Looking for things to do with kids in NYC this weekend?
There’s plenty to celebrate around the city this weekend. With Women’s History Month events and St. Patrick’s Day festivities on the horizon, families will find everything from hands-on museum programs and STEM activities to theater, skating, and interactive art experiences. And if you’re heading to the big parade with kids, don’t miss our guide on what to know before you go.
Scroll down for more super fun, family-friendly events!
At a Glance:
- Women’s History Month: Iconic Women’s Week, Girls in Science & Engineering Day
- Shows: Sail Away, The Hula Hoopin’ Queen
- STEM & Workshops: Pi Day at Museum of Ice Cream, Family STEAM Workshop
- Immersive Art & Museums: ARTECHOUSE, Color Factory
- Games & Activities: Grand Central Scavenger Hunt, PAC-MAN Celebration
- Outdoor Fun: Central Park Zoo Junior Keepers, Rooftop Roller Skating
Fun Things to Do and Family Events Taking Place This Weekend
Iconic Women’s Week
Celebrate Women’s History Month with creative, family-friendly activities honoring the courage and imagination of inspiring women. Enjoy music by eGALitarian Brass, make empowering crowns and self-portraits, or join a hands-on bandana design workshop with Meg Roberts to create a unique keepsake.
March 10 – 15, 10 am – 5 pm
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St.
Sail Away Presented by Treehouse Shakers
Journey with Treehouse Shakers on an oceanic discovery play for toddlers ages 18-24 months. Specifically tailored to the very early walkers, Sail Away is a mobile exploration experience piece for toddlers who want to wiggle, move, walk, and run, in a fully immersive first-time play experience.
March 13 & 14, 10 – 11 am & 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 W. 55 St.
Girls in Science and Engineering Day
Celebrate women, girls, and youth involved in engineering, science, technology, and aerospace! More than 20 organizations will lead hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and demonstrate real-world STEM applications, particularly in aerospace and engineering.
Intrepid Museum, West 46th St.
March 14, 11 am – 3 pm
Hablemos: Birds at the Museum
Visitors will explore how birds have been an inspiration for artists over the years. Throughout the different galleries of the museum, see how birds feature in art, whether it’s by accompanying a person in a portrait or decorating an object for daily use. From lamps and toys to paintings and watercolors, take part in this journey inside the museum as we discover the birds that inhabit The New York Historical.
March 14, 11:30 am – 1 pm
The New York Historical, 170 Central Park West
Mathnasium Pi Day Takeover at the Museum of Ice Cream
The iconic museum just got a Pi Day makeover! Museum of Ice Cream — an experiential brand that brings imagination and ice cream together through interactive installations — is teaming up with us to celebrate Pi (and pie à la mode!). Build Pi digit sequences, calculate the circumference of the perfect scoop, and enjoy a limited–time flavor, Mathnasium’s Ice Cream à la Pi, topped with pie crumbles.
March 13, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; March 14, 10 am – 8:30 pm
Museum of Ice Cream NYC, 558 Broadway
Blooming Wonders: A Celebration of Spring
This botanically inspired experience invites visitors to step inside a vibrant digital garden where pixels bloom, and art, technology, and nature converge in stunning, high-resolution projections and interactive visuals. Created by ARTECHOUSE Studio, an interdisciplinary team of designers, architects, producers, and storytellers, Blooming Wonders transforms the historic 100-year-old boiler room of Chelsea Market into a cutting-edge digital art space.
Through May 31 noon – 7 pm
ARTECHOUSE NYC, 439 W 15th St.
2026 Dance Reflections Workshops – Kids
Designed especially for children starting at age 6, these workshops are led by the very artists and dancers featured in the Festival’s performances — offering kids a rare opportunity to learn directly from world-class choreographers and companies they (and their families) will see on stage.
March 14, 10 – 11:30 am
New York Center for Creativity & Dance, 287 East 10th St.
Junior Keepers: Doctor Zoolittle
In this hands-on program, you’ll discover what it takes to tackle the daily responsibilities of Central Park Zoo Keepers. Play animal care-themed games, meet a small ambassador animal, and visit zoo exhibits as part of the training!
March 15, 9 am – 10:30 am
Central Park Zoo, 64th St. & Fifth Ave.
St. Patrick’s Day: Family Program
For St. Patrick’s Day, families meet a costumed interpreter playing the role of Bridget Moore, an Irish immigrant. Ask her questions and learn about her life in 1860s New York! Participants will also enjoy a delicious sweet treat and make a craft to celebrate.
March 15, 10 am – 11:30 am
Tenement Museum, 103 Orchard St.
Family STEAM Workshop: Building the City with The GIANT Room
Bring the whole family for an unforgettable museum workshop where STEAM comes to life through creativity, curiosity, and hands-on fun! Families will roll up their sleeves to design, experiment, and build together, using real-world science, technology, engineering, art, and math inspired by New York City’s past and present.
March 14, 21, April 8 noon – 2 pm
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 5th Ave.
Color Factory: Colors in Bloom
The first signs of spring arrive early at Color Factory! Step into the season in our limited-time Colors In Bloom confetti installation. Celebrate New York’s unique beauty with larger-than-life cherry blossoms. And just like spring itself, there are a few surprises waiting to bloom!
March 6 – May 15, all day
Color Factory New York, 251 Spring St.
Swiss Institute Family Hours
Join free drop-in workshops on the second Saturdays of each month featuring art-making, writing activities, and more. The hands-on, artist-led activities are inspired by the current exhibitions on view. Families are welcome to stop in at any time during these dedicated hours.
March 14, 10 – 11:30 am
Swiss Institute, 38 St. Marks Place
Watson Adventures’ Grand Central Scramble Family Scavenger Hunt
Join Watson Adventures on a unique scavenger hunt for adults and kids 7 and older. Kids and adults work together to uncover the secrets of this amazing train station. To win, you’ll have to go nuts in the Whispering Gallery, learn a secret about the stars in the “sky”, find TV celebs in the food court, stand on fish under an upside-down tree in the Grand Central Market, and learn the arrival time of a “ghost” train.
March 14, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd St.
Robinson’s Readers: Story Time and Craft
Robinson’s Readers invites children ages 4 through 6 and their grown-ups to the Jackie Robinson Museum for an educator-facilitated picture book story time and hands-on craft inspired by the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson.
March 14, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Jackie Robinson Museum, 75 Varick St.
The Hula Hoopin’ Queen
New York City Children’s Theater’s The Hula Hoopin’ Queen is a joyful 50-minute performance for young audiences ages 5 and older. Filled with catchy music, Harlem pride, and a grand hula-hooping finale, this lively production celebrates family, friendship, and finding creative ways to shine.
Through March 15, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am – noon; Saturdays and Sundays, 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Theatre Row, 410 W 42nd St.
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.
Survivor Exhibit at The Paley Museum
In celebration of Survivor’s landmark 50th season, The Paley Museum is presenting a dynamic, immersive exhibit honoring the iconic reality series. Featuring memorable props, iconic wardrobe pieces, and original artifacts spanning all fifty seasons, the exhibit offers fans a unique opportunity to relive Survivor’s most unforgettable moments and engage with the show in a whole new way.
Wednesdays – Sundays noon – 6 pm through May 31
The Paley Museum, 25 West 52 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.
Psst… Check Out the Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC This Spring
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 on the weekend. 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.
