Whew, the holiday chaos is finally over, but that doesn't mean the fun stops! This weekend (Jan 3-4, 2026), we’re diving headfirst into fresh starts and cozy winter creativity. Don't just wander aimlessly; check out the Family Art Project: Create Your Year up in the Bronx or snag a spot at the In-Person Free Coding Workshop For Kids if you've got a future engineer in the house. Let's make the first full weekend of the year count!
Quick Picks
Family Art Project: Create Your Year
Wave Hill
Free nature-meets-art project making calendars about the four seasons at a gorgeous Bronx spot.
Drop-In Workshops: Life at Sea
Brooklyn Museum
Hands-on, play-filled learning in the museum's Education Gallery is perfect for a cozy indoor afternoon.
Family First Saturdays | Storytime at the Morgan: New Beginnings
The Morgan Library & Museum
A sweet, themed storytime event perfect for setting a positive tone for the new year with little ones.
Family Art Project: Create Your Year
Welcome the new year by making a calendar highlighting your favorite part of every season—super sweet concept! It’s free with admission to the grounds, so you get beautiful winter scenery along with the craft.
Why we picked it: It's a lovely, non-commercial way to start the year by reflecting on the seasons through art.
Drop-In Workshops: Life at Sea
The Brooklyn Museum is always a solid bet, but this weekend they have drop-in workshops themed around the 'Life at Sea' exhibit. It's hands-on learning, which is way better than just staring at art for the younger crowd.
Why we picked it: It's one of the few specific, hands-on family events mentioned at a major museum this weekend.
Lightscape
This is the absolute last weekend for the dazzling light show at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden! It’s an enchanting walk through light, color, and sound—totally worth the ticket price for a memorable night out.
Why we picked it: It's the last chance to see this magical immersive light festival before it closes on Sunday.
Ice Skating at Roebling Rink
If the kids are craving some classic winter fun that isn't the huge tourist rinks, hit up Roebling Rink with the Manhattan skyline as your backdrop. It’s way less hectic than the Midtown options.
Why we picked it: It offers an authentic NYC winter experience with better views and fewer crowds than Manhattan's famous rinks.
Notice/Know/Kin: A Human/Tree Biography Exhibit
This is a cool, thoughtful mixed-media exhibit by a woodworker about our relationship with trees—definitely more engaging for teens than a typical art show. Since you’re already there for Lightscape, it’s a natural addition.
Why we picked it: It’s a deep-cut, nature-focused exhibit that offers a quieter, thoughtful alternative to the light show crowds.
Before-Hours Tours with an Art Historian
If you have members, this is such a vibe—getting an hour in the museum before the masses arrive! It's quiet, educational, and feels super exclusive when the rest of the city is just waking up.
Why we picked it: It's a specialized, early-access tour for members, making it a unique, non-standard museum visit.
NYC Public Library Craft/Art Time
Check your local NYPL branch calendar for Art Time or S.T.E.A.M. programs—these are always free and super creative, using simple materials. It's the best way to keep little hands busy without opening your wallet.
Why we picked it: Library programs are the ultimate local secret for truly free, engaging activities, and they often have new winter-themed crafts in January.
Family Art Project: Create Your Year
This is the second day for the calendar-making project, so if Saturday is busy, you can still catch it. Hang your seasonal masterpiece up and remember this winter fun all year long!
Why we picked it: It repeats on Sunday, making it easy to fit into a busy first weekend.
Family First Saturdays | Storytime at the Morgan: New Beginnings
Start your Sunday with a sweet, themed storytime focusing on 'New Beginnings'—perfect for the little ones. It's part of their Family First Saturdays series, which is a great local tradition.
Why we picked it: It's a specific, age-appropriate event on Sunday morning that ties into the New Year theme.
In-Person Free Coding Workshop For Kids
This is a genuinely free, hands-on robotics and coding workshop—amazing score for the older kids. They need to bring a laptop, so make sure you check the details if you plan on going!
Why we picked it: It's a FREE, hands-on tech workshop specifically for kids this Sunday, which is a hidden gem outside of Manhattan.
Bryant Park Winter Village Holiday Market CLOSES
Heads up, parents: the *holiday market* part of the Winter Village finally packs up after Sunday. If you wanted one of those unique NYC-specific gifts or just want to hit the ice rink before the post-holiday vibe sets in, this is your weekend!
Why we picked it: It’s the final day for the popular, locally-focused holiday market kiosks.
Holiday Trail Show (Jerni Train Collection)
This tiny train show inside Grand Central is totally free and a huge hit with the littles who love moving things! It’s an awesome, low-commitment stop while you're already in the city.
Why we picked it: It's a hidden gem inside Grand Central that is completely free and perfect for train-obsessed kids.
Create Ability: Drips and Drops
This session is specifically designed for visitors with disabilities, offering a welcoming, guided art experience. It shows how inclusive the city can be when we look beyond the standard programming.
Why we picked it: It's an inclusive, dedicated program offering a specialized art experience that many parents might not know is available.
Brooklyn Museum: Family & Kids Drop-In Workshop
This is the second day for the 'Life at Sea' themed drop-in workshop, great for keeping kids busy while you explore the new Monet exhibit or wander around. Museum admission is free for everyone 19 and under, which is the ultimate local perk!
Why we picked it: The general admission for kids/teens is free, making this a great budget-friendly indoor option.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights (Last Weekend!)
If you missed the Zoo's Holiday Lights, this is your final chance to see the million-light display before they pack it up. It’s one of those big, flashy events that feels special.
Why we picked it: It is the final day for the popular, massive light display, making it a quintessential last-chance winter activity.
Elephant & Piggie's “We Are In A Play!”
Based on the beloved Mo Willems books, this theatrical performance is perfectly calibrated for the preschool/early elementary crowd. If your kid loves Gerald and Piggie, you absolutely have to snag tickets before they sell out!
Why we picked it: It’s a stage show based on universally beloved kids' books, making it a high-value entertainment pick for the 3-8 crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in New York this weekend?
This weekend (Jan 03-04) you can find genuinely free activities like the Family Art Project: Create Your Year at Wave Hill (free with grounds admission), the In-Person Free Coding Workshop For Kids on Sunday in Staten Island for ages 7-14, and the Holiday Trail Show at the NY Transit Museum in Grand Central.
What's a good last-chance activity for the kids this weekend?
The last chance to catch the amazing Lightscape immersive light show at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is this Sunday, January 4th. Also, the holiday market kiosks at Bryant Park Winter Village close for the season on Sunday.
We need something indoors for toddlers (under 5s)—any ideas?
Check out Family First Saturdays | Storytime at the Morgan: New Beginnings at The Morgan Library & Museum on Sunday, as it is geared towards ages 3-8. Also, the Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In A Play!” show on Sunday targets ages 3-8.