Free Kid and Family Activities in NYC: 10 Free Things to Do This Week
When those lists come out of the most expensive cities to live in, New York City is always on the list, which can all feel a bit crazy. Rent is how much? That sandwich is $20?! With the cost of living increasing, many parents must be more frugal than ever.
But, hey, we aren’t bashing our city; we love it, and what we love most about it is that while expensive, it is one of the best cities that embraces community and offers so many free things for kids and families.
We always feature events on NYF, and you can find many on our calendar of events, but we are now sharing every week ten things you can do for FREE for the week ahead throughout the five boroughs.
Psst…Check out 40 Free Holiday Events in NYC & Long Island
Free Family Events for the Week of 12/13-12/19
Singing Stories. Join Caroline Cutroneo from the Richmondtown Branch of the New York Public Library, for winter season reading fun. Bring your voices and sing along with some favorite tunes on the guitar, listen to tales and rhymes, and hear some picture book stories! Friday, Dec. 13, 12 – 1 pm. Ages 18 months to 5 years. Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave., New Dorp, Staten Island
JCPenney December Kids Zone Event Kids are invited to make a LEGO Snowman kit to decorate for the holidays (while supplies last). Saturday, Dec. 14, 11 am – 12 pm. All ages. Queens Center, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst, Queens
Sweetbrook Nursery & Garden Center Christmas Event. The community is invited for fresh baked cookies, pictures with Santa and the Grinch, and raffles. Saturday, 12 – 4 pm. All ages. Sweetbrook Nursery & Garden Center, 2371 Forest Ave., Arlington, Staten Island.
Holidays on Atlantic Avenue: Festivity Weekend Santa will walk down Atlantic Avenue to take pictures and spread holiday cheer. Enjoy live performances from a brass quartet throughout the day and get a free reusable ‘Shop & Dine Atlantic Ave’ tote bag. Dec. 14-22, Saturdays and Sundays, 12 – 6 pm. All ages. Atlantic Avenue (Fourth Ave. to Hicks St.), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Kids STEAM: Winter Wonders Join the library for an exciting, winter-themed hands-on program dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering Arts and Math. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 3 – 4 pm. Ages 5-12. Clason’s Point Library, 1215 Morrison Ave., Soundview, Bronx
TikTok Challenge Join Kings Plaza as they host their First Ever TikTok Challenge! You can create content at various zones throughout the center for a chance to win prizes and grow your social media following. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 3 – 6 pm. All ages. Kings Plaza Shopping Center, 5100 Kings Plaza, Mill Basin, Brooklyn
Island of Warmth: Hanukkah Around the Campfire Musical group Brooklyn Klezmer Trio Plus, led by accordionist Ilya Shneyveys, will get everyone dancing the hora around Island of Warmth – Hanukkah is a Festival of Lights after all! Wednesday, Dec. 18, 5 – 7 pm. All ages. Manhattan West Plaza, 385 Ninth Ave., Chelsea, Manhattan
Storytime for Tots Join the museum for Storytime for Tots and hear stories and songs about NYC facilitated by a NYPL librarian. This Storytime will incorporate Spanish language and build children’s literacy in English and Spanish. Thursday, Dec. 19, 10:30 – 11 am. Ages 18 -3 years. Advanced registration required. Museum of the City of New York, 1220 5th Ave., East Harlem
Winter Solstice Wishes Celebrate the longest night of the year with lantern-crafting, cookie-decorating, and warm wishes for the season. Thursday, Dec. 19, 4:30 – 6 pm & 6:30 – 8 pm. All ages. Wave Hill, 4900 Independence Ave., Riverdale, Bronx
Holiday Show with Mitch Matlock The whole family will enjoy familiar Christmas classics such as “Winter Wonderland,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Christmas Song” and more! Thursday, Dec. 19, 4:30 – 5:30 pm. All ages. Queens Public Library at Baisley Park, 117-11 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, Queens
