Luna Park in Coney Island, the largest amusement park in New York City, opens for season this weekend. Photo by Jody Mercier
Luna Park Opening, Rock and Roll Playhouse & More Things To Do this Weekend in NYC with Kids
Hop the ferry to Governors Island to explore all the island has to offer. Photo by Diana Kim
Spring Day Trips from NYC for Families
The Queens County Farm Museum hosts a massive Barnyard Egg Hunt complete with with Whiskers the Bunny photo-ops. Photo courtesy of the museum
22 Best Easter Egg Hunts in New York City
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents will host their second annual BABYTOPIA on Saturday, April 5.
BABYTOPIA Returns in April with Big Fun for Young Families
Enjoy a tropical spring break daycation with a trip to DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Photo by the author
Spring Break 2025: 49 Fun Things To Do in NYC
Visit DC in the spring for warm temps and maybe even cherry blossoms. Photo by m01229 via Flickr
Cheap Spring Break Trips for Family Vacations
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Celebrate all things Irish at St. Patrick's Day Parades all across NYC this month. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Activities for Kids in March 2025: 46 Things To Do in NYC
Shake off the winter blues and douse your family in the colors of spring at the Holi Celebration at the South Street Seaport. Photo by Mike Szpot
St. Patrick's Day Parades and More Best Things To Do in NYC March 2025 with Kids
Teens have the opportunity to explore arts careers and institutions with Whitney Museum Youth Insights Program. Photo by Diana Kim
Teens Can Apply Now for Summer Internships in NYC
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids: Thousands of Craft Ideas

Free Online Classes For Kids: Science, Art, Fitness, and More Free Enrichment

Kidz Bop does a daily Dance Break
Kidz Bop does a daily Dance Break
7/19/20 - By Laurie Rein

Finding the bright side of 2020 may feel challenging some days, but the variety of free classes and enrichment opportunities available to kids online is definitely a win. In a year when summer slide feels like it started in March, it's great to be able to learn from institutions normally out of reach. Kids can get crafty in art classes at New York's MCNY X Project Kid, whip up recipes in cooking class at Fresh Bites for Kids, learn marine biology at Santa Monica's Heal the Bay Aquarium, or write music with Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame.

There are plenty more free science, art, dance, technology, and cooking classes below. For more options to enrich the long days of summer, check out the free and low-cost classes on Poppins@Home, our Giant List of Top Virtual Summer Camps, 20+ Free Online Summer Camps, or How to Make Summer Camp at Home Fun.

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Photo courtesy of Heal the Bay
Photo courtesy of Heal the Bay

Free Science & Nature Classes

Heal the Bay Knowledge Drops

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through July 29
Heal the Bay scientists, experts, and advocates explore the water world and offer fun lessons about the marine environment, in the new interactive science education series Knowledge Drops. READ MORE

CSUN Outdoor Adventures

Mondays and Thursdays through July 30
Outdoor Adventures is helping everyone get a daily dose of nature at home. All ages can enjoy live virtual tours of national parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon. READ MORE

Liberty Science Center Interactive Programming

Tuesdays and Thursdays through July 30
Liberty Science Center hosts daily interactive activities for all ages via Facebook. Programs range from storytimes to planet exploration. READ MORE

World Wonders

Daily through August 26
The Penn Museum invites kids on a weekly trip around the world. The World Wonders morning summer series celebrates the diversity of the world’s cultures through live virtual interactive workshops and activities for school-aged children and their families. READ MORE

Online: Tuesdays with Doc Harmon

Tuesdays, July 14-28
While the doors remain closed, Westchester Children's Museum presents Dr. Harmon’s science experiments every Tuesday on YouTube. READ MORE

Become a Wondernaut: A Hands-On Celebration

Wednesday, July 22
Celebrate the 51st anniversary of the moon landing with this fun online family program. READ MORE

Intrepid Museum's Virtual Classes

Tuesdays & Thursdays through July 31
The Intrepid Museum offers virtual classes on topics such as astronomy and aviation, as well as the history of the Intrepid.   READ MORE

Westchester Children's Museum at Home STEAM Activities

Fridays through August 21
Each week, join Westchester Children's Museum online for new STEAM activities. Projects have included marshmallow launchers and fireworks in a jar. READ MORE

Santa Monica College Planetarium Now

Fridays through August 21
Santa Monica College offers free virtual planetarium shows each Friday.  A Virtual Night Sky Show is presented live via Zoom. The Night Sky programs last roughly 30 minutes, followed by a short question and answer period where guests can type questions into a chat box. READ MORE

A Sailor's Life, Live!

Wednesdays through August 26
Museum educators and USS Constitution crew lead A Sailors Life, Live!, a new online program series about life on board USS Constitution in the War of 1812 era. Suitable for students grades 3 and up and their families. READ MORE

Polynesian Star Lore and Navigation in the Pacific

August 27
The Mystic Seaport Museum celebrates the diversity of the night sky by highlighting the star lore of different cultures, and the traditions of "wayfinders." READ MORE

Night Skies in the Observatory at Home

Thursdays through September 3
Franklin Institute's chief astronomer Derrick Pitts invites stargazers of all ages to step outside and join him for a series of night sky tours from home. Amateur astronomers can join the pros to tour the cosmos—no telescopes needed. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of the Art Students League of New York
Photo courtesy of the Art Students League of New York

Free Online Arts Classes for Kids

Art Students League of New York Free Online Classes

Saturdays through August 8
The Art Students League of New York presents a series of free summer kids art programs. These special programs stream live on the Art Students League's Facebook page, and are archived for those who can't join at the specific class time. READ MORE

MCNY X Project Kid

Wednesdays, July 15-August 5
The Museum of the City of New York and PROJECT K!D invite young artists to virtual art-making sessions. Each week Amanda Kingloff, artist and founder of PROJECT K!D, shows participants how to create a NYC-themed craft project using everyday materials. READ MORE

Camp Creativity at Michaels

Daily, July 12-August 1
Get crafty with a new project every day at Michaels' virtual creativity camp. Each day of the week focuses on a theme; supplies can be bought online or at the store. READ MORE

Online Family Program: Songwriting 101: The Blues

Wednesday, July 22
A museum educator leads the group on Field Trip Zoom to write a song in this introductory workshop. Music professional Adam Ollendorff teaches the fundamentals of songwriting, including form, theme, and rhyme scheme. READ MORE

Fractured Fairytales Camp

Daily, July 20-August 7 (every other week)
Young writers get to write their own adaptations of classic fairy tales in this free writing class. The class explores several fairy tale stories that look at changing perspectives. READ MORE

Online Family Program: One Sheet Songwriting Journal

Wednesday, July 29
Join a Country Music Hall of Fame educator to learn about the influential songwriting duo Boudleaux and Felice Bryant—responsible for penning “Rocky Top,” “Bye Bye Love,” and many other classics. READ MORE

Online: Musical Mornings with Westchester Children's Museum

Daily through July 31
Kids can tune into Facebook Live every morning to learn all about singing, instruments, and music history. This program is taught by guest educators from Rock Island Sound. READ MORE

Heckscher @Home Kids Edition: Summer Break

Saturdays through August 15
Kids can celebrate art and the great outdoors this summer with Heckscher @ Home Kids Edition: Summer Break. Participants explore a variety of techniques and art materials as they enjoy Mother Nature. READ MORE

Day of Ancestors: Festival of Masks Community Workshops

Saturdays through August 8
This summer, Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks goes online to celebrate the rich traditions of the African Diaspora and connect families with Black creatives from across the globe.  READ MORE

Tube Town Live

Saturdays (end date not specified)
Get creative with Sprout/Universal Kids TV host Carly Ciarrocchi in a craft-along improv, livestream for all ages. READ MORE

Free Technology Classes for Kids

Tech Scholars Online: App Builders

Daily, July 13-17
High school girls are invited to learn JavaScript code and design thinking to create their own app for social change. READ MORE

School of Interactive Arts Free Camp

Daily, July 13-August 21
High schoolers have the opportunity to learn the foundations of game design and the C# programming language on the Unity game engine in this free virtual camp. SIA prepares students for the top game design college programs in the country. READ MORE

Tech Scholars Online: Video Games

Daily, August 10-14
High school girls immerse themselves in the powerful stories of women in history by learning to code in JavaScript to create a video game. READ MORE

Tech Scholars Online: Web Design

Wednesdays through August 12
High school girls are invited to explore important contributions by underrepresented women in history, then code and create a website to amplify a woman’s story as you learn HTML and CSS. READ MORE
Dance DTLA goes digital this summer.
Dance DTLA goes digital this summer.

Free Fitness and Movement Classes for Kids

Prospect Park Virtual Yoga

Thursdays through September 3
Get moving in this free virtual yoga class, taught from one of New York's scenic parks every Thursday. Classes will be broadcast live via Zoom, and participants may tune in from any device. READ MORE

Kidz Bop Dance Break

Daily (end date not specified)
Take a dance break every afternoon with the Kidz Bop kids. READ MORE

Digital Dance DTLA

Fridays through September 4
The Music Center’s free annual summer dance series goes digital, with lessons from top LA dance instructors every Friday night. The series closes out with Samba! READ MORE

Free Online Cooking Classes

Delicious Little Tokyo (Virtual)

Fridays through July 24
The virtual culinary festivities continue in LA's Little Tokyo. Starting this week, the theme is going Green! READ MORE

Fresh Bites for Kids

Tuesdays through August 18
NYC's Essex Market Kitchen kicks off free weekly cooking classes for kids. The recipes focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, and are kid-tested and approved. Middle school-aged kids should be able to cook along on their own; younger chefs might want help from an adult. READ MORE

Culikid No-Bake Cheesecake Virtual Cooking Class

August 23
Culikid's cooking classes are now virtual. While our classes will be paced to be accessible for a child with special needs, they are open to everyone. During this 45-minute class, participants will make no-bake cheesecake. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of The Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center
Photo courtesy of The Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center

Free Storytime and Sing-alongs Online

Author Event: Danica McKellar

Wednesday, July 22
Actress Danica McKellar is also an internationally recognized mathematician and advocate for math education. In this free Crowdcast event, she introduces her latest book, offering a fun way for 2nd to 5th graders to memorize multiplication facts. READ MORE

Cayton Children's Museum Recess

Daily (end date not specified)
The best part about homeschooling? Home recess! Santa Monica's Cayton Children's Museum hosts weekday"recess breaks" with music, artmaking, stories, and more. READ MORE

A Hamilton Read-Along

Daily through August 27
Hamilton fans can delve deeper into the story of the "$10 founding father" by reading Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton, the book that served as the source material for the musical. READ MORE

Sea Chantey Sing-Along

First Sunday each month through September 2
Cooped up in one place with the same people? That was the life of sailors on long voyages back in the day. And just like sailors of yore, you can break the monotony with a rousing sea chantey sing-along.  READ MORE

My Weird Read-A-Loud with Dan Gutman

Daily through late summer
Cozy up on the sofa and listen to My Weird School author Dan Gutman as he reads chapters from his books on Facebook. Dan says he'll keep doing the readings until the kids go back to school! READ MORE

Virtual Stories at the Statue: Hans Christian Andersen Story Telling

Saturdays through September 25
Stories at the Statue celebrates its 65th year this summer, continuing a beloved legacy of sharing tales and music in NYC's Central Park—but, this year, it's online once again. READ MORE

My America: Adrianna Cuevas

Wednesday, July 22
First generation Cuban-American writer Adrianna Cueva presents her magical middle-grade debut novel. In The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez, a Cuban-American boy uses his secret ability to communicate with animals to save his town from a tule vieja, a witch who transforms into animals. READ MORE

Online: Museum Minis at Westchester Children's Museum

Thursdays through August 27
Singing, finger plays, movement exercises, and silliness are all part of the fun in this online adaptation of one of the most beloved drop in programs, Museum Minis. READ MORE

Harry Potter at Home

Tuesdays through August 25
Yer an audio book narrator, Harry! Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is read aloud by actors from the Harry Potter series. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

https://www.facebook.com/Dan-Gutman-60020139122/

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
Recent Articles By Laurie Rein:
Read more articles by Laurie Rein.