Last week, Nate and I had one of those magical New York days that makes you want to bottle it up forever. Since he’s in camp three days a week, I’ve been on the hunt for new ways to fill our other days together—something beyond the usual strolls around our neighborhood parks. On this particular day, we hopped on the ferry to Dumbo (the ferry alone is an adventure for kids!) and our itinerary was pure childhood joy: two playgrounds, Jane’s Carousel, a long lunch, ice cream, and then the ferry ride home. Simple, perfect, and full of smiles.
That little outing also sparked an idea. I asked all of you what your favorite activities with kids in New York were, and—as always—you delivered. From hands-on museums to creative indoor play spaces, I received so many amazing suggestions. Today, I’ve rounded them up into a guide that I hope becomes a helpful resource for fellow parents, caregivers, and anyone else trying to plan a day out with little ones.
This list is divided into indoor activities, because let’s face it—weather in NYC doesn’t always cooperate. These are the spots where kids can explore, learn, and burn off some energy no matter what the skies are doing outside.
Indoor Activities for Kids in NYC
Museums Worth Exploring
American Museum of Natural History
- 📍 Upper West Side (79th Street)
- 💲 Admission: $13–$33 depending on discounts and special exhibits
From towering dinosaur skeletons to a jaw-dropping planetarium, the AMNH is the kind of place that feels larger than life to children (and honestly, to adults too). The rotating exhibitions keep it fresh, and here’s a tip: during summer months, there’s a hidden rooftop sprinkler playground for kids—a lifesaver on hot days.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
- 📍 Crown Heights (145 Brooklyn Ave)
- 💲 $11 for all ages
This museum is designed for kids from six months to ten years old, with three full floors of interactive exhibits. It’s hands-on, engaging, and full of cultural and science programs that invite kids to explore and discover on their own terms.
Children’s Museum of the Arts
- 📍 Hudson Square (103 Charlton St)
- 💲 $13 (under 1 free; seniors pay as you wish)
Art comes alive here in a way that’s approachable and fun for kids. From hands-on projects to performances, the CMA is all about fostering creativity in a space that feels playful rather than intimidating.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
- 📍 Upper West Side (212 W 83rd St)
- 💲 $15 for adults & children, $12 for seniors, free for under 1
Five floors of exhibits that are as educational as they are entertaining. It’s a blend of play and learning that kids love, whether they’re climbing, building, or discovering something new.
Liberty Science Center
- 📍 Jersey City (222 Jersey City Blvd)
- 💲 Adults $25, Kids (2–12) $20
A quick trip across the river, but worth it. With 300,000 square feet of science exhibits, plus an IMAX Dome Theater, it’s a full-day outing that kids of all ages will remember.
New York Hall of Science (NYSCI)
- 📍 Queens (47-01 111th St)
- 💲 Adults $16, Kids $13
Originally built for the 1964 World’s Fair, this museum has reinvented itself into a hub for STEM learning. Their “design-make-play” philosophy makes science and technology approachable through hands-on exhibits that feel more like games than lessons.
New York Transit Museum
- 📍 Brooklyn Heights (99 Schermerhorn St)
- 💲 Adults $10, Kids (2–17) $5, free on Wednesdays
Perfect for any child obsessed with trains, buses, or subways. Located in an old 1936 subway station, the museum is filled with vintage subway cars and fascinating artifacts from the city’s transit history.
Interactive Play Spaces
Apple Seeds
- 📍 Flatiron (10 W 25th St)
- 💲 Membership required
An all-in-one play space for children newborn to age five. Apple Seeds offers everything from gym and soccer to music, art, cooking, and dance. It’s essentially a mini universe for families, where play and learning merge seamlessly.
Color Factory
- 📍 Soho (251 Spring St)
- 💲 $38 (kids 2 & under free)
This immersive art experience is a feast for the senses. Each room is a colorful, larger-than-life installation that kids (and adults) can interact with. It’s playful, bright, and designed to spark joy in anyone who walks through.
Recess Dumbo
- 📍 Brooklyn (81 Washington St)
- 💲 Flexible pass & membership options
A beautifully designed indoor play space with custom-made structures for climbing, sliding, and exploring. It’s ideal for rainy days when kids need to burn off energy in a safe, stimulating environment.
A Growing List
The beauty of New York is that there’s always something new to discover—especially with kids. While this list covers many of the tried-and-true favorites, I know there are gems I’ve missed. That’s why I’d love for this guide to be collaborative. If you have a go-to spot that your children love, drop it in the comments so I can keep adding and updating.
Because at the end of the day, the best part of raising kids in a city like New York isn’t just the activities themselves. It’s seeing the wonder on their faces, whether they’re marveling at a dinosaur, riding a carousel by the river, or simply racing through a playground on an ordinary Tuesday.
