Things To Do With Kids in Queens

Queens has more space, shorter lines and better food than anywhere else on this list.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

1. New York Hall of Science — hands-on everything; the outdoor Science Playground is worth the extra ticket. Closed August 31 through September 15, 2026 and reopening September 16.
2. Queens Zoo — small, easy loop, sea lions on a schedule.
3. Queens Botanical Garden — free hours midweek in the off-season.
4. Unisphere fountain — kids run laps around it for an hour, free.
5. Queens Museum — the Panorama of the City of New York is a jaw-dropper for ages 5+.

Long Island City & Astoria

6. Hunters Point South Park — modern playground and the best skyline view in NYC.
7. Gantry Plaza State Park — the piers, the Pepsi sign, and lots of stroller room.
8. Museum of the Moving Image — animation, video games, movie-magic demos.
9. Astoria Park — huge lawns under the Hellgate Bridge and a giant public pool.
10. Socrates Sculpture Park — free outdoor art kids can walk around and through.
11. Noguchi Museum — quiet, short, and free for kids.

Rockaways & the beaches

12. Rockaway Beach — the A train and the ferry both get you there; concessions at 97th.
13. Jacob Riis Park — bathhouse, wide sand, easier parking than the Rockaways.
14. Fort Tilden — quieter beach, longer walk from parking, worth it with older kids.

Farms, trains and treats

15. Queens County Farm Museum — real working farm, hayrides and a corn maze in fall.
16. Alley Pond Park Adventure Course and the giant tulip tree trail.
17. Flushing food crawl — dumplings, scallion pancakes, bubble tea; kids love the picking.
18. Voelker Orth Museum — tiny, sweet, and never crowded.

Know before you go

• The 7 train is elevated most of the way — a free ride with a view.
• Rockaway Ferry gets crowded by 10am on hot weekends; go early or go late.
• Queens County Farm is free to walk in; only the special events are ticketed.