Things to do in New York City for Families
Things to do in New York, especially for families, are plentiful. Once everyone sees the usual attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, the subway, the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink, and others, it is time to look for additional activities that the children will enjoy and also some that are educational.
The Sony Wonder Technology Lab NYC is not only a hands-on experience, but it is also FREE! A speaking robot entertains the kids while you wait to get the tickets. An 
Audio Lab allows the kids to sit down at monitors and manipulate various sounds. An Image Lab is an art program where they change images and backgrounds. In another area they work with medical instruments. They can also produce an Entertainment show and enjoy a High Definition TV 72-seat screening room. To top that off, there are game stations where the children can try the latest PlayStation programs.
The Brooklyn Children's Museum was created in 1899 and was the first museum specifically for children. It has undergone an expansion with all-new programs and exhibits and is geared to youngsters from one to twelve
years old. The activities are age-oriented and are fun as well as educational.
The Splish Splash Water Park (Long Island, New York) is one of the top five United States water parks and covers 93 acres. You can go to their website and find places where you can get discount tickets. Their people-mover trams are quick and efficient as you go from one ride to another. You will find such interesting choices as Splash Landing, Hollywood Stunt Rider, Mammoth River, Dragon's Den, wave pools, high drops, a raft ride, and lots of kiddie areas including one with a pirate ship. Also stop and see the Parrot Show.
The NYC Fire Departments Museum has an amazing collection of fire-related articles from the 18th century through to the present. You will find hand-pumped fire engines, horse-drawn vehicles, early motorized ones, painted leather buckets, shields, and much more. This is a wonderful place for a child's birthday party as the firefighters have a show and tell, take the kids on a scavener hunt, play games, and end up with cake, juice, balloons, and loot bags to take with them.
TOYS R US in Times Square has a huge 110,000 square feet area full of toys as well as many attractions including a 20-foot-tall T Rex, a two-story Barbie playhouse, and a 60-foot-tall Ferris wheel.
GEPPETTO'S TOY BOX at 10 Christopher Street is an old-fashioned toy store for ages toddler to ten. There are well-crafted specialty toys, amazing jack-in-the-boxes, and a kaleidoscope dollhouse among their unusual offerings.
The NEW YORK SKYRIDE is a motion and visual flight simulation "ride" that makes you feel like you take off on an adventure tour of New York City through Manhattan and Times Square, past the Statue of Liberty, and even think you are taking a ride on the Coney Island Cyclone! It is located on the Empire State Building's second floor. There are two pre-shows as well, and the whole thing takes about half an hour. You do not have to make a reservation.
