Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids - New York City

Best Cheap Places to Eat in NYC for Kids & Families (Under $10!) — Recs From Locals

Kristy Etheridge — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:16:43 +0000

Eating out can be a fun family experience, but it can also become stressful—and expensive—quickly. That’s why we surveyed local parents to find the most delicious and affordable restaurants in NYC.

This list includes some popular spots and a few hidden gems. Each restaurant offers kid-approved meals for less than $10—plus reasonable, appetizing options for hard-working parents ready to let someone else be the short-order cook for a night. Bonus: Many of these restaurants offer FREE kids’ meals with a paying adult.

For more advice from frugal NYC locals, check out our list of free and cheap activities and tips for saving money across the city.

Special Break Week Programs & Performances at Children's Museum of Manhattan

Drew Kristofik — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 16:52:28 +0000

Repeats every week every Sunday and every Monday and every Wednesday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sun Feb 22 2026.

Saturday, February 14, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday, February 15, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Monday, February 16, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Friday, February 20, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Saturday, February 21, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday, February 22, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

https://cmom.org/cmom-programs/

Cost:

Free with paid admission

Stop by CMOM for some special school break programming.

Performance: DIVI ROXX KIDS: A Celebration of Self-Love, Positivity & Hip-Hop
Saturday, February 14 | 10:30am – 11am & 11:30am – 12pm
All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art
A Divi Roxx Kids live show is an engaging and interactive celebration of self-love and positivity for kids and families. Both Divinity’s family music albums, Ready, Set, Go! and World Wide Playdate were GRAMMY® nominated. Celebrate the love that you give yourself this Valentine’s Day with the energetic, fun, and empowering music of Divi Roxx!

Performance: CarNYval Dancers
Sunday, February 15 | 10:30am – 11am & 11:30am – 12pm
All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art
CarNYval Dancers reflect the love, passion, and connection of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora with a high energy carnival dance performance!

March with A Suffragist: CMOM’s Right to Vote
Monday, February 16 | 10:30am – 12:30pm & 1:30pm – 4:30pm
All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Fashion historian and costumed interpreter Raissa Bretaña teaches kids about suffragists and the symbols and clothes that are associated with the movement. March along with her and celebrate voting rights, in conjunction with CMOM's Right to Vote Exhibit!

Performance: Lion Dance with the Community Young Lions
Wednesday, February 18 | 11am —11:30am & 12pm – 12:30pm
All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Join the Community Young Lions for a traditional lion dance to bring good luck in the new year! The Community Young Lions are a Chinatown-based organization that aims to teach, preserve, and share Asian culture and heritage.

Performance: Ballet Hispanico
Friday, February 20 | 10:30am —11am & 11:30am – 12pm
All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Oge Mora Inspired Paper Collage
Friday, February 20 | 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, February 21 – 22; | 11:15am – 12:15pm & 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Ages 4 & younger| 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Tuesday – Friday, February 24 – 27 | 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Oge Mora is an illustrator and author. She wrote and illustrated books such as Saturday and Thank You, Omu! Explore different colors, textures, and shapes of paper. Glue the pieces down to create people and places inspired by Mora’s vibrant illustrations.

Black Inventors Game Show with Mélissa Smith
Saturday, February 21 | 10:45am —11:15am, 11:30am – 12pm, 12:15pm –12:45pm
All ages | 3rd Floor | Discovery Classroom
An interactive game show experience exploring things that were invented by or improved upon by a black inventor, including George Washington Carver, hosted by educator and actor Mélissa Smith. Plus, a FREEZE DANCE bonus round!

Performance and Read Aloud: A Black Girl and Her Braids
Sunday, February 22 | 10:30am – 11:10am & 11:30am – 12:10pm
All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Author and performer Jaylene Clark Owens performs a read aloud and spoken word poetry performance you won’t forget!

Recommended Age:

All ages

Age:

Children's Museum of Manhattan

The Tisch Building 212 W 83rd Street

10024 New York , NY

Phone: (212) 721-1223

40° 47' 9.1572" N, 73° 58' 38.2188" W

New York

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Fairs & Festivals

Admission Services

Rhythms of Love at Children's Museum of Manhattan

Drew Kristofik — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 16:44:41 +0000

Repeats every day until Sun Feb 15 2026.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Thursday, February 12, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Friday, February 13, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Saturday, February 14, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday, February 15, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

https://cmom.org/cmom-programs/

Cost:

Free with paid admission

Hearts beat with music, Carnival colors swirl, and voices of self-love remind us to shine bright and celebrate who we are! Celebrate Carnival and Valentine’s Day at CMOM with thoughtful programs.

Carnival Paper Drum Decorating
Tuesday – Thursday, February 10 – 12 | 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Sunday, February 15 | 11:15am –12:15pm & 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Explore the bright colors of Carnival while drawing details on a paper drum. Take your drum home with you to continue composing a festive beat!

Love Magnets
Friday, February 13 | 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday, February 14 | 11:15am – 12:15pm & 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Decorate a special magnet to give to someone you love! Pick which shape to decorate and use art materials to add special details and loving messages.

Recommended Age:

All ages

Age:

Children's Museum of Manhattan

The Tisch Building 212 W 83rd Street

10024 New York , NY

Phone: (212) 721-1223

40° 47' 9.1572" N, 73° 58' 38.2188" W

New York

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Fairs & Festivals

Admission Services

Stories Take the Stage at Children's Museum of Manhattan

Drew Kristofik — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 16:41:21 +0000

Repeats every week until Sun Feb 08 2026.

Sunday, February 1, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday, February 8, 2026 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

https://cmom.org/cmom-programs/

Cost:

Free with paid admission

Books leap off the page and heroes come to life as CMOM kicks off Black History Month with creativity and storytelling, and a special read aloud for World Read Aloud Day!

Maya Angelou Word Wings
Sunday – Friday, February 1 – 6 | 10:30am – 12:30pm & 2pm – 4:15pm
Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Saturday & Sunday, February 7 – 8 | 2pm – 4:15pm
Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Soar high with paper wings filled with bold, brave words inspired by Angelou’s book, Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.

Alma Woodsey Thomas inspired Sponge Painting
Sunday – Friday, February 1 – 6 | 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Ages 4 & younger| 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, February 7 – 8 | 11:15am – 12:15pm & 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Alma Woodsey Thomas was an artist who created patterned paintings full of colors and shapes. Paint your own painting using shaped sponges. Put the shapes and colors together to make patterns that tell an illustrated story!

Celebrate World Read Aloud Day With Alphie’s Storytime
Wednesday, February 4 | 11am; 12pm; 1pm; 2pm; 3pm; 4pm 
All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
In honor of World Read Aloud Day, stop by CMOM for extra sessions of Alphie’s Storytime throughout the day, featuring books by Black authors. There are even more opportunities to exercise school readiness and early literacy skills on this special day at CMOM!

Read Alouds and Workshop: New Victory Theater – Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!
Sunday, February 8 | 10:30am – 11:30am & 11:45am – 12:45pm 
Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Inside Art
A special workshop, family read alouds, and activities inspired by the classic book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! Craft your favorite letter from the alphabet and bring it to life using puppeteering techniques with friends at the New Victory Theater.

Recommended Age:

All ages

Age:

Children's Museum of Manhattan

The Tisch Building 212 W 83rd Street

10024 New York , NY

Phone: (212) 721-1223

40° 47' 9.1572" N, 73° 58' 38.2188" W

New York

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Fairs & Festivals

Admission Services

Lunar New Year Festival at The Met: Year of the Horse

Rosemary — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:43:57 +0000

Saturday, February 7, 2026 - 12:00pm to 5:00pm

https://engage.metmuseum.org/events/education/celebrations/festivals/fy26/lunar-...

Cost:

Free with museum admission

Celebrate the Year of the Horse, one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, with performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for all ages.

Space is limited for all events; first come, first served.

Recommended Age:

All

Age:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street

New York , NY

Phone: 212-535-7710

40° 46' 45.0732" N, 73° 57' 48.726" W

New York

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Arts

Fairs & Festivals

Admission Services

29 Cool Things To Do on February Winter Break in NYC

Yuliya Geikhman — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 12:24:44 +0000

For many families, February's midwinter break is a great time to slow down and create some special memories. The NYC public school winter break runs from Monday, February 16-Friday, February 20, 2026. It's sandwiched between two weekends, which means you've got nine days to fill with kid-friendly fun! To help you make the most of the February midwinter break in NYC, we've rounded up 32 things to do with kids in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Lucky for us, NYC museums, outdoor ice skating rinks, and playgrounds make for fun any-day destinations. The extra days off are also a perfect opportunity to book a getaway, and we've got picks for budget-minded escapes, family-friendly Catskills resorts, and the best things to do in the Adirondack Mountains if you're looking to get out of town.

Mardi Gras Jazz Parade

Drew Kristofik — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:40:04 +0000

Saturday, February 7, 2026 - 11:00am

https://brooklynchamberorchestra.org/concerts/mardi-gras-jazz-parade/

Cost:

Adults $44.43; Children under 13 Free

Take a musical journey to the vibrant streets of New Orleans and dive into the spirited celebration of Mardi Gras for the whole family! Musicians unleash the irresistible beats of Mardi Gras classics, igniting a contagious rhythm for a vibrant second line parade.

Recommended Age:

All

Age:

St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church

157 Montague Street

11201 Brooklyn , NY 40° 41' 40.5132" N, 73° 59' 34.0008" W

New York

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Fairs & Festivals

Admission Services

Free Summer Camp Preview at NY Preschool and Kids Club

craig.w_203941 — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:06:39 +0000

Saturday, January 24, 2026 Various times

https://program.nykidsclub.com/-ckc-preview-day-2026

Cost:

FREE

NY Preschool & Kids Club hosts a FREE morning* of camp fun filled with discovery, creativity, and adventure! Fun science experiments, nature STEM stations, themed gym activities, take-home art projects, and more.

*The program is offered from 9:30am-11:30am at most locations; 3:30pm-5:30pm on 22nd Street and West End.

Recommended Age:

2.5-6 years

Age:

All NY Preschool & Kids Club Locations! New York , NY 40° 42' 45.99" N, 74° 0' 21.5028" W

New York

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Free

Indoors

Open Houses & Trial Classes

Admission Services

Museum Movers and Shakers at Staten Island Children's Museum

jdudley_93985 — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:02:52 +0000

Saturday, January 24, 2026 - 11:00am to 3:00pm

https://sichildrensmuseum.org/event/museum-movers-and-shakers/

Cost:

Included with Admission

Guest host KC Dance Collective presents four age-based workshops that engage kids and caregivers in fun, educational movement experiences.

Parents & Pips – 11-11:45am
Recommended ages: infants under 1 year
Learn yoga-based exercises to promote baby’s digestion, body awareness, and spatial awareness while also learning stretches for new parents/ caregivers. Space is limited – get your ticket at the door

Walkers’ Wiggle – 12-12:45pm
Recommended ages: 1-3 years
A combination of yoga and dance focusing on gross motor skills, shapes, counting, and self-expression. Space is limited – get your ticket at the door

Yoga Adventure! – 1-1:45pm
Recommended ages: 4+
Movement for the body, mind, and heart with a focus on breath and body awareness. Learn the building blocks of a yoga practice through games, songs, and movement-based stories.

Music Video Mania! – 2-3pm
Recommended ages: 6+
Learn choreography from trending dances and put your moves on stage with a focus on video production including lighting & sound design, camera angles, and creative direction!

Recommended Age:

All

Age:

Staten Island Childrens Museum

1000 Richmond Terrace Building M

10301 Staten Island , NY

Phone: 718-273-2060

40° 38' 35.4588" N, 74° 6' 11.16" W

New York

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Arts

Fitness & Wellness

Admission Services

Gabby's Dollhouse Live! at Kings Theatre

nicolekeiser_177360 — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:18:52 +0000

Sunday, February 1, 2026 - 1:00pm

https://www.kingstheatre.com/events/gabbys-dollhouse/

Cost:

$35 and up

Gabby's Dollhouse takes to the stage with an exciting original story featuring incredible puppets, dynamic staging, a talented live show cast of singer-actor-puppeteers and songs from the beloved series, including “Hey Gabby”, “You Can’t Spell Meow Without Me” and “Sprinkle Party”.

Doors open at 12pm.

Recommended Age:

2 - 7

Age: