Kid-Approved New York
Updated: May 27, 2009
Even in New York, it can be hard to figure out what to do and where to go with kids. So we scoured the city in search of the best places to take young ones of all ages, from tots to teens. Whether you're looking for entertainment the whole family can enjoy or an activity to get the kids off your hands for a few hours, our handy guide makes navigating NYC as easy as A-B-C and 1-2-3.
(Photo: Devin at the Brooklyn Children's Museum)
On this page:Where to Play, What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Shop.
Where to Play
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Bronx Zoo
Read ReviewsBronx River Parkway at Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10460 (map)
Afraid your city kid will grow up thinking dogs and pigeons are the only animals in New York? At the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States and home to more than 4,000 animals (many of which are endangered or near-endangered), youngsters can experience all the intrigue of an exotic safari right here in the Bronx. Catch a glimpse of the Siberian tigers at Tiger Mountain or the kangaroos at JungleWorld, and then grab a snack at the Northern Pond near the polar bears.
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Central Park Zoo
Read Reviews830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10021 (map)
What could be better than a real-life zoo in the middle of New York? Nothing! Younger tots will marvel at the Tisch Children's Zoo's walk-through wildlife trail, while older kids are dazzled by the larger animals (including polar bears, sea lions and even snow leopards).
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Children's Museum Of Manhattan
Read Reviews212 W 83RD St, New York, NY 10024 (map)
Don't let the name fool you: This Upper West Side favorite looks and feels more like a giant activity center than a museum. With a continuous rotation of fun, interactive exhibits and drop-in courses and theater performances offered daily, children ages 8 and under will happily spend several hours exploring every corner of CMoM.
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American Museum of Natural History
Read ReviewsCentral Park West at 79th St, New York, NY 10024 (map)
Block off at least a full afternoon to visit this historic New York institution. From the famous T-Rex skeleton on the dinosaur floor to the life-sized model of a blue whale that hangs from the ceiling of the Hall of Ocean Life, the AMNH is a must for kids of all ages--and you might be surprised by how much you enjoy yourself, too. Once you've covered the museum, head over to the Planetarium to catch Cosmic Collisions or one of the other visually spectacular shows.
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Brooklyn Children's Museum
Read Reviews145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 (map)
As the nation's first children's museum (it was founded in 1899), this Brooklyn classic knows how to unlock young minds and imaginations. The trick? There's an interactive element to almost every exhibit, like crawling through a glass tunnel in the middle of an aquarium. And thanks to programs like Totally Tots and Baby Hub, no child is too young to get in on the fun.
What to Do
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Trapeze School of New York
Read Reviews518 W. 30th St., New York, NY 10282 (map)
Adventurous kids--and their more adventurous chaperones--will love this west side wonder. Children ages 6 and up are eligible to swing pendulously on a trapeze bar 23 feet up in the air (provided they have the attention span to listen to the safety instructions).
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Downtown Boathouse Inc
Write a reviewBox 20214, West Village Station, New York, NY 10013 (map)
Discover the beauty of New York from a boat atop the Hudson River thanks to the Downtown Boathouse, which provides single and double kayaks to the general public for free. There's no training or experience necessary (although kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult), so paddle lazily around the water and enjoy the view, or join one of the Boathouse's guided river tours.
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Carmine Swimming Pool
Read Reviews1 Clarkson Street, New York, NY 10014 (map)
Take the kiddies for a swim at these unusually clean public (read: free!) pools in the West Village. There's a pool inside and a pool outside, so the chlorinated fun is available all year-round.
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Little Shop of Crafts
Read Reviews431 E 73rd St, New York, NY 10021 (map)
This friendly DIY craft house will occupy little ones for hours on end. Kids can paint pottery, make a mosaic, bead jewelry, stuff a cuddly animal or decorate a T-shirt. The possibilities are endless, and they'll be as excited about getting to keep their crafts as they are about making them.
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Chelsea Piers
Read Reviews23rd St at the Hudson River, New York, NY 10011 (map)
The field house at this massive sports complex offers classes, private lessons and daily drop-in programs in basketball, baseball, gymnastics, rock-climbing, soccer and dance, to name a few, for kids of all ages. For younger tots, head to the Chelsea Piers Toddler Adventure Center.
Where to Eat
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Serendipity 3
Read Reviews225 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022 (map)
When it's time to treat your brood to something sweet, Upper East Siders head to Serendipity. The decor--part attic-style antiques, part eclectic dollhouse--is charming and the food is good, but it's the desserts that steal the show. Try the frozen hot chocolate; it's famous for a reason. Afterward, take a stroll over to Central Park so the kids can work off the sugar rush.
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Peanut Butter & Co
Read Reviews240 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012 (map)
Kids who love peanut butter will adore this West Village spot that serves peanut butter sandwiches ranging from the classics to the newfangled. The highly-regarded shop also offers other sandwich staples, like grilled cheese, turkey, tuna fish, and baloney and cheese.
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Otto Enoteca and Pizzeria
Read Reviews1 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003 (map)
When you a need a restaurant that's both kid- and adult-friendly, look no further than Mario Batali's casual Italian eatery. The menu features an assortment of pizzas and pastas that range from classy and simple to creative and sophisticated, and everything is delicious, no matter the age of your palate.
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New Yeah Shanghai Deluxe
Read Reviews65 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013 (map)
Give the kids a lesson in New York's diverse cultural history by taking them to this Chinatown eatery. A koi pond and bridge run the length of the restaurant, serving as a perfect distraction if the young ones start to get antsy. Better yet, Shanghai Deluxe is just a few doors down from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.
Where to Shop
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Space Kiddets
Write a review46 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010 (map)
With trendy clothing for newborns to pre-teens, this Flatiron shop is a go-to for stylish boys and girls of all ages. Pick up a patterned romper for your little guy or appease your middle-schooler with that Juicy Couture bag she just HAS to have.
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Books Of Wonder
Read Reviews18 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011 (map)
It's never too early to cultivate an interest in reading, and this independent bookstore has been providing quality children's literature for more than a quarter century. The staff is exceptionally helpful, and the store is easy to browse as it's arranged by both age and genre.
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Fao Schwarz Toy Store
Read Reviews767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153 (map)
Upon entering this world-famous toy store, a giant clock sings out, "Welcome to the world of toys!," and it isn't lying. This spectacular bi-level mecca of all things playtime is stocked with every stuffed animal and toy your child has ever wanted--plus about a thousand more they'll be begging you to buy.
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Dylan's Candy Bar
Read Reviews1011 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021 (map)
If Candyland and Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory merged, the result would be this three-story candy emporium. Dylan's has every sweet imaginable--from basic to gourmet, retro to new-fangled--so you just might rediscover a favorite treat from your own childhood.
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H&M
Write a review435 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001 (map)
Little known fact: Your favorite store for discount duds also carries kiddie couture at its Herald Square location. There's a section devoted to babies and another for kids, so you can outfit the whole corral in one trip, and since it's H&M, you won't have to spend a bundle.
