Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids (2024)

2. Summer Movie Nights

Blow bedtime to catch one of the FREE outdoor summer movies all over town.

3. VisitAMNH'sGilder Center

See butterflies, bugs, and tons of interactive spaces in theGilder Centerat the always kid-friendlyAmerican Museum of Natural History. Pro tip: Bring a bathing suit so you can enjoy theplay fountain on Arthur Ross Terracewhen you're done inside.

4. Hit The High Line

VisitThe High Lineand then explore therainbow pipefish that calls Chelsea Waterside Playgroundhome nearby.

RELATED:12 Places to Play Mini Golf in NYC for Families

Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids (1)
Hop aboard the ferry to Governors Island and take a spin around the island on a surrey. Photo by Diana Kim

5. Go to Governors Island

Our favorite harbor island playground really comes alive during the summer with festivals, live music, and plenty of room to romp.

6. Row a Boat

Go kayaking or canoeing in New York Harbor for FREE. We're particularly fond of Red Hook Boaters at Valentino Park Pier. Follow up with a visit to Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie.

7. Enjoy a Round-the-World Food Feast

Munch your way through the international eats at the Queens Night Market or one of these other foodie-focused summertime destinations.

8. Legoland New York

Take a daycation to Legoland New York in the Hudson Valley where you can splash the day away at its Water Playground, go sky-high on its new Mini Figure Skyflyer, and enjoy the rest of the park's offerings.

9. Seek Out a Swimming Hole

Take the kids to one of theseoff-the-beaten-path swimming holes in the Catskillsand explore the rest of the funthings to do in the region.

10. See Shakespeare

TheDelacorteTheater may be dark this season, but that doesn't mean you can't catch The Bard in many NYC parks. See The Public's mobile production ofThe Comedy of Errorsat sites citywide, ClassicalTheatreof Harlem mountsA Midsummer Night's Dreamin Marcus Garvey Park,The Tempesttakes over Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Riverside Park is the stage for theComplete Works of Williams Shakespeare. There's even moreShakespeare in our calendar.

11. Visit Coney Island

Walk the boardwalk atConey Island, indulge in carnival eats, fly high onrides at Luna ParkandDeno'sWonder Wheel Amusement Park, and visitthe New York Aquariumto get an up-close view ofthe sharks, Spineless, thePlayQuarium, and more.

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Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids (2)
NYC might be a big city, but it's also got some pretty amazing beaches. Photo by Sara Marentette

12. Visit the Beach

Swipe your MetroCard and catch a train to the beach, or for more adventure, hop a ferry.

13. Go Swimming

Dive into one of the city's FREE public pools, which are all opening for summer 2024 on Thursday, June 27.

14. Play in Brooklyn Bridge Park

It's hard to beat a day on the waterfront in Brooklyn Bridge Park. We love exploring its fabulous playgrounds, visiting the Pier 2 Uplands for some splashing, and then finishing with a waterfront dinner overlooking the skyline at Fornino, one of our favorite outdoor eateries in Brooklyn.

15. Ride the Beam

Rockefeller Center isn't a winter-only destination! Explore allthefun atTop of the Rock, including a ride on TheBeam—currentlyFREE forkids—andnab a kids' VIP pass to take advantage of discounts and giveaways campus-wide while you're there!

RELATED:Easy New York State Park Hikes in the Hudson Valley

Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids (3)
Plants sprout from pools and hang from the skies inWonderland: Curious Nature.

16. Get Lost at the Garden

The stunningNew York Botanical Gardenis a beautiful summer destination. This season it invites visitors to fall down the rabbit hole with itsAlice in Wonderland-inspired exhibition:Wonderland: Curious Nature. We suggest springing for the tea to-go!

17. Explore Little Island

We love Little Island, NYC's floating park, and its lineup of (mostly FREE!) entertainment and events.

18. Frolic in a Fountain

When the temperatures spike, these kid-friendly play fountains are easier than a trip to the pool or beach.

19. See the Sparklers

Macy's 4th of July fireworks are a must-see, and they return to the Hudson River in 2024. Pro tip: If you want to take a fireworks cruise, book now!

20. Hang With Harry Potter

Visitthe immersive Harry Potter Exhibition to go behind the scenes of some of the most magical movie moments. Its limited run ends Sunday, August 11, 2024.

21. Boogie in Brooklyn

Dance away the evening at the annual BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn Festival.

22. Pitch a Tent

The Urban Park Rangers' popular city parks camping program returns. Register for the lottery to vie for your spot to sleep under the (invisible) city stars.

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Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids (4)
You can't beat the slide at Billy Johnson Playground. Photo by the author

23. Romp in Central Park

Check out our parent-tested list of Central Park's top playgrounds or explore these more off-the-beaten-path picks.

24. Hit the Sandbox

Build a sandcastle at one of these destination sandboxes.

25. Summer for the City

Head to Lincoln Center for live outdoor performances including the Summer For the City series featuring programming and activities for young audiences and families.

26. Visit a Local Farm

No matter the month, there's fresh produce to pick in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New Jersey. Plot a trip forstrawberry picking,pick-your-own blueberries, orpluck a perfectly ripe peach off the tree.

27. Dine Outside

These restaurants with kid-friendly backyards inManhattan,Brooklyn, andQueensare a sweet summertime treat.

28. Stop and Smell the Lavender

Long Island'sLavender By The Bayoffers acres of stunning blooms to explore, plus photo-ops and plenty of lavender goodies to purchase in its on-site shop.

29. Enjoy a Playground With a View

Explore NYC's waterfront parks by planning aplaydateat one of these 10 playgroundsranging from beachfront jungle gyms to riverfront destinations.

RELATED: Best Things to Do in Coney Island With Kids

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Beat the heat with a trip to a favorite ice cream shop! Photo by Sara Marentette

30. Indulge in an Ice Cream Treat

Turn down the heat with a sweet treat from one of the mom-and-pop ice cream shops within the five boroughs. Some of our favorites: Sugar Hill Creamery, Brooklyn Farmacy, or one of these other local scoop shops.

31. Play with Science

The New York Hall of Science makes for a fun and educational destination, and we're in love with the renovated Science Playground, which begs at least one trip this season!

32. Play Pickleball

This racket sport is all the rage, and you can get in the game at CityPickle, which has transformed Wollman Rink into 14-courts of pickelball fun. Lessons are available and all equipment is included!

33. Build at Genius Gems

When the weather is too hot, humid, or rainy to romp outside, check out this awesome STEM play space in Chelsea, where kids can build with magnetic tiles, mix their own slime, design a custom glitter tile, and more. Don't be shy: Parents can play, too.

34. Ride a Bicycle

Whether you opt to explore the Empire State Trail, which runs from Lower Manhattan to Canada, or hit a more local path, dust off your two-wheeler and get outside.

35. Go Skydiving

Did you know Queens is home to alocation of iFly Indoor Skydiving? Take this as your sign to take a leap and give this daring outing a try!

RELATED: Camping at North-South Lake with Kids

Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids (6)
Bryant Park has great children's programming during the summer months.

36. Bask in Bryant Park

Enjoy the green oasis that is Midtown's Bryant Park, with its reading room, game nook, pingpong tables, Picnic Performances, and more.

37. Go on Safari

Six Flags is inviting visitors to spend a night on the savannah thanks to the opening of its Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa, which overlooks its Wild Safari park!

38. Balloon Story

Head to the Park Avenue Armory when it is transformed by Balloon Story, a playful collection of larger-than-life, inflatable, interactive installations. It opens Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

39. Catch a Ferry

Whether you opt for the FREE Staten Island Ferry and stick around to explore the family-friendly things to do at the oft-forgotten borough when you get off, or hop aboard the NYC Ferry, a boat ride is a fun way to transport yourself for a day of adventure!

40. Explore the Belly of a Fish

The new Pier 26 Science Playground takes its cues from the sea. Kids can climb inside a larger-than-life sturgeon and whooshdown a super fast slide!

41. Sing-Along to a Concert

Our collection of alfresco summer concerts is growing by the day.

42. Go for a Wild Ride

You can take the train or bus to these local-ish amusement parks to enjoy everything from kiddie rides to thrilling roller coasters.

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Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids (7)
Rocking Horse Ranch's Boulder Bay pool is destination-worthy. Photo courtesy of the resort

43. Get Away

You don't have to go far to exhale. We've got the details on cool family-friendly hotels in city limits, plus these spots boasting cool hotel pools, and our top picks for lakefront resorts or family-friendly spa resorts.

44. Go Down The Shore

The Jersey Shore is a summertime playground. We've rounded up 70 things to do with kids, and even have a three-day itinerary for exploring the best attractions by the sea.

45. Reacquaint Yourself With Museum Mile & Beyond

We cherish our world-class museums, even better, many offerFREE admission deals! One of our favorite, can't-miss, annual events is theMuseum Mile Festivalon Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Fifth Avenue transforms into a giant, culture-filledstreet party, and its museums fling open their doors for FREE.

46. Go Whale Watching

Grab your binoculars and board one of thesewhale-watching toursto spot marine mammals and more just off the NYC shores.

47. Explore The Intrepid Museum

We have lots of love for The Intrepid Museum, which hosts an epic Apollo exhibition this summer, plus FREE monthly movies on its flight deck.

48. Go for a Spin on a Carousel

From Harlem to Dumbo, NYC is home togorgeous carousels and merry-go-rounds. When was the last time you went for a ride?

RELATED: Where to See Free Summer Fireworks in NYC

Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids (8)
Explore the multiple routes through the rope-and-netting climbing structure at the Bronx Zoo Nature Trek.

49. Spend a Day at the Zoo

You can't go wrong with a visit to the Bronx Zoo, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. The Prospect Zoo is newly reopened, and we're also smitten with the Queens Zooand Central Park Zoo.

50. Play in Prospect Park

From Lakeside's splash pad to the Children's Corner Carousel, plus paddleboats, programming, and more, it's hard to pick our favorite thing to do in Brooklyn's iconic green space though we have managed to name our favorite playground.

Bonus: Finish Your Bucket List

See how many of our 100 things to do with NYC kids before they grow up you can cross off!

This post, originally published in 2019, has since been updated.

Unless noted, photos by author

Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids (2024)

FAQs

How do you spend summer in NYC? ›

SUMMER VIBES
  1. Attractions & Tours. Coney Island. Luna Park in Coney Island. ...
  2. Restaurants. Queens Night Market. ...
  3. Attractions & Tours. Bedford Park. ...
  4. Attractions & Tours. Prospect Heights. ...
  5. Attractions & Tours. Flushing. ...
  6. Attractions & Tours. Randall Manor. ...
  7. Outdoors & Recreation. The Rockaways. ...
  8. Attractions & Tours. Fordham.

What's free for kids in NYC? ›

Free or Low-Cost Activities for Families
  • Growing Up NYC. ...
  • Public Libraries. ...
  • IDNYC. ...
  • Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) ...
  • The NYC Parks Department. ...
  • Visit NYC's Public Parks. ...
  • Outdoor Spaces with Free Days and Times. ...
  • Museums.

Is NYC in summer fun? ›

Whether you're looking for the hottest concerts, film festivals and street fairs, or need to beat the heat at one of our many pools and beaches, there are thousands of attractions and events that are just a quick walk or subway or bus ride away.

What are some fun facts New York city for kids? ›

10 Fun Facts About New York
  • Pizza is a huge deal.
  • More than 800 languages are spoken throughout the city.
  • Honking your horn is illegal.
  • The city is home to many delicious food discoveries.
  • Homeowners can request free trees.
  • The classic NY cab wasn't always yellow.
  • NYC is home to Einstein's eyeballs.
  • The subway system is epic.

How do I plan activities in New York? ›

Tips for How to Plan the Perfect Trip to New York:

Look up attraction hours of operation and make a note of them. Download a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour map to help you visualize where each attraction is in the city (add any from your list of attractions you want to visit if they're not included on the map)

How to survive NYC summer without AC? ›

If the air outside feels cooler than inside, open the windows and try to get air flowing through the home. Otherwise, keep doors and windows closed when temperatures are at their peak. Use a fan to help circulate the air. Remember, fans don't always help if the humidity is high.

How to enjoy New York City on a budget? ›

New York City On A Budget
  1. 1 - Visit New York City In The Off-Season. ...
  2. 4 - Get the MetroCard on a 7-day Pass. ...
  3. 5 - Take A Taxi, Not An Uber or Lyft. ...
  4. 6 - Stay at a Pod Hotel or Hostel. ...
  5. 7 - Eat Street Food and Go To Chelsea Market. ...
  6. 8 - Free Museum Days. ...
  7. 9 - Discount Comedy and Discount Broadway Tickets. ...
  8. 10 - Plan Your Splurges.

What is the best summer month in NYC? ›

However, the best times of year to visit New York City for warm weather activities are from mid-June to July and from early August to the end of September.

Do kids ride Subway for free in NYC? ›

Up to three children under 44 inches tall ride for free when they're with a fare-paying adult on the subway and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses.

How to get free meals in NYC? ›

Use the Food Help NYC map or call 311 to find your closest food pantry and community kitchen. Everyone is eligible for food assistance, regardless of immigration status or how much money you have.

What to do in New York summer time? ›

These unique happenings offer a chance to immerse yourself in the city's rich cultural tapestry.
  • SummerStage. ...
  • Coney Island Mermaid Parade. ...
  • Summer for the City. ...
  • NYC Pride. ...
  • Pier 26 at Hudson River. ...
  • NYC's Outdoor Food Scene. ...
  • Outdoor Dining. ...
  • Smorgasburg.
Apr 9, 2024

Is NYC or LA hotter in the summer? ›

Los Angeles will have warmer temps and a more stable climate throughout the year. NYC has a much wider range of temperatures. The summers in both locations are similar with average highs of 84 F – 85 F. The average lows in NYC however, are down to 27 F, whereas in LA the average yearly low is 49 F.

Is New York worth visiting in the summer? ›

Visiting New York City in the Summer

With an average high between 80°F and 84°F June through August, temperatures are ideal to visit NYC's many museums, attractions and monuments. Throughout the summer, the, city hosts many seasonal events such as the NYC Pride March and the New York City International Fringe Festival.

What do children do in New York colony? ›

Children might have to carry wood or water, husk corn, gather berries, lead oxen, card wool, gather eggs or churn butter. When children weren't doing chores, their parents often sent them to school. Many times children turned their work into games to make it more fun or to make the time go by faster.

Is New York good to go with kids? ›

Although New York City is renowned as a haven for adults, drawing visitors from far and wide to indulge in its world-class museums, exquisite dining and iconic landmarks, it's equally enchanting for kids and families. The city has a wealth of family-friendly attractions, sure to please everyone in the group.

Is New York minute kid friendly? ›

Parents need to know that there is some very mild language (a post-it saying "remove stick from butt" is about as rough as it gets) and violence. There is some booty-shaking, implied comic nudity, and skimpy clothing, but when the girls have to run around the city wearing a robe and a towel both are no…

What do students do for fun in New York University? ›

NYU has over 400 clubs and organizations, 21 varsity sports, 21 club sports, a wide range of intramural teams, musical and choral performance groups, and many community service and leadership opportunities available to you outside of the classroom.

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