Water Play

Stay cool and splash around town. Also check out boating, beaches and more family fun outside the city,

UPTOWN

Hippo Playground

Frolic and splash with beloved hippo statues in this well maintained playground in lovely Riverside Park featuring swings, wooden and metal play equipment, slides, a spray shower, picnic tables, benches, sand pit, a drinking fountain, bathrooms and summer weekday art projects.

River Run Playground

A shady large playground nestled in pretty Riverside Park is just big enough for range of ages but small enough not to lose wanderers within its fences. Play on all sorts of equipment including see saws, swings, multiple jungle gyms, and monkey bars and a large sand pit.

On hot days, sprinklers create a replica…

Sprinklers at American Museum of Natural History

On warmer days, frolic in the large spraying sprinklers on the mezzanine next to the American Museum of Natural History Planetarium facing 81st Street. Look for steps to the right of the space center or enter from the museum – just ask a guard. Find shady benches and trees to rest around the perimeter.

MIDTOWN

Police Officer Moira Ann Smith Playground

Toy soldiers welcome kids to this brightly colored playground featuring water fountains, tire-swings, water-spouting alphabet blocks, turrets, slides, and a large water wheel in the northeast corner of charming Madison Square Park..

Named after Officer Moira Ann Smith, the only NYPD policewoman to be lost on September 11, 2001, the playground stands as a loving tribute to this community hero and mother.

See our complete guide to Flatiron/Gramercy.

Chelsea Waterside Playground

The newly designed play area features a giant, multi-colored, one-of-a-kind, Robinia wood pipefish plus water features incorporating limestone cattle head sculptures reclaimed from historic meatpacking district business New York Butchers’ Dressed Meat Company.

Near the new must-see Little Island and Pier 62 Carousel.

Heckscher Playground

Central Park’s largest playground features a shaded area with swings and slides, a large, maze-like climbers, seasonal water features, sloped turf, a large sandbox area, low monkey bars, tunnels, ramps and (our favorite) giant rocks to climb. Plus a spacious bathroom.

Face painters, musicians and giant bubble makers often congregate at the entrance.

Changing Spaces

Interact with a water-based sculpture Changing Spaces by renowned visual artist Jeppe Hein. The social sculpture and “liquid architecture” inspires visitors to interact playfully with the artwork and their surroundings and offer a peaceful respite within this iconic city center. Move within circular walls of water shooting up from the ground.

See our guide to Rockefeller Center.

DOWNTOWN

Pier 25 Playground

The longest pier in Hudson River Park hosts an awesome playground with eight different water features (including some very unpredictable fountains), rock climbing walls, swings, monkey bars, a big sandbox, geodesic-dome-shaped climbing net and more. Also explore an 18-hole miniature golf course, a snack bar, sand volleyball courts, berthing areas for historic ships and a large artificial turf lawn.

Imagination Playground

This magical interactive, transformable playground lets kids create their own play space with sand, water, giant foam blocks, mats, wagons, fabric, and crates at their fingertips. Great view of the East River. Near lots of cool public art. Bathrooms available.

Nelson A. Rockefeller & Teardrop Park

Frolic on wide waterfront lawns and explore multiple playgrounds plus gardens, public art pieces, and a sheltered pavilion.

In Rockefeller Park, climb large jungle gyms with swinging bridges, netting, slides, poles and more. Ride a pedal-powered merry-go-round and dig in multiple sandboxes and a handicapped-accessible sand table. In warm weather, be sprayed by an elephant hippopotamus, three puppies and sprinklers. Babies can enjoy infant swings and a gentle dodo-bird sprayer

Nearby naturalistic Teardrop Park (tucked behind a Battery Park City high-rise) features a magnificent “Ice Wall,” artwork a children’s slide, rocks for climbing, one of the longest slides in the city and an impressive summertime water play area.

Lots of shade and picnic tables. Find restrooms and friendly BPC Parks staff at the Park House, plus lots of all-ages programming.

DeSalvio Playground

This small park has cool design, a big includes a big jungle gym with monkey bars atop rubber matting, lots of shaded seating area, a basketball court (with two hoops), checker board tables and sprinklers.

QUEENS

Gantry Plaza State Park/Hunter’s Point Park South

Queens: LIC

Visit two Long Island City playgrounds within walking distance of each other set in a large riverside oasis with spectacular Manhattan views.

Lots of places to climb and spin (and splash in the summer) at the playground at Gantry Plaza State Park with a cushioned rainbow floor and groovy design. Stroll along the park’s four piers or through the park’s manicured gardens and unique mist fountain and check out restored gantries, industrial monuments once used to load and unload rail car floats and barges.

Head south to the well equipped Hunter’s Point Playground and explore the city’s new park with large fields, benches, trees, the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign and a 30-foot-tall cantilevered platform for viewing the skyline and waterfront. Pizza, burgers, coffee, ice cream and more available at outdoor LIC Landing Cafe.

Travel to and from Manhattan and Brooklyn on the East River Ferry.

Unisphere & Fountain of the Fairs

Queens: Corona/Flushing

Splash beneath the iconic Unisphere from the 1939 World’s Fair in recently renovated sprinklers showers and mist rising from the reflecting pool.

BROOKLYN

J.J. Byrne Playground & Old Stone House

Prospect Park/Park Slope

Enjoy lots of modern climbing equipment juxtaposed with colonial themes inspired by the adjacent Old Stone House, site of the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. Explore a submarine periscope and interactive panels depicting the historic battle among natural stone and rustic pavement, then attack your enemies with water cannons.

A gated toddler area features bucket swings, farm animal cutouts, and a tot size climbing structure. The park also hosts a multipurpose synthetic turf field, a skate park, two new basketball courts, eight handball courts, and a dog run.

See a beautiful, interactive exhibit about the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War and what it was like to live in Brooklyn from 1776 – 1783 as well as contemporary exhibits featuring work by emerging artists at the historic Old Stone House (open by appointment Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from Noon-3 pm). Discover gardens vibrant with native and useful plants and shop at Farmers’ Market (Sunday 10 am – 4 pm year round). Any day, get quality fresh frozen yogurt combined with artisanal toppings as well as hot chocolate, coffee and baked goods from nearby Culture NY.

Domino Park

Williamsburg/Greenpoint

Find cool design and amazing bridge/Manhattan views at a large waterfront park on the site of a former Domino Sugar factory.

* The playground, designed by the artist Mark Reigelman, has fun features like spinning valve wheels cast from Domino Sugar originals and a 26-foot-high silo with ladders, webbing and slides pay homage to the manufacturing process of the refinery.

* Pick up tacos, margaritas and more from counter-service Tacocina with colorful outdoor seating.

* Stroll on an elevated walkway cantilevered off of 21 columns preserved from the Domino factory’s original Raw Sugar Warehouse for pretty perspectives of the river, skyline and park. ADA/stroller access by ramp near the Gantry Cranes.

* Shop fresh, local produce and products back at the Domino Park Greenmarket every Sunday 9 am to 3 pm.

* In warm weather, frolic in waterfront fountains, near remaining elements of the former Domino Sugar Factory. In the evening, the fountains are illuminated in pretty colors. Try artisanal popsicles from Mom & Icepops.

* Take the NYC ferry from Wall Street, East 34th Street and elsewhere to the North Williamsburg landing for a special arrival. The L train Bedford Station is a 15-20 minute walk away.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Playgrounds

DUMBO, Downtown & Heights

This expansive park has great attractions and a gorgeous only-in-NYC view. Explore refurbished piers, most of which host playgrounds (our favorites are at Pier 6 including giant Slide Mountain, Sandbox Village, Swing Valley and the splashy Water Lab). Play in the sand and admire tide pools at Pier 4 Beach (no swimming/wading).

Find a variety of yummy concessions throughout the park and restrooms at Piers 2,5 & 6.

See our guide to Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Zucker Natural Exploration Area

Prospect Park/Park Slope

Strategically placed branches and stumps of trees damaged by storms and other materials from within Prospect Park invite engagement nature and unstructured play in this magical playground. several areas to explore including sand for digging and water features for pumping and splashing.

See our complete guide to Prospect Park.

LeFrak Center Boating, Biking & Splash Pad

Prospect Park/Park Slope

Ride single or double kayak and pedal boat to explore 55 acres of waterfront in Prospect Park ($16-$36/hour). Lightweight, synthetic clothing & water bottles suggested.

Choose from an array of bike rentals from traditional two wheels and kids trailers to a four-wheeled, 6-person double surrey ($13-$38/hour).

Half-day, full-day and season pass rentals also available.

Also frolic in a splash pad with 20 water jets. Food and drink available for takeaway from the Bluestone Cafe by the roller skating rink.

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Wednesday, January 1

Wow in the World

January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2023

Online
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Join hosts Guy Raz and the hilarious Mindy Thomas on a journey into the wonders of the world. Go inside brains, out into space and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology - with lots of wacky fun along the way. One of our family's faves.

FREE

UPTOWN

MIDTOWN

DOWNTOWN

QUEENS

BROOKLYN

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