The Bronx Zoo lights up at night during the 2024 holiday season. Photo by Ally Noel
Holiday Light Shows, Luna Luna, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids
The Tianyu Lights Festival transforms the Citi Field parking lot into a magical holiday destination with larger-than-life lanterns and kid-friendly activities. Photo courtesy of the festival
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids
All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0
See the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids
Many organizations throughout New York City are offering free turkey giveaways, plus full, hot Thanksgiving dinners this season. Photo by John McCarten for the New York City Council
Where To Find Free Turkey in NYC This Thanksgiving
See the Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC with our insider's guide and tips!
GUIDE
Guide to Thanksgiving in NYC for Kids and Families
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Leuca. Photo courtesy of the Noho Hospitality Group
26 Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in NYC
Experience the magic of the Tianyu Lights Festival at Citi Field this holiday season. Photo courtesy of the festival
21 Best Things To Do in NYC November 2024 with Kids
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden
Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now!
GUIDE
NYC Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2024
Canstruction is free and open to the public at Brookfield Place through Monday, November 11. Photo by Heidi Lee
39 Free and Fun Things To Do in NYC this November with Kids
Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders at NYBG's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Photo by Ally Noel
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 35 Top Things To Do in NYC this Fall
Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 98th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Where to Watch, What's New
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
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
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
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
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
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
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
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
Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
21 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City
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
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
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
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
101 Free Things To Do in NYC with 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
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones 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
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
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
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
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
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

30 Fun Preschool and Toddler Events in NYC this Spring

Visitors can mingle with up to 500 fluttering, iridescent butterflies at the Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History. Photo courtesy of AMNH
Visitors can mingle with up to 500 fluttering, iridescent butterflies at the Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History. Photo courtesy of AMNH
3/8/22 - By Sara F

Spring may be the most exciting season of the year for parents of preschoolers and toddlers who have been stuck inside for what feels like 5,000 weeks of winter. With the arrival of warm weather, it's like New York City itself wakes up from hibernating, and families stream out of their apartments and onto the sidewalks, scooters in tow, ready to take advantage of all the city has to offer in the springtime. There are so many exciting things to see and do in Marcn, April, and May, and we've taken the time to round up the best preschool and toddler events this spring.

We've got cool outdoor festivals, stunning, age-appropriate theater picks, and much more, all perfect for the under 5 set. What's not included? The piles of Easter egg hunts, ideas to celebrate Mother's Day, and Passover observances. But, fear not—we're covering the spring holidays in-depth in the coming weeks. Without further ado, here are our top springtime picks for New York's tiniest city slickers.

Be sure to click through to our listings for all the details, including time, advance ticket requirements, and COVID precautions.

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

See a performance of
See a performance of "Wake Up, Daisy" at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater. Photo by Sean Jamal

Ongoing Spring Events in NYC for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Macy's Herald Square Annual Flower Show

Midtown West
Sunday, March 27-Sunday, April 10
Macy's annual ode to springtime is in full bloom, with thousands of stunning flowers and lush plants transforming the flagship store into one of the most colorful destinations in NYC. READ MORE

Flip Circus at the Mall at Bay Plaza

Staten Island
Friday, March 25-Monday, April 11
World-class clowns, acrobats, jugglers, and daredevils display their talents in a big top so intimate that no audience member is more than 50 feet from the ring. READ MORE

The Return of the 1885 Full-Rigged Ship Wavertree

South Street Seaport–FREE
Weekends through Sunday, April 24
The restored 1885 full-rigged cargo sailing ship Wavertree offers FREE self-guided visits along a set route, which includes access to outdoor areas, the main deck, and quarter deck.  READ MORE

The Orchid Show 2024: Florals in Fashion at NYBG

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Tuesdays-Sundays through Sunday, May 1
Now in its 21st year, the Orchid Show showcases thousands of dramatically displayed orchids in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. This year's show provides a unique perspective on the connections between the botanical world and fashion. READ MORE

The Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History

Upper West Side
Wednesdays-Sundays through Sunday, May 2
Visitors can once again mingle with up to 500 fluttering, iridescent butterflies among blooming tropical flowers and lush green vegetation in 80-degree temperatures at the museum. READ MORE

Exhibit: Age of the Dinosaurs at Long Island Children's Museum

Garden City, NY
Wednesdays-Sundays through Sunday, May 29
The "Age of the Dinosaurs" exhibit features animatronic prehistoric creatures that look, move, and make sounds as they are believed to have millions of years ago.  READ MORE

Pinocchio: Carlo Collodi's 1883 Adventures of a Marionette

Park Slope
Weekends from Saturday, April 16-Saturday, August 6
Adapted by Puppetworks' Artistic Director, Nicolas Coppola, Pinocchio features traditional hand-carved wooden marionettes, an original song score, the Blue Fairy, and a "live" actor as Stromboli the Puppet Master. READ MORE

Wake Up, Daisy!

Central Park
Fridays-Sundays through Sunday, December 18
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park presents a brand new, original story and marionette production...a modern take on Sleeping Beauty that is perfect for the whole family. READ MORE
Enjoy, food, rides, and games at the Apple Blossom Children's Carnival at the Queens County Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
Enjoy, food, rides, and games at the Apple Blossom Children's Carnival at the Queens County Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Top Preschool and Toddler Events in NYC in April 2022

Tuck Everlasting: The Musical

Upper East Side
Weekends from Sunday, March 20-Sunday, April 10
Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure, but when she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family and the magic behind their eternal youth, she gets more than she could have imagined. READ MORE

Dory Fantasmagory

Midtown West
Weekends from Sunday, March 20-Sunday, April 10
Dory is a mischievous 6-year-old who just doesn’t want to grow up. Her older brother and sister wish she’d stop acting like a baby, but when her siblings need her, it’s Dory’s imagination and bravery that save the day. READ MORE

Hands on History: Earth Day

Jamaica, Queens–FREE
Saturday April 2
Celebrate the earth with a special app-assisted tour, Climate Change at Home, which guides you through King Manor from an environmental perspective! Don’t forget to bring fruit and veggie food scraps to feed Bertie the Bin. READ MORE

Beauty & the Beast

Park Slope
Saturday, April 2-Sunday, April 3
Puppetworks Presents Madame Gabrielle de Villeneuve's French Fantasy with a "live" Beast. READ MORE

Start with Art at The Met: Senses of Springtime

Upper East Side
Thursday, April 7
Explore art and music in the galleries while you look, move, and sing. This month's theme is Senses of Springtime. Meet at the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education, ground floor. Enter through the 81st Street entrance. READ MORE

Evening Pajama Party & Story Time

Douglaston, Queens
Friday, April 8
Come in your pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal for a reading of two bedtime children’s stories. Touch and observe two different animals getting ready for bed, then share a dessert of cookies and milk. READ MORE

New York Tartan Day Parade

Midtown West–FREE
Saturday, April 9
The NYC Scottish cultural event of the year features thousands of clans, pipers, dancers, and Scottish pups marching up Sixth Avenue. READ MORE

Galli Theater Presents The Three Little Pigs

Tribeca
Saturday, April 9
Gordy, Perkey, and Snoozy pigs have left the nest and must build houses of their own. One settles for a quick fix. Another puts a little elbow grease into it. But only one takes the time to make a house that stands up to the persistence of a certain wolf. READ MORE

Cinderella

Park Slope
Saturday, April 9-Sunday, April 10
Perrault's Godmother of all Fairy Tales is adapted for marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Purchase tickets in advance. READ MORE

Paw Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure at Madison Square Garden

Herald Square
Saturday, April 9-Sunday, April 10
Mayor Goodway is getting everything shipshape for a big Pirate Day celebration in Adventure Bay, but when Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark and mysterious cavern, it’s Paw Patrol to the rescue. READ MORE

Spring Family Day at Carnegie Hall

Midtown–FREE
Sunday, April 10
Carnegie Hall celebrates families with FREE, interactive, and fun musical activities at its Spring Family Day. Enjoy a spring sing, watch mainstage performances, participate in a collective art project, and more. READ MORE

Galli Theater Presents: The Star Talers

Tribeca
Saturday, April 16
A girl gives everything she has until she has nothing and a miracle happens: She receives more than she can carry. READ MORE

Earth Day at the Queens County Farm Museum

Floral Park, Queens–FREE
Friday, April 22
Young environmentalists and their grown-ups are invited out to the Queens County Farm Museum to celebrate Earth Day. Volunteers assist with sifting compost, spring clean-up in the children’s garden, mulching, weeding, and more. READ MORE

Apple Blossom Children's Carnival at the Queens County Farm Museum

Floral Park, Queens
Fridays through Sundays from Saturday, April 23-Sunday, May 1
Celebrate spring at the Queens County Farm Museum. This children's carnival kicks off the farm's special event season. Tilt-A-Whirl in the orchard and enjoy carnival rides, hayrides, and midway games. READ MORE
Watch the amazing performers at the 16th Annual New York Dance Parade & DanceFest. Photo by Anthony Johnson
Watch the amazing performers at the 16th Annual New York Dance Parade & DanceFest. Photo by Anthony Johnson

Preschooler and Toddler Events in NYC in May 2022

How to Catch a Star

Midtown West
Wednesdays-Sundays from Wednesday, May 4-Sunday, May 15
Based on the beloved book by award-winning Northern Irish author Oliver Jeffers, Branar Téatar do Pháistí’s How to Catch a Star combines wondrous puppetry with a score by Colm Mac Con Iomaire for a magical theatre experience. READ MORE

Hands on History: Floral Fun

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, May 7
Explore floral scents and the use of botanicals in the 19th century by making your own scented sachets to take home! This is a great activity to do with Mother’s Day on the horizon! READ MORE

Madagascar: The Musical

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Friday, May 13
A brand new musical from Dreamworks leaves audiences with no choice but to Move It, Move It! Animals escape from their home in New York's Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien's Madagascar. READ MORE

Sheep Shearing Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum

Floral Park, Queens
Saturday, May 14
Visit the Queens County Farm Museum on the Nassau-Queens border to see the sheep get their annual haircuts. Move to the foot-stomping rhythms of live music, and enjoy farmer-led tours and a plant sale all day.  READ MORE

ABCirque & Play

Bushwick, Brooklyn
Sunday, May 15
NYC's finest circus troupe, ABCirque, performs its trademark aerial acrobatics. Each show includes a 45-minute show followed by 30 minutes of time for the audience to take a swing in an aerial hammock, hula-hoop their hearts out, and juggle everything in sight. READ MORE

Dance Parade + DanceFest in the East Village

Gramercy–FREE
Saturday, May 21
Dance Parade returns to the streets, celebrating its 18th annual procession and festival with 10,000 dancers and more than 100 unique styles of dance. READ MORE

La MaMa Kids: Mary Had a Little Lamb and also a Substitute Teacher

Bowery
Saturday, May 21-Sunday, May 22
Using live music, puppetry, and interactive storytelling, Mary Had a Little Lamb and also a Substitute Teacher is a high-energy, laugh-filled adventure that reminds us that, while making new friends can be scary, it can also be quite a lot of fun. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

South Street Seaport
The Theater at Madison Square Garden