Located in midtown Manhattan, the Sony Wonder Technology Lab is a learning and entertainment center featuring hands-on technology exhibits. Children can visit more than 20 interactive exhibits that include Signal Station, an exhibit detailing how information is digitized, transmitted and received; and Robot Zone, where kids can program robots that are equipped with light and touch sensors to perform basic tasks. The center also offers a 73-seat, high-definition theater featuring regular screenings of movies for kids and adults alike. The Sony Wonder Technology Lab is open every day except Mondays and admission is free of charge.
Uptown Manhattan offers families the Children's Museum of Manhattan, a play and learning destination open since 1973. The museum houses a range of age-specific exhibits, including PlayWorks, a dragon-themed exhibit designed for children from birth to four years old; and the Adventures with Dora and Diego exhibit for children ages two to six. The museum also features several rotating exhibits for children of all ages, including the Wizard of Oz exhibit, where children can follow a yellow brick road through such areas as Muchkinland and see math and music displays. Admission to the museum is free the first Friday of each month and $10 all other times. The museum is closed on Mondays.
The Central Park Zoo is located in the middle of picturesque Central Park, one of the city's most well-known attractions. Visitors to the zoo can see more than 150 species of animals from around the world showcased in such exhibits as Polar Circle, an outdoor polar bear pool; and Tropic Zone, a walk-through rainforest habitat. Also included in admission to the zoo is the Tisch Children's Zoo, an interactive zoo where kids can feed grain to goats, sheep and alpacas; climb inside giant bird eggs and tortoise shells; and pet barn animals. Admission is free for children under three, $7 for children three to twelve and $12 for adults. The zoo is open 365 days a year.
The Children's Museum of the Arts is located in downtown New York. The museum houses a permanent collection of more than 2,000 paintings and drawings of children's art from around the world, as well as rotating exhibits by such artists as Herb Williams, known for his sculptures made completely from Crayola crayons. The museum also features special events year round, such as the annual Valentine's Day event, where children can create their own cards and paintings, get face paintings and eat treats. The admission fee for the museum is voluntary every Thursday and $10 all other times. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
