cozyfamilyvacationIt can be difficult to think of NYC toddler activities. After all, New York City is the city that never sleeps. A city with the finest restaurants, a bustling nightlife, world-class museums, high-end boutiques. Exciting, exclusive locales that…don’t seem great for a toddler. I don’t know about your kids, but I’m just not sure that my little dude would do well in the Guggenheim or spending the day non-stop shopping. I don’t think a late night show at the Comedy Cellar would quite be his cup of tea.
So when I realized I’d be traveling to NYC for a friend’s wedding- with my husband and son, of course- I knew I’d have to come up with some ways for my little one to experience the city in a fun, family-friendly way.
This post is all about NYC toddler activities.
Planning a Trip with NYC Toddler Activities
Fortunately, there’s a lot more to New York City than you might have even considered, especially if (like me) most of your time in the city before had been spent without kids (whoa, remember that?). When I was planning a trip to NYC with my family, I definitely had to rethink all the plans I already had in my mind- many of my old favorites simply wouldn’t work with a toddler. This led to an interesting exploration of my old pre-mom self: I thought of things I used to do, and of things my husband and I used to do, before kids. Would I even like doing them anymore? Getting old is weird. But that’s a different post, a different story, a different blog. Back to NYC toddler activities.
Approaching a trip to NYC with kids required a new perspective. It was as though I had never been to the city before. Which was actually kind of fun. And certainly eye-opening. Turns out, there are a ton of NYC toddler activities. Which makes sense: New York City has everything- including plenty of toddler residents and visitors.
Do Less, Don’t Stress
Of course, the ideal activities for your trip will depend on many different factors, like where you’re staying, what kind of things your kid(s) are into, and your schedule and budget.
It’s important to remember, too, that NYC can be a lot with kids. Just getting around can be a lot. (A note here to remember that many subway stations have a ton of stairs- strollers beware! Buses are more stroller-friendly). So be gentle with yourself and your planning. One afternoon you might just want to grab a latte and take a moment to sit on a bench with your little one. Taking in the scene is a totally valid activity, right?
With that said, there are many ways to spend a morning or afternoon with your family in the city. The energetic, social vibe of the city is great for exploring and making memories (and potentially, friends with other families). NYC is still a great time.
Here’s our list of NYC Toddler Activities:
The 81st Street Studio at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met’s new 81st Street Studio is an art and science exploration and play space for kids ages 3-11. There are interactive stations where kids can do cool things like build their own drum or make a digital print from a woodblock; there’s also an expansive children’s book collection, selected story time hours, and a kit that kids can pick up to participate in the Met Field Scientist program during their visit (completing various activities with the provided guide and notebook to receive stickers and a Met Field Scientist button at the end).
81st Street Studio is free- it doesn’t even require museum admission. It is first-come, first-serve, however, and in high demand. Visits are limited to 30 minutes once admitted. In addition to the studio, the Met offers other family and kids programs- here’s a link to their PDF guide on Family Fun at the Met.
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave Ground Floor, New York, NY 10028
Union Square Happenings
Union Square is a popular area with a lot going on, especially in terms of NYC toddler activities. Here are some ideas:
- The Barnes & Noble in Union Square has a great children’s section with tons of books and toys, a reading area, and selected story times.
- Union Square Play offers drop-in movement, reading, music, and play classes (most around $45); there’s also drop in open-play for around $20.
- Union Square Park has a green market (4 days a week), many areas to relax and eat, and a playground.
- Books of Wonder is a really cool kids book shop with a ton of storytimes and events, plus an amazing selection of (you guessed it) books! And art.
- Ootoya is a highly-regarded traditional Japanese restaurant with a wide selection of sushi and dishes, plus a fun kids menu (including a kids meal served in a miniature airplane toy!)
The Lego Store
There are many Lego stores in malls across the country, but the flagship NYC Lego store is still a unique and worthwhile visit if you’ve got a Lego-lover on your hands. The two-story shop aims to be an immersive experience, with a Lego mini-figure factory, interactive building programs, a virtual stroytelling program that explains the origin of famous sets, a “Tree of Discovery” that is the centerpiece of the store and made from 880,000 Lego elements, the virtual world “Brick Lab”, and much more.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of my favorite spots in the city and its really special for families and kids. In addition to amazing city views and a picturesque scene, the 85-acre waterfront park has beautiful gardens, playgrounds, piers, grills, and a volleyball court. Events like Nature Storytime and open hours at the Education Center occur daily, and there’s plenty of green space and paths to explore before strolling the fun nearby neighborhoods.
CompletePlayground
Located in the city’s financial district, CompletePlayground is NYC’s largest indoor playground. In addition to playground areas, the 40,000 square foot facility features a cafe, sensory room, large soft maze, martial arts activity areas, and more. The space was designed to be fully inclusive and create a welcoming environment accessible to all children, including neurodivergent and neurotypical children of all ages.
Admission to open play is a bit pricey at $50 for two hours (one child, one guardian – an additional $10 charge is required for another adult or for an infant pass). There are often promotions available on the website, however, and savings for buying an admission package.
Prospect Park
Another Brooklyn favorite. Prospect Park is THE park in Brooklyn (akin to Manhattan’s Central Park) and it’s HUGE. Its many features include grand old trees, a splash pool, a concert area (Concert Grove), Prospect Park Lake, Monument Hill (great for picnics), green markets, and much more. NYC toddler activities at the park include a carousel, playgrounds, and Zucker Natural Exploration Area. Large Meadow is a fantastic place to lounge and for your kids to potentially play with others- especially during the warmer months, when there are always lots of families around and various frisbee games and such. Check out the park’s site for upcoming events like concerts, movies, and the Smorgasburg Prospect Park food festival.
