Best for Kids

NYC Parks offers a multitude of events, programs and activities made with kids especially in mind. Children will have plenty to keep them active throughout the year no matter what their interests.
Best for Kids Events
Friday, October 2, 2026
Summer Sports Experience: Soccer and Flag Football
at West 174 Street and Amsterdam Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
The Summer Sports Experience program engages children in active outdoor play. An NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds.
Free!
Kids

Park Open Studio
at Northwest Corner Seating Area (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Led by a local teaching artist, this drop-in class invites participants to explore creativity through hands-on artmaking under the shade of Scrabble Plaza’s trees.
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: Bloomingdale Playground
at Play Area (in Bloomingdale Playground), Manhattan
2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's Playground, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Summer Sports Experience: Basketball: Skills and Drills
at West 174 Street and Amsterdam Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
The Summer Sports Experience program engages children in active outdoor play. An NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds.
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Al Quinones Playground
at Play Area (in Al Quiñones Playground), Bronx
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's including organized sports. games, fitness, demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Ben Abrams Playground
at Ben Abrams Playground (in Bronx Park), Bronx
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's including organized sports. games, fitness, demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Hunts Point Playground
at Basketball Court (in Hunts Point Playground), Bronx 
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's including organized sports. games, fitness, demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Loreto Playground
at Loreto Playground, Bronx 
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's including organized sports. games, fitness, demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Metcalf Playground
at Metcalf Playground (in Soundview Park), Bronx
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's including organized sports. games, fitness, demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Spuyten Duyvil Playground
at Play Area (in Spuyten Duyvil Playground), Bronx
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's including organized sports. games, fitness, demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: St. James Playground
at St. James Park Playground (in St. James Park), Bronx
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's including organized sports. games, fitness, demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: St. Mary's Park West
at Playground West - Play Area (in St. Mary's Park), Bronx
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's including organized sports. games, fitness, demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Williamsbridge Oval Playground West
at Playground South (in Williamsbridge Oval), Bronx 
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's including organized sports. games, fitness, demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Little Wheels, Big Fun
at Courts and Track Area (in Mazzei Playground), Bronx
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public.
Free!
Kids

Movies Under the Stars: Toy Story 5 | PG
at Basketball Courts (in Helen Marshall Playground), Queens
7:00 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang's jobs are challenged when they're introduced to electronics, a new threat to playtime.
Free!
Event

Saturday, October 3, 2026
Every Play Counts, Every Player Matters
at Athletic Field (in Starlight Park), Bronx 
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Come join NYC Parks for this "free" event.
Free!
Kids

CANCELED: Kids In Motion: Bloomingdale Playground
at Play Area (in Bloomingdale Playground), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's Playground, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

CANCELED: Kids in Motion: Columbus Park
at Columbus Park, Manhattan 
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's Playground, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

City of Forest Day – Forest Walk & Birding
at 10 Central Road (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Come explore the urban forest of Randall’s Island Park through a guided nature walk!
Free!
Event

Family Art Project: Whimsical Windchimes
at Wave Hill, Bronx 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
As the days grow colder and gusts of air shake the trees, harness the power of wind with your very own windchime.
Kids

Jesse Owens Track & Field Youth Program
at Thomas Jefferson Park, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
This free weekly program is available to youth ages 8-16 and enables participants to learn the fundamentals of the sport and stay active.
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: Alley Springfield Playground
at Alley Springfield Playground (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Anne Loftus Playground
at Anne Loftus Playground (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan 
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's Playground, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids In Motion: Arrochar
at Play Area (in Arrochar Playground), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: Austin J. McDonald's Playground
at Austin J. McDonald Playground Fieldhouse (in Austin J. McDonald Playground), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: Beach 59th Street Playground
at Beach 59th Street Playground (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids In Motion: Bowne Park
at Bowne Park Playground (in Bowne Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids In Motion: Brookville Park
at Brookville Playground (in Brookville Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids In Motion: De Matti Playground
at De Matti Playground (in De Matti Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: Faber
at Outdoors at Faber Park Recreation Center (in Faber Park Recreation Center), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: Grover Cleveland Playground
at Play Area (in Grover Cleveland Playground), Queens 
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids In Motion: Lawrence Virgilio Playground
at Play Area (in Lawrence Virgilio Playground), Queens 
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids In Motion: Levy
at Play Area (in Levy Playground), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: Nostrand Playground
at Nostrand Playground, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos.
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: P.S. 55
at P.S. 55 (in Lieutenant John H. Martinson Playground), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: Rosemary's Playground
at Playground (in Rosemary's Playground), Queens
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Samuel Seabury Playground
at Samuel Seabury Playground, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's Playground, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Seward Park
at Entrance - East Broadway & Essex St (in Seward Park), Manhattan 
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's Playground, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids in Motion: Sol Lain Playground
at Sol Lain Playground (in Sol Lain Plgd), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's Playground, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids In Motion: St. John's park
at Playground (in St. John's Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos.
Free!
Kids
Kids In Motion: The Big Park
at Entrance - Continental Place and Grandview Avenue (in The Big Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids
Kids in Motion: Tompkins Square Park
at Avenue A and St. Marks Place (in Tompkins Square Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's Playground, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Kids In Motion: Yellowstone Park
at Katzman Playground (in Yellowstone Park), Queens 
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in free activities in NYC's playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!
Free!
Kids

Nature Exploration: City of Forest Day
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education activities to learn about and celebrate New York City’s urban forest!
Free!
Event

Community Paddle at Shoelace Park
at Shoelace Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a Community Paddle at Shoelace Park
Free!
Event

46th Annual GreenThumb Harvest Fair
at Hattie Carthan Community Garden, Brooklyn
, Herbert Von King Park, Brooklyn 
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us & GreenThumb community gardeners in celebrating the start of fall! Register to participate in our Fresh Chef Contest and sign up to volunteer with us at Harvest Fair!
Free!
Kids

Adorned by Nature: Wildcrafted Jewelry & Botanical Accessory Workshop with Journei Bimwala
at Bronx River House (in Starlight Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join Journei Bimwala for this hands-on creative workshop that invites participants to explore the beauty, versatility, and artistic potential of plants through wearable art.
Free!
Event

City of Forest Day Celebration at Shoelace Park
at Shoelace Park, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
City of Forest Day Celebration at Shoelace Park
Free!
Event

Summer on the Hudson: Little Red Lighthouse Festival
at Little Red Lighthouse (in Fort Washington Park), Manhattan 
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Celebrate Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse with the Urban Park Rangers!
Free!
Event

Basketball Clinic at Highbridge Recreation Center (Ages: 5 to 7)
at Gymnasium (in Highbridge Recreation Center), Manhattan 
12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
NYC Parks instructional Basketball Clinic open to youth ages 5 to 7, to learn and practice the fundaments of Basketball through a series of drills.
Free!
Kids