35 Things to Do in Soho & Little Italy—An Insider's Guide for NYC Kids

It can be hard for someone who lived in Soho as a kid to see the neighborhood clearly now. Mostly we see what it’s not anymore as we think back to the days of abandoned streets, five-floor walk-ups to unfinished lofts, and the artists and art galleries that occupied the area. Today, the heart of Soho has become NYC’s biggest outdoor shopping mall and, especially with the closing of the Scholastic Store, it doesn’t seem like the most kid-friendly corner of the city. However, just as we can look past the shiny new storefronts to see the beautiful old cast-iron facades that sit above them, there are some wonderful experiences for families in this historic neighborhood—if you know where to look.

Throughout March, we'll be writing about the best places for families to visit, shop and eat in Soho and adjacent neighborhoods Little Italy and Hudson Square. For the purposes of our posts, our geographical boundaries are Houston to Canal Streets between the Bowery and the Hudson River. We kick off our coverage with the top 35 things to do in Soho and its surrounding environs.

1. Create art, take cool classes or jump in the ball pond at the Children’s Museum of the Arts.
2. Check out historic trucks and equipment at the New York City Fire Museum or go to its annual Santa Rescue in December.
3. Learn about one of NYC’s largest immigrant groups at the Museum of Chinese in America, which hosts frequent family programs and festivals like its popular Lunar New Year celebration.
4. Soho’s arty past isn’t limited to galleries, the work extends to the streets; Street Art #1: Be sure to look down to see Subway Map Floating on a NY Sidewalk by Françoise Schein outside 110 Greene Street.
5. Browse inexpensive trinkets, toys, snacks and housewares on the lower level of Chinese shopping emporium Pearl River Mart.
6. Examine fossils, insects, skeletons and other natural curiosities crammed floor to ceiling at The Evolution Store.
7. Take a reading break at the Mulberry Street branch of the New York Public Library, which has a children’s room and hosts many programs for kids of all ages.
8. Drop into indie bookshop McNally Jackson for lit-themed crafts on Saturdays and baby storytime on Fridays.
9. Watch Papabubble workers make unique candy creations before your eyes.
10. Street Art #2: Gaze at The Wall by Forrest Myers at the corner of Broadway and Houston—its against-all-odds survival is as much a mystery as its meaning.
11. Hit Soho's only tot lot, Vesuvio Playground, for ball courts, a playground, a sprinkler and an outdoor kids-only mini pool in summer.
12. Visit the secret New York Earth Room and The Broken Kilometer and wonder why.
13. Let your imagination run wild in the Elizabeth Street Garden, one of NYC’s loveliest and most eclectic free public spaces.
14. Pop in to NYC's original Apple Store, which offers kids' tech classes along with the latest i-gadgets.
15. Or hit the Makerbot Store for Saturday morning 3D printing sessions just for kids.
16. Stroll, bike or scooter along Hudson River Park.
17. Street Art #3: The art/vandalism carved into the sidewalk at the corner of Broadway and Prince Street by artist Ken Hiratsuka isn’t by Keith Haring, even though many people think it is.
18. Go kayaking on the Hudson at the south end of Pier 40.
19. If you live nearby, sign up for Pier 40 baseball or soccer leagues.
20. Order tacos and aguas frescas from a converted VW van at Tacombi, which feels like an outdoor taco stand indoors.
21. Escape the Soho crowds and play in DeSalvio Playground, which is also a great place to eat your Lombardi’s pizza if no tables are available.
22. Street Art #4: Look up at 112-4 Prince Street, the building kitty-corner from the Apple Store, and see if your kids notice that the facade is actually a trompe l'oeil painting of a cast-iron building painted by artist Richard Haas in 1975; the effect is diminished due to wear, but still pretty cool.
23. Nosh on rice balls, sushi and ramen, or just stock up on Japanese snacks at Sunrise Mart—there’s even a seating area and a microwave.
24. Hit the intersection of Mulberry and Grand Streets for an amazing East-meets-West foodapalooza: Share a Vietnamese bánh mì sandwich followed by great gelato or cannoli.
25. Take home a bit of Little Italy with treats from the old-school Di Palo's Fine Foods and Parisi Bakery.
26. Step around the corner to the Hong Kong Supermarket for a cornucopia of Asian ingredients and snacks.
27. Although most of HERE's shows are aimed at grown-ups, the indie theater sometimes showcases offbeat productions for families.
28. Have a fancy schmancy afternoon tea at the Crosby Street Hotel. 
29. Street Art #5: The Bowery Graffiti Wall, on the northwest corner of Bowery and East Houston is technically just outside our boundaries (I won’t tell if you don’t) and is home to ever-changing works of street art.
30. Introduce your kids to the classics at the Film Forum Jr. family series on Sunday mornings.
31. Take a gymnastics class at NYC Elite, Kung Fu at USA Shaolin Temple or join the members only CitiBabes for access to their indoor playground and classes.
32. Adopt a new furry friend or take a kids' animal care class at local shelter Animal Haven.
33. Try one of the best family brunches in Manhattan at the David Burke Kitchen at the James Soho.
34. Indulge in a high-end chocolate crawl at some of the fanciest sweets spots around including Jacques Torres, MarieBelle and Vosges Haut-Chocolat.
35. Hit the Feast of San Gennaro every fall, an awesome, old-school Little Italy street fair with rides and loads of food.

Read all of our posts about exploring Soho, Little Italy and Hudson Square with kids.

Top image: Mural on Houston. Photo by Shutterstock.