The 10 Best Things To Do With Kids In NYC

Are you taking your kids to New York City? Maybe your grandchildren or your nieces and nephews? The City is filled with fun, kid-friendly (and budget friendly) places and activities. Read on for my top 10 things do do with kids in New York City!

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1. Summit One Vanderbilt

This is NYC’s newest and BEST (in my opinion) elevated view. Located on floors 91-93 of One Vanderbilt, it has floor to ceiling windows with mirrored floors and ceilings, and several different experiential rooms which enhance the 360 degree views. It’s breathtaking!

2. Central Park

It’s impossible to grasp the magnitude of Central Park until you go. There is so much to do in the park that it’s the perfect place to spend the day with your kids. It has ice skating, row boats and a zoo (all seasonal), multiple playgrounds, rock formations for climbing, carriages and it’s always a great place for a picnic or an easy stroll.

3. Grab a slice!

It can be difficult to please everyone in a family, but pizza is usually a sure bet! There are countless by-the-slice pizza joints throughout the city where you can walk right in and choose a slice out of the case to be warmed up and eaten on the spot. My favorites are Bleecker Street Pizza, Two Boots and NY Pizza Suprema.

4. Go to a show

It does’t have to be a Broadway show, but it sure could be! Kids’ love Lion King, Aladdin and Mrs. Doubtfire. But other shows and performances like The Rockette’s during the holidays, The Blue Man Group or STOMP are fun and engaging for all ages.

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5. American Museum of Natural History

This museum is incredible and HUGE! With kids, I think it is best experienced in 2-hour increments. There is just so much to see. I love the African Animals Exhibit especially. Each display is a work of art. It’s also a great value at only $13 for child admission (ages 3-12), $18 student admission (with ID) and $23 adult admission.

6. Color Factory

The Color Factor is just plain fun. It’s hard to explain but it’s a series of fun and interactive rooms with music, color, treats, an enormous ball pit and a ton of fun photo stations. You leave with a gallery of photos (included in your ticket price) documenting your experience! Kids LOVE it.

7. DUMBO

This waterfront area of Brooklyn is super fun to explore with your kids. A Quick $2.75 ferry ride from Manhattan only adds to the experience. Along the waterfront on the Brooklyn side is Brooklyn Bridge Park which is the home of Jane’s Carousel. The Time Out Market is an indoor food hall with a bunch of family friendly options. And you must visit the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. It’s the best!

8. Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

What can I say that you don’t already know? I guess that you should definitely book your tickets in advance and plan on at least 4 hours for the total experience. From the check-in to the ferry ride to the tour and then getting back, be sure that you give yourself enough time to take it all in.

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9. Watch a sports event

From basketball to hockey, football to baseball, there is almost always something going on in NYC for a kid who is interested in sports. We most recently went to a New Jersey Nets game, which was very high energy and exciting! Tickets were easy to get and it was fun to take the subway to the game with all the fans.

10. Treats!

New York City is filled with incredible bakeries and places to get sweet treats. I think it’s fun to make a list and check off as many as you can! Even if you just get one cookie and share it amongst everyone, it’s fun to develop a ranking system and to see what everyone prefers and if they live up to the hype! My favorites are Chip City, Levain, Magnolia, Milkbar and Maman. Need GF or Vegan options? Message me and I’ll send you my list!