Cosmic Camp
Photograph: courtesy CAMP
Photograph: courtesy CAMP

Kid-friendly things to do in NYC on Saturday

Start the weekend off right with these kid-friendly things to do in NYC on Saturday

Written by: Shaye Weaver
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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.

Kid-friendly things to do in NYC on Saturday

  • Kids
  • Kids

With thrilling rides and 15,000 LEGO models made up of over 30 million bricks, the colorful amusement park is a sprawling 150-acre sure to thrill both the young ones and LEGO fans of all ages. Across the park, there are seven themed lands. For those wanting to stay over, the resort's hotel has 250 themed rooms—LEGO Pirates, LEGO Kingdoms, LEGO Friends and LEGO NINJAGO—as well as 150 acres of "natural buffer around the resort" that will function as a "park within a park."

  • 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 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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  • Museums
  • Military and maritime
  • Hell's Kitchen
  • price 3 of 4

The highlight of the aircraft carrier-turned-science museum for the littlest ones is the Exploreum, an indoor activity zone where kids get to board small boats, learn why huge metal ships don't sink, wander around the living quarters of the Intrepid's former crew and try on astronaut gloves. Up on the flight deck, be sure to go into the Space Pavillion, where kids come face-to-face with the Enterprise, the first Space Shuttle to take to the air. As they tread up the elevated viewing platform to the shuttle’s nose, they’ll even catch a rare glimpse of an astronaut’s life—and just how confined their quarters are when they’re in orbit.

  • Museums
  • Childhood
  • Crown Heights
  • price 1 of 4

When it was founded in 1899, the BCM was the country’s first museum specifically made for children. Today it’s one of the most comprehensive, with a permanent collection of 30,000 objects, including musical instruments, masks, dolls and fossils. Kids have fun while learning (sneaky!) at interactive exhibits like “World Brooklyn,” a pint-size cityscape lined by faux stores where young’uns can weigh ingredients and knead pretend dough at the Mexican Bakery, or shop for cans of Indian ghee and Turkish candy at the International Grocery.

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  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • Queens

Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a world all its own, or more accurately, the Unisphere is—its enduring icon, the mammoth steel globe created for the 1964 World’s Fair. But there’s also first-rate culture and sports at the New York Hall of Science, Arthur Ashe Stadium, Queens Museum of Art and Citi Field. The rolling green fields also encompass a zoo, carousel, boating lake, skate park, barbecue area, playfields and an aquatic and hockey center. The area's Playground for All Children, built in 1984, was designed to accommodate children with and without disabilities—the first of its kind in the country.

  • Museums
  • Science and technology
  • Flatiron
  • price 1 of 4

Rather than being a place to learn math, this museum is a place to realize all the remarkable things math can be used to create. Its 30-plus interactive exhibits include the Wall of Fire, a laser "wall" that shows visitors that cross-sections aren't always what you think they are; Math Square, a Jumbotron on the floor that connects each person standing on it by the shortest path possible, changing the moment anyone moves; a design studio where participants create a 3-D design on a screen, for a chance to have it "printed" into an actual sculpture via a 3-D printer; and Enigma Café, a place where families can sit down at tables to work on digital puzzles.

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  • Attractions
  • West Village

New York City’s hottest new attraction, Little Island, opened to the public in May 2021 and has since brought in plenty of visitors who flocked to see Manhattan’s newest “floating” greenspace. The park is filled with open lawns, colorful shrubs and trees and a secret garden. The park’s amphitheaters, The Glade and The Amph, offer a spectacular view of the Hudson River, with a majority of the events being free throughout the summer. 

  • Sports and fitness
  • Chelsea

Whether the family fancies a spot of bowling, climbing, golfing, trampolining, er parkour-ing or myriad other activities we don't have the time to list––Chelsea Piers is the place to go. From toddlers upwards, there's something for everyone to enjoy and it's a sure-fire guarantee that your rugrats will leave thoroughly exercised and, fingers crossed, exhausted.

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  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • Chelsea

Before the old train track that now makes up the High Line was built, it used to run along the ground. But so many people were injured (often fatally) by the passing freight trains, that the state agreed to elevate the railroad. It eventually closed in the 1980s due to lack of demand and in 2009 was transformed into the lush green walkway, dotted with art installations, sunning benches and more that New Yorkers get to take advantage of today. Walk the entirety, from Gansevoort Street to W 34th, and take in the nature and surprisingly great views of the city and the Hudson River. Various activities for children and families crop up seasonally, such as dance, art, music, gardening and stargazing.

  • Museums
  • Science and technology
  • Upper West Side
  • price 2 of 4

Home to the largest and arguably most fabulous collection of dinosaur fossils in the world, AMNH’s fourth-floor dino halls have been blowing kids' minds for decades. Don't miss out on other great opportunities to see artifacts, models and casts from centuries past, including The Hall of Human Origins and the Hall of Ocean Life, which boasts the museum's iconic 100-foot-long model of a blue whale. You'll also want to explore the Rose Center for Earth & Space if you're into space-themed fun: Hayden Planetarium and Big Bang Theater host 3-D and IMAX screenings.

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  • Attractions
  • Zoo and aquariums
  • Coney Island
  • price 2 of 4

Though it’s likely the only aquatic wildlife you’ll see at Coney Island is seagulls eager to scoop up whatever boardwalk snack scraps you leave behind, those intrigued by the ocean can immerse themselves in aquaculture at the New York Aquarium. A sea lion pool, penguin habitat, recreated reef, shark exploration and more are the current exhibits starring live sea creatures (and occasionally their handlers) that offer an up-close-and-personal look at both Atlantic and Pacific Ocean life at the oldest continually operating aquarium in the country. 

  • Attractions
  • Zoo and aquariums
  • The Bronx
  • price 2 of 4

As far as inner-city zoos go, the Bronx has a mighty fine one, which will leave you feeling like the 4,000-odd animals are truly cared for and happy. You can easily spend half a day exploring the 265-acre campus and its various arenas: Tiger Mountain, World of Birds, Madagascar and the African Plains, to name a few. Highlights include the Wild Asia Monorail, where you'll get a great view of the elephants, red pandas and rhinos, and the daily penguin and sea lion feedings. Pluck up the courage for a Wild Encounter, where you can get up close and personal with penguins, cheetahs, porcupines or sloths.

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  • Attractions
  • Theme parks
NYC-area amusement parks
NYC-area amusement parks

There are plenty of amusement parks within a short journey from NYC. These amusement parks offer thrills geared towards the younger set and feature colorful characters, magical themes and pint-sized rides. From Sesame Street and dinos to dump trucks and PAW Patrol, the rides and attractions at these kid-friendly amusement parks are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

  • Attractions
  • Towers and viewpoints
  • Financial District
  • price 2 of 4

One World Observatory at World Trade Center lets visitors experience panoramic views of NYC from atop the tallest building in the United States. Kids will love arriving at their destination Jetsons-style via Sky Pod elevators (some of the fastest in the world) which lead to a two-minute video presentation of gorgeous city images on the 102nd floor. Check out City Pulse on the 100th floor, showing HD videos of notable NYC landmarks and neighborhoods, then daredevil kids (and parents) can brave the Sky Portal, where a 14-foot wide circular disc provides a view of real-time, high-definition footage of the streets below.

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  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • The Bronx
  • price 2 of 4

New York Botanical Garden is a feast for the eyes with gorgeous blooms that are bound to inspire any urban gardener. Though it might seem like a summertime excursion, the garden’s annual events such as Boo at the Zoo and the Holiday Train Show make the Bronx attraction a must during the colder months. (Without question it’s a happening spot for the holidays.) Naturally, you’ll want to stick around when spring arrives, as the Orchid Show is one of the most highly-anticipated events in all of NYC. Kids will love getting their hands dirty at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden and the Edible Academy, which provides a chance for little naturalists to experience nature in the midst of NYC.

  • Attractions
  • Arcades and amusements
  • DUMBO
  • price 1 of 4

The gorgeous Jane’s Carousel—housed inside a glass studio—illuminates as the Brooklyn Bridge and downtown NYC skyline hang in the background. Undoubtedly a great location for a few selfies and spins on the horses and chariots, this venue proves to be one of the most beloved facets of Brooklyn Bridge Park. With its undeniable old-school charm, there’s no reason to forgo a ride. After all, the talented Kings County artist Jane Wale, who spent well over 20 years restoring the carousel to pristine condition, deserves a little recognition for her feat.

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  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • Governors Island

Venture out to Governors Island (open May through October), where there’s plenty to see, do and enjoy as a family. Grab a ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn to explore 172 acres via bike (there’s more than five miles of bike lanes and rentals are easily found at Blazing Saddles, Colonels Row), or head to spots like the Hammock Grove to kick back and relax in one of 50 hammocks or climb around on a nearby play structure. The Hills of Governors Island opened in 2016, and offers heights of 70 ft. above sea level (there are stunning views to be seen!) plus four huge slides, including the longest slide in NYC. Hungry? There are plenty of food trucks located on the island so you can snack, but we’d recommend bringing a picnic just for the experience.

  • Things to do

In recent years NYC has completely transformed what playtime is like for a city kid, introducing creative playgrounds to every corner of the Big Apple. There are so many gorgeous playgrounds to visit in NYC, and this list will help you set off on a fabulous adventure.

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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, pack a picnic and make plans to visit mother nature with the fam. These hiking trails are great for children of all ages, from toddlers out for a stroll to bigger kids looking to go for a scramble.

  • Things to do
  • Games and hobbies

New York is a wonderful biking town! From protected bike paths on the Bronx waterfront to the low-key cycling in Battery Park City, we'll help you find the best bike trails for families in NYC.

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