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CityWorks, Hippo Playground Fair, and More Things To Do this Weekend in NYC with Kids

CityWorks delivers a sprawling new exhibit to the New York Hall of Science with its grand opening this weekend. Photo by Jody Mercier
CityWorks delivers a sprawling new exhibit to the New York Hall of Science with its grand opening this weekend. Photo by Jody Mercier
5/2/25 - 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.

The first weekend in May unleashes an embarrassment of riches, including the BAMKids SpringFest, the New York Hall of Science's CityWorks exhibition grand opening, Holi fun with the Brooklyn Children's Museum, and Riverside Park's annual Hippo Playground Spring Fair. 

Plus, Movies under the Stars start to sparkle this weekend, with Elemental and Shrek lighting up screens in Manhattan!

More Things To Do in New York City this Week with Kids

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Best Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Movies Under the Stars: Elemental in St. Catherine's Park

Upper East Side – FREE
Friday, May 2
Meet Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. Rated PG. Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Opening Weekend: CityWorks Exhibition at NY Hall of Science

Flusing, Queens
Opens Saturday, May 3
CityWorks, a new interactive exhibit that explores the often invisible inner workings of the built urban environment, invites visitors to explore the intricate systems and engineering that allow cities to function, including how they break, evolve and endure.  READ MORE

BAMKids SpringFest

Downtown Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 3
Families are invited to a joyous day of performances, interactive activities, and showcases of local talent! Dance to the rhythms of Brazil, feel the energy of Mozambique, and explore diverse art forms from around the world—all while learning about caring for our planet! Stick around for a free screening of The Wiz at 7pm. READ MORE

The 27th Annual Blessing of the Bicycles at St. John the Divine

Morningside Heights – FREE
Saturday, May 3
Reverend Patrick Malloy offers a blessing to jump start a safe cycling season and sprinkles holy water on each bicycle. READ MORE

Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School Spring Fair

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 3
Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School's annual spring fair transforms the whole block into a kids' wonderland of games, rides, animals, and family-fun. READ MORE

Cinco de Mayo and the Architecture of Mexico at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City – FREE
Saturday, May 3
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the day in 1862 that Mexico defeated the French Army, paving the way for its independence! To celebrate Mexico and its traditional architecture, learn about the pyramids of the Aztecs and Mayans that connected the earth to the sky, the gods, and the cosmos. After the presentation, kids work with cardboard to create their own pyramids that reach toward the sun and the moon. READ MORE

Jane's Carousel Day in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 3
Jane's Carousel celebrates its 14th year in Brooklyn with free rides and face painting all day long. READ MORE

Haudenosaunee Family Fun Day at the National Museum of the American Indian

Financial District – FREE
Saturday, May 3
Join the Haudenosaunee Dancers in a round dance, explore the galleries in a treasure hunt, and enjoy hands-on activities that include making a corn husk dragonfly and learning the significance of lacrosse.   READ MORE

Pinkster Festival at the Van Cortlandt House Museum

Riverdale, the Bronx – FREE
Saturday, May 3
Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Pinkster on the picturesque lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum for a day filled with vibrant festivities, live music, engaging performances, and immersive experiences.  READ MORE

Movies under the Stars: Shrek in Andrew Haswell Green Park

Midtown East – FREE
Saturday, May 3
Once upon a swamp, an ogre minding his own business is invaded by fairy tale characters. Mayhem ensues and everyone lives happily ever after. READ MORE

Celebrate Holi with the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 3
Holi, BCM’s annual celebration of the springtime holiday focused on renewal, color, and play makes all ages feel as if you’ve been transported to the streets of India, Trinidad, or Guyana. Visitors take over neighboring Brower Park with pounds of color powder to throw in the air. READ MORE

Free Comic Book Day 2025

Citywide – FREE
Saturday, May 3
Pow! Crash! Boom! Getting comic books for free is...super! Free Comic Book Day is again held on the first Saturday in May. Free Comic Book Day is a nationwide event, and kids (small and grown) can stop by any participating comic store to receive their free comics. READ MORE

Hippo Playground Spring Fair in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Sunday, May 4
An Upper West Side institution, the Hippo Playground Spring Fair celebrates the season with pony rides, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, games, prizes, crafts, food, cupcake decorating, face painting, entertainment, and more. READ MORE

Print Your Own Mother’s Day Card at Bowne & Co.

Seaport – FREE
Sunday, May 4
Bowne & Co.'s talented designers show guests how to create a festive Mother's Day card using the South Street Seaport Museum's 19th-century historical printing equipment. READ MORE

PS 267 Spring Fling

Midtown East
Sunday, May 4
East Side Elementary School PS 267 hosts its annual block party with a day of fun for the whole family. Enjoy bouncy houses, games, crafts, and snacks. Proceeds benefit the PS 267 PTA and the programs it supports. READ MORE

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

Glen Oaks, Queens
Weekends through Sunday, May 11
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

Places featured in this article:

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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