The 11 Best Playgrounds for Little Kids in NYC

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The 11 Best Playgrounds for Little Kids

The sun is coming out, the weather is getting warm again, and kids in NYC are making any excuse to get outside! Playgrounds are a great place for kids to have fun and enjoy some sun. Even living in a city, you’ll find that there are some great family-friendly playgrounds that are made with toddlers and little kids in mind! Watch your children play or join them in the fun, either way, make the experience memorable with our list of the 11 Best Playgrounds for Little Kids!

Looking for another fun activity? Check out The Best Skateboarding Parks in NYC for kids and families.

Ancient Playground
Museum Mile, New York, NY 10028

The Ancient Playground gives a new take on traditional activities. The playground is made with more of an adventure style. Toddlers and kids can let their imaginations fly as they play with the interconnected structures, pyramids, and bridges that encourage exploration. This is a great place to bring the family for a few hours of play and make sure to check out the amazing sculptures at the entrance!

Bloomingdale Playground
Amsterdam Ave &, W 104th St, New York, NY 10025

This playground for little kids welcomes anyone of all abilities. This playground has been designed with ramps that make it easy to travel through the upper and lower levels of the structures. Kids can push each other down the slides or engage their imaginations in the sensory tunnel and sensory play panels. It’s perfect for kids of any age, with activities that will keep them entertained so that they won’t want to leave when it’s time to go home again!

Pier 51 at Hudson River Park
Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10014

The Pier 51 playground isn’t just for amusement. There’s a great view to admire and during the warm seasons and for those really hot days, the park has water features for kids who like to get wet! There are sand play areas and a nautical theme that will have kids pretending they are exploring the sea around them! There’s even a “stream” that runs through the playground, perfect for an exciting adventure to the other side. With this playground full of exciting activities, climbing equipment, slides, and more; kids will have so many different options of fun, that they’ll have to come back again to experience it all!

James Forten Playground
117B Underhill Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

This clean and family-friendly space is a perfect environment to bring your kids to! The playground has a separate area for toddlers that has climbing equipment perfect for their size. Any child will find their amusement, whether that be dangling off railings or walking through the bridge. Bond with your little ones as you wait for them at the end of a slide or push them on the small tire swings!

J.J. Byrne Playground
5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Here, you’ll find all the traditional playground equipment like swings, tunnels, bridges, slides, jungle gyms and more that kids have loved for decades now. For toddlers, the park has a fully gated area as well as farm animal cutouts and bucket swings perfect for their size. Make sure to bring a towel with you for when it gets warmer out so you can be prepared when your kids experience the water features of water cannons, splash pads, water pumps and even a mill stream! This is the perfect place for kids to let their creativity run wild and make new friends!

30th Street Playground
1-09 Beach 30th St, Queens, NY 11691

As the days get warmer, you might want to think about stopping at this playground. With activities like slides, climbers, playhouses and more, your kids are sure to have a great time. They have activities specifically for toddlers, inviting imagination into their play. Kids can take a break from the dry land as they play with the water-shooting cannons that will have them laughing and squealing!

Big Bush Park Playground
Laurel Hill Blvd. &, 61 st St., Queens, NY 11377

Big Bush Playground is a great location for the entire family. The bright green jungle gym will have kids climbing, playing, running and laughing! While your kids are running around, check out the seating area where you can relax and enjoy your own time in the outdoors. As it gets hotter out, kids can run through the splash and spray showers to cool down before going back to their fun!

Rosewood Playground
Bronx Boulevard and, Rosewood St, Bronx, NY 10467

Take a trip to the Rosewood Playground to give you and the kids a break in your day! Kids will be able to enjoy play apparatuses like slides, swings, a sandpit, seesaws and even a shower basin. The entire area is fenced in for safety and you’ll find that this family-friendly area will become a favorite for everyone! While you’re there, make sure to check out the rest of the park and its beautiful trail.

Waring Playground
Bronx Park E. &, Waring Ave, Bronx, NY 10467

This playground has seen huge renovations in the last few years. Kids can take turns on the slides or try to climb the small rock climbing wall. Watch as your kids run between the two play structures through the bridge, expanding their creativity and imagination. There are small games on the walls of the playground’s structures that will make even a momentary break entertaining. Take some silly pictures to remember the day and if you dare, play a fun family game of basketball with the hoops that are within walking distance!

Lieutenant John H. Martinson Playground
Koch Blvd. &, Preston Ave, Staten Island, NY 10312

As one of Staten Island’s most innovative playgrounds, it has two different levels of play. There’s one for older children as well as one geared towards toddlers. The playground is made with two large slides that separate each level with different age-appropriate swing sets as well as climbing apparatuses for every kid to play with. As an added plus, the playground is located right next to basketball and handball courts. With so many activities in this one playground, you’ll never hear your kids saying that they’re bored! 

Seaside Wildlife Nature Park Playground
Nelson Avenue &, Tennyson Dr, Staten Island, NY 10308

This creative playground will make any kid want to come back the second they leave! They have amazing structures, perfect for casual play like a ship sporting a dragon head, a shark jungle gym and a lighthouse. The cheerful and themed ocean colors will bring out the imagination of any kid as they create stories of adventure! Before you leave, make sure to take a short walk to the beach and finish off the day with a beautiful sight.

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Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Looking for something to do with the kids in New York City that is fun, exciting, and educational? The Intrepid Museum offers family-friendly activities and programs all year long that keep children engaged, entertained, and curious about history and science. Fun rain or shine, the Museum offers both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits and activities. With so many things to do and see, you’ll never hear “I’m bored,” when you climb aboard Intrepid. A non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine.<br /></span></p>

TADA! Youth Theater

<div> <p dir="ltr"><strong>TADA! Youth Theater Summer Camps (July 10-August 25, 2023)</strong> Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! TADA! is excited to be back in person with our popular Week-long Musical Theater Summer Camps!  Every week your child will:</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <ul> <li>ENGAGE IN MUSICAL THEATER TRAINING</li> <li>CREATE, REHEARSE & PERFORM AN ORIGINAL MINI- MUSICAL</li> <li>EXPLORE THEIR INTERESTS AND IDENTITY</li> <li>SHARE THEIR VOICE AND BE HEARD</li> <li>RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION AND SOLO OPPORTUNITIES</li> <li>EXPERIENCE ENSEMBLE-BASED INSTRUCTION BY TWO PROFESSIONAL NYC TEACHING ARTISTS</li> <li>MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH NEW FRIENDS</li> </ul> On the last day of camp, we invite friends and family to attend the debut of your child’s original mini-musical!<br /> <p> </p> <p dir="ltr">Limited spots available! All of our classes take place in-person at 15 W. 28th Street (between Broadway & 5th) and culminate in a final sharing for an invited audience.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>For more info or to register for our Summer Camps, visit our website <a href="https://tadatheater.com/summercamps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/summercamps/&source=gmail&ust=1682524227382000&usg=AOvVaw1jPPuT0S0YVPJg0I1oXofv">HERE!</a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Looking for a sample class before registering?</strong> Join us Saturday, June 3rd for an in-person sample class, Q&A, and the best discount of the summer!  Registration required to attend! </p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>For more info. or to register for our Summer Open house, click <a href="https://tadatheater.com/open-house/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/open-house/&source=gmail&ust=1682524227382000&usg=AOvVaw2CheiFLQooj66wqzmTeKCc">HERE!</a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>No child should be turned away because of their inability to pay. </strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://tadatheater.com/financial-assistance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/financial-assistance/&source=gmail&ust=1682524227382000&usg=AOvVaw1-oTxJlL31iv2yEG3kUDrj">Financial Assistance available. </a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Questions?</strong></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Email us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[email protected]</a></strong></div> </div> <div> <div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Bounce! Family Entertainment Center

<p>Bounce! Family Entertainment Center is an indoor birthday party and play space located in Syosset, NY. Perfect for birthday parties, group events, open play, and more! We have the best party packages on Long Island! Our facility has multiple AWESOME attractions: The Trampoline courts, The Adventure Zone, Bumper Cars, Laser Tag, Soft Play, Arcade, & MORE! If you need a break from jumping and climbing, try out some of our delicious food from The Bounce Bites Kitchen! Come on in to any of our Open Play, Toddler Time, or Glow Night sessions!</p>