ajadedidealist

Things to do with Kids in NYC?

Let's make a list for the benefit of all the parents of the board. Drawing on my own childhood experiences, I'd say

1. The Met - it really is like a playground for a kid (at least one old enough to know not to set off the alarms). The somewhat haphazard layout of the museum combined with the incredible amount of STUFF - from furniture to suits of armor to Egyptian temples to Medieval manuscripts to paintings - makes it a really great place for a kid to wander through. I think it's unfortunately overlooked that kids have a great sense of imagination and don't need toys or games all the time - the works in the Met are great imagination-fuel for a game of Pretend while the parents look at particular works of art... Plus, the nearby Ancient Playground, featuring climbable pyraminds and obelisks, is so darn cool!

2. The Carousel in Central Park
My grandmother took me here when I was younger and I loved it - and still love it! It's old-fashioned and sweet and altogether perfect.

3. Cedar Hill, Central Park
The best spot in the park to run, play, and otherwise just Be a Kid.

Any more suggestions?

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ajadedidealist Feb 01, 2010

Oh, let me add another one! "Adventure Rock" - as I called it - a huge, HUGE rock with nooks and cliffs and crannies and ledges and trees and fields and general loveliness, just by the Central Park South playground. (this is not the rock near Wollmann rink, rather it's just to the right of the playground if you're facing north.) My grandmother used to take me there, and I have the most FANTASTIC memories of the place! I used to call the little ledge-bit "Pride Rock" after the Lion King.

hhusted Feb 01, 2010

The only place that you have listed, that I went to is the Met. I went there a couple of times. Since I do not have kids, I have not gone to the other places, however, I do have friends who have kids, so I will mention the places to them. Thanks for the list.

uptowngirl Feb 02, 2010

If anyone is currently looking to see a Broadway showsit would be worth checking out the details of the Kids Night on Broadway program which is this year being hosted by Meredith Vieira of the Today show fame. The Kids Night on Broway entitles kids aged 6-8 to see a Boadway show free when accompanied by a full paying adult. This could make for a fun and not to mention reasonable outing for all the family. http://kidsnightonbroadway.com/kids.php

BroadwayBK Feb 03, 2010

The American Museum of Natural History www.amnh.org Bronx Zoo www.bronxzoo.com/ Brooklyn Botanic Garden www.bbg.org/ Brooklyn Children's Museum www.brooklynkids.org Central Park Zoo www.centralparkzoo.com/ Chelsea Piers www.chelseapiers.com/ Children's Museum of Manhattan www.cmom.org Museum of the Moving Image www.movingimage.us/ New York Aquarium www.nyaquarium.com Prospect Park Zoo www.prospectparkzoo.com Puppet Works www.puppetworks.org

hhusted Feb 03, 2010

It is great to know there are places for kids to go in NYC. It would be a dull place is everything was for adults.

ajadedidealist Feb 03, 2010

Definite thumbs up here for the Children's Museum - it's a great place. I think the Intrepid - with its air/space/boat theme - is one good option for slightly older kids - esp. preteen boys. It's a big gung-ho jingoistic, but also scientifically and historically interesting.

Uraniumfish Feb 03, 2010

Let's not forget the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co for hipster kids who know their capes (http://www.superherosupplies.com/)

uptowngirl Feb 03, 2010

Any reviews of the New York Transit Museum? the reason I ask that my nephews are due to visit me soon and both the boys ( the older one is nine and the younger one four) are obsessed with buses and subways. Strange obsession I know but boys will be boys...