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
Sunday, May 18, 2025
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!
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.
Kids

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.
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 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!
Kids

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.
Kids

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.
Kids

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.
Kids

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.
Kids

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 24, 2025
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
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!
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.
Kids

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 25, 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.
Kids

Monday, May 26, 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.
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 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!
Kids

Tuesday, May 27, 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.
Kids

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 28, 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.
Kids

Wormy Wednesday
at Ward's Island Footbridge (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan 
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Learn about vermicomposting with the Randall’s Island Park Alliance! Come after school to meet the worms from our compost bins and learn how you can make your own at home.
Free!
Kids
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 29, 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.
Kids

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 30, 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.
Kids

Sip & Paint: Kids Edition
at ENY Oasis Community Garden, Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Bring your little artists out for a creative afternoon full of color, laughter, and community. This special event is perfect for young artists ages 1 to 17.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Black Birders Week: Birding at the Bronx River Forest
at Burke Bridge (in Bronx Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Black Birders Week - Birding in Bronx River Forest
Free!
Event

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
Science in the Woods- Forest Ecosystem and Food Webs
at Alley Pond Environmental Center, Queens
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Explore the forest ecosystem to learn about local plants and animals that make NYC Parks their home. Be prepared for a hike with proper shoes, sunblock, and bug spray.
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.
Kids

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, June 1, 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.
Kids

Monday, June 2, 2025
Le Carrousel Extravaganza
at Le Carrousel (in Bryant Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays June 2nd to September 26 at 10am, kiddos will enjoy an amazing magic show, be wowed by wacky science experiments, or engage with a puppet show!
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.
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 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!
Kids

Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Gardening Tuesday at Soundview Park
at Soundview Park (Lafayette Ave & Colgate Ave) (in Soundview Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Litter removal and gardening at Soundview Park, Bronx.
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.
Kids

Street Lab
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan 
2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Street Lab brings unique activities, from art to written word, for people of all ages and abilities to gather, learn, and create right in the park.
Free!
Kids
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, June 4, 2025
Le Carrousel Extravaganza
at Le Carrousel (in Bryant Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays June 2nd to September 26 at 10am, kiddos will enjoy an amazing magic show, be wowed by wacky science experiments, or engage with a puppet show!
Free!
Kids
