Best things to do with NYC kids this weekend

Free and cheap picks

Winter Jam NYC

Phew! February is jam-packed. In addition to it being Black History Month, February 14 marks Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year (though both holidays are celebrated throughout the month). Then on Presidents' Day, public-school students begin a weeklong recess. If you're wondering what to do with the brood over break, we've rounded up a bunch of minicamps that will keep the kids occupied and solve your child-care quandary. If you're still trying to figure out what to do this weekend, read on for free fests, performances, craft workshops and more.

FREE The Winter Olympics don't begin until next weekend, but your family can hit the Winter Jam NYC sports festival in Central Park on Saturday, featuring a host of snowy attractions such as a rail jam and a snow flume. Don't worry if Mother Nature doesn't cooperate; the parks department's bringing its own snow.

The Asia Society hosts its Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, with a lion dance, kung-fu demos, art workshops, performances and more. Just $10 for adults and free for kids under 16. See all Chinese New Year events.

FREE Kids can craft Victorian valentines at Soho's McNally Jackson Books on Saturday. See all Valentine's Day events.

FREE The Brooklyn Museum celebrates Black History Month at its Target First Saturday. Hit the institution after 5pm for complimentary dance, theater and jazz performances, craft workshops and more.

FREE Former Chinese ringmaster turned children's author, Grace Chang reads from her latest book Jin Jin and Rain Wizard at Chelsea's Books of Wonder on Saturday.

FREE Storyteller and dancer Asante takes kids on an imaginary trip to Africa at the central branch of the Brooklyn Pubic Library on Saturday.

FREE The Sony Wonder Technology Lab screens This Is It, about Michael Jackson's preparations for his final concerts, on Saturday.

FREE The Harlem Gospel Choir makes joyful noise at Lincoln Center's David Rubenstein Atrium on Saturday.

FREE Tribeca's Church Street School for Music and Art hosts an open house on Saturday, with sample classes, performances and more.

FREE Fusion group Slavic Soul Party plays the Coney Island branch of the Brooklyn Public Library on Saturday.

The Children's Museum of the Arts and the Museum of Chinese in America, both in Soho, host concurrent Chinese New Year festivals on Sunday. Pay for entry to one institution (just $10), and visit the other one for half the price. Last year, CMA's celebration—which was loads of fun, especially the lion dance and workshop—sold out, so be sure to arrive early!

FREE EVENTS | SATURDAY | SUNDAY