Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

1. Treat Yourself to a Relaxing Hotel Stay

Enjoy a New York staycation at one of these family-friendly hotels.

2. Enjoy Spring Blooms

Hit the Bronx's bucolic Wave Hill to take in spring's brilliance.

The Queens Botanical Garden offers plenty to see and do to celebrate spring's arrival. Photo by Sydney Ng

3. Explore Nature

The Queens Botanical Garden is another underrated delight to catch spring's beauty.

4. Make Some Aquatic Friends

Explore Ocean Wonders: Sharks! at the New York Aquarium or see Spineless.

5. Show Off Your Easter Sunday's Best

Don your finest bonnet and strut your stuff at the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival, one of our favorite FREE annual parades.

6. Browse Books and Tour the Library

Besides checking out books, there's a ton to see and do at the New York Public Library's Main Branch in Midtown.

RELATED: 35 Things To Do During a Spring Staycation With NYC Kids

Krispy Kreme's new Times Square mega-shop is a sweets lover's dream come true. Photo by Jody Mercier

7. Give Into Your Sweet Tooth

Indulge yourself with some sweet treats in Times Square. Visit M&Ms World, Hersey's Chocolate World, or Krispy Kreme's 4,500-square-foot doughnut wonderland.

8. See a Drive-in Movie

Catch a movie in your car at the Skyline Drive-In on the Greenpoint waterfront, which offers family-friendly movies with the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop. Don't have a car? No problem—seating on lawn chairs is also available, weather permitting.

 9. Channel Your Inner Picasso

Drop-in for a unique art class with inspiring teachers at Playday Cobble Hill or Playday LIC.

10. Take a Cruise

What better way to enjoy spring in NYC than a cruise up the Hudson River on one of the Circle Line's Spring Fling Day Cruises.

  
Find a moment of peace and head to the newly expanded Japan Village at Industry City for tea, a meal, groceries, books, and more. Photo by Ros Muggeridge

11. Hang Out at IC

Explore Brooklyn's booming Industry City with its cool eats, newly expanded Japan Village, a family-fun game room, Powerhouse@IC bookstore, and more.

12. Shop and Eat at Hudson Yards

Explore Hudson Yards, including the outpost of play space/toy store CAMP, Dylan's Candy Bar, and José Andrés Mercado Little Spain to take out amazing Spanish food.

13. Head to the Zoo

Explore the Bronx Zoo like a local and get a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo with these animal encounters, or try a ropes course at the Tree Top Adventure, reopening just in time for break.

14. Test Your Need for Speed

The New York International Auto returns from Friday, April 7-Sunday, April 16. Head to the Javits Center to explore the latest in automotive innovation and enjoy freebies, cool cars to climb in, and more.

RELATED: 28 Spectacular Spring Day Trips Near NYC for Families

The Sloomoo Institute offers some hands-on sensory fun for all ages. Photo by Jody Mercier

15. Play Like a Kid

Enjoy some ooey-gooey playtime at Soho's Sloomoo Institute or the Museum of Ice Cream.

16. Explore an Unfamiliar Enclave

Explore a new-to-you corner of NYC. We have in-depth Kids' Neighborhood Guides for communities in all five boroughs, including Chelsea, the East Village, Gowanus in Brooklyn, Bay Ridge, Long Island City, Queens.

17. Frolic in a Ball Pit

We're not talking those primary-colored plastic orbs; no, head to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt for an elevated ball pit experience, in every sense of the word.  

Legoland Discovery Center is one of the myriad attractions for families at the American Dream Mall. Photo by Jody Mercier

18. Hang it the Mall

Head to the American Dream Mall where kid-friendly attractions abound, including Sea Life Aquarium, Legoland Discovery Center, and Nickelodeon Universe.

19. Get Active

Grab your bike, scooter, or walking shoes to check out the Empire State Trail. Pick it up in Lower Manhattan and make your way all the way to the Canadian border...if you dare.

20. Visit NYC's Iconic Landmarks

Play tourist for a day and visit Lady Liberty or one of our other top attractions to visit with kids.

21. See a New Classic

Catch Wake Up, Daisy at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater for a modern-day, marionette interpretation of Sleeping Beauty.

RELATED: New York City Parks and Playground Guide

Wander above the city on The High Line. Photo by Sydney Ng

22. Walk the High Line

Head to The High Line for a spring walk or visit the floating park, Little Island, nearby.

23. Check Out a New Playground

Visit the brand new Battery Playscape in Lower Manhattan.

24. Explore Brooklyn's Favorite Park

Spend a day in nature at Prospect Park and enjoy nature walks, bird watching, or hit up one of the many playgrounds—we've even ranked our favorites!

25. Enter the Kaleidoscope

See spring in full bloom by booking tickets to New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Show. Time your visit right to see the spectacular blooms all across this family-friendly garden.

Take a hike in The Greenbelt on Staten Island. Photo by Mommy Poppins

26. Step Off the Beaten Path

Explore some outer-borough gems like Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, The Greenbelt in Staten Island, or one of these other underrated NYC parks.

27. Revisit Our Favorite Playgrounds

See how many of these best of the best kid- (and mom!) tested playgrounds you can visit during one spring break.

28. Romp in Central Park

Spring weather is the perfect time to reacquaint yourself with Central Park's fun, hidden finds.

29. Take a History Lesson

Historical fun awaits at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan's oldest house, where George Washington once plotted his attacks on the Redcoats.

30. Step Into an Immersive Art Gallery

Revel in Magentaverse, the newest immersive audio-visual installation at Artechouse, a one-of-a-kind gallery space.

RELATED: 30 Fun Preschool and Toddler Events in NYC This Spring

Need a little break from NYC? Then head into VR World and choose an adventure. Photo by Jody Mercier

31. Experience Virtual Reality

Immerse yourself in Midtown's gamer haven, VR World, or Brooklyn's Beat The Bomb.

32. Attend a New Basquiat Exhibit

Check out the new Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibit, curated by his family, and featuring 200 never-before-seen or rarely exhibited pieces from the well-known local artist.

33. Discover a New Green Space

Enjoy the warm spring weather at the recently renovated sections of Bushwick Inlet Park where almost 2 acres of green space have been added, including a new sprayground for children.

34. See the Cherry Blossoms 

Nothing says spring like cherry blossoms. Head to the many parks and gardens all over the city to enjoy the blooms while they last. 

35. Learn About Photography and Architecture

Older kids get a kick out of exploring Fotografsika, the photo-centric museum housed in a stunning landmark building on Park Avenue South.

Bouldering is beginner-friendly and kids as young as age 3 can scale the walls at The Cliffs at Harlem. Photo by Jody Mercier

36. Seek New Adventures

Or check out the supersized bouldering gym at The Cliffs at Harlem or visit its outpost in Gowanus.

37. Or Try Rock Climbing

Give rock climbing a try—NYC has a few kid-friendly indoor rock climbing centers with drop-in hours.

38. Take Your Teen to Broadway

Big kids will love the raucous musical Six, at the Lena Horne Theater. It's essentially a pop-concert performed by the six ex-wives of King Henry VIII. 

39. And Your Little Ones, Too

The entire family can enjoy the Broadway production of the long-running hit,The Ling King, with its gorgeous costumes and rousing music. 

RELATED: Where to Take Easter Bunny Pictures With NYC Kids in 2023

Join an Easter Egg Hunt in the city.

40. Hunt for Easter Eggs

Get your goodies before the Easter Bunny hops out of town by stopping at a treat-filled hunt.

41. Brunch with Easter Bunny

After finding all your treats, recharge with brunch with the Easter Bunny.

42. Virtually Soar Over NYC's Landmarks

Check out RiseNY where you soar over New York City and journey through time on this indoor simulation ride that offers a bird's eye view of city landmarks and seasonal events, as well as showcasing some local history and pop culture.

43. Roller Skate at Rockefeller Rink

The famed rink at Rockefeller Center opens its retro roller skating rink just in time for spring break.

Daring performers push the boundaries of possibility under the big top at Flip Circus. Photo by Gwen Tundermann

44. Run Away to the Circus

Or just attend the Flip Circus to see jugglers, acrobats, aerial artists, magicians, and motorcyclists. Catch it in Yonkers over break or Staten Island just before!

45. Stay Active and Play Some Tennis

Prep for the upcoming tennis season by checking out Court 16 in Long Island City.

46. Play Indoors On a Rainy Day

Head to the Children's Museum of Manhattan for a day of fun, or enjoy one of our favorite indoor play spaces.

47. Explore a Museum Within a Museum

The DiMenna Children's History Museum at the New-York Historical Society is perfect for school-aged children with interactive exhibits and a diverse selection of historical artifacts.

48. Catch a Magic Show

Be amazed by the sleight of hand feats performed by Apolino the Magician at the Brooklyn Magic Shop.

49. Enjoy a Puppet Show

Brooklyn's Puppetworks is playing Little Red Riding Hood premiering Saturday, April 8.

50. Tackle That Bucket List

Or cross something off your bucket list: Print out a copy of our 100 things to do with NYC kids before they grow up and get going!

This post, originally published in April 2010, is updated annually. Unless noted, photos courtesy of the venues