Looking for fun and free things to do in NYC with kids? This guide has got you covered.
New York is an expensive city; it was a real culture shock for me when we first moved there (from the suburbs of England). Luckily, there are still plenty of amazing free things to do in NYC with kids if you know where to look.
When travelling as a family, costs can quickly add up, so this guide covers the best free things to do in New York City with kids, including iconic attractions, hidden gems, and seasonal activities.
I’ve split everything into year-round activities, free museum days, and seasonal events so you can easily plan your trip and make the most of NYC on a budget. If you’re looking for free, family-friendly activities in New York City, you’re in the right place.
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The Best Free Things to Do with Kids in NYC
In this section, I’ll share the top free things to do in NYC as a family. These are some of the most iconic tourist attractions in New York, and what makes them even better is that they are completely free to enjoy!
Play in Central Park
In my opinion, Central Park is the best park in the world. It should be on everyone’s NYC bucket list and is the perfect free place for families to visit in New York.
There is so much to see in Central Park, and you can easily spend a full day exploring here if you have the time. We spent so many happy days there as a family.
Key places not to miss include Central Park Mall, The Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, the Bow Bridge and the views from Umpire Rock. Read more in our full guide to exploring Central Park for families.
The Ramble and Belvedere Castle are hidden gems (yes, a free castle in Central Park!) and small Children will be fascinated by the Delacorte Clock, which chimes on every hour and at half past the hour.
Central Park also has 21 free playgrounds. These are the perfect way to let kids burn some energy and break up cultural attractions.
READ MORE – OUR FULL GUIDE TO CENTRAL PARK WITH KIDS
My son climbing on Umpire Rock in Central Park.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is another one of NYC’s most iconic attractions. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is completely free, and I would highly recommend it! The Bridge can get quite crowded due to its popularity, so aim to go early in the morning.
On the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll find DUMBO. Our full guide on spending a day in DUMBO is linked here.
DUMBO is a great area for families to explore, and you can enjoy more free activities, such as Pebble Beach and Main St. Playground. Plus, amazing views of the Manhattan skyline.
HOW TO SPEND A PERFECT FAMILY DAY IN DUMBO, BROOKLYN
Iconic view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Relax in Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a small park, but it is an amazing area to find free things to do in NYC. There is a special kids’ area that has books, colouring and activities such as magnetic tiles and books which are free to play with while you’re there.
We’d often grab a coffee and relax while our toddler played. I’ve written a complete guide to visiting NYC with a toddler. Find it here!
There are also games such as chess and ping pong, as well as storytime and juggling lessons that older kids will enjoy.
Find out more and check all the events happening in Bryant Park on their website, linked here.
Kids Corner in Bryant Park.
Visit The New York Public Library
Located just around the corner from Bryant Park is the NYPL. This is a stunning building to look at from the outside; however, I didn’t realise until we lived in NYC that you can also go inside.
This is a great free indoor activity and worth doing, especially on a cold or rainy day in New York. The building’s architecture is incredible for parents to enjoy.
But a real gem is that they have the original teddy bear that inspired the Winnie the Pooh stories on display. My son, being a Winnie the Pooh fan, really enjoyed seeing this.
At Christmas, they also put up a fabulous tree!
The original Winnie the Pooh Stuffie on display at the New York Public Library.
Train Spot at Grand Central Station
Grand Central is one of the most beautiful landmarks in NYC, and somewhere you’ll definitely want to visit during a first trip. The ceiling is painted with a beautiful constellation map.
Kids will also love to find the whispering gallery located by the Oyster Bar. Stand in opposite corners, and you’ll hear each other as if you were next to each other!
My vehicle-obsessed toddler also used to love to go down to the platform and peek at the trains. He would name the ones on the platform after Thomas the Tank Engine characters.
Constellation Ceiling at Grand Central.
Walk the High Line
This is an abandoned, elevated railway track that has been converted into a public garden. Initially, it was used to transport goods in and out of Manhattan, and it is now the perfect place for families to enjoy.
Along the line, you’ll see plants, flowers, but also lots of sculptures and artwork. I would recommend trying to visit here early in the day, before all the crowds, so kids can run along more freely.
Note: the artwork on the High Line gets changed every so often.
Child enjoying the art on the High Line.
Climb Little Island
When you get to the end of The High Line, you’ll see Little Island, a unique park built on the Hudson River. This is a very cute, free outdoor activity. The views from here are also great!
This is a good thing to do on a warm day. We visited often, and in the winter, the wind makes it freezing!
View from the top of Little Island, a great fre place in NYC to visit with kids.
Ride the Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is a free boat trip from Lower Manhattan to Staten Island. You have to get off at Staten Island, but most people just rejoin the queue and head straight back.
This trip is popular as you get the best free views of the Statue of Liberty.
Riding the Staten Island Ferry.
Explore Times Square
Any New Yorker will tell you Times Square is overrated. I agree, but I still think it’s something you should see your first time in New York, and a great free thing to do in NYC with kids. They will love looking at everything going on there!
More Free Things to Do for Kids in NYC
Visit The Met – 81st Studio
While The Met Museum is not free, if you’re visiting with a child 11 or under, The 81st Street Studio is a lovely option if you’re visiting NYC on a budget. It’s a completely free activity for kids in NYC.
Unfortunately, you can book a slot, but you have to put your name on the wait list when you arrive. Find out more here.
Toddler playing at The Met Studio.
Go Window Shopping
While I’m aware window shopping can quickly lead to expensive shopping, NYC has some great shops that kids will love to visit!
- FAO Schwarz – New York’s most famous toy shop.
- The LEGO Store – is always fun and has lots of hands-on things for kids
- American Girl – I have two boys, so I never went here, but girls will love it!
- Macy’s – on the 7th floor is Macy’s toy department. They have a small play area perfect for little kids.
- FDNY shop – one of our favourite things was to go in a play in the real fire truck they have on display!
- Harry Potter – my kids were a little young but older kids will be fascinated by the Harry Potter Shop.
- Target – while Target stores in NYC are smaller than in the rest of the USA, it’s still a shop my son loved to visit. It’s also a good place to pick up budget-friendly snacks.
The NYC LEGO Store is a great place for kids.
Enjoy Epic Views from Pier 57
Hidden above the building on Pier 57 is a secret rooftop garden. From here, you’ll get amazing views of Little Island and the One World Observatory Building (The Freedom Tower).
There is also a little public garden at the top that young children will love to run about in.
Amazing views of Little Island and Downtown NYC from Pier 57.
Search for Iconic TV & Film Locations
So many films and TV shows have been filmed in New York City. If you have a favourite, going to find the locations can be a really fun activity.
You’ll find Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment, Gossip Girl, Home Alone 2, Elf and Ghostbusters locations all in New York City.
READ MORE: OUR COMPLETE LIST OF GOSSIP GIRL LOCATIONS
Outside The Friends’ Apartment.
Play in Battery Park
Located right at the bottom of Manhattan is The Battery. Battery Park has a playground that is great for kids and worth stopping at if you’re in that area.
Child climbing in Battery Park Playground.
Take a Day Trip to Governors Island
Governors Island is one of the best free places to visit for kids in NYC. It was our favourite day trip from Manhattan. Just a short ferry ride from Wall Street. Excluding the cost of the ferry, you can easily spend a fun-free day on Governors Island.
I call Governors Island New York’s best-kept secret. There are no cars on the island, and it’s a great city escape. It has an urban farm and allotment that my kids absolutely loved.
There are also hammocks, a playground and a slide hill that kids will enjoy. Plus, you’ll get great cityscape views of Downtown Manhattan.
They even have a great picnic area (as well as places you can buy food if you wish).
READ OUR FULL GOVERNORS ISLAND GUIDE HERE.
Playing in the allotment on Governors Island.
Visit Long Island City
Another great day trip from Manhattan is Long Island City. It’s a short subway or ferry ride from Manhattan. LIC has great views of the Manhattan skyline, plus two playgrounds kids will love. These are especially great in the summer months when they have the water turned on.
Head to the Beach at Coney Island
If you want to visit the beach, the subway to Coney Island takes about an hour from Manhattan. The amusement park is great, unfortunately not free, but you can relax/play on the beach and wander the boardwalk for nothing, making this a great, free thing to do for kids in NYC!
Coney Island has also been used as a location for some of the Spider-Man movies, so if you have little superhero fans, they’ll love this!
The aquarium there is also free entry on Wednesdays after 3 pm.
Free NYC Museum Days that are Perfect for Families
Most New York City museums require an entrance fee; however, if you’re looking for free cultural activities in NYC, some offer free entry at certain times. I’ve listed ones that are great for families with children to enjoy below:
- Intrepid – Free on the last Friday of the month from April to October
- The Children’s Museum of Manhattan – free the first Friday of every month from 5 pm – 8 pm
- The Brooklyn Children’s Museum (in Brooklyn) – free on Thursdays between 2 pm and 5 pm
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – pay what you wish on Saturday evenings. (Not quite free, but you can pay just $1).
- Museum of the City of New York – free on Wednesdays
- Unfortunately, the American Museum of Natural History doesn’t have any free entry days.
Free Seasonal Events in New York City
There are lots of free events in New York City that take place throughout the year.
Watch a Parade
Parades are a great, unique, free thing to do with kids in New York City with kids. They’ll just love to see everything!
- Luna New Year Parade – Chinatown, Manhattan (February)
- St Patrick’s Day Parade – on St Patrick’s Day (March)
- National Puerto Rican Day Parade – Manhattan (June)
- The Mermaid Parade – Coney Island (June)
- Columbus Day Parade (October)
- Halloween Parade – Greenwich Village, Manhattan – (October)
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade – on Thanksgiving (November)
Go Kayaking on the Hudson River
You can kayak for free on the Hudson River. This is a great free experience!
Available weekend afternoons from the end of May to October and Mondays and Tuesdays evenings from June to August. Find out more on the website HERE.
Enjoy the Impressive Seasonal Decorations
NYC goes all out for both Halloween and Christmas. We loved seeing all the extravagant displays, and it’s completely free to enjoy them!
READ MORE: BEST HALLOWEEN DECOR IN NYC & COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS WITH KIDS IN NYC
Halloween decorations on the Upper East Side.
FAQ’s on Free Things to Do in New York With Kids
New York can be expensive, but there are plenty of free things to do in NYC with kids, from parks and playgrounds to iconic landmarks and free museum days.
Some of the best free things to do in New York City include Central Park, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, riding the Staten Island Ferry, Bryant Park, and the High Line.
Yes, Central Park is completely free and one of the best places in NYC for families.
Final Thoughts: Free Things to Do in NYC with Kids
New York City might have a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, but as you can see, there are so many amazing free things to do in NYC with kids if you know where to look.
From iconic landmarks like Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge to hidden gems, scenic waterfront walks, and free museum days, you really can experience an incredible family trip to New York without spending a fortune.
We loved discovering just how many budget-friendly and completely free activities there are across the city, it makes NYC such a special destination for families.
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Thank you for reading our guide on free things to do with kids in New York City. I hope you have an amazing time exploring NYC on a budget.
Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
When I’m not planning our next adventure, I also share timeless style inspiration and ideas for living more thoughtfully and sustainably.