Things to Do in Central Park with Kids in Every Season
Central Park with kids is a must for any New York City family vacation. In every season, NYC’s biggest park offers a wide range of attractions sure to please visitors of all ages. As a native New Yorker, I’m always discovering new things when I explore Central Park and you will, too. Here are the best things to do in Central Park with kids, no matter when you go.
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Springtime in Central Park with Kids
In spring, Central Park sheds its frosty blanket of snow and instead blooms with flowers. Cherry trees with their cheerful pink blossoms delight visitors to the park. Also look for delicate crocuses, plucky tulips, and New York City’s official flower, the sunny yellow daffodil. If flowers are what you seek, then Shakespeare Garden and Conservatory Garden make good choices.
Playgrounds
There are no less than 21 playgrounds to explore in Central Park with kids in spring and any time of year. One of my favorites is the Ancient Playground. It was inspired by the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian Wing. This unique play space features stone pyramids, tunnels, forts, tire swings and slides.
Central Park Zoo
Open during all four seasons, the Central Park Zoo’s lush landscaping is particularly pretty in spring. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might see some baby animals.
The main zoo features classic exhibits including the famed sea lions and polar bears. Save time waiting in line by purchasing your Central Park Zoo entry tickets in advance. And be warned…you’ll find balloon artists near the zoo entrance, but balloons are not allowed inside so hold off on your purchases.
Young kids will want plenty of time to experience the Tisch Children’s Zoo, which is separate but included in the ticket price. Tisch Children’s Zoo features several animal feeding areas, a spider web net, adorable photo ops and more.
Delacorte Musical Clock
Located near the Children’s Zoo, be sure to stop at the Delacorte Musical Clock on the half hour for seasonal chimes and nursery rhymes performed by moving animals.
Central Park Carousel
A nice post-zoo pitstop is the nearby Central Park Carousel. About 250,000 people take a spin on this merry ride each year. It’s one of the nation’s biggest carousels, too, boasting 57 hand-carved wooden horses.
Pedicab Tour
Central Park covers a whopping 840 acres, making it impossible to see all its offerings in one day. Cover a lot of ground and learn about New York City’s largest park from an expert during a pedicab tour. Tours are available year-round but are especially pleasant during spring. Sign up for your Central Park pedicab tour via Viator now!
Central Park Summer Family Activities
When New York’s summer temperatures surge, Central Park is a welcome retreat. Cool down with a popsicle purchase from a park vendor. For a more substantial meal, you’ll probably want to pack a lunch since there are very few spots to buy meals within Central Park.
Picnic in Central Park with Kids
Summer in Central Park is the best time to set up a picnic on the 55-acre Great Lawn (open mid-April to mid-October) or 15-acre Sheep Meadow (open May to mid-October).
Victorian Gardens Amusement Park
If you’re exploring Central Park with young children, then plan to spend time at Victorian Gardens. This adorable small theme park features sweet old-fashioned amusements. This spot is perfect for kids aged 2 to 12, with rides like the Mini Mouse Coaster and the Rainbowheel Ferris Wheel. Older siblings will appreciate a few carnival games onsite. Victorian Gardens typically opens on Memorial Day each year.
Loeb Boathouse Row Boats and Lakeside Restaurant
Rent a row boat from the Loeb Boathouse and paddle about while taking in the Central Park scenery from the water. Boats are available for rent April through November, weather permitting.
Also located at the Loeb Boathouse, the Lakeside Restaurant features indoor and al fresco fine-dining April through late October. It’s one of the only places to eat in Central Park and even offers a children’s menu. Reservations are recommended.
Conservatory Water Miniature Boats
Kids can pilot mini radio and wind-powered boats at the nearby Conservatory Water from April through October. These vessels are similar to the wee boats made famous by Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. In winter, this ornamental pond transforms into an ice skating rink.
Summer Concerts and Performances
Central Park hosts several summer outdoor concerts. Music ranges from opera and classical music to rock, pop and beyond so you’re sure to find something that suits your family’s tastes.
Since 1962, Shakespeare in the Park has been entertaining crowds at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. These grand scale classic shows make a great choice for families with older kids and teens.
Alice in Wonderland Statue
Nearby, you will find the famous Alice in Wonderland bronze sculpture. This is a favorite climbing spot for locals and tourists alike.
Fairytales with Hans Christian Andersen
Families will also want to visit the Hans Christian Andersen statue. On Saturdays during summer, gather around the sculpture at 11 am to hear Andersen’s beloved stories like Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina and more. Check the story time schedule before you go.
Discovery Kits for Kids
Kids who like to explore can borrow a free Discovery Kit from any of the Visitors Centers within the park. The kit includes kid-friendly binoculars, children’s field guides, a hand lens, colored pencils, and sketch paper.
Central Park Kid-Friendly Fall Fun
If you’re looking for a stunning setting for family photos, then autumn in Central Park is a lovely option. The vibrant leaves combined with the urban backdrop are downright stunning. Download this fall foliage Central Park map for a self-guided autumn walking tour.
Bow Bridge and Turtle Pond
The elegant cast-iron Bow Bridge arches over Turtle Pond. This is one of the most popular photo op spots in Central park, and for good reason, as you can see above. Kids should keep eyes peeled to spot five species of turtles who make this pond their home.
Bethesda Fountain and Terrace
Situated on two levels, Bethesda Terrace includes two grand staircases and another one that passes under Terrace Drive. The centerpiece of lower Bethesda Terrace is the beautiful Bethesda Fountain, constructed between 1859 and 1862. It stars an 8-foot bronze winged angel.
Strawberry Fields
Beatles fans will want to stop by Strawberry Fields, a 2.5-acre landscaped section of the park built in memorial to John Lennon and named for his famous song of the same name. Stop at the Imagine mosaic to pay tribute to Lennon and take some photos.
What to Do in Winter in Central Park
When it snows in New York City, Central Park becomes a winter wonderland of fun. Families will find hills for sliding and snow tubing. Plus, there are miles of snow-covered grounds for snowshoeing, snowman building, snow angel making and snowball fights.
Wollman Skating Rink
One of the most classic winter adventures in Central Park is skating at Wollman Rink. Take in the view of Manhattan’s skyline as you skate and twirl on ice here. In summer, the Victorian Gardens theme park replaces the rink.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
When you’re done with chilly temperatures, warm up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, located on the park’s east side. Enjoy the museum’s changing exhibits and some of the world’s most amazing artifacts like the Temple of Dendur.
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre
Another amusing indoor activity in Central Park for children is the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, which puts on amazing and affordable performances throughout the year.
Be sure to check out the Central Park event calendar, no matter what time of year you visit!
Explore More of New York
Save money on your NYC vacation with these free things to do in New York City with kids.
Heading to the Big Apple during the holiday season? Take a look at the best New York City holiday activities for families.
Get out of the city and head to Upstate New York for nature exploration with this list of kid-friendly things to do in the Adirondacks.
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Have you ever visited Central Park with kids? Tell us your favorite memories in the comments below!
Great post. We booked to go on a family trip to NYC from the UK in July 2020, which was rolled over to 2021, and this week has been cancelled again. But we will get there in 2022 (crossing fingers). We have a day pencilled in in Central Park, including to zoo, so it’s great to see how many other family friendly activities are waiting for us. I’m going for the turtle pond and radio controlled boats. Also really useful to know about the lack of cafes, so will be packing a picnic when we come. Thanks for sharing there insider tips. Can’t wait to see it all for real!
So happy to provide some handy tips for visiting New York City’s Central Park! Keep in mind that Central Park is bigger than you’d expect, so try to group together your activities. Enjoy the zoo, turtle pond and picnic!
Our trip to NY last year was cancelled due to pandemic thus, we can’t help be excited to visit NY again. Thank you for sharing these ideas. We would love to visit Loeb Boathouse Row Boats and Lakeside Restaurant. I think its one of the safest options during the new normal.
Sorry for my late response, Clarice! So glad you found our Central Park tips helpful! Hope you have a wonderful NYC holiday!
I love central park especially in the fall and spring time! You gave amazing suggestions for family activites.
Fall and spring are so pretty in Central Park, and in such different ways!
OMG, yes! There are so many thing to do with Kids in Central Park. I love that place!
Me too! There’s something new to experience every time I go to Central Park!
I had been to Central Park with friends. But the ideas are good!
I hope you can explore Central Park with your friends again someday!