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Things to Do in New York With Kids

9/23/2021

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36 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC; what to do in New York, NY, with kids; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
36 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC
"Start spreading the news
I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York."
Sinatra's famous song could easily be my life's anthem. Though I have a great fondness for a number of cities throughout the world, none sings the siren call to my soul like New York.

Recently Marvin and I had the pleasure of sharing our love of New York with our son for the first time.

In this post, I will tell you all my favorite things to do with kids in Manhattan. You will not find suggestions for the other boroughs, though I love the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, the walk along the Brooklyn Promenade, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Gardens.

Read more to find ideas for kid-friendly things to do in New York, NY.


Shopping

36 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC; what to do in New York, NY, with kids; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog; Shopping; M&M World
M&M World

1. M&M World

With M&M-themed merchandise, from clothing and accessories to coffee mugs to entire walls full of colorful M&Ms, M&M World is a fun little stop for the whole family.

2. FAO Schwarz

This iconic toy store has been around since the late 1800s. With every kind of toy under the sun, the kids will love browsing this toy store located at Rockefeller Plaza.

3. Disney Store

Can you find Disney stores elsewhere? Of course! But the Times Square Disney Store offers uniquely New-York-themed toys, like Minnie Mouse as the Statue of Liberty.

4. Hershey World

Get your chocolate fix and find lots of great souvenirs at Hershey World in Times Square.

5. Chinatown

It's never too early to introduce your kids to the wonders of shopping in Chinatown. Just be aware of the purveyors of fake watches and bags, and don't be afraid to haggle!

Parks

Central Park Zoo; 36 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC; what to do in New York, NY, with kids; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Central Park Zoo

1. Central Park

No trip to New York is complete without a visit to iconic Central Park. Sadly, the carousel is not operational at the moment, but the playgrounds are open, as well as the Central Park Zoo, where you and the kids can see penguins and puffins, land birds of all sizes, reptiles, and more! Visit the children's zoo to feed the goats and sheep. While at Central Park, you can also splurge a little on a carriage ride - sure to be an unforgettable experience for the smallest members of your family! You'll also find numerous photo opportunities on bridges, under bridges, overlooking the water, with the skyline in the background, and with the various statues around the park. You can literally spend an entire day in Central Park, so grab sandwiches from one of the many New York delis nearby and plan a picnic in the park.
Little Island; Parks and Green Spaces; 36 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC; what to do in New York, NY, with kids; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Little Island

2. Little Island

This completely man-made park at Pier 55 in the Meatpacking District offers food trucks and great views over the Hudson, including a view of Lady Liberty herself.
Le Carousel at Bryant Park; Green Spaces in NY; 36 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC; what to do in New York, NY, with kids; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Le Carousel at Bryant Park

3. Bryant Park

With movies during the summer and ice skating in the winter, the nearly 10-acre Bryant Park offers fun year-round. Take the kids on a carousel ride, treat yourselves to a coffee from Joe Coffee, and enjoy a sweet treat from Wafels and Dinges.

4. Madison Square Park

This 7-acre park with views of the Flatiron Building offers tranquil green space, a dog park, a fountain, and perfect people-watching opportunities.

5. Union Square

Not only does Union Square have a nice green space for the littles to run around, but it also offers the Union Square Greenmarket, where you'll find artisanal foods and local produce, as well as unique gifts.
SeaGlass Carousel in Battery Park; 36 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC; what to do in New York, NY, with kids; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
SeaGlass Carousel in Battery Park

6. Battery Park

Battery Park itself offers tons of green space, plus the SeaGlass Carousel (definitely the most interesting carousel we've seen). It is also the jumping-off point for Liberty Island and Ellis Island tours.

7. Columbus Park

This park on the corner of Mulberry and Baxter in Chinatown is often the site of street musicians, older folks playing cards, and kids playing soccer.

Spectacular Views of New York

I would consider both of these splurges, and something I would probably not splurge on with kids who are not old enough to remember it. But for older kids, on a clear day, either option is perfect for making lifetime memories.

1. Top of the Rock

Location: Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown

2. Empire State Building

Location: 20 W 34th St, Midtown South

Museums of New York

New York offers a plethora of fabulous museums, from the well-known ones like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art, to the lesser-known (but still amazing!) museums like the American Folk Art Museum, the Tenement Museum, and the National Museum of the American Indian. The ones I list below, however, are my favorite museums specifically for kids.

1. Ellis Island

One of the most moving experiences I have had in New York was a visit to Ellis Island. In just 32 years, 12 million immigrants were processed through Ellis Island in search of new, better lives, starting with Annie Moore and her two younger brothers, who left Ireland and arrived in New York on January 1, 1892. Having seen the statue of Annie Moore and her brothers in Cobh, Ireland, makes the experience all the more moving. If you take your children to no other museums in New York, take them to Ellis Island.

2. Children's Museum of Manhattan

This hands-on museum is perfect for younger kids - both fun and educational!

3. American Museum of Natural History

Few museums rival the kid-friendly vibes of the American Museum of Natural History. Especially if your kids love the Night at the Museum movies, take them to see the huge stuffed animals and other rare displays at the Museum of Natural History in New York's Upper West Side.

Interesting Dining Experiences

Some of these options you may have in your hometown; others you probably don't have.
Eat in Little Italy; 36 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC; what to do in New York, NY, with kids; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Eat in Little Italy

1. Little Italy

Take a walk down Mulberry Street, peruse the menus on display outside, and enjoy a fantastic Italian meal. From superb pastas to excellent seafood dishes, and with sweat treats like cannolis and gelatos, your kids will certainly fill their bellies in Little Italy (and Mom and Dad will like the extensive wine lists!).

2. Chinatown

You'll find every variety of Chinese cuisine in New York's Chinatown, from Peking duck to soup dumplings to the spicy dishes of Szechuan Province. Definitely take your little foodies to Chinatown!

3. Hibachis

A great source of entertainment for the littles and bigs alike, excellent hibachi restaurants abound throughout Manhattan.

4. $1 Slices of Pizza

One of our favorite New York treats, slices of thin-crust New York pizza, can be found throughout the city, often for as little as $1 for a slice of cheese pizza. Our favorite is 2 Bros Pizza, but you'll find many other excellent options as well.

5. New York Bagels

Whether they like their bagels with cream cheese and lox, cheese cream and jam, as a breakfast sandwich, and with just plain butter, your kids are sure to love a legit New York bagel.

6. Brazilian Churrascarias

Your kids will delight in the show as gauchos bring spear after spear of hot meats to your table! We loved Churrascaria Plataforma on 49th Street.

7. New York Delis

Nothing beats a delicious deli sandwich from a genuine New York deli. Grab yours to-go and enjoy a picnic lunch in one of New York's beautiful parks.

Other Unique Experiences

Walk the High Line; 36 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC; what to do in New York, NY, with kids; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Butterfly on the High Line

1. Walk the High Line

This fabulous walking trail sits atop a (no-longer-in-use) New York Railroad line. With trees, flowers, and ornamental grasses, you can use this walk as an educational experience to learn about the various flora you encounter. You'll also see sculptures, as well as butterflies and bees (seasonally) and great views of the city. Walk the entire 1.45-mile track, or just part of it.

2. See the Lights in Times Square

Possibly the most "touristy" thing you can do in New York is to wander through Times Square in the evening, taking in the brilliant lights.

3. Visit Lady Liberty

Whether you take the Staten Island Ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty or you take the Liberty Island Ferry to visit Lady Liberty in person, definitely, absolutely take your children to see this most iconic statue. For an added educational experience, help them memorize the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus, which was originally inscribed on a plaque and installed on the inner wall of Liberty's pedestal.

4. Watch a Broadway Show

With options like The Lion King, Aladdin, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, even your littles can enjoy the magic of Broadway!

5. Ride the New York Subway

Few experiences are as authentic as a ride on New York's extensive subway system. Take a photo of the kids in front of the name of the stop each time you get off the train for a great way for them to look back and say "Oh yeah, I was there!"

6. Ride the New York Ferry

For the same price as a ride on the subway, you can also take a ride on the New York ferry. Two great routes are Midtown West (Pier 79) down to Battery Park City and 34th Street down to DUMBO (Brooklyn).

7. Ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway

This short sky tram runs from 2nd Avenue over to Roosevelt Island. You can take the Astoria-line ferry back to Manhattan or down to Brooklyn if you are so inclined.

Other New York Photo Ops

1. Fearless girl and the Bull

Location: Broad Street, Lower Manhattan

2. HOPE

Location: 200 W 53rd St, Midtown

3. Atlas

Location: Rockefeller Center, Midtown

4. Grand Central Station

Location: 89 E 42nd St, Midtown

5. Flatiron Building

Location: 175 5th Ave, Flatiron District

I hope these ideas have inspired you to take your kiddos to New York and have given you some ideas of what to do while you're there!

For those of you who have taken your kids to New York, did I miss anything? What are your favorite kid-friendly must-do options in New York, NY?
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    Carolyn 
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    The daughter of an English teacher, Carolyn has been an avid reader and writer from an early age.  She decided to chronicle the exquisitEXPLORATIONS journey through a travel and RV lifestyle blog, full of RV-related tips and stories of their travel adventures. As a mom and dog mom, her focus has shifted slightly to include both pet-friendly and kid-friendly places to go and things to do.


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