Best Kid-Friendly Museums and Activities in NYC

Whether you are a New York City local or are planning a trip to NYC with your family, there are so many places to learn and explore for your little ones. Museums are a great way to explore subjects like space, nature, dinosaurs, and even ice cream! Kids of all ages will love diving into exhibits and interactive activities while making their way through these incredible NYC museums for kids (and all ages).

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the Children’s Museum offers exhibits and programs for all ages, with some programs specified for 4 and under. Their mission statement states “CMOM encourages empathy across differences by elevating and providing insight into diverse perspectives and inviting visitors of all backgrounds to join our intentionally welcoming community and create and learn alongside each other.” With exhibits that include water play, adventures with their favorite characters, and education about the big city; CMOM is the perfect place to play and learn with fantastically fun preschool activities. Visit their website for ticket information and more! https://cmom.org/ 

American Museum of Natural History

From insects and gems to dinosaurs and blue whales, the American Museum of Natural History is a look into the past and present. With admission, you and your little ones can marvel at exhibitions like the giant Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil and the 94-foot long model of a blue whale. Ticketed exhibitions include a butterfly vivarium where little ones can discover over a thousand species of butterflies, right in front of their eyes! One of the most iconic NYC museums for kids — check out the website for more info on exhibitions and ticket information. https://www.amnh.org/ 

Candytopia

Satisfy you and your family’s sweet tooth with a trip to Candytopia, “an interactive art installation [that] celebrates the vibrant colors and flavors of your favorite sugar-coated delights across over a dozen environments, from flying unicorn pigs to a marshmallow tsunami.” With super fun photo opportunities and tasty treats included in your ticket price, you and your family can explore this sweet-filled wonderland. Free admission for little ones under 3 makes this an especially appealing option for preschool activities while on vacation. Check out the website to schedule your visit! https://tickets.candytopia.com/event/candytopia-new-york

Bronx Zoo 

Calling all animal lovers: The Bronx Zoo is the place to see your favorite animals in person! You may recognize this animal conservatory from Animal Planet’s TV show The Zoo, where they spotlight one of their 6,000 animals and give a peak of what taking care of them looks like. With indoor and outdoor exhibits and interactive experiences, your little ones will love seeing their favorite animals up close. The Bronx Zoo prides itself on their commitment to wildlife conservation; and teaching little ones how important it is to take care of wildlife and the rest of our planet is always a good lesson to learn when exploring. Check out their website for ticket information and links to The Zoo for a sneak peak before your visit!  https://bronxzoo.com/ 

Museum of Ice Cream 

Warmer weather means cooling down with an air-conditioned art installation and ice-cold sweet treats! The Museum of Ice Cream (while maybe not the first thing you’d think of when you looks for NYC museums for kids), offers multi-sensory art installations, activities, and of course, lots of ice cream! Keeping your the attention of your little ones with interesting preschool activities, there is even an opportunity for you and your little ones to create their own edible slime that they can bring home — complete with sprinkles, glitter, and take-home jars. Reserve your tickets in advance for a trip through this sweet escape.  https://www.museumoficecream.com/new-york-city 

We hope you enjoy any (or all) of these amazing NYC museums for kids we offer in our city! And make sure to check out Playgarden Online for other preschool activities you can do on trips, during homeschool preschool, or at home hanging out!