New York City public school students will be off from Monday, April 14 through Friday, April 18 for spring break — and there’s no shortage of free or low-cost ways to enjoy the week around the five boroughs.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, museum visits or just an easy afternoon out, here are some options for families during spring break.
Kid-friendly events at city parks
NYC Parks is hosting special Kids Week events that include scavenger hunts, nature shows and hands-on science fun. Here are a few:
- Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt — Marine Park, Brooklyn | April 14, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Nature Puppet Show — Crotona Park, Bronx | April 14, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Freshwater Fishing — Prospect Park, Brooklyn | April 15, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Magnetic Archery and Foam Axe Throwing — Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx | April 15, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Kids Science Fair — Blue Heron Park, Staten Island | April 16, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Birding for Kids — Riverside Park, Manhattan | April 17, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- All About Bats — Forest Park, Queens | April 17, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Movies Under the Stars: 'Inside Out 2' — Brighton Playground, Brooklyn | April 17, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Spring Story Time in the Garden — Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx | April 18, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit Coney Island’s Luna Park
Luna Park is offering special spring break hours before its full summer opening. Enjoy rides, games and classic boardwalk snacks.
- Open Saturday, April 12 through Friday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tickets are available online and in person. (Discounts are available when purchasing online.)
Catch a baseball game
Spring break is the perfect time to catch a game in the Bronx or Queens.
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals
- Yankee Stadium | Monday, April 14 through Wednesday, April 16
New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals
- Citi Field | Thursday, April 17 through Sunday, April 20
Check each team’s website for ticket pricing, game times and more.
Explore museums with free or pay-what-you-wish admission
Plenty of museums and other cultural centers in the city offer free admission on certain days or for children under a certain age. Others offer pay-what-you-wish admission for New Yorkers. Here are a few:
Pay-what-you-wish museums
- American Museum of Natural History – New York state residents can pay what they wish for general admission, with ID.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art – Pay-what-you-wish for New York state residents and New York, New Jersey and Connecticut students.
- El Museo del Barrio – Pay-what-you-wish. Children under 12 get in for free.
- Museum of the City of New York – Pay-what-you-wish for New York state residents. Visitors 18 and under get in for free.
Free museums and cultural centers
- MoMA PS1 – Always free for New York state residents.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden – Free access to main outdoor grounds and gardens.
- Whitney Museum – Free for anyone 25 and under.
Free Wednesdays
- New York Aquarium – Free admission after 3 p.m. (Advance timed tickets are required)
- Bronx Zoo – Free admission to park. (Tickets must be reserved Mondays at 5 p.m.; rides and other attractions not included)
- Museum of the City of New York – Free admission for all, with ID.
- New York Botanical Garden– Free grounds admission for New York City residents all day, and for other visitors between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Free Thursdays
- Brooklyn Children’s Museum – Free admission from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Advance tickets required)
Kid-friendly sites to visit
Here are some free, mostly outdoor sites in New York City where children can explore:
Manhattan
- Staten Island Ferry – Take a free ride on the ferry to enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.
- The High Line – Walk along this elevated park with art installations, gardens and views of the city.
- Central Park – Explore nature trails, playgrounds and outdoor spaces and sights like the Great Lawn, Bow Bridge and the “Alice in Wonderland” statue.
- Battery Park – Enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty, Castle Clinton — a restored sandstone fort — and the harbor.
Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Bridge Park – Visit a waterfront park with playgrounds, open green spaces and views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.
- DUMBO Waterfront – Walk along the waterfront while taking in views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Brooklyn Heights Promenade – Take a stroll on a walkway with panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Queens
- Astoria Park – Pay a visit to a park with a playground, track and views of the East River and the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge.
- Flushing Meadows-Corona Park – Explore this expansive park with landmarks like the Unisphere and playgrounds for kids.
Bronx
- Pelham Bay Park – Explore the city’s largest park, featuring nature trails, beaches and space for a winter stroll.
- Van Cortlandt Park – Explore more than 1,000 acres in the northwest Bronx.
Staten Island
- Staten Island Greenbelt – Visit a large natural area with trails for hiking and outdoor exploration.
- South Beach and Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk – Explore a boardwalk where kids can watch the waves and enjoy a stroll.
New York City Libraries
Libraries across all five boroughs — Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island — are hosting a wide range of events for kids and families, from storytime sessions and STEAM activities to movie screenings and board game nights.
- For Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx, check nypl.org/events.
- For Brooklyn, check bklynlibrary.org.
- For Queens, check queenslibrary.org.