The Best of New York · With kids · Things to do with kids
The best museums in New York for kids.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 8 places.
Exploring New York City with kids is an exciting endeavor (when done right!). The city is an overwhelming place, a logistical puzzle! But if there’s one thing that makes it infinitely easier to navigate with kids, it’s the abundance of kid-friendly museums.
After a decade in the city, I’ve developed a short list of tried-and-true museums that are essential in our weekly arsenal with kids. Whether you’re a fellow local or just visiting the Big Apple for a few days, here’s a roundup of museums my family keeps coming back to.
Best museums in New York for kids, 2026
- American Museum of Natural HistoryMuseum · Upper West SideThis is the heavyweight of NYC family-friendly museums for good reason.
- Intrepid MuseumMuseum · MidtownPerched on a real aircraft carrier at Pier 86, this museum is a must for kids who love things that float and fly.
- New York Transit MuseumMuseum · Downtown BrooklynHoused in a real, decommissioned subway station, the Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn never ceases to impress first time visitors.
- Brooklyn Children’s MuseumMuseum · BrooklynFounded in 1899, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is recognized as the first museum in the world specifically designed for children.
- Museum of Ice CreamMuseum · SoHoThe Museum of Ice Cream is a sensory explosion of pink, sugar, and Instagram-ready setups.
- National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)Museum · Flatiron DistrictThe only math museum in the U.S., MoMath is shockingly fun—even if math wasn’t your favorite subject in school.
- New York City Fire MuseumMuseum · SoHoIf your kids love fire trucks, this one’s a no-brainer.
- New York Hall of ScienceMuseum · Flushing Meadows, QueensLocated in Queens, this is NYC’s only hands-on science and technology center.
American Museum of Natural History
Museum · Upper West Side
This is the heavyweight of NYC family-friendly museums for good reason.
Intrepid Museum
Museum · Midtown · Pier 86
Perched on a real aircraft carrier at Pier 86, this museum is a must for kids who love things that float and fly.
New York Transit Museum
Museum · Downtown Brooklyn
Housed in a real, decommissioned subway station, the Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn never ceases to impress first time visitors.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Museum · Brooklyn
Founded in 1899, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is recognized as the first museum in the world specifically designed for children.
Museum of Ice Cream
Museum · SoHo
The Museum of Ice Cream is a sensory explosion of pink, sugar, and Instagram-ready setups.
National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)
Museum · Flatiron District
The only math museum in the U.S., MoMath is shockingly fun—even if math wasn’t your favorite subject in school.
New York City Fire Museum
Museum · SoHo
If your kids love fire trucks, this one’s a no-brainer.
New York Hall of Science
Museum · Flushing Meadows, Queens
Located in Queens, this is NYC’s only hands-on science and technology center.
Best museums in New York for kids, 2026
The seal
If you're on this list, this is yours.
I went, and I said in my own words that it's worth your time. Nobody paid for that and nobody can. The seal says so, and it links back here, so anyone who sees it reads the whole list and how I decide.
Put it on your site, in the window, on the menu. Keep it linked when it's on the web and keep the words on it. That's the whole ask.
How it looks
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The files
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SVG for the web, the 1200 px PNG for print and social. Both carry the year.
Is one of these yours? Tell me and I confirm it's you and send the files.
The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: The Best Museums in New York City for Kids (The Local Mom).