# Things to do with kids on the Upper West Side, Manhattan (128) > 128 places and programs for kids in and around the Upper West Side, Manhattan (36 free): sports, playgrounds, music. Includes American Museum of Natural… URL: https://littlegotham.com/neighborhood/manhattan-upper-west-side/ [Home](https://littlegotham.com/) / [Manhattan](https://littlegotham.com/borough/manhattan/) / Upper West Side ## Things to do with kids on the Upper West Side, Manhattan 128 places and programs for kids in and around the Upper West Side, Manhattan (36 free): sports, playgrounds, music. Includes American Museum of Natural History and Bloomingdale School of Music. [Filter & map these](https://littlegotham.com/explore/?boro=Manhattan&nb=Upper+West+Side) 36 free 86 indoor ### By category Art 9 Dance 7 Gymnastics 7 Language 3 Libraries 2 Museums 5 Music 10 Nature 2 Playgrounds 26 Play spaces 3 Sports 33 STEM 7 Stores 3 Swimming 6 Theater 5 ### Nearby neighborhoods [Manhattan Valley](https://littlegotham.com/neighborhood/manhattan-manhattan-valley/) · [Carnegie Hill](https://littlegotham.com/neighborhood/manhattan-carnegie-hill/) · [Central Park](https://littlegotham.com/neighborhood/manhattan-central-park/) · [Lincoln Square](https://littlegotham.com/neighborhood/manhattan-lincoln-square/) · [Upper East Side](https://littlegotham.com/neighborhood/manhattan-upper-east-side/) · [Morningside Heights](https://littlegotham.com/neighborhood/manhattan-morningside-heights/) · [Columbus Circle](https://littlegotham.com/neighborhood/manhattan-columbus-circle/) · [Yorkville](https://littlegotham.com/neighborhood/manhattan-yorkville/) [American Museum of Natural History](https://littlegotham.com/activity/american-museum-of-natural-history/): Upper West Side Kids $22 The city s famous natural history museum, home to dinosaur skeletons, a life-size blue whale, gem halls and planetarium shows. Kids can explore dioramas, the Gilder Center s insectarium and butterfly vivarium, and hands-on discovery rooms. Ages 2–17 Daily Indoor [Bloomingdale School of Music](https://littlegotham.com/activity/bloomingdale-school-of-music/): Upper West Side $30 A neighborhood music school since 1964 offering early childhood classes, private lessons, group classes and ensembles, in person and online. All ages Indoor [Kaufman Music Center](https://littlegotham.com/activity/kaufman-music-center/): Upper West Side Price on site A music hub near Lincoln Center that houses the Lucy Moses School community arts classes, the Special Music School, and Merkin Hall. Families come for early childhood classes, lessons and kid-friendly concerts. Ages 1–17 Indoor [SwimJim Upper West Side - West End Ave](https://littlegotham.com/activity/swimjim-upper-west-side-west-end-ave/): Upper West Side $61.50 SwimJim A small neighborhood swim school in a building basement pool where babies, toddlers and children take group or private lessons. Infant classes include parent participation, and the pool is kept warm at 86-88 degrees. Ages 0+ Sat, Sun Indoor [Symphony Space Family Programs (Just Kidding)](https://littlegotham.com/activity/symphony-space-family-programs-just-kidding/): Upper West Side Price on site Symphony Space Symphony Space s family programming brings music, storytelling, dance and theater performances for kids to its Upper West Side stages. Check the Family filter on its calendar for current shows. Ages 2–12 Indoor [AoPS Academy Upper West Side](https://littlegotham.com/activity/aops-academy-upper-west-side/): Upper West Side Price on site Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Academy Motivated students take small after-school and weekend classes in advanced math problem solving, along with language arts, science and computer science. The focus is on deep conceptual understanding and collaborative problem-solving rather than memorization, and two-week summer camps are offered. Ages 6–17 Mon–Thu, Sun Indoor [Baby Fingers Sign & Song – Prenatal Yoga Center (UWS)](https://littlegotham.com/activity/baby-fingers-sign-song-prenatal-yoga-center-uws/): Upper West Side Price on site Baby Fingers Baby Fingers Sign & Song classes blend American Sign Language with songs and play, giving babies and toddlers a way to communicate before they can talk. Classes welcome both Deaf and hearing families. Ages 0–4 Wed Indoor [Children s Museum of Manhattan](https://littlegotham.com/activity/children-s-museum-of-manhattan/): Upper West Side Price on site A play-based museum where young children explore interactive exhibits about art, science, health and culture across several floors. Exhibits are built around early learning, making it a strong choice for babies through kindergartners. Ages 0–6 Tue–Sun Indoor [Color Me Mine Upper West Side](https://littlegotham.com/activity/color-me-mine-upper-west-side/): Upper West Side Price on site Color Me Mine A paint-your-own-pottery studio where kids pick a bisque piece, decorate it with glazes, and the staff fires it for pickup. Seasonal painting events and kids programs run throughout the year. Ages 1–17 Daily Indoor [DiMenna Children s History Museum at the New York Historical](https://littlegotham.com/activity/dimenna-children-s-history-museum-at-the-new-york-historical/): Upper West Side Kids $6 The New York Historical A kid-focused history space on the lower level of the New York Historical where children follow the stories of young New Yorkers from past centuries. Interactive displays, games and reading nooks turn visitors into history detectives. Ages 5–13 Tue–Sun Indoor [Harmony By Karate](https://littlegotham.com/activity/harmony-by-karate/): Upper West Side Price on site Children as young as 2 through teens learn karate blended with yoga, breathing exercises and mindfulness. Both small group sessions and 30-40 minute private lessons are offered, and instruction is adapted for kids with ADHD, autism and other special needs. Ages 2–17 Tue–Thu, Sun Indoor [Huntington Learning Center Upper West Side](https://littlegotham.com/activity/huntington-learning-center-upper-west-side/): Upper West Side Price on site Huntington Learning Center Students get one-on-one or small-group tutoring from certified tutors after an academic evaluation, with plans covering math, reading, writing, science and study skills. Older kids can prepare for SAT, ACT and other standardized tests. Ages 5–17 Mon–Thu, Sat Indoor [Little Shop of Crafts](https://littlegotham.com/activity/little-shop-of-crafts/): Upper West Side $25 Little Shop of Plaster and Pottery A walk-in Upper West Side craft studio where kids paint pottery and plaster, make mosaics, stuff their own plush animals, design T-shirts and mix slime. It also hosts classes and birthday parties. Ages 3–17 Daily Indoor [Lucy Moses School at Kaufman Music Center](https://littlegotham.com/activity/lucy-moses-school-at-kaufman-music-center/): Upper West Side Price on site Kaufman Music Center Kaufman Music Center s community school offers music, dance and theater classes and private lessons for kids at every level, starting with early childhood music. Ages 1–17 Indoor [Manhattan Karate NYC](https://littlegotham.com/activity/manhattan-karate-nyc/): Upper West Side Price on site Kids are grouped by age: Tiny Tigers (3-5) work on motor skills and listening, Youth Karate (6-8) builds focus and coordination, and Junior (9-12) and Teen (13-16) students learn kata, sparring and belt progression, with teens also taking on leadership and competition. Ages 3–16 Mon–Thu, Sat Indoor [Mathnasium of Upper West Side](https://littlegotham.com/activity/mathnasium-of-upper-west-side/): Upper West Side Price on site Mathnasium Kids get a personalized math plan after a diagnostic assessment, then work with instructors in small groups on the specific skills they need, from counting and fractions through algebra and SAT prep. Homework help is folded into the sessions. Ages 5–17 Daily Indoor [OMNE Martial Arts, Fitness & Wellness](https://littlegotham.com/activity/omne-martial-arts-fitness-wellness/): Upper West Side Price on site OMNE MMA A large multi-studio martial arts and fitness center that runs group martial arts classes and private lessons for kids starting at age 3\. The facility has five training studios and holds more than 100 classes a week across martial arts and fitness. Ages 3–17 Daily Indoor [Play Street Museum Upper West Side](https://littlegotham.com/activity/play-street-museum-upper-west-side/): Upper West Side Kids $10 Play Street Museum An indoor play space set up like a mini town, where kids ages 1–8 role-play in themed areas and explore sensory and creative play stations. Caregivers stay and play during reserved 90-minute sessions. Ages 1–8 Daily Indoor [PLAYDAY Art Studio - Upper West Side](https://littlegotham.com/activity/playday-art-studio-upper-west-side/): Upper West Side Price on site PLAYDAY A children s art studio on the Upper West Side offering drop-in hourly art classes, after-school programs and camps. Toddlers and caregivers can join a 90-minute Grown Up & Me art and sensory session on weekday mornings. Ages 1–10 Mon–Fri Indoor [Pro Reps Performance](https://littlegotham.com/activity/pro-reps-performance/): Upper West Side Price on site Pro Reps Performance Inc. An Upper West Side basketball training program offering individual coaching, group sessions, camps and competitive travel/AAU teams. All ages Daily Indoor [Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Upper West Side](https://littlegotham.com/activity/renzo-gracie-jiu-jitsu-upper-west-side/): Upper West Side Price on site Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Kids learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a grappling-only martial art with no striking, in three age groups: 3-5, 6-8 and 9-15\. The youngest group has short play-based 30-minute sessions, while older kids build technique in 45-minute classes offered seven days a week. Ages 3–15 Sat, Sun Indoor [Supermud Pottery Studio](https://littlegotham.com/activity/supermud-pottery-studio/): Upper West Side Price on site Supermud Pottery An Upper West Side ceramics studio with children s and parent-child pottery classes in hand-building and wheel-throwing. Kids make and glaze their own functional pieces in small groups. Ages 5–17 Tue–Sun Indoor [The Baseball Center NYC](https://littlegotham.com/activity/the-baseball-center-nyc/): Upper West Side Price on site An indoor baseball facility with batting cages where kids get private instruction, cage time and development programs. Younger children can attend summer camps, while teens can join combines and live at-bat training. Ages 4–17 Daily Indoor [The Fashion Class - Upper West Side](https://littlegotham.com/activity/the-fashion-class-upper-west-side/): Upper West Side Price on site The Fashion Class The West Side studio of The Fashion Class, where children learn to sew and design their own clothing and accessories. Classes, school-break camps and fashion birthday parties run year-round. Ages 2–17 Daily Indoor ### Quick answers How many places and programs for kids are there on the Upper West Side, Manhattan? LittleGotham lists 128 places and programs for kids on the Upper West Side, Manhattan. The largest groups are 33 sports programs, 26 playgrounds, 10 music programs. Are there free things to do for kids on the Upper West Side, Manhattan? Yes. 36 of 128 are free to attend, including Adventure Playground (Central Park), Barnes & Noble Upper West Side, Bloomingdale Library. What can kids do indoors on the Upper West Side, Manhattan on a rainy day? 86 listings are indoors, such as American Museum of Natural History, Bloomingdale School of Music, Kaufman Music Center. --- LittleGotham: things to do with kids in New York City. [Home](https://littlegotham.com/) · [Search](https://littlegotham.com/explore/) · [llms.txt](https://littlegotham.com/llms.txt) · [Sitemap](https://littlegotham.com/sitemap.xml) · [Open data (JSON)](https://littlegotham.com/data/activities.json)