Free or Low-Cost Activities for Families - Child Care

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Free or Low-Cost Activities for Families

Learning and Growing Together Resources

Child Well-Being Information

Free or Low-Cost Activities for Families


Free or Low-Cost Activities for Families

Growing Up NYC

The Growing Up NYC website features seasonal ideas for things to do as a family throughout the year in New York City - check out the Free Events section where you can find virtual events you can attend from home. You can also find Year Round Programs and places to explore as a family.

Public Libraries

New York City’s public libraries offer a huge variety of virtual and in-person events, including for families with young children. Check out the The New York Public Library (which serves the Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan), The Brooklyn Public Library, or the Queens Public Library.

IDNYC

Having an IDNYC provides access to a wide variety of services and programs offered by the City and can be used to acquire you free or discounted admissions to many places across NYC.

IDNYC is a free, municipal identification card for all New Yorkers, from all backgrounds, and from all five boroughs that all residents can get regardless of immigration status, ages 10 and up.

Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)

New York City offers many fun and enriching programs for kids during the hours they are not in school. Search for programs at Discover DYCD using the “Afterschool programs” filter.

The NYC Parks Department

The NYC Parks Afterschool Program provides children ages 6 - 13 with academic support and physical activity in a safe, structured environment. Recreation centers require membership to participate, but all youth get free memberships.

NYC Parks offers a multitude of events, programs and activities designed with kids in mind. Children will have plenty to keep them active throughout the year no matter what their interests - visit Best for Kids Events to learn more.

NYC Parks offers plenty of sports for children ages eight and up. All programs are free, but participants must be registered members of a recreation center. Check with your local recreation center for more details.

The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoor play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more!

Visit NYC’s Public Parks

There are 1700 parks in NYC! Get to know as many as you can, from your small neighborhood parks to NYC's large and notable parks, like Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn. There is so much for kids and families to explore.

Outdoor Spaces with Free Days and Times

Many places that may normally charge admission will sometimes have special times when you can attend for free. For example, check the websites of the New York Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Queens County Farm Museum, or the Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Center to learn more.

Museums

Many museums in New York City are always free – or offer free days or times to attend. Explore with this Free NYC Museums list or this list of city-owned institutions (but be sure to double check with the museum to get the most up-to-date information). If you have a library card, you can also use Culture Pass, which gets you free admission to dozens of museums and other cultural institutions.