NYC is by far one of the best cities to raise kids in, with a wealth of activities for little ones of all ages. However, with so many fun things to choose from, how can you decide which to do this weekend? To help you choose, take a look at five of the top activities you and your kids will love.
1. Spend the Day at Central Park
Central Park is a place where your entire family can stay entertained for the entire day. If you’re looking for something quiet, you can bring food and sports equipment for a nice lunch followed by activities. If you’re open to walking around inside the park, you can visit the Central Park Zoo, The Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, and the many statues situated throughout.
Tip: If you want to treat your kids, a carriage ride is a great way to see the park while resting your feet.
2. Ice Skate
During the winter you can take the kids ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park, The Rink at Rockefeller Center, or any other outdoor skating areas. If these spots aren’t open, year-round indoor ice skating is available the Chelsea Piers Indoor Rink, the City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City, the World Ice Arena in Flushing, or the Aviator Sports and Events Center Ice Skating Rink in Marine Park.
Tip: Find more spots here.
3. Visit the Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Throughout the year the Brooklyn Botanical Garden has a variety of events for children, adults, and seniors to enjoy. It also hosts classes specifically for kids, which give them a chance to learn while having fun in an outdoor environment. The cherry blossoms are some of the most beautiful parts of this garden when they are in bloom.
4. Check Out the Aquarium
Kids can have hours of fun at the New York Aquarium no matter how old they are. This aquarium is a true work of art, with a conservation hall and Aquatheather that feature sharks, rays, otters, penguins, and more. It’s recommended to buy tickets online beforehand, especially on weekends.
5. Go Swimming
If it’s warm out, you’ll easily be able to find indoor swimming pools throughout the city for kids. This includes spots such as the Hamilton Fish Recreation Center, the Tompkins Square Park Mini Pool, and the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center. However, if the weather isn’t nice out, you’re not out of options. Indoor swimming passes can be found at Asphalt Green in the Upper East Side, the Astoria Sports Complex in Queens, the Brooklyn Sports Club in East New York, and many other spots.
Making Memories for Your Little Ones
The long list of things you can do in NYC does shorten a bit when you have kids in tow. However, new options are sprouting up all the time to ensure kids can have as much fun as adults. Those that are listed above are some of the best and will ensure great memories for your babies!