14 Things To Do With Kids in NYC

If you're planning a family trip to New York, chances are you'll want to set aside some time to make plans with the kids. That way they can also have fun and make the most of their holiday in this city.

With these 14 things to do with kids in New York, you're sure to have a great time and plenty of memories and anecdotes to take home with you when you return.

Taking the kids to see a Broadway musical (New York's theatre mecca) is one of the most fun things to do as a family in the city.

Even if you're not a fan of these types of shows or don't speak English, the kids will love immersing themselves in the fantasy world that the fabulous musical numbers, characters and spectacular sets full of colour, music and special effects transport them to.

The best musicals for children

And if you want to book a Broadway musical, there are many and varied options of musicals specially designed for children, it will be an experience the little ones will never forget!

• Book tickets for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular: first performed in 1933, this all-ages musical is a New York City Christmas tradition. If you're travelling with your family to the Big Apple for Christmas, you can't miss it!
• Book tickets for The Lion King Broadway: this famous Disney movie is also on Broadway. It is a classic that has already been seen by 60 million people from all over the world. However, this show is recommended for children over 8 years old.
• Book tickets for Aladdin Broadway: another Disney classic that is also a hit on Broadway and that you can enjoy with your children, as long as they are over 6 years old, they will be thrilled!
• Book tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: If you have a fan of the Harry Potter universe in your family, this is the perfect plan if you are travelling to New York with children over 10 years old.
• Book tickets for Back To The Future: Who doesn't remember Doc Brown, Marty McFly and his inscrutable DeLorean? Yes, I know, your kids are too young to be familiar with the Back to the Future trilogy, but this Broadway show is suitable for ages 6+, so you can definitely enjoy it together.
• Book tickets for Wicked: what better way to rediscover the magical world of Oz with your children than on Broadway, where better? This musical is recommended for ages 8 and up.

If at home you always watch NBA games on TV with your family, how can you not take advantage of being in New York to fulfil a dream and attend a New York Knicks game or see the Brooklyn Nets in person?

You'll have a blast! Not just because you're passionate about basketball, but because NBA games are a true spectacle of music, dancing and partying- a show in capital letters! The madness and the atmosphere that this sport awakens in the city is an amazing experience that you can't miss with the kids in New York. It will be an unforgettable memory of your holidays!

So now you know, get your tickets for the NBA in New York and get your team's jerseys to cheer them on to the title!

Visiting the Bronx Zoo is one of the most fun things to do with kids. Around 6,000 animals of hundreds of different species live here. Amazing, isn't it? Many of these creatures are endangered, so a visit to the Bronx Zoo is a great way to teach children about the importance of caring for the environment while having fun seeing them up close.

In fact, the Bronx Zoo has an area inside the park especially for kids called The Children's Zoo where they can pet and feed the animals in the pen - they'll have a blast and it'll be one of the best memories of their New York holiday! So be sure to book your tickets to the Bronx Zoo.

Remember to buy your Bronx Zoo tickets online as you'll need to book your visit to the park in advance, I'll tell you all about it in the Bronx Zoo Tickets post!

If your trip to New York coincides with the Christmas season and you love Christmas decorations and lights, you've got to book a Christmas tour of Brooklyn and check out the neighbourhood of Dyker Heights! A place that has become famous because every year the locals, imbued with the Christmas spirit, put on a huge display of decorations and lights to carefully decorate their homes "the American way" for Christmas.

Kids will love it because there are snowmen, elves, reindeer and Father Christmas everywhere. Walking through the streets you'll think you're on the set of a typical American Christmas movie like "Home Alone" and the like. There are even guided tours of Dyker Heights that will take you to see the most picturesque spots in the neighbourhood!

Be prepared because you've never seen anything like it! If you like the idea of seeing the Christmas lights in this Brooklyn neighbourhood, before you go with the kids I recommend you read my article how to visit the Dyker Heights Christmas lights in New York where I tell you how to get the most out of this experience.

While New York may seem like an asphalt jungle, it actually has plenty of parks where you can take a stroll as a family and let the kids play freely. Both in the gardens and in the playgrounds that are often set up there.

Here are some of the parks in New York that you can visit on your holiday:

• Bryant Park (Midtown Manhattan): one of the smallest parks in the city where you can relax and enjoy nature. It has a small vintage merry-go-round that the kids can ride for some fun. The ride costs $3.
• Battery Park (Lower Manhattan): one of the most beautiful parks in New York with spectacular views of the harbour. Near Castle Clinton is The Battery Fountain, a curious fountain with jets coming out of the ground that the kids love to play in during the summer (bring swimming costumes just in case!). And to the east of the park is the SeaGlass Carousel, which you can ride for $5.
• Domino Park (Brooklyn): This park has a very unique industrial style because it was built on the site of a former sugar refinery in the area. Kids will love playing on the slides and grown-ups will love the beautiful views of New York City in the background.
• Slide Hill (Governor's Island): On this island in New York Bay, the little ones can play on the giant slides of Slide Hill and, if you're up for it, you can even take the plunge yourself, even if you're not a kid anymore.

and don't miss Central Park

Central Park, the most visited park in the United States, deserves a special mention. It will delight young and old alike, whether you're simply strolling through its 340 hectares or enjoying the many leisure and entertainment options it has to offer:

• Walk through Central Park with a guided tour: for two hours you will be able to explore the nooks and crannies of the park and a guide will explain its secrets and curiosities. The little ones will be fascinated when they get to the zoo, the setting for the film Madagascar, and if they are a little older they will be amazed by the Bethesda Fountain, the location of the final scene of The Avengers.
• Book tickets for the Central Park Zoo: surprise your little ones with the setting of the movie Madagascar. And, who knows, you might even meet Alex, Melman or Gloria...
• Rent some bikes to ride around Central Park: what could make a child happier than riding a bike? This way they'll enjoy themselves, do some sport and use up their energy while you cycle around the most famous park in the world in a fast and fun way.

Who says visiting museums is boring? This could be a cliché in any city, but in New York there is a wide variety of museums for all tastes and ages, including, of course, for the little ones at home:

• Be amazed by the wax figures at Madame Tussauds: the kids will have a blast and it's an experience they'll remember forever. They can walk through the Madame Tussauds Museum from bottom to top taking as many photos as they want of the wax figures and posing on the sets with characters such as E.T., King Kong or Ghostbusters.
• Become spies at the Spyscape Museum: Do your kids dream of being spies? In this interactive adventure designed by a former head of the Intelligence Service, young and old alike will discover what kind of spy they would be and put themselves to the test by overcoming different challenges.
• Discover the American Museum of Natural History: Visit what is arguably the best family attraction in New York. The American Museum of Natural History has no less than 35 million objects including animal fossils, life-size reproductions and minerals, which will amaze young and old alike!
• Marvel at the Sea, Air and Space Museum: if your little ones are crazy about ships, submarines, planes or spaceships, you can't miss this museum, which is also located on the aircraft carrier Intrepid, at Pier 86.
• Enjoy with all five senses at the Museum of Ice Cream: what child doesn't like ice cream? In this original interactive museum you can taste exotic flavoured ice creams from all over the world, go down a three-storey slide or take a dip in a bathtub full of coloured shavings - a sensory experience!

Aquariums, botanical gardens, sensory experiences... New York is the perfect city to do everything your kids have always dreamed of and more!

Be sure to visit one or more of these attractions on your visit to the city that never sleeps, it will be absolutely unforgettable!:

• Book tickets for the New York Aquarium: this is the oldest aquarium in the United States, home to 350 marine species. Not only will you be able to observe penguins, sharks and sea lions, but you will also be able to see how their keepers feed them and interact with them.
• Book tickets to the New York Botanical Garden: being surrounded by nature in the middle of the asphalt is a break for the senses that your kids will appreciate. Plus, you can take a tram ride through the 50 different gardens at the botanical gardens, which your kids will love.
• Book tickets to the Nickelodeon Universe theme park in New Jersey: go for a super fun day out at one of New York's best amusement parks. Characters like the Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob SquarePants await you on roller coasters for all ages. Plus, the park is covered, so it's perfect for a rainy day.

Taking a cruise is always a good plan if you are travelling with kids for several reasons: on the one hand, almost all children like to try different means of transport, and they definitely love sailing on a boat. On the other hand, it's a great way to unwind after a day of walking or visiting the different attractions New York City has to offer.

Depending on your tastes, you have several options:

• Book a daytime Circle Line cruise to the Statue of Liberty: this tour lasts one hour, has a guide who will explain the history of the most important monuments along the way and get you close enough to the Statue of Liberty to take some great photos.
• Book a Circle Line evening cruise to the Statue of Liberty: this cruise starts at 19:00 and lasts two hours, so it won't be too late, even if your little ones go to bed early. Plus, you're on holiday!
• Book a sunset cruise on the Hudson River: for an hour and a half, you can watch the New York skyline as you enjoy the sunset aboard a classic 1920s-style yacht.

If there's one thing New York has, it's an amazing skyline. And if there's one thing most kids love, it's climbing to the heights and gazing at the views at their feet like little birds.

That's why visiting one or more of the viewpoints in the city that never sleeps is a great plan for children and adults alike:

• Book tickets for the Empire State Building: go up to the main observatory of the Empire State Building, located on the 86th floor, and admire the incredible views of the Big Apple from every possible perspective. Your kids will be amazed!
• Book tickets for the Top of the Rock observation deck: from the top of Rockefeller Center you'll get another 360º panoramic view of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Get your camera ready, and get ready to take some amazing pictures.
• Book tickets for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: if going up to the height of the clouds will thrill your little ones, when you take them to the hall of mirrors they'll be left open-mouthed. Not to be missed!
• Book tickets for The Edge Observatory: thisobservation deck is located at 345 metres above sea level, and from it you will be able to enjoy a full panoramic view of the Big Apple. The glass floors will test the vertigo of the little ones... or yours!

I'm sure the kids will love to ride a boat and sail the waters around New York City like intrepid sailors in search of adventure, so how about taking them on the NYC Ferry for a little while during your holiday? If they've never been on a boat before, they'll be thrilled!

Plus, this option allows you to see the beautiful Manhattan skyline from a different perspective, and you can also travel to other New York boroughs for a trip to Brooklyn or Governors Island if you feel like exploring other areas of the city. And for very little money because riding the NYC Ferry is only $2.75 and children under 1.10 metres are free.

It's a great experience to do, especially in spring and summer when the weather is nice and you can enjoy the sunshine, sea breeze and views from the top deck of the ferry. The trip on the NYC Ferry is very pleasant and there's even a café on board where you can get a snack in case the kids get the munchies.

In case the kids have never ridden a cable car before, in New York you can head to the Upper East Side to ride the Roosevelt Cable Car, which connects Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. It's great fun for the whole family and quite inexpensive as you only need a Metrocard, the same card you use to travel by bus or underground.

Although not one of the most popular tourist attractions, the Roosevelt Cable Car has a lot of charm and beautiful views of New York. You'll be amazed when you see that you're floating in the air above the East River! On the way down you can take a short sightseeing tour of Roosevelt Island as there are several cool things to see.

Kids can take the opportunity to run and jump around the island's playgrounds in the Main Street area and The Octagon. You can even visit a cat sanctuary and meet these cute little animals - they'll have a blast!

If you're visiting New York during the winter, you'll have the chance to go ice skating at one of the rinks that are set up all over the city. It's one of the coolest things to do with kids in New York and the perfect place for them to play for a while and have fun doing tricks.

What's more, you'll get some fantastic photos with a very wintry look. Which ice rinks can you go to in New York?

• Wollman Rink (Central Park): has beautiful views of the park landscape on one side and the city's iconic skyscrapers on the other. When you finish skating you can go for a hot chocolate at Wollman Café, the ice rink café.
• The Rink (Bryant Park) is located on the grassy area inside the park and in the middle of the Christmas market stalls. If you bring your own skates, access is free, but if you don't, don't worry, you can rent them.
• Rockefeller Rink (Rockefeller Plaza): you will recognise this ice rink from hundreds of movies. It is one of the most typical ones, but sometimes there are queues to get in. However, skating next to the giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is an unforgettable experience.

If you want to buy the kids some souvenirs of their stay in the city, you'll find plenty of shops in the city where their eyes will glaze over and they'll lose track of time - it's all about toy shops in New York! Here are some of the most curious ones to visit with children.

• FAO Schwarz: this is the most iconic toy shop in the city and you'll find it in Rockefeller Center. At the entrance you'll be greeted by an employee dressed as a tin soldier who, if you ask him, will take a souvenir photo with the children. Inside you will discover a toy paradise - I'm not exaggerating!
• Disney Store: if you love the Disney, Marvel or Star Wars universe, you can't miss the shop in Times Square, in the heart of New York. It's amazing!
• Lego Store: also in Rockefeller Center and in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral, you'll find the famous building blocks shop, with two floors! If you're a Lego fan, you'll love it.
• Build-A-Bear Workshop: in this toy shop, the little ones can get their own personalised souvenir of New York. All they have to do is choose a stuffed animal and they can fill it out and dress it up as they like, which is great, right?

Even if they're travelling thousands of miles away from home, kids still have a sweet tooth and won't forgive a sweet tooth (and neither will adults!). If you want to indulge your sweet tooth during your holiday in New York, you have to visit some of the most original candy shops in New York- there's something for everyone!

• Economy Candy: You'll find this candy paradise on the Lower East Side. Despite its small size, the shop is packed to the rafters with candy of all flavours, colours and shapes. Plus, the prices are pretty cheap (items are available for $0.99), hence the name.
• Dylan's Candy Bar: A must-stop for those with a sweet tooth on the Upper East Side, the shop has three floors brimming with over 7,000 types of candy! A dream come true for millions of children.
• M&M's World: another must in Times Square for those with a sweet tooth. Here you can buy lots of sweets and merchandising from the brand. It will be hard not to leave with a bag of chocolates.

Buy your tickets in advance

New York is one of the most visited cities in the world each year and it's no wonder that many of its attractions are packed with visitors.

It is essential to plan your trip to New York and book your tickets in advance so that everything goes smoothly. Oh, and remember that in Hellotickets you will find many tickets with direct access option, to avoid long queues that could bore and impatience your children.

When buying tickets, you should take into account the following tips:

• Most Broadway theatres do not admit children under the age of 4 (these are policies set by individual theatres).
• None of the theatres sell children's tickets for Broadway musicals, so all patrons must pay the same price for tickets.
• As for whether children can go to NBA games for free, it really depends on the team: the policy at Madison Square Garden (home of the New York Knicks) says that children who have reached the age of two must have a ticket. Meanwhile, at the Barclays Center (home of the Brooklyn Nets), children up to 34" can get in for free if they share a seat with a ticketed adult who accompanies them.

Choose the best time for activities

Kids generally get up early and go to bed early. This is ideal in a city like New York, where many of the attractions get fewer visitors first thing in the morning:

• A good time to go skating with children at the ice rinks is early in the morning and on weekdays, as there are hardly any people. In addition, skating and standing "aids" are free of charge before 11am.
• If you want to see the Christmas lights at Dyker Heights, I recommend arriving a little before dark to catch the lighting, which in New York happens around 4.30pm in December. It's a magical moment!
• I recommend riding the cable car around midday when it's less crowded. Don't forget that it's a means of transport that connects Roosevelt Island to Manhattan and that New Yorkers use it to get around. So it's best to avoid the rush hours between 7am and 9am and 5pm and 7pm in the evening.
• The best time to visit museums is usually early in the morning on weekdays. Also, the kids will be more receptive and less tired from the day. Afterwards, get out in the fresh air and explore!
• NBA game days are a special time in New York. I recommend that you get to the stadium at least an hour in advance so you don't get caught in the middle of the game. That way you can go through security calmly, browse the souvenir and snack shops, find your seats in the stands and experience the pre-game atmosphere with the cheerleaders' dances, the anthem and the players' entrance onto the court.

Plan how to get around

No one likes to waste time getting around, least of all impatient children who are eager to get to their destination. So in a city as huge as New York it is even more important to consider how best to get to each attraction.

For example, the NYC Ferry is less frequent than the underground, but depending on the route and the day of the week there are different frequencies. My advice is to check the schedules on the website beforehand so that you can board on time.

However, a great way to get around while taking advantage of the time to see the sights of the Big Apple is to book a seat on the New York sightseeing bus, which has many advantages:

• You can choose tickets for one or two days, depending on how long you'll be in the city.
• You can hop on and off as many times as you like, so you can use it to get a first look at the city, as a means of transport between attractions or just to rest your legs for a while.
• Thanks to the mobile app, you'll know exactly when the bus is due, so you can plan your transfers to perfection.
• There are two routes to choose from: Uptown, which passes Madison Square Garden, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, the Metropolitan Museum, MoMa and Central Park; and DownTown, which passes Broadway, Wall Street, Battery Park, Little Italy, Chinatown and Soho.

Best family-friendly areas to stay in New York City

:::link|text=New York has a number of neighbourhoods|element=sc-1-564::: that are great to stay in if you're staying with children, as they combine proximity to attractions, convenience and family-friendly activities. In my opinion, the best family-friendly areas to stay in New York are as follows:

• Upper East Side: this residential neighbourhood is very well connected by underground and is within easy reach of two of the children's favourite attractions, Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History.
• Brooklyn Heights / Dumbo: This is a very safe and family-friendly area with riverside parks, the popular Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park. It is also easily accessible by underground from Manhattan.
• Upper East Side: located on the east side of Central Park, this is an elegant and safe neighbourhood with many cultural activities such as the Central Park Zoo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Chelsea / Flatiron: offers activities for the youngest members of the family such as the High Line elevated park, markets such as the Chelsea Market and a wide range of restaurants.
• Midtown Manhattan (near Bryant Park or Times Square): it is a more crowded area, although it has a wide range of hotels and very popular activities such as the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum or the popular toy store FAO Schwarz.
• Battery Park City (Downtown): close to World Trade, it is a quiet area with green areas, where you will find plenty of walking spaces, leisure areas and quiet hotels.

In addition, it is important that you take into account a number of factors when choosing your accommodation if you are travelling with children: proximity to the underground to move around easily and look for flats and hotels with kitchen and common areas for your comfort.

Recommendations for visiting New York with young children (0-5 years)

When travelling with the youngest members of the family, it is important to bear in mind a series of recommendations:

• Plan breaks: don't cram too many activities into one day. Alternate activities and visits with time to rest in parks.
• Use transport: the metro is the most convenient, but bear in mind that there are no lifts.
• Weather and clothing: in winter, it is important to take thermal clothing, coats, hats and gloves; and in summer, use sunscreen, light clothing and a hat to cover your head.
• Parks and green areas: if you have a busy day, take breaks in parks. New York has plenty to offer.
• Avoid crowds: crowded places and locations, such as Times Square, can be overwhelming for young children. Go at off-peak hours - early in the morning is a good option.
• Useful apps: MyCityWay NYC, for finding family-friendly restaurants, playgrounds and restrooms; KidPass, for last-minute reservations and family activities; and Citymapper, for using public transportation.
• Don't forget: snacks and drinks, baby carrier, folding pram and portable changing mat.

Free activities for children in New York

New York offers a wide variety of free activities. Here are a few highlights:

• Visit the American Museum of Natural History: fascinating for children of all ages, this museum features dinosaur exhibits, the planetarium and numerous activities. There is a suggested price, but you can pay what you want, so it is accessible to all families.
• Discover Central Park: this is undoubtedly the park par excellence, ideal for families. There you will find the Heckscher Playground, the largest playground in the park; or the Central Park Zoo, which offers free admission on special occasions. In addition, the park has numerous trails and picnic areas.
• Enjoy the playgrounds: New York has several playgrounds such as Domino Park in Williamsburg or Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
• Walk along the High Line: an elevated park built on an old railway line with green areas that will amaze the little ones at home. It offers a dazzling panoramic view of New York.
• Visit the Museum of the Moving Image: an interactive space on the history of film, television and video games, with free admission on Thursdays from 2pm to 6pm.
• Explore the Staten Island Ferry: it is free and offers an incredible view of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.
• Check out the public libraries: they offer free programmes and activities for children, such as storytelling, educational activities and workshops.

Best times of the year to visit New York with children

When choosing the best time to visit New York with children, keep in mind that each season has its advantages:

• Spring (April to June): the weather is pleasant (between 10°C and 25°C), it's a great time for outdoor activities and there are fewer tourists than in summer.
• Summer (July to August): water parks and playgrounds with fountains are open to the public and there is a wide range of outdoor events and activities for children.
• Autumn (September to November): the weather is just as pleasant as in the spring and the parks are just as beautiful with seasonal colours. There is also not much tourism.
• Winter (December to March): the magic of Christmas will dazzle you with its lights, switch-on events, skating rinks and decorated shop windows.

Museum and interactive centre activities

New York has so many museums and interactive centres that it's hard to decide, but here's a list of my favourites:

• American Museum of Natural History: my favourite, great for kids and adults alike with its dinosaur exhibits.
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: it is a very original museum, with an aircraft carrier as the main character. It combines history and adventure, with interactive activities.
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): everyone knows about MomMa but not everyone knows that it has activities and family programmes for the youngest members of the family.
• The Met Cloisters: this museum transports children to medieval times, in the middle of nature.
• The Staten Island Children's Museum: a museum with a firefighting area, climbing areas and craft workshops.
• Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM): a museum designed exclusively for children aged 0-6, with themed areas and interactive exhibits (sensory areas, construction workshops, art and music) focused on learning through play.
• Liberty Science Center: an interactive science museum, with fossil-finding dig areas, tactile exhibits, live experiments and educational projection theatre.
• Brooklyn Children's Museum: and last but not least, don't miss the world's first museum dedicated to the youngest members of the family, with construction spaces and a sensory garden, among many other activities.