May 15-16, 2026
This Sunday in NYC offers free, family-friendly events across all five boroughs with activities designed for babies and young toddlers. We've selected ten events that balance structured programming with flexibility, emphasizing sensory-friendly experiences in gardens, parks, and cultural venues. Whether your little one enjoys music, nature exploration, or creative play, these picks offer gentle introductions to community, art, and the outdoors.
FREESun, May 17 · 11:15 AM
Casa Primary · TriBeCa
Music & Movement Music & Movement at Casa Primary is a joyful, high-energy class where children are invited to sing, dance, and explore rhythm through their favorite songs. Led by Tracy, Sara, or Evan
Music & Movement at Casa Primary offers a structured, rhythmic experience where babies and toddlers can engage with music through singing and movement in a focused group setting. The consistent schedule and familiar instructors provide predictability for younger attendees.
TriBeCa, Manhattan
showFREESun, May 17 · 12:00 PM
Montague Street · Brooklyn Heights
Brooklyn Bridge Parents host a Spring Fling during Open Streets on Montague with 25 free kids' activities, a dance party, and a puppet show. Stop by for games, arts and crafts, soccer, face painting,
Spring Fling on Montague Street provides 25 distinct activities on a car-free street, allowing families to move at their own pace and choose low-stimulation options like face painting or crafts. The range of activities accommodates different sensory preferences and energy levels.
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
musicFREESun, May 17 · 11:00 AM
Van Cortlandt Nature Center · Van Cortlandt Park
Join the Rangers for an original musical-inspired tale of the ponds, streams, forests and creatures that make up the Bronx’s parks.
A Ranger Musical at Van Cortlandt Nature Center combines storytelling with outdoor exploration, offering a gentle introduction to nature and live performance in a park setting. The natural environment provides a calm backdrop for younger children.
Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
outdoorFREESun, May 17 · 1:00 PM
Entrance - East 106th Street and Fifth Avenue · Randalls and Wards Island
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a lovely garden walk at the Conservatory Garden in Central Park! Learn the history of this garden as well as some botany basics with the Rangers!
Nature Exploration at the Conservatory Garden is a guided walk through a curated landscape where babies can observe plants and seasonal blooms at a leisurely pace. The structured tour format and garden setting create a serene sensory experience.
Randalls and Wards Island, Manhattan
artFREESun, May 17 · 11:00 AM
Greenbelt Nature Center
Relax at the nature center with a short hike, followed by sketching and painting.
Bloom on the Trail combines gentle movement with creative expression through sketching and painting, allowing babies and toddlers to experience nature at a relaxed tempo. The multi-sensory approach (hiking, art, outdoor observation) engages different developmental interests.
artFREESun, May 17 · 10:00 AM
Wave Hill · Riverdale
Let's explore the colors of the rainbow! This free family art project at Wave Hill invites kids to create work inspired by rainbow themes, available through NYC Parks.
Family Art Project: Rainbow Passage at Wave Hill invites babies to explore colors and create alongside family in a structured, open-ended activity. The focus on color exploration suits younger children's visual development.
Riverdale, Bronx
outdoorFREESun, May 17 · 2:00 PM
Lefferts Historic House · Prospect Park
The Prospect Park Alliance presents a Pinkster celebration in the yard of Lefferts Historic House, an 18th-century Flatbush farmhouse that serves as the park's historic house museum. Stop by for music
Celebrate Pinkster in Prospect Park offers a cultural celebration in the historic Lefferts House yard with music, allowing families to experience community gathering and live performance in a defined outdoor space. The historic house setting provides an intimate, contained environment.
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
movementFREESun, May 17 · 12:00 PM
Basketball Court · Bushwick
Free afternoon of roller skating, music, and more at the basketball court in Bill Brown Playground. This drop-in program is open to all ages and requires no registration.
Community Skate at Bill Brown Playground is a drop-in program with music and rolling activities that allows families to participate without advance registration or commitment. Younger siblings can observe or participate at their own comfort level in an all-ages setting.
Bushwick, Brooklyn
musicFREESun, May 17 · 11:00 AM
Lincoln Center Theater · Lincoln Square
Lincoln Center hosts a morning of music centering on the Gospel tradition. Join in a celebration of harmony and community, featuring songs by Donald Lawrence, Richard Smallwood, and Walter Hawkins, an
Come and Sing at Lincoln Center offers a morning of gospel music and group singing, providing a live music experience in a cultural venue with structured programming. The participatory singing element engages babies' auditory senses in a curated setting.
Lincoln Square, Manhattan
outdoorFREESun, May 17 · 1:00 PM
Wave Hill · Riverdale
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Garden Highlights Walk at Wave Hill is a leisurely, guided garden tour led by knowledgeable staff, allowing families to move slowly through outdoor spaces and observe plants and landscapes. The structured pace and expert guidance suit parents seeking a calm, informative outing.
Riverdale, Bronx
FREESun, May 17 · 10:00 AM
5th Avenue · South Slope
Head to Park Slope's Fifth Avenue to peruse this street fair, featuring food and sale items, rides, bouncy castles, music performances, and more.
FREESun, May 17 · 12:15 PM
The Brick Presbyterian Church · Carnegie Hill
Don't miss the highly anticipated all-church picnic and strawberry festival on 92nd Street, featuring live music, scrumptious food, exciting kids' activities, and joyful conversations with friends and
artFREESun, May 17 · 10:30 AM
Lehman College Art Gallery · Bedford Park
Explore the Thesis Exhibition of Lehman College BFA, MA, and MFA graduates and create your own found object sculpture inspired by the exhibition.
outdoorFREESun, May 17 · 11:00 AM
Stars of Hope Community Garden · Two Bridges
Stars of Hope Community Garden is hosting their annual Season Opener. Come enjoy the garden, plant the garden beds and hang out! All are welcome!
showFREESun, May 17 · 2:00 PM
Maple Street Community Garden · Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Please join Maple Street Community Garden in collaboration with Big Reuse for an afternoon where we show some love to our beloved street trees. All supplies will be provided.
museumFREESun, May 17 · 11:00 AM
H.H. Biddle House · Tottenville
NYC Parks and the Tottenville Historical Society invite you to visit a unique collection of terracotta artifacts that chronicle turn-of-the-twentieth-century architectural styles.
martial_artsFREESun, May 17 · 8:00 AM
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument · Upper West Side
Learn and practice Tai Chi, a slow moving martial art with health benefits for all fitness levels.
theaterFREESun, May 17 · 12:00 PM
Gymnasium (Full) · Flushing
Are you looking to learn how to play softball or hoping to improve your game during the winter? Come hit, throw, and catch throughout the winter at the Al Oerter Recreation Center.
danceFREESun, May 17 · 11:00 AM
Multi-Use Room · Norwood
Zumba is a fusion of Latin, International and popular music dance themes creating a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness system!
FREESun, May 17 · 1:00 PM
Pier I · Upper West Side
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association to safely observe the central star of our solar system.