Best Things to Do With Kids in New York This Week

New York with children is less about ticking off landmarks and more about finding the moments that land at kid height: a sea lion feeding, a giant bubble swallowing a volunteer whole, a soccer ball at a free fan zone the weekend the World Cup comes to town. The week of 9 June 2026 has all of that and more. School is winding down, the weather is warm, and the city's family attractions are in full summer swing. Here is our guide to the best things to do with kids in New York this week, starting with what is on for families right now and then the dependable, bookable favourites.

For the wider city this week, see our what's on in New York roundup, and for budget days the best free things to do has more family-friendly freebies.

Family events on this week

The weekend is the highlight. With the World Cup arriving in the New York and New Jersey region, a free public fan space opens at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday 13 June, a wide open square designed for gathering, watching the games and kicking a ball around. It is free, it is outdoors and it is exactly the kind of low-pressure spot that works with restless children. The next day, Brooklyn Pride sets up a family fun zone at J.J. Byrne Park with face painting, arts and crafts, music and story times, also free.

Earlier in the week, the Museum Mile Festival on Tuesday 9 June turns upper Fifth Avenue into a free, traffic-free street party from 6pm to 9pm, with hands-on art-making that younger visitors love. And the free Bryant Park Picnic Performances on Thursday and Friday evenings are an easy, blanket-on-the-grass outing for families who want music without a ticket.

Animals, big and small

New York does zoos well, at two very different scales. The Central Park Zoo, from USD 22.94, is compact, walkable and perfect for younger children, with sea lions, penguins and a snow leopard, all wrapped inside the park itself. For a full day, the Bronx Zoo, from USD 43.94, is one of the largest urban zoos in the world, with room to roam and far more to see than a single visit can hold.

Out at Coney Island, the New York Aquarium, from USD 29.95, pairs sharks, sea otters and a walk-through ocean tunnel with the boardwalk and beach right next door, which makes for a satisfying full-day combination on a warm June Saturday. And for plant-loving families, the New York Botanical Garden, from USD 39.00, has 250 acres of gardens, a children's adventure area and a Victorian glasshouse to explore.

Museums that keep children busy

When the heat climbs or a storm rolls in, New York's museums are the family's best friend. The American Museum of Natural History, from USD 37.00, is the classic for a reason: dinosaurs, the giant blue whale and the Rose Center for Earth and Space will hold the attention of almost any age. Down on the Hudson, the Intrepid Museum, from USD 35.20, lets children clamber around a real aircraft carrier, a Space Shuttle and a submarine, which tends to be a hit with older kids in particular.

For more wet-weather ideas, our guide to what to do in NYC when it rains rounds up the best indoor adventures worth booking, and our family-friendly NYC guide covers the experiences that work for children and grown-ups alike.

Theme parks, water and wonder

For a big-ticket day, the American Dream complex just across the river is purpose-built for families. The DreamWorks Water Park, from USD 70.00, is one of the largest indoor water parks in the country, which makes it weatherproof and a reliable way to burn off energy. Next door, Nickelodeon Universe, from USD 63.97, packs roller coasters and rides under one roof. A little further out, Legoland New York, from USD 49.99, is a full theme park aimed squarely at younger builders.

Back in Manhattan, two attractions blend fun with a sense of place. RiseNY, from USD 48.99, combines a museum of New York pop culture with a soaring flight-ride over the city, and the long-running Gazillion Bubble Show, from USD 83.40, is a genuine family theatre hit, with bubbles inside bubbles, lasers and a child or two pulled up on stage every performance.

A sample family day this week

Here is a shape that works for most families across this June week. Start early at the Central Park Zoo while the animals are active and the crowds are thin, then spend the rest of the morning in the park itself, where the playgrounds, the carousel and the model-boat pond are free or close to it. Break for an early lunch before energy dips.

In the afternoon, switch to something indoor and air-conditioned, such as the American Museum of Natural History on the park's western edge, which keeps everyone happy whatever the weather does. If you have an evening to fill, the Gazillion Bubble Show is a gentle, joyful end to the day for younger children. On the weekend, swap the afternoon for the free World Cup fan space at Brooklyn Bridge Park and let the children burn off the last of their energy outdoors.

Good to know with children in tow

A handful of practical notes for New York with kids. The subway is the fastest way around, but lifts are limited, so a lightweight, foldable stroller saves a lot of stair-carrying. Summer afternoons can turn hot, so carry water and plan an indoor anchor for the middle of the day. Most family attractions offer reduced prices for younger children and free entry for the very youngest, so check the age bands when you book. And keep one day loose: some of the best memories come from an unplanned hour in a playground, not a fourth paid attraction. Food is rarely a problem, since the city is full of family-friendly spots and the food halls at Chelsea Market and Grand Central keep fussy eaters and adventurous ones equally happy.

Planning a family day that actually works

A few hard-won tips. Pair an outdoor morning with an indoor afternoon so you have shade and air conditioning when energy dips. Book timed-entry attractions in advance during a busy June week, because turning up on spec with tired children rarely ends well. Keep the day to one big anchor plus a free park or playground rather than three paid sights in a row. And if you want a fully mapped itinerary, our ultimate 72-hour family adventure in New York lays out three days that balance the marquee attractions with downtime.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free thing to do with kids this week?

The World Cup fan space at Brooklyn Bridge Park, open from Saturday 13 June, is free and built for families. Brooklyn Pride's family fun zone the next day is another free, kid-friendly option.

What is the best zoo for young children?

The Central Park Zoo. It is compact, central and easy to do in a couple of hours, which suits younger children better than the much larger Bronx Zoo.

What should we do with kids on a rainy day?

The American Museum of Natural History and the Intrepid Museum are both excellent indoors, and the DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream is fully covered. Our rainy-day guide has more.

Is there family-friendly theatre this week?

Yes. The Gazillion Bubble Show is a long-running family favourite, and on Broadway, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Disney's Aladdin both suit older children.

How far in advance should we book?

For timed-entry attractions and the big theme parks, book a few days ahead during this busy June week, especially for weekend visits, so your preferred slot is not sold out.

That is the family week in New York. For the rest of the city, see our what's on in New York roundup, the Broadway Insider and the best free things to do, or browse every family attraction on our New York hub.