Free Things to Do with Kids in NYC This Weekend

September 12–13, 2026 · 337 free events across the city

This weekend offers a variety of free kids' events across New York City and nearby areas. From hands-on STEAM activities and storytimes to crafts, puzzles, and even a lantern procession, there are options for different ages and interests. Many are drop-in, so you can fit them into your schedule without advance registration.

Top Picks

1Top Pick
STEAM Fair with Westchester Children's MuseumFREE

STEAM Fair with Westchester Children's Museum

Sat, Sep 12 · 11:00 AM

Harrison Public Library · Harrison

Get ready for a hands-on afternoon of science, technology, engineering, art, and math in partnership with Westchester Children’s Museum. Families will explore a variety of interactive activity station

Ages 6–11Drop-in

This hands-on STEAM fair from the Westchester Children's Museum offers interactive stations for kids 6–11, making it a strong pick for families in Westchester.

Harrison, Westchester

2Top Pick
Pre-K StorytimeFREE

Pre-K Storytime

Sat, Sep 12 · 11:00 AM

QPL Richmond Hill Branch · Richmond Hill

Join us for a Storytime in the children’s room! No registration required. This free drop-in session at QPL Richmond Hill Branch is for children ages 0 months to 5 years.

Up to age 5Drop-in

A no-registration storytime at a Queens library branch, ideal for the youngest children (0–5) and conveniently drop-in.

Richmond Hill, Queens

3Top Pick
Saturday CraftsFREE

Saturday Crafts

Sat, Sep 12 · 11:30 AM

QPL Richmond Hill Branch · Richmond Hill

Join us for an arts and craft project in the children’s room. No registration is required.

Up to age 5Drop-in

A simple drop-in craft session in Queens for kids under 5, perfect for a low-key Saturday morning activity.

Richmond Hill, Queens

4Top Pick
PlaytimeFREE

Playtime

Sat, Sep 12 · 1:00 PM

QPL Rosedale Branch · Rosedale

Children play in a simulated playground using a variety of toys including educational ones. No registration require

Up to age 5Drop-in

A simulated playground with educational toys for children 0–5 in Queens, no registration required.

Rosedale, Queens

5Top Pick
Open Craft RoomartFREE

Open Craft Room

Sun, Sep 13 · 12:30 PM

Elmont Memorial Library · Elmont

Ages 3 - Grades 5 Unleash your creativity in the craft room! We provide the materials - you bring the imagination! No registration required. While supplies last!

Ages 5–11Drop-in

An open craft room on Long Island for ages 3–10, with all materials provided while supplies last.

Elmont, Long Island

6Top Pick
Morningside Lights at Columbia UniversityFREE

Morningside Lights at Columbia University

Sat, Sep 12 · All day

Miller Theater at Columbia University · Morningside Heights

Morningside Lights returns for its 15th year, illuminating the night in a procession of awe-inspiring handmade lanterns floating through Morningside Park to Columbia's campus.

Ages 10+

A free evening lantern procession at Columbia University in Manhattan, suitable for older kids (10+) and a unique cultural experience.

Morningside Heights, Manhattan

7Top Pick
SATURDAY STEAM: LEGO Open PlayFREE

SATURDAY STEAM: LEGO Open Play

Sat, Sep 12 · 9:00 AM

NYPL Epiphany Library · Gramercy Park

SATURDAY STEAM: LEGO Open Play Join us every Saturday in September for LEGO open play in the 2nd floor children's room! Bricks suitable for children of all ages will be provided. ALL AGES No tickets r

Up to age 5Weekly

LEGO open play at a Manhattan library for all ages, a drop-in option that encourages building and creativity.

Gramercy Park, Manhattan

8Top Pick
Puzzles & PlaymovementFREE

Puzzles & Play

Sat, Sep 12 · 10:00 AM

NYPL Bloomingdale Library · Manhattan Valley

Join us in the children's room for puzzles and different toys each week appropriate for preschool- through elementary-age. We might have board puzzles, floor puzzles, logic puzzles, or even a challeng

Ages 18 mo–12 yrDrop-in

Puzzles and toys for preschoolers through elementary-age children at a Manhattan library, with a range of puzzle types available.

Manhattan Valley, Manhattan

9Top Pick
Kids Boxing ClassFREE

Kids Boxing Class

Sat, Sep 12 · 10:00 AM

F.C. Chaos Boxing & Fitness · Charleston

Kids boxing program focused on respect, discipline and fun.

Ages 6–13Weekly

A free kids' boxing class on Staten Island focused on respect and discipline, offering a physical activity alternative.

Charleston, Staten Island

10Top Pick
Art CartFREE

Art Cart

Sat, Sep 12 · 10:00 AM

QPL Woodhaven Branch · Woodhaven

We supply the materials; you supply the creativity! What will you build? For the whole family.

Up to age 5

An art cart in Queens where the library supplies materials and children bring creativity, open to the whole family.

Woodhaven, Queens

Saturday, September 12 (10)

Board Game SaturdaystorytimeFREE

Board Game Saturday

Sat, Sep 12 · All day

Harrison Public Library · Harrison

Get ready for maximum table-top chaos at the library's Board Game Saturday , where we’re unleashing a wild lineup of games for kids, adults, and everyone brave enough to roll the dice! Bring your frie

Up to age 11Weekly
Celebrate Roald DahlFREE

Celebrate Roald Dahl

Sat, Sep 12 · All day

Harrison Public Library · Harrison

Celebrate Roald Dahl Day a day early with us! Join us on Saturday, September 12th for The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl. Dive into phizz-wizarding fun featuring themed coloring pages, mazes, word

Up to age 11
East Flushing Fall Saturday Crafts for Children of All AgesFREE

East Flushing Fall Saturday Crafts for Children of All Ages

Sat, Sep 12 · 10:00 AM

QPL East Flushing Branch · Flushing

Children of all ages will design and create a craft on Saturday at the craft table in the children’s room. The cra

Up to age 5
D.I.Y. Take & Make Kit Supply Pickup -- Woods BranchFREE

D.I.Y. Take & Make Kit Supply Pickup -- Woods Branch

Sat, Sep 12 · 10:00 AM

Fairfield Public Library — Fairfield Woods Branch · Fairfield

D.I.Y. Kits for Children in Grades K-5! No Registration Required! While Supplies Last. Grab a kit at the Library, and then, at your convenience, pull up the instructional video on our YouTube Channel

Ages 5–11Drop-in
D.I.Y. Take & Make Kit Supply Pickup -- Main LibraryFREE

D.I.Y. Take & Make Kit Supply Pickup -- Main Library

Sat, Sep 12 · 10:00 AM

Fairfield Public Library — Main Library · Fairfield

D.I.Y. Kits for Children in Grades K-5! No Registration Required! While Supplies Last. Grab a kit at the Library, and then, at your convenience, pull up the instructional video on our YouTube Channel

Ages 5–11Drop-in
Play Hooray- Birth to entering Pre-KmovementFREE

Play Hooray- Birth to entering Pre-K

Sat, Sep 12 · 10:00 AM

East Meadow Public Library · East Meadow

Sing and play with nursery rhymes, a book and lots of love from Molly Mouse! One parent per child. Play Hooray will be here on Thursday, September 10th at 10 AM and 11 AM AND Saturday, September 12th

Ages 3–5Course
Mid Autumn Festival Open House at Little Tree MontessoriFREE

Mid Autumn Festival Open House at Little Tree Montessori

Sat, Sep 12 · 10:00 AM

Little Tree Bilingual Montessori of NYC · Manhattan Valley

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with Little Tree Bilingual Montessori of NYC at a special FREE Open House. Explore Little Tree’s beautiful Upper West Side campus while enjoying a morning of festive,

Ages 2–5
Satur-yay! StorytimeFREE

Satur-yay! Storytime

Sat, Sep 12 · 10:00 AM

Greenwich Library · Greenwich

Join us for finger plays, songs, rhymes, and movement. Tickets will be distributed at the Children’s Desk on the 3rd floor 30 minutes before the program. For all ages -Birth to 5-year-olds with a pare

Up to age 5
Free Play with Bricks (Ages 5 and Up)FREE

Free Play with Bricks (Ages 5 and Up)

Sat, Sep 12 · 11:00 AM

Nutley Public Library · Nutley

11 AM to 3 PM Saturdays: September 12, October 24 and November 7 Monday, December 28 Drop-in and build with LEGOs! For ages 5 and up. No registration required. For more information, visit nutleypublic

Ages 5+Drop-in
East Flushing Saturday Chess ClubFREE

East Flushing Saturday Chess Club

Sat, Sep 12 · 3:00 PM

QPL East Flushing Branch · Flushing

We have a chess program for adults and teens. Please join us on Saturdays and have fun! No registration is required

Up to age 5Drop-in
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