Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette
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Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
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Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
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Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley
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Dreamery uses only the best all-natural milk and cream from local New York State creameries.
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The Brooklyn Museum is a premier art museum, with floors of treasures and outdoor art, too.
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The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Frolic in the Fountain of the Fairs, one of our 100 favorite free things to do this summer in NYC.
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The Pier 6 Waterlab has been one of our favorite NYC splash pads since it opened in 2010. Photo by Sara M
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See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
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Enjoy the Summer of Spongebob, courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana - and Mommy Poppins!
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Make a splash at Coney Island when you need to beat the heat in NYC. Photo by author
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Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard
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Noshing on a funnel cake on the Coney Island boardwalk is a sweet ending to an epic day of summer fun.
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Coney Island's shores are easy to get to, and action packed from the rides to the waves. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
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See Isabella's flower-filled wonderland in real-life at the new Disney Encanto x CAMP experience at the Flatiron location.
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NYC school kids head back to school on Thursday, September 7, 2023, according to the newly released NYC public school calendar. Photo by Al De Ingeniis
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Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Enjoy a wild visit to the Philadelphia Zoo during a weekend getaway to the City of Brotherly Love. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Lola and Tots offers is a drop-in play as well as membership-based childcare with co-working benefits.
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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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Eat on the rooftop at Fornino on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6. Photo by Lisa Seibold-Winder
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Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
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Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
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The Brooklyn Children's Museum offers three floors of rotating and permanent interactive exhibits perfect for warding off the rainy day blues. Photo courtesy of BCM
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Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
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The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
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& Juliet turns Shakespeare's classic tale on its head with plenty of girl power. Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy
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Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
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Hunting down pop-up public art displays is one of our favorite free things to do in NYC. Zaq Landsberg's Reclining Liberty is on display in Morningside Park through April 2022.
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The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
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No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
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Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
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Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
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Find the NYC neighborhood that fits your family.
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Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
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Free in April: 32 Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Celebrate Earth Day with the Randall's Island Park Alliance. Photo courtesy of Randall's Island
Celebrate Earth Day with the Randall's Island Park Alliance. Photo courtesy of Randall's Island
4/2/23 - By Rosalind Muggeridge

April in New York City showers us with tons of FREE things to do. From the Easter Bonnet Festival to Earth Day at the Queens County Farm Museum, we've found 40 FREE things to do this April in NYC.

Find more fun this month in our list of the best things to do this April and bookmark our Spring Fun Guide for NYC Kids for even more top picks.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses, times, and recommended ages. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or book your tickets ASAP.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Governors Island's adventure playground, The Yard, reopens for the season Saturday, April 1. Photo by Philipp Klaus/courtesy the playground
Governors Island's adventure playground, The Yard, reopens for the season Saturday, April 1. Photo by Philipp Klaus/courtesy the playground

Free Things To Do in NYC From Saturday, April 1-Saturday, April 8

Opening Weekend: The Yard

Governors Island
Saturday, April 1-Sunday, April 2
Kids can roll up their sleeves, grab a hammer, and get to work in New York City's only adventure playground. Meet the team of playworkers and explore the 50,000-square-foot creative wonderland. Rain or shine! READ MORE

The Water Arch

South Street Seaport
Saturday, April 1-Sunday, April 2
The Seaport Museum hosts a free hands-on art installation that highlights the importance of clean drinking water. Standing at the center of the piece, turn a wheel to pump more than 35 gallons of water through the clear pipes and receptacles to have it rain down around you, without getting wet. READ MORE

Balloontopia

Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, April 1-Sunday, April 2
Balloontopia is New York City's first balloon pop-up experience. Brooklyn Bridge Parents and City Point have partnered up to bring a playground of ginormous balloon art and immersive balloon experiences to Brooklyn. READ MORE

Miller Theater Pop-Up Concert: Olivia de Prato

Upper West Side
Tuesday, April 4
These free and fun Pop-Up Concerts provide the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with today’s most exciting new music. Sit onstage and mingle with the musicians and fellow concertgoers after the show. READ MORE

Walker Park Easter Eggstravaganza

Staten Island
Friday, April 7
NYC Parks hosts a truly eggstravagant Easter event! Take pictures with the Easter Bunny and enjoy some eggcelent crafts, activities, and games. Kids under the age of 13 are welcome to join an Easter egg hunt to search for hidden eggs, including special gold eggs. READ MORE

Spring Opening at the Audubon Center

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, April 8
Kick off the spring season with fun nature activities at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. Families and children can learn about bird migration through interactive games, animal encounters, and much more. READ MORE

Governors Island Egg Hunt

Governors Island
Saturday, April 8
Governors Island hosts its first pub­lic egg hunt, with 10,000 wood­en paint­ed eggs hid­den through­out the island’s 120 acres of open space, including island-spe­cif­ic prizes and give­aways for the most hard-boiled egg hunters. READ MORE

WBO Spring Egg Hunt

Norwood, the Bronx
Saturday, April 8
Stop by Williamsbridge Oval for an egg hunt, sack races, arts and crafts, carnival games, and more! READ MORE

Easter Festival

Rego Park, Queens
Saturday, April 8
Queens Recreation and City Council Member Robert Holden present a day packed with Easter activities. Families are invited to an Easter egg hunt, Easter and spring-themed arts and crafts, carnival games, and other fun activities and prizes for children. READ MORE

Easter at The Seaport

South Street Seaport
Saturday, April 8
Play with us at The Seaport! Mommy Poppins teams up with Brooklyn Bridge Parents and The Seaport for free Easter fun. Enjoy an Easter egg hunt and additional free kid-friendly activities including paper spring flower making, bunny hat creation, tie dye paper Easter eggs, and Easter bunny selfies sponsored by BASIS Independent Schools. Ages 12 and under. READ MORE

NYSoM Easter Eggstravaganza 2023

Inwood
Saturday, April 8
NYSoM hosts an Easter party that includes an egg hunt, an Easter activity village with painted Easter eggs, Easter crafts, and appearances by the Easter Bunny and friends. READ MORE

Macy's Herald Square Annual Flower Show

Herald Square
Daily through Monday, April 10
Macy's annual ode to springtime is in full bloom, with thousands of stunning flowers and lush plants transforming the flagship store into one of the most colorful destinations in NYC. READ MORE
The Schomburg Center's Annual Black Comic Book Festival celebrates the rich tradition of Black comix with a two-day event. Photo courtesy of the festival
The Schomburg Center's Annual Black Comic Book Festival celebrates the rich tradition of Black comix with a two-day event. Photo courtesy of the festival

Free Things To Do in NYC From Sunday, April 9-Saturday, April 15

Kids Week: Nature Exploration Hike and Craft

Forest Park, Queens
Monday, April 10
The Urban Park Rangers help kids experience nature in a hands-on and fun way, using the park as an inspiration to construct a nature-based craft. READ MORE

Kids Week: Pollinator Planting Party

Annadale, Staten Island
Monday, April 10
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike through the park, then plant some new life into the park while learning all about pollinators and the role they play on the environment. Kids might even be able to take something home to start their own pollinator gardens.  READ MORE

Try Scottish Highland Dancing

Midtown West
Monday, April 10
The New York Caledonian Club School of Highland Dance is sponsoring free beginner trial classes for children and adults. READ MORE

Spring Break in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Monday, April 10-Friday, April 14
Join the Prospect Park Alliance during Spring Break for family-friendly activities at the Prospect Park Audubon Center and the Carousel. READ MORE

11th Annual Black Comic Book Festival

Harlem
Friday, April 14-Saturday, April 15
The Schomburg Center's Annual Black Comic Book Festival celebrates the rich tradition of Black comix with a two-day event. READ MORE

Pipes and Drums on the Fountain Terrace

Midtown West
Saturday, April 15
The American Scottish Foundation celebrates the 25th anniversary of National Tartan Day with concerts on the Fountain Terrace. Get a leg up on the marching at a pre-New York Tartan Day Parade serenade by some leading Pipe Bands! READ MORE

Farmhouse Family Day: Working with Wood

Canarsie, Brooklyn
Saturday, April 15
Celebrate Earth Day by learning all about trees and explore characteristics of wood by creating personalized wooden coasters. Investigate the many wooden tools in the historic house and "stick" around for spring activities on the farm. READ MORE

New York Tartan Day Parade

Midtown West
Saturday, April 15
Grand Marshal Gail Porter leads the way for the 25th anniversary NYC Tartan Day Parade, alongside 30 young musicians from Scotland’s Pulse of the Place representing World Fair Trade Tartan. The NYC Scottish cultural event of the year features thousands of clans, pipers, dancers, and Scottish pups marching up Sixth Avenue. READ MORE
Join the Prospect Park Alliance for free Arbor Day fun with nature games and an exhibit in Brooklyn’s last remaining forest. Photo by Virginia Freire
Join the Prospect Park Alliance for free Arbor Day fun with nature games and an exhibit in Brooklyn’s last remaining forest. Photo by Virginia Freire

Free Things To Do in NYC From Sunday, April 16-Saturday, April 22

Earth Day 2023: Union Square

Union Square
Sunday, April 16
Union Square's annual Earth Day New York event is a fantastic way to connect to environmental campaigns, green lifestyle products, and interesting people doing great green work!   READ MORE

Garden of Dreams Talent Show 2023

Midtown West
Wednesday, April 19
This free children's talent show is hosted by the Garden of Dreams Foundation, Madison Square Garden’s not-for-profit charity helping tri-state area children overcome obstacles such as homelessness, illness, bullying, and poverty. The annual event gives more than 100 kids the chance to perform on-stage at Radio City in front of their families, friends, and celebrities. READ MORE

Eid al-Fitr in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Friday, April 21
Join the Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly programming on Eid al-Fitr. Explore the park, meet some resident animals at the Audubon Center, enjoy a bird walk or a carousel ride, and more.  READ MORE

Earth Day Celebration: Many Footprints

Chelsea
Friday, April 21
Chelsea Recreation celebrates Earth Day by taking a look into the impact we have as individuals on the environment. Through hands-on activities, kids learn about the depletion of our natural resources, pollution, and practices we can put in place to be good stewards of the planet. READ MORE

Arbor Day 2023

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Friday, April 21
Join the Prospect Park Alliance this Arbor Day and spend some quality time with the park's gentle giants—the trees. READ MORE

Earth Day at the Queens County Farm Museum

Floral Park, Queens
Saturday, April 22
Young environmentalists and their grown-ups are invited out to the Queens County Farm Museum to celebrate Earth Day. Volunteers assist with sifting compost, spring clean-up in the children’s garden, mulching, weeding, and more. READ MORE

Earth Day in Rockefeller Park

Midtown West
Saturday, April 22
Kids are invited to pick up STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) at this special Earth Day-themed open-air fair featuring engaging activities and a live performance from Mad Science. READ MORE

Free Family Art Day with Spellbound Theatre

East Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday, April 22
Spellbound Theater hosts a FREE pop-up show called The Naughty Penguin and an art activity to match: “A Penguin Party!” READ MORE

Earth Day Festival

Randall's Island
Saturday, April 22
RIPA’s Earth Day Festival ushers in the warmer months, celebrates the earth, and gives visitors the opportunity to appreciate the park’s spring beauty—especially the cherry blossoms. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC From Sunday, April 23-Sunday, April 30

Spring Festival at Highbridge

Washington Heights
Saturday, April 29
Highbridge Recreation Center and Park celebrates spring with an obstacle course, jumbo games, arts and crafts, music, and many more activities! READ MORE

Spring Family Day

Midtown West
Sunday, April 30
Carnegie Hall celebrates families with FREE, interactive, and fun musical activities at its Spring Family Day. Enjoy a spring sing, watch mainstage performances, participate in a collective art project, and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Miller Theater at Columbia University
Governors Island, Parade Grounds
Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Cetner
Sherman Creek Pop-up Park
Blue Heron Nature Center at Blue Heron Park
Prospect Park Audubon Center, Children's Corner, Carousel
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Chelsea Recreation Center