Science is an extremely interesting topic and most kids are attracted to it from very early on, as they try to figure out how things work, even if that’s at somewhat basic level, so we wanted to check out 10 cool science and technology activities for NYC kids.
So what can you do around New York with your kid that’s interested in science and technology? Well, a great lot. In fact, you can probably do more here than in any other city in the world. There are so many cool places waiting to be discovered and you child is certainly looking forward to learning more about the world around them, whether that’s how various objects work, how robots move or what can be done to make the world a better place with the help of science and technology.
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If you want more than to take your kid to a program where they can learn this or that, you might even be interested in these 10 Science and STEM Camps For Kids in NYC, all of which are absolutely fabulous.
In order to create our list of cool science and technology activities for NYC kids, we put to work one of the greatest technological inventions – Google, and also one of the greatest databases of various courses and activities in New York City – Class Curious. We searched high and low for what kids interested in science and tech can do about New York, places they can visit to learn more and more, activities they can partake in. In the end, this is a sure way to get your child interested in these fields. Once we found a bunch of these activities, or more specifically, locations that provide such exciting programs for children, we handed out scores based on the people’s comments on them, and then we added extra points based on our impressions of the locations. In the end we came up with this list of 10 cool science and technology activities for NYC kids.
10. Science Barge
Score: 6
The Science Barge has been around since 2008 when it was bought by Groundwork Hudson Valley so it could be operated as an environmental education center. The cool thing about it is that the Barge gets all the energy it needs from solar panels, wind turbines, and biofuels. The barge holds a lot of produce, such as tomatoes, melons, peppers, eggplants and so on, all of which are irrigated by collected rainwater and purified river water.
The barge holds weekly educational programs hoping to teach kids about a lot of topics. It serves all school-age kids and the programs can be tailored by a group, especially if the school wants more students to partake.
Kids can further learn about biodiversity, botany, food footprint, all types of energy sources, STEM cells, river ecology and human impact, green design, and so on.
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9. ID Tech
Score: 16
Up next on our list of cool science and technology activities for NYC kids is ID Tech, where things are a little bit different because it’s not just a place where you visit on your free day. Instead, this place offers kids the chance to enjoy a very scientific urban camp. Depending on the age of you child, there are multiple camps being offered, either as half-day or full-day option and even overnight programs for older kids.
For kids ages 6 to 9, half-day camps start at $449 per week, while for kids ages 7 to 17 day camp costs $799 per week, with an additional $569/week adding the overnight program too.
They can learn about robotics, game design, partake in invention labs, programming, mobile game design, video production and so on.
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8. Engineering for Kids
Score: 16
Folks over at Engineering for Kids, the next one on the list of cool science and technology activities for NYC kids are looking to get children between 4 and 14 years old hooked to science, technology, engineering, and math. They run after-school programs, classes, camps, workshops and even birthday parties. There are even programs out there for home schooled students, in-school field trips and more.
Kids can learn about aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, game design, hardware, environmental or industrial engineering, robotics, and more, with each of these topics having plenty of courses available.
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7. BK Bots
Score: 16
Over at BK Bots, the number 7 on our list of cool science and technology activities for NYC kids, children will learn about robotics and programming. The project is directed at kids from grades two to twelve and it offers classes in Lego robotics, computer programming, and advanced engineering, making for a wonderful way for your child to spend its time.
Currently, they’re offering two summer camps. The Lego robotics camp is directed at kids from grade 2 through 8, taking place from 9 AM to 2 PM Monday through Friday.
A second camp that’s available focuses on coding and it’s geared towards kids grades 6 through 12, or who have completed at least one Lego Robotics class or camp. The planned activities are appropriate for both beginners and students who have experience with coding, Arduino or other robotics. Basically, students will get to learn how to operate motors, or control LEDs and sensors before working on creating a robot or a wearable tech of some kind that they can take home at the end of the program.
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6. RoboFun
Score: 17
RoboFun is a great place which offers workshops for children ages 3 to 12 right in the heart of Manhattan. They will build and program robots, design and construct video games and make stop motion animations, all while learning about engineering, coding, and, perhaps most importantly, creative thinking.
RoboFun offers private lessons and workshops, as well as summer camps, vacation days activities and it even organizes birthday parties.
A half-day week-long camp costs $425, but those interested in full-day camp can just sign up for half-day AM and half-day PM on the same week and they’ll get a $55 deduction from the combined price.
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5. Carmelo the science guy
Score: 18
If the name of this place sounds familiar is because Carmelo is kind of famous. The former science teacher, who holds a master’s in Elementary Science and Environmental Education, has authored a book of at-home experiments promoting scientific observation, exploration, and analysis called “Crazy for Science with Carmelo the Science Fellow.”
There are multiple things this place has to offer, including playgroups for toddlers, birthday parties, and camps. This summer’s camps, for instance, focus on a wide range of topics, such as geology, superhero science, entomology, chemistry, astronomy, ecology and more. One week of camp with Carmelo costs $490, with an additional $25 cost as a registration fee.
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4. NY Hall of Science
Score: 21
Over at the New York Hall of Science you’re certainly going to find a million things you could do to entertain your child and have him or her learn about science and technology in a way that will have them excited about it all.
The location is open through the week, and there are even free hours on Friday and Sunday. There are always exhibits here, each more exciting than the next. There’s a science playground, and an Angry Birds universe where you can use a slingshot to propel a “bird,” Race handheld vehicles and more, or a Connected Worlds exhibit where kids can immerse themselves into an animated world where everything you do impacts the world around.
There are also dozens of events and even a 3D theater where kids can enjoy animated feature films. NY Sci also offers workshops where kids can learn to integrate technology into their work and more. Additionally, there are also several summer camps available.
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3. Brooklyn Robot Foundry
Score: 21
The Brooklyn Robot Foundry, number three on our list of cool science and technology activities for NYC kids has some really cool things planned out for kids of all ages. They will all be welcome to build various robots on the spot, create small buildings with various gimmicks. Whether you want them to spend a day or go for full-week sessions, you’re welcome to choose whatever you want. There are even camps available if you want to sign them up for that, making it one of the 10 cool science and technology activities for NYC kids.
The week of July 31st and August 4th is dedicated to girls only, in the hopes of getting as many of them interested in science and tech.
Prices vary depending on the location and the type of sessions you want your child to attend.
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2. Liberty Science Center
Score: 22
Down at the Liberty Science Center that ranks second on our list of cool science and technology activities for NYC kids, there are so many things your kids can do if you want to try it out. There are currently multiple exhibitions which kids passionate about science and technology can enjoy, such as the MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition, or another about optical, perceptual and audio illusions. There’s even a block party where you can go build a lot of things from foam and wooden blocks if you want.
At other levels there are exhibitions focusing on energy, teaching kids about wildlife, or daring people to climb a huge play space. There are loads and loads of other exhibits you can check out and they’re all surely going to capture the attention of children of all ages.
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1. American Museum of Natural History
Score: 23
Finally, at the top of our list is the American Museum of Natural History. On top of the many exhibits, such as the one about space narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson himself, there are plenty of programs dedicated to getting kids into science. For instance, the Middle School Institutes seeks to teach students grades 6 to 8 about various scientific disciplines through interactive tours of the museum exhibits, while the Discovery Room exhibition will offer these children a way to get hands-on with the science powering our world.
Older kids can also enjoy nature walks around Central Park, or climb aboard a virtual expedition trying to find deep sea vent in the Pacific Ocean’s Juan de Fuca Ridge.
All in all, these have been our 10 cool science and technology activities for NYC kids and we hope you’ll enjoy at least some of them.
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