radio Jungle, and more.
WANT TO GO? $18; free for children younger than 19 (includes Museum admission). 212-423-3200. thejewishmuseum.org.
Broadway Playhouse: Stephen Schwartz
WHEN: Sunday, March 1, 11am
WHERE: Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 W. 67th St., New York
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Celebrate composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz with songs and scenes from his hit musicals Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin.
WANT TO GO? $20. 212-501-3330. https://kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/broadway-playhouse-stephen-schwartz2/.
CMS Kids: Who is Brahms?
WHEN: Sunday, March 1, 11am and 3pm
WHERE: Daniel And Joanna S. Rose Studio, 165 West 65th St., 10th floor, Upper West Side
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Each CMS Kids program is an inclusive concert experience adapted for neurodiverse audiences, including children with autism or other special needs. These performances are presented in a judgment-free environment, and are less formal and more supportive of sensory, communication, movement, and learning needs.
WANT TO GO? $25. 212-875-5788. https://chambermusicsociety.org/nyc/events/upcoming/cms-kids-march-1-2020-11/.
Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival)
WHEN: Sunday, March 1, 1-2pm
WHERE: Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., Midtown
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Celebrate the early-spring tradition of families wishing for the health and happiness of young girls in Japan. Each year, grand collections of beautiful hina dolls are put out on display.
WHY WE LOVE IT: See an authentic collection of these traditional dolls and join in on Hinamatsuri crafts.
WANT TO GO? $12; $8 members. 212-715-1275. https://japansociety.org/event/creative-play.
Japanese Folk Dancing
WHEN: Sunday, March 1, 2:30-4pm
WHERE: Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Learn, create, and dance with the Hanagasa Kai group from the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York.
WANT TO GO? $15; free for children younger than 2. 212-832-1155. japansociety.org.
Weaving Inspired by Phyllis Yao
WHEN: March 1-5, see event for schedule
WHERE: Children's Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Soho
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Take inspiration from Phyllis’ artwork and make your own weavings.
WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission: $13; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.
FREE Storytime at the JCC
WHEN: Wednesday, March 11, see event for schedule
WHERE: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side
AGES: 3-5, Adult
WHAT: Celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions in a monthly storytime featuring the PJ Library's rich selection of books, stories, and songs for children.
WANT TO GO? 646-505-5708. https://jccmanhattan.org/programs/storytime-0?utm_source=iyc&utm_medium=nymetro&utm_campaign=storytimeW20.
Drumfolk
WHEN: Through March 15: see website for days and times
WHERE: New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: From hambone to hip-hop, an extraordinary ensemble of dancers, drummers and musicians takes us from West Africa to Washington, D.C., to reveal the hidden histories and resounding rhythms that transformed America.
WANT TO GO? $17 and up. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.
FREE imagiNATIONS Activity Center
WHEN: Through March 16: daily, 10am-4:30pm
WHERE: National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, Lower Manhattan
AGES: All
WHAT: Visitors of all ages will explore Native scientific discoveries and inventions so ingenious many continue to affect the modern world.
WANT TO GO? 212-514-3700. americanindian.si.edu.
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-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/.
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.
