Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette
40 Things To Do in NYC Before School Starts
Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do
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
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley
Best Swimming Lakes near NYC You Need to Discover
Dreamery uses only the best all-natural milk and cream from local New York State creameries.
Best Cold Treats in NYC for Kids: Ice Cream, Ice Pops, and More
The Brooklyn Museum is a premier art museum, with floors of treasures and outdoor art, too.
Brooklyn Museum Guide For Kids - Everything You Need to Know Before Your Family Visit
The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Top Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in NYC for Kids
Frolic in the Fountain of the Fairs, one of our 100 favorite free things to do this summer in NYC.
100 Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer with Kids
GUIDE
Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide
The Pier 6 Waterlab has been one of our favorite NYC splash pads since it opened in 2010. Photo by Sara M
Play Fountains in NYC Where Kids Can Get Totally Soaked
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
Enjoy the Summer of Spongebob, courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana - and Mommy Poppins!
Your Ultimate Summer Starts with Our Nickelodeon Resort Giveaway, Deals, and Guide
Make a splash at Coney Island when you need to beat the heat in NYC. Photo by author
Heat Wave Hot List: 50 Cool Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard
Where to See Free Summer Movies in NYC for an Outdoor Movie Night
Noshing on a funnel cake on the Coney Island boardwalk is a sweet ending to an epic day of summer fun.
50 Things To Do This Summer in NYC: Summer Fun Guide
Coney Island's shores are easy to get to, and action packed from the rides to the waves. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
Best NYC Beaches by Ferry or Train
See Isabella's flower-filled wonderland in real-life at the new Disney Encanto x CAMP experience at the Flatiron location.
Encanto's Casita Comes to Life at CAMP Fifth Avenue
GUIDE
Family Amusement Parks & Water Parks Guide
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
2023-24 NYC Public School Calendar: New Holidays, Plus 2024 & 2025 Calendars
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Enjoy a wild visit to the Philadelphia Zoo during a weekend getaway to the City of Brotherly Love. Photo courtesy of the zoo
13 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
Lola and Tots offers is a drop-in play as well as membership-based childcare with co-working benefits.
19 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Eat on the rooftop at Fornino on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6. Photo by Lisa Seibold-Winder
Best Outdoor Dining in Brooklyn at Family-Friendly Restaurants
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
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
Indoor Activities for Kids: 35 Things To Do in NYC on a Rainy Day
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
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
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
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
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
& Juliet turns Shakespeare's classic tale on its head with plenty of girl power. Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
22 Free Indoor Places To Play in NYC
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones in NYC
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
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.
100 Free Things To Do in NYC With Kids
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
Top Attractions in NYC: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting.
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Find the NYC neighborhood that fits your family.
GUIDE
Moving Guide: Top NYC Neighborhoods for Families
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
GUIDE
News & Openings in NYC
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

26 Best Things To Do in NYC May 2023 with Kids

Enjoy the pageantry and patriotic celebrations when Fleet Week returns for Memorial Day weekend in NYC. Photo courtesy of Fleet Week New York
Enjoy the pageantry and patriotic celebrations when Fleet Week returns for Memorial Day weekend in NYC. Photo courtesy of Fleet Week New York
4/30/23 - By Drew Kristofik

May the 4th be with you as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and the return of Movies Under the Stars this May in New York City!

May is so jam-packed, it would be easy to miss some stellar happenings, including the long-anticipated opening of the American Museum of Natural History's Richard Gilder Center, which we got a sneak peek of. You can also catch the BAMKids SpringFest, Japan Day is back in parade form, and a new Harry Potter exhibition apparates in Midtown. And, how could we forget Fleet Week at month's end?

Plus, Mother's Day falls mid-month, and you can show mom your love during our heart-shaped pizza-making workshop. Other top picks for the day include booking Mother's Day brunch reservations or wandering NYBG's Mother's Day Garden Party.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day and, yes, outdoor movies are already underway, so be sure to keep an eye on our ever-growing list of what to see, when!

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including address and time. And keep in mind, in NYC, really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so buy your tickets ASAP or, in the case of FREE events, arrive as early as possible.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The immersive Invisible Worlds is one of the new exhibitions at the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation set to open at the American Museum of Natural History on Thursday, May 4.
The immersive Invisible Worlds is one of the new exhibitions at the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation set to open at the American Museum of Natural History on Thursday, May 4.

Top Things To Do in NYC with Kids this May

Richard Gilder Center Opening Weekend

Upper West Side
Opens Thursday, May 4
Featuring breathtaking architecture inspired by natural Earth processes, the Gilder Center reveals the natural world through an immersive experience that includes an insectarium, a permanent butterfly vivarium, and more. READ MORE

BAMKids SpringFest 2023

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, May 6
Families are invited to a joyous day of performances, interactive activities, and showcases of local talent! BAMkids SpringFest celebrates the spirit of the season with an eclectic program of music, dance, comedy, and circus arts, brought to you by artists from Japan, West Africa, the Philippines, and Hawaii. READ MORE

New York Theatre Ballet Once Upon a Ballet: Carnival of the Animals

Midtown East
Saturday, May 6-Sunday, May 7
In a magical forest, Queen Diana and her shaggy lion rule a charming assortment of animals who live more or less peaceably...until a pair of lost children wander in, and then the fun begins! READ MORE

Maestro's Magical Music Box Live

Lower East Side
Saturdays, May 6-May 27
Also on Sundays, May 21 and May 28
This live educational children's show features original sing-a-longs, interactive artist interviews, and corresponding lesson plans. Maestro and Prima Ballerina take kids on a dynamic adventure and interview a different live artist each week. Topics include musical dynamics, conservation, ocean animals, and resolving conflicts. READ MORE

Hippo Playground Spring Fair

Upper West Side
Sunday, May 7
An Upper West Side institution, the Hippo Playground Spring Fair celebrates the season with pony rides, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, games, prizes, crafts, food, cupcake decorating, face painting, entertainment, and more. READ MORE

Children's Day Festival: Kodomo No Hi

Midtown East
Sunday, May 7
Hang the koinobori (carp streamers) and don your kabuto (samurai helmet): The Japan Society's Children's Day is back. Celebrate Japan’s national holiday with life-sized samurai armor displays and take to the stage in a popular sword-fighting workshop led by Kyo Kasumi from TATE Hatoryu NY. READ MORE

Lift Off: A Waterfront Kite Festival

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, May 13
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy kicks off its 2023 spring and summer programming season with this beloved kite-flying fest. This family-friendly event returns to BBP's Pier 5, offering all ages the opportunity to watch their kites soar above the Manhattan skyline while enjoying special activities exploring the science of flight. READ MORE

Urban Wildlife Festival

Inwood–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Get up close and personal with NYC’s wild residents. Learn about squirrels, turtles, raccoons, opossums, and coyotes, and discover the best places in New York City and New York state to watch wildlife. READ MORE

Japan Day Parade and Street Fair

Central Park–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Building off the success of last year's celebration, Japan Day returns as a parade and street fair in 2023. See the parade march down Central Park West before enjoying the festive street fair along 72nd Street.  READ MORE

Sheep Shearing Festival

Glen Oaks, Queens
Saturday, May 13
Visit the Queens County Farm Museum on the Nassau-Queens border to see the sheep get their annual haircuts. Move to the foot-stomping rhythms of live music, and enjoy farmer-led tours and a plant sale all day.  READ MORE

Open Stages 2023

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s spring music festival is back to rock Park Slope once again! Stoops, school lots, parks, gardens, and sidewalks host more than 150 musicians throughout the day, including classical musicians, hip-hop artists, marching bands, kids' groups, and more. READ MORE

Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers Family Day

Midtown West
Saturday, May 13
Kids are invited to meet musical artists from around the world, including cumbia music with Gregorio, Vietnamese folk music with Vân-Ánh, and Jordanian folk music with Farah. READ MORE

Heart-Shaped Pizza Making Workshop

Hudson Yards
Saturday, May 13
Make memories (and lunch!) with a family cooking class at the new ANA Bar & Eatery in Hudson Yards. Kids and adults will each have a spot at the table, making heart-shaped pizzas in celebration of Mother’s Day. While your pizzas bake, make cards for mom.   READ MORE

Native New York Children’s Festival

Battery Park–FREE
Saturday, May 13 - Sunday, May 14
Native New York is the theme of this year's National Museum of the American Indian Children's Fest. Hands-on activities include corn husk dollmaking, traditional Tuscarora beadwork, listening to Haudenosaunee stories, and learning about lacrosse.  READ MORE

The Magic of Bill Blagg Live

Corona, Queens
Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 14
Magician Bill Blagg brings his live show to the Queens Theater, combining his mind-blowing magical talents with his trademark off-the-cuff personality to take audiences on an unforgettable magical journey. READ MORE

Mother's Day Weekend Garden Party

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Saturday, May 13 - Sunday, May 14
Mother's Day at the New York Botanical Garden is abloom with activities, music, crafts, and face painting—not to mention walking tours packed with colors and gorgeous spring scents. READ MORE

Songs for You and Me: Mother's Day Show with Allegra Levy

Lower East Side
Sunday, May 14
Jazz singer Allegra Levy releases her original family-friendly album, Songs for You and Me, at a special Mother’s Day concert! READ MORE

Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Midtown West
Opens Friday, May 19
A unique in-depth exhibition aims to delight Harry Potter fans with powerful storytelling and innovative, interactive technology. Original props and costumes from the films are on display, as well.  READ MORE

Dance Parade + DanceFest

Lower East Side–FREE
Saturday, May 20
Dance Parade returns to the streets, celebrating its 17th annual procession and festival with 10,000 dancers and more than 100 unique styles of dance. READ MORE

Stone Soup and Other Stories

Greenwich Village
Saturday, May 20
Pushcart Players' Stone Soup and Other Stories is a charming musical compilation of story favorites from Africa, India, Eastern Europe, and the United States. READ MORE

Big Truck Day

Randall's Island–FREE
Saturday, May 20
Strap on your seatbelt and get a close-up view of the big trucks that keep New York City clean and safe. Learn how firefighters, garbage truck drivers, and other big truck operators use these vehicles to drive our city forward. READ MORE

Dance Africa 2023

Downtown Brooklyn
Opens Saturday, May 20
The nation’s largest festival dedicated to African diasporic dance and music returns to the stages and streets of Brooklyn for its 46th year, with traditional Ghanian dance and music from the National Dance Company of Ghana. READ MORE

The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Sunday, May 21
Head to Park Slope's Fifth Avenue to peruse this street fair, featuring food and sale items, rides, bouncy castles, music performances, and more.  READ MORE

Madagascar: The Musical

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Sunday, May 21
A brand new musical from Dreamworks leaves audiences with no choice but to Move It, Move It! Animals escape from their home in New York's Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien's Madagascar. READ MORE

Memorial Day Fair

Sunnyside, Queens
Saturday, May 27
Sunnyside Gardens Park hosts its annual Memorial Day Fair featuring world-class entertainment, including lively Americana Music, a magician, and performers suitable for all ages. READ MORE

Fleet Week NYC 2023

Midtown West–FREE
Wednesday, May 24-Tuesday, May 30
The US Navy, US Marine Corps, and US Coast Guard's celebration of sea services invites families to tour ships, watch the Parade of Ships, and enjoy exhibits, military band concerts, and aviation events throughout the week.   READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Florence Gould Hall
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York
Harry Potter, The Exhibition
Various locations

About the Author

Drew Kristofik

Drew Kristofik's early career editing teen magazines somehow morphed into a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a very long sojourn at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick online and then Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com local. She was a founding member of the WebbyAward winning GoCityKids, has written for Family Fun Magazine, Vanity Fair, and New York, and her novel for middle schoolers, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. She strives to keep the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar packed and accurate, and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
Recent Articles By Drew Kristofik:
Read more articles by Drew Kristofik.
X
Add a link on your home screen.