New York, social gatherings, and leisurely activities – these things just seem to go together. Surprisingly, there are also many things to do in NYC with kids. Child-friendly details include, the exotic animal zoos, Broadway shows, and other adventures sprinkled across the city, and even the scenic ferry rides. Even the commercial heart, Manhattan, is framed by the Rockefeller Center and the Statue of Liberty, with every sort of thing to do with kids in NYC. Here, we have rounded up a very exciting list of the best things to do in New York with kids – so the next time, don’t forget to book tickets to these places for the kids, too. If you have decided to take the little ones in tow, then check out this list of the best kids’ activities in NYC.
Take A Stroll In Central Park
Address: North 110th Street to Central Park South (59th Street), New York, NY, USA
How better to have a great New York City experience than to visit Central Park? There is a lot to do in Central Park, New York with kids, such as strolling through the Central Park Conservatory, visiting the iconic Bethesda Fountain, spotting snow leopards and sea lions in Central Park Zoo, and enjoying other family-friendly activities such as picnics and bike rentals.
Visit The Insectarium In American Museum Of Natural History
Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, United States
If your kids love to explore the natural history of the world, there are lots of things to do in NYC with kids at The American Museum of Natural History. The best spot is the Solomon Family Insectarium, where they can meet live insects and see an ant farm with 500,000 occupants. The Mignone Hall of Gems features a vast diversity of gems and minerals. Camps for children are also immersive experiences that involve all aspects of Museum science.
Visit The Iconic Landmark Of The Statue Of Liberty
Address: Liberty Island, New York, NY, 10004, United States
NYC with kids is fun because there are plenty of opportunities to learn and have fun at the same time. Children under 4 feet cannot attempt the climb to the crown, but you can view the beauty of the statue from afar and maybe plan a little picnic for your kids on Liberty Island. There are many food options like cafes and hot dog stands and you can have a munch while enjoying the best views of Manhattan.
Engage In Interactive Exhibits At The Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Address: 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213, United States
Kids passionate about the art exhibits from around the world will love this place. Make a day with the best things to do with kids in NYC at The Brooklyn Children’s Museum, which has a huge collection of Egyptian, African, Asian, and American art and a diversity of special exhibits, including black American art and Cubism. Become a member and you can even enjoy free admission along with other perks at the museum.
Enjoy Hands-On Activities With Children’s Museum Of Manhattan
Address: 212 W 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024, United States
Children’s Museum Of Manhattan sets the stage well for the childhood education, early life creativity, knowledge about world cultures and health of children. The early childhood and professional development programs offer many exciting and fun things to do in NYC with kids, experimenting with different adventures to induce creativity and inspiration among children.
Explore Wildlife At Bronx Zoo
Address: 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, United States
Bronx Zoo isn’t just for kids; it’s a good experience for anyone. While the little ones engage in many of the best things to do in New York City with kids at the zoo, parents can take amazing holiday pictures with the 700 species of animals, such as Russian Far East big cats and tiny toads of Tanzania. It is one of the largest and oldest zoos of the world, right at the heart of your city within The Bronx.
Get To Know The Role Of Mathematics At National Museum Of Mathematics
Address: 225 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States
Who says math is boring? This award-winning museum is one of our favorite things to do in New York with kids as the galleries, programs, and exhibits convince even the most ardent haters of this subject about the beauty, important role, and wonders of Mathematics. Kids will love the curated activities that are not only fun but also highly educational as well.
Action Packed Rides And Roller Coaster Fun At Coney Island
Address: 1208 Surf Ave · Brooklyn, NY 11224, United States
There’s plenty here for the little ones at Coney Island. Rides, attractions, boardwalk and beach activities, and other things to do in NYC with kids greet you at this entertainment hub. While adults can engage in the beach gym, or heart stopping thrills such as the Cyclone roller coaster, there are gentle entertainment options for the little ones too like the B&B Carousell and the Abe Stark Skating Arena.
Enjoy Horticultural Gardens At Wave Hill
Address: 4900 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471, United States
A welcome break from the beaten museums and amusement parks is this beautiful cultural center and horticultural garden on the Hudson Hillside, with rolling terrains that resemble waves overlooking the river. It is one of the most beautiful parks in the city. And if you are wondering what things to do with kids in NYC at this place, then you can arrange a little picnic in the Glyndor Picnic Area or have a delicious hot dog or pastry at The Café at Wave Hill House.
Bring Out The Kid In You At The Museum Of Ice Cream
Want to grab the kids a light snack? Do so in this immersive ice cream museum which offers tons of exciting kid’s activities in NYC in the company of unlimited ice cream. The multisensory attractions include themed installations, a three-story slide, a sprinkle pool, and the sweetest ice cream offering with taste and toppings from all over the world. Learn more about the history of ice cream and create memories with your family and friends.
Bring Science And Engineering Together At The New York Hall Of Science
Address: 558 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, United States
The New Yorkers do everything well when it comes to their museums, and that includes fun things to do in NYC with kids. New York Hall of Science, for example, is a science playground with 3D theater shows, a Rocket Park Mini Golf, and other workshops and playgrounds that let you experience the work of science and engineering and participate in interactive activities like The Big Bubble Experiment.
LEGGO At The LEGOLAND New York Resort
Address: 1 Legoland Way, Goshen, NY 10924, United States
LEGOLAND is perfect for kids between 2 and 12 years of age. This theme park is planned with specific exactness, which makes it one of the best things to do in New York with kids. From the splash battle and tower climb rides and attractions, NINJAGO and LEGO FRIENDS shows, to exciting meets and greets and various dining options like Brickolini’s Pizza and Granny’s Apple Fries, your kids will never want to leave this place.
Meet The Star Of Children’s Books, The Little Red Lighthouse
Address: Fort Washington Park, Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10032, United States
As The Little Red Lighthouse stopped being a functional entity a long time ago, it became an attraction for families, especially kids, who are attracted to this 40-foot red structure. If you want to explore the old surviving lighthouses of New York with kids, then definitely visit this one in Manhattan. Your kids will immediately recognize and jump with joy at the sight of their favorite storybook star standing right in front of them.
Learn, Play, And Explore At The Governors Island
Address: New York Harbor, NY, United States
What makes Governors Island great for kids is the historic buildings, guided walking tours, The Yard adventure playground, and the Winter Dog Days. Without being boring, this 172 acres of land just a few steps away from Lower Manhattan offers many educational and fun kids activities in NYC, like learning about birds in the New York Audubon Society and climbing and swinging all they want in the Liggett Terrace.
Encourage The Firefighters Of The Future At The New York City Fire Museum
Address: 278 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
If there is one thing children are most impressed with, it is heroes. And who else can be real life heroes than the firefighters. The fire education program at The New York City Fire Museum will prove to be one of the best things to do in New York city with kids as they interact with mock activities including artificial smoke and black lighted fire hazards, bringing out the superheroes within them.
Discover 400-Year-Old History At New York Historical Society
Address: 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, United States
Everything you see at the New York Historical Society will impress you. From thought-provoking exhibitions to exciting storytelling book clubs for toddlers to middle readers, there are plenty of things to do in NYC with kids if you are at this museum. For kids with an obsession for history, this place is perfect for introducing them to true stories of real-world heroes like Jadav Payeng, Anna Comstock, and Mario Molina.
Hands-On-Experiences At Staten Island Children’s Museum
Address: off, 1000 Richmond Terrace Building M Enter via the Fillmore Street Gate, Tysen Street, 10301, United States
Meet a staggering collection of creative, imaginative, and cultural hands-on activities at Staten Island Children’s Museum with indoor and outdoor exhibitions, story times, science, dance, and art workshops, as well as after-school camps. There are a lot of things to do with kids in NYC when you are visiting this children’s museum dedicated to learning and exploration.
United By Art At Children’s Museum Of The Arts
Address: 103 Charlton St., Manhattan, New York, United States
The Children’s Museum of the Arts is well aware of the artistic flair in children and wants to bring that talent out with extreme confidence. The little ones have the chance to participate in one of the unique kids’ activities in NYC as their artwork is displayed on equal footing with the contributions from grown-ups. In this way, they won’t hesitate to go extra wild with the paints and paintbrushes as they create the most extraordinary artworks you have ever seen them made before.
Spend Dawn Till Dusk At Heckscher Playground
Address: E 65th Street, New York, NY 10019, United States
The oldest playground in Central Park is open from 7 am and is perfect for kids of preschool to school age. This place is perfect for fun things to do in NYC with kids, as it features everything from swings and slides to a dramatic rock outcrop and an extensive wading pool. You can snap exciting photographs of your kids using the elevated walking in the pool and giggle with them as they are sprayed with the sprinklers along the way.
Save The Exotic Animals At Prospect Park Zoo
Address: 450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225, United States
Prospect Park Zoo has a proud animal saving history, and from tamarins to turtles, they have collected many animals in a safe space so that kids of today can learn to care about them. Their exhibits are highly children-friendly and there are plenty of fun things to do in NYC with kids at this zoo as the little ones get the wildlife fix and meet the beautiful Pallas’s cats, red pandas, dingos and many other exotic animals.
Take A Scenic Ride With NYC Ferry Service
Explore all five boroughs of New York with kids at NYC Ferry. These daily ferry services offer you a phenomenal tour of all waterfront destinations in NYC, and your kids will love to see how magnificent the city looks from the ferry. If the kids are under 44 inches in height, they can ride for free with an adult. However, we highly recommend following the safety procedure and cooperating with those on board.
Hit The Famous Rink At Rockefeller Center
Address: Midtown Manhattan, NY, United States
Rockefeller Center is orderly and fun, with many things to do in New York City with kids from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck to Christmas Tree Lighting and other attractions. Let your kids get inspired by Peggy Fleming at this picturesque Rink which is the most famous ice-skating attraction and the perfect winter activity for you and your kids in NYC. However, children who are under 6 should always be accompanied by an adult.
Take A Free Ferry Ride With Staten Island Ferry
The 25 minutes scenic trip with The Staten Island Ferry is free of cost and definitely worth trying out with your kids. The large, comfortable and iconic Island Ferry is a favorite kids activity in NYC as they find it a fun adventure seeing the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Manhattan skyline and Verrazano and Brooklyn bridges. The Ferry boats could become really packed on busy days so we would recommend riding one in a shoulder season.
Arcade Heaven In Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center
Address: 8 Mott Street, New York, NY 10038, United States
Tack on a visit to the Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center and watch how competitive the kids get with the variety of arcade games. With a range of fun games and things to do in NYC with kids, add on the driving, fighting, shooting, dancing, and other exciting games to your day’s itinerary with Chinatown Fair and win prizes or celebrate birthdays with your loved ones.
Spend Several Hours At The Strong National Museum Of Play
From a kid’s point of view, The Strong National Museum of Play has plenty of fun things to do in NYC with kids, from the fun exhibits, sensory and development activities, video games and The National Toy Hall of Fame that showcase some of the best toys of all time. Your kids will love knowing what kids in the past used to play with such as the alphabet blocks, Atari 2600 game system, and 18 inch American girl dolls.
The Best Zoo For Children, The Queens Zoo
Address: 53-51 111th Street, Queens, NY 11368, United States
This 18-acre zoo has almost 300 animals of different species, highly accessible to children so that they can learn the life patterns of their favorite animals. Choose from the exciting aviary, domestic animals, waterfowl marsh, sea lion pool, and other exhibits, or experience the best things to do in NYC with kids, like sea lion feedings and quest stations to connect with wildlife. You can never get bored at this interactive zoo in New York.
Pose With Wax Figures At Madame Tussauds
Address: 234 W 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, United States
Madame Tussauds is a pretty cool kids’ activity in NYC. The wax museum might not fit the regular standards of being a fun, energetic, and interactive attraction for kids, but once they are inside the Marvel Universe 4D cinema, join the Ghostbusters, or face off with the legendary King Kong, they will thank you for bringing them to this exciting destination.
Indulge In Themed Brunches Like Alice’s Tea Cup And Midtown Brunch
Kids love to eat whatever they like. So why not bring them to brunches like Alice’s Tea Cup and Midtown Brunch, where whimsical adventures and delicious scones, berries, cookies, milk, and grilled cheese sandwiches await to satisfy their cravings without being too unhealthy for them? Enjoy taste nibbles and exciting things to do in NYC with kids with themed brunches.
Explore Sea, Air, And Space Exhibits At Intrepid Museum
Address: Pier 86, W 46th Street, New York, NY 10036, United States
If you are visiting The Intrepid Museum, you cannot get closer to the maritime and military history of America. This place is located on 46th street at Pier 86, with close proximity to the beautiful Hudson River and Hell’s Kitchen. The museum has programs and fun activities for people of all ages if you are here in NYC with kids, keeping them curious about the history and innovation of military equipment, along with NASA displays and live animal shows.
Exciting VR Experiences At Escape Virtuality
Address: 130 W 29th Street, New York, NY 10001, United States
Unlike some of the other escape rooms and VR experiences in NYC, you won’t dread bringing your kids to Escape Virtuality. Their escape rooms have some of the most fun things to do in NYC with kids, as they are not just exciting but safe as well. As they enjoy the exhilarating Runway Subway Train, Ghost Collector, or Mission Galaxy Quest Escape rooms, they will also learn teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills.
Enjoy Broadway Shows For Kids Such As Aladdin, Back To The Future, And The Lion King Broadway
It is very important to choose age-appropriate and exciting Broadway shows for your kids so that their first theatrical experience goes extremely well. What sets the kids-friendly Broadway shows apart and makes them one of the top things to do in NYC with kids is the magic of enchanting stories and learning opportunities, and our top picks are Wicked, Alladin, Harry Potter Shows, Lion King, Back to the Future, and American Ballet Theatre.
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