58 Best Free Things To Do in NYC this May with Kids

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

Join the BAM DanceAfrica Community Workshop for fun-filled, interactive instruction. Photo courtesy of BAM

From Mother's Day to Memorial Day—and everything in between—we've got the lowdown on the best free things to do in NYC this May.

Summer's unofficial start might not happen until month's end, but we're shutting down spring with plenty of free fun, including Free Comic Book Day and the Big Swim at the beginning of the month, mid-May fun like the Submerge Marine Science Fest and the massive Spring Fest in Brooklyn Bridge Park. At month's end, Fleet Week takes center stage.

Read on for more than 50 free things to do this May in New York City, including fun events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Find more top May activities on our list of the best things to do this May.

Ninja Warrior Gyms, Parkour, and Obstacle Courses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on

Your kids can practice being a ninja warrior at the Grit Ninja in Pleasantville.

Are makeshift ninja warrior gyms a common sight in your living room? If so, know that you're not alone—and then consider taking your kids to one of the many obstacle courses, ninja warrior, and parkour gyms in the area. It’s a fun indoor activity for when the weather is either too cold or too hot for outdoor play, and it helps get tons of energy out. 

Almost all the programs and gyms featured here offer classes and open gym time. Trial classes, camps, and birthday parties are also possibilities at most.  

Looking for more fun indoor activities with kids, like the area's top bowling alleys? Check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Westchester Kids.

Big Swim, Hippo Playground Festival, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

Jane's Carousel celebrates its 13th year in Brooklyn with free rides and face painting all day long. Photo by Sara Marentette

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Belvedere Plaza is aglow with the Illumination Light Art Festival this weekend, while the Kupferberg Center celebrates Cinco de Mayo. The Big Swim makes a splash on the Upper East Side, Jane's Carousel opens with FREE rides and face painting, and the Hippo Playground Spring Fair dazzles on Sunday.

Flower Mart, Anacostia River Festival, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on

Enjoy fun family activities at the Anacostia River Festival. Photo courtesy of Building Bridges

Looking for the best things to do in DC this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

It's a good weekend for the the scientist in your family. The Museum of Natural History celebrates Amphibian Week on Saturday, while the Udvar-Hazy Center hosts a family day about spacesuits through the decades of space travel, also on Saturday.

Free outdoor movies are kicking off this weekend across the region, including Sunday Family Movies on the Potomac, which take place every Sunday through the end of September.

Star Wars Day, Cinco de Mayo, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, and More Fun Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend With Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on

For an unforgettable start to the month, head to the May the Fourth celebration (otherwise known as Star Wars Day) at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios. Photo courtesy of WDW

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

Get a head start on Star Wars Day with Galactic Games at the Fairview Shores Branch Library! Then, for an unforgettable May the 4th celebration, visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios, which is known to host special activities in celebration of Star Wars Day (although not formally announced). Cap off the weekend with Cinco de Mayo fiestas at SeaWorld Orlando, Baldwin Park, and Sunset Walk. Plus, witness your favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks as they perform at Osceola Heritage Park. Read on for everything happening this weekend!

Outdoor Festivals, Wild Kratts, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Elsa Simcik's picture Submitted by Elsa Simcik on

It's the final weekend for kids to bounce, jump and slide their hearts out at the traveling bouncy house Big Bounce America. Photo courtesy of Big Bounce America.

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend! 

Head out to fun, free festivals this first weekend of May in Atlanta, like May-Retta Daze in Marietta, Roswell Spring Arts and Crafts Festival, and the Decatur Arts Festival. All of these events have fun things to do for kids, in addition to food and art. Speaking of fun activities for kids (our specialty)...Wild Kratts fans get to activate their creature power this Sunday for Wild Kratts 2.0 at The Fox! For even more fun ideas to do this weekend, read below! 

Best Things To Do with Kids this Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Visit the beautiful fields and forests of the Ashokan Center and learn about the history and culture of the area’s native people. Photo courtesy of the center

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Families can celebrate spring at the weekend's many local festivals, including the Peekskill Cherry Blossom Festival at Riverfront Green Park and the Spring Crafts Show at Lyndhurst. Or get creative at the Katonah Museum of Art's Family Day. 

Families are also invited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the special free program Fiesta Musical for Cinco de Mayo at the New Rochelle Public Library.

Kite Day at Terhune Orchards and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Go fly a kite during Kite Day at Princeton's Terhune Orchards. Photo courtesy of Terhune Orchards

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

The merry month of May kicks off with oceans of fun festivals, including Ocean City Spring Block Party. Plus, kites fill the air at Terhune Orchards' weekend-long Kite Day. 

Read on for a full rundown of New Jersey's best kid-friendly events this weekend.