6 Reasons To Take Your Kids To Staten Island

Photo Courtesy of Michael Falco/visitstatenisland.com

New York City has five boroughs, and I bet you can’t name them all. Did you just try to count them off the top of your head? Staten Island was sure to be the one you fumbled on. You have to catch a ferry to visit this borough, or maybe you can drive, but it is chock full of places to visit with the kids. Read on for a select, but not all encompassing, list of fun places for families to visit in Staten Island.

Fly High

501 Industry Road

What kid doesn’t appreciate jumping up and down for no particular reason? There probably aren’t that many, and if your child is like every other kid alive–they too will enjoy this indoor trampoline of fun! Children and adults are welcome to come out and bounce around in NYC’s first indoor trampoline park, Fly High. Admission is relatively inexpensive, with pricing starting at $13 for 30-minutes. Weekends here are normally crazy busy, so although walk-in’s are welcome, they cannot always be accommodated. Note: children under the age of 5 are not advised to jump Friday-Sunday, due to the high amount of traffic, but parents can jump with children if desired. Dress in comfortable clothing and come prepared to experience the thrill of flying high! Weekend hours are 10am-7pm, Tuesday to Thursday 3pm-8pm, and Friday’s from 3pm-10pm. Please visit website for more details and info. 

Snug Harbor

1000 Richmond Terrace

This destination spot is a 2-for-1–part botanical gardens and part cultural center. Based on Ming Dynasty Gardens, the Chinese Scholar Gardens encompass the different gardens in China and are also part of the only two Real McCoy Scholar Gardens in the United States. A lot of time was put into recreating its authenticity, and visitors can experience not only that, but also the bamboo forest path, luscious waterfalls, and koi pond. There is also a hedge maze in the Secret Garden! In terms of art, they also have something to bring to the table. The Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art displays numerous exhibits throughout the year and is a Smithsonian affiliate. Their goal is to bring local (and not so local) art to Staten Island and expose everyone to the visual arts in some form. Tours, workshops, and lectures are also conducted on premises. Admission starts at $5, with various pricing for different activities, and centers; visit website for details. 

Staten Island Greenbelt Conservancy

700 Rockland Avenue

This is one of NYC’s flagship green spaces with 2800-acres of park to enjoy! The Greenbelt Nature Center is a treasure trove of fun facts and Greenbelt history. Many public programs are hosted throughout the year offering performances, workshops, lectures, and hikes for all ages. High Rock Park is a popular must-do, with five ponds, hiking trails, rocks, and the area is known to have Great Blue Herons and Wood Ducks! Also, make sure and catch the breathtaking view from Moses Mountain, where you can look out at the green space that was almost turned into a highway! The Carousel is located in Willowbrook Park and is sure to be a treat for all kids. The Greenbelt Conservancy is open daily from dusk to dawn; for a specific events calendar, be sure to check out the website.

Jacques Marchais Museum of Art

338 Lighthouse Avenue

Most New Yorkers have no clue that this museum dedicated to Tibetan art is only a ferry ride away! Founded by its namesake in 1945, who is deemed to be one of the first collectors of Tibetan art, the museum’s goal has always been to embrace the rich culture and visual art of Himalayan cultures. Learn about rare artifacts as you take a stroll through the decadent halls, all built in the name of preserving Himalayan culture. Yes, there are lots of opportunities to involve the little ones, as well. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 1pm-5pm, and tickets are $4 for students and seniors, $6 for adults, and members are free! 

Amazing Escape Room

585 North Gannon Avenue 

If you like to crack codes and solve mysteries then this is the place to do it. The Amazing Escape Room is another brand of fun, the kind that requires you to buckle down and actually enlist the use of your brain, or be really good at taking a hint. Large groups (10-12) have 60-minutes on the shot clock and a designated room theme, and all participants will be presented with limited clues and are expected to solve them before time runs out! This kind of fun is available to all ages, and party rooms are also on the menu. Children up to age 7 are free, adults and children ages 7 and up are $30 per person; see website for details.

Staten Island Zoo

614 Broadway

You’ve visited the Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, and maybe even the Queens Zoo, so now it’s time to visit the Staten Island Zoo. This place is a bit different from the others because it’s not a part of the Wildlife Conservation Society. It is more on the secluded side, but this can be a plus for you and yours–no big crowds to get through. Little ones can enjoy the petting zoo, take a peek at the reptiles, visit the many other animals, and take part in weekend programs and special events. Admission is free after 2pm on Wednesdays, and children 2 and under are always free; see website for details. 

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A-Game Sports

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">A-Game Sports is a premier provider of sports camps, programming and instruction for kids of all ages ranging from toddlers to teens. As an instructional and recreational youth sports facility, our goal is to make athletics a rewarding experience for all kids. A-Game Sports is located in New Rochelle, NY, and offers camps, lessons, customized programs for more than 10 sports and rental space for private events. A-Game Sports was founded in 2013 by two guys who decided that it was time to do what they truly love in life. Since then, we've made the ideology of fusing hard work and fun into a reality. Our dedicated staff of professional coaches share their enthusiasm with kids of all ages and skill levels that take part in our programs.</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"> </p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">With turfed fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and flag football, batting cages and tunnels for baseball and softball, and various basketball programs, A-Game Sports is one of the premiere sports facilities for kids and adults of any age. Aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts will benefit from our many strength and conditioning programs, while children new to sports will learn skills and techniques within their chosen sport, all while having a great time and keeping the game fun.</p> </div>

Bounce! Family Entertainment Center

<p>Bounce! Family Entertainment Center is an indoor birthday party and play space located in Syosset, NY. Perfect for birthday parties, group events, open play, and more! We have the best party packages on Long Island! Our facility has multiple AWESOME attractions: The Trampoline courts, The Adventure Zone, Bumper Cars, Laser Tag, Soft Play, Arcade, & MORE! If you need a break from jumping and climbing, try out some of our delicious food from The Bounce Bites Kitchen! Come on in to any of our Open Play, Toddler Time, or Glow Night sessions!</p>

Chickenshed NYC

<p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-top: 0px; caret-color: #515151; color: #515151; font-family: nimbus-sans, sans-serif;">Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed’s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-top: 0px; caret-color: #515151; color: #515151; font-family: nimbus-sans, sans-serif;">Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-top: 0px; caret-color: #515151; color: #515151; font-family: nimbus-sans, sans-serif;">Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.</p>