Coney Island - Best of NYC Activities with Kids and Baby - Top 30 Things to Do With Your Kids This Summer

Coney Island With Kids - Toddlers, Preschoolers and Big KidsConey Island is fantastic for toddlers, preschoolers and big kids alike.  First and foremost, if your child is a little older (think 5+), then you could take the subway which becomes an adventure all of its own (the N, F, D, Q all go to Coney Island and it's about a 45-50 minute subway ride from Manhattan.  

If you have a baby and toddler or a young preschooler you may want to drive to give yourself the most flexibility.  If you are driving, we recommend visiting the NY Aquarium and using their parking (free for the day) as your home base for the day.  Relax in the cool air conditioning and check out the fishies to unwind and then prepare for a little adventure.

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is best for little kids.  Almost all of their rides are for kids 36 inches and many have no minimum height when accompanied by adult.  Their kiddie park has 17 rides and is free - you just have to buy tickets for the ride you want to go on.  One ticket is $3. There's a carousel, of course, and then fire engines, boats, jumping motorcycles, and flying elephants to name just a few.    

After all the excitement, you could enjoy sandwiches on the beach and have the kids dip their toes in the water or build some sand castles before heading home.  This is definitely an adventure you could spend all day on.  The result = Happy, Tired Kids + Good Night Sleep :-)The Beach at Coney Island is great for kids

Street Fair Guide - Best NYC Activities with Kids and Baby - Top 30 Cool Things to do this Summer with Your Family

Street Fair in NYC - Fun for the FamilyOn virtually any given summer weekend in NYC, there is a street fair. Mangos on a stick, socks, bedding, rugs, long maxi dresses - maybe you have seen enough. But for kids a street fair is a delight in the senses - they are a distraction and a chance to gobble up some tasty treats - perhaps a cold lemonade, ice cream waffle, zeppole or crepe.  And a little bracelet or funny t-shirt.  You could always look to see whether there is anything going on in your hood by checking the online street fair schedule.  Many street fairs do have a theme, some are food fairs, others are neighborhood celebrations or even a celebration of nationality.  Enjoy the diversity NYC has to offer and share it with your little ones. 

Hudson River Park - Carousel at Pier 62 - Best NYC Activity for Kids and Baby - Coolest Things to Do This Summer

The Carousel at West 22nd Street and Pier 62 in Chelsea is a lovely 36 foot carousel made with 33 hand crafter Hudson River Valley animals which allows for 36 passengers (when you include the chariot).  It's $2 for the ride, but what's nice is that parents accompanying riders under 42 inches get to go for free.  This is a discount from what the Central Park Carousel charges - everyone on the ride must have a ticket.  Restrooms are nearby at Chelsea Piers Pier 61, and you might decide to couple this visit with a trip to the Chelsea Waterside Play Area, a playground with Danish manufactured equipment that allows kids of all ages to access each activity from the ground up.  Umbrellas nearby provide shade for parents and caretakers and the playground has a lot of great water features to really cool off in the heat of the summer.

Sony Wonder Lab - NYC Best Activities with Kids and Baby - Coolest Things to Do This Summer With Family

Sony Wonder Lab - Best of NYC Activities Sony Wonder Lab (Sony Plaza at 56th Street and Madison Avenue) - This free interactive technology museum in Midtown Manhattan is worth a visit if your little ones are ages 5 and up, preferably 8 and up.  I’m sure toddlers and preschoolers would get a kick out of many of the interactive exhibits but unless you are going mid-week, expect crowds and waits on each of the stations, and a preschooler is not really going to appreciate the really awesome “be a reporter” station, digital profile personalization, robot zone, and animation studio where you could create a character, and music mixer where you could spin a classic song.  The interactive floor and shadow garden will be fun for all.  It’s recommended that you reserve your tickets in advance because they only have a limited number of walk-up tickets and these usually go early, they start distributing at 9:30am.  Reservations are made Tuesday-Friday between 9am and 2pm by calling (212) 833-8100.  Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm and the museum is closed on Sundays, Mondays and major holidays.  

A Trip to the South Street Seaport With Kids and Baby - Best NYC Family Activities

Mini Mates at The South Street Seaport MuseumSouth Street Seaport - On a warm, breezy day, getting out there and exploring NYC’s history at the Seaport is a wonderful family activity.  There are so many sights to see, and during the summer months, with tourists abound, the streets at the seaport are alive with jugglers, street performers and of course the fleet of old historic ships which are a real delight for the kids.  Plan a visit to the South Street Seaport Museum on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during the Summer to participate in their Mini Mates program for kids 18months - 4 years.  This 1 hour 15 minute program has great crafts, storytime, playing and songs for kids that will make your visit a success.  The museum also runs family programs on Saturdays that are a hit for slightly older kids.  Take the kids for some tasty treats at Paradise Candy, a candy shop at Pier 17 where they could pick their favorites out from self serve bins. You can finish off your trip with a visit to the nearby Imagination Playground, and have lunch at the Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club (at the Pier 17 Pavilion).