Scorching Summer Suggestions: 50 Chill Activities for Kids in NYC During the Heatwave
**Beating the Heat in NYC: A Guide for Family Fun**
New York City offers a plethora of kid-friendly activities and attractions to help families beat the heat during the summer months. From water play areas to outdoor movie nights, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
One popular way to cool down is through kayaking on NYC's waterways. Families can take refreshing kayaking sessions at spots like Marine Park on Gerritson Inlet, Bronx River via Starlight Park, Staten Island’s Conference House Park, or Hudson River Park on Manhattan’s west side.
For a relaxing evening out, free public movie nights are offered in parks such as Bryant Park and Prospect Park. The Public Theater also hosts free Shakespeare performances at Central Park's Delacorte Theater, providing a fun cultural outing for families with older children.
Visiting lively farmers and flea markets like the Brooklyn Flea or Union Square Greenmarket can be a pleasant way to combine a bit of shopping with fresh air and kid-friendly snacks. On certain Saturdays, major Manhattan streets are closed to vehicular traffic during Summer Streets, allowing families to walk, bike, and play freely along several miles of car-free roadways.
Nature walks and bike trails are another great way to enjoy the outdoors. NYC has extensive trail networks suitable for family outings. Choices include trails in the Bronx Greenway, Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, and parks like Algonquin Park near the city for shaded hikes and picnic spots.
Exploring neighborhoods and landmarks can also be a fun and educational experience. Taking an early morning or evening stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge to visit family-friendly areas like DUMBO offers stunning views and pleasant cooler temperatures.
Participating in complimentary outdoor yoga sessions in Bryant Park can be a relaxing and healthy way for families to enjoy the outdoors without overheating. The Children's Museum of Manhattan's Dynamic H2O exhibit is a water table that offers a unique water play experience with cooling mist and a stunning backdrop, The Unisphere.
Wave Hill, a public garden and cultural center, boasts curated gardens, views of the Hudson River, and family-friendly programming. Prospect Park's Lakeside Rink offers roller skating and a next-door splash pad with dozens of sprinklers.
For those seeking indoor activities during a heatwave, the American Museum of Natural History has exhibits including a live colony of leaf-cutter ants and towering dinosaur remains. The New-York Historical Society has the DiMenna Children's History Museum. Spyscape, Midtown Manhattan's destination for spy fans, is a great indoor activity. The TWA Hotel offers a rooftop pool, and local libraries offer cool, free indoor places to play throughout the city's library systems.
The Bronx Children's Museum has a mega water table, and Little Island, NYC's floating park, offers an action-packed summer calendar full of alfresco culture. The New York Aquarium has a shark exhibit and beachfront attractions, and Legoland New York has a Water Playground.
Coney Island offers ocean swimming, water rides, and Friday night fireworks, while South Beach on Staten Island is accessible by ferry. City Island and Orchard Beach in the Bronx offer an ocean breeze, and Jacob Riis Beach in Queens is a semi-hidden gem.
To keep kids safe in the heat, Pro Parent Tips recommend avoiding outdoor activity between 12-4pm, dressing kids in light-colored, loose clothing, seeking shade and water combinations, checking car seats before loading kids, and staying hydrated.
During a heatwave, the best time of day to go out in NYC is before 10am or after 5pm. Many parks and splash pads open early. Kayaking is free at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and there are numerous splash pads across NYC. Splash & Play offers a guide to the best destination splash pads in NYC.
Whale-watching tours are available from city docks, and ice cream shops in New York offer a variety of flavors to cool off with, such as Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art and Storytelling in Harlem offers plenty of room for children to create and explore, plus weekly performative storytelling events.
Governors Island offers a cooling ferry ride, slides, and other activities, some of which are free or nearly free. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has offerings for families, and Central Park's Heckscher Playground features water-filled maze-like structures for children to navigate.
The Beast speedboat offers a wet and twisty ride in New York Harbor, and Domino Park has a splash pad and a sprinkler area for children to play. The SeaGlass Carousel is located in Battery Park.
Staying cool at home during a heatwave can be achieved with low-cost hacks such as water games, crafts, and boredom busters. The Staten Island Children's Museum at Snug Harbor offers hands-on exhibits, art workshops, and science story-times. Area 53's indoor Adventure Park offers numerous activities.
Black Tap offers ginormous milkshakes at its two locations, and the Museum of Ice Cream is a whole museum dedicated to ice cream, offering Insta-worthy photos. The American Dream mega mall has kid-friendly attractions, and Wonderland Dreams is a location for impromptu photo shoots.
It is possible to get heat stroke indoors, so it's important to stay hydrated and seek cool, shaded areas. Little Island, NYC's floating park, offers an action-packed summer calendar full of alfresco culture. These options blend nature, exercise, and cultural experiences to help families enjoy the outdoors in New York City while managing the summer heat effectively. Additionally, many events and activities are free or low-cost, making them accessible for families looking for budget-friendly fun.
- In addition to water activities like kayaking, families can also enjoy science displays at the American Museum of Natural History, featuring exhibits like a live colony of leaf-cutter ants and towering dinosaur remains.
- For fashion-conscious children, the Museum of Ice Cream is a whimsical museum dedicated entirely to ice cream, offering Instagrammable moments and unique experiences.
- Traveling to Coney Island offers a variety of things to do, such as ocean swimming, water rides, and Friday night fireworks, making it a popular destination during the summer months.
- To beat the heat indoors, families can visit the Staten Island Children's Museum at Snug Harbor, which offers hands-on exhibits, art workshops, and science story-times.
- During a heatwave, outdoor movie nights are offered in parks like Bryant Park and Prospect Park, providing a fun and relaxed evening activity.
