# Free things to do with kids in New York

Parks, playgrounds and other things to do in New York that are free to get into, with who said so on each one. 36 listed.

Last updated 2026-09-28, from the newest confirmation among these places.

## The list

1. [Hippo Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/hippo-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can splash by the hippo sculptures in summer, play in sand and try the slides under shady trees. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
2. [Ancient Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/ancient-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can cross pyramid-like structures, try the slides and play in sand near The Met. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
3. [Battery Playscape](https://ourplayday.com/places/battery-playscape-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can try granite slides at different heights, scramble through tree houses and experiment with sand and water. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
4. [Bella Abzug Park Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/bella-abzug-park-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can climb through the rope dome and talk through the play tubes beneath the shade canopy. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
5. [Billy Johnson Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/billy-johnson-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can race down the long granite slide, cross a rustic bridge and try a net climber. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
6. [Bleecker Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/bleecker-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can use the classic play equipment and seasonal water area, with a public restroom close by. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
7. [Catbird Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/catbird-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can try age-sized climbing structures, swings and the enclosed seasonal sprinkler. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
8. [Chelsea Waterside Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/chelsea-waterside-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can climb the 64-foot pipefish-shaped slide and cool off around the water features in warm weather. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
9. [Clement Clarke Moore Park Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/clement-clarke-moore-park-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can climb at the small playground and run through seal-shaped sprinklers in warm weather. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
10. [DeSalvio Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/desalvio-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can choose a climber sized for crawlers, toddlers or bigger kids, then try the rope web and slides. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
11. [Dinosaur Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/dinosaur-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can admire two giant dinosaur sculptures, climb the play structures and cool off in the seasonal spray. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
12. [Erie Canal Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/erie-canal-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can climb the tree-house-style structure, swing and cool off at the seasonal sprinklers. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
13. [Heckscher Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/heckscher-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can splash at the seasonal water feature, climb the rock-like structures and use a separate little-kid play area. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
14. [Hell's Kitchen Park Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/hell-s-kitchen-park-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can use the smaller tot play area or climb and swing in the older-kid space. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
15. [Hester Street Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/hester-street-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can choose the smaller gated play area or tackle the tall rope climber and twisting slide. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
16. [Imagination Playground at Burling Slip](https://ourplayday.com/places/imagination-playground-at-burling-slip-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can build with big loose foam blocks, move sand and try the seasonal water feature. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
17. [Kowsky Park Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/kowsky-park-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your toddler can explore a small, quieter play space before a picnic under the shady trees. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
18. [Minetta Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/minetta-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your younger kid can try low swings and climbing pieces in a gated play space, with a summer spray shower. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
19. [Pearl Street Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/pearl-street-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can switch between age-sized climbing structures, dig in the sand and splash when the water play is running. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
20. [Pier 25 Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/pier-25-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can climb the play structures, swing and splash at the seasonal water features beside the river. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
21. [Pier 26 Science Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/pier-26-science-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can climb inside giant sturgeon, slide back out and explore how fish live in the Hudson. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
22. [Pier 51 Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/pier-51-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can climb a pretend boat, dig in sand and splash in the seasonal stream by the Hudson. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
23. [Rockefeller Park Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/rockefeller-park-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can explore big and small climbing areas, sandboxes and a hand-powered merry-go-round near the waterfront. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
24. [Seward Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/seward-park-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can play in the park’s playground and cool down at the spray showers in warm weather. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
25. [Tarr Family Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/tarr-family-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can climb the tree-house structures or play in the younger-kid area across the bridge. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
26. [Teardrop Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/teardrop-park-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can slip down the long slide, hop between rocks and play in the sand and seasonal water area. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
27. [Tompkins Square West Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/tompkins-square-west-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can swing and try sensory-friendly play in a shady park with room to picnic. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
28. [Washington Market Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/washington-market-park-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can choose among three age-varied playgrounds, run across the lawn and look for butterflies in the garden. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
29. [Washington Square Park Toddler Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/washington-square-park-toddler-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your toddler can play on ground-level equipment in a designated smaller-kid area beside the park. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
30. [West Thames Park Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/west-thames-park-playground-new-york) (playground, New York). Your kid can climb, swing and dig in the sand, with water play when the season is on. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
31. [Children's Center at SNFL](https://ourplayday.com/places/children-s-center-at-snfl-new-york) (library, New York). Your kid can settle into a colorful reading space, browse picture books and join a storytime program. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
32. [FAO Schwarz Rockefeller Center](https://ourplayday.com/places/fao-schwarz-rockefeller-center-new-york) (attraction, New York). Your kid can explore toy demonstrations and take a turn dancing on the giant floor piano. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
33. [High Line at West 23rd Street](https://ourplayday.com/places/high-line-at-west-23rd-street-new-york) (attraction, New York). Your kid can follow the old elevated train tracks, spot public art and take a break on the lawn near 23rd Street. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
34. [Little Island](https://ourplayday.com/places/little-island-new-york) (attraction, New York). Your kid can explore winding paths and boulder scrambles, then find free morning play or performances when scheduled. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
35. [Pier 84 at Hudson River Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/pier-84-at-hudson-river-park-new-york) (park, New York). Your kid can experiment at the interactive fountain in warm weather and picnic on the pier lawn. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).
36. [The Met 81st Street Studio](https://ourplayday.com/places/the-met-81st-street-studio-new-york) (attraction, New York). Your kid can play music on a marimba, experiment with light and try hands-on art materials. Confirmed: free to enter (Play Day, September 2026).

## About this list

Every place here is a listing on Play Day, and a place is listed only when something positive is known about it for kids. Each listing carries the kid facts (high chairs, changing tables, kids' menus, wheelchair access) with the source and month of each. A list needs at least three places to exist.

Page: https://ourplayday.com/places/in/new-york/free-to-visit. All of New York: https://ourplayday.com/places/in/new-york