21 Fun & Exciting Things to Do in NYC With Toddlers

Taking care of toddlers while planning outdoor activities can be quite a challenge. These little ones are full of energy and constantly on the move, which means they require constant supervision. It’s essential to stay vigilant, especially in crowded places, to ensure their safety and prevent any unwanted incidents.

Fortunately, New York City offers numerous child-friendly spots perfect for day trips and outings. From various playgrounds to amusement parks and numerous other attractions, you will find plenty of activities that will keep your toddlers entertained and happy. Whether you’re exploring a local park or visiting a special event, NYC has something for every young family to enjoy. To make the most of your family trip, explore the best things to do in NYC with toddlers and create lasting memories together.

List of 20+ Fun and Exciting Spots Things to Do in NYC with Toddlers

Explore the Big Apple and enjoy exciting activities for your family and little ones. From lovely playgrounds to interactive museums, NYC offers endless fun for toddlers.

1. NYC Outdoor Playgrounds for Toddlers and Kids

NYC offers some of the best playgrounds for toddlers and children. These playgrounds provide a perfect place for kids to have fun, stay active, and use up some energy. You’ll find plenty of slides, swings, and creative play equipment designed to make playtime fantastic.

These playgrounds are among the best stopovers for families in NYC, ensuring your kids have a great time while staying active.

2. NYC Apple Farms for Toddlers and Kids

Apple picking is a delightful activity for toddlers and kids, offering the chance to explore lush green gardens and tall trees brimming with fruit. Many apple orchards near NYC provide this enchanting experience. Your little ones can enjoy not only apple picking but also engage in various fun activities like hayrides, corn mazes, and even meet adorable farm animals. These experiences create perfect photo opportunities for cherished family memories.

Some popular apple farms near NYC include:

At these farms, toddlers and kids can explore and play, enjoying the beautiful scenic views and interactions with nature. The farms often provide delicious fresh snacks like donuts and pies made from their produce, adding to the day’s enjoyment. The combination of the natural setting and engaging activities makes apple picking one of the splendid ways to spend a day with your kids in NYC.

3. Explore the NYC Toy Stores with Toddlers and Kids

New York City boasts some of the best toy stores for toddlers and kids. These stores offer a wide selection of toys and gifts that can spark creativity and learning. Kids can enjoy interactive events, activities, storytelling, and crafts. Visiting these toy stores is a must-do for families. It also proves as one of the things to do in New York for first timers that want to souvenirs and gifts for their toddlers back home.

Exploring these stores can be an exciting adventure for both children and parents, providing a mix of play and learning opportunities.

4. Fun Activities with Dinosaurs in NYC for Toddlers and Kids

One of the more unique things to do in New York is visit the dinosaurs. No, we’re not talking about living ones; they are extinct. Instead, we’re talking about taking tours of museums and archeology zoos. Explore prehistoric creatures and their fossils at various exhibits and safaris. Little ones will love riding the giant carnivorous creatures at the Bronx Zoo. Discover real dinosaur fossils at the American Museum of Natural History in the Upper West Side.

Kids and toddlers can engage in unique activities featuring these giant creatures. Visit the Jewish Museum Archeology Zoo, the Field Station Giant Dinosaurs Statues, and the Dinosaur Playground in the Upper West Side, Manhattan. It’s the perfect place to enjoy thing with Kids in NYC.

Here are some fun activities:

5. NYC Puppet Shows for Toddlers and Kids

If you want your kid to experience the New York action with out spending a lot of bucks, you can choose to go watch a puppet show. Although a cheap thing to do in New York, its quite fun. New York City offers a variety of puppet theaters that will delight your children with live performances. Puppetsburg in Williamsburg-Brooklyn caters to young kids with interactive puppet shows. In Park Slope, Puppet Works provides classic puppet entertainment.

Visit Teatro SEA in the Lower East Side for diverse and musical performances. For an outdoor experience, check out City Parks Puppet Mobile Theater. The Marionette Puppet Theater in Central Park delivers charming shows in a historical setting. These puppet shows are for everyone, but only a few people know its exact location. Enjoying a show is one of the hidden things to do in NYC.

For a wider selection of puppet theaters, you can also explore Wonder Sparks Puppet Theater which offers engaging and creative performances.

6. NYC Candy Stores for Toddlers and Kids

Economy Candy in the Lower East Side is a must-visit for families. The store is packed with a wide range of candies that will delight your little ones.

Another great spot is Philips Candy Store in Staten Island. This store has been around for years, offering classic candies that kids love.

In the East Village, you have Ray’s Candy Store, known for its charming atmosphere and delicious treats. Over in Brooklyn, don’t miss Williams Candy Store, where you can find a variety of sweet goodies that are sure to please.

For a touch of Scandinavian sweetness, visit Sockerbit Candy Store in West Village. If you’re in Lenox Hill, stop by Dylan’s Candy Bar Candy Store for a colorful and immersive candy experience.

In DUMBO, you’ll find Jacques Torres Chocolate Candy Store, famous for its chocolates that kids and adults alike will enjoy. IT Sugar Candy Store in Coney Island is another fun destination with a huge selection of candies.

Lastly, in Forest Hills, Aigner Chocolates Candy Store offers a charming selection of chocolates that your children will love. Each of these stores offers something unique and delicious, making them perfect stops on your NYC adventure. Families are also welcome, it’s a place to do a lot of things in New York with Family.

7. NYC Carousels for Toddlers and Kids

Kids and toddlers will love to ride on the fascinating carousels in NYC. These stunning carousels have plenty of fun and excitement for little ones. Now, hop on the incredible chariot or any fabulous creatures and enjoy the amusing ride for a fast spin with your buddies.

You can find these awe-inspiring carousel rides in great NYC amusement parks and outdoor play areas for kids and family attractions. These are the most famous Carousel rides and one of the best fun places in NYC to visit with friends, buddies, kids, and little ones. The famous Carousels in NYC are The Sea Glass Carousel in New York Aquarium, Central Park Carousel, Le Carousel in Bryant Park, Horse Carousel for all Children in Willow Brook Park, Flushing Meadows Carousel in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, B & B Carousel in Luna Park, Carousel in Prospect Park, Carousel in Forest Park, Totally Kids Carousel in Riverbank Park, and the Bug Carousel in Bronx Zoo.

8. NYC Water Playgrounds for Kids and Toddlers

Your little ones can beat the summer heat while having loads of fun at NYC’s water playgrounds. These parks offer a perfect mix of water features and exciting games that kids and toddlers will love. Popular options include:

Each of these spots provides unique water activities that allow children to splash around and cool off while enjoying their summer days.

9. NYC Green Spaces and Gardens for Toddlers and Kids

You can take your kids to several beautiful parks and gardens in NYC. Enjoy a day at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Prospect Park. Or visit the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, offering lush greenery and vibrant flowers. In Queens, explore the Queens Botanical Garden for more outdoor fun. Wave Hill in the Bronx is another lovely spot with great views.

Don’t miss the Butterfly Garden in Riverside Park, located on the Upper West Side. Conservatory Garden and Victorian Garden in Central Park are also fantastic places for your toddlers and kids to enjoy nature. While we talk about kids, it’s not only them that you can take, as couples are also welcome to enjoy nature. In fact, taking a stroll with your significant other is one of the fun activities in NYC for couples.

10. NYC Wild Creatures in Zoo for Toddlers and Kids

Kids love animals and enjoy visits to zoos where they can explore and interact with different creatures. In New York City, several zoos are perfect for toddlers and kids. Bronx Zoo in the Bronx offers a wide variety of animals. The Tisch Kids Zoo in Central Park is a great spot for little ones to see their favorite animals. On the Upper East Side, Art Farm Petting Zoo provides hands-on experiences.

In Prospect Park, visit the Barn & Garden Prospect Park Zoo. Staten Island Zoo and Domestic Animals Queens Zoo in Queens also offer engaging experiences. For a bit of farm life, head to White Post Farms and Zoo in Long Island. Queens County Farm Museum Zoo provides a unique farm setting in the city. Don’t forget about marine life at the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn or visit Green Meadows Farm and Zoo for more fun.

11. NYC Cereal Cafes and Restaurants for Toddlers and Kids

Kids and adults both enjoy cereal for breakfast, especially when paired with milk, chocolate, or berries. For a fun and sweet start to the day, consider visiting a cereal café or restaurant with your little ones. They’ll love the chance to add marshmallows, sweet toppings, and have a glass of chocolate milk.

These spots are perfect for a family outing and will surely entertain your kids with their delicious and creative cereal choices.

12. NYC Ice Cream Parlors and Cafes for Little Ones

Ice cream is a delightful treat that everyone enjoys. Kids, especially, love these sugary, creamy goodies. New York City offers many amazing spots where you can enjoy ice cream in various forms, including cones, sundaes, and shakes. This makes them perfect for an outing with toddlers and children.

These spots ensure that your little ones have a delightful ice cream experience in NYC. Don’t for any reason believe that these spots are just for kids. Getting an icecream sundae can also work well for first time dates. It’s one of those fun and romantic things you could do as couples in NYC. 

13. The Iconic Fun Land for Kids is the LEGOLAND New York Resort

Welcome to a place where young builders dive into colorful adventures with endless possibilities. The LEGOLAND New York Resort is filled with vibrant Lego bricks, offering a playground of imagination for kids. Here, children ages two to twelve, along with their parents, can explore and create fantastic Lego structures, unlocking their boundless creativity. This theme park is perfect for family fun and discovery. Visiting this place should be on your Bucket list things to do in New York, with or without kid.

14. The Stunning Cartoon Characters Themed Park Nickelodeon Universe

Imagine your kids meeting Dora the Explorer or SpongeBob SquarePants at the Nickelodeon Universe in New Jersey, just outside NYC. This park is packed with toddler-friendly rides, vibrant colors, and famous cartoon characters in motion. It’s a place full of laughter and joy, creating unforgettable moments for your little ones.

15. Enjoy the Exciting Bubble Show in NYC with Toddlers and Kids

Blow bubbles are one of the most unusual things you and your kid can do in NY. We don’t mean those small ones you made by blowing air inside a thin soapy film in your childhood but instead making massive bubbles. Yes, it does your kids will love the colorful, sparkling bubbles in the air. It’s a small theater show where the kids learn to make bubbles in a live event on the stage and participate in this show. It’s an awe-inspiring theater show for fun and entertainment for toddlers and kids with their families. These bubbles rise with laser items, and more big bubbles will give more surprises.

16. Visit the Children’s Museum in Manhattan for Kids and Toddlers

The Children’s Museum in Manhattan offers preschoolers and young children fun and educational experiences in a five-story building. The Play Works exhibit features engaging activities, play areas, and small slides, perfect for keeping kids entertained and active.

In the Dora and Diego exhibit, children can join their beloved characters on thrilling adventures. They get to explore a rainforest, venture into a cave, and relax on a beach, making it an exciting journey.

At the Dynamic H2O exhibit, which is a seasonal attraction, children can cool off with water play games. Toddlers and little ones enjoy splashing around with fun water toys and engaging in various water activities during the warmer months.

17. Explore the New York Hall of Science with Your Little Ones

If your kid likes Science, then The New York Hall of Science Museum is perfect for introducing children. Taking a tour here with your kid is a fun thing to do in NYC during the weekend. Kids can dive into fascinating topics like virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The science playground offers fun with slides, climbing structures, and a sandbox, providing hands-on learning through play. Another highlight is the Preschool Place, where children under six can engage with interactive building blocks, a water table, and other sensory activities. These exhibitions are designed to stimulate young minds and make learning science enjoyable. Your little ones will have an unforgettable experience while exploring and discovering new concepts.

18. Visit the Museum of Ice Creams with Toddlers

Take your toddler to the Museum of Ice Creams, a hotspot for kids and parents alike. We get it; it sounds like one of the weirder things to do in NYC, but it’s still fun and exciting. This immersive spot features colorful and interactive activities that are both fun and tasty. Your toddler can enjoy vibrant installations, create sweet treats, and dive into a world of imagination. The museum offers a delightful adventure where every corner provides a new photo opportunity, making it a memorable trip. It’s more than just a visit; it’s an experience filled with creativity and flavor. Whether it’s the rainbow sprinkles or the giant candy displays, your child will have an unforgettable time.

19. Explore The New York Transit Museum with Little Ones

Looking for a fun spot for kids to enjoy and learn indoors? The New York Transit Museum is perfect. Located in an old subway station, this place has a lot to offer. Your little ones can explore various vintage subway cars and buses, giving them a peek into New York’s past. The colorful trains and wooden transit models are sure to catch their eye.

The museum’s collection includes old trams, complete with seating that kids can sit on and imagine a ride from long ago. They can climb aboard, touch, and feel everything. Older children and even adults will enjoy learning about the engineering, culture, and history of New York’s transit system. This museum is a must-visit for any family. Being indoors, it’s also a great place to enjoy things to do in New York in the rain. 

20. Take a Stroll at the Times Square Streets with Toddlers and Little Ones

Times Square is full of fun for the whole family. There are two reasons to that. One there are a lot of attractions and it’s bright, and two it’s a free thing to do in NYC. The bright lights and sparkling streets create a magical atmosphere for kids. Cartoon-costumed characters dance on the sidewalks, and billboards light up the whole area.

The best part is that the hustle and bustle doesn’t stop even when night falls. Instead, it is one of the best things to do in New York at night for night owls who want to take a quick stroll with their kid. Your children will love visiting the Disney Store to meet Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, and the Disney Frozen Princess. Afterward, you can enjoy delicious treats from ice cream parlors and cafes, making it a delightful outing for everyone. 

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