Family-friendly NYC is full of unforgettable adventures, no matter how old your kids are. From hands-on museums to sprawling parks, interactive exhibits, and epic toy stores, New York City can be surprisingly welcoming to families traveling with children. Whether you’re wrangling a toddler or trying to impress your too-cool teenager, the city offers an amazing variety of things to do that go beyond the usual tourist stops. And many of them are affordable or even free.

Planning a family trip to NYC can feel a little overwhelming at first, especially with younger kids. But don’t worry, most neighborhoods have a park, café, or activity nearby where kids can run, snack, and unwind. Plus, the city’s transit system makes it easy to hop from one activity to the next without too much walking (or whining). The best part? New York lets you mix classic sightseeing with fun, educational, and kid-friendly moments, so everyone gets a little of what they want.

Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, you’ll find that NYC has more than enough to keep your whole crew happy. From dinosaur fossils to giant carousels, ferry rides, indoor climbing walls, and pizza-making classes, there’s something for every age and energy level. Here’s a look at ten of the best things to do in NYC with kids: complete with insider tips to make your day smoother.

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Top 10 Things to Do in NYC with Kids

1. American Museum of Natural History

• Location: Upper West Side, Manhattan
• Best for: Ages 4–14
• Budget: $–$$ (pay-what-you-wish for general admission; extras like the planetarium cost more)
• Nearest Transport: B/C to 81st St–Museum of Natural History
• Insider Tips: Go early to beat school groups. The dinosaur and ocean halls are kid favorites. Download the app for self-guided tours.

2. Central Park Zoo & Tisch Children’s Zoo

• Location: Central Park (East 64th St & 5th Ave)
• Best for: Ages 2–10
• Budget: $$
• Nearest Transport: N/R/W to 5th Ave–59th St or 6 to 68th St–Hunter College
• Insider Tips: The Tisch Zoo has a petting area and climbing features for little ones. Grab hot dogs or soft pretzels at nearby carts.

3. Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM)

• Location: Upper West Side, Manhattan
• Best for: Ages 1–10
• Budget: $$
• Nearest Transport: 1 to 79th St or B/C to 81st St
• Insider Tips: Avoid weekends if possible—it gets crowded. Bring a change of clothes for the water play area.

4. Brooklyn Children’s Museum

• Location: Crown Heights, Brooklyn
• Best for: Ages 1–9
• Budget: $–$$ (free Thursday afternoons)
• Nearest Transport: 3 to Kingston Ave or A/C to Utica Ave
• Insider Tips: It’s America’s first children’s museum. Check the calendar for pop-up art labs and cooking classes.

5. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

• Location: Pier 86, Midtown West
• Best for: Ages 6–16
• Budget: $$$
• Nearest Transport: A/C/E to 42nd St–Port Authority + 15-min walk
• Insider Tips: Great for space and aviation fans. The Space Shuttle Pavilion and submarine tours are a must.

6. Governor’s Island

• Location: NYC Harbor (accessible via ferry)
• Best for: Ages 3–15
• Budget: $ (ferry: $4 adults, free for kids under 12)
• Nearest Transport: 1 to South Ferry or R to Whitehall
• Insider Tips: Rent surrey bikes, visit the playgrounds, or enjoy family-friendly festivals in summer. Pack a picnic!

7. New York Hall of Science

• Location: Flushing Meadows, Queens
• Best for: Ages 5–14
• Budget: $$
• Nearest Transport: 7 to 111th St
• Insider Tips: Hands-on science exhibits, mini-golf, and a huge outdoor playground. Closed Mondays.

8. Jane’s Carousel

• Location: DUMBO, Brooklyn (Brooklyn Bridge Park)
• Best for: Ages 1–8
• Budget: $
• Nearest Transport: F to York St or A/C to High St
• Insider Tips: Ride at sunset for amazing skyline views. Pair it with pizza from Juliana’s or ice cream from Ample Hills nearby.

9. FAO Schwarz Flagship Store

• Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown
• Best for: Ages 3–13
• Budget: Free to enter; shopping optional!
• Nearest Transport: B/D/F/M to Rockefeller Center
• Insider Tips: Try the iconic giant piano from Big and personalized candy walls. Avoid mid-afternoon weekends—it’s chaos.

10. NYC Ferry Ride (Any Route)

• Location: Various piers citywide
• Best for: All ages
• Budget: $ (same fare as subway—$4)
• Nearest Transport: Varies by pier
• Insider Tips: Take the East River route for the best skyline views. Sit on the upper deck and bring snacks!

11. Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)

• Location: Flatiron District, Manhattan
• Best for: Ages 7–15
• Budget: $$
• Nearest Transport: R/W to 23rd St
• Insider Tips: Surprisingly fun even for kids who “don’t like math.” Interactive exhibits involve climbing, riding, and gaming.

12. Domino Park

• Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
• Best for: Ages 2–12
• Budget: Free
• Nearest Transport: L to Bedford Ave or NYC Ferry
• Insider Tips: The industrial-style playground is a favorite for active kids. Grab tacos from Tacocina right inside the park.