Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and Around Buffalo - 2022
2022's Winners: Best Places to Take Kids in the Buffalo / Erie / Niagara region!
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids as a great way to launch into summer and put together a summer bucket list. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you Buffalo/WNY's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Browse through this site, check out our lists (especially our Everything that's Free list), and sign up for our fabulous weekly e-newsletter so you get it all in your in-box every Thursday morning!
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1. Buffalo Museum of Science
The Buffalo Museum of Science is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the study and interpretation of the natural and physical sciences and the quest to FIND WHY. In addition to its engaging hands-on science studios, the Museum offers special traveling exhibits, camps, and year-round programs and events for curious guests of all ages and interests.
2. Buffalo Zoo
Throughout the year, the Buffalo Zoo offers guests fascinating animal exhibits, naturalistic wildlife habitats, beautiful garden areas and several unique areas in which to enjoy an environment that is full of fun, adventure and history. The Buffalo Zoo is open daily rain or shine!
3. Kelkenberg Farm of Clarence
Kelkenberg Farm of Clarence provides fun and memories for all ages year-round. We are a real livestock and horse farm; visit animals up close, pony rides, horse and tractor drawn hayrides, farm market and U-pick. There is fun for everyone every season of the year. Hug baby animals in spring, pick sunflowers in summer, pumpkin pickin’ in fall, sleigh rides in winter,. Come for your birthday, with your school, for pumpkins, or just for fun.
4. Aquarium of Niagara
The mission of the Aquarium of Niagara is to broaden the public’s awareness of aquatic ecosystems. With our community and partners, we celebrate our natural wonders and inspire people to make a difference for aquatic life.
5. Explore & More Children's Museum
Located in the heart of Buffalo, at Canalside, Explore & More offers children & families four floors to unlock the limitless potential in all of us. PLAY in our immersive, hands-on exhibits while igniting children’s imaginations. LEARN about Western New York's history of innovation while dreaming of new discoveries. EXPLORE diverse cultures and unique experiences.
Play Into Possibilities.
6. Billy Beez Walden Galleria, Buffalo, NY
Billy Beez is the ultimate indoor play park for kids and kids-at-heart! Our 20,000* sq. ft. play parks offer a variety of features and activities, from slides to sports courts, tunnels to towers, ball blasters to bouncy trampolines, adventure is always right around the corner at Billy Beez. The park is ideal for all ages, including infants, toddlers, adults and every age in between.
Voted best birthday party place, choose from one of our award-winning packages which includes our Private Party Room, with anywhere from 90-120 minutes of catered or non-catered customizable add-on options. Your upcoming celebration will truly WOW all of your party guests.
Billy Beez is the park that they’ll ask for by name.
7. Rolly Pollies
Rolly Pollies is a children’s gym with 3 locations throughout Western New York. For 15 years, Rolly Pollies has specialized in offering developmental gym classes for children ages 4 months thru 9 years old and an Open Play schedule you can count on. In addition to baby and me, toddler, preschool, and school aged gym classes, Rolly Pollies offers active and engaging themed Summer Camp programs, and WNY's best family-friendly Birthday Parties!
8. Erie County Fair
A summertime tradition in WNY! Located in Hamburg, NY, the Erie County Fair is produced annually by the Erie County Agricultural Society, a not-for-profit membership organization. Join us August 11-22, 2021 to celebrate the Best 12 Days of Summer. From its roots as a traditional county fair, the fair has grown to feature a half million dollars in free entertainment, rows of shopping vendors, classic to wild and crazy foods, as well as thousands of events from livestock shows to demonstrations and competitions across the grounds. Visit ECFair.org.
9. Tifft Nature Preserve
264 acres only minutes from downtown on the Outer Harbor! Tifft Nature Preserve is a 264-acre nonprofit nature refuge dedicated to conservation and environmental education. Tifft provides educational programming and exciting public events all year round!
10. Allegany State Park
Gorgeous and amenity laden, the park is divided into two areas - Red House and Quaker - both located in Salamanca.
11. Reinstein Woods
Nestled uniquely in a suburban community, Reinstein Woods is a 292-acre nature preserve and education center that offers a variety of opportunities to explore and learn about nature for families and people of all ages. Working together, the DEC and non-profit, Friends of Reinstein Woods, offer guided tours of the woods (available for school, youth and adult groups), special programs each month, including snowshoe and ski adventures, walks on seasonal topics, a fall nature festival and summer camps. From sunrise to sunset, you can explore our 3.5 miles of wheelchair-accessible trails.
12. Darien Lake Amusement Park
New York State's Coaster Capital, and Western New York's #1 Family Fun Destination!
13. Akron Acres
Akron Acres is a family-run farm business specializing in agritourism. Since 1990, Andy and Marilyn Kelkenberg along with their four children; Laura, Andrew, Jacob, and Catherine, have been steadily growing their establishment. The farm, previously owned by Andy’s grandparents, welcomes visitors for field trips, hay rides, pumpkin picking, Christmas tree cutting and more!
14. Olcott Beach Carousel Park
In the shadow of Olcott’s famous Lighthouse is a wonderful vintage amusement park. It features a 1928 style Hershell-Spillman two row carousel. Five vintage kiddie rides, and a wonderful 1931 Wurlitzer band organ. Opens for the season Memorial Day Weekend. Open weekends in June and Wednesdays - Sunday July - Labor Day.
15. Corning Museum of Glass
Offering a unique opportunity to explore glass from all angles, the Corning Museum of Glass features the stunning Contemporary Art + Design Wing, live hot glassmaking demos, Make Your Own Glass experiences, hands-on glass technology exhibits, and the world’s largest collection of contemporary and historical glass. Open daily, Kids and teens, 17 and under are free. Extended Summer hours, open until 8 pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Advance reservations are recommended for Make Your Own Glass projects.
16. Canalside
Canalside is a growing regional destination and entertainment district, situated on 21 historic acres along downtown Buffalo’s emerging waterfront on the Buffalo River.
17. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Buffalo area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the best places to take kids this year!
18. Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
Located in Niagara Falls, Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is North America's Largest Indoor Water Park & Resort! 3 acres of indoor family fun, 16 thrilling waterslides, directly connected to Fall Avenue Resort (featuring three hotels & more!), massive indoor wave pool, hot springs, & outdoor sundeck with pool.
19. Albright-Knox Art Gallery
The Albright-Knox's Elmwood Avenue campus is temporarily closed for construction as we prepare to open as the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in 2023. We also invite you to explore our Public Art Initiative projects across Western New York.
20. Arcade & Attica Railroad
Step back in time aboard the last operating steam train excursion in New York State. We are an authentic operating short line railroad. We hold the distinction of being one of the last “common carriers” — running freight and passenger trains weekly. Welcome aboard the train to yesterday…
21. Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens is a national historic site, education center and tourist destination full of exotic horticulture treasures from around the world. It is a gathering place where visitors can find peace and harmony and enjoy the simple power of the natural world. The Botanical Gardens’ schedule is packed with amazing flower exhibits, special events, educational programming, workshops and so much more! The Botanical Gardens Society is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization with a mission to inspire curiosity and connect people to the natural world through its historic living museum.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Buffalo Art Studios
Buffalo Arts Studio (BAS) was established in 1991 to provide affordable studio space and impactful exposure for visual artists while also offering arts education and meaningful arts access for the entire community. Located on Buffalo’s east side, Buffalo Arts Studio has enriched a previously underserved area through dynamic and engaging arts programming, educational opportunities, and community events. Our Education Program offers an extensive class list designed to meet varied needs.
Top Sports Educator: Buffalo Speed Skating Club
We are an amateur speed skating club that includes adults and kids. We have skate to learn programs and encourage anyone interested in trying our sport.
Top STEM Educator: Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens is a national historic site, education center and tourist destination full of exotic horticulture treasures from around the world. It is a gathering place where visitors can find peace and harmony and enjoy the simple power of the natural world. The Botanical Gardens’ schedule is packed with amazing flower exhibits, special events, educational programming, workshops and so much more! The Botanical Gardens Society is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization with a mission to inspire curiosity and connect people to the natural world through its historic living museum.
