Queens' Best Fun For Kids
Do you need some ideas of where to take the kids in Queens? At CBS New York, we've found the most fun places for you.
New York Hall of Science
www.nysci.org
47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368
(718) 699-0005
Science is fun at the New York Hall of Science! There are over 450 hands-on exhibits that invite children to touch and explore their world. Kids can do fun science-related art projects, enjoy live science theatre shows, and play mini golf at Rocket Park. We love the huge outdoor science playground, and the terrific Preschool Place - which has 22 hands-on exhibits, all in a playful environment. Consider getting a membership - even if you just make a few visits, it pays for itself (and will save you the $10 parking fee and you also get admission to more than 300 other museums). There are free hours on Fridays and Sunday morning, which will resume after the summer.
Queens Zoo
www.queenszoo.com
53-51 111th Street
Flushing, NY 11368-3301
(718) 271-1500
Sea Lions, Pumas, and Bears, oh my! Queens Zoo has all of those animals plus many more. You can also go bird-watching in the aviary. We love the fun barnyard petting zoo -- with giant rabbits, cows, and cashmere goats, as well as alpacas and lambs. Children will love playing at the Conservation Quest stations (which includes the Migration Playground, an endangered species climbing-wall, and an Invasive Species Station that features the Asian long-horned beetle). Did we mention that children under 3 are free? Membership to the Queens Zoo also includes membership to the Bronx Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and the NY Aquarium.
Juniper South Playground
www.nycgovparks.org/parks/junipervalleypark
Middle Village, New York 11379
If you have children under 5, you have to check out the new Juniper South Playground at Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village. This swamp-themed playground, referencing the park's early history as a swamp, features jungle gyms, swings, a toddler sized playhouse/puppet theater and a spray shower with a lily pad in the concrete pavement and a frog statue. Juniper South Playground in on the south side of the park where Juniper Boulevard South meets 72 Street.
Queens County Farm Museum
www.queensfarm.org
73-50 Little Neck Parkway
Floral Park, New York 11004-1129
(718) 347-3276
A farm in the middle of Queens? Open year-round, Queens County Farm Museum is the only working historical farm in NYC. The site includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles, planting fields, an orchard and herb garden. This is a favorite field trip choice for NYC schools and the children love petting the farm animals. Hayrides are offered on weekends from April through October and they host a lot of great family events during the fall. General Admission is free (except on special event days and for group visits).
Nancy Horn is a blogger with Mom in the City.
