Living in New York City is a wonderful experience. Being able to raise kids here and making it all it has to offer accessible to one’s children is also a wonderful experience. Though I appreciate this, I am well aware of how expensive it can be take part in all these activities with the kids in The Big Apple.
Luckily, there are still a few things throughout the city free of charge.
One such place is the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Every first Friday of the month they offer free admission to all from 5:00PM to 8:00PM.
I started getting the kids ready for the trip, scheduling it so that we would be there at least an hour. My husband was going to meet us there after work.
The train ride to the Upper West Side was a good one. It was right during rush hour, which made the trains crowded but reliable and speedy.
The evening was wonderful (a sign of the weekend to come), not too cold, with clear skies. The boys were very excited.
We arrived to the museum and my husband was already there waiting. Entry to the museum was free and there was a large group of people waiting. After a short stop at coat check the kids immediately ran towards the larger Trojan Horse on the first floor, part of the Gods, Myths & Mortals. The boys climbed into the horse and slid, jumped, crawled and climbed their way around, laughing the entire time.
The boys took some time to check out the interactive and kid-friendly displays throughout, running around to each one, stopping to admire and press buttons along the way.
Not too far off, they had a play area where most kids were playing and parents resting. This floor was very crowded, as can be expected on “free day”,and though I felt a little hot, my sons were having best time running and playing around.
It was funny to watch the closing time scene. Babies and toddlers, left and right, exhausted from so much play, overwhelmed from all that there was to see and resisting to leave, were crying, whining, and just being kids. Thus, when my own kids started doing the same, we just joined the corner of other parents with crying kids, while they put on their coats to head back out.
A little food helped to make it better.
(By the way, that is NOT soda the kids are drinking!!)
After filling their tummies and tempers cooled, we started making our way home, happier, sleepier, and thrilled that the trip had been so full of fun and laughter.
Beth
Hey looks like a good time. You are brave. I could never do that in the evening with my guys. But I would totally do it mid morning. I'm glad to see your blog bringing you new and fun opportunities!