Brooklyn Family Queens Family Bronx Family Ultimate Guide to Fall/Winter Fun Long Island Family Ultimate Guide to Afterschool Programs Annual Guide Long Island Special Child New York Special Child Ultimate Guide to Schools Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp
New York Family Brooklyn Family Queens Family Bronx Family Ultimate Guide to Fall/Winter Fun Long Island Family Ultimate Guide to Afterschool Programs Annual Guide Long Island Special Child New York Special Child Ultimate Guide to Schools Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp
Things To Do

Central Park Athletic Resources For Kids

By Posted on
  • Boating

    Boating

    Go rent a boat from the Loeb Boathouse for $15 per hour and row all around the Central Park Lake that stretches over 22 acres with the whole family! And if you’d rather have someone else do all the work, Venetian Gondola tours are also available for $45 per half-hour.

    Boating is from 10am-6pm daily from April to November.
  • Horseback Riding

    Horseback Riding

    There are various operators that will give guests the opportunity to go horseback riding around Central Park! Simply flag them down and experience the beauty of Central Park in an entirely new way.

    Plus, The Riverdale Stables are located here, but they don’t give trail rides inside the park. Rather, they have indoor and outdoor riding lessons available, starting at age 6!
  • Bicycle Riding

    Bicycle Riding

    Taking a bike ride around the park is such a fun way to interact with the entire family while also working up quite the sweat! You can rent bikes starting at $15 and it comes with a helmet, basket, and a map! The park also offers bike tours that will allow you to see things you may normally not have the chance to see!
  • Model Sailboats

    Model Sailboats

    This isn’t exactly a sport, per se, but it is absolutely fun to do and to watch! So even if you aren’t the best at crafting model boats, you can still join along and root on your favorite mini boat!
  • Baseball and Softball Fields

    Baseball and Softball Fields

    Central Park has Heckcher Ballfields, Great Lawn, and North Meadow, which all encompass multiple ballfields within them. You are required to have a permit to use the fields, but can easily apply for one here!
  • Swimming

    Swimming

    No, you don’t get to swim in the lake unfortunately, but you can swim at Lasker Pool located mid-park between 106th and 108th Street! Swimming is free to the public and open daily from 11am-3pm and 4pm-7pm!
  • Fishing

    Fishing

    You really never hear of fishing spots in the city, but the park is the ideal scenery to catch a few! You can “catch-and-release” fish at Harlem Meer, The Central Park Lake, and The Central Pond. There are quite a bit of rules and regulations when it comes to fishing here, so be sure to check them all out before getting out your rod and reel!
  • Bouldering

    Bouldering

    For older children who want a little bit more of a challenge, check out Worthless Boulder, located near 110th Street; Cat Rock, near Wollman Rink; and Rat Rock, near the Heckscher Ballfields. Rat Rock is said to be best for beginners, so that’s the spot for children who want to try something new!

Central Park is not only beautiful and a place for great photos, but a spot for active children to break a sweat and partake in athletic activities! It has so much to offer that a lot of people simply overlook or don’t even know about! Here are some of our favorite athletic resources you and your children can take part in the next time you decide to visit the wonderful Central Park!

  • Boating

    Boating

    Go rent a boat from the Loeb Boathouse for $15 per hour and row all around the Central Park Lake that stretches over 22 acres with the whole family! And if you’d rather have someone else do all the work, Venetian Gondola tours are also available for $45 per half-hour.

    Boating is from 10am-6pm daily from April to November.

  • Horseback Riding

    Horseback Riding

    There are various operators that will give guests the opportunity to go horseback riding around Central Park! Simply flag them down and experience the beauty of Central Park in an entirely new way.

    Plus, The Riverdale Stables are located here, but they don’t give trail rides inside the park. Rather, they have indoor and outdoor riding lessons available, starting at age 6!

  • Bicycle Riding

    Bicycle Riding

    Taking a bike ride around the park is such a fun way to interact with the entire family while also working up quite the sweat! You can rent bikes starting at $15 and it comes with a helmet, basket, and a map! The park also offers bike tours that will allow you to see things you may normally not have the chance to see!

  • Model Sailboats

    Model Sailboats

    This isn’t exactly a sport, per se, but it is absolutely fun to do and to watch! So even if you aren’t the best at crafting model boats, you can still join along and root on your favorite mini boat!

  • Baseball and Softball Fields

    Baseball and Softball Fields

    Central Park has Heckcher Ballfields, Great Lawn, and North Meadow, which all encompass multiple ballfields within them. You are required to have a permit to use the fields, but can easily apply for one here!

  • Swimming

    Swimming

    No, you don’t get to swim in the lake unfortunately, but you can swim at Lasker Pool located mid-park between 106th and 108th Street! Swimming is free to the public and open daily from 11am-3pm and 4pm-7pm!

  • Fishing

    Fishing

    You really never hear of fishing spots in the city, but the park is the ideal scenery to catch a few! You can “catch-and-release” fish at Harlem Meer, The Central Park Lake, and The Central Pond. There are quite a bit of rules and regulations when it comes to fishing here, so be sure to check them all out before getting out your rod and reel!

  • Bouldering

    Bouldering

    For older children who want a little bit more of a challenge, check out Worthless Boulder, located near 110th Street; Cat Rock, near Wollman Rink; and Rat Rock, near the Heckscher Ballfields. Rat Rock is said to be best for beginners, so that’s the spot for children who want to try something new!

See more NYC events Post an event

About the Author

More from Things To Do

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Adventuring Portal

<p><a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) games for kids.   We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&D.</p> <p>Our D&D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.  Monday – Friday.  Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).  15 total gaming hours for $180.  If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.   </p> <p>Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor’s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done & take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do.</p> <p>All our games focus on experiential learning.   Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&D adventuring!</p> <p>We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum. </p> <p>All girls’ groups available. </p> <p>I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started Adventuring Portal, an online Dungeons & Dragons business for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.</p>

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND® New York Resort

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Monstrous Family fun returns with Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND® New York Resort!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The signature children’s Halloween event kicks off October 3<sup>rd</sup> when the Park transforms into a bewitching party filled with candy, seasonal shows, and Halloween themed LEGO characters. The event runs on all operating dates in October, with all festivities included in general admission. Meet LEGO Monster characters like Spider Lady and Wacky Witch and make your way to the treat stations around the Park. Don’t forget your costumes!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">New for 2024: Monster Party Nights at LEGOLAND New York Hotel! Book a Brick-or-Treat overnight package in October to enjoy extra sweet Halloween-themed fun after a day in the Park. Hotel guests will have the opportunity to eat breakfast with a Monster, participate in themed crafts and LEGO builds, rock out at the Monster Dance Party each night, and more!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">AWESOME AWAITS at LEGOLAND® New York Resort, the ultimate LEGO® theme park destination, for kids ages two through twelve and their families. Ride, climb, and build your way through seven LEGO themed lands.</span></p> <p> </p>

Once Upon A Mattress

<p>Bring your kids.</p> <p>Bring your parents.</p> <p>Bring your favorite pajamas!</p> <p>Once Upon a Mattress is back on Broadway, and it’s “pure let’s-be-kids entertainment” (New Yorker) fit for ages 7 to 107!</p> <p>Two-time Tony® winner Sutton Foster stars as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, alongside royalty of stage and screen Michael Urie and Queen of Comedy Ana Gasteyer. Adapted for a new generation by Amy Sherman-Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), this uproarious retelling of The Princess and the Pea introduces the unapologetically eccentric Winnifred to an uptight kingdom, where she charms, delights, and dances her way to the top… of a stack of mattresses.</p> <p>So give the babysitter the night off and your kids a night on the town – you'll all live happily ever laughter!</p> <p>Get tickets at <a href="https://onceuponamattressnyc.com/">https://onceuponamattressnyc.com/</a></p>