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Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
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Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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35 Best Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids March 2024

Celebrate all things Irish at St. Patrick's Day Parades all across NYC this month. Photo by Elsa Simcik
Celebrate all things Irish at St. Patrick's Day Parades all across NYC this month. Photo by Elsa Simcik
3/1/24 - By Drew Kristofik

When it comes to free things to do in March, NYC kids are in for a treat. We've found 34 completely free things to do in NYC this month, including everything from St. Patrick's Day celebrations to Holi festivities at the Seaport, plus our own Playtopia event full of summer camp fun, Purim parties, and more. Easter hops into town at the end of the month with a full contingent of Easter egg hunts, starting with the Williamsbridge Oval's annual eggstravaganza.

Read on for our picks for the best free family activities in New York City this March, including picks in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. You can find more top events in our always-packed Family Activity Calendar. Plus, there are loads of seasonal must-do's in our NYC Kids' Spring Fun Guide.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Things To Do in NYC: Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 10, 2024

Théâtre de la Dame de Coeur's Acupunk at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Through Saturday, March 2, 2024
A poetic parade performance featuring Théâtre de la Dame de Coeur's giant puppets, Eria and Terrenis, Acupunk metaphorically explores the theme of earth’s healing. READ MORE

Hands-on History: Miss Cornelia's Flower Guild at the King Manor Museum

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Learn about the last King Family member to live at King Manor: Cornelia King! Stop by the manor to make your own paper flowers, and pick up some free garden seeds ready for March planting. READ MORE

Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade at Rockaway Beach

Far Rockaway, Queens
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Head to Rockaway Beach for an early St. Patrick’s Day Parade the first Saturday in March. The 49th annual procession starts with a mass for peace at St. Francis de Sales Church, before stepping off behind grand marshals that include congressmen and respected community members. READ MORE

The Beauty of Ballet at Claire Tow Theatre

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Have you ever wondered how ballerinas dance on their toes? Or how dancers turn without getting dizzy? Learn the answers to those questions and more during this family-friendly performance featuring excerpts from famous ballets including The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.  READ MORE

Jack & The Beanstalk at the Brooklyn Heights Library

Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Children are invited to engage in the classic story of Jack and the Beanstalk, and practice bravery, silliness, improvisation, singing and more!   READ MORE

Bryant Park StoryTime

Midtown West
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Cali Co Cat shares fun-filled stories—and meowsic to boot—at the Overlook at the Winter Village in Bryant Park. Stick around for a special StoryTime on Ice performance of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, featuring the Bryant Parkettes, on February 24 and March 2, immediately following StoryTime.   READ MORE

Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade

Staten Island
Sunday, March 3, 2024
The annual Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade attracts thousands of spectators to Forest Avenue each year for a procession of the borough's pipe bands, school bands, revelers in Irish pride, and celebrated figures. READ MORE

St. Pat's for All Parade 2024

Sunnyside, Queens
Sunday, March 3, 2024
The St. Pat's for All Parade celebrates the diversity of the Irish and Irish American communities of New York. First held in 2000, St. Pat's for All cherishes and celebrates an inclusive St. Patrick's season.  READ MORE

Lavender Blues: REMIXES, a Family Hip-Hop Concert at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Lady B of Lavender Blues performs The REMIXES, a hip-hop concert for families, during Amazon Free Hours.  READ MORE

Maya Lin: Architect of Light and Lines at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Kids learn about architect Maya Lin through a read-aloud of Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, by Jeanne Walker Harvey. Then, incorporating similar themes of nature and world peace, participants create collages of their own, envisioning landscapes they would want to design someday. READ MORE

Keepsake: Ireland at Battery Park City

Battery Park City
Saturday, March 9, 2024
The Irish Arts Center hosts a family workshop highlighting Ireland. Create a keepsake to take home, then enjoy a live performance and dance with violinist Liz Hanley and friends. READ MORE

Girls in Science and Engineering Day at The Intrepid Museum

Midtown West
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Celebrate science, technology, engineering, and math at the Intrepid Museum’s 10th-annual Girls in Science and Engineering Day. Enjoy hands-on demonstrations and thought-provoking discussions from various science-based organizations, clubs, and colleges. READ MORE

26th Annual Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Throggs Neck, the Bronx
Sunday, March 10, 2024
The Throggs Neck Benevolent Association's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade turns out the crowds to celebrate the holiday. The parade route heads down East Tremont, toward Harding Avenue, and turns right onto Harding Avenue. There is a reviewing stand at Harding and Tremont. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC: Monday, March 11-Sunday, March 17, 2024

Bindlestiff Open Stage Variety Show at Voorhees Theatre

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Nationally renowned circus troupe the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus' Open Stage Variety Show features an extraordinary array of acts, from kung fu juggling to clown bands, aerial artists, wire walkers, sideshow performers, living cartoons, physical comedy, contortionists, juggling, ventriloquism, and much more. READ MORE

Family Fridays: Robotics and Math at MoMath on 5th

Gramercy
Friday, March 15, 2024
Robofun CEO Laura Hart introduces the Finch, a robot that travels on the ground and can be coded by anyone, from age 3 to 300, to draw lines, angles, and flowers, make sounds, or sense things in the environment. She guides families through an exciting exploration where making mistakes, trying again, and having fun are all part of the plan. Design simple or complex programs and discover the math behind robotics. READ MORE

12th Annual St. Patrick’s Citywide Book Day

Citywide
Friday, March 15, 2024
The Irish Arts Center undertakes the 12th edition of one of its most beloved programs: Book Day, in which the center pays homage to Ireland’s rich literary tradition by giving away FREE books by some of the country’s—and Irish America’s—most celebrated writers. READ MORE

New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue

Midtown
Saturday, March 16, 2024
NYC turns green once again as its famous St. Patrick's Day Parade marches up Fifth Avenue, past St. Patrick's Cathedral at 50th Street, all the way up to 79th Street and the Irish Historical Society, where the parade finishes at about 4:30-5pm. READ MORE

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Open House at the Irish Arts Center - SOLD OUT

Midtown West
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Irish Arts Center's 2023 open house features all-day traditional music and dance, live piano karaoke sing-alongs of Ireland and Irish-America’s greatest hits, a performance and group lesson by World Irish Dance Champion Tyler Shwartz, spring equinox-inspired arts and crafts, and a sampling of the venue's multidisciplinary educational offerings. READ MORE

Hands-on History: Counting Sheep at the King Manor Museum

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Use recycled packing peanuts to create your own cheery sheep puppet. It may come in handy when you are having trouble sleeping at night. READ MORE

The Beauty of Ballet at Hostos Center

South Bronx
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Have you ever wondered how ballerinas dance on their toes? Or how dancers turn without getting dizzy? Learn the answers to those questions and more during this family-friendly performance featuring excerpts from famous ballets including The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker.  READ MORE

PLAYTOPIA: A World of Fun with Summer Camps at Pier 57

Chelsea
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Discover and play with dozens of summer camps and activities at PLAYTOPIA, hosted by Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents. Free activities include arts and crafts, STEM and robotics, a photo booth, a collaborative sculpture project, face painting, magic shows, a balloon twister, games, and more. Located indoors at the beautiful Pier 57 in Chelsea, with Market 57 Food Hall, and adjacent to Little Island. It's going to be a world of fun! READ MORE

Annual Brooklyn St. Patrick's Day Parade

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Head to South Slope for this festive St. Patrick's Day Parade (also the oldest St. Paddy's Day parade in Brooklyn!). Music, marching bands, face painting, Irish dancers, and antique cars are all back this year. READ MORE

St. Patrick's Day Folklore Nature Crafts in Allison Pond Park

Allison Pond Park, Staten Island
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Explore nature with the Urban Park Rangers as they share tales from Irish folklore, and learn how to make fairy homes out of natural materials. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC: Monday, March 18-Sunday, March 24, 2024

HERstory with Flor Bromley at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Celebrate Women’s History Month with this special performance by bilingual (English/Spanish) musician, Flor Bromley! HERstory is a musical one woman show about influential women.     READ MORE

Frogs and Friends at Wave Hill

Riverdale, Bronx
Thursday, March 21
Spring is the time when frogs and other amphibians emerge from winter hibernation. Listen to a chorus of spring peepers and their kin as you get up close and personal with live frogs, toads and salamanders with a visiting educator from Tenafly Nature Center. Craft frog and toad-inspired art and practice your jumping skills or get cozy in Wave Hill's book nook. READ MORE

Seaport Kids: Celebrate Holi at South Street Seaport

South Street Seaport
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Shake off the winter blues and douse your family in the colors of spring! The Seaport celebrates Holi with colorful puppets, dances, drummers, delicious food, and powder play. READ MORE

Annual 2023 Closing Celebration at Socrates Sculpture Park

Long Island City, Queens
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Socrates Sculpture Park bids farewell to its 2023 exhibition, Transformation, by 2023 fellows Ashley Harris, Ndivhuho Rasengani, Bat-Ami Rivlin, Kate Rusek, Maryam Turkey, and Stefania Urist. Meet the artists and learn more about their work and Fellowship experience creating their work on-site at the park. READ MORE

Coco Screening at Columbia's Lenfest Center

Morningside Heights
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Columbia University School of Arts' monthly series of films for the whole family offers a free screening of the Oscar-winning animated film, Coco.  READ MORE

2024 Annual Purim Carnival at the Kings Bay Y

Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Dress up in your best Purim costume and bop over to the Y for inflatable rides, live performances, raffles, carnival games, face painting, art activity stations, photo booths, and a few special surprises.    READ MORE

Children's Business Fair at Acton Academy

Chelsea
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Kids ages 6-14 can learn how to launch their very own startup businesses. They develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at this one-day marketplace.  READ MORE

Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Sunday, March 24, 2024
The Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off at 1pm and runs along 3rd Avenue, starting at Marine Avenue and marching down to 67th Street. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC: Monday, March 25-Sunday, March 31, 2024

Macy's Herald Square Annual Flower Show

Herald Square
Opens Sunday, March 24, 2024
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

WBO Spring Egg Hunt at Williamsbridge Oval

Williamsbridge Oval, the Bronx
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Stop by Williamsbridge Oval for an egg hunt, sack races, arts and crafts, and more! READ MORE

NYSoM Easter Eggstravaganza in Sherman Creek Park

Inwood
Saturday, March 30, 2024
NYSoM hosts an Easter party that includes an egg hunt, an Easter activity village with painted Easter eggs, Easter crafts, and appearances by the Easter Bunny and friends. READ MORE

Glow In The Dark Adventure Hike in Forest Park

Forest Park, Queens
Sunday, March 31, 2024
As the sun sets and familiar trails transform into mysterious pathways, put on some luminescent gear and step into a realm of magic and intrigue. The trail comes alive with the soft glow of bioluminescent organisms and strategically placed glow-in-the-dark markers, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Oasis at Josie Robertson Plaza
Beach 130th St. and Newport Ave.
Brooklyn Children's Museum
National Museum of Mathematics Pop Up
Irish Arts Center (but this event is citywide)
Fifth Avenue at 44th Street
Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Cetner
Sherman Creek Pop-up Park