Kids & Family in New York City
17 kids & family in New York City, including 6 free options. Covers Crown Heights, Upper West Side, Corona, Sugar Hill and 11 more areas. Prices, hours, and access details included. Last updated 2026-10-19.
17 places
Indoor playgrounds, children's museums, free programs, and family activities across NYC neighborhoods. Prices and hours verified from official sources.
Hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages including the Totally Tots area for under-6. Outdoor play area in summer. Free every Thursday 2-5pm courtesy of Amazon.
Brooklyn Children's Museum website, Oct 2026
Five floors of interactive exhibits designed for kids 0-7. Save $1/ticket by buying online in advance. Seniors and visitors with disabilities get discounted admission.
CMOM website, Oct 2026
Hands-on science museum with 450+ exhibits. Rocket Park Mini Golf and 2D/3D theater cost extra. Free every Friday 2-5pm. Great for curious kids who like building, experimenting, and asking why.
NYSCI website, Oct 2026
Art and storytelling museum in a stunning David Adjaye-designed building. Free for kids 0-8. Third Sunday of every month is PLAYDATE -- free for all visitors.
Sugar Hill Museum website, Oct 2026
Aircraft carrier turned museum with fighter jets, a space shuttle, and a submarine. Kids under 5 free. NYC residents get significant discounts -- children just $13. Best for ages 5+ who are into planes, space, and military history.
Intrepid Museum website, Oct 2026
Manhattan's largest indoor playground -- three floors of obstacle courses, slides, and climbing structures. Two hours of play per session. Infants under 12 months free. Socks required.
Complete Playground website and Yelp reviews, Oct 2026
Part toy store, part immersive play experience. Rotating themed installations -- recent ones include Bluey's House and a Slime Bar. Also at City Point in Downtown Brooklyn. Retail floor is free to browse; ticketed experiences vary.
CAMP website and TripAdvisor reviews, Oct 2026
All-inclusive birthday parties for ages 1-5. Base price covers 15 kids, a professional party planner, singer-guitarist, sensory play, food/drink for kids, and 4 staff. Can accommodate up to 20 kids for an extra fee.
Kids at Work NYC website, Oct 2026
Prospect Park's largest water play area, named Best of New York by New York Magazine. Free for kids 12 and under. Open seasonally Memorial Day through mid-September, weather depending.
Prospect Park Alliance website, Oct 2026
Dynamic splash pad with canals and interactive spray features. Also home to Slide Mountain, Swing Valley, and Sandbox Village -- you can easily spend a full day between the four playgrounds. Free.
Brooklyn Bridge Park website, Oct 2026
A 22-foot rainbow pipefish sculpture winds through this playground with two splash zones -- bigger sprays for older kids and a gentle toddler section. Spray showers activate when temps hit 80F, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
NYC Parks and Mommy Poppins, Oct 2026
Free story times at 92 branches across Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island. Baby Lapsit (0-18mo), Toddler Time (18mo-3yr), and Preschool Story Time (3-5yr). Most are drop-in, no registration needed. Also STEM workshops and craft programs.
NYPL website and NYC Kids Week, Oct 2026
Free story times and kids programs at 60+ branches across Brooklyn. Baby and toddler story times, craft workshops, and homework help. The Central Library at Grand Army Plaza has a dedicated children's room.
Brooklyn Public Library website, Oct 2026
Toddler drop-in art classes for ages 1.5-5 and after-school programs for K-5. Small, neighborhood studio that parents love for its low-key, creative vibe. Drop-ins from $38; semester classes also available.
Brooklyn Bridge Parents and Macaroni Kid, Oct 2026
Community music school since 1912 in a historic four-story building with 24 classrooms and a 266-seat theater. Piano, guitar, voice, violin, drums, and more. Early childhood music classes start at age 2. $40 one-time registration fee.
Brooklyn Music School website, Oct 2026
Semester-long art classes and single-session drop-ins for kids on the Upper East Side. Fall 2026 semester runs Sep 14 - Jan 30. Single classes $65; semester pricing from $900.
Kids at Art website, Oct 2026
Egyptian-themed playground in Central Park with pyramids to climb, an obelisk, a sundial, a sandbox, and water features in summer. Right next to the Metropolitan Museum of Art -- combine both for a full day out.
Central Park Conservancy website, Oct 2026