Things to do this weekend with the kids in New York

Things to Do With the Kids This Weekend in NYC

At a Glance:

Hands-on museum programs and family films

Concerts, theater, and puppet shows

High-energy fun: skating, bumper cars, monster trucks

Indoor winter-friendly outings

A mix of free, low-cost, and special-ticket events

If you’re staring at the calendar, wondering how to fill the long winter days, you’re in luck. This week’s picks include meaningful and fun ways to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., plus concerts, hands-on museum fun, shows kids actually sit through, and a few big-ticket thrills.

Remember to check out our full lineup of fun family activities in our Calendar of Events.

MLK’s Peace Parade

Join the Peace Parade to make art that honors voices for change, inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr, and participate in a day of service
Through Jan. 19, 10 am – 5 pm
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St.

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

Turn dreams into action with two days of service, storytelling, and song! March with Grammy-nominated musician Fyütch, create shadow puppets, join community service projects, and hear Dr. King’s words come to life.
Jan. 18 & 19 10 am – 5 pm
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave.

Hablemos: New York, New York

This edition of Hablemos will explore the unique elements of New York City in the art of this very special collection. In addition to viewing cityscapes, you can recreate our favorite vignette of the city using solid colors and geometric shapes.
January 17, 11:30 am – 1 pm
The New York Historical, 170 Central Park West

Musical Explorers Family Concert

Designed for kids ages 4–8, this concert features stirring American freedom songs with S T A R R busby, vibrant Puerto Rican bomba and plena with Juan Gutiérrez and Julia Gutiérrez-Rivera, and colorful Indian classical music with Grammy Award winner Falu Shah.
Jan. 17, noon – 1 pm & 3 – 4 pm
Carnegie Hall, 7th Ave

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire 2026 Tour brings fans’ favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks to life, including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, and Skelesaurus, alongside FMX riders performing jaw-dropping stunts and a fire-breathing, car-crushing robot dinosaur.
Jan. 17, 12:30 pm & 7:30 pm; Jan. 18, 2:30 pm
Nassau Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike

MoMA Family Films: Caring Community

This month, explore how community can help us imagine a better world. This special session features guest filmmaker Liam LoPinto, who will participate in a Q&A about the making of his film Wolf and Cub. Between films, families can enjoy guided discussions and suggested activities to explore the museum.
January 17, 2 pm – 3 pm
Cullman Education Center MoMA, 4 West 54 St.

The Chocolate Makery @ The Jewish Children’s Museum

A five-sense experience, of learning how chocolate is made from pod to delicious creamy chocolate, where kids join in the fun to harvest cocoa pods, grind and roast the beans. It ends in a crescendo of decorating their very own delicious chocolate creation.
Jan. 15 – Feb. 18, all day
Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Pkwy., Brooklyn

Family Art Project: Freedom Quilters of Gee’s Bend

families are invited to a special storytime in the Gund Theater to learn more about the meaning of the holiday. Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a reading of the book We March by Shane W. Evans.
Jan. 17 & 18 10 am – 1 pm
Wave Hill House, 4900 Independence Ave., The Bronx

The History of the Brooklyn Bridge & Guided Walk

Immerse yourself in the dramatic history and innovative design that forever changed the Brooklyn landscape. Join Brooklyn Bridge Park’s education team for an interactive lesson on the Brooklyn Bridge’s history, followed by a walk on the bridge, up to the Brooklyn tower.
January 17, 10 am – 11:30 am
Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center, 99 Plymouth St., Brooklyn

Moms Feelin’ Themselves Dance Party

Created by Moms Feelin’ Themselves (MFT), this one-of-a-kind event invites moms to ditch the to-do list and step into a night of music, movement, and pure fun. Founded by two moms (one a mental health professional) in 2022, MFT’s award-winning dance parties are the first in the country designed specifically for moms’ emotional wellness and self-reconnection.
January 17, 7 pm
Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North 6th St., Brooklyn

Bumper Cars on Ice at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

They’re back! This seasonal favorite, Bumper Cars on Ice, returns to The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park for guests to bump, slide, and spin on the ice.
Through Feb. 28, Mondays – Saturdays 2 – 10 pm, Sundays, 9:20 am – 5:20 pm
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, 41st Street and 6th Ave

PhysFest NYC – Physical Theater Family Shows & Free Kids Workshops

Broken Box Mime Theater’s third annual PhysFest NYC presents a number of family-friendly shows and kid-friendly events during their 10-day physical theater festival.
Through Jan. 18, all day
Stella Adler Center for the Arts, 65 Broadway

Empire Skate of Mind

Empire Skate of Mind brings roller skating to BCM’s rooftop terrace—disco music, all-ages fun, and a nod to the legendary Empire Roller Rink that made skating history in the neighborhood.
Through April 12, 2026, Saturdays & Sundays 10 am – 5 pm, Wednesdays – Fridays, 2 – 5 pm
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave.

The Tortoise & the Hare

This classic fable comes to life as a shadow, rod & hand puppet show adapted by Nicolas Coppola.
Through Jan. 25, 2026, Saturdays & Sundays, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
Puppetworks Inc, 338 Sixth Ave. at 4th St., Brooklyn

SUBMERGE: Beyond the Render

SUBMERGE: Beyond the Render is a family-friendly immersive digital art experience at ARTECHOUSE that lets parents and kids explore colorful, larger-than-life worlds created by award-winning artists using cutting-edge technology.
Through March 1, noon – 7 pm
ARTECHOUSE NYC, 439 W 15th St.

Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In A Play!”

Get ready for a musical experience, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved, award-winning, best-selling children’s books, that will leave audiences doing the “Flippy Floppy Floory” dance all night long! In Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”,
Through Feb. 1, Saturdays & Sundays 11 am – noon, and 4 – 5 pm
Atlantic Stage 2, 330 West 16th St.

Psst… Check Out Free Kid and Family Activities in NYC: 10 Free Things to Do This Week

Space Glide at the New York Hall of Science

“Space Glide”, an immersive skating experience set in deep space, has landed at the New York Hall of Science! The indoor rink is made of “Glice,” an eco-friendly, polymer-based, ice-like substance, which does not require skates. Visitors can glide in booties provided by NYSCI, making it fun and accessible to all ages and skill levels.  The rink will feature projections onto the Glice and around the room to simulate floating through space.
Through Feb. 22, 2026, Wednesdays – Sundays 10 am – 5 pm; (Jan. 19, Feb. 16 & 17, 10 am – 5 pm)
New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona

Psst… Check Out 15 Best Indoor Things to Do in NYC This Winter: Family-Friendly Activities

Looking for even more family fun? Be sure to check out our comprehensive calendar of events, updated daily with the latest happenings across Brooklyn and beyond, from festivals and performances to free local activities for all ages.

The Lowdown on Kids’ Activities in NYC

Is it worth going to New York with kids?

Absolutely! Taking kids to New York City is always a great idea. The city is packed with kid-friendly things, especially on weekends, and parks and playgrounds are plentiful. There are amazing museums and zoos, carousels to ride, and food on every corner. That said, it’s a busy place: it’s loud, there’s a lot of walking, and it can be overwhelming if you try to do everything.

It’s better to plan just one main activity each day, leave time for playgrounds and snacks, and not stress about seeing it all. Truthfully, the little moments are what kids tend to remember most, like riding the subway, running around Central Park, or spotting dinosaurs at the museum. These stick with them more than checking off every big landmark.

Where are good places to take a child in NYC?

When you’re visiting New York City with kids, the goal is to keep things easy and fun for everyone, including yourself!. If you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, Central Park is a go-to. Kids love Heckscher Playground, and there’s always something new to see at the Central Park Zoo.

Brooklyn Bridge Park is another favorite. It has big open spaces and playgrounds, and the views of Manhattan are stunning, plus you’re right by the water.

Rainy or cold day? Weekend or weekday, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the American Museum of Natural History are both winners and stroller-friendly!. If you’re just looking to squeeze in some quick fun, hop on the SeaGlass Carousel, wander around Little Island, or visit a neighborhood playground (there are SO many). Then treat yourselves to authentic NYC pizza or ice cream nearby. Picking one main activity, planning for snack and bathroom breaks, and calling it a day before anyone gets tired is the real NYC parenting hack.

Looking for even more family fun? Be sure to check out our comprehensive calendar of events, updated daily with the latest happenings across NYC and beyond, from holiday events and new attractions to performances and free local activities for all ages.