Summer Fun Guide for NYC Kids in 2023 | MommyPoppins - Things to do in New York City with Kids

Summer Fun Guide for NYC Kids

Frolic in the Fountain of the Fairs, one of our 100 favorite free things to do this summer in NYC.

100 Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer with Kids

From parks and playgrounds to camps, classes, and more, here's how to rock summer for FREE!

Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette

End of Summer Bucket List: 40 Things To Do in NYC Before School Starts

Pack in all the best warm-weather activities the city has to offer before Labor Day.

During Summer Streets, kids and adults take over seven miles of NYC streets to play, run, walk, and bike. Photo courtesy of NYC DOT

Best of August: Top Things To Do in NYC with Kids

If you're staying in town this August, here are our picks for fun.

Splash in the waves at Coney Island or another seaside destination when you need to beat the heat in NYC. Photo by author

Beat the Heat in NYC: Heat Wave Indoor Activities and Outdoor Cool Fun

Feeling the summer heat? We've found 50 ways for kids to stay cool in New York City.

NYC Beaches, Pools, and Water Parks Guide

Water parks, swimming pools, sprinklers and beaches—there are lots of ways to cool off in New...

Socrates Sculpture Park hosts Groove NYC dance sessions on Wednesdays all month long. Photo courtesy of Socrates Sculpture Park

Free in August: 40+ Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Summer's swan song is packed with cost-free must-do's for families.

Coney Island's shores are easy to get to, and action packed from the rides to the waves. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

How to Get to Beaches in NYC by Ferry or Train

Hop on the subway, bus, or ferry to hit 14 miles of city-owned beaches.

Noshing on a funnel cake on the Coney Island boardwalk is a sweet ending to an epic day of summer fun.

Summer Bucket List: 50 Things To Do in NYC for an Epic Summer with Kids

We're summer dreaming and these are our must-do's during the steamy season.

The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier

25 Top Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in NYC for Kids

Hit one of these ultimate NYC splash pads with your kids to cool off on hot days.

Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun

NYC Summer Camp Guide

Find a great summer camp in NYC for your kid with our guide to nature camps, STEM camps, dance and...

Kids can join parents to go kayaking in NYC at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo courtesy the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse

Free Boat Rides in the City: Where To Go Canoeing, Sailing, and Kayaking in NYC

Check out these spots where you can kayak, row, or canoe for FREE this summer.

Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley

10 Swimming Lakes Near New York City You Need to Discover

Take a dip in the fresh air and freshwater at these family-friendly swimming lakes near NYC.

Six Flags Great Adventure makes for an action-packed day of amusement park fun.

Best Amusement Parks near NYC Reachable by Public Transportation

Car-free New Yorkers can reach these theme parks by bus or train.

Family Amusement Parks & Water Parks Guide

If your idea of a great family vacation is making your kids deliriously happy, then you've come to...

Bishop's Orchards is a gorgeous spot for blueberry picking near NYC with kids.

Best Blueberry Picking near NYC: Favorite Farms and Festivals

It's berry picking season, and these farms are the cream of the crop.

Visit the rides along the Coney Island boardwalk. Photo by Julienne Schaer for NYCgo

Best Things to Do in Coney Island With Kids: Luna Park, Aquarium, Beach, Mermaids

There's always something to do on Coney Island in the summer.

Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide

NYC is a big concrete jungle, yes, but we've also got almost 30,000 acres of parkland. From grand...

Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.

Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids

Find a great weekend getaway from NYC for the whole family with this guide to the best day trips...

Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide

The East End encompasses the Hamptons and the North Fork, both wonderful places to spend relaxing...

Ways to Stay Cool this Summer in NYC

Kid-friendly—and foodie-friendly—Jacob Riis Beach is a quick trip from the city. Photo by Sara Marentette

Best Beaches Near NYC: A Guide for Families

Here's how to get to our favorite beaches nearby (and who has the best food). READ MORE

Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley

10 Swimming Lakes Near New York City You Need to Discover

Take a dip in the fresh air and freshwater at these family-friendly swimming lakes near NYC. READ MORE

Kids can join parents to go kayaking in NYC at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo courtesy the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse

Free Boat Rides in the City: Where To Go Canoeing, Sailing, and Kayaking in NYC

Check out these spots where you can kayak, row, or canoe for FREE this summer. READ MORE

Grab a cone at Oddfellows Ice Cream and go for a stroll.

14 Great Ice Cream Shops in NYC for a Cool Summer Treat

These 14 local scoop shops are ready to help you beat the heat. READ MORE

Fun Things to Do with Kids this Summer in NYC

Nab a summer membership to Breezy Point Surf Club and go for a dip in the pool or a wild water slide ride. Photo courtesy of the club

Summer Memberships for Families: Pools, Beach Clubs, Museums, and Zoo Memberships Worth Buying

Cure summer boredom with a membership to one of these kid-centric spots. READ MORE

Pack a picnic for summer concerts in the park during the Bryant Park Picnic Performances season of free outdoor entertainment. Photo by Matthew Eisman

Best Outdoor Summer Concerts in NYC for Kids in 2022

Here are our top picks for mostly free, alfresco entertainment this summer. READ MORE

Summer Streets returns Saturdays August 6, 13, and 20, with eight-plus miles of car-free fun running from East Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Expanded Summer Streets Returns Saturday: Explore Car-Free NYC with Kids

Summer Streets returns Saturday, expanding to East Harlem and adding more car-free fun. READ MORE

Join the Whale Watching Cruise with Event Cruises NYC, to witness whales breaching the surface of the water just outside city limits.

Whale Watching near NYC: Catch a Cruise to See Whales, Dolphins, and More Marine Animals

Catch one of these local cruises to search for larger-than-life marine mammals. READ MORE

Participants in the CityParks Track & Field program can compete in local races or citywide events. Photo by Durst Breneiser/courtesy of the CityParks Foundation

Free Summer Sports and Outdoor Programs in NYC for Kids

We rounded up all the info on FREE sports programs for kids this summer. READ MORE

Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard

Where to See Free Summer Movies in NYC for an Outdoor Movie Night

Seeing a free movie under the stars is our idea of a perfect summer night. READ MORE

Summer Fun in NYC Parks

Sandbox Village at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6 is a sand city with playhouses and and a water spray area. Photo by Diana Kim

Best Destination Sandboxes at Local Parks for NYC Kids

These mom-approved sandboxes are sure to keep your tot entertained for hours. READ MORE

There's plenty for New Yorkers to love on Governors Island. Photo by Julienne Schaer

Visiting Governors Island: 20 Secrets for Things To Do and See

Now a year-round destination, there's always something new to explore. READ MORE

Explore the seaside Rockaway Park. Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

10 Waterfront Playgrounds in NYC

Enjoy a play date with a view at these waterfront parks. READ MORE

The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier

25 Top Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in NYC for Kids

Hit one of these ultimate NYC splash pads with your kids to cool off on hot days. READ MORE

At-Home Fun This Summer in NYC

This patriotic pop is bursting with watermelon, coconut, and raspberry flavors. Photo by Mommy Poppins

8 Fun Popsicle Recipes to Make with Kids

Make frozen treats inspired by July 4th, cake batter, hot cocoa and more.READ MORE

Learn how to make homemade ice cream for a tasty activity with the kids!

How to Make Ice Cream At Home in 5 Easy Steps

Whip up homemade ice cream in a bag or a mason jar!READ MORE

A cheap roll of tinfoil, an incline of some sort, and water is all you need for a tinfoil river. Photo by Ally Noel

27 Water Games for Kids To Play All Summer Long

Splish-splash! We've got loads of fun water games that keep kids cool. READ MORE

Cool down with a water balloon fight!

Ultimate Summer Bucket List Ideas: 100 (Mostly) Free Outdoor Games and Activities for Kids

100 ways to pack more play into your summer day. READ MORE

More Seasonal City Fun

Hit the rapids with Pocono Whitewater for white water rafting near NYC.

River Tubing and White Water Rafting near NYC: 7 Spots for a Wet-and-Wild Ride

Enjoy a wild ride down a local waterway at one of these action-packed spots. READ MORE

Kids get their own special outdoor dining tables at Ellington in the Park. Photo by Shira Kronzon.

15 Restaurants with Outdoor Dining near Manhattan: Patios, Backyards & More

Families can enjoy great food, plus room to roam at these restaurants. READ MORE

What could be cooler than a trip to the eye-popping Summit One Vanderbilt? Photo by the author

Summer Bucket List for NYC Teens: Best Things To Do in NYC for Teenagers 2022

NYC is a summer playground for even the coolest big kids. READ MORE

NYC Beaches, Pools, and Water Parks Guide

Water parks, swimming pools, sprinklers and beaches—there are lots of ways to cool off in New...READ MORE

Theme and Water Park Fun

Six Flags Great Adventure makes for an action-packed day of amusement park fun.

Best Amusement Parks near NYC Reachable by Public Transportation

Car-free New Yorkers can reach these theme parks by bus or train. READ MORE

Catch some thrills at Hurricane Harbor, the water park for kids at Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari.

14 Great Water Parks for Kids near NYC in 2022

Beat the heat with these 14 family-friendly water parks less than two hours away. READ MORE

Enjoy the tot-friendly water features at SplashDown Beach. Photo courtesy the park

Best Amusement Parks for Preschoolers in and Near NYC

Try one of these amusement parks perfect for the pint-sized set in or near NYC.READ MORE

Family Amusement Parks & Water Parks Guide

If your idea of a great family vacation is making your kids deliriously happy, then you've come to...READ MORE

Day Trips and Summer Travel

Hersheypark's Sky Rush reaches speeds of up to 75 mph and includes five zero-G airtime hills.

Amusement Parks Near NYC: Top Thrill Rides and Roller Coasters

Ready for white-knuckle fun? Here are the most thrilling amusement park rides nearby. READ MORE

It's a family-affair at the New York Renaissance Faire, which opens in Sterling Forest on Saturday, August 22.

Take the Kids Back in Time at the New York Renaissance Faire

It's the festival's 45th anniversary, and we have what you need to know. READ MORE

Hit the Sky Flyer mountain coaster the Holiday Valley Resort in upstate New York.

Ride a Thrilling Mountain Coaster Near NYC This Summer

Enjoy a wild summertime ride at the local ski resorts. READ MORE

It's hard to resist the allure of a dip in Mirror Lake during your weekend getaway to the Golden Arrowhead Lakeside Resort.

Weekend Getaways Near NYC: Lake Resorts in New York State

These getaways feature alluring lakes for swimming, sailing, and more. READ MORE

A trip to the boardwalk isn't complete without a Kohr's frozen custard. Photo by Kevin Jarrett via Flickr

Jersey Shore Boardwalks and Amusement Parks for Family Fun

NJ's iconic boardwalks offer everything from rides and arcades to water parks and aquariums. READ MORE

Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.

Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids

Find a great weekend getaway from NYC for the whole family with this guide to the best day trips...READ MORE

Archives

Free STEM Summer Camp from Girls Who Code Opens Registration 2023

This FREE summer STEM program for teen girls is now accepting applications.READ MORE

Best of September: Top Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Say so long to summer and welcome the fall with these fun family-friendly events. READ MORE

Visit Lakeside Watersports in Brookfield for Wakeboarding, Water Tubing, and More Water Sports

What's better than owning a private boat? This!READ MORE

Visiting Asbury Park Beach and Boardwalk with Kids: Top 30 Things To Do

This classic beach spot has surf, sand, and family-friendly amusements. READ MORE

Whale Watching near NYC: Catch a Cruise to See Whales, Dolphins, and More Marine Animals

Catch one of these local cruises to search for larger-than-life marine mammals. READ MORE

Take the Kids Back in Time at the New York Renaissance Faire

It's the festival's 45th anniversary, and we have what you need to know. READ MORE

Summer Activities