Best of Virtual NYC
Bring the best NYC cultural experiences into your home wherever you are with these fabulous virtual offerings.
Find more creating and learning in our online arts & culture guide, educational websites and upcoming virtual museum programs.
And check out what is currently open in NYC and nearby adventures.
Please support these treasures by shopping in their fantastic online shops for great toys and games (perfect for staying at home) and consider becoming a member of your faves - so many perks all year round.
MUSEUM WEBSITES/APPS
New-York Historical Society Online
This fascinating historic museum (now partially open for visits) hosts engaging live educational programs for all ages, audio and video resources (including the inspirational We Rise) and interactive 360 degree tours drawing on its world-renowned collections. Excellent educator resources including videos, remote lesson plans, and media-rich curriculum website Women…
#METKIDS
Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s vast collection from home. Take a virtual time machine to explore great works of art from Prehistoric Egyptian tombs to Warhols Campbell Soup dresses. Each work has a short related video, interesting information and suggestions for imagining and creating works at home.
Also watch videos on who protects the…
Experience The Tenement Museum From Home
NYC MUSIC & THEATER
Flushing Town Hall Global Arts for Global Kids
Learn about international music, dance and more through short videos with post-lesson activities featuring African drumming, Chinese dance, Pop-up Page Making and more.
Also explore the Smithsonian Year of Music collection and video archive. Focus on Jazz, Blues & Rock, Folk & Country, and Latin Music through items from the Smithsonian, such as bomba drums and…
New York City Children’s Theater: Interstellar Cinderella
New York City Children’s Theater is streaming past productions online for exclusive two week runs. Currently streaming Interstellar Cinderella!, a futuristic retelling of the classic fairy tale with music by beloved kindie rocker Laurie Berkner.
Also find activities based on the show including read alouds, theater games, and more.
Free admission for essential workers.
Ailey All Access
The acclaimed Alvin Ailey dance company shares full length videos of past performances. Also see videos of company members dancing the landmark Revelations and other pieces together from home, join free online dance classes and check out the great Resource Guide for Educators.
Find free live and on-demand classes for all ages in a variety of dance…
Carnegie Hall Music Explorers
Learn about musical culture and tradition around the world – African-American Freedom Songs, South African Zulu songs and many more – with lessons plans, music and video featuring global artists. The well-designed site features a world map to explore.
Also Learn about symphony orchestras in an animated adventure in Carnegie Hall Listening Adventures.
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz Academy
Watch curated educated videos on the from Jazz at Lincoln Center’s educational programs and learn about it’s roots in African-American traditions and communities. WeBop instructors demonstrate fun activities to get families swinging and singing, members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra share performance secrets, and Middle School Jazz Academy instructors break down jazz techniques.…
Lincoln Center At Home
Watch short #concertsforkids recorded (at home) by world-class artists including musician Etienne Charles celebrating a cross-section of cultures from the African Diaspora, Soul Science Kids weaving soul, funk, hip-hop and educational themes and many more diverse voices.
Learn puppetry, dance, songwriting and other art forms with simple materials found at home with Lincoln Center Pop-up…
Chamber Music Society
Engage with the vast CMS archive of concerts and lectures including the Meet the Music family programs, short videos with the wacky Inspector Pulse and Digging Downbeats with Wolfgang Amadeus Schmutzinberry (who has his own web series). Weekly themed classical music playlists include fun assignments and activities.
Little Orchestra Society
Find interactive videos on writing melody, making pitched percussion and more musical topics plus musical storytimes and short funny features with Professor Treblemaker, the star of one of our favorite kids concert music series (available virtually this year).
Trusty Sidekick Studio
Peek behind-the-scenes with an innovative local children’s theater troupe and take creative mini-classes with Trusty Sidekick Artists inspired by past productions. Videos with written instructions include ‘Hike Through Your Home,’ ‘Make A Squirrelly Dance’ and ‘Shadow Puppetry.’
The Paper Bag Players At Home
Watch short sketches from The Paper Bag Players, an acclaimed NYC troupe that makes stories out of cardboard and paper, paired with questions and/or activities that will help children think more about what they’ve watched and provide opportunities for them to create and imagine on their own. Play games and make cars, crazy faces, and…
NEW VICTORY ARTS BREAK
Learn circus tricks, songwriting, puppet making, tap dance, magic and more skills inspired by the diverse shows at New Victory Theatre, an amazing NYC performing arts venue for families. Watch excerpts from past and sadly cancelled productions. Currently featuring partners from around the world.
Met Opera Free Student Streams: Rusalka
Each week, watch one opera specially selected for young audience members, along with opportunities to learn more about the production and hear from some of the amazing artists who helped make it happen. Download illustrated synopsis and educator guides plus join live artists chats, arts workshops and more at the Met’s Global Opera Camp.
…
TheaterWorksUSA TV
Rent videos of TheaterWorksUSA’s excellent family-friendly musicals including A Christmas Carol, Jungle Book, A Tribe Called Tubman and many more. Also see behind-the-scenes with the artists, and try theater activities and crafts to make and share online.
LIVE VIRTUAL MUSEUM PROGRAMS
New-York Historical Society Online
This fascinating historic museum (now partially open for visits) hosts engaging live educational programs for all ages, audio and video resources (including the inspirational We Rise) and interactive 360 degree tours drawing on its world-renowned collections. Excellent educator resources including videos, remote lesson plans, and media-rich curriculum website Women…
#METKIDS
Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s vast collection from home. Take a virtual time machine to explore great works of art from Prehistoric Egyptian tombs to Warhols Campbell Soup dresses. Each work has a short related video, interesting information and suggestions for imagining and creating works at home.
Also watch videos on who protects the…
Experience The Tenement Museum From Home
Poster Kids: East Meets West
Join Poster House on select Sunday mornings for a family-friendly, interactive poster tour and a related art-making experience.
This month, Poster Kids will focus on the museum’s latest exhibition Made in Japan: 20th-Century Poster Art. Learn to identify popular motifs in both traditional Japanese and modern Western design. Then create artwork using themes from…