New York is the ultimate playground for kids of all ages!
And on top of that, it also has a great balance between indoor and outdoor attractions.
From the outside, most people simply know New York for its sprawling commercial buildings and towering skyscrapers. But once you're in town, you'll quickly learn that the Big Apple has something for everyone.
With that said, if you are looking for family-friendly activities for kids in New York, then this is the perfect list to help you get started!
Visiting California? Read here for information on things to do in California.
You can also check out thir article for activities to do in Florida.
Outdoor Activities
Kids have a natural affinity to the outdoors. But don't we all? At the very least, many of us don't ever lose that spark. Not to mention that it's simply hard to pass up the opportunity to explore a new city and its famous five boroughs with a few rides and fun walking tours.
For those traveling with kids, here are some excellent spots to satisfy your cravings for the outdoors.
Central Park Zoo
Some kids may be familiar with Central Park Zoo without even knowing it, after seeing the iconic zoo in films and popular media. But as they say, nothing beats the real thing!
Some animals that you'll encounter in the zoo are red pandas, snow leopards, penguins, sea lions, and grizzly bears. There's also a children's zoo with domestic animals such as sheep, goats, zebu, and more.
Aside from some steep hills and uneven terrain, the overall landscape of the zoo is very accommodating and safe to navigate for kids, including many wheelchair-accessible facilities and walkways.
Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is a fun and relaxing way for families to make the trip from Staten Island to Manhattan, which includes views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in the distance.
Perhaps the biggest challenge here is getting in line and rushing to the best observation spots on board. Although you stand to lose nothing here since the Staten Island Ferry ride is FREE!
The 25-minute ride is one of the best ways to do sightseeing in New York and is available all year round.
Broadway
Timing is an incredibly important factor that somehow gets overlooked by parents when traveling with their children.
For the most part, taking kids to New York on major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the easiest trips to make. Next to that, planning around Broadway shows for kids!
You can check the upcoming Broadway shows on their official website to make sure you don't miss out on these opportunities when in New York.
Just note that shows may not permit children under 4 during screening as part of their respective restrictions. In general, we recommend Broadway for kids ages 6 and up.
Brooklyn Bridge
Observing the Brooklyn Bridge from afar may not mean much for kids, but walking with them through this iconic location will give them fond memories of your vacation. Not to mention that they'll retroactively appreciate visiting one of the most famous suspension bridges in the world.
From experience, we recommend starting your walk in Brooklyn to enjoy stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Otherwise, you can do this in reverse and spend the afternoon in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Since you'll be pacing with kids and taking moderate stops for photographs, it'll probably take 45 minutes to walk the length of Brooklyn Bridge, which is about 1.1 miles (1.77 km).
Playgrounds
Beach 30th St, Queens
The 30th Street water-themed playground is like a children's paradise escape from the city. Though, parents can also enjoy the Rockaway Boardwalk concessions nearby as kids take their time in one of the best play spaces you'll find in any city.
Pier 6 playground, Brooklyn Bridge
Pier 6 is another mini water park with epic sandboxes and slides. There are also quiet spaces and picnic lawns if you're looking for a simple, passive experience. But one section you can't miss here is the Flower Field at the center of Pier 6. There are also volleyball courts for older kids and parents.
Adventure Playground, Central Park
Chances are, you're going to the Upper West or Central Park! So, why not bring the children to Adventure Playground? This beautiful hilltop play space also just happens to feature some really exciting activities for kids in New York, like a fortress, wooden pyramid, tunnels, a maze, and slides. While Adventure Playground is for older kids, Tarr-Coyne Playground right next door is an excellent spot for toddlers.
Indoor Activities
New York City is home to some iconic landmarks, establishments, social hubs, and museums. So, if you're up for some art workshops, live theater, board games and interactive exhibits, then here's your guide to some of New York's finest family-friendly indoor attractions.
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History has something for all ages, but more importantly, they do have dedicated programs for families and children, including science learning programs and nature discovery courses.
As a general reminder, tickets for your visit must be purchased online and the museum's admission hours are from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily. Aside from regular art and cultural exhibits, the museum has ticketed exhibitions that will require an additional pass.
CAMP
The CAMP store at 5th Avenue offers the ultimate shop-and-play family experience for New Yorkers and visiting families. Here, you can test and shop for the best toys of the season and also explore the shop's interactive “Basecamp” for merchandise and live entertainment.
CAMP also does a lot of collaborative themes with popular merchandise and toy manufacturers, so just visiting the store will be a surprise and an experience of its own.
Brooklyn’s Children Museum
Another kid-friendly place to visit is Brooklyn’s Children Museum, which provides amenities and entertainment for children aged 6 months to 10 years old. Getting here is relatively easy via public transport since the subway and a couple of bus routes serve the area all day.
Parking is also available if you're visiting by car.
When it comes to exhibits, the museum thoughtfully has some sections for different age groups. In particular, Totally Tots is tailored for children under 5! This exhibit features water play areas, dress-up corners, and climbing structures that foster imagination and physical activity.
Notably, there's also World Brooklyn, one of our family's favorites. Think of this exhibit as a kid-sized neighborhood with a bakery, grocery, and pizza shop for them to explore. The museum also has some outdoor exhibits and interactive art studios.
Tickets must be booked online and in advance for hassle-free entry.
The Bronx Children’s Museum
The Bronx Children’s Museum is a relatively new attraction in the South Bronx. It started as a touring exhibit, before finally opening its own place in 2022 near the Yankee Stadium.
Some top exhibits in BxCM are The Waterways, which is a loose recreation of the waterways of the Bronx, and The Woods, where kids can interact with live animals under the guidance of the museum's animal educator.
Nearby, you can also visit Coney Island or the historic Richmond Town. Then, if you're staying the night, Queens Night Market is certainly worth checking out.
For wildlife exhibits, there's Prospect Park Audubon Center in Brooklyn, and for science and history, adults will surely love Intrepid Museum and their display of legendary aircraft and space exhibitions.
Enjoy New York with Kids
New York has a lot to offer for families and kids, whether it's museums, parks, specialty shops, and events. The caveat is that these tours must always be planned ahead, since most indoor establishments share regular admission hours.
With that said, we recommend a full three days and two nights if you want to explore the city's most iconic attractions. Though, of course, staying longer is highly favorable.
As you are traveling with kids, we recommend TernX family travel gears for all your travel needs. TernX is known for their award-winning travel stroller that transforms into a pram in seconds. But aside from that, they also offer a travel diaper bag that's perfect for urban exploration.
Lastly, don't forget to bookmark our blog for the latest family travel news and guides!
