Benable ā create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Free & Cheap Things to Do With Kids in NYC
12
items Free and cheap things to do with kids in NYC, for the moms and aunties who want a fun day out without spending the bank. Free zoo days, museums, gardens and classic city adventures. Most free days need a reservation and times change, so always check ...
Map
Sections
3
Ā
Free Days at Zoos, Gardens & Museums
Ā
Free Outdoor Fun & Playgrounds
Ā
Free Holiday Magic With Kids
Free Days at Zoos, Gardens & Museums
Ā
Free general admission on Wednesdays with a reservation (they open the Monday before at 5pm). Special attractions cost extra, so skip those and the day stays free.
Bronx Zoo
Ā
Free grounds admission all day Wednesdays for NYC residents (non-residents free 10 to 11am). The conservatory and special exhibits cost extra. Pack snacks and let them run.
New York Botanical Garden
Ā
Free on Thursdays from 2 to 5pm, and you need to reserve ahead. Hands-on exhibits made for little ones, so it's perfect for a rainy or chilly afternoon in Crown Heights.
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Ā
Free on Wednesdays after 2pm. Pair it with the free Staten Island Ferry ride for a full day out that costs almost nothing. Small and stroller-friendly, so it's easy with toddlers.
Staten Island Zoo
Ā
Pay-what-you-wish general admission for NY residents, so you choose the price. Dinosaurs and the giant blue whale are the must-sees. Special shows and exhibits cost extra.
American Museum of Natural History
Ā
A totally free boat ride kids love. Wave at the Statue of Liberty from the outdoor deck, then ride straight back, or take a short bus ride to the Staten Island Zoo on a free Wednesday.
Staten Island Ferry
Free Outdoor Fun & Playgrounds
Ā
Central Park's biggest playground, with rock climbing, tunnels and slides. Totally free, near the 6th Ave and Central Park South side. Great energy-burner before a museum.
Heckscher Playground
Ā
Free waterfront park with playgrounds, lawns and skyline views. Pier 6 has the big playgrounds, and Jane's Carousel near Dumbo is a sweet, cheap add-on for little ones.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Ā
Free to stroll the boardwalk and beach even in the off-season. Kids love the sand, seagulls and Wonder Wheel views. Bundle up, bring snacks and take the subway to the end of the line.
Riegelmann Boardwalk (Coney Island)
Free Holiday Magic With Kids
Ā
Free to see the giant tree, the rink and the angels. The 2026 lighting is Wednesday, December 2. Go on a weekday morning with little ones to skip the evening crowds.
Rockefeller Center
Ā
Free and pure holiday magic. Walk Fifth Avenue from Saks up toward Central Park once the windows are unveiled in late November. Go after dark when everything is lit up.
Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows
Ā
Free to wander the holiday shop stalls and watch the skaters. Kids love the twinkle lights and treats. Set a small budget for a cocoa and it's still a nearly free outing.
Bryant Park Winter Village