The Best FREE Things to Do in NYC

Free things to do in NYC

Find the best events happening next weekend for kids (5–8)

Find fun free things to do

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Sunday Jan. 11, 2026

9:30 am – noon

Girl’s Winter Softball Clinics

Ages: 5 and up
Free
Sports

Al Oerter Recreation CenterFlushing

10 am – 4 pm

Jewish Children’s Book Festival

Ages: 12 and under
Books & Readings
Classes

92NYUpper East Side

Copy of book festival animated video

10 am – 4 pm

Jewish Children’s Book Festival

Ages: 8 and under
Books & Readings
Community

The 92nd Street Y, New YorkUpper East Side

Tuesday Jan. 13

nyf-calendar-After-School-Art-Explorers-photo-Mathew-Carasella-2026-02

2:30 – 4:30 pm

After School Art Explorers: Drop-In Programs

Ages: 3 – 8
Art
Free

The Jewish MuseumManhattan

3 – 4 pm

Kids Explore: MLK Jr.

Ages: 5 – 12
Craft & DIY
Free

Golden Age of Brooklyn ADCBrooklyn

3:30 – 4:30 pm

KidsLIVE with Kaz Windness

Ages: 5 – 12
Books & Readings
Free

Grand Concourse LibraryBronx

3:30 – 4:30 pm

KidsLIVE In-Branch Livestream with Kaz Windness

Ages: 5 and up
Free

Dongan Hills LibraryStaten Island

3:30 – 4:30 pm

Kids Winter Owl Craft

Ages: 3 – 12
Free

Richmondtown LibraryStaten Island

Wednesday Jan. 14

3 – 4:30 pm

Huguenot Park Pokémon Trainer Academy

Ages: 5 – 12
Free

Huguenot Park LibraryStaten Island

4 – 4:45 pm

Dr. MLK, Jr. Facts & Craft for Kids

Ages: 5 – 12
Free
History & Culture

Westchester Square LibraryBronx

Thursday Jan. 15

3:30 – 4:30 pm

Space Storytime

Ages: 3 – 12
Books & Readings
Free

Gantry Plaza State ParkLong Island City

Chess picture

4 – 5 pm

Chess with Vladimir Mazo

Ages: 5 – 12
Free
Games

Brooklyn Public Library Sheepshead BayBrooklyn

Friday Jan. 16

Warm Up on Frosty Fridays

11 am – 4 pm

Warm Up on Frosty Fridays!

Ages: 3 and up
Attractions
Community

The Whaling Museum & Education CenterCold Spring Harbor

Saturday Jan. 17

11 am

Weekly Storytime

Ages: 3 – 8
Free

Barnes & Noble Staten IslandStaten Island

01172025_hablemos

11:30 am – 1 pm

Hablemos: New York, New York

Ages: 3 – 12
Art
Craft & DIY

The New York HistoricalUpper West Side

Noon – 3 pm

Kwenda’s Winter Festival

Ages: 3 – 8
Free
Holiday

Kwenda Collegiate Girls Charter SchoolBrooklyn

cornerstone artwork

3 – 4 pm

EVC Intergenerational Choir

Ages: 5 and up
Classes
Community

Union Theological SeminaryHarlem

Sunday Jan. 18

9:30 am – noon

Girl’s Winter Softball Clinics

Ages: 5 and up
Free
Sports

Al Oerter Recreation CenterFlushing

11 am

Storytime with Torrey Maldonado: Just Right

Ages: 3 – 8
Books & Readings
Free

Books Are Magic MontagueBrooklyn

11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Girl’s Winter Softball Clinics

Ages: 5 and up
Free
Sports

Al Oerter Recreation CenterFlushing

Monday Jan. 19

10 am – noon

Brooklyn MLK Family Day of Service

Ages: 8 and under
Art
Books & Readings

Hannah Senesh Community Day SchoolBrooklyn

11 am – 12:30 pm

14Y’s MLK Day of Service for Families

Ages: 3 – 12
Free
Volunteering

14th Street YEast Village

1 – 2 pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

Ages: 5 – 12
Free
History & Culture

Walt Whitman BirthplaceHuntington Station

Tuesday Jan. 20

3:30 – 4:30 pm

Kids Eric Carle BINGO

Ages: 5 – 12
Free

Richmondtown LibraryStaten Island

Wednesday Jan. 21

10 – 10:45 am

Kindie Rock

Ages: 8 and under
Free
Music

Battery Park City

3 – 4:30 pm

Huguenot Park Pokémon Trainer Academy

Ages: 5 – 12
Free

Huguenot Park LibraryStaten Island

3:30 – 5 pm

Learn to Crochet for Children and Teens

Ages: 5 and up
Free

South Beach LibraryStaten Island

Screenshot 2025-12-11 at 3.34.41 PM

3:30 – 4:30 pm

Paint Your heART Out! Painting Class for Kids

Ages: 5 – 12
Art
Free

The Art Studio NYManhattan

Thursday Jan. 22

Chess picture

4 – 5 pm

Chess with Vladimir Mazo

Ages: 5 – 12
Free
Games

Brooklyn Public Library Sheepshead BayBrooklyn

Friday Jan. 23

Warm Up on Frosty Fridays

11 am – 4 pm

Warm Up on Frosty Fridays!

Ages: 3 and up
Attractions
Community

The Whaling Museum & Education CenterCold Spring Harbor

Saturday Jan. 24

9:30 – 11:30 am

NY Preschool & Kids Club Summer Camp Preview Day

Ages: 8 and under
Free
Open Houses

NY Preschool & Kids Club 22nd StreetManhattan

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