12 Fun Things to Do in New York with Kids — Best Family-Friendly Attractions!
There are countless opportunities in New York.
This state is bursting with marvels and thrilling adventures for the whole crew, from famous landmarks to magnificent waterfalls.
New York has many beautiful attractions, whether you’re craving an urban adventure or a rural escape.
Guess what, too?
We’re here to help you make your ideal holiday a reality by spotlighting the best family-friendly activities in New York.
- Top of the Rock — NYC
What You’ll Experience
Start your family’s trip to the Big Apple off right with an expansive and breathtaking view of Manhattan.
At the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, you can get a bird’s-eye view of all the iconic metropolitan sites, from the Empire State Building to Central Park.
From this vantage view, you can even see the best family hotels in New York
Additionally, you can tour free art exhibits and view instructive historical items during this trip.
Recommended Ages
Kids of all ages will enjoy a pit stop at the top of the Rock.
This trip can help educate children about the history and monuments of New York City with a little bit of research.
- Strong National Museum of Play — Rochester
What You’ll Experience
Every kid-friendly museum is enjoyable and educational.
However, you’ve never seen anything like the Strong National Museum of Play.
The exploration and history of play are the exclusive subjects of this museum’s focus in America.
This museum is regularly included as one of the best things to do in New York with toddlers because of its abundance of interactive exhibits and activities.
Kids will love exploring a life-size storybook and riding a vintage indoor train.
While children are playing, parents can relive their childhood by browsing the National Toy Hall of Fame’s video game and toy collections.
Recommended Ages
Games and displays appropriate for children nine years of age and younger can be found throughout the Strong National Museum of Play.
- The Adirondack Park
What You’ll Experience
The Adirondack Park isn’t just one of the best family vacations in New York for nothing.
This park provides families meaningful and pleasurable interaction with nature thanks to its spectacular natural beauty, extensive woodlands, and top-notch leisure.
The park also offers many inexpensive or free kid-friendly activities, which is excellent for families that enjoy outdoor excursions.
Recommended Ages
Kids ages three and up will never run out of things to do in the park.
- Maid of the Mist Tour — Niagara Falls
What You’ll Experience
With kids, do you want to have an unforgettable New York experience?
I advise you to board the Maid of the Mist and travel deep inside North America’s most famous waterfall.
Once there, take in the thunderous sounds of more than 500,000 gallons of water crashing to the ground before you.
And believe me, these memories will be shrouded in mist for a lifetime.
Visit the American Observation Tower and Niagara Falls State Park to add more unique experiences to your journey.
After a long day touring in Niagara, relax at one of the nearby great family resorts or hotels.
Recommended Ages
A trip to Niagara Falls is memorable and enjoyable for children of all ages.
- Jones Beach State Park
What You’ll Experience
Jones Beach is an absolute paradise for families who love the beach, with its sugar-white sands and calm surf.
Adding a few services, you’ve got the trademarks of the best family beaches in New York.
In addition to pools and a golf course, the beach includes basketball, shuffleboard, and volleyball facilities.
Did we mention that it has a boardwalk as well?
Recommended Ages
Jones is a must-do activity for families visiting New York with kids because it offers a wide range of beach activities to please guests of all ages.
- Six Flags Great Escape — Queensbury
What You’ll Experience
Six Flags Great Escape is a paradise of entertainment and enjoyment for teenagers and children.
This exhilarating and vibrant theme park offers little children’s activities, family thrills, and mind-blowing rides for the daring.
Additionally, it has a waterpark with thrilling slides, wave pools, and other fantastic water elements.
This premise park should be at the top of your list of kid-friendly attractions to visit close to you in New York, whether traveling with young children or teenagers.
Recommended Ages
Children of all ages can enjoy the rides, games, and activities at Six Flags Great Escape.
- Buffalo Zoo
What You’ll Experience
One of the most fascinating family-friendly destinations in the state is Buffalo Zoo, the oldest zoo in the United States.
This wildlife paradise is home to some of the most amazing, strange, and stunning endangered species worldwide, including Siberian tigers and the adorable pygmy sebus.
The zoo also offers family workshops and educational activities, such as Zooper Saturdays and sleepovers with animals.
Recommended Ages
For children aged six and older, the Buffalo Zoo is one of the must-visit attractions.
- National Geographic Encounter — NYC
What You’ll Experience
Looking for family-friendly educational activities in NYC while it’s pouring down?
If you’re in the Big Apple, you might want to stop by National Geographic Encounter.
This fantastic aquarium’s cutting-edge equipment lets you see sea lions, a Humboldt squid, and a humpback whale up close.
Additionally, it’s an enlightening experience that motivates tourists to support the preservation of the oceans’ natural beauties and mysteries.
Recommended Ages
National Geographic Encounter is a captivating and enlightening event for visitors of all ages.
- Letchworth State Park
What You’ll Experience
Go white water rafting or kayaking in Letchworth State Park for a blast of excitement.
The Genesee River, often known as the Grand Canyon of the East, is found in this state park, requiring you to navigate its boulders and rapids.
However, those looking for a rush are not the only ones who should go kayaking.
Just unwind and take in the breathtaking scenery while the waters are quiet.
Recommended Ages
Lots of activities are available for younger children in Letchworth State Park.
But tweens and teens do best with white water kayaking (at least 12 years old).
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
What You’ll Experience
Let the LEGOLAND Discovery Center be a color and family fun day for your little ones.
It’s the ideal playground in New York for energetic kids, featuring a 4D theater, ten play and create zones, and two rides.
Also, visiting LEGOLAND would encourage your kids’ imagination and inventiveness.
Exactly what?
LEGOLAND may pique their interest in engineering.
The Kingdom Quest Laser Quest is also available for some light-friendly rivalry here.
Recommended Ages
For kids aged 3 to 12, LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the perfect setting.
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
What You’ll Experience
There are games, entertainment, and activities for the whole gang in the 85-acre urban sanctuary of Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The playgrounds, skating rink, inflatable swimming pool, beach, and historic Jane’s Carousel are destined to be children’s favorites.
Reading Storytime is one of several events for all ages that the park holds during the summer.
Basketball clinics, boating options, and volleyball courts can all be found in the park, which will appeal to adults and teenagers.
Recommended Ages
This urban park offers activities for all ages, from babies to the elderly.
Guess what, too?
Some of them are available for the universally favored price of nothing.
- American Museum of Natural History — NYC
What You’ll Experience
The American Museum of Natural History is a must-have on any top family-friendly New York attractions list.
This museum is brimming with educational opportunities for youngsters, including a planetarium, a library, and more than 40 exhibition halls.
Its vast collection of kid-friendly artifacts and exhibitions, including the most fascinating, most incredible collection of dinosaur fossils in the world, makes it even better.
Recommended Ages
Children 3 years and older will have a wonderful and educational time at the American Museum of Natural History.
