Free Things to Do with Kids

Delhi, Delaware County

Birdsong welcomes visitors during their popular seasonal market on Saturdays (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May through September) featuring local goods in the market barn and around the vegetable garden. Note: The garden is closed to the general public at all other times. They also host holiday markets in November and December.

Oneonta, Otsego County

This hidden gem is a small children's library in Oneonta with two cozy reading and play areas. This place is inviting, low-key, and the kind of place where kids settle in without much prompting. Huntington Children's Library is open to anyone holding a card from the 4-County Library System, which covers 43 branches across Delaware, Broome, Otsego, and Chenango counties. The return-anywhere policy is worth knowing: check out a stack here and drop them at any other branch in the network when you're done. **Good for**: Toddlers through tweens **Town**: Oneonta **Cost**: Free **Hours**: Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm; Sat 9am–12pm and 1:30–4pm **Good to know:** Street parking; stroller-accessible (no steps); restrooms unconfirmed

💡 Note: Saturdays they close at 12pm for a lunch break then reopen at 1:30pm.

Andes, Delaware County

Cozy public library in Andes, NY.

Cooperstown, Otsego County

Playground • Open space for scenic enjoyment (park benches and picnic tables provided) • Open space for outdoor activities • Ice skating rink in the winter time • Basketball and other blacktop-oriented activities in the summertime Playground with swing & climbing equipment (designed for children ages 2-6, and 6-up) • Warming hut during ice skating • Blacktop with basketball goals; converted into an ice rink in winter • Picnic tables • Park benches • Mural painted by CCS students on the back of the grocery store

💡 Note: Spring/Summer/Fall park closes at dusk; Winter ice skating rink hours, weather permitting: M/W/F 3pm-7pm mixed-use; T/Th 3pm-6pm mixed use, 6:30pm-9pm Hockey; Weekends and Holidays 10am-12noon Family skate; 12:30pm-6:30pm mixed use.

Maplecrest, Greene County

CD Lane Park has many fun attractions and amenities, including: Pavilion with many picnic tables BBQ grills Bathrooms Children’s Playground Softball field Beach Volleyball Frisbee Golf Basketball Court Beach Fishing with a license that can be obtained from the Town Clerk Walking trails Hiking access Swimming in designated areas when a lifeguard is on duty Kayak rentals

Delhi, Delaware County

Public library in Delhi, NY with a wonderful kids space and multiple children's programs each week.

Delhi, Delaware County

Outdoor public pool in Delhi, NY featuring kids programs, swim school and open swim in the summer.

💡 Check their website for the latest 2026 Pool Schedule. As of April 2026, the pool schedule hasn't yet been announced.

Deposit, Delaware County

Arkville, Delaware County

The East Branch Nature Preserve has trails and interpretive stations, covering 33 acres between the East Branch of the Delaware River and the historic Delaware & Ulster train’s railroad tracks in Arkville.

Fleischmanns, Delaware County

Great community park on Wagner Ave in Fleischmanns Village, including a modern playground, two tennis courts, soccer/baseball field, restrooms, gardens and two picnic tables. A stream borders one side of the park (next to the playground).

Kingston, Ulster County

Forsyth Nature Center is a handicapped accessible outdoor learning center more than two-dozen animal exhibits and beautiful gardens that foster a connection to the natural world for visitors of all ages. The center is open year-round and is free to the public.

Oneonta, Otsego County

Fortin Park is Oneonta's largest park and offers multiple uses that include picnics, hiking, cross-country skiing, fishing, softball, walking, soccer, and playground fun for children. **Amenities include:** • Three pavilions available to rent for graduations, birthdays or receptions • Two playgrounds, including one just for tots • Horseshoe pits and a volleyball net • Hiking and ski trails • Handicap-accessible fishing pier • Regulation softball diamond

Hobart, Delaware County

Margaretville, Delaware County

A family owned and operated farm since 1848, Hubbell Family Farms offers a range of seasonal products like naturally raised highlander beef and Berkshire Pork, maple syrup, honey, and apple cider-grown in the heart of the Catskills. They also host a few kid-friendly events throughout the year like their Maple Weekend Open House where visitors can see how maple syrup is made.

💡 Note: They're closed for lunch from 12-1pm.

Cobleskill, Schoharie County

💡 The older wooden playground is no more but has since been replaced with a modern playground.

Hopewell Junction, Dutchess County

Julie’s Jungle is the first fully accessible playground built in Dutchess County, NY. It was built for all children of all abilities to play and learn together. It boasts a gorgeous 16,000 sq. ft. accessible playground and a 5,500 sq. ft. accessible serenity garden. A public park, free of charge, open daily from dawn to dusk.

Ulster County

Public library in Kingston, NY that offers programming for adults, kids and teens.

💡 Wonderful Children's Library and Teen Room

Selkirk, Albany County

This busy neighborhood park features large grass areas, a playground, a basketball court, walking path, picnic areas, and a sledding hill.

Margaretville, Delaware County

New Paltz, Ulster County

Over 8,000 acres of protected land with 70+ miles of trails, perfect for family hikes and nature exploration.

💡 The Bonticou Crag trail is challenging but worth it for older kids. Pack snacks!

Narrowsburg, Sullivan County

Oneonta, Otsego County

Neahwa Park offers plenty of recreational opportunities within walking distance of downtown Oneonta. Try the newly completed 1.2 mile loop around the park, or extend your walk through Catella Park to the trails at New Island. **Neahwa Park features:** • 1.2 mile loop trail • Playgrounds • Picnic pavilions (reservations recommended) • Hodges Pond • Skateboard park • Two dog parks (one for small dogs, one for large dogs) • Tennis and basketball courts • Sand volleyball court • Multi-use fields • Softball field • Damaschke Field, home of the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s Oneonta Outlaws (Catella Park, which is next to Neahwa Park, features multi-purpose fields used for baseball, softball and soccer. )

Otsego County

Affordable after-school, summer, and school-break care with structured activities and supervision for kids and teens. The Oneonta Boys & Girls Club is a trusted community organization providing safe, structured, and affordable programs for children and teens in the Oneonta area. Built to support working families, the Club offers dependable after-school care, enrichment activities, and seasonal programming in a supervised, community-centered environment. Kids can expect a mix of academic support, physical activity, creative outlets, and social development—designed to meet them where they are, from early elementary through the teen years. Programs often include: - After-school care with homework support - Sports, games, and indoor recreation - Creative arts and enrichment activities - Summer and school-break programs - Teen leadership and life-skills opportunities This is a strong option for parents looking for consistent after-school coverage, affordable full-day care during breaks, or a positive place for kids to spend time outside of school. Good to know - Membership is free to children ages 6 to 16. - Registration is required - Offerings vary by age and season Best for Families who need reliable care during the school year, summer, or unexpected schedule disruptions—without overcomplicating logistics.

Prattsville, Greene County

Town park with an outdoor playground, covered sandbox for kids, basketball courts and picnic table pavillions.

Hancock, Delaware County

The Nature preserve offers groomed nature trails that allow visitors to identify flora, fauna, a wide variety of trees, and the observance of bird and animal life. Located throughout the trails you'll find various picnic areas to relax and enjoy the outdoors. If you are visiting during undesirable weather a covered pavilion and picnic area is available at the science center. The Science Center is complete with study facilities, worktables, study lights, and science room equipment that provides an enhanced science-based educational experience for scheduled visits. They offer monthly programs for children and families and the building is available to use for private parties and events for a nominal fee.

Stamford, Delaware County

Public library in Stamford, NY with free events for adults and kids like: **Little Ones Storytime ** - Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join Ms. Lindsay for stories, songs, movement, bubble time, and more!

Delhi, Delaware County

Great modern playground in Delhi, NY. Conveniently located near the town's ice cream shop for those hot summer days.

Oneonta, Otsego County

Located near downtown Oneonta, Wilber Park provides a rustic, woodsy atmosphere. The upper level of this park can be accessed via Center Street and has a large picnic pavilion, basketball court, modern playground structure and the beautiful Applebaugh Gardens. The lower level is accessed via Spruce Street and includes a small picnic pavilion, Briggs Swimming Pool, the George Waddington Tennis Courts, pickleball courts, and two multi-use practice fields. Intermingled throughout Wilber Park's 56 acres are a host of quiet walking and biking trails.

Walton, Delaware County

Public Library in Walton that offers free adult and kids programming including, Sensory Play, Story Time, Cereal Cinema and Lego Club.

Otsego County

The A.J. Read Science Discovery Center, located in the Physical Science building on the SUNY Oneonta campus, is a free, hands-on science museum open to the public Tuesday-Saturday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.). It features over 80 interactive physics-based exhibits for all ages. There's also a planetarium nearby*! *The planetarium isn't free, just the Science Discovery Center. You can expect to spend about $4 per person for a show but as with all activities listed here we recommend checking their website before you go to confirm.