Looking for things to do with kids in NYC this weekend?
From hands-on museums and live shows to indoor winter fun and free family events, this weekend’s lineup is packed with kid-friendly activities.
At a Glance:
- Hands-on museum programs, creative workshops, and family films
- Live entertainment, including theater, dance, music, and puppet shows
- High-energy fun like skating, bumper cars on ice, and immersive play experiences
- Plenty of indoor, winter-friendly outings for cold or snowy days
- A solid mix of free events, low-cost activities, and special-ticket experiences across the city
With snow on the horizon yet again, it’s a good idea to make your weekend plans early. There is a lot of great indoor entertainment and just plain fun happening on Saturday and Sunday.
Plus, New York Family is hosting two great Camp Fairs this weekend: Brooklyn Family Ultimate Camp Fair & Activity Expo at Industry City and Long Island Family Ultimate Camp Fair & Activity Expo – Cradle of Aviation. You’ll learn about all the many camp options for your kids, and this year, there will even be promotions, games, raffles, arts & crafts, face paintings, and more—all for free!
Remember to check out our full lineup of fun family activities in our Calendar of Events.
Autism-Friendly Access Workshops
Join the artists of New York City Ballet in these movement workshops designed especially for children with autism ages 4-12 and their families. During these one-hour events, children will be guided in a ballet-based warm-up and choreography inspired by a featured ballet being performed this season. Workshops feature live piano accompaniment, and a designated quiet space will be available. A visual schedule will be sent prior to the event to give your child advance notice of what will be happening during the workshop.
Jan. 24 and 31, 1 – 2 pm
New York City Ballet Rehearsal Studios Samuel B. & David Rose Building
165 West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam
Family Program: New Year, New Buildings!
Learn about how NYC’s iconic skyline will be changing in 2026, as well as the process of approval for building something new in the city. Then, create your own building spires out of paper, cardboard, and construction materials. All ages welcome.
January 24, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place
Psst… Check Out How to Build the Perfect Snowman in NYC
KoKo NYC Makers Workshop
Join KoKo NYC for a sustainable makers workshop and inventors lab! Led by teaching artists, kids and their families will hone their skills and experiment with recycled materials, found objects, and textiles to bring their ideas to life.
January 24, 10:30 am – noon
6 River Terrace
Children’s Access Workshops
Join the artists of New York City Ballet in these movement workshops designed especially for children with physical disabilities and movement challenges, for ages 4-12.
Jan. 24, 11 am – noon
New York City Ballet Rehearsal Studios Samuel B. & David Rose Building,165 West 65th St
The Grandest Princess Ball Ever
Step into a fairytale straight from a princess story at American Immersion Theater’s Grandest Princess Ball Ever. A royal celebration awaits you and your family with delightful desserts, singing, dancing, games, and a whole lot of magic. This enchanting family-centric event hosts sing-alongs, games, princess/prince lessons, makeovers, a yummy dessert bar, and more.
Jan. 24 & 25, 31 & Feb. 1, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Carmine’s – Times Square, 200 W 44th St.
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.
BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play
Tony-nominated choreographer Camille A. Brown shines a spotlight on sisterly love, unfurling the joys and complexities of Black girlhood. Across three dynamic duets, the rhythmic play of schoolyard games and adolescent feuds gives way to nurturing friendships forged in common struggle.
Jan. 24 through Feb. 1, Saturdays and Sundays, 2 pm; Saturdays, 7 pm
The New Victory Theater, 209 W 42nd St.
Walking Tour: “All-of-a-Kind Family”
Follow in the footsteps of Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and Gertie, the beloved sisters depicted in Sydney Taylor’s children’s classic All-of-a-Kind Family. Stroll through the story and into the streets to learn about the real-life people and Lower East Side places that inspired Taylor to write All-of-a-Kind Family.
Jan. 25, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St.
Latin Percussion Family Jam
Families are invited to experience Latin Percussion in all its forms and learn from the best. Grammy-winning percussionist Reinaldo DeJesus, and drummer, composer, and woodwind player Martin Vejarano come together to introduce you to the world of Latin Percussion.
January 25, 2 pm – 3 pm
Third Street Music School Settlement, 235 East 11th 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.
Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In A Play!”
Get ready for a musical experience, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved, award-winning, best-selling children’s books, that will leave audiences doing the “Flippy Floppy Floory” dance all night long! In Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”,
Through Feb. 1, Saturdays & Sundays 11 am – noon, and 4 – 5 pm
Atlantic Stage 2, 330 West 16th 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
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.
The Tortoise & the Hare
This classic fable comes to life as a shadow, rod & hand puppet show adapted by Nicolas Coppola.
Through Jan. 25, 2026, Saturdays & Sundays, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
Puppetworks Inc, 338 Sixth Ave. at 4th St., Brooklyn
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.
