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NYC Stores Where Kids Can Play for Free

1. M&M's World – Midtown West

Kids and chocolate lovers alike won't have an easy time leaving this store. There is M&M merchandise galore, a two-story wall of colorful candies, and a 21-foot Miss Green M&M Statue of Liberty. You can spend money quite quickly, but you can also wander around without feeling the pressure to purchase one single M&M (though kudos if you can resist). Stop to take some photos with the M&M mascots. Plus, the staff is happy to let kids play, so let them unleash all that sugar energy before you go home.

2. American Girl Place – Midtown West

This Rockefeller Center spot is an American Girl fan's dream come true. The 38,000-square-foot store is a must-visit destination for lovers of these iconic dolls. The store serves lots of treats for kids (matching makeovers!) and adults (plush benches!) alike. There are plenty of opportunities for kids to cuddle, accessorize, and show off the doll of their choice. Visit the on-site restaurant for a special meal. It's a great backdrop for hosting birthdays and events, too. Keep an eye on its calendar for special events and story times.

3. Harry Potter New York – Flatiron

Stride right through the doors of this uber-popular Wizarding World attraction and spend your time spotting cool props from the wildly popular movies, perusing a wall of wands that rivals Olivanders, staging a duel, stepping into Hagrid's shoes, apparating to the Ministry of Magic via an old-school phone booth, shopping for Chocolate Frogs, and more! There's plenty of eye candy and even a butterbeer bar!

4. FAO Schwarz – Midtown West

This 20,000-square-foot store opened in 2018 reinventing the iconic brand and bringing back some of our favorite features, including the dance-on piano, the iconic clock tower, and the life-sized toy soldiers guarding the doors. They're a perfect picture opportunity! While there will be plenty of toys to purchase, the focus here goes beyond stacks on the shelves. In-store experiences—like magic shows, toy demos, a pretend grocery store, and more—encourage families to enjoy playtime together.

5. Ikea – Red Hook, Brooklyn

Småland, Ikea's drop-off supervised play area, has a ball pit and other kid-friendly attractions. The space is open to potty-trained children 37-54 inches tall on weekends. Up the ante on fun by taking the FREE ferry service to the store and topping off your trip with a free kids' meal after you shop.

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There are a handful of small play areas in the Times Square Disney Store. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

6. Disney Store – Times Square

We visited the Disney Store when it first opened and, despite the intense merchandising, we were impressed. It's certainly cheaper than a trip to Orlando! If you've got a princess or Cars fan on your hands, you won't want to miss this one. Go on a quest to find many Mickey and Minnie displays throughout the store or visit the Imagination Theater for some hands-on fun. Star Wars fans can take pictures with a full-size Stormtrooper. Queens residents take note: You'll find a smaller outpost of the Disney Store at the Queens Center.

7. Macy's Toys "R" Us – Midtown West

Although it's not nearly as impressive as the old Toys "R" Us Times Square spot, the franchise still lives on. Located on the seventh floor of the flagship Macy's store in Herald Square, the Toys "R" Us is still a gem to visit. There are plenty of hands-on activities, including a city-themed playground, train tables, a Lite-Brite Wall, and more. Parents can take a seat while the kids frolic. It might be small, but there's plenty to see, including a large Lego model of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and some whimsical depictions of the iconic Geoffrey the Giraffe mascot.

8. The Home Depot – Multiple Locations

Yes, believe it or not, the well-known hardware store host children's workshops every month! Plan your shopping trip for 9am on the first Saturday of the month and check out the free workshop hosted across all the Home Depot locations. Kids conquer a small DIY project and learn home renovation skills by getting (safely) hands-on with tools. Although these events are free, registration is required.

9. Kidding Around – Chelsea

First opening its doors in 1989 on Bleecker Street, this beloved toy store has moved, expanded, and become a cherished part of the Chelsea community for almost 30 years. The extremely kid-friendly shop welcomes its tiniest customers to hang out, play with toys, and make new friends.

RELATED: Free Times to Visit NYC Museums, Gardens, and Zoos

The Nintendo Store offers consoles with free gaming. Photo by Sara Marentette

10. Nintendo New York – Midtown West

Nintendo's flagship store got a revamp in 2016 with a fresh name and fun features. A 15-foot gaming screen is the centerpiece of the store, and there's plenty of play space with multiple Nintendo Switch and 3DS stations throughout the two-floor, 10,000-square-foot Mario mecca. Playing is encouraged, and the store often has hands-on demos of new and upcoming titles.

11. The Lego Store – Rockefeller Center & Flatiron

Kids can kill plenty of time playing with the loose bricks at either outpost of The Lego Store. We love hitting up the Minifigure Builder Bar to create unique characters. When we've made enough, we snap a pic and move on cost-free! Speaking of photos, there are tons of photo-ops, plus lots of models to marvel at. Fans can also design and print their very own custom Lego Minifigure and more, all while exploring Lego recreations of iconic NYC locations.

12. Barnes & Noble – Union Square

The Union Square branch of this chain bookstore has a children's area on the second floor with an ever-popular train table, as well as kiddie chairs and tables. This particular chain carries an impressive selection of toys, games, and educational kits as part of its "science center." The massive bookstore also frequently hosts special events, including occasional children's author talks and signings.

13. Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. – Park Slope, Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. is a unique place that doubles as a store and a learning center. Walking inside, you feel like a real superhero. The storefront sells all the superhero essentials like capes and masks (which everyone is invited to try on), as well as novelty items like detection kits and invisible paint for those top-secret missions. It's a place where imagination comes to life, sure to make even adults feel like kids again. The back of the store houses a volunteer-run organization that offers free writing classes and tutoring for kids. Proceeds from the store support the learning center.

Originally published in 2012; this post is updated annually.