Rachel WyattLoopDLoopKids Approved 10 fun activities to do with kids
Updated: Jul 28, 2019
As a mom I am always looking for fun and affordable things to do with my kids whether it is summer or winter, you can always catch us outside doing a fun activity. The main reason why I love New York is that New York has a ton of fun activities for kids; and yes, most of them are FREE! So read along for fun activities you can do in New York thats affordable and FREE!
1. Queens County Farm
Queens County Farm Museum dates back to 1697 and occupies New York City's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland. The farm encompasses a 47-acre parcel that is the longest continuously farmed site in New York State. The site includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles and implements, planting fields, an orchard, and an herb garden.
Our farm animals and tranquil agrarian environment provide the opportunity to leave the hectic daily pace behind for an enjoyable visit to a farm without leaving the city.
Our grounds are open daily
year-round from 10:00 am—5:00 pm
with the exception of New Year's Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Admission: Free
Location:
Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Parkway
Floral Park, New York 11004-1129
(718) 347-3276
2. Museum Of Moving Images
Museum of the Moving Image advances the understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation of the art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, and digital media by presenting exhibitions, education programs, significant moving-image works, and interpretive programs, and collecting and preserving moving-image related artifacts. Visit their website www.movingimage.us for more information
Museum hours: Galleries Wednesday–Thursday: 10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Friday: 10:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (free admission: 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Closed Monday (except for select holiday openings) Closed Tuesday (except for group visits by appointment)
Free on Fridays after 4pm
Museum Admission $15 adults (18+) $11 senior citizens (65+) $11 students with valid ID (18+) $9 youth (3-17) Free for Museum members and children under 3
Location:
36-01 35 Avenue (at 37 Street)
Astoria, NY 11106
3. New York Hall Of Science
The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) was founded at the 1964–65 World’s Fair and has evolved into New York’s center for interactive science, serving a half million students, teachers, and families each year.
NYSCI serves schools, families and underserved communities in the New York City area, offering informal, hands-on learning through various products and services that use the “design-make-play” method of bringing delight and play to educating science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
General Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:30 am – 5 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
Check website for more information www.nysci.org
Free on Fridays after 2pm
and Free Sundays 10am-11am
GENERAL ADMISSION Adults (ages 18+): $16 Children (ages 2 – 17): $13 Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Students (with college ID): $13 Senior Citizens (age 62 & older): $13
FAMILY AND TOUR GROUPS (15+ people) Adult (age 18+): $13 Children (ages 2 – 17): $10.50 Children (under age 2): Free Senior (age 62+): $10.50 Students (with college ID): $10.50
Location:
47-01 111th Street
Corona, New York 11368
718-699-0005
4. Prospect Park
Designed and constructed over a thirty-year period (1865-1895) by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the masterminds behind Central Park, Prospect Park has blossomed into a premiere destination for Brooklyn visitors and residents alike.
Widely known for its intricate manmade watercourse (wetlands) and its trees, the bulk of Brooklyn's remaining indigenous forest, the park is a highly functional green space. Contained within its 526 acres are a zoo, the first urban-area Audubon Center in the nation, an ice rink, a band shell, a carousel, and dozens of athletic and recreational facilities.
Begin your explorations today and join the eight million annual visitors reaping the benefits of this beautiful park!
Summer Kids Splash Pad - Free
Prospect Park is open daily from 5 am–1 am. Woodlands, playgrounds and the Parade Ground close at sunset. Park attractions have varying hours. Visit www.prospectpark.org for more information.
5. New York Aquarium
Whether you’re hoping to inspire a budding wildlife lover, or passionate about animals and want to continue your education, the Wildlife Conservation Society has the program for you. We’re proud to offer options for all ages, education levels, and interests. Our new education classrooms provide the perfect view, and opportunity, to dive into marine science. Visit www.nyaquarium.com for more information
Free on Wednesdays at 3pm
Any Day Ticket, 50% off after 6:00pm
Hours:
Monday - Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday - Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday - Holidays 10am - 6pm
Any Day Admission Tickets
Valid for use on any day. No credit or refund will be given for using an Any Day ticket on a Value date.
Any Day Adult 13 & over $23.950
Any Day Child 3-12 $19.950
Any Day Senior 65 & over $21.55
Any Day Child 2 & under $0.00
Location:
602 Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
6. Brooklyn Children's Museum
Founded in 1899 as the world’s first children’s museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) is New York City’s largest cultural institution designed especially for families. Proudly based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, BCM serves 300,000 children and caregivers annually with exhibits and programs grounded in visual arts, music and performance, natural science, and world cultures. Visit www.brooklynkids.org for more information
Free on Thursdays at 11am
Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am to 5pm
Thursday 10am to 6pm
Saturday, Sunday 10am to 7pm
Admission: $11 per person
Location:
145 Brooklyn Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213
7. Bronx Zoo
Whether you’re hoping to inspire a budding wildlife lover, or passionate about animals and want to continue your education, the Wildlife Conservation Society has the program for you. We’re proud to offer options for all ages, education levels, and interests. Visit www.bronxzoo.com
Free on Wednesdays
HOURS:
MONDAY - FRIDAYS 10AM - 5PM
WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS - 10AM - 5:30PM
Adult 13 & over $39.95
Senior 65 & over $34.95
Child 3-12 $29.95
Child 2 & under $0.00
A little pricey on other days so your best bet is to go on Wednesdays!
Location:
2300 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, NY 10460
8. Staten Island Zoo
The biggest “little” zoo in America, the Staten Island Zoo showcases more than 1,100 animals nestled in a beautiful eight-acre park. The Zoo’s collection has nearly doubled over the last two years and features over 350 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates from six of the world’s seven continents.
Free Wednesdays after 2pm
Hours:
Open 7 days a week 10:00am – 4:45pm Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day Every Wednesday 2:00pm – 4:45pm Free Admission for all Every Tuesday through February 13, 2018, 2:00pm – 4:45pm Free Admission Call 718-442-3100 for more info.
Adults (15-59) $10.00
Seniors (60 and over) $7.00
Children (3-14) $6.00
Children 2 and under FREE
Location:
614 Broadway (across the street from the Broadway YMCA),
Staten Island, NY, 10310
9. Bronx Museum Of The Arts
The Bronx Museum of the Arts is an internationally recognized cultural destination that presents innovative contemporary art exhibitions and education programs and is committed to promoting cross-cultural dialogues for diverse audiences.
Since its founding in 1971, the Museum has played a vital role in the Bronx by helping to make art accessible to the entire community and connecting with local schools, artists, teens, and families through its robust education initiatives and public programs. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Museum implemented a universal free admission policy, supporting its mission to make arts experiences available to all audiences.
Admission: FREE
HOURS
Wednesday - 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday - 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday - 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday - 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday - 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Closed
Location:
1040 Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York 10456
T: 718-681-6000
10. American Museum Of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum in the world with a mission commensurately monumental in scope. The entire museum spans 4 city blocks and consists of some 25 interconnected buildings. Though today the phrase "natural history" is restricted to the study of animal life, the museum—founded in 1869 on the heels of discoveries by Darwin and other Victorians—uses it in its original sense: that is, the study of all natural objects, animal, vegetable and mineral.
Admission: FREE
Hours:
Mon 10:00 am - 5:45 pm
Tue 10:00 am - 5:45 pm
Wed 10:00 am - 5:45 pm
Thu 10:00 am - 5:45 pm
Fri 10:00 am - 5:45 pm
Sat 10:00 am - 5:45 pm
Sun 10:00 am - 5:45 pm
Location:
Central Park West at 79th Street
(between 77th and 81st Streets)
New York, N.Y.10024
2127695200
Free story time - at your local library and Barnes n Nobles
Regal Movie Theatre - Summer $1 movie express on Tuesday and Wednesdays at 10am
Free Summer Movies - At public city parks (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan) visit https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/free_summer_movies for more information.
Free Movies At The Beach - Across Long Island area.
Kids Bowl Free - All summer long. Two free games for kids only (Shoes not included) Visit https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ for more information.
New York is so expensive, so why not enjoy some free and affordable family activities!!!!
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