The Best FREE Things to Do in NYC

Free things to do in NYC

Find the best upcoming events & activities for tweens (9–12)

Find fun free things to do

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Thursday Dec. 12, 2024

3:30 – 5:30 pm

Junior Naturalist: Winter Science Sampler

Ages: 5 – 12
Environment
Free

Idlewild Environmental CenterSpringfield Gardens

Friday Dec. 13

Photo – Secret Sirens Scavenger Hunt

11 am – 4 pm

Secret Sirens

Ages: 5 and up
Art
Free

The Whaling Museum & Education CenterCold Spring Harbor

2:30 – 4:30 pm

De Matti Park Youth Power Hours

Ages: 3 – 12
Free

DeMatti ParkStaten Island

7 pm

Port North Shore Alliance & Christian Construction 4th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Ages: All
Free
Holiday

415 Port Richmond AvenueStaten Island

Saturday Dec. 14

10 – 11 am

Whiz Kidz

Ages: 5 – 12
Free

Idlewild ParkSpringfield Gardens

Sunrise High railers 1

10 am – 6 pm

Sunrise Hi Railers Train Display at The Shoppes

Ages: 5 and up
Attractions
Community

The Shoppes at East WindWading River

The Magic Flute Bears

10 am – noon

Noon – 2 pm

The Met Opera’s Holiday Open House

Ages: 5 and up
Art
Christmas

The Metropolitan Opera HouseManhattan

Skyscraper-Holiday-Cards-FP-250×375

10:30 – 11:30 am

Skyscraper Holiday Cards!

Ages: 3 – 12
Art
Christmas

The Skyscraper MuseumBattery Park City

11 am

Weekly Storytime

Ages: 3 – 12
Books & Readings
Free

Barnes & Noble Staten Island MallStaten Island

Photo – Secret Sirens Scavenger Hunt

11 am – 4 pm

Secret Sirens

Ages: 5 and up
Art
Free

The Whaling Museum & Education CenterCold Spring Harbor

Noon – 2 pm

McDonald’s Playground Cookies, Cocoa, and Crafts with Santa

Ages: 3 – 12
Christmas
Free

Austin J. McDonald PlaygroundStaten Island

Jewelry Making for Kids_Emma Clark Library

2 – 4 pm

Jewelry Making for Kids

Ages: 3 – 12
Community
Craft & DIY

Emma Clark LibrarySetauket

2:30 – 4:30 pm

De Matti Park Youth Power Hours

Ages: 3 – 12
Free

DeMatti ParkStaten Island

Sunday Dec. 15

9 am – noon

NYRR Open Run: Conference House Park

Ages: All
Free

Conference House ParkStaten Island

Sunrise High railers 1

10 am – 6 pm

Sunrise Hi Railers Train Display at The Shoppes

Ages: 5 and up
Attractions
Community

The Shoppes at East WindWading River

Photo – Secret Sirens Scavenger Hunt

11 am – 4 pm

Secret Sirens

Ages: 5 and up
Art
Free

The Whaling Museum & Education CenterCold Spring Harbor

Tuesday Dec. 17

5:30 am – 7:30 pm

Town of Islip Holiday Drive-Thru Light Show

Ages: All
Free
Holiday

Brookwood HallIslip

2:30 – 4:30 pm

De Matti Park Youth Power Hours

Ages: 3 – 12
Free

DeMatti ParkStaten Island

3:30 – 5:30 pm

Junior Naturalist: Winter Science Sampler

Ages: 5 – 12
Environment
Free

Idlewild Environmental CenterSpringfield Gardens

Wednesday Dec. 18

2:30 – 4:30 pm

De Matti Park Youth Power Hours

Ages: 3 – 12
Free

DeMatti ParkStaten Island

Thursday Dec. 19

5:30 am – 7:30 pm

Town of Islip Holiday Drive-Thru Light Show

Ages: All
Free
Holiday

Brookwood HallIslip

Photo – Secret Sirens Scavenger Hunt

11 am – 4 pm

Secret Sirens

Ages: 5 and up
Art
Free

The Whaling Museum & Education CenterCold Spring Harbor

2:30 – 4:30 pm

De Matti Park Youth Power Hours

Ages: 3 – 12
Free

DeMatti ParkStaten Island

3:30 – 5:30 pm

Junior Naturalist: Winter Science Sampler

Ages: 5 – 12
Environment
Free

Idlewild Environmental CenterSpringfield Gardens

Friday Dec. 20

Photo – Secret Sirens Scavenger Hunt

11 am – 4 pm

Secret Sirens

Ages: 5 and up
Art
Free

The Whaling Museum & Education CenterCold Spring Harbor

2:30 – 4:30 pm

De Matti Park Youth Power Hours

Ages: 3 – 12
Free

DeMatti ParkStaten Island

3 – 4:30 pm

De Matti Youth Cookies, Cocoa, and Crafts with Santa

Ages: 3 – 12
Free

DeMatti ParkStaten Island

Saturday Dec. 21

10 – 11 am

Whiz Kidz

Ages: 5 – 12
Free

Idlewild ParkSpringfield Gardens

Sunrise High railers 1

10 am – 6 pm

Sunrise Hi Railers Train Display at The Shoppes

Ages: 5 and up
Attractions
Community

The Shoppes at East WindWading River

11 am

Weekly Storytime

Ages: 3 – 12
Books & Readings
Free

Barnes & Noble Staten Island MallStaten Island

Photo – Secret Sirens Scavenger Hunt

11 am – 4 pm

Secret Sirens

Ages: 5 and up
Art
Free

The Whaling Museum & Education CenterCold Spring Harbor

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