Even the littlest New Yorkers want to take a bite out of the Big Apple. We scoped out the city from a youngster’s vantage point — from sensory-rich exhibits to sky-high adventures.
Trust us, even the pickiest kiddos will find something to love.
Put on your favorite walking shoes. Here are the best things to do with kids in NYC right now.
Bask in glowing classical melodies at Candlelight Babies
Designed specifically for little ones aged 0 to 3, this gentle concert surrounds parents and tots with thousands of safe, flickering LED candles.
A live string ensemble performs iconic melodies by Mozart, Vivaldi, and Bach alongside gentle nursery songs, all arranged at safe, baby-friendly sound levels.
The venue features a padded movement area so infants can crawl and play freely during the show.
Step into the Wizarding World under a canopy of illuminated trees just 40 miles from NYC.
Running October 16, 2026 through January 3, 2027, this magical woodland trail features over 4,000 lights, interactive spell-casting moments, and life-sized creatures like Hippogriffs, Nifflers, and Centaurs.
Grab a cup of warm Butterbeer and explore the 60- to 90-minute walk.
Tickets start at $35.90, and kids under 3 enter free.
Take flight without leaving the ground. RiseNY connects New York’s cultural history through museum galleries featuring pop-culture artifacts like the Notorious B.I.G.’s tracksuit.
The grand finale suspends riders 30 feet in the air inside a massive 180-degree dome projection for an exhilarating, simulated flight over the five boroughs.
Few stage spectacles captivate young imaginations quite like Julie Taymor’s iconic puppetry and Elton John’s timeless score.
Follow Simba’s coming-of-age journey across the Pride Lands in a production that has defined family theater for decades.
AKC Museum of the Dog is a “Paws-itively” Perfect Spot: NYC’s Most Adorable Hidden Gem is Right Near Grand Central
Forget the crowded galleries of Museum Mile for a moment—there’s a hidden cultural gem just a block from Grand Central that New Yorkers are falling in love with. The AKC Museum of the Dog houses the world’s largest collection of canine-themed art, but it’s far from a stuffy gallery.
From the interactive “Find Your Match” station (which tells you which breed you actually look like) to a stunning library perfect for a cozy afternoon, it’s the ultimate low-key spot for a day out solo or with your bestie.
The best part? Every Friday is officially dog-friendly all day, meaning you can browse 19th-century oil paintings with your own pup by your side. At just $15 a ticket, it’s one of the best affordable “culture hits” in Midtown—just try to leave the gift shop without buying a souvenir for your four-legged roommate.
Ready to test your skeeball skills? How about a game of hoops? NYC arcades will keep the fun coming, so explore our guide to see which one catches your eye.
NYC is an architectural marvel, even on a small scale. The best playgrounds throughout the five boroughs have aesthetically-pleasing features that will keep the kiddos occupied for hours, whether it’s the 45-foot granite slide at Central Park’s Billy Johnson Playground to the industrial Domino Park Playground (above) with an elevated play space and futuristic-looking slide.
Ever wish you had the chance to star on your favorite game show? As Beetlejuice would say, “It’s showtime!”
NYC’s newly-opened venue, The Great Big Gameshow, allows groups to enter fledged game show sets and engage in some friendly competition. There are over 17 selections to choose from! Bring the competition!
Coined as the world’s number one slime experience, this Soho spot is the perfect place for kids to get their hands dirty (and leave the mess out of your apartment).
Options abound at this 12,000 square-foot creative hub: walking across 300 gallons of slime, creating DIY picks with over 40 colors and 60 scents, and testing your aim with the slingshot slime!
Our go-to toy stores include far more than stuffed animals and action figures: they up the ante with cool, interactive features, fun events, and of course, well-stocked shelves.
Budding engineers will love the LEGO Store while all ages will find something at the multi-level FAO Schwarz (hello, Jellycats!), and we’re partial to old-school mom and pop shops like Mary Arnold Toys.
2026 has a great film lineup, and kiddos are going to be delighted to return to Andy’s room in Toy Story 5 (yes, 5!) on June 19th and catch Spider-Man: A Brand New Day. (July 31st). See the 2026 movies we’re most excited about. (Shoutout to a late 2025 favorite Zootopia 2!)
“The Big Bubble Experiment” at the New York Hall of Science. Submarine exploration at The Intrepid. All-things numbers at the Museum of Math. There are plenty of children’s museums in NYC worthy of your little one’s attention, and one that caters to all interests. Where will you start?
The Grandest Princess Halloween Ball Ever (Only for October) is the best place to meet your idol alongside the princesses you know and love! It’s an opportunity to step into a magical world filled with music, unforgettable characters, and Halloween fun for the whole family.
Adults receive complimentary cocktails, making it a magical day for families. Whether celebrating a birthday or just for fun, this interactive experience guarantees unforgettable memories for your little ones.
America’s largest gluten-free food festival lands in Secaucus this November — sample over 100 booths! If you’ve got gluten-free eaters in the family, add Wicked Gluten Free’s first NJ/NY Metro Expo to your fall checklist.
It’s taking over the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus on November 7–8, 2026, with 100+ gluten-free booths, food trucks, free samples, live demos, and a kids’ play area. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and will not be sold at the door.
Julie Taymor’s magical, family-friendly The Magic Flute returns to the Met this holiday season.
For a festive family night out, Julie Taymor’s family-friendly production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute returns to the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center from December 11, 2026, through January 2, 2027.
The English-language, sub‑90-minute staging features vibrant sets, puppetry, complimentary pre‑matinee activities for kids, and Holiday Open Houses on select matinees.
Reconnect with family amid thousands of acres of fiery Hudson Valley foliage at a luxurious, all-inclusive mountain resort.
For a fall weekend trip outside the city, head to Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz—an all-inclusive family resort set amid thousands of acres of Hudson Valley autumn foliage.
Families can take advantage of 85 miles of hiking trails, horseback and carriage rides, guided nature walks, seasonal themed weekends (including Halloween events), campfires, kids’ programming, spa treatments, and farm-to-table dining.
Ride the Cyclone cheaper — Luna Park’s first-ever Happy Hour gives 25% off rides and 15% off food. If your crew loves a classic NYC thrill, head to Coney Island for Luna Park’s first-ever Happy Hour, running July 13 through August 12, 2026.
This limited-time promotion happens Monday–Wednesday, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM, with 25% off the Luna Boardwalk Pass and 15% off food at select vendors.
If your family’s fall calendar starts to shift into holiday mode as soon as November hits, add this NYC classic to the list: the holiday season officially starts to feel real when New York’s most famous Christmas tree arrives at Rockefeller Center.
The 2026 tree is scheduled to reach the plaza on November 7, giving visitors a chance to see the towering evergreen in person before the annual lighting ceremony.
Just note that the tree won’t be illuminated until December 2, so November is the time to catch its arrival and watch the holiday scene take shape.
Try the new XploreRide New York bus tour
XploreRide New York: New York Stories of Freedom is a 45-minute immersive XR headset tour. The bus passes landmarks like Times Square and Grand Central. “Lady Liberty” relays 250 years of NYC history for riders.
Kids will love the gamified tourism. You use personalized avatars and can even participate in a Statue of Liberty cosplay. Plus, it uses anti-nausea tech so nobody feels sick during the ride.