Encourage them to experiment using various materials as paintbrushes (string, ribbons, leaves or flowers) as this will strengthen (Things to Do With Kids) fine motor skills and expand imagination.
Play dance games such as bunny hop, star jump and skip to channel excess energy and keep moving. Make music together; this will foster their love of learning while being fun for all involved!
Go to the Zoo
Visits to zoos are one of the best ways for children of any age to become interested in nature and wildlife, from feeding the animals to learning about their habitats – it offers multisensory learning experiences!
But you need to keep several things in mind if your children will join you on this outing, from what to pack to planning interactive zoo activities. First and foremost, never feed people food to animals even when your children beg you for it; feeding animals could not only be dangerous for their wellbeing but can be a source of germs too! So make sure that there is plenty of hand sanitizer and remind your kids to use it after every bite and after participating in interactive zoo activities. (Things to Do With Kids)
If your children are babies or toddlers, be sure to bring a familiar carrier or wrap for comfort while exploring and engaging with the animals at the Zoo. As they get older they may enjoy exploring on their own – just remember they may need breaks from all the walking and noise at times!
As your Zoo offers different experiences, Wild Encounters allow visitors to meet and feed some of its residents. These wild encounters make a wonderful addition to a regular visit and even make for great birthday or holiday presents; you might book a giraffe feeding encounter or penguin sleepover as one example; other experiences could include family brunches with penguins and Animal Ambassador Programs where children learn about different animals.
Go to the Aquarium
Children love water (Things to Do With Kids) - and what better way to capture their interest than with a visit to an aquarium? Even though they could watch videos of sharks or otters online, experiencing them up close and personal is unrivaled!
Most aquariums also offer touch tanks where kids can get close and personal with jellyfish, stingrays, sea cucumbers and crabs. Some even provide tours or other engaging experiences behind-the-scenes.
An aquarium visit provides the perfect opportunity for parents and their young children to discuss ecology and marine biology. Parents can point out colors (”That is a black and white seahorse! “), coach them on basic biology (“That is just a baby fish; it will grow larger”), as well as teach conservation (most species found at aquariums are endangered species in nature).
Though our oceans cover over 70% of Earth, there remains much to discover underwater. Public aquariums provide an exciting and engaging way for children and adults alike to learn about marine life, while school field trips to public aquariums can boost vocabulary while increasing curiosity - providing invaluable teaching moments!
New York City offers plenty for your kids (Things to Do With Kids) to do together, from ziplining along the Bronx River to exploring space at Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art there are kid-friendly activities for toddlers; teens may attend “Teens Take the Met” events or explore medieval artifacts at The Cloisters. Or try kayaking in Brooklyn Bridge Park for an entirely unique perspective of Manhattan skyline; Green-Wood Cemetery has one of America’s oldest cemeteries and their historic trolley tour offers up a ride that will take them through history at Green-Woood Cemetery – it all awaits them there.
Go to Coney Island
Coney Island provides the perfect place for children of all ages to have a thrilling and memorable time! This Brooklyn amusement park and beach has been a summertime hot spot since 1904 and features iconic rides such as Cyclone roller coaster, Deno’s Wonder Wheel and other high-speed attractions.
One of the greatest draws of this park are its breathtaking skyline views, offering some magnificent shots of Manhattan skyline with Brooklyn Bridge in the background. Additionally, there is a playground where kids can let out some energy before recharging at snack shops nearby.
One popular activity to do in Brooklyn is stroll along its Boardwalk. This relaxing activity provides fresh air and sun while offering you the opportunity to meet people. Plus, beach volleyball with your friends or family makes this an excellent way to spend a sunny weekend day! (Things to Do With Kids)
As soon as your stomach rumbles, head straight for Nathan’s Famous for a chili cheese dog or regular super-cheeseburger – not forgetting Dora the Explorer-themed floors and plenty of interactive and educational exhibits!
Coney Island can be easily reached via subway, bus, or car. When using public transit such as subways or buses, be sure to consult the MTA website or app for any reroutes or delays that could impact your trip. Booking tickets ahead will save time at the gate while ticket resellers also offer discounted tickets.
Go to the Plaza Hotel
The Plaza is one of New York City’s premier hotels, and boasts an illustrious roster of guests that spans musicians, authors, politicians and actors – from Miles Davis recording Jazz at The Plaza Vol 1 & 2, Truman Capote writing In Cold Blood in its library room and The Beatles staying here during their first trip to America when touring in 1964.
Hotel Lafayette provides children with plenty of activities, from an Eloise Suite (complete with Nanny Suite option) and Eloise High Tea to its prime location across from Central Park, offering visitors stunning nooks and sculptures to explore on a family stroll.
Bryant Park offers children an ideal learning environment (Things to Do With Kids), offering regular group fitness classes, juggling lessons, story time sessions and organised games like BINGO or musical chairs. There are also workshops, crafts projects and seasonal events.
NYC cruises provide children with an exciting way to see the city from the water, taking them through its iconic skyline. City Cruises offers multiple daily trips and some even include treats!
While Soho may be known for its luxurious clubs and shopping, it has recently become increasingly family friendly. You’ll find numerous kid-oriented eateries and activities here like Black Tap’s famous crazy shakes and burgers; the Jacques Torres chocolate museum; as well as the Children’s Museum of the Arts.
Consider visiting Brooklyn’s Jane’s Carousel for an elegant ride, the Rink at Rockefeller Center for ice skating or watch one of Broadway shows; alternatively visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art with toddler storytimes or its Cloisters’ Unicorn Tapestry Room to impress both children and adults alike!
Go to Central Park
Over a million children call New York City home, and there are plenty of adventures for them to experience here. (Things to Do With Kids) From cheering on Yankees or Mets at Yankee Stadium or Mets Stadium to admiring its skyline from Brooklyn Bridge or exploring one of NYC’s oldest cemeteries Green-Wood Cemetery; kids will never run out of things to do here in NYC.
Central Park is a must for families, offering much-needed respite from city noise and traffic. Enjoy guided horse-and-carriage, bike, pedicab or running tours through this sprawling urban oasis; stop by playgrounds or visit Central Park Zoo; go boating on its lake; or catch an open-air Delacorte Theater concert performance!
There are also plenty of family-friendly museums to discover, such as the Children’s Museum of Art or the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s works by Monet and Gauguin which will appeal to older kids. Or for something less conventional try MoMA’s Ice Cream Making Station or stop by one of their art labs that allows children to create their own masterpiece.
Plan ahead when traveling with children in New York, as there is an array of activities tailored specifically to them available here. To save time, reserve tickets when possible – the CityPASS sightseeing pass offers this service, making seeing many popular sites easier! It can even be purchased by residents as well as visitors!
