Looking for things to do with kids in NYC this weekend?
It’s expected to hit the 60s in this first weekend of spring, and there are a host of amazing events taking place. Scroll down for more super fun, family-friendly events!
At a Glance:
- Free chess events, spring exhibits, and hands-on workshops happening across NYC
- Family-friendly shows, puppetry, and interactive theater for all ages
- Special one-day events this weekend, including a kitten shower and skating performances
- Ongoing exhibits and experiences you can visit anytime through spring
- Mix of indoor and outdoor fun—perfect no matter the weather
Fun Things to Do and Family Events Taking Place This Weekend
Color Factory: Colors in Bloom
Open to the public through the middle of May, Colors in Bloom offers the perfect adventure, including seasonal treats, new photo ops, and a spring-themed confetti room. Stroll through a transformed space that evokes the allure of the thousands of signature cherry blossoms that surround the city each spring.
Through May 15, all day
Color Factory New York, 251 Spring St.
Figure Skating of Harlem 2026 Annual Skating Show
Inspired by Beyoncé’s groundbreaking 2018 Coachella performance, FSH’s annual skating show will feature routines set to her award-winning music.
March 21, 7 – 9 pm; March 22, 3 – 5 pm
Riverbank State Park, 679 Riverside Drive
Kitten Shower at Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in NYC
Join Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in NYC for a special Kitten Shower and learn how to foster these tiny, purrfect bundles! From bottle feeding to weighing, we’ll cover all the ins and outs of caring for kittens.
March 22, 11 am – 2 pm
Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in New York, 307 W Broadway
The Paper Bag Players: Hey There, Howdy, Everybody!
America’s beloved children’s theater company, The Paper Bag Players, has been creating imaginative worlds from paper and cardboard since 1958. They present a joyful new production: Hey There, Howdy, Everybody!—packed with zany stories, foot-stomping dances, audience participation, and paper-and-cardboard magic.
March 22, 2 pm – 3 pm
The Kaye Playhouse, 659 Park Ave.
My Magical Chivita / Mi Chivita Mágica
Through music, puppetry, and bilingual storytelling, this heartwarming tale celebrates Colombian culture while exploring themes of identity, family, and the importance of remembering where we come from
Through March 28, Saturdays 3 – 4 pm
Teatro SEA at The Clemente Center,107 Suffolk St.
Checkmate at BFPL
Explore the game through a variety of different programming, including open play, a tenant tournament, a Saturday Chess Club gathering, and an exciting simultaneous play event featuring a Grandmaster. And it’s all free!
Through March 27, 10 am – 8 pm
Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St.
The Little Mermaid The Musical
See the tale of a young mermaid who saves a prince and falls in love, then must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to become human and be with him.
Through April 4, Saturdays 7 – 8:30 pm; Sundays, 11 am – 12:30 pm; Sundays, 2 – 3:30 pm
The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St.
Women in Architecture
Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Museum and learn about the importance of diversity and how women architects have designed skyscrapers and other buildings that changed city skylines. Choose your favorite featured architect and make your own creation..
March 21, 10:30 am – 11:30 pm
The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place
The Museum of Modern Art Presents A View from the Vaults: The 1980’s
MoMA is launching a film series called A View from the Vaults: The 1980s, featuring movies from a time before digital filmmaking took over. It highlights a mix of bold, influential films from around the world and gives a glimpse into what made the 1980s such an exciting decade for movie lovers.
Through April 7, Fridays 10:30 am – 8:30 pm; Saturdays – Thursdays, 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
The Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St.
Family STEAM Workshop: Building the City with The GIANT Room
Bring the whole family to this museum workshop where STEAM comes to life through creativity, curiosity, and hands-on fun! Families can design, experiment, and build together, using real-world science, technology, engineering, art, and math inspired by New York City’s past and present.
March 21, noon – 2 pm
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 5th Ave.
Kid Sensory Session: Mary Anning Fossil Dig for Women’s History Month
Join the Library for a 45-minute sensory play session where you’ll explore different auditory, tactile, and visual activities and related reading material. This program promotes fun, development, and exploration.
March 21, 2 pm – 3 pm
Macomb’s Bridge Library, 2633 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.
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 22, 10 – 11 am & 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 W. 55 St.
Blooming Wonders: A Celebration of Spring
Visitors can step inside a vibrant digital garden where pixels bloom, and art, technology, and nature converge in stunning, high-resolution projections and interactive visuals.
Through May 31 noon – 7 pm
ARTECHOUSE NYC, 439 W 15th 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, this dynamic exhibit honors 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.
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.
