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Mother's Day Weekend 2025 in NYC: NYBG Garden Party and More Things To Do with Kids

Ecological City stages a spectacular six-hour procession of visual art, giant puppets, and wild costumes. Photo courtesy of the Losaida Center
Ecological City stages a spectacular six-hour procession of visual art, giant puppets, and wild costumes. Photo courtesy of the Losaida Center
5/9/25 - By Drew Kristofik

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 for Mother's Day weekend 2025.

Take it easy this weekend with Mother's Day prep options that include a floral design workshop at the Queens Botanical Garden, Mother's Day card-making in the LaGuardia Garden, and the weekend-long Mother's Day Garden Party at the New York Botanical Garden, which just reopened its stunning children's garden.

If that's not enough, we've got 27 more ways to celebrate mom, plus the lowdown on the best spots for Mother's Day brunch in NYC, but book those reservations now!

More Things To Do in New York City This Week With Kids

Be sure to click through to each listing for all the details, including recommended ages and time.

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Best Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Mother's Day Brunch Cruise 2025

West Village
Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 11
Take mom on a cruise under the Brooklyn Bridge, past Battery Park, and around the Statue of Liberty for incredible views of the New York, Brooklyn, and New Jersey skylines. Enjoy sipping bottomless, mom-approved mimosas and dining on an elevated brunch menu. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Public School Film Festival in Washington Square Park

Greenwich Village – FREE
Friday, May 9
Celebrate the best work from NYC students with friends and family! Bring blankets and chairs, find a great spot, and enjoy the show. READ MORE

2025 Teen Film Festival at Museum of the Moving Image

Astoria, Queens
Friday, May 9
MoMI's annual Teen Film Festival, hosted by the MoMI Teen Council, features a screening of 12 selected short film works by teen filmmakers from New York City’s five boroughs.   READ MORE

Instrument Discovery Day at Hamilton Grange Library

Harlem – FREE
Saturday, May 10
Bloomingdale School of Music hosts an Instrument Discovery Day at the Hamilton Grange Library. Ever wanted to play the guitar or the violin? How about the trumpet? Hear, hold, and play these and other musical instruments with the help of expert faculty. Sing alongs and music for babies and toddlers await, as well.  READ MORE

Japan Day Parade and Street Fair on Central Park West

Upper West Side – FREE
Saturday, May 10
Japan Day is celebrated with a parade and street fair. Watch the parade march down Central Park West before enjoying the festive street fair along 72nd Street.  READ MORE

Bird Bonanza on Randall's Island

Randall's Island – FREE
Saturday, May 10
Celebrate birds, especially those that are currently migrating through NYC, at the Randall’s Island Bird Bonanza. The entire day is dedicated to flying feathered friends, with activities and games for all ages. READ MORE

Mommy and Me Floral Design Workshop at Queens Botanical Garden

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 10
A fun, hands-on workshop invites adults and children to work together to create a teacup flower arrangement to take home. Participants also take a mini tour and learn about spring flowers that grow in the garden. READ MORE

61st Annual Calhoun Spring Carnival

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 10
Carnival rides and games, prizes, and craft activities are trademarks of the annual celebration for the Calhoun community and neighborhood families. Enjoy the traditional first barbecue of the season with hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, freshly made sandwiches, and more. READ MORE

Ecological City Puppet Parade on the Lower East Side

Lower East Side – FREE
Saturday, May 10
For sheer spectacle, you can't beat Ecological City's spectacular six-hour procession of visual art, giant puppets and costumes—with 21 performances of dance, music, theater, and poetry celebrating sustainability solutions throughout the community gardens, neighborhood, and along the East River Park waterfront on the Lower East Side. READ MORE

Urban Wildlife Festival in St. Mary's Park

South Bronx – FREE
Saturday, May 10
Get up close and personal with NYC’s wild residents. Learn about squirrels, turtles, raccoons, opossums, and coyotes, and discover the best places in New York City and New York state to watch wildlife. READ MORE

Expedition AI: Demystify Artificial Intelligence at the AMNH

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 10
In celebration of the National Science Foundation’s 75th anniversary, the American Museum of Natural History hosts a hands-on exploration of how scientists, technologists, and educators are using AI to unlock the mysteries of the natural world. READ MORE

Make Mother's Day Cards with Flower Petals in LaGuardia Corner Community Garden

Greenwich Village – FREE
Saturday, May 10
Make your own Mother's Day cards with pretty pressed flowers. All materials are provided.  READ MORE

Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest at City Point

Downtown Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 10
The second annual Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest includes a free Mother's Day flower bar (make a custom bouquet for mom), face painting, performances from Hopalong Andrew and African drumming, plus selfies with the Green Lady of Brooklyn, and kids' activities.  READ MORE

Musical Explorers Family Concert at Carnegie Hall

Midtown West
Saturday, May 10
Discover music from around the world in this popular and highly interactive concert for children. Artists with magnetic personalities teach families all about their musical traditions—including Georgian folk music with singer and guitarist Ilusha Tsinadze; son jarocho (Mexico’s “Veracruz sound”) with the Villalobos Brothers (Ernesto, Alberto, and Luis); and with singer and composer Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa's Zimbabwean music performed by Ratie Morgan and Kanukai... READ MORE

Open Stages 2025 in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 10
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s spring music festival is back to rock Park Slope once again! Stoops, school lots, parks, gardens, and sidewalks host more than 200 musicians throughout the day, including classical musicians, hip-hop artists, marching bands, kids' groups, and more. READ MORE

Mother's Day Weekend Garden Party at NYBG

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Saturday, May 10-Sunday, May 11
Mother's Day at the New York Botanical Garden is abloom with activities, music, crafts, and face painting—not to mention walking tours packed with colors and gorgeous spring scents. READ MORE

Milk & Cookies Family Friendly Comedy Show

Upper West Side
Sunday, May 11
The Milk and Cookies Comedy Show is a family-friendly comedy show that began in Manhattan, run by moms who love comedy but don't love paying for babysitting. Comedians from Comedy Central, HBO, and Netflix perform clean sets in front of families. Fart machines, balloon animals, and an occasional juggling act have been known to make an appearance. READ MORE

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About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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