What are the best outdoor activities for kids in New York City?

13 outdoor family activities in New York City. Highest rated: Central Park, Children's Zoo, Adventure Playground, Battery Playscape, Thain Family Forest. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and more.

Are there free outdoor things to do with kids in New York City?

8 outdoor activities in New York City are free, including Central Park, Adventure Playground, Battery Playscape.

How many outdoor activities in New York City are stroller-friendly?

12 of the 13 outdoor activities in New York City are fully stroller-friendly.

Best Outdoor Activities for Kids in New York City

13 outdoor adventures for families in New York City. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and fresh-air fun for every age group.

Highest rated: Central Park, Children's Zoo, Adventure Playground. 8 listings are free. Every listing includes age ratings, stroller access, and parent tips.

How to use this outdoor activities list

Check shade, bathrooms, and weather before you commit, especially with younger kids. KidPaths is currently tracking 13 indexable picks for this page in New York City, NY, with details for cost, age fit, stroller access, weather backup, and parent logistics.

Quick fit

2 for infants, 11 for toddlers, 13 for little kids, 13 for big kids.

Weather and access

13 outdoor or partly outdoor picks. 12 stroller-friendly stops.

Cost scan

8 free picks. 4 paid picks. Open the cards for family-of-4 cost notes and savings tips when we have them.

Central Park Queens Botanical Garden Heckscher Playground Free Activities Rainy Day Activities Indoor Activities Toddler Infant Little Kids

Top Picks

Central Park

4.8 stars

Central Park has 21 different playgrounds scattered throughout its 840 acres, including the hugely popular Heckscher Playground at 62nd Street with wa

All agesFreeOutdoor$0 park entry; budget $30-$60 for food from park vendors and nearby restaurants, $12 for carousel rides ($4/person), $0-$8 for rowboat ($15/hour for a boat holds 4 people)

Children's Zoo

4.7 stars

The Children's Zoo is designed around animal interactions appropriate for young children, kids can get close to goats, sheep, prairie dogs, and other

Best for ages 2-9OutdoorIncluded in Bronx Zoo general admission (~$150-$200 for full-day family visit)

Adventure Playground

4.7 stars

The Adventure Playground in Highbridge Park at West 164th Street features climbing structures and play equipment designed for the upper Manhattan fami

Best for ages 2-10FreeOutdoor$0; completely free

Battery Playscape

4.7 stars

Battery Playscape is an award-winning nature-themed playground in The Battery park at the southern tip of Manhattan, with views of New York Harbor, th

Best for ages 2-10FreeOutdoor$0 playground + $20-40 for food/drinks nearby = very affordable day

Thain Family Forest

4.7 stars

The Thain Family Forest is 50 acres of old-growth forest right in the middle of the Bronx, the largest tract of old-growth woodland remaining in New Y

Best for ages 4 and upOutdoorIncluded in NYBG All-Garden Pass ($60-$80 for 2 adults; children 12 and under free on qualifying days)

Age Group

Quick Filters

13 activities

Free