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 |