NYC summer activities to do with a toddler
For the days where the activity is the itinerary
I love New York. There’s a reason I’ve lived here for over a decade. And having a kid has shown me a whole new side of a city. It’s been hard giving up some of my favorite things — RIP the random weeknight martini with fries for dinner, girl dinner truly does not care about your responsibilities — but in exchange I’ve gotten to rediscover so much of the city again, almost like a tourist, in the best way. Charlie’s the reason I’ve actually been to half these places.
Every summer I make the same promise to myself — this is the year I actually explore the city instead of just complaining about how hot it is in it and sticking to what I know. I feel like for the first time, this summer I’m actually keeping it, and honestly, having a toddler is half the reason why — some days, “just go to the park” isn’t going to cut it, so you’re forced to look past the default and actually go find something. This is the list that makes it possible — the places that work whether Charlie is in a great mood, a terrible mood, or the specific in-between mood that only shows up around 4pm, on the days that need something bigger than the norm, something that actually feels like an outing.
Jane’s Carousel
This is the one I send people to first. It’s right on the water between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, so you get the skyline for free while Charlie rides the carousel approximately eleven times in a row. It’s scenic in a way that makes you feel like a good, present parent even on days you are running on iced coffee and vibes alone.
The real win is what’s around it. If you want pizza, L&B Spumoni Gardens just opened and is worth the hype, but Ignazio’s, Grimaldi’s, and Juliana’s are all right there too — pick based on how long you’re willing to wait in line, because that’s really the only variable. If you want an actual sit-down meal where nobody looks at you sideways for a toddler mid-meltdown, ABC Kitchens Dumbo and Barbuto BK are all kid-friendly without being a “kid-friendly restaurant.” If you want the single most toddler-proof option in the neighborhood, though, Ziggy’s Roman is right around the corner and about as easy as it gets. And if a full meal isn’t the move that day, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is, hands down, the best ice cream in the neighborhood. Some days that’s the whole plan and that’s a good plan.
The Bronx Zoo
Get there right at the 10am opening and park in the Asia lot so you can hit the Asia Monorail first — Charlie was obsessed with the choo-choo train alone, before you even factor in the animals you can only see from it. Morning is the move, since once it’s warm out a lot of animals retreat to shade as the day heats up. Same logic applies to the lions in Africa Plains, so head there next while they’re still active instead of sleeping it off in the sun.
After that, the park is yours. Charlie loved the bears, the Nature Walk is basically a ropes-course jungle gym disguised as an exhibit, and the Children’s Zoo. One warning: the Children’s Zoo ends with a petting zoo and charges fifty cents a feed, cash only — we skipped it since we were planning to have lunch straight after and the germs icked me out. If Charlie was any older and had any concept of what was happening, it probably would have been a problem, but he didn’t notice. Phew…
The Zoo also runs a shuttle between the main area by the Children’s Zoo and Asia section that’s genuinely fun for a toddler in its own right, worth using instead of the full walk. Bring a stroller (whatever kind you think will work best for you, we used our handy Bugaboo Butterfly, others had full wagons) and refillable water bottles.
Don't worry about doing it all in one go — it's huge, and it's the kind of place that works in every season anyway. Charlie had such a blast that we actually ended up joining as members, and we're already excited to go back. Membership also gets you into the Central Park Zoo, the NY Aquarium, and Prospect Park Zoo, so it ends up feeling like money well spent.
Jacob Riis Beach
My pick over the more obvious beach options, mostly because of parking. Aim for the far corner near the bathrooms and concessions — it cuts down on the amount of sand-covered gear you have to haul, and you’re not far from a bathroom when you inevitably need one at the worst possible moment. There are lifeguards on duty, which is a real comfort though the surf tends to be shallow and gentle here.
The old bathhouse just reopened this summer as a new private club, Rockaway Ocean Club, and even without a membership, the public can access more (and newer) bathrooms and food. They’re also planning to add a pool, a hotel and other amenities, which I’m keeping an eye on, especially since membership comes with beach attendants, parking passes and more. Definitely worth watching for future summers.
If you don’t want to deal with driving or parking at all, Jacob Riis is actually reachable by ferry, though you’re still walking a bit once you dock. We personally find it easier to just drive, but it’s a nice option if you’re carless or want to make the commute itself part of the day.
Governor’s Island
Only reachable by ferry, which somehow makes it feel so exciting for the little one — and like you’re somewhere that doesn’t feel like New York at all. No cars anywhere on the island and about the easiest place in the city to push a stroller without fighting curbs or traffic. Also the safest for a toddler to run around.
Hammock Grove is the move if you actually want a minute to sit down — there are climbing structures for them right next to the hammocks for you. Slide Hill has the famous 57-foot slide for the older kids, but there are shorter ones too, including a family slide built for two, so a toddler isn’t just standing there watching. You can also rent bikes right on the island, and honestly, unfettered access to that much car-free land to run around and explore is every city parent’s dream — it’s the closest thing to letting them loose. Food and drink is all over too, everything from sit-down restaurants to coffee stands to breweries, so you’re never more than a few minutes from a snack or a coffee refill.
Brooklyn Cyclones Game
Summer, to me, means baseball season. If you’ve got a sports lover in your life, this is a no-brainer. It’s right on the Coney Island boardwalk, tickets run about twenty-five dollars at most, and it’s genuinely more toddler-forgiving than an MLB game — shorter, cheaper, and no one blinks if you have to leave early. Charlie had an absolute blast last time, cheering with the crowd, working through the concessions, picking out some gear, all under the bonus of a Paw Patrol theme.
Between the themed games and how interactive it is between innings, it ends up feeling more like a carnival than a game (in a good way). Just find shaded seats, unlike us, it was brutal in the sun. The F train is basically across the street, or there’s a parking lot attached, so it’s easy to access. And if he does hit his limit, you’re already in Coney Island — the beach and boardwalk are right there to bail out to.
Space Club
Space Club is where you go to actually burn off the energy but be indoors — slides, trampolines, climbing structures, real room to run, the whole point being motion. On the smoky days we had in July, the sauna like high humidity days, or even during those ever lasting summer storms, this is the answer for a toddler who has too much in the tank and nowhere to put it. AC is always blasting and there is a cafe to buy snacks and smoothies if you need to put more gas in the tank.
We usually go to the Dumbo location, but we just found out Fort Greene has an inflatable waterpark now, which sounds like the move on an actually hot day. Haven’t tried it yet but it’s next on our list.
Camp
This one’s a different kind of indoor — less jungle gym, more make-believe. Still full of AC. This visit is for the Bluey lovers specifically. You walk through the “magic door” into a full recreation of the Heeler family’s house, and it’s genuinely immersive rather than a place to just run laps — think story time, games like Keepy Uppy and Magic Asparagus, a little animated short made just for the experience, and a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo at the end.
If your toddler is deep in a Bluey phase, this hits different than any of the physical-play spots on this list. I haven’t seen an end date announced, but Camp rotates its themes every few months, so don’t assume it’ll be there forever — worth booking sooner than later if it’s on your list. Buy tickets ahead either way; they run on timed slots and it does sell out.
Little Island to Chelsea Market
Who doesn’t love spending a summer day by the water. Start by walking along the Hudson River Park and make your way to Little Island — it’s the kind of place you have to wander to actually get. The paths wind, there are stairs and little hills to climb up and down, and the lawns are perfect for a picnic, a rest, or letting Charlie just roll around on the grass for a while. There are shady pockets tucked throughout too, plus a small amphitheater that hosts concerts and events all season if you time it right. Grab a snack from one of the food pop-ups if you need to, but don’t fill up — the second half of this outing is the whole point.
From Little Island, walk back over the West Side Highway, and you’re at Chelsea Market. It takes up a full city block and used to be a biscuit factory, which you’d never guess now — it’s all exposed brick and industrial charm, packed with some of the best food stalls in the city under one roof. Pasta, lobster rolls, baked goods, handmade noodles, chefs working behind glass so the kids can actually watch — it’s basically a field trip disguised as lunch. Let everyone pick their own thing and call it an afternoon.
MoMa
Proof you can still have a real art museum day without it turning into a survival exercise — smaller footprint than most of the other major museums, so it’s genuinely more manageable to get through with a toddler. Whatever’s on view, ask them what someone in a painting is wearing or what mood they’re in — a two-year-old will actually answer, and it buys you way more time in front of one piece than you’d expect. The Sculpture Garden is worth building in time for regardless of what’s showing; it’s outdoor, it’s less precious, and a toddler can move around without you white-knuckling every step.
If you need a break, the Art Lab is the one to know about — Charlie is obsessed with it right now. It’s hands-on play with sound as a material: building little sound sculptures, wearable pieces that make noise, screens where color and sound react to each other. He’ll happily spend twenty minutes just banging on things and watching what happens, which is basically a miracle in museum terms. It’s genuinely built for all ages, so a toddler isn’t out of place next to a nine-year-old. It gets busy, so don’t assume you can just walk in on a weekend afternoon. And if you need a bribe for the walk out, the Design Store has actually good toys, not just tote bags.
These are some of my favorite activities I’ve discovered this summer with a toddler — the ones that work no matter what kind of day it is, when you need something new and a little creative instead of the same three go-tos on repeat. Did I miss anything? If you’ve got a favorite that’s worth the shoutout, let me know — I’m always looking to expand this list.