The city that never sleeps is the perfect place for high-energy
kids. And there’s no question that New York is full of museums, zoos, theaters, and other spots kids love. Use this list as a guide to some of the family-friendly events happening this month in NYC.
Carnegie Hall
212-247-7800
Salzburg Marionette Theater: pianist András Schiff and the Salzburg Marionette Theater present the children’s ballet The Toy Shop. Pre-concert activities take place one hour before the performance, 1 pm, May 6
The Central Park Zoo
212-439-6583
Mother’s Day Celebration: meet a variety of animal moms and their babies, make treats for the animals, go on a scavenger hunt, have cake, and more, ages 3–10 with adult, 11 am–12:30 pm, May 13
DiMenna Children’s History Museum
212-873-3400
This museum, housed on the lower level of the New-York Historical Society, allows for exploration of New York and American history with character-based pavilions, a children’s library, and interactive exhibits and games
Galli Theater
212-731-0668
Aladdin: this all-ages, interactive show centers around a poor boy, a magical lamp, and a wicked magician, May 5–27
The Jewish Museum
212-423-3200
Timbalooloo with Oran Etkin: this whimsical concert for families blends global melodies and rhythms in an interactive way that kids can grasp, 2 pm, May 6
The McGraw-Hill Companies CarnegieKids
212-247-7800
Hot Peas ‘N Butter: Latin and Afro-
Caribbean music, jazz, folk, and rock, May 5, Jamaica Performing Arts Center; Itty Biddies: go on a journey of the imagination through storytelling and song, May 6 at Bronx Library Center, May 19 at University Settlement
The Morgan Library & Museum
212-590-0393
Spring Family Fair: in celebration of the exhibition In the Company of Animals, children ages 6-12 and their families make animal masks, explore music, dance, and more, 2–5 pm, May 6
The Museum of Modern Art
212-708-9805
Material Lab: touch, assemble, and create. Experiment with painting techniques using a new digital painting program from Microsoft, through Aug. 31
The New York Botanical Garden
718-817-8700
Observe and Create: in response to the new Monet exhibit, families can discover their artistic skills with drawing and painting in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, May 19–Sept. 30
New York Hall of Science
718-699-0005
Animation: explore animation from concept to finished product. Cartoon Network characters provide backdrop for the exhibition, through Sept. 2
The Waterfront Museum
718-624-4719
Free open boat tours at Hudson River Park Pier 25, May 5, 6, 11, and 13; Pirate School (shown): get a mix of comedy, magic, and music at this swashbuckling family show performed aboard the showboat, May 12