What to Do With Kids When Its Raining in NYC

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Don’t think you have to stop the fun if it rains while you’re on your family vacation to NYC. The city offers plenty of indoor activities that will keep your kids entertained, learning, and engaged while staying dry. From iconic toy stores to immersive museums and one of America’s largest malls, there’s no shortage of exciting indoor options for families to enjoy.

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As one of the local NYC Expereince Designers here at Khonsu, I help plan exciting itineraries for families visiting NYC. Those visiting in Spring often want indoor options to entertain their kids in the event it rains. Here are some of the museums, toy stores, and interactive attractions I recommend to these families.

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So here goes … a list of the top things to do with kids in NYC when it rains!

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Fun & Educational Museums

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Your kids could easily spend an entire day exploring the world-class Metropolitan Museum of Art. The massive museum is home to a rich collection of masterpieces, from breathtaking paintings to ancient artifacts, making it a cultural treasure for all ages. To make the experience engaging for younger visitors, the museum offers family-focused tours, DIY scavenger hunts, and the Met’s free downloadable guides designed specifically for kids.

Try not to miss the Met’s brand-new 81st Street Studio, a hands-on play space for kids ages 3-11. Your kids will get to experiment with materials like wood, metal, and clay and explore interactive stations to create drums, digital woodblock prints, and sound and light objects inspired by The Met collection. 

Pick up a free Family Field Guide to become a Met Field Scientist, and embark on an adventure through the galleries, collecting stickers and earning a Field Scientist button at the end!

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Local Tip:

At 2 million square feet, the MET is too big to fully cover in one day. We recommend doing the dedicated kids programs, the excellent Egyptian displays and the entertaining costumes room. Finding planning your trip overwhelming? Use our local expertise to your advantage and quickly get a custom itinerary your whole family will enjoy

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American Museum of Natural History

With mesmerizing collections like the world’s most extensive collections of dinosaur fossils, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) has captivated kids for generations. Its exhibits include the Hall of Human Origins, the Hall of Biodiversity, and the life-size blue whale model in the Hall of Ocean Life. 

The new Gilder Center addition offers family favorites like an insectarium, an immersive Invisible Worlds experience, and a Butterfly Vivarium, making AMNH the ideal way to spend rainy days in NYC

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Local Tip:

If it rains the whole day, hop on over to the nearby New York Historical Museum, where fascinating exhibits like ancient NYC fashion and photographs, along with the interactive Discovery Center will give you even more hours of indoor fun.

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Sloomoo Institute

The Sloomoo Institute is a must for a one-of-a-kind sensory experience. Kids can design their own slime at the 150-foot DIY bar and play with 30 different slime vats. Additional highlights include the ASMR tunnel and brain-tracking activities, ensuring hours of creative, hands-on fun that’s perfect for a rainy day.

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Local Tip:

This fun museum always has something new going on. For 2025, they have slime-making classes that are equal parts fun and science. It’s impossible to stay up-to-date on the newest attractions in NYC if you don’t live here. Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest news on event openings and more

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Museum Of Illusions

The exciting Museum of Illusions challenges the senses in ways your kids won’t soon forget. From walking through a tilted room to experiencing the Vortex Tunnel, kids will love the mind-bending optical illusions. Located in Chelsea, this interactive museum is both entertaining and educational, making it an ideal stop for families looking to spend time indoors

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Local Tip:

‍Have lunch in Chelsea Market after your museum visit. With a wide variety of cuisines and indoor eateries, it’s an excellent place for lunch on a rainy day while in NYC

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MoMath

Discover the beauty of math in action at MoMath’s more than 30 interactive exhibits. Highlights include the Wall of Fire, a laser wall that reveals surprising shapes, and Math Square, a dynamic floor display that shifts paths as you move. Kids can also design 3D sculptures to print and tackle puzzles at the Enigma Café.

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Local Tip:

Head to the nearby Harry Potter Shop or Escape Room NYC for more indoor fun (both are about 5 minutes away). You can map these (or other attractions you want to visit) with our free day planner if you need help grouping activities in a logical order.

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Spyscape Museum

Let your kids channel their inner spies at Spyscape. From cracking codes and navigating laser tunnels to exploring real spy gadgets like the Enigma machine and a U2 spy plane camera, it’s an action-packed adventure. Interactive missions and a James Bond exhibit immerse visitors in the thrilling world of espionage.

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Color Factory

You don’t need to wait for the rain to stop to see a rainbow at the Color Factory! This interactive museum offers a splash of color with exhibits that engage all the senses. Kids and adults alike can explore NYC’s colorful spirit through tactile displays, tasting stations, and fun facts about color science. Finish it off with a dive into the blue ball pit for a playful, unforgettable experience, no matter the weather.

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Local Tip:

This is a perfect rainy day activity for your family if you have kids of varying ages. Teens will love the desserts and whimsical photo ops, while younger kids will enjoy the huge ball pit and confetti room.

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Indoor Activities in Times Square

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See a Broadway Show

Escape the rain and experience the magic of Broadway with family-friendly shows like Disney’s The Lion King or the iconic Wicked. Perfect for indoor fun, these performances offer an unforgettable experience for all ages. For more ideas, check out our guide to the best Broadway shows for kids.

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Local Tip:

‍If you plan on having dinner after your show, thoroughly research the restaurants around Broadway before settling on one. Many aren’t kid-friendly, so planning is needed to find a suitable one. Short on time? We build amazing custom guides for families visiting NYC.

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Bowlero Times Square

Take your whole family to experience bowling at its highest level at this unique indoor space in Times Square. Black lights, big video walls, and 50 lanes guarantee hours of fun while it rains. The massive space also has an arcade with classic games, and the seven bowling lounges, each inspired by a famous NYC neighborhood, provide a unique atmosphere.

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Local Tip:

‍Bowlero is best for a daytime visit. Come evenings, the bar can get a bit lively with adult action

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Rise NY

RiseNY is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a rainy day activity that’s educational and fun. The heady attraction combines NYC history and thrilling experiences. After watching a film on the city’s cultural impact, visitors explore themed galleries featuring iconic items like Bruce Springsteen's guitar. The adventure ends with a simulated flight over NYC landmarks, where visitors "soar" in motion seats, enhanced by mist, scents, and a lively soundtrack

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Local Tip:

‍Combine a visit to Rise with bowling at Bowlero (above). The attractions are only 3 minutes apart so you can easily travel between the two on a rainy day. Also nearby are the Broadway Museum and a few shows.

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Dave & Busters Times Square

Located on the third floor overlooking Times Square, Dave & Buster’s is a flagship location of the popular American barcade chain, known nationwide for its family-friendly entertainment. The venue features a mix of classic arcade games like Skee-Ball and virtual reality simulators, along with a full bar, restaurant, and life-sized sculptures of NYC pop culture icons. It's a great spot for families or groups to unwind, play games, and enjoy some light-hearted competition while grabbing a bite or drink.

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Other Great Rainy Day Ideas

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American Dream Mall

Located just across the river in New Jersey, American Dream Mall is a massive entertainment hub easily accessible from Manhattan via a direct bus from Port Authority. Known as America’s second-largest mall, this family-friendly destination features a Nickelodeon amusement park, an indoor ski slope, a water park, an aquarium, and a Legoland Discovery Center. With hundreds of retail shops and numerous attractions, it offers an exciting escape for visitors of all ages, making it a top choice for a rainy day adventure.

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Local Tip:

Arm yourself with a map so you don’t get lost while walking between all the fun things to do in this larger-than-life mall

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F.A.O. Schwarz

FAO Schwarz is an iconic toy store located inside Rockefeller Plaza. This 20,000-square-foot destination features a variety of interactive experiences, including magic shows, toy demos, and a giant piano that kids can play. With its fun atmosphere and classic features like life-sized toy soldiers and the clock tower, it’s an ideal stop for families looking for a blend of nostalgia and entertainment, and a great way to step out of the rain in Rockefeller Centre

Local Tip:

‍Combine a visit to this iconic toy store with a trip to the Lego Store below. Or to Nintendo New York, also below. All three stores call Rockefeller Center home so it will be easy to move between them on a rainy day.

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The Lego Store 5th Avenue

Also located near Rockefeller Center, the LEGO Store on 5th Avenue is a 3,535-square-foot wonderland filled with creative inspiration for young builders. The store features incredible LEGO murals and models of iconic NYC landmarks, including an 8-foot Statue of Liberty.

Other fun things your kids can enjoy include the Pick-A-Brick station, the design your own Minifigures, and the play areas. Meanwhile, the adults parents can relax in the lounge area complete with oversized couches!

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Nintendo New York

Nintendo New York, located in Rockefeller Plaza, is a two-story store dedicated to gaming fans of all ages. The flagship store features a massive 15-foot gaming screen and plenty of interactive stations where visitors can try out the latest Nintendo games. With exclusive merchandise and larger-than-life photo ops, it’s an exciting stop for both casual players and die-hard Nintendo enthusiasts.

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Local Tip:

‍This Nintendo Store is one of only two in the U.S so it’s a ’must’ whether it’s rainy or not. You’ll be in the excellent Rockefeller Center area if you visit so plan your day beforehand if you want to fully explore sights like Above the Rock Observatory, Radio City, The Rockefeller Tree -- and more. Use our free planner to smoothly map them all before you go!

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Macy’s Herald Square / Toys R Us

For a fun, rainy day stop, head to the Toys "R" Us on the seventh floor of Macy’s Herald Square. This 14,000-square-foot space features interactive activities like a city-themed playground, train tables, and a Lite-Brite Wall. You’ll also find a Lego model of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and whimsical Geoffrey the Giraffe displays. It's a perfect spot for kids in between exploring the rest of the historic department store.

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Local Tip:

Midtown, where Toys R Us is located, is home to many of NYC’s popular attractions. One of our local NYC Experience Designers can design a custom travel guide so your family has only good memories of your vacation and none of the headaches!Plan your vacation the easy way now

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Our team of Experience Designers share local insight through customized guides. Each guide is built with a 3-step process gathering your feedback at each step:

Step 1: Bucket your must-see attractions 

Step 2: Add in restaurants, rooftops & other hidden gems 

Step 3: Create a custom map and provide transportation tips, so you know the best way to navigate the city. 

Click here to have our team tailor your New York trip itinerary today or check out a few of our sample plans here.

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