New York City is the traveler's hub for fun, entertainment, art, culture, food and drinks, historical monuments, and fascinating sightseeing in the world. Tourists have several of the best things in NYC for teens, adults, and even kids. However, everyone has something interesting for fun and amusement and enjoys exciting monuments to explore the Big Apple.
The city that never sleeps has interesting activities, cultural museums, amusement parks, bars, clubs, and exciting NYC nightlife for everyone. But here we discuss the amusing activities, fun, entertainment spots, exciting events, and things to do in NYC with kids.
The little ones have lots of things to enjoy and can explore the Big Apple with their families and friends. Let's see the fifty best fun things to do in NYC with kids.
Fifty Exciting and Fun Things to Do in NYC with Kids
NYC has fun for everyone, but little ones can explore as much as they can, and there are various free things to do in NYC with kids. Several exhibitions in museums, seasonal festivals, events, and educational workshops in the city are held every season for kids for their entertainment, growth, and educational purposes. Let's explore the fun places in NYC to visit with friends, kids, and your family in the Big Apple.
1. Enjoy the Ride on Sea Glass Carousel in NYC
Sea Glass Carousel is a unique ride that gives you exciting vibes to be in an underwater world and move around the ocean creatures while enjoying the carousel. It's made of giant fiberglass fishes, portraying a fascinating aquatic scene and feeling like a deep dive into marine life. The little ones feel excitement and thrills while riding on this special carousel. This unique, fascinating carousel is in Battery Park and decorated with glittering and illuminating changing colors and shimmering lights, displaying remarkable ocean vibes. It's great fun for teens, young ones, and little ones.
2. Amusement in Central Public Park in NYC
NYC has various lavish green public parks, and one of the most famous and huge public parks in Manhattan is Central Public Park. It has several stunning activities and fascinating scenes around the lavish green trees, floral blooms, turtle ponds, lake water, and the bridge on the lake. The Central Park Zoo is the main exciting spot where kids can explore wildlife. Several other activities, such as musical concerts, food festivals, street performers, and food stalls in the park, are awesome activities for kids and families. Central Public Park has a great carousel for kids and fun for the little ones. However, there are several things to do in Central Park for teens, kids, adults, and even seniors.
3. Sightseeing Tours in Cruises with Kids in NYC
Sightseeing Cruise tours are the most exciting things to do in NYC this summer. It's a fantastic activity with kids in NYC in the spring and fall seasons to explore NYC's skyline and hoop around Staten Island, Ellis Island, and Governors Island. Explore the iconic landmarks, stunning scenes, Great Lady Liberty Statue, Fabulous Skyscrapers, and illuminating city lights on the luxurious cruises, relaxing outdoor decks displaying breathtaking NYC skyline panoramic views with cool fresh sea breeze. Get memorable photo ops and stunning clicks for social media, and enjoy live entertainment, music, dance, yummy food, and buffet dinners at the sightseeing cruises.
4. Fun with Kids on the Little Island in New York City
As it's named The Little Island, it's not a specific island, but it's a public park and unique entertainment spot in NYC floating on the Hudson River like an Island. It's a fascinating artificial island, and the tulip petals-shaped lush green park looks like a tulip flower blooming on the surface of the great Hudson River in NYC. Kids will love the fantastic greenery, water waves, cool breeze, flower blooms, and refreshing vibes at this stunning spot with their friends and family.
It is great for photo ops, and it has a theater for fun events, arts, and cultural festivals for everyone without any tickets for entry. It's a fantastic public entertainment spot for families and kids for free entry any weekday.
5. Madame Tussauds Museum for Kids in NYC
Madame Tussauds Museum is the world-famous wax museum in New York City, and it's one of the most weird things to do in NYC.
It has stunning wax figures of famous characters and celebrities, displaying an immersive experience to explore the superheroes' wax statues, looking real and alive. Popular superstars, vocalists, comic characters, models, and pop singers stand alive at this iconic wax museum. The popular and latest display exhibitions and immersive shows are the Ghost Busters, Stage on Broadway, Marvel Superheroes, Runway at the Fashion Experience, Tonight Show, Glow Gala, Icons of Horror, and Clown Chaos, an immersive game ride for thrills and chills.
6. Spy Scape Museum for Kids in NYC
Spy Scape Museum is an immersive experience for spy games, a secret intelligence world, observation, and testing skills, breaking the codes, and high challenges for high-tech intelligence. The museum organizes various events and sells interesting and unique gadgets and games at the Spy Scape shop. It's a brilliant spot to develop spy and intelligence skills for kids and teens.
7. Entertainment for Kids on the Governors Island in NYC
Governors Island is another free public entertainment spot with various great things in New York for first-timers, kids, and families. It's open to the public from March to October and from Spring to Fall season. It's a fantastic, lush green island and has various fun and amusement activities, seasonal festivals, celebrations, and more. The most interesting activity is traveling through the water ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn to Governors Island. It's a fabulous journey to explore the Lady Liberty Statue and the city's skyline and enjoy a refreshing sea breeze while hooping around the water waves on the ferry.
Kids can enjoy the bike rides and explore the lavish green island, the Hammock Grooves, play around the lush green parks, climb over the hills to get stunning waterfront views, play around the huge slides and the longest slide in NYC, enjoy delicious meals and snack bites from various food trucks and cafes at the island. It's a fantastic day out with kids and family to enjoy the picnic and fun.
8. American Museum of National History for Kids in NYC
The American Museum of National History is the world's largest museum that displays the giant dinosaur fossils, bones, and artifacts of natural history. The popular exhibits are the Hall of Human Origins, the Hall of Ocean Life, which holds the giant model of a blue whale, the Rose Center of Earth and Space, and the Discovery Room. The kids and teens will learn about human and animal history and explore the world's greatest historical artifacts, fossils, and bones with interesting facts.
9. The Best Pizzerias for Kids in NYC
Pizzas and cheesy pasta are always mouthwatering meals for everyone, especially for kids. Little ones love mac n cheese, cheesy pasta, and pizzas. Whether it's New York-style pizza, Italian or Neapolitan-style pizza, oven-baked or wood-fired pizza, kids love all cheesy slices. There are several famous pizzerias in Little Italy, China Town, Times Square, Soho, Brooklyn, Greenwich Village, and more. Pizzas are the most popular food to try in New York for everyone. Joe's Pizzeria, Uncle Paul's Pizza, John's of Bleecker Street Pizzeria, Juliana's Pizzeria, and Song E Napule Pizzeria are the most famous pizza spots for their yummy and flavorsome pizzas and pasta.
10. The Best Ice Creams for Kids in NYC
Ice cream is the most attractive thing for kids and teens. The cold, fruity flavor scoops, sundaes, cones, ice cream shakes, and sweet treats are the loveliest attractions for kids, and they can get great ice cream iconic spots for awesome flavor variations and fascinating themed decorations for kids in NYC.
- Ample Hills Creamery Ice Creams,
- Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain,
- China Town Ice Cream Factory,
- Milk and Cream Cereal Bar Ice Creams,
- Eddie's Sweet Shop,
- Ditchers Pharmacy Soda Shop,
- Kith Treats Ice Creams,
- Momo Fuku Milk Bar Ice Creams,
- Sam's Fried Ice Creams,
- and Sundaes and Cones Ice Creams are the most flavorful, yummy ice creams in NYC.
11. The Broadway Theater Shows for Kids in NYC
Broadway Theater is the most popular fun and live entertainment spot in NYC for everyone. The theater displays lots of musicals and live performances for kids and little ones. The popular shows are Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Lion King, The Wicked, back to the Future, and The Little Shop of Horrors.
12. The Sesame Street Musical Show for Kids in NYC
Sesame Street was a previously popular kids’ TV show, and now it has fantastic puppet characters performing live in Sesame Street Musical Show for little ones. The Kiddo's classic musical theater show is held at Rockefeller Center, and all the classic characters of the Sesame Street crew perform live with original songs and outstanding puppet performances.
13. The Christmas Spectacular Musical Show for Kids in NYC
The Christmas Spectacular Musical Show displays stunning costumes, characters, Fabulous Santa Claus, wooden soldiers, and fantastic dance and music performances from the famous Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall. This fabulous, huge musical and dancing live show is great holiday fun and entertainment for kids and families.
14. The Gazillion Bubble Show for Kids in NYC
The Gazillion Bubble Show in Hell's Kitchen is an outstanding live performance of Bubble artistry and great entertainment for kids. The sparkling lights and dazzling music with stunning colorful bubbles display a great, spectacular scene. Kids can enjoy catching small and giant soapy bubbles and a lovely show for a unique, fun experience.
15. The Illuminate Dance Show for Kids in NYC
The Illuminate Dancing show in Hell's Kitchen is remarkable live entertainment for kids and families. Fantastic dancers wearing illuminating and lightening costumes perform magickal dance and musical live entertainment for kids and families. The former software engineer and America's Got Talent winner displays fascinating technology and dance moves, outstanding styles, glowing costumes, stunning choreography, and dazzling music to create fabulous scenes, and kids will love the sparkling moves on the music.
16. The Monday Night Magic for Kids in NYC
Monday Night Magic is a fantastic magic show for teens and kids. The show displays comedy, circus, and magic moves along with the audience interaction and the kid's lovely participation. The show has a variety of magic stunts and a mix of hilarious moves. The show is suitable for kids of the age of six and above with families.
17. The Luna Park on Coney Island for Kids in NYC
The Luna Park on Coney Island in NYC is a huge entertainment hub for kids and families. The park has several fun and amusement activities, large playgrounds, shopping and dining options, a boardwalk, and exciting rides for kids. The popular rides and activities are;
- Water Racer
- Luna Arcade
- Sky Chaser
- Tony's Express
- Circus Candy
- Rainbow Wheel
- Fire Petrol
- Atlantic Aviator
- Coney Clipper
18. The China Town Fair Arcade Games for Kids in NYC
The China Town Fair is the Arcade and Amusement games spot for kids and teens at the popular location, China Town, NYC. Kids can enjoy the latest video arcade games at a gaming-themed spot decorated with iconic illustrations and colorful paint. Kids can play the famous Street Fighter, Strike and Marvel, Beat Mania, Rerave Plus, and Neon FM with fun contests and attractive prizes.
19. The Laser Bounce Arcade Games for Kids in NYC
The Laser Bounce arcade games spot is in Queens, NYC. It's a fantastic kid's gaming arena, and the arcade bounce game zone offers the famous Mission Impossible Laser Maze game with 3D and laser effects. The fun gaming bounce zone is in a shopping mall, and it has a food court with a variety of delicious food for kids.
20. The Dave and Busters Gaming Arena for Kids in NYC
The Dave and Busters is a famous restaurant in Times Square with a gaming theme and a fantastic gaming arena for kids. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Times Square. It has a bowling alley, shuffleboard games, and awesome arcade games for kids, teens, and adults. The famous arcades are Jurassic Park Arcade games, Candy Crush Saga Arcade games, Kung Fu Panda Arcade games, Batman Arcade games, Star Wars Arcade games, Grand Prix Arcade games, and many more with fantastic challenges and prizes.
21. The Funtopia USA Gaming Arena for Kids in NYC
Tons of amusement, excitement, and fun are waiting for kids and teens in the Funtopia USA gaming arena. It's a fun spot full of fun and jam-packed with kids around the arcade games. It has awesome Bumper Car rides, Tunnels, Slides, Tube playgrounds, a Time Freak playground, Laser Tag, a Toddler Area, a Jungle Gym Gaming Arena, and a ball Balladium. The famous Arcade games Fruit Ninja, Pac-Man, and Frogger are part of a hundred games in the gaming arena.
22. The Bronx Zoo for Kids in NYC
Bronx Zoo is a fantastic, fun place for kids. It's the largest zoo in the United States, and it offers wild encounters. It has over 6000 great wild animals, woods, and water streams displaying the real forest scene and wildlife. The e-tickets are available on the website, and you can get a printed copy before entry.
23. Enjoy Whales and Dolphins Watch with Kids in NYC
The Whales and Dolphins watching in their natural habitat is an exciting activity for your kids in New York City. The Atlantic Ocean Sea shores in NYC are the natural habitat of marine creatures. You can take a cruise tour from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, to the deep ocean while you can encounter the Dolphins and Whales diving into the ocean. It can be great photo ops to share your loving memories with your friends.
24. Explore the Seashores of the Atlantic Ocean with Kids in NYC
The stunning beaches of NYC are fabulous picnics and fun with family and kids. Enjoy water sports, take a sun bath on an air lounger, and enjoy a sunny day at the Beach. The famous NYC beaches are;
- Rockaway Beach,
- Coney Island Beach,
- Fort Tilden Beach,
- Jacob Riis Park Beach,
- Jones Beach-Long Island,
- Cherry Grove Beach, Long Beach,
- Orchard Beach-Bronx,
- Robert Moses State Park Beach-Long Island,
- Gunnison Beach,
- Midland Beach-Staten Island,
- Brighton Beach,
- Manhattan Beach,
- Bayshore Waterfront Park Beach,
- South Beach-Staten Island,
- Cooper's Beach,
- and Main Beach.
25. Enjoy Kayaking with Kids in NYC
Enjoy Kayaking and boating in the summer in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan. Get the fantastic paddle boarding or Kayaking rides at Manhattan Kayak Club, and enjoy the water waves, refreshing breeze, and sunny days with stunning clicks and fun with kids.
26. Explore the New York City Aquarium with Kids in NYC
The New York City Aquarium on Coney Island is a fantastic display of ocean creatures and great close-ups of marine life. Kids can enjoy watching fascinating creatures and fishes and learning about ocean creatures while watching them in Playquarium, Ocean Wonders the Sharks, Wild Encounters for Penguins, Sea Lions, and Dolphins. The Aquarium holds five hundred marine species and eighteen sharks on display.
27. Pumpkin Picking Activity for Kids in NYC
Pumpkin picking is one of the most famous activities in the Fall season in NYC. Before the Halloween festival, it's a tradition that kids have to pick pumpkins from the farms to make Jack o' Lanterns and light up on Halloween evening. Here are a few of the best pumpkin-picking spots for kids in NYC;
- Queens County Farm Museum-Queens
- Pumpkin Point-Governors Island
- Happy Day Farm-NJ
- Decker Farm-Staten Island
- Lewin Farms-Long Island
- Hanks Pumpkin Town
- Dykeman Farms
- Fishkill Farms
28. Headless Horseman Children's Day for Kids in NYC
Headless Horseman the Haunted Hayrides celebrates as a Children's Day event in Ulster Park, NYC, from October 8 till October 22. The horror-themed event displays various activities like Tiny Taste of Horror, Magic Moon Maze, A Haunted House, A Haunted Garden, A Dino Zone, Dance, and Musical performances. Kids can enjoy the Pre-Halloween event for fun and amusement with friends and family in the Fall season.
29. Museum of Ice Cream for Kids in NYC
The Museum of Ice Cream is one of the most iconic and delicious spots for kids and teens in SoHo, NYC. It has thirteen multi-sensory iconic installations, an ice cream pool of sprinkles, an indoor ice cream portal with slides, and an ice cream rainbow tunnel. Get the stunning clicks to share on social media and enjoy the taste of yummy ice creams with fun and play around.
30. Color Factory for Kids in NYC
The Color Factory is a great, colorful world filled with vibrant color installations to embrace the senses of the kids and little ones. The fun exhibition has bright, colorful balloons, vibrant shades of infographics, a massive pit ball, and various complimentary treats for kids during the tour. A complimentary color map is offered at the end of the journey. Kids and teens will enjoy the cherished vibes and lively ambiance of the Color Factory.
31. Lego Land Park for Kids in NYC
Lego Land is a great amusement park just an hour's drive outside New York City. It's a Lego-themed Park, and the entire park has Lego rides, carousels, games, sculptures, art, and more. There is much more fun for kids: food, drinks, games, activities, music, and more. It's a budget-friendly park for families and kids.
32. Hop-on and Hop-off Tours for Kids in NYC
Hop-on and Hop-off bus tours in New York City are easily accessible for everyone, and the best way to learn more information about the city is while hopping around on the double-decker bus. They give you live commentary and information for each thing you will explore on the tour while watching the cityscapes. It's an open-air bus that gives you a full street tour of the city. Kids can learn and watch streets, roads, sky towers, boutiques, bars, restaurants, billboards, and various interesting places closely.
33. Yankees Stadium Sports Leagues for Kids in NYC
Yankees Stadium held various sports leagues for the famous Yankees team players in New York City. The Yankees team players are the world champions, and kids can enjoy the exciting baseball match, thrills, chills, and live entertainment at the stadium. Enjoy the famous hot sausages and hot dogs from food stalls, food trucks, and shops to purchase souvenirs and gifts at the stadium.
34. Madison Square Garden Sports Events for Kids in New York City
Madison Square Garden is the other famous sports arena in New York City. Kids can enjoy the sports leagues and the remarkable performance of the Knicks and Rangers, the famous team players with their family and friends. Madison Square Garden is also the home of concerts, musical Shows, and other live performances, but the famous sports events are great fun for kids in NYC.
35. Small is Beautiful Exhibition for Kids in New York City
Various museums and art exhibitions are held in NYC, and tourists can explore the world's greatest history and information on every aspect of the Big Apple. There are various options for kids, and the Small is Beautiful exhibition is another great amusement for the fascinating tiny art and various small artifacts and sculptures on display.
36. Brooklyn Children's Exhibition for Kids in New York City
The Brooklyn Children's Museum is a great place to explore sensory exhibitions for educational and sensory growth. The famous exhibitions are the Air Maze exhibit, Totally Tots exhibit, The Nest exhibit, Neighborhood Nature exhibit, and World Brooklyn, which are small-size shops specific for kids. The kids can participate as shopkeepers, grocers, bakers, and more to learn, play, and develop community skills.
37. Museum of Manhattan for Children's Exhibition in New York City
The Children's Museum of Manhattan is a famous place for kids' entertainment in NYC. The museum displays fabulous art and exhibitions for kids' educational and personal growth and development. The famous exhibitions are the Adventures with Dora and Deigo exhibit, Create, Climb, and Collaborate Exhibition, Play Works Exhibition, Dynamic H2O Exhibit, and Early Learning City Exhibition. These unique Play works and exhibits enhance the kids' educational skills, sensory skills, and troubleshooting skills with fun and entertainment.
38. Stroll at the Brooklyn Bridge Park with Kids in New York City
The Brooklyn Bridge waterfront Park at the Dumbo is a great free entertainment for kids and families. Stroll at the Brooklyn Bridge's lush green park and enjoy the fresh breeze and the stunning scenes of the Brooklyn Bridge. The kids can play around and enjoy the slides and carousels, fun, and food with family.
39. Roosevelt Island Tram Ride with Kids in New York City
NYC has fascinating spots to explore and entertain everyone. You can enjoy the fabulous ride at the Roosevelt Island Tram with kids to explore the stunning scenes and panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and flowing river. Get the ride from the Upper East Side, Manhattan, to Roosevelt Island.
40. Kids-Friendly Dine-in Spots in New York City
Dine in with your little ones at the kids-friendly restaurants in NYC. There are several themed restaurants for little ones decorated with bright, colorful themes, famous comic characters, game characters, and Disney characters art on the walls. Kids can get more delicious snack bites, yummy food, and sugary treats for kids, like hot chocolate, cakes, pastries, pasta, pizza, hamburgers, sausages, mac n cheese, and donuts. Alice's teacup kid-friendly restaurant, Juniors Cheesecake kid-friendly restaurant, and Stardust restaurant are the most popular ones in NYC
41. Explore the Observatory Spots with Kids in New York City
New York City skyscrapers and the illuminating skyline are the greatest tourist attractions in the world. There are various observatory spots in the city to enjoy the stunning views from the breathtaking heights of the tallest skyscrapers and explore the cityscapes while walking in the clouds. The kids will enjoy the panoramic scene with family and have memorable moments with their loved ones. The One World Observatory Deck, Summit Vanderbilt Deck, The Edge, and the Top of the Rock Deck are the famous spots to explore the city skyline from the heights.
42. Explore the Children's Adventure Garden with Kids in New York City
Visit the New York Botanical Garden with your kids and explore the Children's Adventure Garden space in the Botanical Garden. It's a dedicated garden space for little ones where they can play and grow their specific plants and flowers. They can enjoy various small exhibits and play sections in the garden space and enjoy the lush greenery and fresh flowers around.
43. Explore the Seaport Museum with Kids in New York City
Explore the Seaport Museum with kids as they can learn the history of seaports, marine artifacts, transport, and ships. The exhibitions are the Seaport Discovery Exhibition, the South Street Exhibit, and the Migrants and Millionaires Exhibit.
44. Play in NYC Playgrounds
Kids can play, enjoy, and have fun with friends in New York City playgrounds. The children can enjoy the slides, swings, sea saws, jumping jacks, and much more. Famous playgrounds are Heckscher Playground, Ancient Playground, Chelsea Waterside Park Playground, Domino Park Playground, Sidehill Playground, Imagination Playground, Pier Twenty-five Playground, The Battery Park Playscape, Brooklyn Bridge Park Playground, and the Beach Thirty playground in Rockaway, NYC.
45. Enjoy Fun Games in Thousand Boxes
The kids can enjoy the fun games in the live game show Thousand Boxes. Full of excitement, thrills, and stunning moves, kids can enjoy the immersive experience and party games with tests, collections, and prize winnings at the game show.
46. Sugar Hills Kids Museum in New York City
Sugar Hills Kids Museum in Harlem, New York City, is another entertainment and fun place for kids where they can enjoy art and storytelling activities, free fun parties, music, face paintings, and arts and crafts workshops. The live exhibitions are the Moses Ros exhibit, Untold Stories exhibit, Where Face the East exhibit, and the Playing the exhibition.
47. The Holiday Train Show for Kids in New York City
The Holiday Train Show at the Grand Central is a remarkable, fun experience for kids and young ones. The train show displays the iconic landmarks of the grand city, the mini railroads, and tiny trains moving while marking the iconic places of the Big Apple. It's a fun and informative show for kids to learn more about transport and landmarks in the city.
48. The Big Bubble Experiment for Kids in New York City
The New York Hall of Science held the big bubble experiment for kids. Kids can stretch, pop, and watch closely the bubbles blowing and learn the science of bubble raising. They can learn the methods and the use of tools for bubble science and solutions, enjoy the colorful bubble stretching and bright, colorful patterns, and how to raise the bubbles from soap water.
49. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree for Kids in New York City
The Holiday season is the best time to stroll around the city with kids and explore the Christmas lights, dance, music, street performances, and window shopping. The Rockefeller Christmas giant tree is one of the most fabulous icons during the holiday season for kids. The giant tree is decorated with thousands of multi-color LED lights and ornaments sparkling like a star at night.
50. The Winter Village for Kids in New York City
The Winter Village in Bryant Park is a stunning entertainment festival for kids in NYC. There are various activities and fun for everyone. It has an outdoor rink for ice skating, food stalls and cafes, holiday markets, shopping spots, slides, rides, and much more.
51. The Hudson River Park for Kids in New York City
The Hudson River waterfront park is an iconic spot for entertainment, refreshing air, and relaxing spot for everyone. Kids can play around the lush green space and explore the fun events and activities in the park. It has various sections and piers for different activities, and the most famous are the Little Island and the Chelsea Waterside Park.
Conclusion
New York City has plenty of art and cultural exhibitions, museums, amusement parks, beaches, public playgrounds, events and festivals, and kids-friendly cafes and restaurants for children where they can find more entertainment, fun, and education. These events, educational workshops, and exhibitions help to grow and develop their sensory skills, educational, and physical skills to become valuable assets in society.
Explore fun things in Woodstock, NY, and more kid-friendly options in other boroughs of NYC and get updates on the latest attractions for kids and families.
