This guide on the best things to do in New York City with kids was written by Antonina Pattiz, founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
Visiting New York City with kids is no easy task (mostly thanks to the inevitable crowds). But, if you manage to pull it off, you’ll find yourself immensely rewarded, these memories will last a lifetime! As a 10-year local, I wanted to provide a list of my favorite things to do with kids in NYC. I’ll include some budget options, as well as a few places that are worth the price of admission. Let’s dive right in!
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The 10 Best Neighborhoods for First Timers +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Visiting New York City With Kids | Free Things to Do
(Table of Contents)
Table of Contents: Fun Things to Do With Kids in NYC
- Visiting New York City With Kids | Free Things to Do
- Affordable Things to Do in New York City with Children
- Fun Activities in New York City with Kids (Admission Required)
- Things to Do with Kids in New York City (Post Summary)
- Activities for Kids in NYC (FAQ)
- Map of Fun Activities in New York City for Kids
Visit the Harry Potter Store
I’ll be honest with you, I never got into the Harry Potter craze. So, I wasn’t expecting much when I paid a visit to the Harry Potter Store and yet I found myself thoroughly impressed.
The entire store is a mythical wonderland, no wonder parents consider this one of the best activities in New York City with kids. The store spans two floors and has a small cafe that sells butter beer. Brace yourself for crowds of shrieking children, the joy is hard to hide.
Visiting the Harry Potter store is one of the best free things to do in New York City with kids (if you can get out without splurging on merchandise, that is). But, I must admit, the chocolate frogs make great souvenirs!
Website: Harry Potter Store
Address: 935 Broadway, New York, NY
Explore Central Park (and the Zoo!)
We can’t talk about the best things to do in New York City with kids without mentioning the masterpiece that is Central Park. There’s a reason it’s on everyone’s must-see list when visiting The Big Apple.
Spanning more than 840 acres, Central Park is an architectural feat that few can resist falling in love with. There’s so many fun activities in the park, for guidance, I suggest reading 15 ICONIC Central Park Activities You Can’t Afford to Miss.
There’s a ton of playgrounds and meadows for kids to run wild. Just make sure you don’t miss Belvedere Castle because climbing to the top is one of the best NYC activities for kids. Plus, if your kiddo loves zoos, make sure to check out the Central Park zoo as well.
Located within Central Park, the zoo features a tropical rain forest, bear exhibit, chilled penguin house, and a pool for sea lions (among other things). While visiting Central Park is free, touring the zoo requires admission. If interested, you can read more about the Central Park Zoo.
Walk the High Line
Before the High Line was even conceived, this area was used as an elevated rail-line for freight trains delivering cargo. The demand for this service became moot with the rise of trucking so the railroad was abandoned and neglected until Mayor Bloomberg approved a plan to transform it into a city park.
The High Line was opened in 2009 and became an instant success. The elevated promenade stretches for 1.5 miles and receives an average 8 million visitors annually. It’s a great park for kids too! During the summer months there’s a handful of vendors selling balloon animals and ice cream.
Website: The High Line
Address: 30th Street at Hudson Yards
Featured in: 15 Iconic New York City Parks (Even Locals Love)
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge & Ride Jane’s Carousel
This scenic 1-mile walk across the Brooklyn bridge usually takes 30 minutes. If you manage to wrangle the kids into this activity you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of the city. As such, walking across the bridge is one of the best free things to do in New York City with kids.
You can even see the Statue of Liberty (which will give you plenty to talk about)! Plus, having photos of your kids on the bridge is a priceless memory. Once across, head to DUMBO to explore the trendy area before ending your tour at Jane’s Carousel.
Jane’s Carousel is a beautiful vintage wooden carousel that dates back to 1922. Riding the carousel ($2 per person) is an iconic NYC experience for families (the views are spectacular). Then, if you’re feeling peckish, head to the Time Out Market for a bite.
Visit the Oldest Toy Store in America
When it comes to iconic toy stores in New York City, FAO Schwarz tops the list. Founded in 1862, FAO Schwarz is officially the oldest toy store in America. The original location closed in 2015 but recently re-opened in a new location at Rockefeller Plaza.
Kids are encouraged to participate in a ton of free daily activities like book readings, magic shows and music performances guaranteed to entertain them for a little while. Local’s Tip: This is also a great place to pick up a special NYC souvenir to commemorate the trip.
Website: FAO Schwarz
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Swing by The Lego Store
How many cities have an entire toy store dedicated to Legos? Featuring an immersive digital shopping experience to inspire creativity, families can design their own Lego creations to bring home. If you’re visiting New York City with little kids, you absolutely must swing by the Lego Flagship store on 5th Avenue.
There’s also impressive life-sized Lego creations throughout the store that are guaranteed to keep your kids entertained for a while. It’s also worth noting that the Lego store is located right across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I suggest popping in for a quick visit as well, it’s the most beautiful church in New York City.
Website: The Lego Store
Address: 636 5th Ave, New York, NY
Featured in: 15 Exciting NYC Toy Stores Guaranteed to Inspire Kids
Visiting NYC with Kids in the Summer?
Make your way to Bryant Park! Bryant Park hosts “Movies in the Park” every Monday and Tuesday. The lawn opens at 5pm and family-friendly movies start at sunset. Bring a cozy blanket and arrive early because it gets busy. There’s no better way to end a summer evening in New York City with kids than by watching a movie in the park.
Affordable Things to Do in New York City with Children
Ride the Public Ferry
After you’re done enjoying the trendy DUMBO area, take the ferry to Wall Street. The NYC ferry is a true crowd-pleaser and a great way to rest your legs while taking in the epic skyline of the Big Apple. And since the NYC Ferry is part of the public transportation network, rides are only $4.00 per person.
Kids will love it as much as adults. I take all my out-of-town visitors on the ferry and folks rave about it for years after, it’s very memorable!
Take the Tram to Roosevelt Island
The views of NYC from the Roosevelt Island tram are some of the best in the city, which is why I consider this one of the best things to do in New York City with kids. The tram takes you from the Upper East Side to Roosevelt Island for the price of a subway ride ($2.95).
The trip to Roosevelt Island is a nice way to escape the bustle of the city and have a few calm moments to regroup. Make sure to swing by Four Freedoms State Park while on the island. It’s a memorial dedicated to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, celebrating the “Four Freedoms” he articulated in a speech in 1941.
Fun Activities in New York City with Kids (Admission Required)
Explore the American Museum of Natural History
Welcoming 5 million visitors per year and spanning all aspect of the natural world, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is considered one of the greatest natural history museums in the world.
Don’t miss the Hall of Ocean Life where you’ll have an opportunity to see a life-size model of a 94-foot blue whale — it’s an experience your kids won’t soon forget. The mind-blowing collection of taxidermy mammals (many donated by Teddy Roosevelt) are remarkable and have captivated the imaginations of children and adults for years.
Website: American Museum of Natural History
Address: 200 Central Park West, New York
Featured Guide: 15 Best Things to See at the American Museum of Natural History
Take in the Views from Top of the Rock
If your kiddo isn’t afraid of heights and you’re looking for the absolute best views of NYC, make a beeline for the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. Visitors can access three separate indoor/outdoor observation decks on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors. The subsequent panoramic views from this iconic building makes this one of the best observation decks in NYC (ranked by locals).
From the Top of Rock you’ll see the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building and the One World Trade Center. This is a fun New York City activity for kids and I guarantee you won’t forget the experience anytime soon.
Website: Top of the Rock
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Catch a Broadway Show
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Broadway Shows are expensive. But dang, the experience is unforgettable and so fun for kids visiting NYC for the first time. If this activity feels like it might be out of your price range, you may be able to score a deal on tickets at the ticket booth in Times Square (TKTS).
Don’t let the extra step confuse, the concept is pretty simple (I’ve done it several times). Simply go to the booth at Times Square (it’s right across the street from Olive Garden) and ask which shows have availability for the night. I scored $100 tickets to Aladdin a few weeks ago and my friend’s 5 year old was at the edge of her seat the entire night.
There’s a lot of great shows to choose from and I would budget at least one during your visit. Catching a live performance of a favorite film is one of the most unique thing to do in NYC with kids, and I guarantee they’ll absolutely love it!
Helpful Guide: I’ve seen so many Broadway shows over the years, here’s a round of my favorite: 10 Brilliant Broadway Shows (For All Age Groups)
Visit the Statue of Liberty
Dedicated in 1886, Lady Liberty was gifted to the United States from France, to celebrate of 100 years of Independence. I can’t think of a single movie (or show) filmed in NYC that doesn’t include the Statue of Liberty.
Kiddos have been seeing Lady Liberty on the screen for years, so why not take them directly to the source? Just brace yourself for hearing “I saw that!” whenever they see her on the big screen after your trip.
Website: Statue of Liberty
Location: New York City
Featured in: 11 (Important) National Park Sites in NYC
Explore the New York Transit Museum
Dating back to 1904, New York City’s robust transportation system is one of the busiest and oldest in the world. Thankfully, visitors can take a walk down memory lane and explore vintage subway cars parked in a decommissioned subway station.
Located in Brooklyn, this is one of the most fun actives in NYC for kids. The museum covers a century of subway history and each car displays era-appropriate ads, which makes for some fun age-appropriate humor.
Kids are able to explore the inside of vintage cars (some dating back to 1903), sit inside the driver’s cabin and admire vintage walk signs and transit furniture. Make sure to study the impressive photographs that highlight the evolution of the subway system. It’s fun for the whole family!
Website: New York Transit Museum
Address: 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY
Featured in: 10+ Great Museums for Kids in New York City
Surviving NYC with kids: 10 Memorable Manhattan Bars (you’re welcome!)
Things to Do with Kids in New York City (Post Summary)
- Get Lost at the Harry Potter Store
- Explore Central Park
- Walk the High Line
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge (& Jane’s Carousel)
- Swing by Lego’s Flagship Store
- Visit the oldest toy store in America
- Catch an outdoor movie in Bryant Park
- Ride the Ferry
- Take the tram to Roosevelt Island
- Visit the American Museum of Natural History
- Take in the Views from Top of the Rock
- Explore the New York Transit Museum
- Visit the Statue of Liberty
- Explore the Museum of Ice Cream
- Catch a Broadway Show
Activities for Kids in NYC (FAQ)
(FAQ: Visiting NYC With Kids)
It’s hard to beat the memories your family will make while visiting NYC. From soaring skyscrapers to world-class museums (not to mention the best pizza in the country), kids of all ages are bound to have a great time in NYC. This list of activities is sure to make that happen.
The subway is a very efficient way to get around the city while exploring NYC with kids. It’ll get you everywhere you need to go quickly, plus children under 44 inches tall ride for free when they’re with a fare-paying adult.
Absolutely! The population of NYC is nearly 8.5 million (it’s the most populous city in the country) and kids make up a large portion of that. You’ll see kids daily while visiting NYC as a family.
To set yourself up for success, I suggest keeping the trip to 3-4 days. If your children are used to city-living, you can easily extend the time. But you definitely don’t want to overwhelm them (there’s so many great things to do in NYC with kids!)
Related Articles (Visiting NYC With Young Kids):
15 Charming New York City Toy Stores (Local’s Guide)
15 Dessert Spots in New York City to Visit with Kids (Worth the Sticky Mess)
10+ Great Museums for Kids in New York City (Educational & Fun)
15 Festive Things to Do for Christmas in New York City with Kids
Map of Fun Activities in New York City for Kids
Cheers!
thank you for your suggestions. i will be in nyc in june with 6 young grandchildren, one of whom has a severe allergy to nuts and peanuts. i have researched restaurants in all areas that may br safe for my darling charlotte, but the few i can find are primarily bakeries. are you able to help with this problem that is so limiting for so many? thank you.
Unfortunately we’re not too familiar with restaurants that steer clear of nuts, but hopefully someone in the comments will be able to help. Enjoy New York!
Get them hotdogs at Gray’s Papaya near Central Park. They’re great! My kid loves them.
@Robert Rodriguez, that’s a great suggestion! Especially since Central Park is a must-do with kids.
Thank u for this amazing article! Short and to the point!
@Natalia Gargula, my pleasure, thank you for the kind words!
My grandsons will be coming to NYC after the holidays and I was wondering where to take them this year! We’ve done so many fun things over the years, but I’m hoping to shake things up. I think we’ll do the ferry and air/space musuem this year, looks like it will be fun for them. Thank you for your great list!
Maxine from the Upper East Side
Hi Maxine, sounds like you know how to have a great time with your grandsons, how wonderful! Let us know if they enjoyed the museum, it’s a great one for kids!