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The best things to do in New York City with kids
  • Things to do
  • Cultural centers

NYC is not just for grownups! There are so many things to do in New York with kids that are fun for the whole family. Locals know that kids in NYC have access to a dizzying array of playgrounds and visitors will find that the city has tons of kid-friendly attractions and museums. Kids can play to their heart's content while getting fresh air with a range of outdoor activities, or keep it indoors when the weather isn’t cooperating. Kids can have a grand old time at real-deal NYC pizza joints and fun, kid-friendly restaurants. Baseball games, ice cream shops, kid-friendly Broadway shows, Coney Island, story time… the list is endless. While you probably won’t exhaust this list any time soon, there are tons of options for kids in the greater NY region too, like family-friendly hiking trails and biking trails, and kid-approved day trips and weekend getaways. With all the things to do with kids in NYC across the five boroughs, they’ll be worn out and so will you — and you definitely deserve a stop at one of NYC’s kid-friendly bars.

  • Things to do

While there are plenty of fun activities for kids in the city, it might be a little harder to find things to do with teens in NYC. The too-cool-for-school age group can be hard to please, but there are still some fun spots around town that even a cranky 13 year old will love. Think fun, active outings that will keep them occupied or teen-oriented programs that take a different approach to exploring some of New York’s gems. From museums to laser tag, here are the best things to do with teens in NYC.

  • Things to do

When the weekend rolls around, it’s time for some family fun. There are plenty of things to do with kids around the city all week, but weekends are extra special. Kick off a fun, stress-free weekend with these kid-friendly things to do in NYC on Saturday. From outdoor activities to visiting top attractions, the whole family can have fun on a Saturday. Go a little further afield to an amusement park, engage in some friendly competition at a family-friendly bowling alley or take them out for some culture at a kid-friendly museum. Whatever you do, wrap up the day with a meal at a fun, kid-friendly restaurant and you’ve got a top notch Saturday schedule.

  • Things to do

Toddlers are bundles of energy needing lots of attention at all times. They require special considerations and a watchful eye when out and about in most public situations. Fortunately there are a wealth of toddler activities in NYC that offer fun times for the whole family and give you a chance to let down your guard a bit. These toddler-friendly activities are designed with the littlest ones in mind: freedom to be themselves, plenty of stimulation and—most importantly—nothing breakable. The wide range of things to do with toddlers in NYC include both indoor and outdoor activities, from playgrounds and parks to family-friendly attractions and kid-friendly museums. They’ll be entertained, enriched and hopefully worn out at the end of the day.

  • Things to do
  • Play spaces

A cold, rainy or crazy hot day doesn’t mean you have to scrap plans with the kids. They can still have plenty of energy-burning fun at a slew of indoor activities for kids around the city. From bowling and laser tag to indoor amusement parks, there’s no shortage of weather-proof fun. But for a year-round taste of summer, there’s nothing better than an indoor water park. Kids can splash around, zoom down water slides and have an all-around good time regardless of the weather. These indoor water parks near NYC are an easy day trip—or excellent weekend adventure—and fun for the whole family. Whether it’s the dead of winter or a scorching summer, head to one of these indoor water parks for some serious splashy fun, no sunscreen required.

  • Things to do

It’s time to start planning for the upcoming school year. The Department of Education has officially released the NYC School Calendar for 2023-24, and we have all the important dates for you right here. School holidays, parent-teacher conferences and early dismissals are all included in this list so you can sort out the school year.For those after-school hours, check out these after-school programs for kids in NYC and browse all the amazing things to do with kids in NYC. You can even start planning a family day trip or weekend getaway for those much-deserved holiday breaks. The 2023-2024 term: September 7 First day of schoolSeptember 14 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences for elementary schools, and Pre-K CentersSeptember 21 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences for middle schools and D75 schoolsSeptember 25 Rosh Hashanah, schools closedSeptember 29 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences for high schools, K–12, and 6–12 schoolsOctober 5 Yom Kippur, schools closedOctober 9 Italian Heritage / Indigenous Peoples' Day, schools closedNovember 2 Afternoon and Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences for elementary schools; students in these schools dismissed three hours early.November 7 Election Day, students do not attend schoolNovember 9 Afternoon and Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences for middle schools and D75 schools; students in these schools dismissed three hours early.November 16 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences for high schools, K–12, and 6–12 schoolsNovember 17 Afternoon Parent-Teach

  • Restaurants

NYC is world-renowned for its restaurants, obviously. Contrary to what you might think, some of these top restaurants welcome kids. While there are plenty of entertainment-heavy restaurants geared towards keeping the kids occupied while serving so-so food, many kid-friendly restaurants in NYC are both fun and delicious. These spots are great for the whole family. The kids will be excited to go, and you won’t have to choke down a sad slice of pizza and pretend to enjoy it. You can expect a quality meal, options for the pickiest of eaters and welcoming vibes that lets kids be kids. From pizza and tacos to theme restaurants and outdoor restaurants, there’s no shortage of destinations that offer great food and a kid-friendly environment.

  • Things to do

From classic playgrounds to water playgrounds, NYC kids throughout the five boroughs have it made when it comes to outdoor playtime. The best playgrounds in NYC are places where the kids can gather, burn energy, have fun, make some memories and maybe get a little creative. The city is home to standard slides-and-swings playgrounds as well as innovative, design-forward playgrounds that stimulate the imagination. And who can forget the water playgrounds—featuring splash pads and sprinklers—that serve as summertime spots for staying cool. You’re never far from a playground in NYC, but some are worth a trip outside of the neighborhood. As fun as any kid-friendly attraction, these NYC playgrounds are sure to keep the kids entertained and help them burn off energy.

  • Museums
  • Childhood

While many classic NYC museums—MOMA, The Museum of Natural History, The Met—offer programs and experiences tailored to the younger set, they still have an adult vibe that may be a little overwhelming for the kiddos. If you’re looking for things to do with the kids that happen to be educational as well as fun, these kids museums in NYC are the place to be. You’ll find interactive exhibits where kids can run, play and learn, and you don’t have to worry about getting the stink-eye from gallery docents (or even worse, knocking over a priceless piece of art). Not only are these museums amazing family attractions that the whole crew will love, they’re also some of the best options for indoor activities when the weather isn’t cooperating. Kids actually love—and benefit from—brain-stimulating playtime, so for even more interactive fun, check out some of the epic playgrounds around the city that boast innovative designs that foster learning and creativity.

New York Botanical Garden | Bronx, NY
  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • The Bronx
  • price 2 of 4

Give city kids a chance to get their hands dirty and explore lush landscapes on this 250-acre expanse. Family programs educate kids (and adults) on our connection to nature, while the Edible Academy teaches children about gardening and healthy living through workshops, scavenger hunts and crafts in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden.  In terms of classes, little ones ages 3 to 5 will love getting hands-on in the Garden Sprouts program after a morning at preschool. Each Wednesday afternoon, they’re put to work digging for wiggly worms, planting seeds, and harvesting. Their experience in the garden will even inspire cool craft projects and nutritious snacks that they’ll make and nibble on.