Playgrounds are New York Family’s Backyards – Things to Do With Kids in New York

Union Square Playground

Contrary to what non-New Yorkers see on television or the movies, most New Yorkers do not live in fabulous, oversized apartments. Probably, the most realistic portrayal of New York living spaces was Sex and The City and I say that because  each character’s living space matched up to their income level.

So just imagine what happens when New Yorkers have kids, where do their kids play if their apartments are so small?

Playgrounds are a New York family’s best friend. Yes, New Yorkers have play dates in each other’s houses but when it’s nice outside, there is no better place to have a playdate than meeting up at a playground.

Where I live, some of New York’s best playgrounds are  within walking distance from my apartment. Of course on a bad day (meaning I don’t feel like walking ten blocks, I go to the nearby playground which is only 10 minutes away.) The best part of going to a nearby playground is that most likely my daughter is likely to run into a classmate or  preschool friend. Yes, in a city of millions when it comes to our kids, it truly is a small town.

One of the attributes I love about New York City is that even when you are out  about or heading to a museum like the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Ancient Playground is north of the MET)  or visiting another part of town like Battery Park or Carroll Gardens Brooklyn (where my daughter’s godmother lives), there is always a nearby playground for my daughter  to get in some much needed playtime.

Ancient Playground near Metropolitan Museum of Art

So if you looking for things to do with kids in New York, look no further than New York’s best playgrounds, visit nycgovparks.org to search for a playground near to where you are sightseeing.