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 cobblestones 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 35% 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 |
| 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 |
| Edge | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
