Victorian Gardens at Wollman Rink - Best Activities with Kids and Baby - Summer

Family Fun at Victorian Gardens NYCThe only amusement park in Manhattan takes over the ice at Wollman rink in Central Park from May through September.  With over 14 rides and games for kids of all ages, you don't have to leave town or go to Coney Island to give your little ones a carnival experience.  Kids can fly around in a crop duster plane and get amazing views of NYC and the amusement park grounds, or ride around on the Red Baron, try their hammer at Whac-A-Mole, or take a ride on the Family Swinger.  Hours are M-TH from 11am-7pm, Fridays 11-8pm, Sat 10-9pm and Sundays from 10-8pm.  Park Admission is $6.50 on weekdays and $7.50 on weekends and rides and games are 3-4 tickets, with each ticket costing $1.  Kids under 36 inches do not pay admission with a paid adult but still need tickets for any rides or games.  There are jugglers and clowns abound, face painting and animal balloons so come get your family fun on this Summer.  

Mini Golf at Hudson River Park - Pier 25 - Best of NYC Activities for Kids and Baby - Cool Things to do this Summer with Your Family

Mini Golf at Pier 25 in Tribeca - Hudson River Park - Did you know that Hudson River Park, the 55 acre sprawling river walk spanning from 59th Street to Battery Park is filled with tons of fun to do with your kids during the summer?  How about a visit to the only 18 hole miniature golf course in Manhattan? The 13,000 square foot Mini Golf course at Pier 25 is open every day from 10am-10pm during warm weather and 12pm-6pm during the spring months, and is fun for the entire family. There are streams, waterfalls and even a cave, which comes in handy during hot scorching days (note - don’t go with the little ones on blazing hot days because there isn’t much shade).  The price is $4 for kids 13 and under and $5 for adults.  There are restrooms nearby and one of the best playgrounds in NYC at the Pier 25 Play area around the corner.  So you could really make a day of your visit.    

Children's Museum of the Arts - Best NYC Activities with Kids and Baby

Children's Museum of the Arts - Fun for Kids NYCChildren’s Museum of the Arts - If you have a burgeoning young artist on your hands, take them to the Children’s Museum of the Arts, downtown at 103 Charlton Street, New York, NY (212)274-0986.  The museum holds over 2,000 works of art by children from over 50 countries through its permanent exhibits but is wonderful for interactive drop in sessions at their Wee Arts Studio for kids ages 5 and under.  You might find yourself running into Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise, who are frequent visitors.  From 10:45am-12pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, you can drop in to explore with play dough, paint, chalk for $22 per family.  There is no need to preregister.  If you are paying for admission to the museum, you should also swing by the Wee Arts Studio, included in the price which has art projects on a daily basis geared for kids 10 months-5 years and is open to the public most weekday afternoons from 12-3:30 and weekends from 10-5.

Children's Museum of Manhattan - Best of NYC Activities with Kids and Baby

Children’s Museum of Manhattan - Don’t just think of this Upper West Side kids museum as a pit-stop in some rainy day fun.  The Children’s Museum of Manhattan, located in The Tisch Building, 212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024 is truly a destination point your kids will want to explore time and time again.  Great for children of all ages, your preschooler will delight in the many play-centered and exploratory exhibits and run floor to floor while your baby will crawl and toddle happily about the cushioned mats and blocks part of the Playworks exhibit upstairs.  There are always Art Lab programs happening so your little one could do some on-sight crafts and take them home.  And kids of all ages will appreciate the giant Lite Brite.  Currently there is also a Dora & Diego exhibit for younger kids to wander and pretend play through.  Older school aged kids will enjoy the EatSleepPlay exhibit which emphasizes healthy eating and sleep habits.  The Children’s Museum of Manhattan also runs a separate program for classes including mommy and me/parent and child classes as well as first time separation classes and drop-off.  Hours are 10am-5pm Sunday-Friday and 10am-7pm on Saturdays.  Admission is $11.  Kids under 12 months are Free and Seniors are $7 which is great for grandparents.

Museum of Natural History - Best of NYC Activities with Kids and Baby

Big Whale at the Museum of Natural HistoryA curious child’s absolute treasure chest, the Museum of Natural History can very well become your little one’s favorite place on earth.  For babies, there is just so much visual stimulation and for inquisitive toddlers, the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, Hall of African Mammals and of course, the Dinosaurs are a sure bet.  The amazing ever-changing special exhibits, from butterflies to the now current Creatures of Light with fireflies, glowworms and jellyfish will awe your kids for years to come.  It will take many visits to get through it all, so make it a monthly tradition.  Admission price is suggested at $19 for adults and $10.50 for kids 2-12, but it is suggested so if you are not in the position to pay this amount, you could donate as much as you feel comfortable with.  Museum is located on 79th Street and Central Park West.  Hours are M-Sun 10am-5:45pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas.