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Brooklyn Bridge Park invites visitors to celebrate spring with its Sound & Color Festival on Saturday, May 18. Photo by John Eng
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4/28/24 - By Drew Kristofik

May brings with it plenty of things to celebrate, including Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and more. Here are our top things to do in NYC this May with kids!

May is so jam-packed, it would be easy to miss some stellar happenings, but we're rounding up all our top picks for NYC families below. Dive into family fun at Asphalt Green's Big Swim, celebrate the season at Hippo Playground's Spring Fair, and keep the fun rolling with the New York Transit Museum's Party on Wheels. Of course, we're also jazzed for NYBG's Mother's Day Garden Party, and Fleet Week at month's end is a can't-miss celebration of our military packed with plenty of pageantry!

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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 up quickly, so buy your tickets ASAP or, in the case of FREE events, arrive as early as possible.

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Top Things To Do in NYC with Kids this May

Garden of Dreams Talent Show 2024 at Radio City

Midtown West – FREE
Thursday, May 2, 2024
This free children's talent show is hosted by the Garden of Dreams Foundation, Madison Square Garden’s not-for-profit charity, which helps tri-state area children overcome obstacles such as homelessness, illness, bullying, and poverty. The annual event gives more than 100 kids the chance to perform on-stage at Radio City in front of their families, friends, and celebrities. READ MORE

Sail Away by Treehouse Shakers at Ailey Citigroup Theater

Midtown West
Thursday, May 2-Saturday, May 4, 2024
Journey with the Treehouse Shakers on an ocean-inspired adventure for toddlers ages 18-24 months. Specifically geared toward very early walkers, Sail Away is a mobile exploration experience piece for toddlers who want to wiggle, move, walk, and run in a fully immersive first-time play experience.   READ MORE

 Sesame Street Live! Say Hello at Kings Theatre

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Friday, May 3-Saturday, May 4, 2024
Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby team up once again to say hello to little fans. At Sesame Street Live!, audience members can sing and dance with their favorite furry friends while enjoying fun surprises. READ MORE

Young People’s Concert: Celebration at Geffen Hall

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Celebrate 100 years of Young People’s Concerts with madcap sounds, humor, and surprises — and discover how composers throughout the ages have used these tools to comment on important issues of their day. READ MORE

Big Swim 2024 at Asphalt Green

Upper East Side – FREE
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Asphalt Green hosts a fun day for swimmers of all abilities, ages 6 and older, to experience the thrill of racing in the water! Compete and receive a swim cap, medal, and an icey.   READ MORE

Party on Wheels at the New York Transit Museum

Downtown Brooklyn
Sunday, May 5, 2024
The subway is turning 120 years old, so bring the whole family to the New York Transit Museum for breakfast and birthday cake, artmaking and face painting, photos in a conductor's cab, and unlimited rides on vintage subway cars from the museum's platform to Hoyt-Schermerhorn and back. READ MORE

Children's Day Festival: Kodomo No Hi at Japan Society

Midtown East
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Hang the koinobori (carp streamers) and don your kabuto (samurai helmet): The Japan Society's Children's Day is back. Celebrate Japan’s national holiday with the captivating tale of Momotaro (Peach Boy) through a thrilling theatrical performance filled with storytelling, music, dance, and lots of audience participation. Continue the adventure with life-sized samurai armor displays, carp streamer making, samurai helmet origami, and more. READ MORE

Hippo Playground Spring Fair in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Sunday, May 5
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

Symphonic Sunday at Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Sunday, May 5, 2024
The Brooklyn Orchestra performs Stravinsky's Apollo in the beautiful setting of the Old Stone House. This totally immersive experience includes an interactive pre- and post-concert moment for children to meet the musicians (and their instruments!) Children and their families get a glimpse of the musical collaborative process in this mock rehearsal setting. READ MORE

Spring Family Fair at the Morgan

Midtown East
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Celebrate the Morgan Library's 100th anniversary and the reopening of the Morgan Garden with live music, spring exhibition tours, artmaking, scavenger hunts, and more. READ MORE

And Sing! at BAM

Downtown Brooklyn
Monday, May 6, 2024
Davóne Tines and Arreon A. Harley-Emerson examine choral music of the Black Diaspora in this collaborative exploration of what makes us unique—our voices, histories, and traditions. A collection of multi-hyphenated leaders, performers, and storytellers join over 100 singers from Brooklyn Youth Chorus for a joyful and inspiring evening of musical commentary and connection. READ MORE

Japan Day Parade and Street Fair on Central Park West

Central Park – FREE
Saturday, May 11, 2024
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

Sheep Shearing Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum

Glen Oaks, Queens
Saturday, May 11, 2024
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

Musical Explorers Family Concert at Carnegie Hall

Midtown West
Saturday, May 11, 2024
New York City-based artists with magnetic personalities lead this vibrant, highly interactive concert for children at Carnegie Hall. Discover music from around the world, including the internationally renowned Sylvester Makobi, who explores Kenyan song traditions; returning family favorite Michael Daves celebrates bluegrass; and vocal trio Zulal shares its passion for Armenian folk music. READ MORE

Mother's Day Weekend Garden Party at NYBG

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12, 2024
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

The 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Arthur Ashe Stadium

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 11-Tuesday, May 14, 2024
The 148th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show features breed judging during the day on Monday and Tuesday. Groups, Junior Showmanship Finals, and Best In Show are judged Monday and Tuesday evenings. READ MORE

I Wish at the New Victory Theater

Midtown West
Weekends from Saturday, May 11-Sunday, May 19, 2024
Acclaimed theater artist and contemporary opera singer Le Gateau Chocolat crescendos to centerstage as the mysteriously magic-less Wish Giver. On a musical quest to recover their powers, they step into the shoes of beloved storybook characters, managing mystical messes and learning that, while life’s not always fair(ytales), love and acceptance can be more than fantasy. READ MORE

+ERBA: A Forest in the City at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19, 2024
+ERBA is an interactive family show with two dancers who create—together with children—an imaginary city. The 'architect' dancer observes the landscape and draws the city with houses and streets. The other dancer loves the earth, the insects, and draws grass and trees. READ MORE

Submerge: NYC Marine Science Festival at Pier 84

Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, May 18, 2024
The Hudson River Park presents Submerge—a free, two-day science extravaganza devoted to raising awareness about our coastal waters.  READ MORE

Sound & Color! Spring Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 18, 2024
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy takes its beloved kite festival to the next level with live musical performances, food vendors, kids activities, and more. Watch your kite soar above the Manhattan skyline the one day of the year kite-flying is open to the public at Brooklyn Bridge Park. READ MORE

Big Truck Day on Randall's Island

Randall's Island – FREE
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Strap on your seatbelt and get a close-up view of the big trucks that keep New York City clean and safe. Learn how firefighters, garbage truck drivers, and other big truck operators use these vehicles to drive our city forward. READ MORE

Doktor Kaboom: Look Out! Science is Coming! at the Kupferberg Center

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Sporting chrome goggles, an orange lab coat, motorcycle boots, and wicked cool hair, Doktor Kaboom travels the world, thrilling adults and children alike with an explosive comedic style. READ MORE

Believe: A New York Philharmonic Very Young People’s Concert at Merkin Hall

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 18, 2024
NY Phil wind players and Garifuna musicians come together for music that engages the senses and fuels young imaginations. READ MORE

Aloha Days Children’s Festival at the National Museum of the American Indian

Battery Park – FREE
Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19, 2024
This year’s family festival at NMAI celebrates all things Hawai’i! Enjoy a hula dance performance and learn the history behind it, get to know Hawaiian musical instruments, watch animated short films about ocean safety, and participate in a variety of hands-on activities for all ages.  READ MORE

Wonderland: Curious Nature Opening Weekend at the New York Botanical Garden

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Opens Saturday, May 18, 2024
Head down the rabbit hole as Wonderland: Curious Nature transforms NYBG's 250 acres into the sights, settings, and scents of the classic story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Step into a botanical experience that grows curiouser and curiouser as you set off on your immersive journey. READ MORE

The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Head to Park Slope's Fifth Avenue to peruse this street fair, featuring food and sale items, rides, bouncy castles, music performances, and more.  READ MORE

Free Movie Night on the Intrepid: Top Gun Maverick

Midtown West – FREE
Friday, May 24, 2024
Bring a blanket, deck chairs, and a picnic and watch a movie on the ship’s flight deck, under the stars! Enjoy views of the Hudson River and city skyline while you watch Top Gun: Maverick on the big screen. READ MORE

Fleet Week NYC

Midtown West – FREE
Wednesday, May 22-Tuesday, May 28, 2024
The US Navy, US Marine Corps, and US Coast Guard's celebration of sea services invites families to tour ships, watch the Parade of Ships, and enjoy exhibits, military band concerts, and aviation events throughout the week.   READ MORE

Bluey's Big Play at Kings Theatre

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday & Sunday, May 25 & 26, 2024
Grab the sticky geckos, break out the duck cakes, and alert the grannies! The Heeler family is coming to Kings Theatre with the Bluey live show, Bluey’s Big Play.   READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

BAM Strong Harvey Theater
Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Goldstein Theatre
Merkin Concert Hall
Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York
Various locations