Yes, the city is expensive. No, you don't have to spend a dime to have a great day.

23 Free Things To Do With Kids in NYC

Every one of these costs nothing to walk into. Snacks and the subway are on you.

Parks & playgrounds (1-7)

Heckscher Playground, Central Park — the biggest playground in the park, sprinklers all summer.
Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park — five themed play zones including Slide Mountain and the Water Lab.
Domino Park, Williamsburg — sugar refinery play structure, splash pad, skyline views.
Teardrop Park, Battery Park City — sand pit and a giant slide built into a rock wall.
Ancient Playground, 5th Ave & 85th — pyramids and obelisks themed to the Met.
Hunters Point South Park, LIC — modern equipment and the best skyline view in the city.
Astoria Park, Queens — huge open space under the Hellgate Bridge.

Bronx Museum of the Arts — always free.
Federal Hall — where Washington was inaugurated; free and quick.
Hamilton Grange, Harlem — small but mighty, and the rangers are great with kids.
National Museum of the American Indian, Bowling Green — always free.
Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island — free harbor views under the Verrazzano.
Brooklyn Museum — pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents; kids under 19 always free.

City splash pads — nearly every neighborhood has one, on from late June through Labor Day.
Free NYC Parks outdoor pools — bring a lock; no cutoffs allowed.
Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk — free sand and free people-watching.
Rockaway Beach — free, and the A train gets you there.

Naumburg Bandshell summer concerts, Central Park.
Lincoln Center outdoor plaza events and the fountain kids can't resist.
The High Line — elevated park with art, water features and peek-a-boo windows.
Staten Island Ferry — free, 25 minutes, the Statue of Liberty out the right side.
Brooklyn Bridge walk — start on the Brooklyn side to keep the skyline in front of you.
Grand Central's Whispering Gallery — stand in opposite corners and talk to the wall. Free magic.