Indoor play in NYC for rainy and freezing days
15 places in New York where kids can run, climb and shout with a roof overhead, from free library play rooms to paid play spaces, with prices and hours where they're published.
The short answer
Our list has 15 indoor play spots across the city. Free ones include Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) children's center, Harlem Library children's room, Park Slope Library children's room and Children's Library Discovery Center. Paid play spaces often need booking in winter and on school breaks, so check the official page first.
Every New York parent knows the day: sideways rain, a wind off the river that could strip paint, and a small person who has already bounced off every surface in the apartment. This is the list for that day. Some are free, some are not cheap, and the busy ones fill up fast on wet weekends, so the earlier the better.
Manhattan
Children's Museum of Manhattan (PlayWorks)
CMOM's own page describes PlayWorks as a dedicated space for the youngest visitors, with daily programs for ages 0 to 4. The whole museum is aimed at ages 0 to 6, so it is a poor choice for the seven-year-old and a good one for the three-year-old. Tickets are cheaper online, and I'd book ahead on a rainy weekend.
- Where
- Upper West Side
- Ages
- 0 to 6 (PlayWorks programs for 0 to 4)
- Price
- $18 in person; $1 off when booked online; check the page for senior and infant pricing
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm
- Subway
- 1 to 79 St (not accessible), about 0.2 mi; also 1 to 86 St (not accessible), about 0.2 mi
- Stroller
- CMOM has a Strollers section on its plan your visit page; check it before you go.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) children's center
NYPL's page describes SNFL's new dedicated centers for children and teens. A Midtown library with a children's center is a handy backup when rain has wrecked the Bryant Park plan. Mommy Poppins describes the children's center as colorful with a massive rainbow couch, which is an accurate description of what will become a toddler's favorite object.
- Where
- Midtown
- Ages
- Children (the library has a dedicated children's center)
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Monday to Thursday 8am to 9pm, Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm
- Subway
- 4/5/6/7/S to Grand Central-42 St (accessible), about 0.1 mi; also B/D/F/M/7 to 5 Av (not accessible), about 0.1 mi
- Stroller
- Not stated on the page; check the NYPL branch page for accessibility.
- Nearest accessible station
- Grand Central-42 St (S), 0.1 mile, about a 3-minute walk
Harlem Library children's room
Mommy Poppins describes a separate children's room on the second floor with toys and games, plus story times and STEAM events. Free, central and open Sundays from 1pm, which is useful. Check the elevator situation before you commit with a stroller.
- Where
- Harlem
- Ages
- Children
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Monday to Thursday 11am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm
- Subway
- 2/3 to 125 St (not accessible), about 0.2 mi; also 4/5/6 to 125 St (accessible), about 0.3 mi
- Stroller
- Not stated on the page; check the NYPL branch page.
- Nearest accessible station
- 125 St (4/5/6), 0.3 mile, about a 7-minute walk
Brooklyn
Good Day Play Cafe
A cafe with a play space attached, for the 0 to 6 crowd, where you book a two-hour session and the grown-ups get coffee. The venue recommends reserving and says walk-ins are welcome if a session has room. Socks are required for adult and child, so pack spares, because somebody always loses one.
- Where
- Park Slope
- Ages
- 0 to 6
- Price
- $28.34 for one child for a 2-hour open play session; up to 2 adults per child; sibling prices are lower
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 5pm in sessions (10am to 12pm, 12:30pm to 2:30pm, 3pm to 5pm); weekend hours can change around parties
- Subway
- R to Prospect Av (not accessible), about 0.2 mi; also R/F/G to 4 Av-9 St (not accessible), about 0.4 mi
- Stroller
- Not stated on the venue's pages; ring ahead (347-799-1152) if you are bringing a stroller.
Twinkle Playspace
Twinkle describes custom-built exhibits that feel more like a children's museum than a playground, for the 6 and under crowd. Socks are required for children and adults. Older siblings aged 7 to 17 are not allowed in during open play, so it is a no for the seven-year-old and a yes for the four-year-old, and you should plan the split.
- Where
- Williamsburg
- Ages
- 6 and under only
- Price
- $23 per child, $15 per adult; 1 adult per 3 kids; siblings 12 months or younger do not need a ticket
- Hours
- Open play sessions such as 10am to 12pm, 12:30pm to 2:30pm and 3pm to 5pm; check the booking page for the day
- Subway
- L to Graham Av (not accessible), about 0.2 mi; also L/G to Lorimer St (accessible), about 0.4 mi
- Stroller
- Not stated on the page; check with the venue.
- Nearest accessible station
- Lorimer St (L), 0.4 mile, about a 7-minute walk
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Three floors of interactive exhibits, per the museum's site, with Totally Tots as the toddler favorite. It is a museum rather than a pure play space, so it earns its place here for a wet day with a child under about eight. Parks' Brower Park Playground is next door for the dry spells.
- Where
- Crown Heights
- Ages
- 6 months to 10 years
- Price
- $15 per person (discounted admission for partners)
- Hours
- Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, closed Monday and Tuesday; no entry after 4:50pm
- Subway
- 3 to Kingston Av (not accessible), about 0.4 mi; also C to Kingston-Throop Avs (not accessible), about 0.4 mi
- Stroller
- Not stated on the visit page; check the museum's Know Before You Go page.
Park Slope Library children's room
A big children's section, which Mommy Poppins says takes up almost half the first floor. It is a library, not a play gym, so bring a book and low expectations about volume. Hours vary day to day (Tuesday opens at 1pm), which is worth a check before you walk over.
- Where
- Park Slope
- Ages
- Children (kids' space takes up almost half the first floor, per Mommy Poppins)
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Monday 10am to 6pm, Tuesday 1pm to 8pm, Wednesday 10am to 6pm, Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm
- Subway
- F/G to 7 Av (accessible), about 0.2 mi; also R/F/G to 4 Av-9 St (not accessible), about 0.3 mi
- Stroller
- Not stated on the page; check the branch page.
- Nearest accessible station
- 7 Av (F/G), 0.2 mile, about a 4-minute walk
Queens
Kids Fun House
A Ridgewood indoor play center with open play sessions you can walk into or book. The pricing is simple: adults are free up to two per child, and the extra grown-up pays $10. Sessions change day to day, so look at the calendar before you head over, because a closed door on a rainy day is nobody's idea of fun.
- Where
- Ridgewood
- Ages
- Children; the open play page does not state an age range, so check the site
- Price
- Tuesday to Friday $17 per child, 2 adults free, each additional adult $10; Saturday, Sunday and holidays $22 per child, 2 adults free, each additional adult $10
- Hours
- Open play sessions are listed on the calendar at kidsfunhouse.com (for example a Sunday session 10am to 12pm on October 4)
- Subway
- M to Fresh Pond Rd (not accessible), about 0.3 mi; also M to Forest Av (not accessible), about 0.5 mi
- Stroller
- Not stated on the page; call (718) 418-5437.
Children's Library Discovery Center
Queens Public Library says the Discovery Center has hands-on interactive exhibits and learning labs for children aged 3 to 12, run by a Discovery Team. It is free, which makes it one of the best rain-day answers in the borough, though it is a learning space rather than a run-around gym. Call ahead for program times.
- Where
- Jamaica
- Ages
- 3 to 12
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Central Library hours: Monday to Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm
- Subway
- F to 169 St (not accessible), about 0.2 mi; also F to Parsons Blvd (not accessible), about 0.5 mi
- Stroller
- Central Library is listed as wheelchair accessible; stroller access is not described on the page.
Hunters Point Library
A Long Island City library with dedicated children's reading areas and water views of Manhattan, per Mommy Poppins. Queens Public Library lists it as the Hunters Point Library and Environmental Education Center. It is a quiet room rather than a play space, so treat it as a rainy-day reset between playground trips.
- Where
- Long Island City
- Ages
- Children (dedicated children's reading areas, per Mommy Poppins)
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Sunday 12pm to 5pm, Monday 10am to 6pm, Tuesday 1pm to 6pm, Wednesday 10am to 6pm, Thursday 12pm to 8pm, Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm
- Subway
- 7 to Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av (not accessible), about 0.3 mi; also G to 21 St (not accessible), about 0.4 mi
- Stroller
- The branch is listed as wheelchair accessible; stroller access is not described on the page.
The Bronx
Bronx Children's Museum
The Bronx Children's Museum sits on the second floor of the Parks Powerhouse Building at the north end of Mill Pond Park, with the entrance on the Harlem River side. It has strict adult-to-child ratios, and the museum closes for a break at 1pm on some days, which is worth knowing before you arrive at 12:55.
- Where
- Mill Pond Park, South Bronx
- Ages
- Young children; the museum asks for one adult for every three children
- Price
- Children $8, adults $14, seniors $10; children under 1 free
- Hours
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Wednesday and Friday 10am to 1pm (the museum's pages show seasonal hours, so check before you go)
- Subway
- 4/2/5 to 149 St-Hostos (accessible), about 0.2 mi; also 3 to 145 St (not accessible), about 0.3 mi
- Stroller
- Not stated; the museum is on the second floor of Parks' Powerhouse Building, so ask about the elevator.
- Nearest accessible station
- 149 St-Hostos (4), 0.2 mile, about a 3-minute walk
Kingsbridge Library children's room
Mommy Poppins describes a spacious, bright children's space with soft flooring and bean bag chairs. NYPL's page says Kingsbridge is now open on Sundays, which makes it one of the few free options that late in the week. A quiet library room, not a gym.
- Where
- Kingsbridge
- Ages
- Children
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Monday to Thursday 10am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm
- Subway
- 1 to 231 St (accessible), about 0.2 mi; also 1 to Marble Hill-225 St (not accessible), about 0.4 mi
- Stroller
- Not stated on the page; check the NYPL branch page.
- Nearest accessible station
- 231 St (1), 0.2 mile, about a 4-minute walk
Staten Island
Little Sharks Playground
An approximately 4,000 square foot indoor playground on Staten Island's South Shore for ages 1 to 11, with a toddler area for the younger ones. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, which is the sort of detail you only learn once, so I have put it here. Good for a freezing day when the ferry plans have collapsed.
- Where
- Charleston, Staten Island
- Ages
- 1 to 11, with a dedicated toddler area
- Price
- 2 hours $30 per child; 3 hours $36 per child; additional adults (12+) $10 each; groups of 8+ children get $5 off per child
- Hours
- Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm
- Subway
- Staten Island has no subway. Nearest Staten Island Railway (SIR) station: Richmond Valley (not accessible), about 1.4 mi. A bus or car is usually easier.
- Stroller
- Not stated on the page; call (718) 612-5867.
Staten Island Children's Museum
On the Snug Harbor grounds, with hands-on exhibits including Pets & People, Sea of Boats and Portia's Playhouse, a fully outfitted stage. The Great Explorations exhibit is currently closed and a new Explore Staten Island exhibit is listed as launching in October 2026, so check before you go. It is a ferry ride and a bus away, so it makes a decent long day.
- Where
- Snug Harbor, Staten Island
- Ages
- 1 and up
- Price
- $10 for adults and children; under 1 free; members free
- Hours
- Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; members-only hour Wednesday to Friday 9am to 10am
- Subway
- Staten Island has no subway. Nearest Staten Island Railway (SIR) station: Tompkinsville (not accessible), about 1.5 mi. A bus or car is usually easier.
- Stroller
- Not stated on the page; see the museum's accessibility page (sichildrensmuseum.org/accessible/).
Charleston Library children's area
NYPL's page describes this 10,000 square foot branch as having areas for adults, children and teens, and calls it the newest NYPL branch. Mommy Poppins mentions play tables and a magnet letter wall in the children's area. It is a library, so bring a book, and note it is closed on Sundays.
- Where
- Charleston, Staten Island
- Ages
- Children
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Monday to Thursday 10am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, closed Sunday
- Subway
- Staten Island has no subway. Nearest Staten Island Railway (SIR) station: Richmond Valley (not accessible), about 1.1 mi. A bus or car is usually easier.
- Stroller
- Not stated on the page; check the NYPL branch page.
Get the weekend email
Free, one short email a week. Thursday, 7am: the weather call, one proper day out and the family events worth leaving the apartment for this weekend, checked with the organizer. See the archive.
- Thursday, 7am: the weather call for the weekend, made for you.
- One proper day out: with the subway stop, the stroller verdict and where the restrooms are.
- The family events worth it: each one checked with the organizer and linked, famous and lesser known side by side.
No spam, no ads. Unsubscribe from any email with one click. Privacy
Questions people ask
Where can kids play indoors for free in NYC?
Free options on our list include Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) children's center, Harlem Library children's room, Park Slope Library children's room, Children's Library Discovery Center, Hunters Point Library, Kingsbridge Library children's room and Charleston Library children's area. Hours change, so check before you go.
Do I need to book indoor play spaces in NYC?
Many paid play spaces sell timed sessions and fill up on rainy weekends and school breaks. Each listing links to the official page, where you can check.
Sources
- Children's Museum of Manhattan (PlayWorks): cmom.org
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) children's center: nypl.org
- Harlem Library children's room: nypl.org
- Good Day Play Cafe: gooddayplaycafe.com
- Twinkle Playspace: twinkleplayspace.com
- Brooklyn Children's Museum: brooklynkids.org
- Park Slope Library children's room: bklynlibrary.org
- Kids Fun House: kidsfunhouse.com
- Children's Library Discovery Center: queenslibrary.org
- Hunters Point Library: queenslibrary.org
- Bronx Children's Museum: bxcm.org
- Kingsbridge Library children's room: nypl.org
- Little Sharks Playground: littlesharksplayground.com
- Staten Island Children's Museum: sichildrensmuseum.org
- Charleston Library children's area: nypl.org