What to do with kids in New York

Looking for what to do in New York for kids? For children of every age there is a lot to see and explore. Some people think that New York is not a city for children, but my two little kids enjoy themselves there just fine.

You needn’t be afraid to take your children to New York: Manhattan has become very safe in recent years. Additionally, Manhattan is very pram friendly: all pavements have ramps, you won’t find any small cobble stones and many subway stations have a lift. Putting the pram in the back of a taxi is pretty normal too. So children: welcome to New York!

DEAL: now up till 37% off Kids Day Pass!

Personal Tips:

Are you planning on visiting attractions? Schedule a maximum of three a day.
Opt for a subway or taxi when you need to travel far.
Prepare your children for the long queues at attractions.
Combine visiting attractions with a (lunch) break. For example taking a boat tour is an attraction but also a moment of rest for the children.
Schedule ‘inside activities’ such as visiting museums, sports games, Broadway shows or shopping so that you needn’t always be outside if it is very hot or if it rains.
There is no hooligan culture in New York; visiting a sports game is fine for the children.
Have lunch outside whenever possible. In the park, for example, there are lots of exciting things to see – which is a lot nicer than eating inside in a hotel or a restaurant.
Consuming alcohol is prohibited for those under 21. This also means that those under 21 are not welcome in clubs and bars (such as rooftops bars).

Below you will find a list with ideas for attractions.

Child-friendly Attractions

Attraction	Age	Duration
Central Park Playground	0 – 12 years	1 – 2 hours
Bleecker Playground	0 – 8 years	1 – 2 hours
Union Square playground	0 – 12 years	1 – 2 hours
Madison Square playground	0 – 6 years	1 – 2 hours
City Treehouse	1,5 – 8 years	1 – 2 hours
Zoos	Age	Duration
Central Park Zoo	2 – 16 years	2 hours
Bronx Zoo	2 – 16 year	2 – 3 hours
Queens Zoo	2 – 16 years	2 hours
Prospect Park Zoo	2 – 16 years	2 hours
Coney Island: New York Aquarium	2 – 16 years	2 hours
Attractions	Age	Duration
Hop on Hop off bus tour	0 – 12 years	1 – 2.5 hours
Central Park rowing boats	4 – 12 years	1 hour
Empire State Building	From 3 years	2 – 3 hours
Top of the Rock	From 3 years	2 – 3 hours
Times Square in the evening	ALL	1 – 2 hours
Roosevelt Island Tram	From 3 years	1 hour
Brooklyn Bridge	From 8 years	1 – 2 hours
Jane’s Carousel	ALL	2 – 3 min
Boat tour around Manhattan	ALL	2.5 hours
Speedboat tour	12 – 18 years	30 mins
Statue of Liberty	From 6 years	4 – 6 hours
Coney Island	From 6 years	4 – 6 hours
Coney Island: Luna Park	ALL	2 – 4 hours
Governors Island	ALL	3 – 4 hours
Children’s Library	1 – 12 years	1 – 2 hours
Cinema 42nd Street	From 4 years	2 – 3 hours
Superheroes Tour	From 12 years	3.5 hours
Museums & Experiences	Age	Duration
Gulliver’s Gate Miniature World	ALL	1 – 2 hours
Trolls The Experience	ALL	1 hour
Intrepid Sea, air and Space Museum	From 3 years	2 – 3 hours
American Museum of Natural History	From 2 years	2 – 4 hours
The Metropolitan Museum of Art	From 6 years	2 – 4 hours
Ripley’s Believe it or Not	From 6 years	1 – 2 hours
National Geographic Encounter	From 6 years	1 – 2 hours
SPYSCAPE	From 10 years	1 – 2 hours
Madame Tussauds	ALL	1 – 2 hours
Sports & Activities	Age	Duration
Cycling in Central Park	From 1 year	2 – 4 hours
Cycling in Downtown	From 1 year	2 – 4 hours
Yankees (baseball)	From 4 years	3 – 4 hours
Knicks (basketball)	From 4 years	2.5 – 3 hours
Rangers (ice hockey)	From 6 years	2.5 – 3 hours
New York City FC (soccer)	From 4 years	2 – 3 hours
Ice Skating (Oct – April)	From 4 years	1 – 2 hours
Bowlmor (bowling)	4 – 18 years	2 – 3 hours
Broadway	Age	Duration
Lion King	From 4 years	2 – 3 hours
Wicked	From 12 years	2 – 3 hours
Aladdin	From 6 years	2 – 3 hours
Frozen	From 8 years	2 hours
Harry Potter	From 10 years	2 x 2.5 hours
Food	Age	Duration
Dylan’s Candy Bar	5 – 16 years	1 hour
Serendipity 3 (order frozen hot chocolate)	6 – 18 years	1 hour
Alice’s Tea Cup	6 – 18 years	1 – 2 hours
Pizza Tour to Brooklyn	8 years and up	half day
Dinner Cruise	From 8 years	3 hours
Themed Restaurants	ALL	1 – 2 hours
Shopping	Age	Duration
Woodbury Common	From 12 years	6 – 8 hours
American Girl Store	From 4 years	1 – 2 hours
Build-A-Bear	ALL	1 hour

Posted in Kids in New York