NYC Kids Activities March Madness Bracket: Free vs Paid Fun in Brooklyn & Manhattan
As an elder millennial mom, I fondly remember the classic Jezebel Cake vs. Pie brackets of early internet culture. While I was planning my content for this year, I decided it would be amazing to create a kids’ activity bracket. One of my favorite things to do on the internet is give first-hand advice like a human- no copy and paste from a website description. This ranking and list are exactly that- my opinion of the best out there. I’ve included some honorable mentions that came to mind—and I will leave it up to my Instagram following to decide the winner.
Manhattan Free Spaces Bracket – Parks & Playgrounds
Central Park
Pier 25& 26 Playground
Governor's Island
Rockefeller Park
Pier 51 Playground
Ancient Playground
Imagination Playground
Hekscher Playground
Honorable Mentions:
Brooklyn Free Spaces Bracket – Parks & Playgrounds
Prospect Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Fort Greene Park
Domino Park
Main Street Playground
Coney Island Beach
JJ Byrne Playground
Owl’s Head Park
Honorable Mentions:
Manhattan Paid Places Bracket – Museums & Indoor Play Spaces
American Museum of Natural History
Complete Playground
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Genius Gems
American Dream
Play Street Museum
Urban Dunes Play Area
Scandinavia House Children’s Play Center
Honorable Mentions
81st Street Studio @ The Met (the kids’ room is technically free)
Brooklyn Paid Places Bracket – Museums & Indoor Play Spaces
Space Club
NY Transit Museum
Ferox Athletics
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Hapik Climbing
Flying Apple NY
Playwell
Chuck E Cheese
Honorable Mention:
How I Chose These Kids’ Activities
I have a five-year-old and an eight-year-old, and we love to explore all the city has to offer! I keep a pulse on the ground for events and also post frequently on my Instagram page about things to do.
How I Made the Rankings and Bracket
I ranked this based on my personal opinions. If I were planning a Saturday or giving a friend advice, these are my honest opinions as a parent for what looks best. I took convenience and experience into consideration, and also excluded things that I find a bit too touristy for regular consideration- the Museum of Ice Cream, for example.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which of these are the best activities for a rainy day?
Almost all of the paid spaces are indoors. The notable exceptions are Central Park Zoo and Luna Park. If you are looking for more indoor activity ideas, I have a comprehensive list for each Brooklyn Neighborhood.
What are the best activities for toddlers in NYC?
Outside of the obvious answer (any park where they can run around), I would say Chuck E Cheese is the biggest surprise. I like this one for two reasons- one, they can run around and be as loud as they like- the staff will not let them outside. The second reason is that a toddler “can play” a game without spending any money. When my kids were younger, they would press the buttons on those machines for hours.
What are the best activities for preschoolers in NYC?
Outside of the obvious playground/park answer, I really like Space Club in Brooklyn and, of course, the American Museum of Natural History.
What is the best activity to do with visiting family in NYC?
Planning a trip to The Met with a stop at the 81st Street Studio for the kids is a great way to please all parties. Make sure to put your name on the list at the kids' space first, as there will likely be a wait. In Brooklyn, Industry City has a lot to offer for the day. There are tons of kid activities, food, and places to explore.
What is the best activity for elementary school children in NYC?
Genius Gems is a really fun spot for early elementary school. The older kids can really enjoy Lucky Strike with the Arcade/Laser Tag or Area53 out in Brooklyn.
What is the best activity to do with friends in NYC?
If the weather is nice, I would plan a day at Governor’s Island and rent bikes. There is so much to explore for all ages. If the children are at least 5, The Yard is such a great experience. For an indoor idea, try Genius Gems; the bar inside makes this one extra promising.