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The best things to do in NYC this week with kids

From a shark exhibit to an ice cream museum, the best things to do in NYC this week with kids will keep them entertained

Written by
Danielle Valente
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There are so many things to do with kids in NYC that it can be hard to settle on just what to do to keep them entertained. No worries, we’ve narrowed down for you some amazing things to do in NYC this week with kids. The city is chock full of activities and options for full-day outings, from playgrounds and bike trails to family-friendly attractions and museums. Head outdoors for some fresh-air fun, or stick with an indoor activity when the weather doesn’t cooperate. The kids are guaranteed to stay active and occupied (and hopefully burn off some energy). We think it’s pretty difficult to be bored in NYC, and these things to do with kids this week are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun for the little ones. Even better, they’re fun for all ages so the whole family will be happy.

Things to do in NYC this week with kids

  • Things to do
  • Soho

Ice cream is at the center of this 20,000-square-foot museum that'll make the cold treat even more fun (who knew it'd even be possible?). Across 13 multi-sensory installations visitors to the museum will be able to interact with fun elements like a sprinkles pool and photo ops like an ice cream truck you can "drive" and a rainbow tunnel. Better yet, you can purchase the museum's signature flavors at its cafe in cups or waffle cones, milkshakes (regular and spiked), sweet specialty sundaes, craft cocktails and boozy shakes after the fact.

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  • Things to do
  • City Life

RISENY places thrill-seekers inside a 180-degree, 40-foot projection dome that plays 8K aerial footage to create the sensation of flight. (The ride is similar to Disneyland’s “Soarin’ Over California” experience.) The experience begins with a film by documentarians Ric Burns and James Sanders—narrated by everyone’s fave actor Jeff Goldblum—that touches on NYC’s history, specifically Times Square and its global impact. Then visitors are taken to a re-creation of the city’s first subway station at City Hall circa 1904, which transforms into a fully immersive theater with visual and special effects. Eventually, a present-day subway car virtually transports guests to the galleries.

The Color Factory covers a spectrum of hues, and it is guaranteed to be one of the most vibrant, educational and downright enjoyable Instagrammable moments you’ve encountered in New York. The interactive exhibition, located in Soho, was designed and launched by event planner Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day (a crafts and celebrations blog) to help visitors explore the fun and importance of color. There are 16 rooms to explore throughout the 20,000-square-foot space which showcase immersive artwork from local writers, poets and musicians.

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  • Things to do

Just because you live in the Big Apple doesn't mean you can't spend time in the great outdoors. There are amazing family-friendly hikes close to NYC—in fact, the Bronx River Greenway and Inwood Hill Park are right in the middle of the city! So: Check the weather, grab a heavy coat and make plans to visit mother nature with the fam.

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  • Museums
  • Childhood

Classic adult-oriented museums like the Museum of Natural History, MOMA and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum have kid-specific programs that can be fun for the whole family, but you’ll get more bang for your buck (in the form of “wow!” and “cool!” rather than “I’m bored”) at these museums designed specifically for the little ones.

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