26 Best Things To Do in NYC April 2023 with Kids

© Provided by Mommy Poppins

Easter, Passover, and Earth Day mean there's lots of fun for kids in New York City this April!

April arrives with fool-proof fun: Head to King Manor Mansion for April Fools pranks, bathe in glorious color at the Brooklyn Children's Museum's Holi Fest, bliss out at Balloontopia, shift gears at the NY Auto Show, and dress in your best (with your fanciest hat) at the glorious annual Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue.

Celebrate Earth Day at the Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, Randall's Island, and Rockefeller Park. Dazzle little theater-goers with Wink or Flutter, and cheer on some astonishing talent—for FREE—at Radio City Music Hall.

We've got all the Easter egg hunts and Easter Bunny brunch intel, and you can find more top April fun in our list of the best things to do over spring break or our picks for 53 things to do during an NYC staycation. If you're looking to get away, we've got a list of glorious spring day trips, plus our top tips for how to save money on spring break travel.

Our Family Activity Calendar tends to expand as the weather gets warmer (simple science), so don’t forget to check it frequently.

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As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

© Provided by Mommy Poppins

Catch the Paw Patrol gang on stage in this live production that plays the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Photo courtesy of the event

Top Things To Do in NYC with Kids this April

Hands on History: April Fools

Jamaica, Queens–FREE

Saturday, April 1

Stop by King Manor to learn some safe and fun jokes and pranks from the 19th century, harvest some "donut seeds," and make the classic Rattlesnake Eggs envelope prank. read more

Steinway Street Spring Fling

Astoria, Queens–FREE

Saturday, April 1

Spring into spring with fun children’s activities at this street fair sponsored by the local BID. Kids can enjoy balloon art, spring crafts, performances by the Wonderspark Puppets and the SOL Dance Center, plus Street Lab read and draw stations.  read more

Brooklyn Children’s Museum: Celebrate Holi

Crown Heights, Brooklyn

Saturday, April 1

Celebrate the ‘Festival of Colors’ at New York City’s best family Holi event. Mark the beginning of spring at an unforgettable day, which includes Bollywood dancing, delicious food, and live music. Each session culminates in color powder play in the park. read more

Balloontopia

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE

Sunday, April 1-Sunday, April 2

Balloontopia is New York City's first balloon pop-up experience. Brooklyn Bridge Parents and City Point have partnered up to bring a playground of ginormous balloon art and immersive balloon experiences to Brooklyn. read more

Freedom Art Jam at the Jewish Museum Family Day

Upper East Side

Sunday, April 2

The Jewish Museum's Passover extravaganza features art, music, and dancing! Set yourself free to the joyful sounds of Grammy-winner Joanie Leeds, craft a holiday work of art, create a freedom shaker, add to a giant mixed-media seder themed installation, explore the galleries, and more. read more

New York International Auto Show 2023

Midtown West

Friday, April -Sunday, April 16

Ushering in the latest automotive trends, the 2023 New York International Auto Show showcases an incredible collection of cutting-edge design and extraordinary innovation. read more

Spring Opening at the Audubon Center

Prospect Park, Brooklyn–FREE

Saturday, April 8

Kick off the spring season with fun nature activities at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. Families and children can learn about bird migration through interactive games, animal encounters, and much more. read more

Easter Fun Cruise with Egg Hunt 2023

Lower East Side

Saturday, April 8-Sunday, April 9

Take an Easter weekend cruise that includes kid-friendly games, arts and crafts, Easter basket decorating, balloon animal making, and face painting!  read more

Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival

Midtown West–FREE

Sunday, April 9

Each year on Easter, the best of the bonnets are showcased along Fifth Avenue as New Yorkers celebrate the holiday by roaming the streets in their most festive spring gear.  read more

Farmhouse Family Day: Working with Wood

Flatbush, Brooklyn–FREE

Saturday, April 15

Celebrate Earth Day by learning all about trees and explore characteristics of wood by creating personalized wooden coasters. Investigate the many wooden tools in the historic house and "stick" around for spring activities on the farm. read more

Earth Day 2023: Union Square

Union Square–FREE

Sunday, April 16

Union Square's annual Earth Day New York events are a fantastic way to connect to environmental campaigns, green lifestyle products, and interesting people doing great green work!   read more

Puppets + Bubbly at The Wild in Greenpoint

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Sunday, April 16

Join Puppetsburg for a boozy show at The Wild. The show features the puppets, performers, dancing, and bubble time kids know and love, plus some bubbly for the adults. Puppetsburg rocks interactive, culturally relevant puppet shows for kids. Shows are 45 minutes long and feature a different story each week that involves different activities to go with a unique show each time: dancing, instruments, dress-up "photo-ops," one on one time with handmade puppets, bubble time, and more. read more

Garden of Dreams Talent Show 2023

Midtown West–FREE

Wednesday, April 19

This free children's talent show is hosted by the Garden of Dreams Foundation, Madison Square Garden’s not-for-profit charity helping 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

Cirque Kalabanté

Downtown, Brooklyn

Friday, April 21-Saturday, April 22

Montréal-based Cirque Kalabanté combines breathtaking acrobatics with live music played on the traditional instruments of their native Guinea, including kora, djembe, and various kinds of percussion. read more

Flutter

Midtown West

Friday, April 21-Sunday, April 23

Treehouse Shakers' Flutter follows the narrative of the changing seasons through experiential storytelling, innovative puppetry, innovative dance, and original music. read more

Wink

Midtown West

Opens Saturday, April 22

With playful shadow puppetry, magical movement, whimsy, and wonder, Spellbound Theatre brings little ones the sweet dreams of a small girl and her teddy as they adventure across land, sea, and air. read more

Earth Day: Turn a New York Skyscraper Green

Battery Park–FREE

Saturday, April 22

The Skyscraper Museum highlights environmentally-conscious green buildings in New York and around the world. After discussing green building guidelines in the U.S., kids look at architecture abroad that takes being “green” to a whole new level, then children use what they’ve learned to create a green neighborhood together. read more

Climate Arts Festival

Flushing, Queens

Saturday, April 22

The Queens Botanical Garden celebrates Earth Day with fun, hands-on activities, art exhibits, music, interactive performances, tours, demonstrations, and more! While you're there, be sure to check out the Sustainable Vendor Fair and support local businesses read more

Earth Day in Rockefeller Park

Battery Park City–FREE

Saturday, April 22

Kids are invited to pick up STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) at this special Earth Day themed open-air fair featuring engaging activities and a live performance from Mad Science. read more

Earth Day Festival

Randall's Island–FREE

Saturday, April 22

RIPA’s Earth Day Festival ushers in the warmer months, celebrates the earth, and gives visitors the opportunity to appreciate the park’s spring beauty—especially the cherry blossoms. read more

Earthfest

Upper West Side

Saturday, April 22

The American Museum of Natural History hosts a full day of family-friendly activities, performances, and lectures showcasing local and international efforts devoted to preserving planet Earth. read more

Paw Patrol Live! Heroes Unite

Midtown West

Saturday, April 22-Sunday, April 23

Ryder and the PAW Patrol pups face their greatest challenge yet. When Mayor Humdinger clones Robo Dog, chaos ensues all over the world. read more

Apple Blossom Children's Carnival

Glen Oaks, Queens

Select dates from Saturday, April 22-Sunday, April 30

Celebrate spring at the Queens County Farm Museum. This children's carnival kicks off the farm's special event season. Tilt-A-Whirl in the orchard and enjoy carnival rides, hayrides, and midway games. read more

Spring Festival at Highbridge

Washington Heights–FREE

Saturday, April 29

Highbridge Recreation Center and Park celebrates spring with an obstacle course, jumbo games, arts and crafts, music, and many more activities! read more

Spring Family Day

Midtown West–FREE

Sunday, April 30

Carnegie Hall celebrates families with FREE, interactive, and fun musical activities at its spring family day. Enjoy a spring sing, watch mainstage performances, participate in a collective art project, and more.. read more