# LittleGotham: Things to Do with Kids in NYC (3,052 Places)

> Find 3,052 kid-friendly places and programs across all five NYC boroughs: story times, pools, museums, playgrounds and classes. Free listings, ages 0–17.

URL: https://littlegotham.com/

LittleGotham lists 3,052 places and programs for kids (ages 0–17) across all five New York City boroughs: story times, playgrounds, pools, museums, zoos, parks and classes in art, music, dance, sports, STEM, languages and theater. Every listing links to the public source it was checked against.

Search in plain English: https://littlegotham.com/explore/?q=free+story+time+today+brooklyn (the q parameter understands neighborhoods such as UWS or Park Slope, ages, "free", days and indoor/outdoor).

## This week in NYC (2026-11-02 to 2026-11-08)

1. **[Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Arrival](https://www.rockefellercenter.com/events/meet-the-tree-day/)**: Sat, Nov 7 · Meet the Tree Day 10am–1pm. Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown (between 5th & 6th Aves, 48th–51st Sts) (Manhattan). Price: Free (first come, first served). Greet this year's 76-foot Norway spruce from West Edmeston on arrival day, with a free Care Bears and FAO Schwarz holiday craft workshop and photos.
2. **[Radio City Christmas Spectacular](https://www.rockettes.com/christmas/)**: Nov 4–Jan 4 · several shows most days; 90 minutes, no intermission. Radio City Music Hall, Midtown (Manhattan). Price: From $50 at the box office ($55 online). The Rockettes kick through a record 230 performances of their 90-minute holiday revue, adding a brand-new scene and fresh stage technology this year.
3. **[Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Brooklyn Children's Museum](https://www.brooklynkids.org/programs/celebrate-dia/)**: Sat, Nov 7 · 10am–5pm (puppet shows 11am & 1:30pm, Aztec dance 11:30am, mask making 2pm & 3pm). Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave, Crown Heights (Brooklyn). Price: $15 museum admission. A full day of Day of the Dead activities with giant Guatemalan kite-making, bilingual puppet shows, Mexican folk dance and a shared ofrenda.
4. **[Diwali Lights Up Asia Society: Family Day](https://asiasociety.org/new-york/events/diwali-lights-asia-society-2026)**: Sat, Nov 7 · 1–4pm. Asia Society, 725 Park Ave (Manhattan). Price: Members $20, nonmembers $25; kids over 2 $15. Families try Kathak and Bhangra moves, watch a Ramayana puppet show and shape clay diyas during a festive afternoon.
5. **[Gingerbread NYC at the Museum of the City of New York](https://www.mcny.org/exhibition/gingerbread-nyc-2026)**: Opens Fri, Nov 6 · Mon–Fri 10am–5pm (Wed to 9pm), Sat–Sun 10am–6pm. Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave, East Harlem (Manhattan). Price: $23 adults; 18 and under free; NYC residents pay what you wish; free for all on Wednesdays. Bakers recreate scenes from all five boroughs in gingerbread, icing and candy for the Museum of the City of New York's annual holiday exhibition.
6. **[Young People's Concert: Tales from Peter and the Wolf](https://www.nyphil.org/concerts-tickets/2627/ypc-nov)**: Sat 2pm (instrument try-outs from 1pm). David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center (Manhattan). Price: Ticketed (see NY Phil for prices). The New York Philharmonic tells Prokofiev's musical wolf tale in a relaxed family concert, with hands-on instrument fun beforehand.
7. **[Family Art Project: Raptors in the Autumn Sky](https://www.wavehill.org/calendar/family-art-project-raptors-in-autumn-sky-2026)**: Sat–Sun 10am–1pm. Wave Hill, Riverdale (Bronx). Price: Free with grounds admission ($10 adults, $4 kids 6+). Watch for hawks migrating along the Hudson, then design a paper raptor glider and test it on Wave Hill's windy lawns.
8. **[Winter Village Ice Rink at Bryant Park](https://bryantpark.org/activities/bank-of-america-winter-village-at-bryant-park)**: Daily, Oct 28–Feb 28 · 8am–10pm (until midnight Nov 19–Jan 3). Bryant Park, Midtown (6th Ave & 42nd St) (Manhattan). Price: Free with your own skates (reserve a free ticket online); rentals $18.72–$64.48. Midtown's free-admission rink is open for the season, so lace up your own skates or rent a pair and glide under the towers.
9. **[Canstruction NY at Brookfield Place](https://bfplny.com/events/canstruction)**: Daily 10am–7pm (until 6pm Nov 9). Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St, Battery Park City (Manhattan). Price: Free (canned-food donations welcome). Giant sculptures built entirely from stacked food cans go on display, and every can is donated to City Harvest afterward.
10. **[Diwali Day at CMOM](https://cmom.org/event/diwali-dance-performance-and-workshop-with-meha-sadana/)**: Sun, Nov 8 · 10:30am–4pm. Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W 83rd St (Manhattan). Price: Included with admission ($18; $17 online; under 1 free). Kids make paper sky lamps and rangoli collages, dance with tea lights and catch a Ramleela puppet show.
11. **[Diwali Festival at the Bhakti Center](https://bhakticenter.org/diwali-festival/)**: Sun, Nov 8 · 4–9pm. Bhakti Center, 25 First Ave, East Village (Manhattan). Price: Free (registration requested). The East Village center's free Diwali night includes traditional Indian dance, face painting, henna, a photo booth, kirtan, a feast and a lamp offering.
12. **[Family Time: Día de Muertos at the Bronx Museum](https://bronxmuseum.org/event/family-time-dia-de-muertos-2026/)**: Sat, Nov 7 · 1–3pm. The Bronx Museum, 1040 Grand Concourse, Concourse (Bronx). Price: Free (drop in; optional RSVP). Families help artist Marco Saavedra build a shared Día de Muertos altar, making art and swapping memories of loved ones.
13. **[Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze](https://www.pumpkinblaze.org/plan-your-visit/)**: Select nights through Nov 8 · timed entry (times vary by night); advance tickets only. Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, NY (about 1 hour's drive) (Upstate day trip). Price: From $24 ($24 Mon–Thu after 8pm through Oct 29); 2 and under free. Walk a half-mile evening trail lit by more than 7,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns arranged into giant glowing scenes set to music.
14. **[Eloise's Birthday Adventure at The Plaza](https://theplazanystore.com/pages/our-location-eloise)**: Wed 11am–4pm. The Shops at The Plaza (enter 1 W 58th St) (Manhattan). Price: See site. Eloise fans search the Plaza's shops for her pug Weenie, try cross-stitch and pinafore design, and collect small prizes.
15. **[Prospect Park November Weekend Nature Exploration](https://www.prospectpark.org/event/november-weekend-nature-exploration-2/2026-11-28/)**: Sat–Sun, Nov 7–29, incl. Thanksgiving weekend · 10am–1pm. Prospect Park Audubon Center, Brooklyn (Brooklyn). Price: Free. Drop in on any November weekend, including Thanksgiving weekend, for leaf art, leaf-litter bug hunts and easy citizen-science activities at the boathouse.
16. **[Nutcracker Sweets & The Steadfast Tin Soldier at Puppetworks](https://www.puppetworks.org/)**: Sat–Sun, Nov 7–Dec 30 · 12:30pm and 2:30pm (55 minutes). Puppetworks, 51 35th St (2nd floor), Industry City, Sunset Park (Brooklyn). Price: $11 kids, $12 adults (pay at the door; email to reserve). Hand-carved marionettes dance through Tchaikovsky's Land of Sweets, paired with Andersen's tale of a brave one-legged toy soldier.
17. **[Kiku: Spotlight on Tradition at NYBG](https://www.nybg.org/event/kiku/)**: Tue–Sun 10am–4pm. Nolen Greenhouses, New York Botanical Garden (Bronx). Price: All-Garden Pass $35–$39 adults, $15–$17 kids; under 2 free. Japanese chrysanthemums trained for nearly a year into striking shapes, with some single plants carrying hundreds of blossoms.
18. **[Deepavali at the Hindu Temple Society (Ganesh Temple)](https://nyganeshtemple.org/religious-dates-and-festivals/)**: Sun, Nov 8 · See website for times. Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam, 45-57 Bowne St, Flushing (Queens). Price: See website. On Diwali itself, visit one of the oldest Hindu temples in the country to see the Deepavali puja, then grab dosas at the temple's canteen.
19. **[Riverside Church Turkey Trot & Youth Turkey Dash](https://www.trcnyc.org/turkeytrot/)**: Sat, Nov 7 · from 9am. Randall's Island Park, East Harlem (Manhattan). Price: Youth dash from $27.50; 5K from $48.70. Little runners get their own turkey dash, a 100-yard sprint for ages 2–5 or a half-mile for ages 6–13, while grown-ups do the 5K.
20. **[Bug Buddies: Flies & Other Decomposers](https://www.queensfarm.org/event/bug-buddies-flies-other-decomposers/)**: Sun 11am–12:15pm. Queens County Farm Museum, Floral Park (Queens). Price: $12. Kids poke around the farm for hidden bug homes and learn how flies and other decomposers turn fallen leaves into soil.
21. **[A Christmas Carol at Theatre Three](https://theatrethree.com/shows/christmas-carol/)**: Nov 7–Dec 27 · evenings at 7pm plus Wednesday matinees. Theatre Three, Port Jefferson, Long Island (about 1.5 hr drive) (Day trip). Price: Adults $45; kids 5–12 $30; all November shows and Wed matinees $30. This Long Island village theater stages Dickens' ghost story for the 42nd year running, packed with music, carols and Scrooge's big change of heart.

## Halloween events

1. **[Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze](https://www.pumpkinblaze.org/plan-your-visit/)**: Select nights through Nov 8 · timed entry (times vary by night); advance tickets only. Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, NY (about 1 hour's drive) (Upstate day trip). Price: From $24 ($24 Mon–Thu after 8pm through Oct 29); 2 and under free. Walk a half-mile evening trail lit by more than 7,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns arranged into giant glowing scenes set to music.
2. **[Family Time: Día de Muertos at the Bronx Museum](https://bronxmuseum.org/event/family-time-dia-de-muertos-2026/)**: Sat, Nov 7 · 1–3pm. The Bronx Museum, 1040 Grand Concourse, Concourse (Bronx). Price: Free (drop in; optional RSVP). Families help artist Marco Saavedra build a shared Día de Muertos altar, making art and swapping memories of loved ones.

## Late fall & early holiday

1. **[NYBG Holiday Train Show](https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2026/)**: Nov 14–Jan 10 · daytime, plus evenings to 8pm (last entry 7:15pm) Nov 27–29; Dec 5, 11–12, 18–20, 26–30; Jan 2 · sensory-friendly mornings Nov 21 & Jan 9, 9–11am. Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, New York Botanical Garden, Bedford Park (Bronx). Price: Price on website. Model trains rumble past miniature New York landmarks crafted from bark, seeds and leaves inside the Garden's glass Conservatory.
2. **[Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights](https://bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights)**: Select nights: Nov 21–22, 27–29; Dec 3–6, 10–13, 17–23, 26–31; Jan 2–3 · zoo from 1pm, lights on 4:30pm, last entry 8pm. Bronx Zoo, Fordham / West Farms (Bronx). Price: Deal nights from $29.95 adults, $14.95 kids 3–12; any-night tickets $42.95 / $27.95; 2 and under free. Giant glowing animal lanterns line six themed trails, and this year the Children's Zoo farmyard with alpacas and goats stays open after dark.
3. **[Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden](https://www.bbg.org/lightscape)**: Select evenings, Nov 20–Jan 3 · timed entry; Dec 10 & 17 are 21+ nights; sensory-friendly early entry 4pm Dec 3 & 18. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Heights (Brooklyn). Price: Adults $29–$44, kids 3–11 $15–$28 depending on the night; 0–2 free. Follow an after-dark trail through the Garden past glowing tunnels, lit-up trees and light installations timed to music.
4. **[Wollman Rink in Central Park](https://wollmanrinknyc.com/plan/)**: Daily from Wed, Oct 28 through Mar 16 · Mon–Tue 10am–2:30pm; Wed, Thu, Sun 10am–9pm; Fri–Sat 10am–10pm. Wollman Rink, Central Park (near 59th St & 6th Ave) (Manhattan). Price: Adults $16–$40 depending on time; kids 4–12 $12; under 3 free; skate rental $12. Glide around Central Park's classic outdoor rink with the Midtown skyline rising above the trees on every side.
5. **[Prospect Park November Weekend Nature Exploration](https://www.prospectpark.org/event/november-weekend-nature-exploration-2/2026-11-28/)**: Sat–Sun, Nov 7–29, incl. Thanksgiving weekend · 10am–1pm. Prospect Park Audubon Center, Brooklyn (Brooklyn). Price: Free. Drop in on any November weekend, including Thanksgiving weekend, for leaf art, leaf-litter bug hunts and easy citizen-science activities at the boathouse.
6. **[Gingerbread NYC at the Museum of the City of New York](https://www.mcny.org/exhibition/gingerbread-nyc-2026)**: Opens Fri, Nov 6 · Mon–Fri 10am–5pm (Wed to 9pm), Sat–Sun 10am–6pm. Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave, East Harlem (Manhattan). Price: $23 adults; 18 and under free; NYC residents pay what you wish; free for all on Wednesdays. Bakers recreate scenes from all five boroughs in gingerbread, icing and candy for the Museum of the City of New York's annual holiday exhibition.
7. **[Kiku: Spotlight on Tradition at NYBG](https://www.nybg.org/event/kiku/)**: Tue–Sun 10am–4pm. Nolen Greenhouses, New York Botanical Garden (Bronx). Price: All-Garden Pass $35–$39 adults, $15–$17 kids; under 2 free. Japanese chrysanthemums trained for nearly a year into striking shapes, with some single plants carrying hundreds of blossoms.
8. **[Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze](https://www.pumpkinblaze.org/plan-your-visit/)**: Select nights through Nov 8 · timed entry (times vary by night); advance tickets only. Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, NY (about 1 hour's drive) (Upstate day trip). Price: From $24 ($24 Mon–Thu after 8pm through Oct 29); 2 and under free. Walk a half-mile evening trail lit by more than 7,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns arranged into giant glowing scenes set to music.
9. **[Grand Central Holiday Fair](https://grandcentralterminal.com/holiday-fair/)**: Nov 9–Dec 16: Mon–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm · Dec 17–23: 10am–8pm · Dec 24: 10am–6pm · closed Thanksgiving. Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal, Midtown East (Manhattan). Price: Free entry. An indoor artisan market fills Vanderbilt Hall with handmade jewelry, pottery and art, a warm option on cold or rainy December days.

## Holiday events

Confirmed family events for Halloween, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's and Lunar New Year: https://littlegotham.com/holidays/

## Browse by category

- [Art](https://littlegotham.com/category/art/): 98 listings. Drawing, painting, clay and crafts
- [Dance](https://littlegotham.com/category/dance/): 225 listings. Ballet, hip-hop, creative movement
- [Galleries](https://littlegotham.com/category/galleries/): 18 listings. Art spaces with family programs
- [Gymnastics](https://littlegotham.com/category/gymnastics/): 87 listings. Tumbling, ninja, parkour
- [Language](https://littlegotham.com/category/language/): 20 listings. Immersion and classes for kids
- [Libraries](https://littlegotham.com/category/libraries/): 218 listings. Story times, lapsits, kids rooms
- [Museums](https://littlegotham.com/category/museums/): 128 listings. Exhibits and family programs
- [Music](https://littlegotham.com/category/music/): 147 listings. Early music, instruments, choirs
- [Nature](https://littlegotham.com/category/nature/): 97 listings. Parks, gardens, farms, beaches
- [Playgrounds](https://littlegotham.com/category/playgrounds/): 555 listings. Spray showers, slides, sandboxes
- [Play spaces](https://littlegotham.com/category/social/): 265 listings. Playrooms, playgroups, rec centers
- [Sports](https://littlegotham.com/category/sports/): 663 listings. Soccer, tennis, climbing, skating
- [STEM](https://littlegotham.com/category/stem/): 131 listings. Coding, science, chess, cooking
- [Stores](https://littlegotham.com/category/stores/): 67 listings. Toy and book shops with events
- [Swimming](https://littlegotham.com/category/swimming/): 159 listings. Pools and learn-to-swim
- [Theater](https://littlegotham.com/category/theater/): 136 listings. Shows, puppets, acting classes
- [Zoos](https://littlegotham.com/category/zoos/): 38 listings. Zoos, aquarium, animal farms

## Browse by borough

- [Manhattan](https://littlegotham.com/borough/manhattan/): 1,032 listings
- [Brooklyn](https://littlegotham.com/borough/brooklyn/): 839 listings
- [Queens](https://littlegotham.com/borough/queens/): 565 listings
- [Bronx](https://littlegotham.com/borough/bronx/): 363 listings
- [Staten Island](https://littlegotham.com/borough/staten-island/): 253 listings

## Guides

- [Free things to do with kids in NYC](https://littlegotham.com/guides/free-things-to-do-with-kids-nyc/)
- [Rainy day activities for kids in NYC](https://littlegotham.com/guides/rainy-day-indoor-activities-nyc/)
- [Toddler activities in NYC](https://littlegotham.com/guides/toddler-activities-nyc/)
- [Teen and tween activities in NYC](https://littlegotham.com/guides/teen-activities-nyc/)
- [Weekend classes for kids in NYC](https://littlegotham.com/guides/weekend-classes-for-kids-nyc/)
- [Spray showers and water play in NYC](https://littlegotham.com/guides/spray-showers-and-water-play-nyc/)
- [Hands-on museums for kids in NYC](https://littlegotham.com/guides/best-museums-for-kids-nyc/)
- [Story times for kids in NYC](https://littlegotham.com/guides/story-times-nyc/)

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