Some people are surprised to learn that the city that never sleeps has a wealth of things to do with toddlers. In fact, New York’s vast amount of green spaces and public squares means that there is almost always a place to sit back and watch your toddler explore. Ethnic neighborhoods, street markets, little galleries, street corner performers and boutique window displays are of great fascination to toddlers. Your greatest challenge will be narrowing down your list of possibilities.
Central Park
Far and away the most toddler-centric part of New York City has to be the near 850 acres of Central Park. Not only are there ample paths for stroller walks and green spaces for impromptu picnics, but there is opportunity for your toddler to socialize with other babies, toddlers and children. Boating on the lake is a great adventure, or you can relax while your child plays at the popular Heckscher Playground, which has equipment for little ones as well as older children. During the summer, the Victorian Gardens transform into a small-scale amusement park.
Bronx Zoo
This classic children’s attraction offers much to see and do. In addition to seeing animals in their habitats, toddlers can ride the bug carousel, go the smaller zoo-within-a-zoo and ride a camel.
Museums
Some toddlers love a brief tour of the exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art or the American Folk Art Museum. Other toddlers fare better at sites specifically directed toward children, such as the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (a great spot on rainy days) or the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. The Children’s Museum of the Arts offers things to both see and create. The New York Hall of Science offers a science playground.
Gray Line Tour
Grab a seat atop one of the red double-decker buses and take in New York from a bird’s eye view. The Grand Tour lasts longer and includes many historic landmarks and works of architecture. Among the other options are the Lower Manhattan and the Upper Manhattan tours.
