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 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!
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 permitted in to clubs and bars (such as rooftop bars).
Below you will find a list with ideas for attractions.
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 |
| City Treehouse | 1.5 – 8 years | 1 – 2 hours |
| Zoos | Age | Duration |
| Central Park Zoo | 2 – 16 years | 2 hours |
| Bronx Zoo | 2 – 16 years | 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 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 |
| 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 |
| Speedboat tour | 12 – 18 years | 30 min |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Bowlmor (bowling) | 4 – 18 years | 2 – 3 hours |
| Broadway | Age | Duration |
| The Lion King | From 4 years | 2 – 3 hours |
| Wicked | From 12 years | 2 – 3 hours |
| Aladdin | From 6 years | 2 – 3 hours |
| Frozen | From 6 years | 2 hours |
| SpongeBob | From 4 years | 2.5 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 |
| Theme 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 |
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