The Little Red Lighthouse welcomes fall with an all-ages, waterfront festival on Saturday, October 4. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
Halloween and More Things To Do in NYC with Kids October 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors
Kids can go apple picking near NYC at Alstede Farms, where low-to-the-ground trees are perfect for little pickers. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Apple Picking near NYC: Best Apple Farms and Apple Festivals for Kids
GUIDE
Halloween Events & Activities for NYC Kids
The Bronx Zoo celebrates Boo at the Zoo with family activities all October long. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher
Best Halloween Events in NYC 2025 for Kids and Families
Try your hand at corn husking and more analog entertainment during the Corn Fest at the Queens County Farm Museum. Photo courtesy of the Queens County Farm Museum
Best 2025 Fall Festivals and Fairs in NYC this September and October
Hit The High Line in costume to celebrate all things creepy and crawly on Saturday, October 25. Photo by Liz Ligon/courtesy of The High Line
Top Free Halloween Events in NYC in 2025: BAMBoo!, Great PUPkin, Labubu Fest, and More
GUIDE
NYC Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2025
The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
Tom's Restaurant is situated on a fairly sleepy corner in Morningside Heights despite its high-profile turn in Seinfeld. Photo by Jody Mercier
Lights, Camera, New York! Where to Find Iconic NYC Movie Sites with Kids
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids Guide
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 728 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas
There's plenty of free fun to be had when we team up with Brooklyn Bridge Parents to host Playtopia at Atlantic Antic on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Playtopia at Atlantic Antic
Playtopia at Atlantic Antic, Blessing of the Animals, and More Things To Do this Weekend

No-Mess Fingerpainting Kids Craft

1/28/14 - By Jaime Sumersille

Some people avoid crafts altogether for fear of the mess and clean-up involved. And, then, there are kids who hate the feeling of wet paint on their fingers or other messy projects. But that's no reason to skip creative time.

This fun project keeps everything contained so everyone can be happy while they create. Let the little ones finger paint without fear it'll end up on the table, their clothes, the walls or the dog. This no-mess sensory-friendly activity will keep your house clean and their fingers occupied.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

1. Squirt paints into four quadrants of a gallon freezer bag.

2. Tape the bag to your tabletop to create a non-moving work area. A white or light surface works best.

3. Paint away.

They can use fingers or experiment with other tools like cookie cutters or a rolling pin. When the art is done you can tape it to a window for a stained glass effect if you want. As a variation, try putting a photo or page from a magazine below the bag before you tape it down.

Find more fun things to do in Boredom Busters Activities Guide.