40 Things To Do in NYC Before School Starts

With August upon us and the start of a new school year looming, my kids and I are in a panic about all the fun, summery things to do in NYC we haven't yet crossed off our NYC summer bucket list.

Sure, we've had a lot of fun tooling around the city, enjoying our favorite local swimming pool, reigniting a love for some of the best playgrounds in NYC, chilling out with some kid-pleasing ice-cold treats, and soaking up all the FREE things to do in NYC with kids in the summer. But, there are plenty of great activities we haven't gotten to. So, we've crafted this list of 40 things to do in NYC before summer ends.

For more ideas from Brooklyn to the Bronx, and even at home, check out our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide. Soon summer vacation will be a mere memory.

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1. Visit the Beach

Sneak in one last trip to a great NYC beach you can reach by ferry or train for some seaside fun. FREE

2. Scream for Ice Cream

Enjoy an over-the-top ice cream treat at one of these cool spots, or pick up a chilly scoop at one of our favorite ice cream shops.

RELATED: 31 Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids this August

NYC's iconic Armory building is transformed into a playful dreamland of epic inflatable and eco-friendly balloon art. Photo by Jody Mercier

3. Pop Into Balloon Story

Dive into the massive ball pit and marvel at over-the-top balloon installations at Balloon Story, which has taken over the Park Avenue Armory through Saturday, August 24, 2024.

4. Summer Streets

Cycle through car-free streets, join a dance party, learn to ride a bike, or catch more family-friendly things to do in NYC at the annual Summer Streets on Saturdays through Saturday, August 24. FREE

5. Visit the New York Renaissance Faire

Take a trip back in time with a visit to the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park. The Faire runs weekends from Saturday, August 17-Sunday, October 6, 2024.

6. Enjoy Some Water Sports

One of our favorite physical things to do in NYC each summer is rowing our way through one of the city's waterways on a FREE boat ride in the city on a kayak, canoe, or rowboat.

7. Ride the Ferry

For a more relaxing ride, let someone else command the vessel and hop on a ferry to a kid-friendly shore.

8. Go Glamping...

Stay local and try out glamping on Governors Island.

9. ...Or Camping

Escape the city's heat and humidity with a weekend camping trip. Some of our favorite family-friendly sites are even accessible via the MTA. Prefer a one-day getaway? Check out one of these summer day trips.

RELATED: Best NYC Playgrounds with Shade

The Water Lab at Pier 6 is one of our favorite places to cool down. Photo by Sara Marentette

10. Dive Into a Play Fountain

When the summer sun gets to be too much, splashing in one of these play fountains is one of our favorite things to do in NYC. Make sure you get in a splash before the sprinklers are turned off for the year. FREE

11. Go Back to Hogwarts

Head to Grand Central Terminal at month's end for a magical Back to Hogwarts celebration.

12. Seaport Kids Summer Bash

Mommy Poppins is again teaming up with our friends at The Seaport and Brooklyn Bridge Parents to throw a only-in-NYC summertime bash on Saturday, August 17, 2024. FREE

13. Roller Skating

Glide (or stumble, we won't tell) to one of NYC's best roller rinks.

14. See an Outdoor Movie

Catch an alfresco flick at one of the spots that host FREE outdoor movies in an NYC park.

15. Catch a Kiddie Concert

Groove to a great summer concert or outdoor music festival for families.

16. Go Bowling

Hit the lanes at one of our favorite bowling alleys for NYC kids—bonus: industrial AC.

RELATED: Best NYC Summer Festivals for Kids this August

17. See Staten Island

Sticking around town for Labor Day weekend? Hop on the Staten Island Ferry and enjoy the sea spray en route to the Richmond County Fair. Want to venture out on another day? Hop off the ferry to explore Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden.

18. Escape for a Weekend

We've got tons of picks for late-summer weekend escapes including lakefront getaways in New York state, family-friendly spa resorts nearby, family-friendly Catskills resorts to consider, and these affordable family vacation destinations on the East Coast.

19. See Some Fireworks

Watch the FREE dazzling Coney Island fireworks every Friday night.

20. Visit the Prospect Park Zoo

The animals at the Prospect Park Zoo are anxious to welcome visitors again after a prolonged closure!

21. See the NYC Unicycle Festival

Catch up with the one-wheeled wonders at the always entertaining and FREE NYC Unicycle Festival over Labor Day weekend.

22. Explore Alley Pond Park

Idle away a sunny afternoon in Queens' second-largest public green space, Alley Pond Park, where you can hike, bird watch, zip line, picnic, and explore its orienteering course.

23. Learn and Play at NYSCI

From sprawling indoor exhibits at the New York Hall of Science to the Rocket Park mini-golf and newly remodeled Science Playground, this Queens spot is worth a day trip!

24. Hit the Playgrounds

Check out our guide to the best playgrounds in NYC, and pick a part of the city where you can visit a bunch in one day, like Central Park, Prospect Park, or Riverside Park.

25. Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park

Plan a daycation to Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is filled with fabulous things to do in NYC. Explore its destination playgrounds and ride its spectacular carousel, which is on our list of the best carousels in the city!

RELATED: Visiting the Fountain of the Fairs Mega Splash Pad in Queens

The White Rabbit is a super-sized centerpiece of the NYBG's Wonderland: Curious Nature exhibition. Photo by Jody Mercier

26. Fall Down the Rabbit Hole

Enjoy a day in Wonderland: Curious Nature at the NYBG as you stroll among the blossoms and blooms. Bonus: NYC residents get FREE admission on Wednesdays!

27. Take a Metro-North Trip

Explore one of these seven kid-friendly stops on the Metro-North.

28. Visit the New York Aquarium

Get up close to deep-sea creatures at the New York Aquarium, which has a special art exhibit, Washed Ashore, and a brand new Aquatheater Show playing all summer long. While you're there, enjoy more fun on Coney Island.

29. Tour a Children's Museum

Check out one of our favorite children's museums. Bonus: With an NYPL card, you can even get FREE admission to over 60 NYC museums and gardens, including several children's museums.

30. Sail Away to Governors Island

Channel your inner kid with a ride down the city's longest slide at The Hills on Governors Island. Check the calendar for family-friendly things to do in NYC, like the weekends-only FREE adventure playground.

31. Visit a Local Farm

Pick the final peaches at area farms, or start plotting your apple-picking day trips.

32. See American Dream

The New Jersey mega-mall is home to tons of kid-friendly attractions like Big Snow, plus thousands of square feet of retail stores, restaurants, and more. We've got a discount code for its top attractions, too. 

RELATED: Beautiful Flower Farms near NYC for Pick-Your-Own Blooms

Stroll, skate, and scoot through Central Park and explore Belvedere Castle. Photo by Janet Bloom

33. Play Like Royalty at Belvedere Castle

Explore the enchanting Belvedere Castle and the surrounding ecosystem.

34. Enjoy Outdoor Dining

Take the night off and treat yourself to dinner with a view at one of these kid-friendly waterfront restaurants in NYC or an alfresco meal at one of these family-favorite restaurants with patios and backyards.

35. Enjoy a Picnic

Or pack a blanket and some food and head to one of our favorite NYC picnic spots with built-in entertainment.

36. Hit the Local Amusement Parks

Go for a wild ride at one of these amusement parks near NYC reachable by public transportation or travel further afield to tackle one of these top thrill rides at NY-area amusement parks perfect for teens and tweens.

37. Go for a Bike Ride

Explore the city on two wheels with a family-friendly bike ride in NYC.

38. Go for a Dip in a Rooftop Pool

Splurge on a day pass at one of these NYC hotels with rooftop pools.

39. Try a Family Adventure Course

Enjoy some thrilling adventures at WildPlay at Jones Beach or one of these other adventure parks, zip lines, and ropes courses near NYC.

40. Visit the Zoo

Enjoy some face time with NYC's wildest residents at one of our favorite zoos and aquariums.

Originally published in August 2016.