Things to Do with the Kids This Weekend in NYC

A young child wth thick curly blond hair holding a box over their head at Steamfest, one of the things to do with kids in NYC this weekend
STEAMFest. Photo Credit: Peter-Seo

Looking for things to do with kids in NYC this weekend?

At a Glance:

  • STEM + museums: FiDi STEAMfest, MOFAD, CMOM, ARTECHOUSE’
  • Shows + storytime: Puppetsburg, Morgan Library
  • Lunar New Year fun: The Met + Hudson Yards performances
  • Get active: NYC Parks sports celebration + Figure Skating in Harlem
  • Winter extras: Bryant Park Village, Space Glide, bumper cars, PAC-MAN, chocolate-making, roller skating

The weather forecasters say it may snow again this weekend, and if it does,  it’ll be light (an inch at most), and not the wallop we got a couple of weeks ago. The good thing is that there are a lot of indoor family activities to keep your kids busy.

And yes, it’s also Super Bowl weekend, but if the game’s not your thing, check out Super Bowl Alternatives: Fun Ideas for Families in NYC!

Remember to check out our full lineup of fun family activities in our Calendar of Events.

Fun Things to Do and Family Events Taking Place This Weekend

AKC Meet The Breeds

From Affenpinschers to Yorkshire Terriers and everything in between! AKC Meet the Breeds®, the nation’s largest educational dog extravaganza, gives dog lovers a unique opportunity to meet, play with, and learn about hundreds of dogs!
Feb. 7 & 8 9 am – 4 pm
Jacob Javits Convention Center, 429 11th Ave.

2nd Annual FiDi STEAMfest

FiDi STEAMfest is a high-energy, hands-on celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math for kids ages 1–12. Hosted by Pine Street School in partnership with NORY, it features interactive stations where children can explore robotics, coding, circuitry, design challenges, and sensory-rich experiments. Free with RSVP.
February 7, 10 am – noon
Pine Street School, 25 Pine St.

Puppetsburg at Time Out Market

Puppetsburg brings its interactive, imagination-packed puppet adventures to Time Out Market Union Square with a rotating lineup of themed shows families can enjoy while exploring the market’s culinary offerings.
Saturdays, 10 am through Feb. 14
Time Out Market Union Square, 124 E 14th St.

Family First Saturdays | Storytime at the Morgan: BIPOC Voices

Leap off the page with our hour-long family program geared towards younger visitors. Explore the Morgan with a picture book storytime and a related tour or art activity. The February theme is BIPOC voices in the collection.
February 7, 11 am – noon
The Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Ave.

National Girls & Women in Sports Day Celebration

Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day with activities for all ages! Join NYC Parks for soccer, basketball, volleyball, fitness and dance classes, arts and crafts, jumbo games, and more.
February 7, 11 am – 2 pm
Chelsea Recreation Center, 430 West 25 St.

Lunar New Year Performances at Hudson Yards

Enjoy traditional lion dance, ribbon dance, and Shaolin Kung Fu performances from The New York Chinese Cultural Center in the Great Room on Level 1.
Feb. 7, 21 1 pm, 3 pm & 5 pm
The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, 20 Hudson Yards

Feeding Freedom: Cook in Power Celebration

From 10–11:30 am, kids and families will build “plates” of favorite foods using provided materials, toys, and craft supplies while exploring how food connects to family and culture through storytime and creative play. From 1–3 pm, teens and young adults will dive into food and identity through zine-making, games, and guided discussion, creating and sharing their own food stories.
Feb. 7 10 – 11:30 am & 1 – 3 pm
Museum of Food and Drink, 55 Water St., Brooklyn

Figure Skating in Harlem presents “2026 Winter Skating Party – Soul on Ice”

Figure Skating of Harlem hosts the 2026 Annual Winter Skating Party – Soul on Ice. This joyful community tradition is back where it belongs and bigger than ever. Bring your family and friends for a fun-filled day on the ice, exciting performances, and a chance to skate alongside the stars of the Emmy-nominated Disney+ Harlem Ice series. All proceeds support Figure Skating in Harlem’s award-winning academic and skating programs.
February 7, 3 pm – 6 pm
Gottesman Center at Davis Rink, 110 Lenox Ave.

Best Friends Animal Society Hosts Puppy Bowl Watch Party

Looking for a way to include your dog in the Super Bowl Sunday fun? Grab your friends (human and canine) and join Best Friends Animal Society at Boris & Horton for a Puppy Bowl viewing party! Enjoy a special Super Bowl-themed menu available for purchase, plus free pup cups and Get Joy goodie bags for the first 50 pups at kickoff.
February 8, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Boris & Horton,195 Avenue A

Family Program: I Love NYC

This Family Program takes inspiration from the Times Square Love & Design Competition, which invites architecture firms to design a Valentine sent from the heart of Times Square. Look at recent winning designs, and then families will design and build their own models of 3D Valentines for NYC. Family Programs are designed for children ages 5–13 years old, accompanied by an adult.
February 7, 11 am – 4 pm
Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place

Lunar New Year Festival: The Year of the Horse

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will host their annual Lunar New Year Festival in celebration of the Year of the Horse. The Museum-wide festival will honor Lunar New Year traditions from across Asia and feature artist-led workshops, performances, and interactive activities for participants of all ages.
February 7, noon – 5 pm
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave.

ASL-interpreted Shabbat Morning Service

Join another sign-language-interpreted Shabbat Morning Service — both in-person and on Zoom! RSVP is strongly encouraged.
February 7, 9:30 am – noon
Town & Village Synagogue, 334 East 14th St.

Stories Take the Stage

Books leap off the page, and heroes come to life with the kick off of Black History Month, featuring creativity and storytelling, and a special read-aloud for World Read Aloud Day!
Tuesdays – Sundays 10 am – 5 pm through Feb. 8
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W 83rd St.

SUBMERGE: Beyond the Render

SUBMERGE: Beyond the Render is a family-friendly immersive digital art experience at ARTECHOUSE that lets parents and kids explore colorful, larger-than-life worlds created by award-winning artists using cutting-edge technology.
Through March 1, noon – 7 pm
ARTECHOUSE NYC, 439 W 15th St.

Psst… Check Out Free Kid and Family Activities in NYC: 10 Free Things to Do This Week

Space Glide at the New York Hall of Science

“Space Glide”, an immersive skating experience set in deep space, has landed at the New York Hall of Science! The indoor rink is made of “Glice,” an eco-friendly, polymer-based, ice-like substance, which does not require skates. Visitors can glide in booties provided by NYSCI, making it fun and accessible to all ages and skill levels.  The rink will feature projections onto the Glice and around the room to simulate floating through space. 
Through Feb. 22, 2026, Wednesdays – Sundays 10 am – 5 pm; (Feb. 16 & 17, 10 am – 5 pm)
New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Bryant Park transforms into the Bank of America Winter Village. Returning in style with its signature mix of skating, shopping, and festive cheer, this year’s Bank of America Winter Village will dazzle with a host of events and activities for visitors of all ages.
Through March 1, 2026, 8 am – 10 pm
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, 41st St. and 6th Ave.

The Chocolate Makery @ The Jewish Children’s Museum

A five-sense experience, of learning how chocolate is made from pod to delicious creamy chocolate, where kids join in the fun to harvest cocoa pods, grind and roast the beans. It ends in a crescendo of decorating their very own delicious chocolate creation.
Through Feb. 18, all day
Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Pkwy., Brooklyn

Celebrate 45 Years of PAC-MAN at The Paley Museum

Join Paley for a retro-cool family day packed with games, creativity, and classic arcade fun. Meet PAC-MAN, jump into gameplay, snap a photo with the world’s favorite hungry hero, and get crafty with PAC-MAN–inspired arts and crafts.
Through May 31, Wednesdays – Sundays, noon – 6 pm
The Paley Museum, 25 West 52 St.

Bumper Cars on Ice at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

They’re back! This seasonal favorite, Bumper Cars on Ice, returns to The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park for guests to bump, slide, and spin on the ice.
Through Feb. 28, Mondays – Saturdays 2 – 10 pm, Sundays, 9:20 am – 5:20 pm
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, 41st Street and 6th Ave

Empire Skate of Mind

Empire Skate of Mind brings roller skating to BCM’s rooftop terrace—disco music, all-ages fun, and a nod to the legendary Empire Roller Rink that made skating history in the neighborhood.
Through April 12, 2026, Saturdays & Sundays 10 am – 5 pm, Wednesdays – Fridays, 2 – 5 pm
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave.

Psst… Check Out Free Things to Do in NYC in the Winter 

Looking for even more family fun? Be sure to check out our comprehensive calendar of events, updated daily with the latest happenings across Brooklyn and beyond, from festivals and performances to free local activities for all ages.

The Lowdown on Kids’ Activities in NYC

Is it worth going to New York with kids?

Absolutely! Taking kids to New York City is always a great idea. The city is packed with kid-friendly things, especially on weekends, and parks and playgrounds are plentiful. There are amazing museums and zoos, carousels to ride, and food on every corner. That said, it’s a busy place: it’s loud, there’s a lot of walking, and it can be overwhelming if you try to do everything.

It’s better to plan just one main activity each day, leave time for playgrounds and snacks, and not stress about seeing it all. Truthfully, the little moments are what kids tend to remember most, like riding the subway, running around Central Park, or spotting dinosaurs at the museum. These stick with them more than checking off every big landmark.

Where are good places to take a child in NYC?

When you’re visiting New York City with kids, the goal is to keep things easy and fun for everyone, including yourself!. If you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, Central Park is a go-to. Kids love Heckscher Playground, and there’s always something new to see at the Central Park Zoo.

Brooklyn Bridge Park is another favorite. It has big open spaces and playgrounds, and the views of Manhattan are stunning, plus you’re right by the water.

Rainy or cold day? Weekend or weekday, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the American Museum of Natural History are both winners and stroller-friendly! If you’re just looking to squeeze in some quick fun, hop on the SeaGlass Carousel, wander around Little Island, or visit a neighborhood playground (there are SO many). Then treat yourselves to authentic NYC pizza or ice cream nearby. Picking one main activity, planning for snack and bathroom breaks, and calling it a day before anyone gets tired is the real NYC parenting hack.

Looking for even more family fun? Be sure to check out our comprehensive calendar of events, updated daily with the latest happenings across NYC and beyond, from holiday events and new attractions to performances and free local activities for all ages.

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