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Climbing on the interactive art installation Keff Joons was a crowd-pleasing outing in 2025. Photo by Diana Kim

The Biggest NYC Kid-Friendly Openings of 2025

1. Keff Joons – Dumbo

Artist CJ Hendry popped up this incredible, climbable FREE art exhibit in a Dumbo warehouse last spring. Inspired by the artist Jeff Koons' iconic balloon sculptures, Keff Joons wove an intertangled web of larger-than-life inflatables stacked in a soaring assortment that New Yorkers young and old waited hours to explore. As if that wasn't enough of an accomplishment for Hendry, she popped up with Flower Market at Rockefeller Center in early fall, added a permanent Flower Shop stall in Soho later, and is part of the creative team behind the sprawling Space Club play spaces in Brooklyn that seem to multiply by the month.

2. Davis Center – Harlem

Central Park's north end got a major new attraction when the stunning Davis Center opened last spring. A sprawling new community center houses multiple seasonal attractions. Lines for the Gottesman Pool stretched around its perimeter all summer, and wintertime brought a brand-new skating facility, plus ice time for community fixtures like Ice Hockey in Harlem and Figure Skating in Harlem. We love how the new facility is seamlessly integrated into the park's topography, bringing much-needed bathrooms and programming to this lovely corner of the green space.

3. Double-Decker Christmas Carousel

In a Christmas season that seemed devoid of new openings, the Christmas Carousel that popped up in Greeley Square was a sparkling surprise. Its two-tier design with twinkling lights and joyous carols added to the holiday ambiance on this busy corner of Midtown shopping madness. It continues to spin for one more week—so take a whirl while you can. Fingers crossed, we get an encore in 2026.

4. One Times Square – Midtown West

This attraction is so new we, admittedly, haven't even had a chance to visit. The building best known for its star turn as the ball drop HQ debuted a Times Square observation deck this month and has a slate of experiences (including clean, paid bathrooms) set to roll out in 2026. Sure, it's tourist central, but it's also one unforgettable view.

5. Shirokuro – East Village

The 2-D dining craze hit Manhattan in a stunning fashion when this sushi spot opened in early spring. The eye-catching eatery in the trendy East Village is decorated with hand-drawn, black-and-white designs that took artist Miriam Yoo months to sketch out.

6. Everett Children's Adventure Garden at NYBG – Bronx Park, the Bronx

My family's love of the New York Botanical Garden runs deep, and this enchanting, kid-centric destination is what first drew us in when the kids were toddlers. The 12-acre plot got a serious overhaul that freshened up some old attractions and breathed new-life into the space all at once. Still to come: A treetop walk, initially planned to open in the fall. We're hoping it will be ready for springtime blossoms!

7. CityWorks at NYSCI – Flushing, Queens

The New York Hall of Science debuted this sprawling new permanent exhibit in May, inviting kids to get to know the innerworkings of the City that Never Sleeps. Through hands-on activations and info-packed displays, kids (and kids-at-heart) can learn about what makes NYC go.

8. Anne Frank: The Exhibition – Chelsea

The Center for Jewish History debuted this landmark exhibition on Holocaust Remembrance Day, and it's definitely an exhibit that leaves an impression on all who have visited. While the subject matter is tough, there are many entry points for visitors depending on their ages and understanding of the events that inspired it. Originally slated to close in April, it's extended multiple times and remains on display until (at least) February 1, 2026.

9. Van Gogh at NYBG – Bronx Park, the Bronx

The NYBG gets another nod on our list for the summer-long installation inspired by Van Gogh and the landscapes he painted. Of particular note, the after-hours, weekends-only drone shows that used the sky above the LuEsther T. Mertz Library as a canvas. We also loved the exhibition in the Haupt Conservatory that re-created some of the most famous landscapes the artist painted.

10. Wagner Park – Battery Park City

Though there's plenty of parkland around the tip of Manhattan, the reopening of Wagner Park brought some delightful improvements, including improved access to the waterfront, new public art, and a beautiful waterfront amphitheater. The views are unmatched, and it's a great spot to romp near other kid-pleasers, like the Battery Playscape and the SeaGlass Carousel.

11. Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs at AMNH

The American Museum of Natural History added this temporary exhibit in late fall to an already stacked lineup for budding paleontologists. Curious kids find tons of touchpoints to experience the leading theories behind what wiped out the dinosaurs—and ultimately led to leaps in evolution that still touch our lives today. Another notable (re)opening at AMNH: The return of its popular Night at the Museum Sleepovers, which returned in the fall after a very long COVID hiatus.

12. The Young Traveler's Journal & Activity Book

Admittedly not an NYC opening, but we couldn't mark the year in review without a shoutout to this book, written by Mommy Poppins Founder and CEO Anna Fader, along with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman. If you don't have a copy yet, might we suggest ordering one and perusing our piece on the best family travel destinations of the year, then using both as inspiration for your own 2026 adventures?

Step into the bay house for a lobster boil as part of Saltwater Stories at LICM. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Worth the Drive: Regional Openings Families Traveled For

13. Satwater Stories at LICM – Garden City, Long Island

The Long Island Children's Museum made a huge investment in this, its first new exhibition in a decade. Rooted in local history, Satlwater Stories weaves together tales of baymen, indigenous people, and local fishermen to share the story of the region's deep-rooted waterfront legacy. Kids can explore local lore in a bay house, fish market, and special toddler-friendly play area.

14. Capybara Experience at Long Island Game Farm – Manorville, Long Island

The Long Island Game Farm debuted this hands-on experience with everyone's favorite, large, lovable rodents. Kids ages 5 and older can go inside the enclosure and learn about the animals, then hand-feed them some treats.

15. Stingray Bay Water Playground at Splish Splash – Calverton, Long Island

Preschoolers got their own place to play at the already family-friendly Splish Splash Water Park. Geared toward kids ages 2-5, Stingray Bay includes 15 tot-friendly attractions, like water slides, geysers, a dumping bucket, and a pair of wading pools.

16. Peppa Pig Playground at Legoland New York – Goshen, New York

The Hudson Valley's biggest little theme park debuted a brand-new playground perfect for the preschool set, and centered around the beloved Pig Family of Peppa Pig fame. Kids can drive Daddy Pig's red car, pose for a pic in front of Peppa's house, climb inside her treehouse for a romp, and even row Grandpa Pig's Boat. It's a lovely addition to a theme park already packed with little-kid fun.

17. Edelman Fossil Park – Mantua, New Jersey

This major addition to the Rowan University campus is a must-visit for dinosaur lovers. In addition to a sprawling museum exhibit stocked with life-sized reconstructions of dinosaurs, there's a dinosaur VR experience, tons of interactive exhibits, and even a touch tank. But, the real star here is the on-site fossil dig. Step into the quarry for a 75-minute chance to dig for real fossils, accompanied by a guide to help you identify any treasures you uncover. Save time to explore the pteranodon playground before you exit!

18. Atlantic City Aquarium – Atlantic City, New Jersey

Another COVID closure we weren't sure we'd ever see reopen, the Atlantic City Aquarium is again welcoming visitors. It's got a small footprint, but packs plenty of aquatic fun into its walls. The main tank is home to local celeb, Groman, a 225-pound loggerhead sea turtle. A trio of touch pools welcomes visitors.

A Sneak Peek at the Kid-Friendly Fun Coming in 2026

19. MoMath2.0 – Chelsea

We were so excited to step inside this still-under-construction space recently to see all that's in store for math lovers at the reimagined MoMath. Set to open in the first quarter of 2026, MoMath's footprint greatly expands, and it's bringing with it all of its fan-favorite exhibits, plus 40 more! A dedicated early childhood corner encourages a love of math in even the youngest visitors, and these mind-bending installations challenge skeptics in the most enjoyable way possible.

20. Ferrari Build & Race at Legoland New York – Goshen, New York

Legoland is teaming up with the iconic car brand to bring a new high-speed building adventure to life in 2026. Kids can build and test their Lego cars before facing off in a Race Track Zone. Virtual technology allows visitors to race against other Ferraris to determine who has the fastest lap.

21. America 250 – Statewide

New York City takes centerstage as part of the America 250 celebrations, and the Fourth of July will be one for the record books. The fun really kicks off just after midnight this New Year's Day, when the ball drops in Times Square for a second time—lit up in red, white, and blue glory in honor of America's birthday. And, that's not all: For the first time, a second Times Square celebration—ball drop and all—is planned when the clock strikes midnight on the Fourth! In addition, tons of 250 events are planned statewide to commemorate Revolutionary War battles at significant historical sites. Popular annual events, including Fleet Week in NYC and the Jones Beach Air Show on Long Island, shift to a Fourth of July schedule to up the patriotic factor. Expect to see a fleet of tall ships in New York Harbor to celebrate as part of an event dubbed Sail the 4th.

22. Army-Navy Game – East Rutherford, New Jersey

Speaking of patriotism, it's hard to find a more patriotic sporting event than the annual Army-Navy football game, and in December 2026, it moves to the tri-state area. More than just a one-day game, Army-Navy celebrates the sacrifices of the young men and women who attend these prestigious schools for days leading up to the main event with the Patriot Games, fan fests, marathon teams running the game ball from their respective institutions, and more. If you're a college football fan, this game should definitely be on your bucket list.

23. FIFA World Cup – East Rutherford, New Jersey

Of course, the biggest sporting event in NYC in 2026—and really, the world—is the FIFA World Cup, and the finals will be played right in our backyard. Group matches are set for MetLife as well. In addition to the on-field action, fans can visit a fan fest in Liberty State Park and expect to see assorted other events and watch parties surrounding the matches that bring the world's game to life in NYC.

24. National Urban League Urban Civil Rights Museum – Harlem

Following the re-opening of the Studio Museum in Harlem this past fall, the neighborhood—and 125th Street to be exact—is getting a new cultural addition. The Urban Civil Rights Museum is set to open in 2026. It's the first museum dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement and promises to share the history of Black culture and resistance in NYC and beyond.

25. Long Island Greenway – Long Island

The Empire State Trail opened in 2021, giving New Yorkers a 750-mile-long greenway to connect from NYC all the way to the Canadian border. Come 2026, and the opening of the Long Island Greenway, that network extends out east! It brings with it a 200-mile trail stretching from Montauk to Manhattan that is centered so that more than 90 communities are within a 10-minute walk to pick up the trail. Additionally, it connects more than 355 parks across its span.

26. Ellis Island Revitalization – Ellis Island

Ellis Island is in the midst of a $100 million revitalization project, slated to be finished in 2026. When completed, visitors can expect to find new interactive experiences, an expanded Immigrant Wall of Honor, and tours in 12 languages. For the first time, visitors will be able to look up immigrants who arrived from other ports of entry and will include 154 million searchable documents.