May 15-16, 2026
This Saturday, NYC offers teens plenty of ways to build skills, connect with peers, and explore new interests—all for free. Whether you're into gaming, dance, science, visual arts, or chess, these 10 events span all five boroughs and let you try something new or deepen what you already love. Pick based on what draws you: hands-on learning, live performance, competition, or creative community.
FREESat, May 16 · 3:00 PM
East Flatbush Branch - Brooklyn Public Library · East Flatbush
Builds creativity, community, adventure, and leadership in every girl. Through projects, play, and games, participants build confidence, explore arts and science, and make friends. For girls ages 7–13
Maker Girls builds confidence through hands-on arts and science projects while connecting you with other girls ages 7–13. It's a structured space to explore creativity and leadership in a supportive community setting.
East Flatbush, Brooklyn
FREESat, May 16 · 2:00 PM
BGL Park Slope: Center Slope (310 7th Ave at 8th St) or South Slope (479 7th Ave at Windsor Pl ) · Park Slope
ABOUT THE PROGRAM For our Game Lab veterans– we’ve got just the program for you. Our beloved Teen Pass program returns to BGL, where teens ages 12 and up can play board games, D&D, Magic, and more wit
Teen Pass lets you play board games, D&D, Magic, and more with peers who share your interests in a dedicated gaming space. It's a low-pressure way to spend Saturday afternoon and develop strategy skills.
Park Slope, Brooklyn
FREESat, May 16 · 12:00 PM
BGL Annex · Park Slope
Every Saturday afternoon, Game Lab is reserved for our gaming girls! Girl Adventurers was developed by two women who are passionate about games and wanted to provide a dedicated space for girls to con
Girl Adventurers creates a dedicated D&D space for girls ages 6–14 to engage in collaborative storytelling and problem-solving. You'll develop character-building skills while playing in a welcoming, game-focused environment.
Park Slope, Brooklyn
FREESat, May 16 · 11:00 AM
Hudson River Park Pier 84 · Hell's Kitchen
Hudson River Park presents Submerge—a free science extravaganza devoted to raising awareness about our coastal waters. Celebrate local marine science through hands-on activities, catch-and-release fis
Submerge offers hands-on marine science activities and catch-and-release fishing at Hudson River Park, connecting you directly with NYC's waterfront ecosystem. It's a practical way to explore environmental science with experts.
Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
FREESat, May 16 · 12:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park · South Slope
Dance Parade returns to the streets, celebrating its 20th-annual procession and festival with 10,000 dancers and more than 100 unique styles of dance.
Dance Parade celebrates 20 years with 10,000 dancers and 100+ dance styles, giving you the chance to watch or participate in diverse movement traditions. It's an energetic community gathering that centers self-expression through dance.
South Slope, Brooklyn
museumFREESat, May 16 · 12:00 PM
Washington Square Park Chess Plaza · Greenwich Village
Grandmaster Joel Benjamin kicks off the afternoon with an accessible chess lecture, then sits down for a thrilling simultaneous exhibition against 23 players at once. All ages and playing levels are w
Watch Grandmaster Joel Benjamin teach chess strategy through an accessible lecture and simultaneous exhibition at Washington Square Park. Whether you play casually or competitively, you'll see expert-level problem-solving in action.
Greenwich Village
theaterFREESat, May 16 · 10:00 AM
New York City Center · Midtown East
Your Community Day at City Center presents a full slate of performances, workshops, and activities featuring the National Dance Institute, teaching artists from Ballet Hispánico, Brotherhood Sister So
City Center's Community Day features workshops and performances from established dance companies like Ballet Hispánico and the National Dance Institute. You'll experience professional arts training and watch skilled performers across multiple styles.
Midtown East, Manhattan
FREESat, May 16 · 12:00 PM
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning · Jamaica
JCAL's Queens International Children's Festival returns with free entertainment and activities for the entire family, including high-quality arts performances and craft activities to inspire young peo
Queens International Children's Festival offers free arts performances and craft activities that celebrate diverse cultural traditions. It's a chance to experience high-quality performance art and hands-on creative activities in Jamaica, Queens.
Jamaica, Queens
FREESat, May 16 · 12:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park · Dumbo
Photoville presents a free Community Weekend: a visual storytelling event bringing various artists to Brooklyn Bridge Park, featuring 65 exhibitions and free public programming from VSCO, the Penumbra
Photoville's opening weekend brings 65 photography exhibitions and free public programming to Brooklyn Bridge Park, exploring visual storytelling from multiple artists. It's an accessible introduction to photography as a medium for communication and perspective-sharing.
Dumbo, Brooklyn
danceFREESat, May 16 · 10:00 AM
Weeksville Heritage Center · Crown Heights
DanceAfrica's traditional tribute to those who have passed features music and drumming, dance performances, and a libation ceremony conducted by the Council of Elders.
BAM DanceAfrica's tribute features traditional music, drumming, and dance performances that center cultural heritage and collective memory. You'll engage with performance art rooted in cultural continuity and artistic tradition.
Crown Heights, Brooklyn
FREESat, May 16 · 11:00 AM
Lakeshore Learning
Creativity blossoms and kids’ imaginations grow at two free in-store events in May! Both events feature a garden-themed, take-home craft kids decorate with Magic Stix markers and the chance to get han
FREESat, May 16 · 5:15 PM
Brooklyn Art Club (Brighton) · Brighton Beach
We provide a fun and creative environment where your children can develop their imagination and improve their artistic skills. • Our studio is staffed only by professional art teachers. • The studio p
FREESat, May 16 · 12:00 PM
BGL Center Slope · Park Slope
Registering siblings? A 5% discount on each session will be applied on the checkout page. LIFE SKILLS THROUGH GAMEPLAY As featured in U.S. News and School Library Journal , our Social Skills program o
FREESat, May 16 · 7:00 PM
BGL South Slope · Park Slope
ABOUT THE PROGRAM S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night D&D rocks! Our expert Game Masters will guide your children through epic stories with a mix of action, adventure, acting, and puzzles. We usually play Dungeons
FREESat, May 16 · 11:00 AM
Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5 · Brooklyn Heights
Brooklyn Bridge Park kicks off its spring and summer programming season with this beloved kite-flying fest. This family-friendly event takes over BBP's Pier 5, offering all ages the opportunity to wat
outdoorFREESat, May 16 · 8:00 PM
Sobelsohn Playground in Forest Park · Woodhaven
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy-, Grammy-, and Tony-winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet t
FREESat, May 16 · 1:00 PM
East River Esplanade · Lenox Hill
Join EsplanadeFriends for a FREE live music event featuring Salsa from LULADA CLUB, and all-women Salsa orchestra. Enjoy KIDS ACTIVITIES, crafting and FREE treats (while supplies last)—all with a spec
movementFREESat, May 16 · 12:00 PM
Frederick Douglass Playground · Manhattan Valley
NYC Parks and Council Member Shaun Abreu host a fun afternoon of crafts, inflatables, music, jumbo games, an obstacle course, and more.
musicFREESat, May 16 · 1:15 PM
Creature Space · Gowanus
The Ephyras Choir is a collaborative ensemble class that builds strong, confident musicians. Alongside engaging repertoire, students receive focused training in aural skills and foundational music the
theaterFREESat, May 16 · 10:30 AM
The Paley Center for Media · Midtown East
Re-creating Radio is a two-hour workshop where children ages 9 and older produce an old-time radio drama using scripts, sound effects, and music. The workshop takes participants through the many stage