What to do in New York with kids

Wondering what to do in New York with kids? For children of all ages, there is so much to see and explore. Some people think that New York is not a suitable city for children, but my two little kids love it here and there is always something to keep them occupied. You needn’t be afraid to bring your children to New York: Manhattan is very safe. 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!

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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.
• Visit one of the best observation decks in New York for a fun experience.
• Schedule ‘inside activities’ such as visiting museums, sports games, Broadway musicals for kids 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 a hotel or a restaurant.
• Consuming alcohol is prohibited for those under 21. This also means that those under 21 are not permitted into clubs and bars (such as rooftop bars).

Below you will find a list with ideas for things to do in New York with the family.

Child-friendly Attractions

 

Playgrounds	Age	Duration
Central Park Playground	0 – 12 years	1 – 2 hours
Bleeckerstreet 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 years	3 – 5 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
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
Summit	From 3 years	2 – 3 hours
Evening in Times Square	ALL	2 – 3 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
Whale Watching	ALL	3.5 hours
Speedboat tour	12 – 18 years	30 min
Statue of Liberty	From 6 years	4 – 6 hours
Coney Island	From 6 years	4 – 6 hours
Governors Island	ALL	3 – 4 hours
Children’s Library	1 – 12 years	1 – 2 hours
Cinema	From 4 years	2 – 3 hours
Superheroes Tour	From 12 years	3.5 hours
Theme Parks	Age	Duration
Luna Park	ALL	2 – 4 hours
Deno’s Wonder Wheel	ALL	1 – 2 hours
LEGOLAND New York	2 – 12 years	5 – 8 hours
Nickelodeon Universe	ALL	2 – 4 hours
DreamWorks Water Park	ALL	4 – 5 hours
LEGOLAND Discovery Center	3 – 10 years	2 – 3 hours
SEA LIFE Aquarium	ALL	1 – 2 hours
Museums & Experiences	Age	Duration
Intrepid 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
SPYSCAPE	From 10 years	1 – 2 hours
Madame Tussauds	ALL	1 – 2 hours
Sloomoo	From 3 years	1 – 2 hours
Color Factory	ALL	1 – 2 hours
Sports & Activities	Age	Duration
Biking in Central Park	From 1 year	2 – 4 hours
Biking Downtown	From 1 year	2 – 4 hours
Yankees (baseball)	From 4 years	3 – 4 hours
Knicks (basketball)	From 4 years	2.5 – 3 hours
New York City FC (football)	From 4 years	2 – 3 hours
Ice Skating (Oct – Apr)	From 4 years	1 – 2 hours
Bowlero (bowling)	4 – 18 years	2 – 3 hours
Broadway	Age	Duration
The Lion King	From 6 years	2 – 3 hours
Wicked	From 8 years	2 – 3 hours
Aladdin	From 6 years	2 – 3 hours
Harry Potter	From 10 years	3.5 hours
Gazillion Bubble Show	ALL	85 min
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
Dinner Cruise	From 8 years	3 hours
Theme Restaurants	ALL	1 – 2 hours
Shopping	Age	Duration
American Dream Mall	ALL	6 – 8 hours
Woodbury Common	From 12 years	6 – 8 hours
American Girl Store	From 4 years	1 – 2 hours
Build-A-Bear	ALL	1 hour
CAMP	3 – 12 years	30 min
Nintendo Store New York	From 4 years	30 min
Sport Stores New York	ALL	1 hour