Located on the Upper West Side of New York City, the Children's Museum of Manhattan offers fun, educational activities and exhibits for families. Popular permanent exhibits include a PlayWorks center for babies and toddlers and an interactive ancient Greece exhibit for older children. If you visit on April 2, you can catch the museum's hands-on "Wizard of Oz" exhibit, which runs until May 8, 2011. The exhibit invites kids to trace Dorothy's steps down the yellow brick road as they learn math, science, music and other important lessons along the way.
In addition to learning about the many species of wild animals housed at the Bronx Zoo, kids will enjoy joining Dora and Diego from "Dora the Explorer" as they protect the animals of the rainforest. The show combines 3-D film with effects like mist, wind and forest scents for a rich theatrical experience. The air-conditioned indoor theater will give your and your kids time to rest after a day spent watching animal feedings and exploring the many outdoor exhibits the zoo has to offer.
Venture to Brooklyn to catch a production of Alice in Wonderland at the Puppetworks theater. Watch as marionettes reenact the events of Lewis Carroll's classic novel. Kids will appreciate the lively original songs and vibrant sets inspired by the illustrations of John Tenniel. At $7 per child as of March 2011, parents will love that admission to the show costs less than a Manhattan movie ticket. Alice in Wonderland runs every Saturday at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. through April 17, 2011.
One of the most popular destinations in New York City for kids is Manhattan's backyard--Central Park. Occupying 843 acres between 59th Street and 110th Street, the park offers an abundance of public playgrounds, carousels and street entertainment. Kids especially enjoy the Central Park Zoo, home of Gus the polar bear and a special snow leopard exhibit. After the zoo, take your kids to the park's Belvedere Castle exhibit where they can learn about the history of the park's replica castle and grab a free birdwatching kit.
