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New York is a magnetic city to visit no matter what age you are, but with all its towering skyscrapers, iconic landmarks and brilliant museums, the Big Apple is particularly well-catered to family vacations. Handily, Time Out already has a comprehensive roundup of all the best places to keep the little ones entertained on your trip, but downtime for both kids and parents is essential to making the most of your stay. So, that’s why we’ve also built this collection of New York’s top family-friendly hotels, from well-connected affordable stays to luxury resorts, to ensure everyone’s needs are catered for. For the fall, new inclusions are the sleek Virgin Hotels New York, the lovely Shelburne Sonesta and the quintessential, iconic Lucerne, but there’s plenty more where that came from. You’re welcome. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in New York

Whether you’re visiting NYC or taking a little staycation, there’s no need to pay a small fortune to have someone watch your furriest friend. Bring them along, they make the best travel companion! Top NYC hotels across all price points are putting the “friendly” in pet-friendly. The best pet-friendly hotels in NYC not only allow dogs, but often pamper them as much as (if not even more than) their humans. A dog is everyone's best friend, right? Unless you're a cat person... Some of these hotels have a resident pooch who oversees the lobby (tip them with snacks), while others greet doggie guests with curated local treats and other extras such as comfy dog beds. What else would you expect from a city that’s obsessed with pets? Tried and true New Yorkers don’t like to leave their canine companions at home—and thanks to these pet-friendly accommodations, out-of-towners don’t have to either. Round out your dog’s big NYC adventure by going all out with a feast at one of the city’s best dog-friendly restaurants. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs with fireplaces in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

If your kids treat your couch like a jungle gym every time they’re stuck indoors, it’s time to redirect that energy somewhere way more fun. Head to a trampoline park in NYC (or a little further afield) to find the high-flying, bounce-filled adventure that’ll have your little ones flipping—literally. Trampolining isn’t just one of the best indoor activities for kids; it’s the perfect combo of active and entertaining. These spots are on par with indoor amusement parks: they go beyond the basics with features like foam pits, bouncy basketball courts, ropes courses and even ninja-style obstacle setups. Whether your kids are trampoline purists or crave all the extra bells and whistles, they’ll be soaring (and laughing) for hours. So next time outdoor plans like hiking, biking or hitting up a playground aren’t on the table, these bounce-tastic trampoline parks are a guaranteed hit.

Looking to add a few screams to those nightly bedtime stories? Not a problem: The best Halloween books for kids will gladly do the trick! From classics like Goosebumps and Coraline to beautifully illustrated ghoulish reads like No Such Thing and In the Dead of the Night, this roundup has a story for all the ghosts and goblins in your crew, whether they're looking for something scary or silly. Don't forget to leave the night light on! RECOMMENDED: 🎃 The best kids Halloween movies that the whole family will love🧟 The best Halloween movies for kids on Netflix👻 The best Halloween events in London for kids

What’s the best part of fall? It’s tempting to just snuggle up indoors with a warm sweater and a mug of hot apple cider, but autumn is a gorgeous time in the city, and there are plenty of fall activities for kids in NYC that you won’t want to miss. From apple picking and visiting a pumpkin patch to tackling a corn maze and visiting a spooky (but not too spooky) haunted house, these fall activities are fun for the whole family. Stick around the city for some seasonal fun or head out to one of the many farms offering harvest celebrations and festive fall events. These autumnal activities are sure to please and will help you make the most of sweater weather.

The golden age of podcasts is by no means limited to programming for adults: there are plenty of kids’ podcasts for the little ones too. Inevitably they lead towards the more wholesome end of the spectrum, so don’t go expecting any true-crime shows defined by long and complex investigations. But do expect lots of fun and light, short-form podcasts skewed towards stories and storytelling, though by no means limited to it. Put simply, the podcast selection for kids has never been better. These pods will spark imaginations, teach new ideas and make kids laugh so hard they snort apple juice out of their nostrils. They’re perfect for road trips, dinnertime or just chillaxing, and some even double up as bedtime soothers, especially when combined with the best children’s books. You’ll find mysteries and comedies, fairytales and scientific quests. Above all, you’re guaranteed to find something awesome. RECOMMENDED:🎧 The best podcasts to listen to right now💤 The best sleep podcasts🎵 The best podcasts on Spotify😂 The best comedy podcasts🏃 The best motivational podcasts

The 2021–2022 school year is on its way, and these fantastic school supply stores can help! You're going to need pencils, notebooks, binders and cool gadgets to send your kids back to school in style, so head to these school supply stores to get everything you need without making a million trips.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to getting kids back to school in NYC

Planning a birthday bash? Hosting a sleepover? You'll need to have a jam session with the best KIDZ BOP songs of all time, naturally.  The for-kids-by-kids brand, which just announced its 2019 world tour, is a great, family-friendly way to rock out to some of today's most popular tunes (and plenty of throwbacks). When the young'uns aren't grooving to the best dance songs for kids at the festivities, try this playlist out for size—we promise you won't be disappointed. (Plus all lyrics are G-rated, so don't worry Mom and Dad).  Enjoy the best KIDZ BOP songs for all ages, but don't forget about the best Disney songs, either. Even better? When the kiddos get too tired to move, just put on one of the best Disney princess movies while they relax. Sounds like you have a pretty packed adventure! 

If your goal is to raise bilingual children, then signing your tots up for Spanish classes for kids is a great bet. Not only will they learn Spanish through immersive and engaging activities, but they’ll make new friends and challenge their developing brains in different ways. If Spanish isn’t their taza de té, then check out other foreign language classes for kids or after-school programs for all ages. And if you’ve got wee littles on your hands who are still too small to head into class, how about grabbing bilingual baby books instead? You might find yourself learning a thing or two, too!

Summer in NYC is so chock-full of treats to eat and awesome activities to try that our wallets could probably use a break by the time 4th of July weekend rolls around. Luckily, there are also lots of free things to do with kids for those who want to have their summer joy on the cheap without sacrificing an ounce of fun. RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of 4th of July for kids in NYC Be sure to also check out other fantastic 4th of July activities for kids in NYC, where to catch free summer movies for kids and our list of the best summer activities for kids.

We are SO excited for spring break! To help you make the most of your time off, we've compiled a list of pretty spectacular spring break ideas for families, including trips to Mystic, Hershey and Cape May! The destinations we settled on have it all—maritime adventures, amusement parks, historic museums and other great stuff to keep you busy. The only hard part will be returning home after your fun adventure away from NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best family vacations from NYC Looking for more adventure? Check out these family weekend getaways or book a stay at one of these family resorts. 

Central Park is NYC's backyard, and we wouldn't have it any other way. The luscious greens and bucolic scenes are irresistible for natives and visitors alike. Plus, the venue packs a busy calendar—the list of things to do in Central Park are just as lengthy as the actual grounds.  Bringing the whole family for a visit? You're in luck. Between the zoo, one of the many playgrounds, a Marionette theater and so much more, youngsters will never want to leave...and you might not, either.  What are you waiting for? The best activities in Central Park kids love make for the perfect outing. Meet us at the Great Lawn for a picnic!  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to outdoor activities for kids in NYC Looking for more ways to enjoy New York with your crew? Take a trip to a few family attractions, grab a bite at the best outdoor restaurants NYC has to offer and top off the day with dessert at one of the most delicious ice cream shops for kids.  

Most of us have done it. When we’re at the subway station with the kids in tow, they'll pop under the turnstile. In many cases, this is perfectly legal—children under a certain height get to ride the subway and hop on buses free of charge—but at what point are parents evading the law by refusing to pay their child’s fair share? We've investigated, and here's what we found: According to MTA’s regulations, up to three children 44 inches tall and under can ride for free on subways and local buses when they’re accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Toddlers under two years of age can ride express buses for free if they sit on the adult’s lap.  For adult subway riders, jumping the turnstile has long been a petty crime that can result in jail time of up to a year, but a fairly new policy in Manhattan will actually put an end to prosecuting the misdemeanor and no longer place offenders behind bars. It was developed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office to curb the amount of cases for such minor offenses. Back to the parents/kids part of this discussion. For the most part, we don't expect adults to be stopped as their kinda-cutting-it-close–crew ducks the turnstiles. This kind of thing has been going on for as long as we can remember! But, to sum things up, try to be mindful of when you're beginning to break the rules, or you could end up getting fined. 
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We all want to keep our kids safe when they’re exploring the playground, but one innocent thing parents do could actually put their child in more danger. Research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition claims that when a parent places a child on their lap to go down the slide, they increase their child’s risk of leg injuries. The 2017 study found that an estimated 352,698 children under the age of six were injured while going down slides in the U.S. from 2002 through 2015. Fractures made up 36 percent of those injuries and it usually occurred with toddler’s legs. The reason? Parents place their kiddos on their lap in order to protect their child or give them confidence before they tackle the slide on their own, but sometimes those little legs get caught between their caregivers’ legs and the edge or bottom of the slide while in motion. Little ones who slide on their own are less likely to suffer from a severe leg injury because there’s little weight bearing down on them if their foot catches on something. Now imagine if that same little leg was caught while speeding down a slide with the weight of an adult behind the force. Yeah, ouch. Next time you're at the playground with a nervous toddler, encourage him from the sidelines and catch him at the bottom of the slide, or just tackle that colorful mountain when they're a little older. Looking for cool play spaces around NYC? Then check out our lists of the best playgrounds in NYC, indoo

If you consider yourself a true Potterhead, then you’re probably already making plans to celebrate next year’s 20th anniversary of the series’ U.S. release. And with an upcoming Broadway show, trips to a Harry Potter amusement park and themed restaurants based on one of the best kids' books, there will be plenty to fill your calendar up with all kinds of magic in honor of The Boy Who Lived. Now there’s a cool new exhibit in the works that you need to add to the list! Harry Potter: A History of Magic will open at the New-York Historical Society October 5, 2018 and will feature rare books, manuscripts and treasures from the British Library’s collections that relate to the myths and magic behind the series. Original drafts and drawings by author J.K. Rowling and illustrator Jim Kay will also be on display for the first time. The exhibit will first have a four-month-long run in London beginning next month and once it makes its way across the pond in fall 2018, items from the New-York Historical Society and the series’ U.S. publisher Scholastics will be added to this fantastical exhibit. The exhibit’s New York opening will celebrate the 20th anniversary of when the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was published in the U.S. It’s crazy to believe that it’s been two decades since the lightning-scarred boy zapped his way into our hearts, and that his popularity is still going strong. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming to Broadway in March 2018 and this summe

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has been excellent in developing exhibitions that expand kids’ world views and expose them to different cultures. The museum has already explored China, Japan, ancient Greece and more in past exhibitions, and in its current exhibit, “America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far,” tykes learn all about Muslim culture. Soon, it'll also get to dive into Indian culture with the museum’s upcoming exhibit, "The Namaste Express." "The Namaste Express" will take kids on an "train ride" through India to get a taste of its vibrant culture. The train will whisk passengers through various parts of the country with each stop featuring a different environment or cultural style through colors, shapes and other fun features. Interactive activities will bring the country to life and a variety of programming will be provided to complement the exhibit. Not only will children walk away knowing how to say phrases in different languages, but they’ll also play in a grand Indian architectural fort, check out rickshaws and a street car, watch a Rajasthani puppet show, sit in at a yoga center and sing and dance along to traditional music by the Bollywood stage. In the meantime, check out other cultural exhibits and events around NYC like “New York at Its Core,” “World Brooklyn,” Shababa Fridays and "America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far.” More details on the exhibit to come. In the meantime, if you're looking for even more family fun, explore our fav

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is arriving on Broadway March 2018, and because it will be shown as two parts requiring separate tickets, you’re probably wondering if this must-see play will cost you twice as much. Never fear, mere muggles: The production company has announced several ways we can nab tickets for super cheap! First off, more than 300 seats at each performance will be available at $40 or under, including 150 seats priced at $20. In addition, the production will release 40 tickets for amazing seats for $20 every Friday at 1pm. “The Friday Forty,” as they’re called, will only be able through the website once previews begin. A variety of ticket price levels will also be available, so don’t assume the rest of the seats are exorbitantly priced. The first release for performances beginning April 25 will include tickets priced at $20, $40, $80, $130, $165 and $199 per part. During previews, which take place March 16 to April 21, tickets will cost $20, $40, $70, $120, $155 and $189 per part. But if you want a chance to get tickets at all, you’ll have to register online by October 5 at 10pm. Only those who’ve registered and randomly selected to receive an access code will be able to buy tickets beginning October 18. Add this to your list of ways to get discount tickets for kids for some of the best Broadway shows! Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

If you're running out of ways to keep the kids entertained until school starts up again, Summer Streets is about to save your life. The annual event, during which seven miles of Manhattan roads are closed off to vehicles for three Saturday mornings in August, will treat New Yorkers to family-friendly activities, games, music, theater, fitness programs and more—all for free! This year’s lineup is even cooler because one of the rest stops will feature a giant inflatable water park! On Saturdays August 5, 12 and 19, seven miles of New York City’s streets will be closed to vehicles between 7am and 1pm for the public to bike, walk, run and play safely. Six rest stops hosting a variety of activities are scattered along the Summer Streets route, which runs from Central Park East on 72nd St and 5th Ave, down along Park Ave, Lafayette St and Center St until it reaches the entrance of Brooklyn Bridge in Foley Square. The Foley Square rest stop will feature the Vita Coco Beach and Beachside Slide, a 270-foot slide surrounded by palm trees, lounge chairs and a misting station. Families can also catch hand cycle demonstrations, dance performances, bike rentals and basketball games. At the SoHo rest stop (Kenmare St and Cleveland Pl), action sports fanatics can give it a go on Clif Ride Zone’s custom mountain bike track. Don’t worry, parents: coaches will be on hand to guide newbies and kids through the course. Dog-owners who want their pup to join in on the fun should head to the Astor Pl

Cruises are wonderful choices for family travel—especially Disney’s fleet—but sometimes flying all the way out to a ship’s port first can take the wind right out of your sails. But good news approaches, future cruisers! Pretty soon New Yorkers will be able to hop on a Disney Cruise heading to its private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay straight from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in Hell’s Kitchen. Beginning in fall 2018, three seven-night sailings will travel from New York to Walt Disney World near Port Canaveral, Florida before whisking passengers off to Castaway Cay. Each guest will receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and round-trip transportation to and from the theme parks. Bookings open to the public May 18, 2017, so hop on it before the ships fill up! In addition to the new sailings to the Bahamas, Disney Cruise Line will offer trips to Bermuda for the first time. In October 2018, Disney will offer five-night sailings leaving New York City that will include two full days in Bermuda as well as six-night trips that will let you romp around those pink sand beaches for three whole days. With this news, vacation time in 2018 really can’t get here quickly enough. Photograph: Courtesy Todd Anderson If the family is more interested in escaping to another city rather than embracing their inner beach bums, Disney is also launching new cruises between New York and Quebec City, Canada beginning in September 2018. Seven-night sailings on the Disney Magic wil

If you’re wondering which way to go for a magical winter wonderland, look up, way up. Beginning November 17th, One World Observatory will transform into “Winter ONEderland: A Holiday Experience Above It All” complete with interactive activities and visits from Santa. Image: Courtesy One World Observatory At “One World of Wonders,” families can follow the Winter ONEderland mascot Ollie the Owl on an interactive flight around ancient and modern wonders of the world. Fly past the Great Wall of China, the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Pyramids of Giza through a multi-media experience. The Glacier Cave is an underground winter grotto that meanders through One World Trade Center’s rock foundation. The path leads visitors to the Snowy SkyPod Journey, a bank of high-speed elevators that will whisk them to the observatory on the 102nd floor in just 47 seconds. If the breathtaking 360-degree views of the city that await aren’t enough, the windows themselves offer a cool factor: Three windows will add a layer of frosting to its panels with just a touch. Image: Courtesy One World Observatory The holiday magic continues with visits to Santa’s village where families can take professional photos with the jolly man in red and go home with a surprise gift included with every purchase. A giant snow globe displaying Ollie the Owl flying over the NYC skyline offers another amazing backdrop for selfies and family photos. Holiday treats like cookies, delicious entrees and specialty d

When shopping for kids’ holiday gifts this year, it’s important to keep an eye out for toys that could potentially take their eye out while playing. But there are so many amazing new children's products that get released each year, it’s hard to keep track of which ones are safe or hazardous for little ones. This is where World Against Toys Causing Harm, or W.A.T.C.H., comes into play. Each year, it releases the "10 Worst Toys" on the market and what parents need to look out for when buying new products for their children. In this year’s batch, W.A.T.C.H. named Hallmark's “Itty Bitty” Baby Stacking Toy as a hazard because detachable pieces on the mini Disney characters present a potential for choking. It’s also sold without age recommendations and was eventually recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, but still available for purchase online. Fidget spinners were already on notice due to its small pieces posing a choking hazard, and on W.A.T.C.H.’s list, Hand Fidgetz Spinners by Kipp Brothers were spotlighted as an example. The Pull Along Pony by Tolo Toys Limited features a 19-inch-long cord that could lead to entanglement and strangulation while the Mattel’s Wonder Woman Battle-Action Sword could cause facial injuries from little ones pretending to be the Amazonian warrior. Spider-Man is another beloved superhero featured in questionable toys for kids, such as Marvel’s Spider-Man Spider-Drone Official Movie Edition with high-speed rotating blades that could injure

Broadway shows can cost a pretty penny so whenever our favorite shows present a free preview, we are so there. So good news, families: Some of our favorite kid-friendly shows are currently participating in “Broadway Under the Stars,” a free series at The Shops at Columbus Circle that runs through December 11th. This is your chance to introduce tots to SpongeBob SquarePants, Anastasia and more without spending a dime. Cast members from 14 Broadway shows are presenting at 10 Columbus Circle on the second floor every Monday at 5pm from November 13th through December 11th. School of Rock, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Kinky Boots kicked things off yesterday afternoon, but there are still plenty of show previews to enjoy. On November 20th, attendees will be treated to Home for the Holidays, Red Roses, Green Gold and Miss Saigon and on the 27th, Wicked is the attraction of the day. Bring the kids along December 4th when the cast of Anastasia will perform along with members of Chicago and Waitress. Fans of SpongeBob SquarePants will be thrilled to hear the songs performed live (and for free!) on December 11th. Once on This Island and A Bronx Tale are also on the lineup for that day. So kick off the holly jolly season with free Broadway performances and save your money for those holiday wish lists. If the kiddos are still begging to see a full show, check out the best Broadway shows for kids, the best plays and performances for kids to see right now and how to get discount ti

A new indoor playground has opened up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and we think kids and families are going to love this space. Not only are there toys galore and plenty of room for rambunctious toddlers, but kids can also climb all over playground features, jump into a ball pit, hop on the swing set, shimmy down slides and squeeze through crawl spaces. There’s even a rock climbing wall to give little climbers a challenge and a seed pit with hidden dinosaur bones!   Photograph: Courtesy Fairytale Island Photograph: Courtesy Fairytale Island Fairytale Island, which opened its doors in late October, offers so many cool features to entertain littles ones. As the name implies, children are encouraged to play pretend with a two-level train and a mini shopping center with shopping carts, kitchen sets and toy food. When hunger strikes, a real café area sells snacks like pizza, chicken, drinks, ice cream and cotton candy. Picnic tables are perfect for squirmy kids who’d rather run from play area to watchful families and food and right back again. Photograph: Courtesy Fairytale Island   Photograph: Courtesy Fairytale Island Party packages are also available to celebrate birthdays and other fun children’s events. The indoor playground opened to the public October 28th, but a grand opening party will take place this Saturday November 11th at noon. You’ll want to head over for playtime as well as free popcorn, cotton candy and raffle prizes for kids. So add this fun spot to your lists

Playing Cards Against Humanity with friends is a riot, but imagine the game with a unique twist: parenting-themed cards! Now when the group manages to hang out without the kids—or after they’ve been tucked into bed—you can bring out KinderPerfect, a spin-off game inspired by Cards Against Humanity. Photograph: Courtesy KinderPerfect Like Cards Against Humanity, KinderPerfect has players pairing prompt cards with response cards in their hands. The results are often hysterical, especially if you have players who like to push against the boundaries of what’s inappropriate, and when you add responses like “Eau de baby vomit,” “Pretending your screaming kid does not belong to you” and “Some princess sh*t,” you know it’s going to be a laughing fest. Photograph: Courtesy KinderPerfect The game was developed by Washington, D.C.-based parents Wayan and Amy Vota. After adding their own parental twist to their Cards Against Humanity game set, the husband and wife team decided to create their own parent-themed cards. Their Kickstarter campaign raised over $20,000 from 800 backers and over 8,000 card suggestions from 700 parents and are now a Top 100 Card Game on Amazon. KinderPerfect comes with its own set of prompt and answer cards, but the set can also be combined with the Cards Against Humanity packs for an even greater range of ridiculous scenarios. A new expanded game with 400 cards is currently on pre-order for $24.95, but will ship for free on November 20th, so grab a set for