47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
These fun indoor activities in NYC don't let rain ruin the day. This list of rainy-day activities for kids brightens up even the dreariest day. We've included picks for NYC's most kid-friendly museums, fun stores where kids can play, and plenty more parent-tested picks.
Of course, if you'd rather stay cozy at home, we’ve got you covered there, too, with creative indoor activities in our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids.
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Best Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
1. Bowling
Challenge your kids to a friendly game or two of bowling—bumpers optional—at one of the many kid-friendly bowling spots throughout the five boroughs.
2. Book Stores
Reading is a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. Head to your local "kindie" lit store to pick up a new book and support a local business in the process.
3. 81st Street Studio
Duck into the FREE, sprawling play space at The Met. The 81st Street Studio offers several different interactive stations and is a great jumping-off point for a visit to the museum.
RELATED: Visiting The Metropolitan Museum with Kids
The New York Ninja Academy offers group classes, birthday parties, and more. Photo by Sara M.
4. New York Ninja Academy
Expend some energy with a visit to the New York Ninja Academy, where kids can live out their American Ninja Warrior dreams. There's a Brooklyn location, too.
5. Indoor Swimming Pools
Nab a day pass to one of these local indoor swimming pools, where the water is warm no matter the temperature outdoors.
6. Virtual Reality
Hit one of these virtual reality arcades where you can put yourselves in the middle of the action.
7. Science Museums
Activate your child's curiosity at one of these NYC science centers, from the American Museum of Natural History to getting hands-on at the New York Hall of Science.
RELATED: 101 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Enjoy the exhibits at the Brooklyn Museum. Photo by Diana Kim
8. Brooklyn Museum
Explore the spacious Brooklyn Museum. Stop by the newly opened Education Center, where kids are encouraged to play, create, and get crafty.
9. Sloomoo Institute
Enjoy some ooey-gooey fun and make your own slime at Soho's Sloomoo Institute.
10. Children's Centers at Libraries
Visit one of the city's libraries, where events cater to kids (and adults) of all ages, and don't miss out on some of the best indoor play spaces for kids at select libraries.
11. Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling
Step into the Sugar Hill Museum, where kids can explore their creativity and foster a love for art and storytelling through hands-on access to art and artists.
12. Cooking Classes
Join a cooking class for children, where kids learn how to prepare their own meals through age-appropriate instruction.
13. Museum of Ice Cream
Nothing beats the rotten weather blues better than a scoop of your favorite flavor, and the ice cream is all-you-can-eat at the Museum of Ice Cream.
14. Play Cafes
Enjoy a coffee while your kids play safely nearby at one of NYC's play cafes.
15. Indoor Ice Skating Rinks
You don't need to wait for winter to glide on a local ice skating rink. These indoor ice skating rinks welcome visitors year-round in any weather.
RELATED: Best Indoor Playgrounds in Brooklyn
Step into the immersive eye-popping Invisible Worlds exhibit at AMNH's Gilder Center. Photo by Jody Mercier
16. Gilder Center
If you haven't been to AMNH lately, you must go check out the attraction-filled Gilder Center. You'll forget all about the bad weather when you pop into the Butterfly Vivarium.
17. Trampoline Parks
These local trampoline parks are guaranteed to bring a smile to your kids' faces.
18. Indoor Parkour
Being inside doesn't have to mean not getting any exercise! Stop by or book a class at one of NYC's indoor parkour gyms for a high-energy workout safely tucked away from the elements.
19. Jackie Robinson Museum
Channel the boys of summer with a visit to the Jackie Robinson Museum to school a new generation on this barrier-breaking athlete.
20. Harry Potter New York
Grab your wand and enjoy a magical journey through the Wizarding World at Harry Potter New York. Toast the day with a frothy mug of butterbeer.
RELATED: The Best Children's Museums in NYC
See the City under the Sea at the Sea Life Aquarium at American Dream Mall. Photo by Jody Mercier
21. American Dream Mall
Hop across the river to visit American Dream Mall and its myriad family-friendly attractions, including the indoor winter park Big Snow, the Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center, or the always-warm DreamWorks Water Park.
22. High Tea
Whether you're channeling Eloise with tea at The Plaza or Alice in Wonderland, a bit of precipitation is the perfect excuse to have a warm spot of tea in the city at one of these cozy locations.
23. Rock Climbing
Climb the walls at one of the indoor rock-climbing spots in the city.
24. Candy Stores
Head to one of NYC's many candy shops where your kids (and you) can sample something sweet.
25. Arcades
Save your quarters for the next big storm so you can hit one of these family-friendly arcades.
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Kids get a kick out of the Connected Worlds exhibit at the New York Hall of Science. Photo courtesy of the museum
26. New York Hall of Science
From its padded little kid play space to its sprawling exhibits and 3D films, there's always something new to discover at the New York Hall of Science.
27. CAMP
Peruse the aisles and enjoy a little playtime at family-experience store CAMP, which holds magical events themed around favorite children's shows and movies.
28. Indoor Gardens
Public atriums are a terrific place to pop in and enjoy a little dry warmth on a rainy day. These indoor gardens and atriums are oases all year long.
29. Genius Gems
Drop into this Magna-Tile-filled wonderland for some impromptu playtime and build to your heart's content. Genius Gems also has a slime bar, 3D printer, and plenty more STEM-inspired fun.
RELATED: 30 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving
Artechouse's installations are mesmerizing for visitors big and little. Photo courtesy of Artechouse
30. Artechouse
Immerse yourself in the audio-visual exhibits at Artechouse, a cavernous gallery space in the Chelsea Market. Stick around afterward to enjoy the dining and shopping destination.
31. New York Aquarium
Take the train to Coney Island to visit the New York Aquarium, where you'll be able to view the awesome Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit and much more. Many exhibits are indoors.
32. Color Factory
Pose for photos or romp in the ball pit at Color Factory, NYC's interactive art museum.
33. Playday
Book a session at creative play space Playday, which has locations in Long Island City, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, on the Upper West Side, and Hoboken.
RELATED: 15 Brainy Puzzle Games and Jigsaw Puzzles for Kids
34. The Met Cloisters
Gawk at the unicorn tapestries at The Met Cloisters, which boasts a trove of Medieval treasures to enchant kids of all ages.
35. Indoor Play Spaces
Several of our favorite indoor playgrounds offer drop-in sessions, but check to see if you need to make a reservation before heading out!
36. Children's Museums
We can't pick a favorite between the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Children's Museum of Manhattan, and the Bronx Children's Museum, but we promise they're all crowd pleasers!
37. RiseNY
Go soaring over the city on RiseNY's sky-high Times Square flight simulator and explore the adjoining museum.
RELATED: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before they Grow Up
Visit the mind-bending Museum of Illusions. Photo by Sara Marentette
38. The Museum of Illusions
Head to the Instagram-ready Museum of Illusions, where every visit lets you experience the impossible.
39. Grand Central Terminal
Explore the walkways, hallways, and whispering wall at Grand Central Terminal.
40. The Staten Island Zoo
Check out the little-known Staten Island Zoo. Many of the exhibits are indoors, including the aquarium, bird conservatory, and reptile wing.
41. Ferry Rides
While an NYC ferry ride might not be 100% rain-proof, most of the ride is in the comfort of a covered boat. Along the way, you can see the city sights.
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42. The Spyscape Museum
Go undercover and explore the daring work of intelligence agencies and spies worldwide at the Spyscape Museum in Midtown.
43. Industry City
Visit Industry City, which is jam-packed with things to do, places to shop, and tasty treats to eat. Don't miss out on frequent events held on the second floor of Japan Village!
44. Free Indoor Play Spots
Go easy on the wallet and find an indoor spot where kids can play for FREE.
45. Specialty Shops
Explore one of our favorite only-in-NYC stores for trains, toys, books, fossils, and more.
RELATED: Free Times to Visit NYC Museums, Gardens, and Zoos
46. Essex Street Market
Pop into the Essex Street Market to explore its specialty shops and support local purveyors.
47. Escape Rooms
Put problem-solving skills to the test and take the whole family to one of these adventurous NYC escape rooms. Forget about the rainy day blues as the mystery unfolds inside.
Originally published in 2018 and updated annually.
Places featured in this article:
81st Street Studio
Brooklyn Museum
Sloomoo Institute
Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling
Museum of Ice Cream
Jackie Robinson Museum
Harry Potter New York
ARTECHOUSE NYC