New York City for Kids

Trips with the family can fun, educational, and entertaining for all; but they can also be hectic events. With all the whirlwind of sightseeng it is often easy to forget the wee ones and how to have a little fun.

New York City has much more to offer than the Statue of Lieberty, the Empire State Building, and the Centra; Park Zoo. Some attractractions with the younger generation in mind are:

The Astroland Amusement Park at Coney Island. Along with the numerous rides and games is The Cyclone. Situated on the beach, visitors to Coney Island can enjoy the fresh ocean air, warm sand, and the famous Coney Island hot dogs. The Cyclone rollercoaster opened in 1927 and for over 80 years has thrilled rollercoaster fans the world over. Astroland Park is open weekends only mid March to mid June, daily mid June to Labor Day, and weekends only September until the end of the season. Opening dates are all due to the weather.

The Build a Bear Workshop at 5th Ave. and 46th Street lets children create their own special one of a kind Teddy Bear. Stuffed animals and Teddy Bears are a part of every child's life. Build a Bear lets them express their creativity by building their own special bear.

The Dyckman Farmhouse Museum is located at Broadway and 204th Street. The framhouse was built in 1784. The farmhouse offers some insight into the life of residents to the area when New York City was owned by the Dutch and was called New Amersterdam.

Every child loves to visity a fire house. At Fire Zone in Reckefeller Center on 51st Street kids can not only learn about fire and fire safety; they can also climb on a real fire truck, talk to a fireman, and even become a member of a fire fighting team. The Fire Zone is wheelchair accessible.

Next to the zoo for fun with animals is the aquarium. The New York City Aquarium is located in Brooklyn. The New York Aquarium is the only aquarium in the city. It features over 8,000 sea animals that are sure to fanscinate any child or adult.

The Queens County Farm Museum has been a working farm since 1697. It is the longest continual working farm in New York State. The farm is open daily for visitors to see the historic buildings, see the animals, and view the various farming tools, Visitors may buy feed from the gift shop to feed the animals. On weekends tours of the historic buildings and hayrides (when the weather allows) are available.

Toys R Us Time Square is more than just a toy store. The facility has

a huge video and DVD center called the R Zone where kids can play their favourite games. The store also has a place where kids can create their own stuffed animal, play in a two story Barbie Doll house, visit Jurasic Park with a giant T-Rex, or ride on a ferris wheel.

Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park is a more traditional amusement park geared toward the whole family. The park offers rides that are specially constructed for wee ones age two to 12 and for children with special needs (wheelchair accessible). They also have face painting, balloon sculpting, interactive games, and cotton candy. The park is open during the summer months.

For older children there is Ripley's Believe it or Not in Times Square where they can view all manner of the strange, weird, and unusual. The museum if open 365 days a year and stays open late. Visitors to Ripley's are encouraged to take their camera and make photos of them and their friends among the various exhibits.

Also for the older children and teens is the Sony Wonder Technology Lab where visitors can learn all about making movies and televsion shows. They can even create their own project.

Story Corps is a place where people can have and record conversations and interviews with loved ones. The conversations are recorded on a CD that visitors can take home and treasure. There is even an option to have the recording archived at the Library of Congress. Story Corps is a wonderful way for children to learn about their parents lives when they were children themselves.

No matter what the age or interest New York City has something for everyone.