Free museums for kids? Many assume that free things to do with kids in NYC are few and far between, but truthfully, all you need to do is a little bit of research before embarking on an. State Free School Options Most states provide options for low income preschool, prekindergarten children. These resources are available free of charge. We provide listings of these schools and programs. State Free School Options Most states provide options for low income preschool, prekindergarten children. These resources are available free of charge. We provide listings of these schools and programs.

Just because we live in a concrete jungle doesn't mean our kids can't enjoy a summer filled with athletic activities outdoors. The best news: You don't need to be a banker to afford it.

New York City offers many opportunities for kids to learn team sports and to try swimming, tennis, golf, fishing, kayaking, camping, and more for FREE. Of course registering for these FREE programs takes a little legwork and (since many are first-come, first-served) punctuality. We've got the scoop on what's available, and how your kids can vie for spots. You can find more no-cost activities in our Free in NYC Guide, or check out these FREE or inexpensive summer camp options around NYC.

Note: A few of these programs haven't finalized details for summer 2019. Please check back as we'll do our best to continue to update this post as info comes in.

CityParks Play

These FREE programs, formerly known as CityParks Sports, are offered by the CityParks Foundation. My kids have participated in the past, and I can't say enough good things about the quality of instruction and the opportunities the program afforded them. My son was even invited to a pair of summer tennis tournaments, including one in the shadow of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which was quite an experience for a first-time player.

In addition to tennis, the CityParks Foundation runs free golf, soccer, and track and field, and general fitness programs for kids who reside in NYC. All equipment is provided. Call 718-760-6999 or email Sports@CityParksFoundation.org for additional info about any of the following programs:

CityParks Tennis offers instruction for children ages 6 to 17 of all skill levels, from beginner lessons to tournaments and leagues.
How to register: Online registration is now open. If your kid is an aspiring pro, consider the Junior Tennis Academy, a FREE tournament-training program held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Tryouts for the 2019 season will be held on Saturday, May 18. Fifty players ages 8 to 17 snag coveted spots.

RELATED: NYC Summer Day & Overnight Camp Directory

Participants in the City Parks Foundation track program can compete in local races or in citywide events. Photo by Durst Breneiser/courtesy the City Parks Foundation

In CityParks Track & Field, children ages 5 to 17 can jump hurdles, participate in relay races, and try the long jump, shot put, and javelin throw.
How to register: Online registration is now open.

Practice patience and learn to putt with the CityParks Golf program. Photo by Justina Wong/courtesy City Parks Foundation

CityParks Golf offers lessons for children ages 6 to 17 at ball fields citywide. The summer concludes with a visit to a local course for a day of play.
How to register: Online registration is now open.

CityParks Soccer debuted in 2016 when the organization teamed up with NYCFC to offer clinics at parks citywide. Only five parks were offered at the time, but the program has grown to 12 different parks. Each session offers kids ages 8 to 12 technical instruction as well as time for team play.
How to register: Online registration is now open.

Free Program For Toddlers Nyc

Everyday Play is a new addition to the CityParks Play portfolio. Kids ages 6-17 are invited to get into the parks, five days per week, to participate in track and field, tennis, golf, soccer, and more.
How to register: Online registration is now open.

Learn to Swim

The NYC Department of Parks & Recreation offers free summer swimming lessons for children as young as 18 months through adulthood at public pools. There are multiple summer sessions. In addition, children ages 6 to 18 who can swim 50 yards in reasonably good form can join free swim teams.
How to register: The Parks Department will hold an online lottery in June. You can find additional details in our in-depth free swim lessons post once the 2019 details are posted.

New York Junior Tennis Community Tennis Program

NYJTL offers free programs in all five boroughs for children ages 5 to 18 throughout the spring, summer, and fall. All skill levels are welcome and loaner rackets are available. Visit the website for a list of locations and schedule.
How to register: Because registration is ongoing, children can join any time. Just head to the location of your choice. Registration must be done in person and your child must be present. For more info, call 347-417-8177 or email tc@nyjtl.org.

Set up camp in the Bronx with the Urban Park Rangers. Photo courtesy of the Urban Park Rangers

Urban Park Rangers

The Urban Park Rangers offer lots of free outdoor programs for kids. The organization's online calendar includes hiking, orienteering, canoeing, birding, and fishing activities for families. It's also smart to subscribe to the quarterly Nature and Outdoors newsletter because some cool events don't seem to make it online until the last minute.

The Urban Park Rangers Weekend Adventures include canoeing, birding, hiking, survival skills, astronomy, and more. These activities let you experience New York City's thousands of acres of parkland as you never have before. You'll forget you're in the city entirely!
How to register: For many outings, you just show up and enjoy. Others require entering an online lottery.

The Rangers also oversee the Alley Pond Park Adventure Course in Queens, designed to foster trust, problem-solving, and team-building in a safe and secure environment. Families with children ages 8 and up can try to tackle it on Sundays from May 5 through October 27.
How to register: Limited slots are available each Sunday so arrive early! In July and August you must enter an online lottery the Monday before to vie for a spot given the program's popularity.

The Urban Park Rangers also offer free family camping at various city parks.
How to register: You must enter an online lottery to nab a spot. Usually the lottery takes place over a 24-hour period about 10 days before the outing. Space is extremely limited. The lotteries for first family campouts of the seasons are already open!

Free Programs For Toddlers In Florida

RELATED: Parks & Playgrounds Guide for NYC Kids

Pick up a birding Discovery Kit before heading out on a Central Park walk. Photo courtesy of The Central Park Conservancy

The Central Park Conservancy

The Central Park Conservancy has free kits families can borrow for a few hours. Birding Discovery Kits containing binoculars, a guidebook, maps, and sketching materials are available FREE of charge at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (110th Street at Lenox Avenue), so kids can go bird-watching. Meanwhile, Field Day Kits are available at the North Meadow Recreation Center (mid-park at 97th Street) and include a variety of balls, bats, frisbees, and jump ropes. In order to borrow the kits, parents or caregivers must leave a valid picture ID.

Battery Park City Parks Conservancy

This organization sponsors many FREE (or inexpensive) programs for children of all ages, including gardening, bird-watching, fishing, and more. Toys, games, and play equipment can also be borrowed from the kiosk near Rockefeller Playground. Registration varies depending on the offering. Visit the website for a complete schedule.

Paddle the harbor and East River with a free kayak. Photo by Charlie via Flickr

Kayaking
A number of volunteer-run organizations offer no-cost, walk-up kayaking at various launch points throughout NYC over the summer. Rules vary but usually children under age 16 must ride in a double kayak with an adult. No registration is required but you may have to wait on a line. Most open around Memorial Day weekend and many are still finalizing 2019 details.

Downtown Boathouse at Pier 26 offers kayaking from mid-May to October. In June, the organization returns to Governors Island offering a FREE Saturday kayaking program on the bucolic isle. Check the website for current schedule.

Free Programs For Toddlers In Oakland

Manhattan Community Boathouse offers kayaking at 56th Street on the Hudson River from late May to October on a first-come, first-serve basis. Check the website for current schedule.

Brooklyn Bridge Boathouse offers kayaking every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 2pm and Thursday from 5:30pm to 7pm from June to August in Brooklyn Bridge Park between Piers 1 and 2. Kayak polo is also offered on Sundays right off Pier 4 beach.

Long Island City Boathouse hosts kayaking at Hallets Cove in Long Island City, Queens. See the website for schedule. On occasion, longer 'Trip Paddles' are announced and offered free-of-charge.

Kayak Staten Island operates at Conference House Park. The 2019 season dates have not yet announced, so check the website for updates or email kayakstatenisland@gmail.com.

Rent a free fishing pole to fish at the Harlem Meer, which is stocked with fish. Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservatory

Children Learning Programs Free

Catch-and-Release Fishing in Central Park

The Harlem Meer, located at the northeast corner of the park, is probably the best spot to fish with kids in the city. The lake is stocked with a wide variety of fish, including golden shiner, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill sunfish, carp, and chain pickerel. Bamboo fishing poles are available free of charge (you must leave a valid picture ID) from April through November at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, located on the north shore of the Harlem Meer at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue.

There are lots of other places for catch-and-release fishing in NYC. Check the Parks Department's website for a complete list.

Kids Bowl Free

We're cheating a bit with this one; it's indoors, but it's still free (and air conditioned)! Astoria Bowl (April 15-September 2) and Jib Lanes (May 1-September 5) in Queens, and Brooklyn's Shell Lanes (June 21-August 31) offer Kids Bowl Free programs. Children under 16 can bowl up to two free games per day—times vary and shoe rental is not included.
How to register: Sign up online at the respective websites and receive your coupons via email. Check out our favorite bowling spots for especially humid days.

If you'd like to find out about additional programs, here are two sites to bookmark. BeFitNYC on the Parks Department website allows you to search for all sorts of athletic activities for any age. Some programs are free, others aren't. But it's a useful tool, just be mindful of the details. Also, check out the Parks Department's list of Youth Sports Programs & Instructional Clinics. All programs are free, but often participants must be registered members of a NYC recreation center. Happily, children under 18 are eligible for free annual memberships.

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This article was first published in May 2010 and is updated annually.