Sure, there are the same old, same old things to do with kids in NYC, but on your next trip to the city, why not try something new and very cool? From sliding into a sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream to walking out on the all-glass Edge NYC for sky-high views to getting slimed at the Sloomoo Institute, you can find enough unique things to do with kids in NYC to talk about for days and weeks to come. So before you head back to the old standbys, scroll down to include one or more of these incredible spots in your day or weekend. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
Here Are 11 Unique Things To Do With Kids In NYC
Little Island
This elevated park sits atop tulip-shaped concrete pods and appears to be floating over the Hudson River. But Little Island isn’t just about the Instagram-worthy scenery—a 687-seat amphitheater offers a full range of family-friendly festivals and performing arts events. Check out the island’s Creative Breaks, which features different art forms like music, dance, and visual arts. Little Island is open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM (midnight in the summer), and you can walk on or off any time.
Pier 55 in Hudson River Park @ West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014
Edge NYC
Want to live life on the edge? Then this stunning outdoor sky deck—the highest in the Western Hemisphere—is where you should be. You’ll all get a thrill from the 52-second high-speed elevator ride that will take you 1,100 feet into the sky, onto an out-of-this-world observation point. The glass-angled walls will make you feel like you’re suspended in mid-air, and the breathtaking 360-degree view lets you take in the entire NYC skyline, from Central Park to the Statue of Liberty. Don’t forget to look down at the glass floor to view the city streets 100 stories below. Ticket prices start at $35 for children and $40 for adults, and the deck is open daily.
30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
Sloomoo Institute
Be prepared to get a little messy at this sensory playground, all centered around the wonders of slime. Travel through an immersive ASMR tunnel or stroll across a colorful slime lake. The fantastical experience also has a shop with slime kits, sensory toys, and slime supplies. With an enhanced ticket, kids (and moms) can don a poncho and goggles and get “slimed.” General tickets are $35 and up.
475 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Museum of Ice Cream
There is nothing sweeter than this one-of-a-kind ice cream extravaganza in Soho, where 13 interactive and multi-sensory installations will dazzle adults and kids alike. Go for a swim in a pool filled with 100 million sprinkles, slide down a three-story indoor ice cream portal, and take a trip through the rainbow tunnel. And you won’t want to leave without stopping at the cafe to sample one or all of the scrumptious, unusual ice cream flavors and desserts (we’re partial to the Sprinkle Pool Sundae). Ticket prices vary depending on the day of the week, demand, and availability, and each ticket includes ice cream and admission into all 13 installations, open daily.
558 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Located on the iconic aircraft carrier Intrepid, this museum is an educational and immersive experience the whole family will love. Young astronauts-in-training can explore the space shuttle Enterprise and make fascinating discoveries throughout 17 exhibit zones in the Space Shuttle Pavilion. Check out the virtual flight zone and restored aircraft, including the famed Concorde, and the Growler, the only American-guided nuclear missile submarine open to the public. Also, don’t miss the regularly scheduled special exhibits and programs that provide more information about the carrier’s history and science. Tickets are $36 for adults and $26 for children (veterans and active military are free), and the museum hours vary with the season,
Pier 86, W 46th St & 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036
SeaGlass Carousel
Littles and bigs will love to glide around this aquatic-inspired carousel ride featuring 30 giant fiberglass fish that feel like you dove deep into the ocean. The whimsical architectural masterpiece in Battery Park resembles a chambered nautilus, and the color-changing LED lighting emits a dreamy, iridescent water effect. We think it’s one of the coolest things to do with kids in NYC (even adults will want to take a spin). Tickets are $6 per person, and the carousel is open daily.
State Street and Battery Place, New York, NY 10004
Circle Line Sightseeing Tours
Hop aboard this relaxing cruise with a comfortable outdoor deck offering incredible skyline views—an iconic and scenic and a great way to take in the city’s most famous landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Yankee Stadium. Six cruises range from 50 minutes to 2.5 hours—depending on how much time you have and how patient your kiddos are—give an entertaining and informative glimpse into New York’s remarkable history while also presenting a ton of great Instagram moments. Ticket prices start at $29 per person.
Cruises depart from Pier 16 South Street Seaport and Pier 83 in Midtown.
Dylan’s Candy Bar
Candy, candy, and more candy—this confectionery emporium is a real-life Willy Wonka factory with over 7,000 sweet treats. Mouthwatering installations like a lollipop tree and sprinkle-decorated walls will entice every child and child at heart. Kids will love filling their baskets with the bulk candy offerings along the wall, featuring yummy retro treats like malt balls and over 50 fruity gummies (gummy Legos, anyone?).
20 Hudson Yards, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001
National Museum of Mathematics
Whether you have a budding Einstein or a kid who likes numbers, this award-winning museum highlights mathematics’s role in everyday life. Explore math-centric interactive displays to learn about math where kids can try their hand at exhibits like Formula Morph, Miles of Tiles, Polypaint, and Funny Face, where participants see how a simple formula can affect a photo booth image. Even if your kids are new to adding and subtracting, they will find the exhibits user-friendly. This museum is one of the unique things to do in NYC when you want to sneak in some education. The museum is open 7 days a week, except for Thanksgiving Day, from 10 AM – 5 PM. Tickets start around $20.
225 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Color Factory
It’s every color of the rainbow at this immersive installation with 14 exhibits designed in partnership with local and international artists and collaborators. Take a dive into the ball pit and spend time in the bright confetti room, which changes themes periodically. And throughout, make sure you get your sweet treats, colorful keepsakes, and photos from the hands-free selfie stations (all included in the $45+ ticket price you can buy online).
251 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013
Roosevelt Island Tramway
Kids will be in awe of the bird’ s-eye view of Manhattan while riding on the most modern aerial tramway in the world. Trams run 7-15 minutes (they even have rush hour service) from 59th Street to Second Avenue in Manhattan to the Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island, where you can explore parks and amazing views of the East Side. And it’s considered a bargain for things to do with kids in NYC—up to three children 44 inches tall and under ride for free on the Tram when accompanied by a fare-paying adult ($2.90).
East 59th Street and 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Redfin asked us about our favorite unique activity in New York City. Check out the article we were featured in: Get in the Empire State of Mind with These 15 Unique Things to Do in NYC | Redfin.
Become an NJMOM Insider! For all the best things to do with your family around New Jersey, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter delivered right to your inbox each week, and don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured on our social media.
