Families
Encourage musical discovery and play in your family through the Weill Music Institute’s programs, which spark curiosity, growth, and lifelong learning. Carnegie Hall’s free family programming strives to develop creativity, imagination, and musical curiosity in people of all ages. These highly engaging experiences involve the entire family, strengthening connections and promoting the value of play in early childhood development.
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In-Person Programs for Families
Family Events
Carnegie Hall presents a variety of interactive, captivating, educational musical experiences for families throughout the season. Events are held in the Hall’s performance venues and the Resnick Education Wing, designed to create lasting memories for families.
Ages: 0–10
Availability for Families: NYC
Season: School Year
Lullaby Project
Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project pairs new and expecting parents with professional artists to write and sing personal lullabies for their babies, supporting parental health, aiding childhood development, and strengthening the bond between parent and child.
Ages: Caregivers and Babies
Availability for Families: NYC, National, International
Season: School Year
Big Note, Little Note
Big Note, Little Note is a free early childhood music program for families with infants, led in partnership with local community centers and organizations. The 10-week music class offers a range of experiences for families to engage with their babies through musical play, singing, songwriting, instrument exploration, and more.
Ages: Caregivers and Babies
Availability for Families: NYC
Season: School Year
Online Resources for Families
Explore a World of Color
Discover the music from Camille's Rainbow, a new performance for babies and toddlers. In six animated videos, hear music from the live show, and explore joyful themes of color and transformation through a unique visual experience.
Audience: Babies, Toddlers, and Pre-School
Topic: Early Childhood Development
Activities: Watching, Listening
Time commitment: 15 minutes
Unwind with Soothing Lullabies
World-renowned artists, from Patti LuPone to Angélique Kidjo, perform a heartwarming collection of personal lullabies on the album Hopes & Dreams: The Lullaby Project.
Audience: Babies, Toddlers, and Pre-School
Topic: Lullabies
Activity: Listening
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours
Relax, Listen, and Sing Along
Fiona Apple, Billy Joel, Alison Krauss, and others present popular lullabies, new songs, and tips for singing and creating music with your little ones in this Spotify playlist.
Audience: Babies, Toddlers, and Pre-School
Topic: Lullabies
Activities: Singing, Listening
Time commitment: 15 minutes–1 hour
Write a Personal Lullaby
Bring your own lullaby to life using this journal with step-by-step instructions on developing lyrics, choosing a musical style, and more.
Audience: Babies, Toddlers, and Pre-School
Topic: Lullabies
Activities: Singing, Songwriting
Time commitment: 45 minutes–2 hours
Sing with Your Baby
Follow these helpful tips and use singing to soothe, bond, and play with your child.
Audience: Babies, Toddlers, and Pre-School
Topic: Lullabies
Activities: Singing, Play Time
Time commitment: 15 minutes–1 hour
Share Musical Moments Together
From movement to brain-building activities, use this instructional guide for sharing musical moments with your little one.
Audience: Babies, Toddlers, and Pre-School
Topic: Early Childhood Development
Activities: Singing, Play Time, Movement
Time commitment: 15 minutes–1 hour
Family Sing-Alongs
Imagination and learning take flight in Sing with Carnegie Hall, an at-home sing-along video series (recommended ages 3–6). Each mini-episode inspires kids to move and sing to classic playtime songs and discover new music from cultures around the globe.
Audience: Babies, Toddlers, and Pre-School
Topic: Songs, Early Childhood Development
Activity: Singing, Play Time, Movement, Listening
Time commitment: 15 minutes–1 hour
Carnegie Hall Kids
On Carnegie Hall Kids, children learn about music through fun quizzes, robust games, interactive maps, performance videos, and more. Explore a kid-friendly website that ignites imagination, encourages musical curiosity, and develops knowledge of musical concepts.
Audience: K–5
Explore Music from Around the World
Artists from around the world introduce children to their music and culture through songs, movement, and more in these Musical Explorers Activities for Families.
Audience: K–5
Topics: Instruments, Composers
Activities: Listening, Singing, Watching, Movement
Time commitment: 5 minutes–2 hours
Discover the World of the Orchestra
The music, composers, and instruments of the orchestra are front and center in these Link Up Activities for Families.
Audience: K–5
Topics: Orchestra, Instruments, Composers
Activities: Singing, Listening, Movement, Recorder Playing
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours
Go On a Listening Adventure
This interactive, online game dives into the components of the orchestra through Britten’s iconic piece for young audiences. (This game is currently in open beta testing.)
Audience: K–5
Topics: Orchestra, Instruments
Activity: Play Time
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours
Take a Peek Into Carnegie Hall History
Learn about Carnegie Hall’s exciting history in this playful animated video filled with music by artists who have graced its stages, from Tchaikovsky to the Beatles and beyond.
Audience: K–5
Topic: Carnegie Hall
Activity: Watching
Time commitment: 10 minutes
Color, Listen, and Sing
These music-themed coloring pages let you listen and sing along to music from around the world as you create your own colorful masterpiece.
Audience: K–5
Topics: Carnegie Hall, Instruments, Composers
Activities: Play Time, Listening, Singing
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours
Create Your Own Concert Poster Challenge
Imagine making your Carnegie Hall debut in a sold-out concert. What kind of music would you perform? Would other people join you on stage? Create your own concert poster with a drawing of your performance!
Audience: K–5
Topics: Carnegie Hall
Activities: Play Time
Time commitment: 15 minutes–1 hour
Weill Music Institute Support
We thank our many generous supporters of the education and social impact programs created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.