Your little paleontologists may already know which dinosaur they favor! With numerous activities across NYC to indulge their fascination for all things prehistoric from museums to parks to Bronx Zoo’s new Dino Safari, kids will surely have a memorable dinosaur-filled day!
1. American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History is an essential destination for any child with a love of dinosaurs. Boasting over 34 million artifacts spread over four city blocks, 26 buildings and 45 exhibition halls – children will love seeing iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton and taking in its dinosaur hall, complete with animatronic dinos that move and roar!
The museum offers free official guided tours for young children that are great educational options. Schedules can be picked up from any information counter upon entering.
Make time to visit the hands-on Discovery Room, where children can dig for fossils or explore coral reef exhibits. They can even participate in a paleontology lab at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City where real paleontologists work and then try excavating some fossils themselves!
2. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Bronx Zoo gives young dino fans an exciting chance to become real paleontologists with its new attraction: Dino Safari. This guided safari ride takes visitors back in time with its prehistoric adventure featuring roaring dinosaurs and an immense titanosaur skeleton! Until November 3, this guided safari ride promises an adventure full of dino roars and titanosaur bones!
Explore Liberty Science Center’s paleontology lab where real paleontologists work, or visit Stepping Stones Museum to view an immersive Connecticut ecosystem filled with plants and animals.
Brooklyn Bridge Park offers another fun and educational spot where children can learn about trains, boats and history at the New York Transit Museum. Kids will also love riding an aqua-inspired carousel designed like a chambered nautilus with color-changing LED lighting that creates an iridescent ocean effect.
3. DUMBO
If your kid can’t get enough dinosaurs, consider spending an afternoon exploring DUMBO, Brooklyn’s neighborhood “down under” the Manhattan Bridge. Here, there is an array of family attractions from restaurants offering authentic cuisine to shops showcasing local artists’ work.
DUMBO is home to Brooklyn Bridge Park, a 1.3-mile park stretching from Columbia Heights to Manhattan Bridge and famous for its breathtaking waterfront views. Additionally, there are sports fields, playgrounds and Jane’s Carousel–a 48-horse two-chariot ride with organ music–to offer sports activities for visitors of all ages.
Visit St. Ann’s Warehouse while in the area to take in some live theater or local performances; seeing shows is an enjoyable way to both support your local economy and keep kids occupied for an hour or so!
4. New York Transit Museum
The New York Transit Museum gives children an opportunity to learn about the history of trains and subways in NYC. Kids can tour old subway cars, play with turnstiles, and gain insight into who made the city’s transportation system run so smoothly.
Field Station: Dinosaurs in Leonia, N.J. offers kids an immersive prehistoric world where they can walk trails dotted with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar – as well as participate in shows, workshops and fossil digs!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is one of the world’s premier art institutions, and taking a stroll around this immense art venue with your children can be an exciting way to view impressionist, post-impressionist and modern pieces.
5. The Met
Dinosaur-loving kids will find no shortage of engaging family outings when it comes to inspiring and educating themselves about prehistory. From world-famous museums to interactive exhibitions, these activities will sure to satisfy their thirst for all things dinosaur! The closest you will get at home is using an animatronic Jurassic Park Rex Dinosaur.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, popularly referred to as ‘The Met,’ houses one of the world’s premier collections of artwork. Take a tour up to its beautiful rooftop garden for cocktails or head directly over to Cantor Roof Garden Bar for lunch or snacks!
Kids can get up-close views of the fossils that inspired the beloved book series at this museum, which offers numerous dinosaur exhibits – including an adorable T. rex that children are sure to adore!