If you’re planning a trip to New York with your kids, you might think that you need to spend a lot of money to entertain them. But fortunately there are so many great things to do in the Big Apple that don’t cost a cent and are a lot of fun. Here’s just some of the many free things you can do with kids of all ages. Of course, if you live in New York you could do these things as well.
A fun family vacation in NY. What could be better? I’ll tell you! Free activities in NY so you don’t break the bank.
Read this after you read Totally Free Things To Do In New York, because almost everything there is ALSO great for kids. I’m going to include some extra kid-friendly attractions at those locations so you don’t miss them:
- Governors Island: A 172-acre, completely car-free paradise, kids can run, bike, and explore without you constantly worrying about traffic. Once you land (with the free ferry you learned about in the other article), head straight to Hammock Grove and “The Hills.” Your kids can conquer Slide Hill, which features four epic slides, including the longest three-story slide in all of New York City. There is also a massive, dedicated play space called Yard, where kids can build their own structures using loose parts like wood, tires, and tools.
- High Line for kids: Near 30th Street, don’t miss the “Pershing Square Beams,” a dedicated, free play area where the concrete deck of the old rail line has been stripped away, coating the original steel support beams in a safe, kid-friendly silicone. Kids can climb, crawl through structures, and explore the internal skeleton of the old railway line safely. Exit the High Line near 14th Street and head to Little Island at Pier 55. The floating public park features winding, maze-like paths, rolling hills, and hidden musical steps built into the ground that make noise when kids jump on them.
- NY Public Library: They have the ORIGINAL Winnie the Pooh on display. If your kids will get a kick out of this, it may be fun, and also a way to encourage reading.
The Free Indoor Playground. At the Museum.
One of the city’s best-kept secrets is a massive, state-of-the-art indoor playground tucked inside the legendary Metropolitan Museum of Art. And it is completely free. It’s suitable for children 3–11 (and their caregivers, obvs), but they do mention that older kids may enjoy it too, and I suspect they might.
The 81st Street Studio is a 3,500-square-foot interactive science and art play space located on the ground floor of The Met (enter at 81st Street and Fifth Avenue). No museum ticket is required for entry, but it does work on a first-come, first-served basis, and if there is a crowd, your time may be limited.
Inside, kids can go wild at interactive stations where art meets science. They can experiment with a giant light-and-optical projection wall, build custom physical drums and use digital tech to add echo and delay effects, or cast virtual impressions from woodblocks they design themselves.
There is even an extraordinary musical station featuring custom guitars and a marimba built by Yamaha to teach kids how different materials change sound. It’s high-tech, high-energy, and completely free.
Toy Stores
These are free to visit and so much fun. But beware! You must manage expectations or the trip to the store will cost you way more than an entry ticket would elsewhere (although at least you’ll have a souvenir…). I’m going to write some of my favorites. But there are probably more…
The LEGO Store on Fifth Avenue
The iconic LEGO Store on Fifth Avenue (right by Rockefeller Center): Kids can spend hours at the building stations scattered throughout the store, constructing their own creations at open LEGO tables.
The store features jaw-dropping, giant brick sculptures of New York landmarks like a life-sized yellow taxi cab they can sit inside for photos, a massive Statue of Liberty, and detailed Marvel superheroes.
While there can sometimes be a short line to enter during peak afternoon hours, come early to get the tables to yourselves. One thing I’ve done is let my kids create one of their own LEGO figures. It’s inexpensive, and they have a great NY souvenir.
FAO Schwarz
Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza (Midtown)
America’s oldest and most legendary toy store, you’ll be greeted by real toy soldiers at the door. Kids can dance on the famous, room-sized floor piano.
Beyond the towering plush animals, the multi-level flagship features live magic shows, a custom remote-control car raceway, and an adorable interactive baby doll adoption center.
Nintendo New York
Location: 10 Rockefeller Plaza (Midtown)
A total paradise for young gamers, this vibrant, two-story flagship is packed with giant character statues for photos, hands-on gaming stations playing the latest releases, and wall-to-wall Pokémon and Mario gear.
American Girl Place
Location: 75 Rockefeller Plaza (Midtown)
This massive, multi-level wonderland is truly amazing, but may be difficult to actually spend nothing here.
Kids can customize their own dolls, book a real manicure or ear-piercing at the doll salon, or sit down for a fancy, doll-friendly afternoon tea at the in-store café.
This one is gorgeous to see but may be very difficult for your little ones to leave without a purchase. The hack here would be to manage expectations, use it as a fact-finding mission for your own dolls, but that may still not be enough.
Harry Potter New York
Location: 935 Broadway (Flatiron District)
Spanning three magical floors, this immersive location is home to the world’s largest collection of Wizarding World merch, featuring incredible photo ops under a giant hanging Nagini and a wand-testing area.
There is a dedicated Butterbeer Bar where kids can drink a frothy draft or grab some Butterbeer ice cream. So, again, either manage expectations, steer clear of it, or use it as an opportunity to take a refreshing break.
M&M’S New York
Location: 1600 Broadway (Times Square)
Although it is totally fun to just walk around here, to see the different M&M swag and play some of the interactive games, I don’t believe it’s fair to come here and not buy your kids something.
So either skip it or give each child a reasonable budget, and expect an hour of chocolate fun.
CAMP, A Family Experience Store
Location: 110 Fifth Avenue (Flatiron District)
Half toy store, half interactive playspace, this unique spot features a “magic door” (disguised as a bookshelf) that opens up into a massive, rotating themed adventure world full of indoor slides, crafts, and counselor-led games.
Free Museums for Kids
The New York Aquarium
Located right on the Coney Island boardwalk, it brings the ocean to life for children through an incredible walk-through shark tunnel and an interactive sea lion show. There is plenty more to explore!
Free admission: Wednesdays from 3:00 PM, with a limit of four tickets. You must order tickets in advance.
The Intrepid Museum
Kids can step directly into history by exploring a massive, real-world aircraft carrier packed with historic fighter jets, a space shuttle, and hands-on flight simulators.
Free admission: The last Friday of the month from April to October.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Perfect for younger children, this multi-floor playground of the mind features immersive, sensory-rich exhibits like the interactive water table and beloved character play areas designed for learning through movement.
Free admission: The first Friday of every month from 5 PM to 8 PM.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
As the world’s first museum built just for kids, it offers a fantastic miniature “World Brooklyn” main street where children can play shopkeeper, baker, and builder while learning about different cultures.
Free admission: Thursdays between 2 PM and 5 PM.
Central Park
The mother of all parks, Central Park is amazing for kids. Take the kids to explore the winding paths of The Ramble and check out Belvedere Castle (because who doesn’t love a free castle?).
For a total kid-pleaser, time your walk to hit the Delacorte Clock on the hour or half-hour. The rotating musical animals are pure magic for toddlers and small children.
You can find the famous Alice in Wonderland bronze statue on the east side of Central Park, right near the Conservatory Water (where people sail the model boats).
It is one of the absolute best spots in the park for families because it was specifically designed for kids to climb all over. Little ones love scrambling up Alice’s giant mushroom, sitting next to the Mad Hatter, and finding the White Rabbit.
It makes for a fantastic interactive photo-op and a great place to let the kids play freely for a bit.
With 21 free playgrounds scattered throughout the park, you’re never more than a few blocks away from the perfect energy-burner to break up a day of sightseeing.
