As one of the globe’s most populated and diverse cities, New York City never ceases to amaze and enthrall visitors of all ages. The city has a vibrant nightlife for those over 18 but still young at heart, and there is much to discover for the young as well. Tourists to New York City will discover a plethora of family-friendly museums and attractions, and locals will tell you that there is an overwhelming selection of playgrounds available to children. Children can enjoy various outdoor games and sports whenever the weather is nice, while on rainy days, they can stay inside and play.
Pizza parlors and other family-friendly eateries in New York City are great places for kids to let loose and have a blast. In addition, there’s a never-ending supply of kid-friendly activities in New York City, from athletic events and ice cream parlors to Shows and Coney Island. Here are a few suggestions if you’re visiting New York City with kids and want to do something fun.
- Children’s Museum of Manhattan
One of the greatest things to do in New York City with kids is to visit the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. This museum caters to children under the age of 6 and features several fun and engaging interactive exhibits. The museum host exhibits all year long that teach children about kids globally.
Take the kids to the fun water park, City Splash, on hot summer days. I recommend bringing an outfit change with you, as the museum will only give waterproof smocks.
- Brooklyn Bridge (Pedestrian & Bike Promenade)
The Brooklyn Bridge is a must-see for anybody who has seen a movie set in New York City. The historic bridge’s pedestrian and bicycle promenade is a fantastic spot to view New York City’s cityscape. You may walk 1.3 miles of the promenade in around half an hour or a little longer if you frequently stop along the way.
I know this doesn’t sound like the traditional things to do in New York with kids, but if you have a family, this is a great site to take pictures. But I should caution you that even the closest subway stop may be far away.
- Central Park
Is it possible to fully experience New York without seeing Central Park? You won’t find many other family-friendly events in the city like this one. Maybe you prefer the great outdoors or the comfort of a museum; Central Park provides what you’re searching for.
Younger visitors can even feed tame animals in the zoo’s designated children’s area! There are many amazing animals to see in the Central Park Zoo, and you may wave at the sea lions in their pool or even curtsy to the penguins, the finest birds of the polar regions.
If you happen to be in town during the winter, you can also hire some skates and take a twirl around the Wollman Rink. In the summer, the ice rink transforms into the Victorian Garden, a family-friendly attraction with attractions for all ages. I’m sure I’m not solo when I say Central Park is among my favorite parts of New York.
- New York Hall of Science
If you are visiting New York and it is raining, and you are searching for an activity to do indoors, but you do not want to lose a day of your trip, the New York Hall of Sciences is a fantastic option. The founders built The museum with children in mind, so families will have a great time there even if their children don’t realize they are learning.
Forget about boring, passive textbooks; present-day educational opportunities are far more engaging and intriguing. Exhibits like “Seeing the Light,” “Sound Sensory experiences: The Inside Story of Audio,” “Realm of the Atom,” and many others are among my favorites.
One of the most popular displays among families with children is the Sports Challenge, a series of interactive games designed to test visitors’ reflexes. Also, if the weather permits, you can play miniature golf in the open air!
- Dylan’s Candy Bar
Among the best locations to take kids (and adults who don’t mind sweets) is Dylan’s Candy Bar, which is a lot of fun for the whole family. The ‘bar’ is decorated with a lollipop tree that is out of this world.
The confectionery is rumored to stock more than 7,000 varieties of sweets, guaranteeing that there will be something to suit any taste. If you want to shop without breaking the bank, grab a bag and weigh your items at the register. You and your kid can stuff the bag to capacity with whatever you like. Pillows, customized mugs, and other mementos can be purchased and taken home as mementos. Fudge is served at a lower counter, while toppings for your sundae are chosen at a higher counter.
- Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Without including the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, no list of things to do with kids in New York City would be complete. It was the first museum of its sort in the city, opening in 1899 and thus becoming a part of the city’s historical fabric. The museum’s footprint has doubled thanks to recent expansion. I predict the children will enjoy Collections Central the most; therefore, I recommend seeing it first.
The museum’s permanent collection includes about 30,000 pieces, all of which can be viewed at this display. The carcass of an Asian elephant is the main attraction. When it comes to the next topic, have the kids check out nature in their immediate vicinity. The kids can enjoy a fish’s-eye view of the pond by crawling through a tube inside the pond aquarium.
Additionally, they can have fun in the garden by trying to plant seeds and digging around in the mud. There are a lot of entertaining things to do here; the kids are sure to remember it fondly.
- Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is the biggest zoo in the United States that is located in a city. Around four thousand creatures call the zoo home. Obviously, you’ll need a whole day to see everything the zoo offers. You might not be capable of covering everything, even if you have an entire day, but you’ll give it your best shot.
Of course, the youngsters love the children’s zoo. Kids would be free to pet and feed the tame animals here. The African Plains are another great place to see fantastic wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, lions, and more.
It’s hard for me to leave the Madagascar portion because the lemurs are putting on such a fantastic display as they swing through the trees. Camel rides and the insect carousel are popular attractions for zoo children. It is a sizable zoo, but you can get around on the tram if you don’t feel like walking the entire time.
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Although Nyc is a hub for the entertainment industry, sightings of famous people while strolling the city’s streets are by no means guaranteed. However, if you visit the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, you’ll have the chance to take some amazing pictures alongside some of history’s most recognizable faces. The museum features wax replicas of famous people from all walks of life, including athletes, actors, and comic book heroes.
Cartoon icons like SpongeBob and stars of popular children’s films like ET are among the figures that sell well. You can count on having plenty of photo ops for your online profiles. Teenagers on a family vacation will have a great time here.
- DiMenna Children’s Museum at the New York Historical Society
For children aged 8 to 13, the New York Historical Society’s DiMenna Children’s Museum is an excellent choice. The students will be able to learn more about the city’s current history thanks to the exhibits at the museum. The display where you may flick a switch to view what a neighborhood appeared like a century earlier and contrast it to the modern day is one of the most popular attractions at the museum.
Similarly, the youngsters can try their hands at cross-stitching and check out how they do to get a feel for what it was like for people in early 20th-century New York to make their clothes. It’s possible to take children of varying ages on a trip without anyone’s experience being diminished by the presence of younger children.
- Coney Island & the New York Aquarium
New York Aquarium and the Coney Island are among the city’s oldest tourist attractions, yet they’re just as much fun today as they were a century ago. All the fixings are provided for a fantastic day out with the kids. Arcades, an aquarium, and a boardwalk that stretches for 2.5 miles to the water are just the beginning of a long adventure.
Enjoying a ride on the 1918 Magic Wheel at Luna Park, an amusement park, is a must while visiting the island. In addition, the 1927 Cyclone Ferris wheel is a fantastic choice for older children and adults with a higher tolerance for risk. Ocean Wonders: Sharks, a brand new exhibit at the New York Aquarium, is sure to highlight any visit to Coney Island. If planning a trip to New York with kids, you should browse the NYC Go webpage first. Find discounted tours and activities and suggestions on where to stay.
