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 Retro Video Game Day
WHEN: Jan. 3-31, Fridays, 3:30pm
WHERE: Grand Central Library, 135 E. 46th St., Midtown
AGES: 13-17
WHAT: Have a blast with those old school 8, 16, and 32 bit consoles, games, and controllers you all love. All you have to bring is you and your skills!
WANT TO GO? 212-621-0670. nypl.org.
FREE Bilingual Birdies Mandarin Series
WHEN: Jan. 17-31, Friday 1/17 and 1/31, 11:15am
WHERE: New York Public Library - Seward Park Branch, 192 East Broadway, Lower East Side
AGES: Newborn-5
WHAT: Bilingual Birdies will take families on a magical journey to learn words in Mandarin and explore fun new themes!
WANT TO GO? https://nypl.org/locations/seward-park.
Infants & Young Children Family Shabbat Dinner
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 31, 5:30-7:00pm
WHERE: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave, Upper West Side
AGES: 3-5, Adult
WHAT: Share the joy of celebrating Shabbat with family and friends! Join for open play and an interactive sing-along followed by blessings and a delicious dinner. Pre-registration required.
WANT TO GO? $18 per person; free for children younger than 2. 6465055708. https://jccmanhattan.org/programs/infants-young-children-family-shabbat-dinner-0?utm_source=iyc&utm_medium=nymetro&utm_campaign=iycshabbatw20.
FREE Winter Jam
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 1, 11am-3pm, weekends
WHERE: Rumsey Playfield at Central Park, Enter at East 72nd Street, Central Park
AGES: All
WHAT: Partners at Gore Mountain will blow a mini mountain of snow in the heart of Manhattan, creating an urban wonderland for all to enjoy! Families will experience live ice carving, snowshoeing, curling, ice bowling, flag football, puppet making, photo ops, and a heated New York Public Library Reading Room.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Enter the drawing for a chance to get free Learn to Ski Lessons!
WANT TO GO? 212-360-8213. nycgovparks.org.
Lunar New Year Festival: Year of the Rat
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 1, 11:00am-5:00pm
WHERE: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: All
WHAT: May art bring you good fortune! Mark the Year of the Rat, one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, with performances, interactive gallery activities, and artist-led workshops. For all ages.
WANT TO GO? FREE with museum admission ($25 adults; $12 students; free for children younger than 12). 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.
FREE Lunar New Year
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2-3pm
WHERE: Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St., Financial District
AGES: All
WHAT: A dynamic Lion Parade led by lion dancers launches an afternoon filled with bursts of energy and color with traditional Chinese dance and music, a martial arts demonstration, and theatrical players in full traditional make-up and regalia!
WANT TO GO? 212-978-1673. https://bfplny.com/event/lunar-new-year.
Big Apple Circus
WHEN: Through Feb. 2: see website for showtimes
WHERE: Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: World renowned for its intimate one-ring and artistic style, Big Apple Circus is passionate about revitalizing the circus with unique and astounding human feats, innovative design, and technology.
WHY WE LOVE IT: All your classic circus delights in a climate-controlled Big Top tent with tiered seating, perfect for families with young children.
WANT TO GO? $45 and up; free for children younger than 3 (on lap). 212-721-6500. https://bigapplecircus.com/.
The Transfiguration Of Benjamin Banneker
WHEN: Jan. 23-Feb. 2, Thursdays through Saturdays, 7:00p; Sundays, 3:00pm
WHERE: La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, 66 E 4th Street, NEW YORK
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: The Transfiguration of Benjamin Banneker is a multi-disciplinary spectacle with a marching band, dancers, 12-foot puppets, shadow puppetry and moving projection screens. This event celebrates the life of Benjamin Banneker, a free black man living in Maryland from 1731 to 1806, who had a passion for the stars, taught himself mathematics and astronomy, and made important scientific discoveries.
WANT TO GO? See website for details. (212) 254-6468. http://lamama.org/benjamin-banneker/.
Thunderbird American Indian Dancers' in Concert!
WHEN: Jan. 24-Feb. 2, Fridays and Saturdays, 8:00pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 3:00pm
WHERE: Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., East Village
AGES: All
WHAT: There will be dances, stories, and traditional music from Native Peoples of the Northeast, Southwest, and Great Plains regions.
WHY WE LOVE IT: The event has become a treasured New York tradition for celebrating our diversity by honoring the culture of our first Americans.
WANT TO GO? $15. 212-254-1109. theaterforthenewcity.net.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr. Performance
WHEN: Jan. 31-Feb. 2, See website for days and times
WHERE: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: All
WHAT: This adaptation of the treasured animated film will charm its way into your heart.
WANT TO GO? $15 and up. 212-415-5500. 92y.org.
The Princess and the Pea
WHEN: Feb. 1-2, Saturday and Sunday; 2:00pm
WHERE: Galli Theater, 74 Warren St, New York
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Prince Prince is looking for a princess. After a failed attempt at speed dating, the right woman shows up at his door. Only the Royal Pea Test will reveal if she is a true princess.
WANT TO GO? $20 adults; $15 children. 212-731-0668. gallitheaternyc.com.
Chinese New Year Family Festival
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 2, 12:00-4:00pm
WHERE: China Institute: Downtown, 100 Washington St., Financial District
AGES: All
WHAT: Kick off the Year of the Rat with China Institute’s signature Lunar New Year Celebration for families. The festival opens with a lion dance followed by New Year-themed workshops and activities including dumpling making, lantern-making, educational workshops, interactive storytelling, paper cutting, New Year treats, crafts, and a special Year of the Rat puppet show by Chinese Theatre Works.
WANT TO GO? FREE to enter; some events require fees ($5-$20). 212-744-8181. chinainstitute.org.
SUDS
WHEN: Feb. 1-9, Weekends, 11:00am and 2:00pm
WHERE: Clark Studio Theater, 165 West 65th Street, 7th Floor, New York
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: All are welcome at this immersive, multisensory theatrical experience that takes the seemingly mundane task of going to the laundromat and transforms it into an exhilarating adventure filled with water, soap, and bubbles. Adventure Guides are paired with audience members to tailor the production to their unique needs and interests. SUDS is specially created for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
WANT TO GO? $25 (Member Price $18). 2128755375. http://lincolncenter.org/kids?_ga=2.80949207.1761371398.1568035735-1607202316.1554131208.
Packrat
WHEN: Jan. 31-Feb. 14, Fridays and Saturdays; 7:30pm
WHERE: Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie Street, New York
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Inspired by the classic novel Watership Down, and commissioned by Dixon Place, PACKRAT is a puppet-forward new multi-media play that contemplates humanity's relationship with the natural world.
WANT TO GO? $19 in advance; $22 at the door. (212) 219-0736. http://dixonplace.org/.
The Whodunit at the Met Family Scavenger Hunt
WHEN: Jan. 4-Feb. 19, Saturday, 1/4 and 1/18, 10:30am; Wednesday 2/19, 10:30am
WHERE: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: In this mischievous mystery, kids and adults team up to search great works of art to expose a killer. For ages 10 and older.
WANT TO GO? $39 adults; $31 kids ages 10-17 (includes Museum admission). 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.
FREE Discovery Walks For Families: Harlem Meer
WHEN: Jan. 4-Feb. 21, 1/4, 1/19, 1/26, 2/1, 2/15, 2/18, 2/19, 2/21, 11:00am
WHERE: Central Park - Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues, Central Park
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Learn about how the area has changed over time, the plants and animals that live there today, and how the Conservancy cares for this complex ecosystem.
WANT TO GO? 212-860-1370. http://centralparknyc.org/events/individual-events/Discovery-Walks-for-Families-North-Woods-11-7-2015-1.html.
FREE Read-to-Skate StoryTime
WHEN: Jan. 11-Feb. 22, Saturdays, 11:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Read and sing along with Cali Co Cat and earn a free skate rental!
WANT TO GO? 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org.
FREE Discovery Walk for Families: Shakespeare Garden
WHEN: Jan. 19-Feb. 23, 1/19, 2/1, 2/19, 2/23, 11:00am
WHERE: Central Park: Belvedere Castle, Central Park, mid-Park at 79th Street, Central Park
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Bring your whole family for a guided walk through Shakespeare Garden, which features flowers included in the writer’s great works.
WANT TO GO? 212-772-0210. centralparknyc.org/events/individual-events/Discovery-Walks-for-Families-Ramble-11-14-2015-1.html.
Weekly Powerful Meditation to Manifest Your Best Life
WHEN: Through March 8: Sundays, 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.
FREE imagiNATIONS Activity Center
WHEN: Jan. 1- March 16, daily, 10:00am-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.
Planet Play
WHEN: Through April 24: select Saturdays, 9:30am (see website for dates)
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 (no session Sept. 20)
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?
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.
