100 Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer with Kids

Summer is the season of free things to do in NYC, and the sunny fun is already upon us. There are plenty of free things to do in NYC this summer everywhere you look, from summer festivals and concerts to no-cost sports, kayaking on the waterways, and even free summer camps. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 100 free things to do in NYC this summer with kids.

Some of our picks take place on specific days, while others are season-long activities and summer-only destinations. If you’re looking for more free things to do in NYC with kids, bookmark our list of 101 free things to do in NYC all year long and our Free in NYC Guide, which is jam-packed with fun, no-cost activities.

Still searching for a summer camp for a week or two? Check out our NYC Summer Camp Guide.

More Free Things To Do This Summer in NYC

Many of these free things to do in NYC this summer occur on multiple dates, so be sure to click through to our listings for more information. Just in case this list of 100 free things to do all summer long isn't enough free entertainment, we've got month-by-month lists of the best free things to do, too. No matter what you end up doing in the city this summer, there's only one rule: Have fun out there.

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Free Things To Do in NYC Parks this Summer

1. Walk The High Line

See NYC from an elevated angle as you stroll The High Line.

2. Get Totally Soaked

These play fountains are guaranteed to be more cooling than your local playground sprinkler.

RELATED: Summer Fun Guide for New York City Kids

After a day of rides, take a free dip in the waves at Coney Island.

3. Frolic at Coney Island

The action-packed Coney Island is always a fun place to while away a summer day. Hit the beach, walk the boardwalk, enjoy awesome people-watching, and more.

4. Romp at the South Street Seaport

Explore the amazing Imagination Playground and the rest of this waterfront neighborhood.

5. Brooklyn Bridge Park

Plan a daycation to this park, which offers 1.3 miles of riverfront to explore with spectacular playgrounds and so many more fun, free things to do.

6. Hit a Destination Playground

We’ve played on plenty of playgrounds and deemed these 21 playgrounds the best romping spots in all of NYC.

7. Hop a Ferry to Governors Island

Explore all the attractions on Governors Island, including Slide Hill, Hammock Grove, a play lawn, climbing structures, and more.

8. Go Fishing

Enjoy free fishing at various Hudson River Park piers and in Central Park's Harlem Meer.

9. Head to the Beach

Did you know NYC has 14 miles of beachfront—and it’s all free? Hit one of our favorite NYC beaches. All you need is a MetroCard (and your beach gear, of course).

10. Take a Family Hike

The Staten Island Greenbelt offers destination-worthy trails to explore—and lots of them!

RELATED: 10 Waterfront Playgrounds in NYC

Explore New York City's floating park, aka Little Island, which offers tons of free summer activities.

11. Explore Little Island

NYC’s floating park offers stunning Hudson River views and tons of family-friendly programming and performances. If you haven't visited yet; summer's the perfect time!

12. Visit The Hort

Located at the lovely Riverbank State Park this community garden offers free hands-on programming to the community.

13. Go Camping in a City Park

Register for FREE camping in local parks, sponsored by the Urban Park Rangers. Programs include gear, a campfire, and s'mores, but check the calendar to ensure you don't miss the lottery registration.

14. Catch an Alfresco Flick

Free outdoor movies abound in NYC parks during the summer months. Bookmark this roundup to see what’s playing near you.

15. Romp at Pier 26

Climb inside the belly of a sturgeon at the spectacular, marine life-themed playground at Pier 26 in Hudson River Park. There are plenty of other fun playgrounds and piers nearby, too.

16. Visit Bryant Park

This Midtown green space is a breath of fresh air, and while there’s no traditional playground, there are plenty of places to play. We love the free summer activities including the open-air reading room, the game cart, and the plentiful free programming.

The Floating Lady Pool is permanently docked at Barretto Point Park. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

17. Visit a Local Swimming Pool

Swim at one of NYC's many public pools, which are open daily—free of charge—from Thursday, June 27 through at least Labor Day.

18. Hit a Splash Pad

Mini New Yorkers are lucky to have many sprinkler parks to explore; we’ve rounded up the 25 coolest splash pads in NYC.

19. Visit The Yard

This adventure playground on Governors Island is unlike any other playground in NYC and is free to visit on weekends. One caveat: Mom and dad are stuck on the sidelines.

20. PuppetMobile

See a puppet performance in your local playground with the mobile CityParks Puppet Mobile, which pops up across the boroughs all summer long.

21. Imagination Playground

Catch a cool sea breeze as you watch the kids tinker and create with the trademark blue blocks at this water-centric playground in the South Street Seaport.

22. Central Park

Think you know this iconic green space? How many of these hidden fun things to do have you checked off?

23. Hit up a Destination Sandbox

You’ll be surprised how much time a toddler can kill with a few sand toys and a trip to one of these eight sandboxes.

RELATED: NYC Playgrounds with Shade to Play it Cool

Climb to new heights at the Pier 57 rooftop park.

24. See a Stunning Rooftop View

Just north of Little Island, explore the Pier 57 rooftop park. Stunning Hudson River and city views await, plus a bird’s-eye look at Little Island! Bring a little dough for the James Beard food hall inside or reserve a free art-making session with the Children's Museum of the Arts.

25. Hit the Trails

Despite living in an urban jungle, there are plenty of fun hiking trails to tackle in NYC.

26. Tackle an Outdoor Adventure

We’ve found 25 fun, family-friendly things to do all over NYC parks during the summer months.

27. Visit the Battery Playscape

This inventive playground is fun anytime you want to play, but you can also plan your visit around its free Sundays at the Showbox performance series.

28. Row Your Own Boat

We’ve found tons of free places to hit the water with a free kayak, rowboat, or sailboat ride on NYC’s waterways.

RELATED: 25 Top Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in NYC for Kids

Romp in the Fountain of the Fairs in Flushing Meadows Park. 

29. Fountain of the Fairs

When the heat gets to be too much, this mega splash pad at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens is the perfect, mist-filled cure.

30. Van Cortlandt Park

This Bronx green space offers plenty of free summer programming, including a pool, a nature center, hiking trails, and more.

31. Pack a Picnic

Grab your snacks and a blanket, and spread out at one of these Central Park picnic areas perfect for families.

32. Alley Pond Park

Another Queens gem, Alley Pond Park has multiple playgrounds, a nature center, hiking, and an adventure course, which families can conquer for free.

33. Toddler-Friendly Beaches

Prefer your sandbox with a side of wet-and-wild fun? These toddler-friendly beaches fit the bill.

34. Orchard Beach

For a beach day with plenty more to explore, head to the Bronx Rivera. When you’re done in the surf, explore the rest of NYC’s largest green space.

Free Annual Summer Events in NYC

35. Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks

There's no better place to celebrate Independence Day than standing shoulder to shoulder with other New Yorkers watching the Macy's 4th of July fireworks.

36. City of Water Day

Hit the city shoreline and the water beyond for one of our favorite annual fests, City of Water Day on Saturday, July 13.

37. Bryant Park Movie Nights

There are plenty of free outdoor movie nights in NYC, but nothing beats the OG series: Bryant Park Movie Nights!

38. Mermaid Parade

This only-in-NYC affair takes to Coney Island’s sand-swept streets on Saturday, June 22.

39. Make Music New York

This annual summer solstice concert brings a joyful noise to city streets, parks, stoops, and more on Friday, June 21.

40. Summer Streets

This annual street festival shuts down miles of city streets to allow bikers, runners, walkers, and skaters to enjoy car-free fun and tons of family-friendly activities, performances, and giveaways.

41. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn

This annual summer concert series at the Prospect Park Bandshell kicks off in early June and runs for a full two months, bringing diverse artists to the stage, all free of charge.

42. Museum Mile Festival

Stroll down Fifth Avenue when it's closed for this annual fest on Tuesday, June 11, which allows visitors free entry to some of Museum Mile’s most fabulous culture spots, plus enjoy family-friendly entertainment and art-making activities in the streets.

43. Intrepid Summer Movie Series

Head to the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum to spread your blanket on its flight deck and take in one of its free summer movies on select Friday nights. Bonus: The museum offers free entry on Fridays after 5pm, too.

44. Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

Flushing Meadows Park is the backdrop for this annual multicultural Asian celebration. Enjoy races on the water, plus traditional dance performances and foods for sale from Saturday, August 3-Sunday, August 4.

45. Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas

This Lower East Side fest celebrates the cultures who have called it home on Sunday, June 16.

46. Stare at the Sky

Head to The High Line on Tuesday nights all summer long for a stargazing lesson from the Amateur Astronomers Association. Telescopes are provided!

47. SummerStage

Catch this season-long performance festival with free, live concerts on stages throughout the five boroughs. Find the full calendar here.

48. Coney Island Fireworks

See the sparklers fly every Friday night on the boardwalk from late June through Labor Day weekend, courtesy of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.

49. Summer on the Hudson

From Playdates in Harlem to movies on the Upper West Side, there are free things to do all summer in Hudson River Park.

50. Storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue

Bring your imagination to the shores of the Conservatory Waters in Central Park to hear this long-running Saturday morning story series from Saturday, June 8-Saturday, August 3.

51. Hindu Lamp Ceremony

Spend the evening of Saturday, August 10 on the banks of the East River releasing palm leaf lamps into the sky in this annual Hindu ceremony.

52. Battery Dance Festival

Enjoy an entire week of pop-up dance performances during this annual dance festival running from Sunday, August 11-Saturday, August 17.

53. Arthur Ashe Kids Day

Kick off the US Open tennis tournament with fun and games at this free, day-long festival that includes plenty of tennis-inspired action on Saturday, August 31.

54. Figment Festival

Engage with the art at this hands-on festival at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9.

55. Movies With a View

Head to Brooklyn Bridge Park after dark for this special summer movie series on Thursdays in July and August.

56. Play Pickleball

Brookfield Place's waterfront plaza offers two pickleball courts for free during June. Sessions last half an hour, and kids are welcome with adult supervision.

57. Live at the Archway

Head to the Dumbo waterfront for this season-long performance festival with free entertainment every Thursday night. There are pop-up art galleries, live entertainment, and all-ages fun.

Free Summer Camps, Classes, and Enrichment in NYC

58. Book a Free Summer Camp

Yes, they do exist and yes, we have the details here.

59. Free Classes at Local Shops

Bookmark this list of local spots offering free classes and enrichment in topics ranging from arts and crafts to nature activities.

60. Join a Free Summer Sports Program

From CityParks Play to New York Junior Tennis, we’ve got intel on all the places you can play sports for free this summer in NYC parks.

61. Swimming Lessons

Keep your eye on the Parks Department website to see when the lottery opens for its popular free summer swimming lessons.

62. Story Time

Find a free story time at some of our favorite independent bookstores, libraries, parks, and more.

RELATED: Best Beaches near NYC: A Guide for Families

Socrates Sculpture Park is a great destination on a hot summer day. 

How to Experience Culture for Free this Summer in NYC

63. Explore Socrates Sculpture Park

Queens' Socrates Sculpture Park is filled with funky, outdoor art, and its waterfront location is always lovely on a summer day.

64. See Native American Artifacts

Visit the always-free National Museum of the American Indian.

65. Get Fire Smart

Learn about fire safety from a real FDNY firefighter at the free FDNY Fire Zone in Rockefeller Center. There's even a fire truck to climb on!

66. Queens Museum

See if you can find your apartment on the Panorama of the City of New York at the always-free Queens Museum and explore the rest of the treasures therein.

67. Stop and Smell the Roses

The New York Botanical Garden blossoms with family-friendly programming and offers free admission to NYC residents on Wednesdays. Visit this summer to see its Wonderland: Curious Nature exhibition.

68. See What’s Playing at Lincoln Center

The stunning performing arts complex brings back its Summer for the City performance series. Enjoy tons of free programming. The towering disco ball and dance floor return to Josie Robertson Plaza! Check our Family Activity Calendar for a schedule.

69. Picnic Performances in Bryant Park

This free summer-long performance festival brings everything from opera to contemporary dance, Shakespeare, and more to the stages in Bryant Park.

70. New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks

We love this free series of pop-up performances, which brings the world-class orchestra to multiple boroughs and includes a stunning fireworks finale. It’s truly a spectacular rite of summer passage. Catch the concerts in Van Cortlandt Park on Tuesday, June 11; Central Park on Wednesday, June 12; Cunningham Park on Thursday, June 13; and Prospect Park on Friday, June 14.

71. Summer Concerts at Hudson Yards

On Wednesday nights, Hudson Yards is the place to be for its weekly live concert series in the public square from late June through early August.

72. Take Your Pick of Free Museum Admission

We’ve got the low down on all the times you can visit NYC’s top cultural institutions without paying a dime. Got little kids? Here’s where they get in for free, too.

73. Hit up Your Local Library

NYC’s local library branches offer piles of free summer activities, enrichment, and books (of course!) Some of our favorite branches include the Main Branch on 42nd Street and its neighbor, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Branch, Brooklyn’s Greenpoint and Adams Street locations, and the stunning Hunter’s Point waterfront location in Queens. These local branches with great play spaces are also a good bet!

74. Nab a Library Card

While you’re there, apply for a free library card, which unlocks the branch services, and so much more from e-book platforms to free tickets to cultural institutions.

75. Visit The Met

Did you know residents can pay what you wish at all times at The Met? The ground-floor 81st Street Studio play space is a spectacular addition and is always admission-free for all visitors.

Enjoy an up-close look at the Bronx Zoo's animals during its pay-what-you-wish Wednesdays. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher/WCS

More Fun, Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer with Kids

76. Bronx Zoo

Head to the Bronx Zoo for its free admission day each Wednesday, but plan to book your timed-entry tickets when the site opens Monday at 5pm. You can help celebrate its 125th birthday by exploring Animal Chronicles and the rest of the celebratory, season-long fun.

77. Catch the Ferry

We always love a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, with its stunning view of the Statue of Liberty. Make sure to stick around and enjoy all the family-friendly fun the borough offers.

78. Ride a Bike

We’ve found lots of family-friendly bike trails in NYC. If you’re feeling brave enough to make a long trek, take to the Empire State Trail.

79. Find a Free Bike Rental

If you don’t have two wheels of your own, don’t fret: Head to Governors Island on a weekday morning to take advantage of Blazing Saddles' free bike rental (and car-free streets!).

80. Stay In

Have a lazy day and entertain your family with one of these 100-plus classic summer play ideas, like catching fireflies and telling ghost stories.

81. Queens County Farm Museum

Spend a day at this Floral Park gem, the only working farm in NYC, which offers a bounty of fun all summer long.

82. Grand Central

Get lost in this commuter hub, which offers tons of family-friendly fun and nooks and crannies to explore.

RELATED: Visiting Governors Island: 20 Secrets for Things To Do and See

The only safe way to see sharks at Coney Island is at the New York Aquarium, which offers free entry on Wednesday afternoons.

83. New York Aquarium

See sea lions, sharks, and more at this Coney Island aquarium, which you can visit on Wednesday afternoons for free; just set a reminder to book your tickets when the store opens each Monday at 3pm.

84. Staten Island Zoo

This zoo is a Staten Island treasure, and visits are free on Wednesdays after 2pm. Use the cash you saved for a ride on the Conservation Carousel.

85. FAO Schwarz

OK, we admit, a visit here can get pricey in a hurry, but if you set ground rules in advance, you can kill some time watching toy demos and dancing on the grand piano at the only-in-NYC toy wonderland.

86. Harry Potter NYC

Likewise, Harry Potter NYC offers plenty of eye candy and props to play with. Challenge your little one to a wand duel!

87. Play for Free

If FAO or Harry Potter seems too risky, might we suggest one of these other stores where kids can play for free.

88. South Street Seaport

There are plenty of free fun things to do in this plucked-from-the-18th-century enclave.

89. Brooklyn Bridge

When was the last time you strolled across this iconic bridge? Pick a cool summer morning to make the trek, then stick around to explore all the fun things to do in Dumbo when you reach the other side.

90. Roosevelt Island Tram

OK, so it’s not exactly free to climb aboard this amusement-park-like form of public transit, but if you’ve already got an unlimited ride MetroCard, it won’t cost a dime. In return, you get million-dollar views and a whole new isle to explore.

91. Times Square

While much of the Crossroads of the World comes with a tourist-inflated price tag, the people-watching is always entertaining and free. Looking for something else to do while you’re there? Here are our top picks.

What's more quintessentially New York than playing in the neighborhood hydrant when the heat and humidity soar?

92. Frolic in a Fire Hydrant

When the temperatures soar, you don’t have to go far to find a local fire hydrant that’s been opened for kids—and adults—to play in.

93. Rockefeller Center

Only visit this complex during the holiday season? It’s time to revisit. There are fun stores to play in, cool art to see, an elevated park with fun family concerts, a stunning cathedral, and so many more fun, free things to do. The Rink has been revamped for the season with alfresco eats and live entertainment, too.

94. Subway Art Crawl

Do you know how many famous artists have their works displayed underground? Here are the best pieces of art to see with kid during your next subway ride.

95. Manhattanhenge

Stake out your viewing spot for this sunset phenomenon, when the sunset aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s grid. In 2024, the Manhattanhenge dates are Tuesday, May 28, Wednesday, May 29, Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13.

96. Strike a Pose

Fill your days with adventure and your Instagram feed with cool pictures by visiting these 13 cool spots for a family photo in NYC.

97. Bushwick Collective

See stunning, larger-than-life art in this Brooklyn neighborhood that's been transformed into a street art gallery.

98. Celebrate a Summer Baby

If you’ve got a milestone to mark, bookmark this list of birthday freebies so you can cash in! We’ve also got a list of parks perfect for a summer party.

99. While Away a Rainy Day

If summer thunderstorms leave you sidelined, bookmark this list of 65 fun things to do indoors on a rainy day.

100. Check our Bucket List

Done all of the above? See what you can cross off on this list of 100 things to do in NYC with kids before they grow up. Many are free.

Free June Activities | Free July Activities | Free August Activities

Originally published in 2014. Unless noted, photos by the author