40+ Free Things To Do in NYC This May With Kids

This month is all about the great outdoors, and we've got the lowdown on all the great FREE things to do in NYC this May, including the start of the annual outdoor movies and music season.
Summer's unofficial start might not happen until month's end, but plenty of summer-like fun is popping up on our Family Activity Calendar with season-long series like Summer on the Hudson Play Dates making their debut. We're also thrilled to welcome back annual favorites like Dance Parade and Fleet Week.
Read on for more than 40 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 events in our list of the best things to do this May.
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As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including address and time. And keep in mind, in NYC, really cool things to do with kids often book quickly. In the case of these FREE events, arrive as early as possible.
Free Things To Do in NYC: Sunday, May 1-Saturday, May 7
Free Things To Do in NYC: Sunday, May 8-Saturday, May 14
Free Things To Do in NYC: Sunday, May 15-Saturday, May 21
Free Things To Do in NYC: Sunday, May 22-Tuesday, May 31
Places featured in this article:
Willoughby Street
Riverside Park South
Williamsbridge Oval
Central Park (W 85 th St Entrance)
Bryant Park
Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park)
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
Highbridge Park
Washington Market Park
Randall's Island
Old Stone House (outside)
City Point
West Harlem Piers Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park
5th Avenue
Bryant Park
Bryant Park
Virtual, via Zoom
Tompkins Square Park
David Rubenstein Atrium
Rockefeller Center Radio Park
Washington Street between York and Plymouth Streets
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
St. Mary's Park Ampitheater
Bryant Park
Haffen Park
Cherry Tree Park