Central Park
Whether you're a local parent or a visitor to New York City, finding great activities for kids can be a challenge. The city has a goldmine of kid-friendly events and activities if you know where to look.
Outdoor Activities
Enjoy the outdoors. The city's parks offer a wealth of events during the warmer months, from concerts and theater performances to pools and sprinklers. Check the Parks Department website for a list of events and services. Many parks show free outdoor movies all summer long as well. Governor's Island is a former military base that is now open to the public Friday through Sunday from May through October. The island is accessible by ferry and offers outdoor activities like kayaking, biking around the island and mini-golf. Visit govisland.com for a list of activities occurring each weekend.
Museums
Expand kids' horizons by visiting a museum. The Brooklyn Children's Museum and the Children's Museum of Manhattan both offer a range of exhibits in history and science and hands-on activities for kids. Children love exploring the American Museum of Natural History, which many now recognize as the setting for the 2006 movie "Night at the Museum." This museum has exhibits ranging from dinosaur bones and dioramas of cavemen to permanent exhibits on different animal species or cultures around the world. The Guggenheim, The Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum are all great places to take little ones to see historic or modern art masterpieces.
Theaters
Check TimeOut New York Kids or one of the local papers for a list of what's currently playing on Broadway. Disney productions are usually an easy sell for little ones who want to see their favorite animated shows come to life. To find discounted tickets to Broadway shows, visit the TKTS booth in Times Square or the South Street Sea Port the day of the show or search online for discount vendors before you go. There are often magic shows, circuses and children's plays produced off-Broadway as well.
Libraries
Check library websites for current events, either nypl.org or brooklynpubliclibrary.org. You don't have to have a library card to participate and most events are free. New York has some of the oldest libraries in the nation with dozens scattered throughout the five boroughs, so there's bound to be one nearby. The Children's Center on 42nd Street, housed in the ground floor of the library on 42nd and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, has the original Winnie the Pooh on display and offers reading events several days a week. Some libraries, like the Hudson Park Branch on Leroy Street, have playrooms that are great destinations for rainy or winter days.
