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…Social Media and Kids Safety: An App-By-App Breakdown of Safety Measures
Check them out!
Free Family Events 9/20/24 – 9/26/24
Westerleigh Folk Festival. This family friendly event features live music on two stages, free children’s activities, craft vendors, dancing, art, food, and free pony rides from 12- 2:00pm. In beautiful Westerleigh Park. So bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a great day in the park. Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 am – 7 pm. All ages. Westerleigh Park, Corner of Maine Ave. & Neal Dow Ave., Westerleigh, Staten Island
Live Folk Concert Jose Raul (Tito) Ocasio presents a family friendly live folk concert and artistic presentation. Taking place during Hispanic Heritage Month, this event honors Bronx living legend and award winner Jose Rivera, along with folk artists Bob Wright and Linda Hickman. Saturday, Sept. 21, 12 – 4 pm. All ages. Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave., New Dorp, Staten Island.
Glow Cultural Center 2024 Fall Festival Celebrate Autumn & the Moon Festival with live cultural performances, games, face painting, prizes, bouncy houses, snacks, giveaways, and more! Saturday, Sept. 21, 12 – 4 pm. Free. Kissena Corridor Park, 47-67 Colden Street, Flushing, Queens
Kew Gardens Community Arts Day 2024 This annual event features an eclectic mix of artists and artwork created by talented Queens artists sold on the streets of Kew Gardens. Enjoy many hours of wonderful local music, art experiences for children and adults, an opportunity to meet reptiles from Alley Pond Environmental Center, and more. Saturday, Sept. 21, 12 – 5 pm. All ages. Austin’s Ale House, 82-70 Austin St., Kew Gardens, Queens
Festival Latino Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music, giveaways, and family fun!
Saturday, Sept. 21, 1 – 3:30 pm. All ages. Bronx Terminal Market, 610 Exterior Street, West Haven, The Bronx
BAM Presents: A Celebration of African Diasporic Dance Families can celebrate DanceAfrica with this fun-filled, outdoor workshop, led by BAM teaching artist Yasmar Cruz. Discover how African and diasporic dance forms celebrate community, providing a unique window into the history and traditions of its people. Sunday, Sept. 22, 12 – 1 pm. All ages. Advance registration required. Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 3 Central Lawn, 334 Furman St., Downtown Brooklyn
Bryant Park Yoga presented by CALIA with Kira Willey Bring the whole family and join Kira Willey & Friends for simple & fun yoga and mindfulness & music perfect for all levels of practice. Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10 – 11 am. All ages. Register in advance. Bryant Park, 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd St., Midtown Manhattan
Movie Night in the Square: Madagascar Be there for the very first Movie Night in the Square, with a screening of Madagascar. The Square opens at 3 PM – so get there early to get a good seat and show your eventbrite ticket to grab a special Domino Park padded stadium seat. Tuesday, Sept. 24, 4 pm. All ages. Domino Park, 15 River St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The Mac-A-Roni Experience with Joel McHale This showroom-meets-tasting room event allows families to enjoy complimentary samples of both Mac-A-Roni flavors paired with other tasty foods at the Mac-A-Roni Tasting Table, snag a free box of Mac-A-Roni while supplies last, snap photos by the Mac-A-Roni Accessory Wall, and meet local content creators, Mac-A-Roni ambassadors, and celebrity Joel McHale. Thursday, Sept. 26, 12 – 6 pm. All ages. Mac-A-Roni Experience, 42 Grand St., SoHo, Manhattan
Fiesta on the Hudson Dance the night away to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Learn the basic steps and traditions of dances like salsa and cha-cha, while enjoying live music. Thursday, Sept. 26, 4:30 – 8:30 pm. All ages. Wave Hill, 4900 Independence Ave. Riverdale, The Bronx
