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1. Browse Midtown Comics

Initially, I was hesitant to enter this shop with my preschooler, but we were welcomed by all, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Located at the top of a narrow (and easy-to-miss) set of stairs, the Times Square location of this Manhattan comic book shop chain has a great selection of titles for young readers, including The Incredibles, Archie, and Tiny Titans. Comic books are pricier now than when I was younger and never seem to last long in the hands of preschoolers. So ask for "back issue blowouts," old issues that go for as little as 50 cents.

RELATED: Best Kid Eats Near Times Square and Rockefeller Center

Playground by Tom Otterness. Photo by James Dee for TomOStudio

2. Hit Up the Local Playgrounds

Believe it or not, there are a handful of playgrounds near Times Square. One favorite is on 42nd Street between 11th and 12th Avenues, where you'll find a play structure called Playground designed by artist Tom Otterness. Youngsters find this bronze reclining creature—with slides for legs—awe-inspiring. The spot also has benches, a small patch of grass, an enclosed dog run, and a toddler play area. This public park is tucked between the Silver Towers skyscrapers and can be hard to spot. Other popular neighborhood playgrounds include Hell's Kitchen Park on 10th Avenue between 47th and 48th Streets, and Manhattan Plaza's on 43rd Street near Ninth Avenue. The Hudson Yards playground is farther south, but if you hop on the 7 train for one stop, you can check out this special romping spot.

3. Romp in the Megastores

We wrote an entire post about NYC stores where you can play indoors for FREE. Two of our top picks are in Times Square. M&M's World, at 48th Street, is a chocolate lovers' paradise, with M&M's furniture, a 17-foot-tall Miss Green M&M’s Statue of Liberty, and plenty of candy. The Disney Store at 45th Street also has interactive elements, including magic mirrors with animated characters and a small theater area where kids can screen their favorite Disney clips. The famed Krispy Kreme has even added a flagship doughnut store on 48th Street and Broadway. Get a front-row seat at a viewing window and watch as bakers work their doughy magic. This massive shop can churn out 380 dozen donuts an hour. It's truly a sight to behold.

Take a spin on Le Carrousel at Bryant Park. Photo by Janet Bloom

4. Explore Bryant Park

There is so much to recommend at this green space, even if it lacks a playground. There's the lovely European-style merry-go-round, Le Carrousel, which is open year-round and costs $3 per ride. Nearby is the Reading Room, an outdoor space stocked with well-worn children's books and kid-sized tables and chairs. The park frequently hosts family performances, including Bubble Man and New York Yo-Yo Show. Take a moment to check out the Art Cart, a spot with FREE art supplies that welcomes you and the kids to get creative in the park. We also love the seasonal Bryant Park Games kiosk where you can settle in and play an old favorite (Candy Land, anyone?) or try something new from its library of more than 50 titles. While not specifically targeted at families, many offerings are great for kids. In late fall and winter, you'll find a free ice skating rink at the Winter Village at Bryant Park, and around the holidays, an annual holiday market sets up shop. Plus, there are spectacular bathrooms. Tables and chairs dot the park, so bring your own picnic or grab a meal at one of the nearby food trucks or restaurants bordering the park. There's a Whole Foods across the street with plenty of grab-and-go options, too.

5. Visit the Main Branch of the New York Public Library

Unfortunately, the Schwarzman Building is only partially opened for research purposes and by appointment only. That said, the building is magnificent, and a walk-by is worth it, even if you can't go inside. Patience and Fortitude are the pair of stoic marble lions guarding the entrance. Spend a few minutes on the awesome flight of stairs leading up to the ornate Beaux-Arts building. This is the perfect place to watch the world go by. When you're done, head across the street to the newly remodeled Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, which provides a new home for the Children's Center, and is open for browsing and limited in-person services.

RELATED: Step Inside the New Harry Potter Store in the Flatiron District

Bowlmor Times Square. Photo courtesy of Bowlmor

6. Go Bowling

There are three swanky bowling alleys in the Times Square area. Frames Bowling Lounge is in the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Lucky Strike (temporarily closed but check its website for reopening information) is on 42nd Street and 12th Avenue, and Bowlmor is on 44th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. None are cheap, and all cater more to adults than kids. However, Bowlmor is the most family-friendly and has incredible decor.

7. Get Musical With a Broadway Walking Tour

Perfect for Broadway buffs, the Inside Broadway Walking Tour takes you into the heart of the Theater District with aspiring stars leading the way. Hear the stories of the great artists that have played on these stages, and learn the secret history that transpired backstage.

Kids will love the experience of eating at Junior's. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

8. Eat at Junior's

If you must have an indoor sit-down meal, try the Times Square location of this famous Brooklyn restaurant, one of our favorite family-friendly Times Square eateries. The legendary cheesecake is great, but so are the potato pancakes, burgers, brisket, and even the salads. The wait can be long, and reservations aren't accepted for small parties. If you just need a snack, hit Junior's bakery next door, which sells desserts and has limited outdoor seating.

RELATED: Get a Sneak Peek at the Glass-Enclosed Observation Deck Coming to Midtown This Fall

Walk the deck of the mind-blowing Intrepid—it's worth the walk to the west side! Photo courtesy of the museum

9. Climb Aboard The Intrepid

The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum is like no other Manhattan museum. Military history buffs will be awed by the stories this World War II-era aircraft carrier tells. The ship—a National Historic Landmark—survived multiple kamikaze attacks and a torpedo strike, then served in the Cold War, Vietnam War, and as a recovery vessel during the space race. It's one of only four places where you can get close to one of NASA's retired space shuttles, as the Enterprise is housed on the flight deck in its own pavilion. There are more than two dozen other restored historical aircraft to check out as well as a Concorde jet, submarine, and multiple decks full of artifacts.

10. Get Cultured at the New Victory Theater

Though the New Victory won't reopen until the fall, It's good to keep this theater on your radar when you're planning your big day out. Broadway tickets are so expensive that most families can't afford to do it often. Tickets for productions at the New Victory Theater start at $17. Not all offerings are for little kids; the New Vic offers shows for all age ranges—circus, neo-vaudeville, dance, and more traditional page-to-stage adaptations. It also hosts related performance workshops. If you want a preview of what's coming soon, check out the New Victory LabWorks series at Little Island this summer, where emerging artists workshop their projects before bringing them to the stage.

RELATED: Fun Things to Do at Rockefeller Center (Besides the Tree)

Pick up a tasty and kid-friendly empanada at Nuchas, then nab a table in the Times Square Pedestrian Plaza. Photo courtesy of Nuchas

11. Have an Urban Picnic

People regularly ask us to recommend cheap, kid-friendly places to eat in NYC, especially near popular destinations such as Times Square. One great way to avoid overpaying is to have a picnic, assuming the weather cooperates. Grab something to go at Amy's Bread and enjoy it in the Times Square pedestrian plaza, on the red steps of the TKTS booth, or in the plentiful chairs dotting the plazas. Several food trucks have set up shop along the pedestrian areas, including Nuchas, which serves empanadas (vegetarian and meat options available).

12. Get in on All the Pop-ups

Big-name brands, like the Disney Store, often host interactive marketing events that draw big crowds. For example, look for "augmented reality ads," with an interactive billboard in which you stand in a spot and see yourself projected. (Kids always get a kick out of seeing themselves on a massive screen.) Visit the NYE Wishing Wall during December to add your wish for the New Year to a piece of paper that will rain down as confetti on New Year's Eve. Visit Times Square's official website for a list of all upcoming special events.

13. Game Out at Dave & Buster's

Dave and Buster's is not always the most family-friendly scene—its bar tends to cater to the after-work crowd—but if you go with children during the day, things are more manageable. Classic games like Frogger, Pac-Man, and skeeball join new obsessions like Fruit Ninja. Plus, kids win tickets that can be redeemed for trinkets and prizes.

14. Go To a Comedy Club

While there's no shortage of comedy clubs in Times Square, your kids have to be a lot older to enjoy the raunchy humor. A couple of kid-friendly options are available, though. We like the interactive Improv 4 Kids Comedy Show at the Broadway Comedy Club on weekend afternoons. LOL Times Square Comedy Club also offers a family-friendly show with a combination of magic, comedy, juggling, mind reading, and illusion on Saturday nights.

More Tips for Seeing Times Square with Kids

• The Naked Cowboy isn't the only "celebrity" you'll run into; Mickey and Minnie, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and other kids' characters (as well as topless, painted women in warmer months) line the streets hoping for tips in exchange for pictures. The characters now have limited space to roam after a series of altercations, so it's a bit easier to avoid them than in years past, though if they see you coming with kids, they'll approach you.
• When possible, avoid walking on Broadway or Seventh Avenue as those streets are always crowded. Eighth Avenue is better, but your best bet is to navigate the pedestrian alleys between Broadway and Eighth Avenues, such as Shubert Alley between 44th and 45th Streets; and the walkway at the Marriott Hotel between 45th and 46th Streets. You'll find similar walkways between 47th and 48th, 48th and 49th, and 50th and 51st Streets.
• Leave the stroller at home if possible. It's hard enough to navigate a packed street without worrying about rolling into tourists.

This article, first published in December 2011, has been updated for 2021.