TOP PICKS: BABIES
**As NYC shuts down to stay safe, note that many of these events are cancelled. We're working on guides to at-home entertainment - see the best museum websites for at-home fun.**
Noodle Loaf
Fan-favorite songs and games from the award-winning podcast Noodle Loaf, the interactive play-based world of music created by musician, best-selling children’s book author and podcast host, Dan Saks, come to the real world. At this family-friendly event, Dan Saks and his children will lead the audience in singing and moving, and perform read-alouds from Dan’s…
Discovery Walks for Families: The North Woods
Learn about the design of the largest of the Park’s woodlands, a 40-acre forest retreat in the middle of New York City, and how the plants and trees contribute to the health of an urban woodland community. Includes hands-on exploration and guided activities in a complementary Discovery Journal.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Family Concerts: Who Is Thad Jones
Learn about the trumpeter-composer-bandleader Thad Jones in this hour-long interactive performance. Recommended for ages 5–12, but children and adults of all ages are welcome.
At the lovely Rose Theater in the Shops at Columbus Circle (where you can also explore Art Camp) with a stunning view of Central Park.
Also at 3 pm.
Broadway Playhouse: Broadway Today
Learn about the great writers of American musical theater today with songs from The Lion King, Six, The Book of Mormon, Hamilton, Wicked, Chicago and more in a fast-paced, funny interactive concert for kids featuring hilarious, talented performers.
Includes mini-musicals, sing-alongs, games and more musical fun in an intimate theater – come early to enter…
Dream Big, Laugh Often: And More Great Advice from the Bible Book Launch & Art Workshop
Celebrate the publication of Dream Big, Laugh Often and More Great Advice from the Bible with a special reading, hands-on family workshop, and book signing with the co-authors, artist Hanoch Piven and educator Shira Hecht-Koller.
Inspired by the art of Piven and by the 14 colorful Biblical characters who offer their advice, families are…
CMS Kids: Who is Dvořák?
In this fun and interactive program, learn composer Dvořák’s friendship with Brahms and how Dvořák was inspired by the lively and dramatic music from where he was born.
A relaxed, inclusive concert experience curated for ages 3-6 and adapted for neurodiverse audiences, including children with autism or other special needs. These performances are…
Living History: Meet An 18th-century Black Tradesperson
Learn about 18th-century trades through the experiences of free black tradesmen such as potter Thomas W. Commeraw. Learn about what life was like for these skilled artisans and create a craft to spark your interest in 18th-century crafts!
Presented in connection to the exhibition Crafting Freedom: The Life and Legacy of Free Black…
The Deepest Breath
Join Stevie, a young girl who loves to read, on a bubbling, aquatic adventure of acceptance and self-love as her curiosity leads her to uncover more about the world and herself. After realizing that there are so many things to learn about, Stevie begins to experience anxiety. As her anxious thoughts start to take over,…
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
See the Broadway adaptation of the classic musical with new characters, a hilarious libretto, surprising twists, and an unforgettable score from Rodgers & Hammerstein in an intimate theater.
Also at 1 pm
Chroma: Ancient Sculpture in Color
Did you know Ancient Greek and Roman sculpture was once colorful? Learn the colorful backstory of polychromy (“many colors” in Greek) in an exhibit highlighting cutting-edge scientific methods used to identify ancient color and examining how color helped convey meaning in antiquity.
Presented alongside original Greek and Roman works representing similar subjects…
Reynier Leyva Novo: Methuselah & DOMESTICANX
Butterfly fans can virtually follow the transnational migratory journey of a single monarch butterfly in Reynier Leyva Novo: Methuselah, a digital artwork by the Cuban-born and Houston based artist Reynier Levya Novo. Tracking its travel from southern Canada across the United States to Mexico
Find familiar items like beds, flowers and portraits in the paintings,…
Freedom Music Jam Virtual Family Concert Festival
Join the Jewish Museum for a Passover extravaganza featuring art, music, and dancing!. Set yourself free to the joyful sounds of Grammy winner Joanie Leeds, craft a holiday work of art, create a freedom shaker, add to a giant mixed-media Seder themed installation, explore the galleries, and more.
Mozart for Munchkins UES
Swing into spring with jazz jams. Dance, sing and clap along to a jazz set is curated for kids and their grown-ups featuring drums, bass, piano, and saxophone.
Featuring Evan Harris and his band. Includes interaction with musicians throughout the concert and a post-show instrument petting zoo.
Nick Cave: Forothermore
Explore the career of Nick Cave, internationally celebrated for his elaborate installations and textile works, including his iconic Soundsuits, which blend sculpture, costume design, and instrument-making. See sculpture, installation, video, and rarely seen early works. The title is a neologism, a new word that reflects the artist’s lifelong commitment to creating space for those who…
Guggenheim Second Sunday Family Tour
On the second Sunday of every month, explore the Guggenheim with an interactive, family-friendly tour that includes creative, hands-on gallery activities. Tours are organized around a single theme and highlight artworks on view from the permanent collection and special exhibitions.
Deconstructing Power: W. E. B. Du Bois at the 1900 World’s Fair
See innovative data visualizations that W. E. B. Du Bois created for the 1900 Paris World’s Fair alongside decorative arts from Cooper Hewitt’s permanent collection. For the Exhibit of American Negroes, Du Bois and his Atlanta University students made 63 hand-drawn diagrams that used shape, line, and color to showcase the success Black Americans had achieved…
Fish in a Tree
This new play with music for young audiences adapted from the best-selling novel, uses live video technology, dance, and music to explore the journey of Ally, a smart girl with a big imagination and dyslexia.
Join Ally as she discovers that great minds don’t always think alike in an intimate multi-media production that celebrates neurodiversity,…
The Affordable Art Fair: Stroller Hours
Browse original contemporary artworks ranging between $100 to $12,000. 10 am–12 pm is reserved for parents, children and strollers. Lounge on Play Kits provided by Lalo and enjoy mess-free arts and crafts hosted by The Babysitting Company.
All ages are also welcome during normal fair house (Thu-Fri 12 pm–6 pm, Sat 12 pm–8 pm &…
Nordstroms x Slumberkins Launch Event
Celebrate the Nordstroms x Slumberkins collaboration with readings of Bigfoot, You Are Lovable and Hammerhead, Mad’s Not Bad by the authors – and founders – Kelly Oriard and Callie Christensen. Plus enjoy an afternoon of crafting inspired by the company’s creatures and their support of emotional growth, and enjoy a special gift with…
Jazz at Lincoln Center Family Concerts: Who Is Thad Jones
Learn about the trumpeter-composer-bandleader Thad Jones in this hour-long interactive performance. Recommended for ages 5–12, but children and adults of all ages are welcome.
At the lovely Rose Theater in the Shops at Columbus Circle (where you can also explore Art Camp) with a stunning view of Central Park.
Also at 3 pm.
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…
TADA! Youth Theater Fall Semester Open House
Join TADA! Youth Theater for an in-person Open House where students will participate in a fun, active musical theater sample class led by two professional NYC Teaching Artists. Immediately following, the Director of Education will provide information to parents, facilitate a Q&A, and give you access to our best discounts of spring & summer.
Limited…
Intrepid Access Family Program
In a monthly program for kids ages 5-18 with learning and developmental disabilities, families take a guided, interactive tour of the Museum and participate in art-making activities that everyone can enjoy. Register online in advance.
See our guide to the Intrepid Museum.
Community Studio at Chelsea Factory
Come together in support of children’s art education all over NYC. Join Children Museum of the Art’s Artists in Residence for a free day of artmaking at Chelsea Factory.
Completed work can be submitted on-site to be featured in The Lemonade Stand, a selling exhibition of children’s artworks on view at NADA New York art…
imagiNATIONS Activity Center
Solve puzzles, perform experiments, play state-of-the-art computer simulations and find out how corn is like a dog in this interactive, family-friendly space. Explore scientific principles behind Native innovations and technologies that are so ingenious, many remain a part of our daily lives.
Eataly NYC Downtown
The 40,000 square feet outpost of Italian marketplace Eataly is focused on bread, but you can also find delizioso pizza, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, pasta, rotisserie chicken, chocolate, gelato and (post-pandemic) weekend kids cooking classes.
Choose from five restaurants, nine take-away counters (including gelato), two caffès, and one wine bar. Shop more than 10,000 high-quality…
Cafe Gitane
This bright, friendly French-Moroccan is known for its tasty avocado toast and couscous but we always get the all-day waffles. Table-service, expect waits during peak hours.
Max Brenner
Select from nine hot chocolates – Italian Thick, Oreo, Peanut Butter and more – at this huge cafe and store that feels like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, with tubes of liquid chocolate criss crossing the space. Choose from a variety of creative, high-quality chocolate concoctions to fo, gift or to eat on site.
Salads, paninis,…
XO World & XO Play
XO WORLD (outside One World Trade Center) features a giant globe and 12 foot “Jack” from the game of Jacks (the “X” with crossed arms attached to the spoke to represent love).
Created by Daniel Anderson, an internationally recognized artist inspired by children’s natural acceptance of others regardless of race, gender, age, or religious…
Staten Island Ferry
Take a free ferry ride from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan to Staten Island and back for great views of The Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan & Brooklyn skylines. 25 minute trips (1 hour round trip) depart every half hour (every fifteen minutes during rush hour). Masks required.
For a quicker trip, take the…
Dubuffet Sculpture
An office tower plaza features a dynamic Jean Dubuffet sculpture and a peaceful Noguchi rock garden fountain.
Levain Bakery NOHO
Everything is baked on-site throughout the day at this Noho outpost of the legendary UWS bakery, from an array of rustic breads to the world-famous, super-gooey, six-ounce cookies in four flavors: Two Chip Chocolate Chip, Walnut Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip & Oatmeal Raisin (plus a gluten-free chocolate chip…
Green-Wood
This historic cemetery (founded in 1838) is a lovely place to wander, with 478 spectacular acres of hills, valleys, glacial ponds and paths, plus gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline and extraordinary 19th- and 20th-century statuary and mausoleums.
* Honor famous permanent residents such as Leonard Bernstein, Boss Tweed, Charles Ebbets, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Louis Comfort…
J.J. Byrne Playground & Old Stone House
Enjoy lots of modern climbing equipment juxtaposed with colonial themes inspired by the adjacent Old Stone House, site of the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. Explore a submarine periscope and interactive panels depicting the historic battle among natural stone and rustic pavement, then attack your enemies with water cannons.
A gated toddler area features bucket swings,…
Domino Park
Find cool design and amazing bridge/Manhattan views at a large waterfront park on the site of a former Domino Sugar factory.
* The playground, designed by the artist Mark Reigelman, has fun features like spinning valve wheels cast from Domino Sugar originals and a 26-foot-high silo with ladders, webbing and slides pay homage to the…
Brooklyn Bridge Park Playgrounds
This expansive park has great attractions and a gorgeous only-in-NYC view. Explore refurbished piers, most of which host playgrounds (our favorites are at Pier 6 including giant Slide Mountain, Sandbox Village, Swing Valley and the splashy Water Lab). Play in the sand and admire tide pools at Pier 4 Beach (no swimming/wading).
Find a variety of yummy concessions throughout the park and restrooms at Piers 2,5 & 6.
Zucker Natural Exploration Area
Strategically placed branches and stumps of trees damaged by storms and other materials from within Prospect Park invite engagement nature and unstructured play in this magical playground. several areas to explore including sand for digging and water features for pumping and splashing.
DeKalb Market Hall
This bustling basement food hall houses 40 diverse food vendors, including old-school & new-school NYC names. Feast on artisanal arepas, noodles, baos, donuts, french pastries, susgi, tacos, sushi, churros, crepes, frites, humus, ice cream and more.
Hours vary by vendor.
Japan Village
Sample a range of delicious Japanese cuisine from sushi to smoothies in large food hall rooted in “omotenashi,” a Japanese approach to hospitality and mutual respect. Pick up noodles, dumplings, yakatori, Obanyaki stuffed with Nutella and more from variety of booths or sit down in a serene corner for omakase.
On the 20,000-square-foot second floor ‘The Loft,’ step into a representation of Japan with cool shops with items straight from the country as well as fun experiences like tea ceremonies and cultural classes. Shop for inexpensive toys, Hello Kitty and Sanrio home goods, crafting supplies, Japanese treats, items for the home and other kitschy stuff at Daiso. BookOff, an outpost of Japan’s largest chain of used bookstores, offers a wide range of anime-related products, including manga, novels, CDs, DVDs, video games, figures, apparel, and accessories.
Industry City Food Hall
From Korean comfort food to an avocado-focused cafe, Industry City hosts a huge range of Brooklyn-based purveyors. BBQ, pizza, bao buns, French pastries, artisanal ice cream, tacos, Mediterranean mezzes – whatever you’re craving you’ll probably find it here. Most of the vendors or in a central Food Hall but other shops can be found…
Malevo: Argentine Dance
Created by director, choreographer, and dancer Matías Jaime, this thrilling all-male group specializes in Malambo—a traditional Argentine folk dance of great virility and dexterity—and seeks to take it beyond its limits with a modern, avant-garde, and transgressive approach, merging it with other dance styles like flamenco and urban percussion.
Bartow Pell Easter Egg Hunt
Hunt for eggs in a lovely formal garden adjacent to a stately historic mansion and take photos with the Easter Bunny. Bring your own basket. Advance registration required for one hour slots.
Parking is across the street and down a bit so come early and be prepared for a walk. Don’t miss the Lenape wigwam…
WBO Spring Egg Hunt
Join Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center for its Annual Spring Egg Hunt. Activities include fun spring games, arts and crafts, egg hunt, potato sack races and much more.
Egg Hunt for ages 4–6: 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Ages 7–9 years: 12:30 pm–1:15 pm
Older children are welcome to take part in all other activities.
Easter Egg Hunt & Family Fun Day
Join the Easter Bunny for an egg hunt in the Bronx. Fun for the whole family. Enjoy music, games, prizes, candy, and more.
Tickets include entry into the egg hunt with candy and cash prizes, an egg hunt bag, access to all games and activities, a photo with the Easter Bunny and complimentary snacks.
A Frog’s Life: From Sam and Friends to Stardom
Celebrate Kermit the Frog’s 60+ years on the scene with a compilation of Jim Henson’s most memorable performances as Kermit, ranging from Sam and Friends to the famous frog’s feature-film appearances, with a lot more in between. The program covers his guest appearances, his career in journalism, great musical moments with guest stars, and his…
Queens Zoo
This intimate zoo in Flushing Meadows houses wildlife native to the Americas including more than 4,000 Puerto Rican crested toads, Andean Bear Cubs, American bison and rare breeds of domestic animals including Flemish giant rabbits, Texas longhorn cattle, and Jacob’s four-horned sheep.
See our guide to Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Art Access: Museum Explorers for Children with Disabilities
On the first weekend of the month, Queens Museum welcomes children with disabilities (ages 8-12) and their families to visit for art-making activities, guided by trained museum educators and teaching artists. Each month explores a new theme and art activities. Activities on Saturday are repeated on Sunday programs. Feel free to register for multiple…
El Otro Oz
Click your heels together tres veces and take a transformative journey during a salsa, merengue, and Mexican folk-infused musical inspired by The Wizard of Oz. As her fifteenth birthday approaches, Dora, a contemporary Latine teenager, struggles with her family’s ideas about tradition and dreads her impending quinceañera. But, when Dora gets swept away to a…
20at20 Off-Broadway
March 20-April 9, get $20 tickets to participating Off Broadway plays and musicals at the box office twenty minutes prior to curtain.
Kid-friendly options include Dog Man, Easter Bunny HOP! Live, Fish in a Tree, Gazillion Bubble Show, The Little Mermaid, The Play That Goes Wrong and The…