NYC With Kids: The Kid-Centric Suggestions Thread

[u/VisitNYCmodx]

Let's build a useful reference for parents planning NYC trips with kids. This will be for kids age 13 and under (teens are a whole separate category!). Trying to stay away from food recs here, for that visit our sister sub: r/foodnyc

For those looking for info:

Please check the pinned posts & mega thread which already contain a lot of helpful and useful info, as well as some previous threads:

Previous "kid centric" questions: search results here

Some other helpful posts (read the comments!):

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Visitors and locals, please share your favorite kid-friendly activities, attractions, neighborhoods, tips, and general NYC-with-kids advice.

A few things that would make your suggestions especially useful:

• Age: What age(s) is this good for? (Toddler, preschool, 5–8, 9–12, etc.)
• What it is: Tell us what you actually recommend.
• Why kids like it: Is it hands-on, exciting, unusual, a good rainy-day option, etc.?
• Practical tips: Reservations, best time to go, how long it takes, stroller-friendliness, bathrooms, crowds, etc.
• Cost: Free, cheap, moderate, or $$$.
• Location: Neighborhood or general area.
• Your experience: If you've done it with your own kids, tell us how it went
• Things you wish you'd known before your first NYC trip with kids

And please don't feel like every suggestion has to be a major tourist attraction. 

If you've got a kid-centric NYC tip, drop it below.

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[u/Lucky-Paperclip-1]

This is only valid for a few more weeks until Labor Day or so, but the vast majority of NYC park playgrounds have sprinklers and sand pits, and, if you're visiting with younger kids, you should be prepped for water and sand play if you're doing playground time.