Things to Do with Kids in NYC this Weekend

Plan your kids' best weekend yet in Manhattan!

By NYMetroParents Staff May 3, 2021

Enjoy these fun things to do with your kids in New York City this weekend. Start planning your weekend now with our editorially curated list of happenings for kids and families.

*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 storytimes and concerts to museum exhibits, crafts activities, seasonal events, and more, 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 (virtual and in-person) 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, Tribeca, the Bronx, and Lower Manhattan. You can also find weekend fun in ourBrooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland—and check out our Manhattan calendar for hundreds of things to do each month!

ONLINE Feathers of Fire--The Movie

WHEN: Jun. 4 - 4, Anytime
WHERE: Vimeo, 155 First Ave., New York, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

"Feathers of Fire--The Movie" is an ingenious production of theater-on-film, conceived and directed by Hamid Rahmanian. It is intended for audiences aged 5 to 105. This film is a video version of "Feathers of Fire," the most elaborate shadow theater experience ever created, which was presented by BAM and other venues worldwide from 2016-2018 and won the UNIMA USA award for excellence in live performance and design. The plot is an action-packed tale of two star-crossed lovers of old Persia, based on a story from Shahnameh (the Persian Book of Kings). Zaul, an outcast albino boy, is brought up by a bird-goddess and grows up into a wise ruler. He enters into a forbidden love with Rudabeh, a princess who is the granddaughter of the dreaded Serpent King. Their young, impetuous romance survives many precarious adventures before they finally receive blessings for their union. When they ultimately have a child, it is Rostam, "the Hercules of Iran." Aspects of the story are reminiscent of "Romeo and Juliet," "Rapunzel," "The Firebird" and "Jungle Book." The piece is created and directed by Hamid Rahmanian, a 2014 Guggenheim fellowship-winning filmmaker/visual artist living in Brooklyn. It is endorsed by Francis Ford Coppola, who called the production "Fantastic! One of the greatest epics of all time and my favorite Shahnameh brought to life in a spectacular fashion by Hamid Rahmanian with shadow puppets design and cinematic wizardry."

WANT TO GO? $4.95. 212-924-0496.
Click Here for More Information.

POST-PAUSE Cruises

WHEN: Aug. 11 - 11, 8:30am-5pm, daily
WHERE: Castle Clinton, Battery Park, New York, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: A trip on Statue Cruises to Liberty Island allows individuals to enjoy Liberty Island with plenty of outdoor space to safely explore the island and the spectacular views of New York Harbor. WANT TO GO? $19.25; $14 seniors 62 and older; $9 children 4-12 years; free for children three years and younger. 877-523-9849.
Click Here for More Information.

IN PERSON Juggling FREE

WHEN: Feb. 3 - May. 22, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 12pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Bryant Park Jugglers throughout the year for a free juggling lesson! WANT TO GO? 212-768-4242.
Click Here for More Information.

ARTECHOUSE NYC

WHEN: Mar. 1 - Sep. 6, 10am-10pm, daily
WHERE: ARTECHOUSE, 439 W 15th Street, Chelsea, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: ARTECHOUSE presents large-scale exhibitions and installations that inspire wonder, awe, curiosity, and connection. WANT TO GO? $24; $20, Students, Seniors (65+), Military & First Responders; $17 children 4-15; free for children younger than 4.
Click Here for More Information.

IN PERSON Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation

WHEN: Mar. 10 - Jun. 30, 10:15am, 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm, 3:15pm, 4:30pm
WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W., Upper West Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

The Museum’s LeFrak Theater has reopened at a limited capacity! Now screening is the giant-screen film Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation. Go on an adrenaline-filled trip across the globe, from Hawaii’s recent Kilauea eruption to the archaeological ghost town of Pompeii, to discover how volcanoes have created extraordinary ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Did you know? More than half of the world's named volcanoes occur around the Ring of Fire, along the Pacific Ocean. Learn more fascinating volcano facts in Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation. Timed-entry tickets must be reserved in advance.

Photo: SK Films

WANT TO GO? Included with admission: $28; $22.50 for seniors and students; $16.50 for children. 212-769-5100.
Click Here for More Information.

Spring Up FREE

WHEN: Apr. 15 - Jun. 20, 11am-8pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Spring as you shop, eat and enjoy the sunshine! WANT TO GO?
Click Here for More Information.

Urban Farm Exploration Days! FREE

WHEN: Apr. 21 - Oct. 17, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Urban Farm at Randall's Island Park, 20 Randall's Island Park, Wards Meadow Loop, Randall's Island, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Explore the Randall's Island Urban Farm’s variety of crops, rice paddies, fragrant herbs, and meet the chickens too! WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899.
Click Here for More Information.

Life Forces FREE

WHEN: Apr. 26 - Jun. 30,
WHERE: Rockefeller Center Plaza, 48th Street , between 5th-6th Avenues, Midtown, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Don't just see, experience this new art installation! WANT TO GO?
Click Here for More Information.

A Year with Children 2021

WHEN: Apr. 30 - Jun. 20, Thursdays–Mondays, 11 am–6 pm
WHERE: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: A Year with Children 2021 will showcase selected artworks by New York City public-school students who participated in Learning Through Art. WANT TO GO? $25; $18 for students and seniors (65+) and visitors with disabilities; free for members and children 12 and younger. 212-423-3500.
Click Here for More Information.

IN PERSON Macy's Flower Show: Give Love Bloom FREE

WHEN: May. 2 - 16, Sunday-Thursday, 11am-8pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am-9pm
WHERE: Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th Street, Midtown, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Spring into the new season with the return of the Macy’s Flower Show! Give. Love. Bloom. will bring a floral celebration of fortitude to Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square. With the spirit of renewal and new days of hope on the horizon, Macy’s springtime celebration was reimagined to safely bring the magic of the season to life for guests in and around the iconic store. Give. Love. Bloom. this year’s themed presentation will feature magnificently landscaped gardens inspired by the feeling of hope for a brighter year ahead. For decades, Macy’s iconic Flower Show has enchanted generations of floral fans with over-the-top themed gardens that showcase millions of live flowers, plants, and trees from around the globe. Native to many different landscapes, Macy’s Flower Show offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy these florals blooming in unison, despite their distinct climatic DNA. The 2021 Macy’s Flower Show will be staged in distinct fashion with socially distanced displays and elements that will extend from the main floor and windows, outdoors to the surrounding landscape around the flagship store.

WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400.
Click Here for More Information.

La Familia FREE

WHEN: May. 5 - 22, 11am-7pm
WHERE: Black Wall Street Gallery, 361 Canal Street, Soho, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

See ‘La Familia,’ the solo exhibition of oil paintings by Jessica Alazraki, originally from Mexico City and now living in NYC, centers on portraits that celebrate Latinx culture by highlighting the role of the family in contemporary Latinx life. With her signature vibrant colors and decorative patterns, Alazraki’s paintings incorporate children, elders, animals and food, all around the central motif of the dining table, which translates the energy of the home in her depictions of domestic family narratives.

This is Alazraki’s fourth solo exhibition. She has participated in multiple group exhibitions, and has won several awards, most recently Emerging Artist Award, Jackson Painting Prize 2021; Queens Council on the Arts New Work Grant 2020; and named a finalist for the biennial Alexander Rutsch Painting Award, 2021.

Curated by Wanda Goudas and Black Wall Street Gallery Owner Dr. Ricco Wright, “La Familia” will open with a public reception from 7:00 - 9:00 pm on Wednesday, May 5.

WANT TO GO?
Click Here for More Information.

IN PERSON and ONLINE Puppetry Premiere: Unicorn Afterlife by Justin Perkins

WHEN: May. 5 - 8, 7:30pm; streaming performances available through May 18
WHERE: Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Dixon Place announces its Spring 2021 Production Season, premiering four commissioned puppetry productions performed for in-person and virtual audiences, with video on demand (VOD) streaming available immediately following the live premieres. A Unicorn, a beast of pure goodness and light, wakes in a black void and discovers, horrified, that it's dead; but in the hands of a team of puppeteers, it lives again and looks for a way to escape its past, and maybe escape its future too. Unicorn Afterlife is a grimy, synthesizer dream ballet about fantasy, greed, gender, glitter and the power of belief, designed and directed by Justin Perkins. Approx. run time: 60 minutes. Rated E for Everyone.

WANT TO GO? $10-$35. 646-765-4773.
Click Here for More Information.

Mother's Day Workshop

WHEN: May. 6 - 7, Thursday, 11am-12pm or Friday, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Speakitaly NYC, 49 West 28th street, FL 3, New York, NY
AGES: 3-12
WHAT:

La mamma e' sempre la mamma .. make something lovely for her and learn a beautiful "filastrocca". Advanced registration required.

WANT TO GO? $25. 212-603-9685.
Click Here for More Information.

Ajkun Ballet Theatre: Mother's Day at the Ballet

WHEN: May. 7 - 9, Friday, 7-8:30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2-3:30pm
WHERE: Open Jar Studios , 1601 Broadway , 11th Floor, Upper West Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Treat Mom to the most memorable ballet: Swan Lake. The love story of a White Swan and the scene stealer of the Black Swan's 32 fouettés.

WANT TO GO? $45. 347-346-9951.
Click Here for More Information.

Mother’s Day Cruises 2021

WHEN: May. 8 - 9, 12pm
WHERE: Event Cruises NYC, 299 South Street, New York City, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: This Mother's Day, skip the long lines at restaurants and cruise around NYC instead! WANT TO GO? from $99. 917-671-9710.
Click Here for More Information.

ONLINE Mother & Daughter Yoga on Zoom!

WHEN: Saturday, May. 8, 4-5pm
WHERE: Karma Kids Yoga, 16 Madison Sq West, NY, NY
AGES: 5-12
WHAT:

Connect and bond with your daughter in a fun, playful and meaningful way! You'llyoga, play games, practice partner poses and partner acrobatics, too! Class will wind down with restorative yoga using pillows and blankets, then deep relaxation including foot rubs for both moms and their girls. For ages 8 and up and their mommas (all moms welcome). You'll need a yoga mat for each person (if you're on a rug, that's fine), a few pillows and two blankets.

WANT TO GO? $20 per household. 646-638-1444.
Click Here for More Information.

IN PERSON Second Saturdays Trailwork Party + Bike Share FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May. 8, 10am-3pm
WHERE: Highbridge Bike Park, 131 Ft George Ave. , Washington Heights, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Dig, then ride at NYCMTB's monthly welcome days at Highbridge Park in Manhattan! Bring your friends and family for a day of fun in the woods and learn what it takes to build, maintain, and ride the most progressive urban bike park in America! There will be light trail maintenance tasks for all ages from 10:00 a.m. to noon. All participants, NYCMTB members, or anyone with logged volunteer hours, receive a free 20-minute clinic and a guided ride throughout the trails from 12:30 p.m to 3:00 p.m. Bikes and helmets provided! Highbridge Park is the home of NYC's first Mountain Biking Course. The 3-mile course offers trails of varying difficulty from intermediate to expert and a free-ride trail that includes drops, steeps, and berms. The park also features a dirt jump park and pump track, making it a good place to develop different skills at all levels. The course has been featured in national media and is stewarded by volunteers just like you! Make this day your introduction to the park, or to the sport of off-road cycling. Interested volunteers are encouraged to participate regardless of age, ability or gender. There is something for everyone at Highbridge - It's NYC's bike park! Please bring water, sunscreen, bug repellant, and sturdy shoes or boots.

WANT TO GO? 734-358-2826.
Click Here for More Information.

IN PERSON Mother’s Day Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, May. 8, 3:45-4:45pm
WHERE: Speakitaly NYC, 49 West 28th street, FL 3, New York, NY
AGES: 3-12
WHAT:

La mamma e' sempre la mamma ..make something lovely for her and learn a beautiful "filastrocca". Advanced registration required.

WANT TO GO? $35. 212-603-9685.
Click Here for More Information.

ONLINE Mother's Day Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, May. 8, 1pm
WHERE: Zoom & Bloom, , , NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Create a beautiful Seder centerpiece with family and friends near and far. A luxurious box of blooms, a vessel and the tools you need to make a lush arrangement will arrive the morning of 3/25. Simply follow the instructions on the enclosed care card, hydrate your flowers and join this live, virtual workshop. No experience is needed to create a centerpiece you’ll be proud to put on your table. Flowers will be both seasonal and spectacular - sourced from our favorite farms worldwide. Gather a group of friends, log on with distant family and safely celebrate the upcoming holiday with style. Advanced registration required.

What’s Included? Luxurious blooms sourced from the best farms around the world, A designer vessel, Professional clippers, rose stripper and other necessary tools, A care card explaining how to easily process your flowers, Overnight delivery within the contiguous United States and a live, virtual workshop with NYC floral designer, who’s work is featured on TLC. Retail Value: $325

WANT TO GO? $265. 646-765-6579.
Click Here for More Information.

ONLINE From Simple Shapes to Skyscrapers: Family Programs at the Skyscraper Museum FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May. 8, 11am
WHERE: The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, New York, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Simple shapes and basic numbers are at the core of all tall towers. Join the The Skyscraper Museum for a deep dive into the floor plans and facades of supertall skyscrapers as we find their hidden shapes and count their floors! Virtual, Zoom. All ages welcome. Advanced registration required.

WANT TO GO? 212-968-1961.
Click Here for More Information.

ADVENTURE TO NEVERLAND

WHEN: May. 8 - 9, 10am and 2pm
WHERE: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Join Peter Pan, Tinkerbelle, and Captain Hook as you fly away on a joyous journey to Neverland and an unforgettable adventure! Told boldly in dance by a company of four, this original 35-minute theatrical celebration highlights magical moments in movement.

WANT TO GO? $20. 212-415-5500.
Click Here for More Information.

ONLINE Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Virtual Scavenger Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, May. 8, 6-7:30pm
WHERE: Watson Adventures, , New York, NY
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT:

Grab your magic wands for a wizarding adventure that takes you to museums across America in search of art that echoes characters, places, and magical objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies, all without leaving your home. You'll track down slithering serpents, Hagrid-like giants and eerie figures as scary as any Dementor. This hunt references the books and provides a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art. For ages 10 and up. This game can be played either together or remotely with up to six players per team. Each team must have one adult.

WANT TO GO? $19 per person. 877-946-4868.
Click Here for More Information.

ONLINE Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Virtual Scavenger Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, May. 8, 6-7:30pm
WHERE: Watson Adventures, , New York, NY
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT:

WANT TO GO? $19 per person. 877-946-4868.
Click Here for More Information.

ONLINE Guggenheim Family Tours at Home: Matriarchs

WHEN: Sunday, May. 9, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: This interactive, family-friendly tour includes creative, hands-on activities designed to help families engage with each other. WANT TO GO? $15 per family; $10 for Guggenheim Members. 212-423-3500.
Click Here for More Information.

Fresh Air Sundays: Salsa on 2 with Yvonne Gutierrez FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May. 9, 1-2pm
WHERE: Abron Arts Center, 466 Grand St., at Pitt Street, Lower East Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Shine on with your mamita or mother figure! WANT TO GO? 212-598-0400.
Click Here for More Information.

The Amazing Mother's Day Scavenger Hunt

WHEN: Sunday, May. 9, 2-4pm (1:30pm registration)
WHERE: Central Park - Bethesda Fountain, 65th St Transverse Road & Central Park West, New York, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

POGO Events presents The Amazing Mother's Day Scavenger Hunt - part hunt, part obstacle course and ALL NEW YORK. A series of clues leads you around the city performing physical and mental challenges along the way. This hunt celebrates Mom's and all they do in a fun, interactive way! The hunt takes two hours. Please wear comfortable shoes. One member of the team should have a smart phone (either Android or I-Phone). The hunt is run through an app called ScanQuest. Please download that before you come to the event.

WANT TO GO? $25 per person. 718-344-8962.
Click Here for More Information.

Mother's Day NYC Landmarks Cruise

WHEN: Sunday, May. 9, 12pm
WHERE: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, 83 North River Piers, W 42nd St, New York, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Give mom the gift of quality time by taking her to experience the breathtaking views of Manhattan from the water on iconic NYC sightseeing cruise line, Circle Line. Use the discount code MOMSFREE21 to get a FREE ticket with every purchase. The fabulous New York City skyline will provide memorable backdrops for family photos in celebration of the special day, and beyond.

WANT TO GO? $37 comes with additional free ticket with code. 212-563-3200.
Click Here for More Information.

TNF's Mother's Day Tough Muddah

WHEN: Sunday, May. 9, 10:30am
WHERE: Riverside Park , West 74th Street, New York, NY
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Celebrate Mother's Day with an obstacle course meant for little ones and their mom. Make a craft gift, have some fun, get a medal and a goodie bag. WANT TO GO? $25 per child/parent team; $10 each additional child. 917-830-6485.
Click Here for More Information.

The GREEN FREE

WHEN: May. 10 - Sep. 30, 9am-12am
WHERE: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Visit "The GREEN" to relax and enjoy the open, park-like space, borrow books, enjoy snacks, and pop-up performances of all kinds. WANT TO GO? 212-875-5456.
Click Here for More Information.

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