Inexpensive Things to Do in New York City for Kids

Sony Wonder Technology Lab

Explore interactive exhibits in the state-of the-art facility that combines technology with creativity. Located in midtown Manhattan, the lab is an engaging learning environment for the family. Although admission is free, you are urged to make reservations for this popular activity.

Out of the hundreds of kid-friendly New York City museums, Children's Museum of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Children's Museum are devoted to providing programs for kids. One interactive exhibit at the Manhattan museum gives preschoolers the opportunity to learn about the alphabet as they feed letters to a talking baby dragon. At the Brooklyn museum, children of all ages can become environmental DJs as they mix sounds of nature with man-made sounds on a kid-friendly mixing board. The Manhattan museum is on the Upper West Side and the Brooklyn museum is next to Brower Park. Admission to each is usually $10 or less, but both offer free admission programs on select days and during select hours. Information on discount or free admission can be found in the "Visit" section on the museums' websites.

A natural oasis in the center of an urban jungle, Central Park has many playgrounds and acres of park grounds to explore. Consisting of more than 2-1/2 miles of land between 59th Street and 110th Street and between Fifth Avenue and Eighth Avenue, Central Park is home to the Carousel, the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Wollman Rink and the popular Central Park Zoo and the Tisch Children's petting zoo. For a small fee, you and your kids can take part in some of Central Park activities, including the zoos, ice-skating at Wollman Rink and riding the Carousel.

The Kids' Night on Broadway, the Broadway League's audience development program, offers children ages 6 to 18 the opportunity to see a participating Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Kids' Night on Broadway participants also are invited to take advantage of discount offers for parking and family-friendly restaurants.

The purpose of the Staten Island Ferry is to transport commuters between Staten Island and Manhattan. However, the 5 mile, 25-minute boat ride also provides scenic views of New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of Lower Manhattan. Operated by the City of New York, the ferry offers free admission for all passengers.