6 Best Kid-Friendly In-Store Experiences in NYC

6 Best Kid-Friendly In-Store Experiences in NYC
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6 Best Kid-Friendly In-Store Experiences in NYC

In a world where you can buy everything online, stores have really started stepping up their game – in NYC especially.

One of the best parts of shopping in NYC is the interactive experiences many stores now offer to keep shoppers engaged and having fun when they visit. Here are some of our favorite in-store experiences for your family to try! 

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FAO Schwartz

30 Rockefeller Plaza

This mega toy store offers multiple exciting in-store experiences for kids throughout their flagship location in NYC so that there is something for everyone.

Choose between styling your own Barbie, creating your own unique monster with Elmo, building a fully-customized remote control car, adopting an FAO baby doll or creating a unique Funko character. 

American Girl

75 Rockefeller Plaza

American Girl has long been known for their in-store experiences, where guests can bring their dolls (or purchase one onsite) for all sorts of pampering and fun.

Enjoy tea time or fine dining with your doll, take her to the salon for matching hair styles, stop at the “doctor” for a full interactive doll checkup and even get your ears pierced together!

LEGO 5th Avenue

636 Fifth Avenue

At this LEGO flagship store, visitors can view larger-than-life builds of iconic NYC landmarks, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, the Ghostbusters Firehouse, among others.

Visitors can also experience the mega-cool LEGO Brick Lab, where the walls and floors come to life with light, sound and music in a virtual world around you. Build your own creation and watch it come to life in seconds!

Harry Potter

935 Broadway

Grab your robe and head to Harry Potter’s NYC flagship store (Muggles welcome!) to treat yourself to some delicious Butterbeer while you shop!

Peruse a selection of over 50 wands – including the Golden Snitch wand, exclusive to Harry Potter New York – and check out the interactive wand table where you’re invited to pick your own and put it to the test.

Next, immerse yourself in a full sensory VR adventure and be transported straight to the Wizarding World. VR experiences include “Chaos at Hogwarts” and “Wizards Take Flight.”

Hershey’s Chocolate World Times Square

20 Times Square building at 701 Seventh Ave

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Hershey’s Time Square location, where you can stuff a one-pound Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or create your own yummy assortment from the Amazing Candy Machine. Be sure to take home a sweet souvenir – a custom candy bar with your photo (you can do this online too). 

CAMP

110 5th Avenue

CAMP is known for its shop/play hybrid experience featuring rotating themed in-store experiences. The stores offer a range of activities for families, including timed-entry immersive experiences, daily activities, and special events to enjoy alongside your shopping experience.

Currently, their NYC location features the magical Casa Madrigal, where you can experience each Encanto character’s powers with your own senses. There’s also a CAMP at Garden State Plaza in NJ, now featuring an exciting Paw Patrol experience. 

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Monster Mini Golf

<p>Upon entering Monster Mini Golf, all perceptions of traditional mini golf will be spirited away by the indoor, 18-hole, monster-theme, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course! The locations in <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Deer Park</a>, and <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/gardencity/">Garden City, NY</a> invite guests to experience a host of family-oriented fun activities. Whether visiting for the first time or the one hundredth, mini golfers feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf amidst spooktacular monsters and custom, glow-in-the-dark, hand-painted artwork. While testing their skill on the fairways, lively music flows over the course from the unique “WEIRD Radio” station” and an interactive DJ entertains golfers with contests, awarding cool prizes for the wackiest reasons. While the course is challenging enough for adults, it is also quite playable for children. Monster Mini Golf is open year-round and frightfully fun for the entire family. In addition to miniature golf and thrilling arcade and redemption games, the locations offer additional attractions. <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park, NY</a> offers a Laser Maze and a Virtual Reality experience. The Garden City location offers a Laser Maze, Bowling, and a Virtual Reality Experience. Two very posh, private party rooms are also available and are perfect for any event. Monster Mini Golf looks forward to making it a monstrous success. Monster Mini Golf is indoors, ensuring that the event will always take place, regardless of the weather. It is a climate-controlled, affordable source of family entertainment. For more details please visit <a href="http://monsterminigolf.com">monsterminigolf.com</a> or find them on Facebook.</p>

Brooklyn Music School

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For over a century, we at The Brooklyn Music School have strived to make the joy of music, dance and performance accessible to everyone no matter their age, background, or financial status.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to offering affordable in-person and online private and group music lessons, dance classes, after-school programs, and community outreach, we also provide space for </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brooklyn and NYC artists to perform in our 250-seat Spanish-style theatre. Come by for a night of live music, or join us for a class!</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit BrooklynMusicSchool.org to learn more, register for classes, or view our calendar for upcoming events. </span></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4b378613-7fff-f89d-3c88-fe6beaabeb55"></span></p>

Bounce! Family Entertainment Center

<p>Bounce! Family Entertainment Center is an indoor birthday party and play space located in Syosset, NY. Perfect for birthday parties, group events, open play, and more! We have the best party packages on Long Island! Our facility has multiple AWESOME attractions: The Trampoline courts, The Adventure Zone, Bumper Cars, Laser Tag, Soft Play, Arcade, & MORE! If you need a break from jumping and climbing, try out some of our delicious food from The Bounce Bites Kitchen! Come on in to any of our Open Play, Toddler Time, or Glow Night sessions!</p>