Things to do in NYC with Kids Map

Places to play, eat and visit in New York City with kids. Including restaurants, playgrounds, museums, gardens, zoos and outdoor play. Curated by PamPam.

Staten Island

Staten Island Children's Museum

Historic Richmond Town

100-acre site exploring the diversity of the American experience, from colonial days to the present.

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Staten Island Museum

General interest museum covering arts and science.

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Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens

Alice Austen House Museum

Museum chronicling Victorian photographer Alice Austen, set in one of the oldest homes in New York.

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Ellis Island

Island in New York Harbor in the United States of America

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Manhattan

A short ferry ride ($4 round-trip, free for kids under 12) leads to this family-friendly island with Slide Hill, featuring four unique slides, including a 57-foot-long slide for thrill-seekers. The adjacent Hammock Grove and play lawns offer space for kids to run or relax. Best for ages 5-12, with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty. Seasonal (May-Oct), free entry to the island, no reservations needed. Bring a picnic or grab food at nearby vendors

Hester St. Playground

A compact but creative playground with unique rope platforms and climbing structures that encourage adventurous play for ages 4-12. Its urban setting near Chinatown offers a local feel, and it’s less crowded than Central Park spots. Kids love the dangling rope nets, while parents appreciate nearby benches. Free, with restrooms at Seward Park nearby. Great before or after visiting the Lower East Side Tenement Museum for a history lesson

Play Street Museum

An interactive play space designed for kids up to age 8, featuring a “Town Square” with immersive exhibits like a doctor’s office, pet shop, and fire station. The giant train table and sensory kits engage young imaginations, and weekly themed activities add variety. It’s less crowded than larger museums, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Great for rainy days, with reserved play sessions or private bookings. Admission: ~$20-$25 per child, adults free with child. Book online in advance.

Little Island

Interesting park & structure..

Shake Shack

A reliable choice for families, Shake Shack serves tasty burgers, hot dogs, and shakes. It’s popular, so expect a wait, but the food is affordable and kid-friendly. Eating on nearby park benches can be a fun option if tables are full.

Lombardi’s Pizza

Known as one of the first pizzerias in the U.S., Lombardi’s offers classic New York-style pies that kids love. The walk through the kitchen to your seat adds a fun touch. It’s cash-only, so plan ahead, but the pizza is a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Alice’s Tea Cup

Perfect for a magical afternoon tea experience, with a “Menu for the Small” including grilled cheese, peanut butter and jam, and cookies. The Alice in Wonderland-themed decor delights kids, and vegan options are available.

Serendipity

Famous for its whimsical decor and Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, this spot is a kid’s paradise with a menu featuring mac ‘n cheese, burgers, and decadent desserts. It’s ideal for a fun, indulgent experience, though it can be busy and pricey.

Parm

This Italian-American restaurant offers a kids’ menu with pasta and chicken tenders, but kids also love sharing dishes like meatball parmesan subs. It’s a great choice after visiting nearby attractions like the One World Observatory. The casual vibe and limited reservations keep it family-friendly.

The Meatball Shop

A casual spot with a simple kids’ menu (meatballs, sauce, and a side) that appeals to picky eaters. Their ice cream sandwiches are a fun dessert. The laid-back atmosphere makes it easy for families to relax.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Located near Times Square, this iconic diner features singing servers performing Broadway and pop tunes, making it a hit with kids. The menu includes kid-friendly options like burgers, waffle fries, and nachos. Expect lines, so arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on Broadway matinee days (Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays).

Bubby’s

A Tribeca staple for over 30 years, Bubby’s is known for comfort foods like homemade pancakes, pies, and burgers. It offers a kids’ menu with favorites like mac ‘n cheese and chicken strips, suitable for all ages. The spacious setting and welcoming vibe make it ideal for families.

Staten Island Ferry

Ride this fun orange ferry, great views and ride it back and forth for free.

Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art and Storytelling

Public Art Fund

No Longer Empty

Creative Time

Chashama

Whitney Museum

Museum exclusively featuring 20th-century & contemporary art by American artists, most still living.

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New Museum

Museum of Modern Art

Museum of Jewish Heritage

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Museum of Chinese in America

Museum of Arts and Design

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Morgan Library and Museum

Museum and library.

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Lincoln Center David Rubenstein Atrium

Performing arts center with some kid friendly performances.

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Jewish Museum

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International Center of Photography

Guggenheim Museum

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Asia Society and Museum

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Taller Boricua

Studio Museum in Harlem

A cultural gem showcasing African American art, with family programs like hands-on art workshops for kids. Free family Sundays with storytelling and crafts. Suggested donation: $7/adults, free for kids under 12.

National Museum of the American Indian

Museum of the City of New York

El Museo del Barrio

Metropolitan Museum of Art / The Cloisters

Medieval art in a French monastery.

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International Print Center New York

CUE Art Foundation

Art gallery featuring contemporary artists.

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The Center for Book Arts

Aperture Foundation Gallery

American Museum of Natural History

Discover fascinating exhibits on dinosaurs, space, and more at this renowned museum that will captivate both kids and adults.

American Institute of Graphic Arts National Design Center

American Folk Art Museum

Pier 26 Science Playground

Fun waterfront park with a structure shaped like a whale.

Complete Playground

Ticketed indoor playground.

Teardrop Park

Fun play area that includes a splash pad in the summer.

Seaglass Carousel

Fun carousel with an underwater and mermaid theme.

Battery Playscape

Fun playground that includes a splash pad in the summer time.

Vesuvio Playground

Martin F Tanahey Playground

Ps 194 Playground

Marx Brothers Playground

Dry Dock Playground

Papaya King

Donohue's Steak House

Juliana's Pizza

Jazz Standard

John's of Bleecker Street

Serving delicious pizza since 1929, take out only.

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IDT Megabite Cafe

Bouley at Home

Liebman's Deli

Deli open since 1953.

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Katz's Delicatessen

Old school deli serving up sandwiches since 1888.

L'Abeille

Lutèce

Lafayette

Paris Cafe

Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant

Quo Vadis

Pastis

Carnegie Deli

Nintendo

Nintendo experience in New York.

Lego Store

Retailer showcasing the brand's colorful building sets & bricks, plus figurines & toys.

Dylan's Candy Bar

Explore the colorful and sweet world of Dylan's Candy Bar, a popular destination for kids and candy lovers alike.

Toys 'R' Us Times Square

Visit the iconic Toys 'R' Us store in Times Square, known for its wide selection of toys and interactive displays.

FAO Schwarz

Experience the magic of this legendary toy store with its giant piano, interactive displays, and a vast array of toys for all ages.

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CAMP Store

Discover a whimsical toy store offering interactive experiences and creative toys in the Flatiron District.

Bryant Park

public park in Manhattan, New York City, USA

South Street Seaport

historic location in Manhattan

Grand Central Terminal

Beautiful train station in New York City

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Rockefeller Center

Ice skating, christmas tree - iconic plaza.

Union Square

Neighborhood and square in Manhattan, New York City, United States

High Line

urban park on an elevated section of a disused railroad in Manhattan, New York

Empire State Building

Iconic building built in 1931 in an Art Deco style.

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The High Line

A unique elevated park with gardens, art installations, and great views for families to enjoy.

Chelsea Piers

Sports and recreation complex offering activities like ice skating, bowling, and rock climbing for families.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Board a historic aircraft carrier to see fascinating exhibits on aviation, space exploration, and military history that will amaze kids and adults.

Statue of Liberty

Take a ferry to visit this iconic symbol of freedom and explore the history of immigration at the Statue of Liberty Museum.

The Children's Museum of Manhattan

Engage in interactive exhibits and hands-on activities designed to inspire creativity and learning for children of all ages.

Central Park

Enjoy a picnic, visit the Central Park Zoo, or rent a rowboat at this iconic green space in the heart of Manhattan.

Roosevelt Island Tram

Belvedere Castle

Queens

New York Hall of Science

This under-the-radar science museum in Queens, built for the 1964 World’s Fair, boasts a 30,000-square-foot outdoor Science Playground with water features, climbing webs, and physics-based activities. Kids learn through play, exploring pulleys, windmills, and slides. The indoor Maker Space and Rocket Park Mini Golf add more STEM fun. Best for ages 2-12, with a calmer vibe than Manhattan attractions. Admission: $22 adults, $19 kids 2-17, free for under 2. Open Wed-Sun, 10 AM-5 PM.

Queens County Farm Museum

A working farm in NYC, this 300-year-old site offers kids a chance to meet livestock, explore seasonal events like hayrides, and play in open fields. The interactive children’s farm engages ages 2-10 with hands-on activities. It’s a peaceful escape from the city, with free admission (except for ticketed events). Pair with a visit to nearby Flushing Meadows-Corona Park for more outdoor fun. Open daily, 10 AM-5 PM

Domino Park Playground

This playground at Domino Park, built on the former Domino Sugar Factory site, features a tri-level play structure inspired by the industrial past, with slides, climbing nets, and tunnels. It’s designed for safe, independent exploration for ages 2-12, with stunning Manhattan skyline views for parents. The nearby Water Square has in-ground sprays for summer fun, and Tacocina (a Danny Meyer eatery) is steps away for snacks. Free, no reservations needed. Best after visiting the Williamsburg waterfront.

Queens Botanical Garden

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Noguchi Museum

A serene museum showcasing Isamu Noguchi’s sculptures, with free family workshops like Art for Families on second Sundays. The outdoor garden is calming for kids.

New York Hall of Science

Interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for kids to learn about science.

Museum of the Moving Image

Sculpture Center

Queens Museum of Art

Home to the Panorama of the City of New York, a massive scale model of NYC that fascinates kids. Family workshops and art activities are offered regularly.

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Queens County Farm Museum

MoMA PS1

King Manor Museum

Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning

Benniger Playground

Playground

Spirit Playground

Starr Playground

Playground Seventy-Five

Ocean Playground

Hart Playground

Glendale Playground

Seven Gables Playground

Howard Von Dohlen Playground

Briarwood Playground (Jhs 217)

Bowne Playground

Hoyt Playground

Murray Playground

Manton Playground

Queens Zoo

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Bronx

Wave Hill Cultural Center

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center in the Bronx overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades.

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New York Botanical Garden

Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College

Bronx Museum of the Arts

Bridge Playground

Cleopatra Playground

Garrison Playground

Mount Hope Playground

Prospect Playground

Hunts Point Playground

Clark Playground

Morgan Playground

Willis Playground

Saw Mill Playground

Drew Playground

Dawson Playground

Zimmerman Playground

Melrose Playground

Nelson Playground

Black Rock Playground

Daniel Boone Playground

Tiffany Playground

Cedar Playground

Agnes Haywood Playground

Lyons Playground

Admiral Farragut Playground

Fountain Of Youth Playground

Mott Playground

Rev Polite Playground

Belmont Playground

Riverdale Playground

Edenwald Playground

Patterson Playground

Fort Independence Playground

Watson Gleason Playground

Noble Playground

The Cloisters

museum in New York City part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Fort Tryon Park

Scenic Hudson River park features the Cloisters museum & gardens, plus a dog run & playgrounds.

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The Bronx Botanical Garden

A beautiful garden with family-friendly events and activities throughout the year.

Bronx Zoo

Brooklyn

Jewish Childrens Museum

This museum promotes Jewish heritage through interactive exhibits like a kosher grocery store and a Noah’s Ark ball pit. It’s engaging for kids of all backgrounds.

Old Stone House

New York Aquarium

Explore marine life and attend feeding shows at this family-friendly aquarium.

Brooklyn Children's Museum

The world's first children's museum with interactive exhibits and cultural programs.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Lefferts Historic House

Kentler International Drawing Space

Brooklyn Museum

One of the largest art museums in the U.S., it offers kid-friendly programs like Saturday Sketch Club and Stroller Tours for ages 0-2. Exhibits like “Solid Gold” blend art with history, captivating older kids.

Prospect Park

Public park in Brooklyn, New York City

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Jacob Riis Park

Beachfront park in New York City

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Brooklyn Bridge

Iconic bridge.

Coney Island

An iconic amusement park with rides, games, and a beach for families to enjoy.

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Greenpoint Playground

Sixteen Sycamores Playground

Campiz Playground

Marion-Hopkinson Playground

Diglio Playground

Ps 286 Playground

Bedford Playground

American Playground

Pratt Playground

Crispus Attucks Playground

Marlboro Playground

Tilden Playground

Heckscher Playground

Albert J. Parham Playground

Rudd Playground

Russell Pederson Playground

Kelly Playground

Luna Park Playground

Martinez Playground

Hickman Playground

Bushwick Playground

Palmetto Playground

Greenwood Playground

Marcy Playground

St Andrews Playground

Zero Otto Nove

Brick oven pizza perfect after going to the zoo.

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Owl's Head Park

Trails, areas for picnics, and hills for sledding.

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Museum of the Moving Image

A media museum with interactive exhibits on film and video games. Kids can create stop-motion animations or dub their voices over movie clips.

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FDNY Fire Zone

Small firefighters exhibition for kids.

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Ample Hills Creamery at The Social Brooklyn

Fun Ice cream Shop

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Juniper Valley Park

A spacious park with a newly renovated playground featuring climbing walls, slides, and sprinklers. It’s less crowded than Flushing Meadows, ideal for a relaxed day.

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Benfaremo- The Lemon Ice King Of Corona

A Queens institution since 1944, this cash-only spot serves Italian ices in dozens of flavors like watermelon and peanut butter. Perfect for cooling off after Flushing Meadows playtime.

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New York City Fire Museum

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Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum

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New York Aquarium

Sharks, sea lions and other sea creatures.

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Orchard Beach

Oceanfront, 115-acre beach featuring a promenade, a central pavilion, 2 playgrounds & picnic areas.

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Funny Face Bakery

Fun bakery with cookies.

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Arthur Avenue Retail Market

Fun market and deli to visit.

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Flushing Meadows Corona Park

This massive park, home to the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, boasts multiple playgrounds, including the Playground for All Children, one of the first universally accessible playgrounds in the U.S. It features swings, slides, and sensory play areas for kids of all abilities. Includes a water mist in the summertime.

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