10 Fun Things to Do with Kids in NYC in Winter

The Big Apple, as NYC is also called, has a reputation for not sleeping even during the winter. This city is a dream destination for not only adults but kids, too. It has enough child-friendly, fun, and educational activities to keep everyone in the family engaged for days, weeks, or even months.

Hoping that you all have your thick comfy sweaters and denim jeans ready, here is a wealth of exciting things to do in New York City in winter with kids and teenagers.

1. Go Ice Skating

In NYC, nothing shouts ‘it’s winter!’ better than the outdoor skating rinks. These rinks offer a perfect spot for the entire family to get on the ice while binging on the breathtaking view of the city.

It’s indisputable that the Rink at Rockefeller Center is the best rink to skate in New York City. It sits between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on 49th and 50th streets and opens from October 12th to April. Other incredible outdoor rinks include Byrant Park, Riverbank State Park, and Rooftop at Pier 17 Winterland.

For young travelers who’d prefer to avoid the cold outdoors, Chelsea Piers Sky Rink and Abe Stark rink are my personal favorites, especially for kids as they are indoors.

2. Sledding

When the snow starts to fall, most New Yorkers literally forget their age and join the kids in sledding. NYC has limited options when it comes to sledding spots. For yuppies and kids who would prefer something not so steep, the Prospect Park at 9th Street has a little but still exciting downhill action. For real thrill-seekers, I would recommend you to check out Pilgrim Hill in Central Park. This sledding hill is slightly steeper than that of Prospect Park but gentle for most kids too. The Pilgrim Hill is accessed via 72nd Street and Fifth Ave.

3. Enjoy a Snowy Walk in Central Park

Located at the heart of Manhattan, Central Park is hands down the most iconic natural landmark in NYC and definitely one of the best places to visit in New York. This 843-acre park gets over 42 million visitors annually, most of whom visit it when it’s sprawling with greeneries and when its trees are full of life.  

While this may sound a little bit counterproductive, the best time to enjoy Central Park is during the winter when the lakes are frozen, and the trees have no leaves on them. Again, this is the perfect to avoid the crowds. One hour is enough to see most of what Central Park has to offer when walking with kids. You could allocate more time if it’s not too cold, though. 

Your toddler will have plenty space to run free. If you have an infant who can't walk you can always use a baby carrier.

4. Go to kid-friendly museums

New York is busting with children’s museums that are just as amusing as they are educational. One of the best museums in New York City is Brooklyn’s Children Museum in Crown Heights. Expect to hear a lot of “cool,” “aww,” and “wow” from your kids thanks to this museum’s comprehensive collection of over 30,000 objects, including masks, dolls, and musical instruments. 

For curious minds and little grabby hands, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on the Upper West Side of the city will be one of the interesting places to visit in New York City this winter.

5. Explore the Zoos

NYC zoos have this special charm that won’t let you leave the Big Apple without paying a visit to a number of them. New York City has a zoo in each borough, and we love them all. The Bronx Zoo is the largest of the 5 and has a lot of activities to keep the young members of the party busy. I’d recommend getting there early enough if you want to enjoy all that this zoo offers. If you’ll be staying in Manhattan, Central Park Zoo is going to be the most convenient.

6. Visit the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey  

No list of the best activities you can do with your family in NYC in winter would be complete without a visit to the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey. This is a first-of-its-kind walk-through water experience that offers your family spectacular view of lifelike animations, including humpback whales, squid, and sea lions. Don’t worry, by the way- no one is getting wet.

7. How about a movie on Broadway?

Have you ever wondered why Broadway is one of the most famous streets in the world? Well, how about finding out for yourself by adding it in your bucket list of the best places to visit in New York in winter 2020?

Broadway was among the very first streets in the USA to be lit using electricity lights. While the electric lights are no longer fashionable, it’s the 40 professional theaters that make Broadway one of the fun things to with kids in NYC.

8. Cook Winter Recipes

Did you know that the cost of accommodation in NYC dips up to five times between January and April? For those days when you’ll be better off remaining indoors in your apartment, that could be the best time to learn new cooking skills and tricks and transfer them to your kids. On this note, the local markets never run out of ingredients that are perfect for trying out different recipes and making memories.

9. View the entire city from the highest observatory point in Manhattan

If you want to view all the best places to visit with kids in NYC in winter all at once, the One World Observatory is your ticket. With the 360-degree viewing platforms located on floors 100 to 102, the virtual experience is truly above anything else.

Here are a few tips when visiting the One World Observatory: 

• Purchase your tickets online, so you won’t need to join another line at the site 
• When getting in the SkyPod elevators, consider a spot near the wall for an awesome view of the video illustrating how New York has evolved over the years 

10. Enjoy Hot Chocolate or Tea in the City’s Best Spots

After a busy snowy walk in the park, sledding, skating, and visiting the museums, I can’t think of a better way to end the day than with a delicious cup of hot chocolate or tea. While there are endless options here, personally, I would recommend Cocoa Store (15 E 18th St), Mariebelle (484 Broome St), and Jacques Torres (350 Hudson St).

For tea lovers, Alice’s Tea Cup restaurant that uses Alice in Wonderland theme and located at 02 W 73rd St is an excellent recommendation. Kids will be fascinated!