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
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Super Seedlings
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Play and plant with your little one! Super Seedlings is a FREE, drop-in gardening program for kids ages 3-7 and their caregivers.
Free!
Marine Park Alliance Presents: Arts & Crafts Showcase
at Marine Parkway Entrance on Fillmore Avenue (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Just in time for Mother's Day, come and feast your eyes on the creativity of local artisans, featuring live puppets and crafts!
Free!
Summer on the Hudson: Nature Explorers - Leaf Printing Workshop
at 102nd Street Field House (in Riverside Park), Manhattan 
11:00 a.m.–12:30 a.m.
Arts and crafts, storytelling, and nature-focused workshops for kids!
Free!
Event
WonderSpark Puppet Show: The Little Red Hen & Puppet-Making Workshop
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join RIPA and WonderSpark Puppets for a puppet show and workshop at the Urban Farm during Bird Bonanza! Help us figure out “Who Will Help Me Make the Bread?”
Free!
Just for Kids: Birds of a Feather Puppet Show
at Marine Parkway Entrance on Fillmore Avenue (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 
12:00 p.m.–12:30 p.m.
Birds of a Feather is a puppet show that tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a boy and a pigeon. When the bird suddenly gets injured, Michael does whatever it takes to help his feathered friend fly again.
Free!
Event
Urban Wildlife Festival
at East 149th Street and St. Ann's Avenue (in St. Mary's Park), Bronx 
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
We welcome guests of all ages to join us at Urban Wildlife Festival hosted by the Urban Park Rangers. Discover abundant wildlife at this free family event featuring live animals!
Free!
Event
Open Bluegrass Jam Session
at East Fourth Street Community Garden, Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Open Bluegrass Jam Sessions are scheduled throughout the 2025 season, weather permitting. Bring your guitar, ukulele, banjo, etc., and join in! All skill levels and ages are welcome.
Free!
Kids
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Saturday Artist Residency
at Northwest Corner Seating Area (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Spend a Saturday afternoon learning a variety of artistic practices from a rotating group of incredibly talented local creators! Residencies change month to month.
Free!
Kids
Saturday Community Clean Up - Student Shift
at Park House (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan 
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Are you a student looking to give back and make a difference? Come volunteer with fellow students every second Saturday at Washington Square Park!
Free!
Kids
Summer on the Hudson: Play Dates featuring WonderSpark Puppets!
at 125th Street and Marginal Street (in West Harlem Piers), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Fun for family and friends at this outdoor party featuring a children’s entertainer, arts & crafts, and neighborhood fun.
Free!
Make Mother's Day cards with Flower Petals
at LaGuardia Corner Community Garden, Manhattan
2:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Come to LaGuardia Corner Community Garden and make your own Mother's Day cards with pretty pressed flowers! Everybody is welcome. All materials will be provided.
Free!
Kids
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Monday, May 12, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan 
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Wetland Wednesdays
at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Drop in to explore the Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh during Wetland Wednesdays!
Free!
Explore the Future of Farming with Aquaponics!
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Uncover the secrets of nature, build your own ecosystem, and learn how fish and plants work together to grow food in our afterschool Aquaponics Workshop.
Free!
Kids
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Art Meets Books
at Kids Playground - Large (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Art and books collide with enriching activities for children ages 12 and under.
Free!
Kids
Double Dutch
at Garibaldi Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Learn to double dutch! Coach Kyra Lee and The Double Dutch Aunties will teach you the fundamentals of street-style and competitive jump rope.
Free!
Kids
Friday, May 16, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Children's Gardening Classes
at South Brooklyn Childrens Garden, Brooklyn
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
The South Brooklyn Children’s Garden is thrilled to announce that we will be offering free Children's Gardening Classes for kids ages 4-7 years old. Classes take place rain or shine!
Free!
Kids
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Family Art Project: Painting to Migratory Birdsongs
at Wave Hill, Bronx 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
With the music of migratory birds for inspiration, sculpt and paint your own feathered friends!
Free!
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!
Super Seedlings
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Play and plant with your little one! Super Seedlings is a FREE, drop-in gardening program for kids ages 3-7 and their caregivers.
Free!
2nd Annual Arts In The Park at Tappen Park
at Tappen Park, Staten Island 
12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Express yourself at Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc's 2nd Annual Arts In The Park at Tappen Park.
Free!
Event
Big Truck Day!
at Asphalt Pad (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Get a close-up view of the vehicles that keep New York City clean and safe. Learn how garbage truck drivers, police officers, farmers, and other truck operators use these vehicles.
Free!
Community Paddle at Shoelace Park
at Shoelace Park, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Community paddle at Shoelace Park. Free.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Saturday Artist Residency
at Northwest Corner Seating Area (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Spend a Saturday afternoon learning a variety of artistic practices from a rotating group of incredibly talented local creators! Residencies change month to month.
Free!
Kids
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Wings Over Wave Hill
at Wave Hill, Bronx 
9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Join us for a full day of amazing bird encounters!
Free!
Hippo Playground Spring Fair
at Hippo Playground (in Riverside Park), Manhattan 
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The Hippo Playground Spring Fair celebrates the season with pony rides, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, games, prizes, crafts, food, cupcake decorating, face painting, entertainment, and more!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Sea Shanty Sessions
at The Noble Maritime Collection 
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Led by the Folk Music Society of New York, this program offers a great opportunity to experience authentic, time-honored maritime songs in an appropriately historic setting.
Kids
Monday, May 19, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Balafon Quartet – Tradition Reimagined
at Garibaldi Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
The Balafon Quartet: Tradition Reimagined is an acoustic ensemble featuring four balafons- – traditional wooden xylophones with deep roots in West African Mande culture.
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan 
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Explore the Future of Farming with Aquaponics!
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Uncover the secrets of nature, build your own ecosystem, and learn how fish and plants work together to grow food in our afterschool Aquaponics Workshop.
Free!
Kids
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Art Meets Books
at Kids Playground - Large (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Art and books collide with enriching activities for children ages 12 and under.
Free!
Kids
Double Dutch
at Garibaldi Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Learn to double dutch! Coach Kyra Lee and The Double Dutch Aunties will teach you the fundamentals of street-style and competitive jump rope.
Free!
Kids
Friday, May 23, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.









