Free Kid and Family Activities in NYC: 10 Free Things to Do This Week
We always feature great family events on New York Family, and you can also find many more on our calendar of events. In addition, each week we also share ten things you can do for FREE for the week ahead throughout the five boroughs. Scroll down to plan your week!
Psst… Check Out Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park Set to Open This Month!
Free Family Events for the Week of 10/16-10/22
Tot Time! Bring your little ones out to learn about a different nature theme each week with a craft and guided storytime! Thursdays, 10 am, through Oct. 30. Ages 5 and younger. Rainbow Playground at Gantry Plaza State Park, 4-44 47th Road, Queens
The Bronx Fun O Ween Festival Join the 49th Precinct Community Affairs Bureau and the 49th Precinct Community Council for a fun afternoon of games, bouncy houses and arts and crafts and face painting. Be sure to wear your costume! Friday, Oct. 17, 4 – 7 pm. All ages.
49th Police Precinct, 2121 Eastchester Road, Bronx
Movies Under the Stars: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Grab a blanket and settle in for a screening of this family favorite! Friday, Oct. 17, 6:45 – 9:45 pm. All ages. Sunset Park Lawn, 7th Ave. & 43rd St., Brooklyn
Family Time October 2025 Art-Making for All Ages Join Bronx Museum Educators for art-making activities inspired by artist Reverend Joyce McDonald’s clay sculptures in the exhibition Ministry. Saturday, Oct. 18, 1 – 3 pm. All ages. The Bronx Museum, 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx
Prelude Opera presents Hansel and Gretel Prelude Opera presents a new staging of Engelbert Humperdinck’s classic opera for children, Hansel and Gretel. The one-hour production will present the fairy tale in English, sung by professional opera singers and accompanied by piano and the Leadlights String Ensemble. Sunday, Oct. 19, 4:30 – 5:30 pm. All ages. St. Frances Cabrini Shrine (Lawn), 701 Ft. Washington Ave., Manhattan
Fall Festival Celebrate the arrival of autumn with games, snacks, pumpkin painting, special performances and more! Sunday, Oct. 19, noon. All ages. Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 90 Kent Ave., Brooklyn
Family Science: Fall Edition Learn about bats, acorns, and other wonders of the fall season through a series of experiments, demonstrations, and STEAM activities that families can do together. Sunday, Oct. 19, 11 am – 12:30 pm. Ages 5-10. Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island
South Street Seaport Museum Diwali Celebration at the Seaport Museum Join the Seaport Museum and The Culture Tree for festive activities to mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Families will be able to decorate a “diya lamp”—or in this case, a candle— and float it in a special pool, symbolizing prosperity for the new year. Plus, enjoy a Diwali Puppet Storytime, an interactive dance workshop and performance, and more. Monday, Oct. 20, 3 – 6 pm. All ages. South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St., Manhattan
Coopdanza “Glyphs in Motion”: Indigenous Dance Performance Join Coopdanza for “Glyphs in Motion”, an interactive dance performance that explores the indigenous cultures of the Mhuysqa (Colombia) and K’iche (Guatemala). This unique experience combines dance, video, music, and lyrics to introduce audiences to Native languages. Monday, Oct. 20, 2 – 3:30 pm. All ages. Corona Library, 38-23 104 St., Queens
The Haunting of the West New Brighton Library Did you know the West New Brighton Library building is over 100 years old? Given its history, the staff wouldn’t be surprised to see a spooky visitor or two. Join the children’s team for a frighteningly fun STEAM project as you explore motion and flight, crafting ghosts capable of flying through the branch into the great beyond. A simpler version of this project will be available for younger patrons. Oct. 22, Wednesday, 4 – 4:45 pm. Ages 3-12. West New Brighton Library, 975 Castleton Ave., Staten Island
Psst…Check Out Celebrate 75 Years of Wollman Rink and Help Break a World Record!
