Scoop: 5 Best Kid-Friendly Activities in Midtown Manhattan

New York is a city associated with grown-up entertainment and activities, like bar hopping and night clubbing. But the Big Apple is also a great place to visit if you have kids. It’s one of the best cities for children to play in, learn about nature and culture, and foster a sense of community from an early age. 

So if you’re wondering if it’s a good idea to take your kids with you on your dream vacation to NYC, the answer is yes! There are many attractions you can enjoy together just in the area of Midtown Manhattan. Here are just a few that should get children (and anyone who’s young at heart) excited about a trip to New York:

Visit Grand Central Terminal

Transport hubs may not be an exciting destination to kids, but NYC’s Grand Central Station is definitely different from what you’re used to. There’s ample space inside Grand Central to walk around, get some exercise, and stoke the imagination. 

For starters, you and your kids can check out the famous clock at the Main Concourse’s Information Booth. See if you can re-enact the tender meetings you see in the movies. Next, try to visit the “Whispering Gallery” near the Oyster Bar. You can enchant your kids with the acoustic anomaly in the walkway. Stand in corners up to thirty feet apart and “whisper” something to them; your kids will be amazed that they can hear you perfectly!

Grand Central is the perfect place to go to if you want to introduce your kids to New Yorker culture. It’s also a great place to teach them about the importance of public transport. Family-friendly accommodation options are also available nearby, like The Westgate New York

Attend a Children’s Program at the New York Public Library

The New York Public Library isn’t only famous for its 53-million strong book collection; it also offers some superb enrichment programs, and many of them are targeted toward children. Upcoming programs in 2020 include storytelling, music, and socials with other kids. 

Be sure to check the library’s website for updates on their children’s activities. The NYPL staff will let you know of the date, time, and age group per program. 

Take a Stroll Along Bryant Park

Just a stone’s throw away from the New York Public Library is the park for all seasons, Bryant Park. Visiting the park is a healthy, fun activity that is fitting for a trip to NYC. 

Bryant Park is also renowned for its many children’s programs. Some events your kids can join here are puppet shows, storytelling, juggling, and interactive science classes. This is on top of other timeless activities that you can do together, such as playing catch or picnicking. Do visit Bryant Park’s official website to see its opening times and its schedule of kids’ programs. 

Play at Robert Moses Playground

Robert Moses Playground is located in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Midtown, a short distance from the United Nations Headquarters. Its namesake, Robert Moses, was New York’s so-called “master builder” of the mid-twentieth century era. His legacy lives on in NYC’s excellent public spaces. 

The Robert Moses Playground has all of the staples your kids will want in a play space, like slides, swings, seesaws, and a jungle gym. But what the park is famous for is its sporting facilities. This is where you and your kids should be if you want to watch—or even play—sports like basketball, handball, and roller hockey. 

Practice Spy Tactics at Spyscape

Spyscape is a spy-themed interactive museum in Midtown that will get the whole family’s imagination going. If anyone’s a fan of Spy Kids, James Bond, and the like, you’ll have a blast practicing your best espionage tactics!

Your kids can practice their agility by dodging lasers, or their smarts by solving puzzles. Spyscape will even run assessments to see who among your family would make a great agent handler or intelligence analyst. This is the place to be to live out one’s dreams of being a secret agent. 

Travel Safely through Midtown Manhattan with Your Kids

Before you embark on a trip to Midtown Manhattan with your kids, make safety and convenience a part of your planning. NYC has special ordinances with regard to car seats, seatbelts, and traveling with young children on public transport. Make sure you read up on these well before you arrive. 

Always watch out for your kids, and let everyone know the importance of looking out for each other. Brief your older children about where they should go and who they should contact in case of an emergency. 

And lastly, involve your kids in your preparations. Get info on the attractions and tell your kids what they can look forward to. This should get everyone in your family fired up for your trip to NYC.

Scoops are sponsored posts from carefully chosen New York Family Partners. Working with sponsors helps to keep our quality content free for our readers.

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Athletic Association of Yorkville Youths

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Serving the families and children of NYC for over 50 years with high-quality recreational activities that foster life-lessons which empower young people to succeed beyond sports. Our programs encourage positive attitudes and growth through teamwork and sportsmanship, attendance, fair play, respect, hard work, integrity and fun. Your child can participate in clinics and leagues in such sports as baseball, basketball, flag-football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, wrestling, track, and tennis. We also offer weekly dodgeball tournaments, drama and musical theater workshops, and after school programs.</span></p>

Young Actors at Strasberg

<p>Young Actors at Strasberg offers a comprehensive array of acting programs for students in grades 2 – 12. Classes provide kids and teens with a foundation in Lee Strasberg's Method Acting and the tools to succeed in the professional industry – all while maintaining a fun and playful environment. Programs are tailored to encompass students at all levels, from those just beginning their acting journey to Broadway veterans and professional child actors. Young Actors at Strasberg alumni include Lady Gaga, Sophia Lillis, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Rosario Dawson!</p> <p>Young Actors Programs are available online and in-person at our New York Campus, located in Union Square. Saturday, After-School and Online classes are offered during the traditional school year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) and Monday through Friday day camps and intensives are held in July and August.</p> <p><strong>About The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute:</strong></p> <p>Founded in 1969 by Lee and Anna Strasberg, The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute is the only school that teaches Lee Strasberg's work in its complete and authentic form. The Institute's goal is to provide students with a craft that will help them create a reality and respond truthfully in imaginary circumstances, regardless of the style or form of material being used. LSTFI is proud to have award-winning alumni from around the world working as writers, directors, and actors in all mediums.</p>

Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.  Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress. </p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City… Who doesn’t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history & in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor’s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>