New York Online - New York for Kids

Visiting the gigantic New York City with kids does not need to be a nightmare as there are lots of educational institutions, art venues, zoological gardens, parks and playgrounds where kids have a golden opportunity of expelling their pent-up mental and physical energy. The list of top kids' attractions follows below.

1. Children's Museum of Manhattan

Children's Museum of Manhattan, founded in 1973, is a perfect destination for family outings. It is here that children, assisted by their parents, can learn about the world through educational programs and interactive exhibits which not only provide them with essential skills and direct knowledge, but engage their minds, bodies, hearts and spirits.
Location: 212 West 83rd Street
Admission: $8 (adults and children over 1)/ $5 (seniors)
2.Children's Museum of the Arts

Children's Museum of the Arts, founded in 1988, is aimed at families which want their kids to learn how to express themselves and obtain proper self-esteem through the visual and performing arts.
Apart from a varied selection of hands-on activities, the Children's Museum of the Arts collects children's works of art and exhibits them. There are also movie nights and guided workshops on offer during which kids can learn on any art forms from sculpture to T-shirt painting.

Location: SoHo, 182 Lafayette Street

Admission:
$9/person (1-65 yrs. old)

3.Central Park ZOO and Tisch Children's Zoo

The Central Park Wildlife Center is a tiny (3-acre) zoological garden which, though built in the 1930s, is still attractive both to kids and adults. It is here that one has an exciting opportunity of watching wild animals arranged in the following ecosystems: the Tropic Zone, the Temperate Territory and the Polar Circle. One of top kids' attractions is attending the feeding sessions of the sea lions (11.30, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.) and penguins (10.30 & 2.30 p.m.). For under-six-year-olds, the magnificent Tisch Children's Zoo, where kids can watch the sheep, cows, goats, pigs, etc., is widely recommended.

Location: 64th Street at Fifth Avenue

Admission: $6 (adults), $1.25 (seniors), $1 (children between 3-12), FREE admission for under-three-year-olds

4.Central Park

Not only the Central Park Zoo and the petting center are the best spots for kids. The whole Central Park has a wide selection of activities aimed at children of all ages. For those who would like to let off steam, there are as many as 21 playgrounds within the Central Park boundaries. There are also workshops and special events which are available to kids free of charge. Kids can entertain themselves while attending weekend educational programs held at the Discovery Center and Belvedere Castle. Sports geeks will also find something interesting here. Other draws include Saturday story hour, a huge enclosed carousel and the Marionette Theater.

Admission: varies, depending on an activity selected

4.Brooklyn Children's Museum

Brooklyn Children's Museum, founded in 1899, is the oldest of all the kids' museums in the world. Thanks to an endless variety of hands-on exhibits and collections, both pre-school and high school children can familiarize themselves with the world's diverse art, music, ethnic cultures, science and environment. It currently undergoes expansion thanks to which its space will be doubled and the museum will be equipped with the 21st century learning facilities. Even a roof top terrace will have new galleries to make more room for a growing number of visitors. The museum is temporarily closed, but should re-open in spring 2008.

Location: 145 Brooklyn Avenue

Admission: $5.00 (for over one-year-olds)

5.Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Wildlife Conservation Society, commonly referred to as Bronx Zoo, ranks among the best zoological gardens in the world. The 265-acre zoo, famous for its naturalistic setting, is home to about 5,000 animals. Kids' top attractions include penguin feedings (3.30 p.m.), the World of Darkness, the Bug Carousel, the Congo Gorilla Forest.

Location: 2300 Southern Boulevard

Admission: $10 (children between 3-12), $12 (seniors), $14 (adults)

6.Coney Island

Coney Island used to be the largest amusement area in the United States. Though its popularity has declined over the years, there are still lots of attractions worth seeing while staying in New York with kids. Today's top amusement venues include Astroland (with the famous Cyclone rides), Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park (with over 20 rides for kids), the Sideshows by the Seashore and the New York Aquarium (with feedings of walruses, sharks, sea otters and aquatic animals training demonstrations).

7. FAO Schwartz

The FAO Schwartz, situated at 767 Fifth Avenue in Midtown East, is the New York's chain toystore giant. The shop, filled with all kinds of toys, is loved by kids. A must to all families with children!

Location: 767 Fifth Avenue