Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and Around Buffalo - 2019
2019's Winners: Best for Kids in the Buffalo / Erie / Niagara region!
The best places to take kids in Buffalo, Erie County, and the Niagara Region of New York, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey.
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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!
Rolly Pollies
Rolly Pollies is a kid's gym in Buffalo, NY offering: Baby and Me, Toddler, Preschool, and School Aged Gym Classes, WNY's Best Birthday Parties, Open Play with a Set Schedule, Ninja Warrior Camps, Classes, Birthday Parties and Tween Nights, Music, Art, Open Play, Montessori Practical Play, and Dance! NOW with THREE Convenient Locations in Buffalo.
Bounce Magic
Bounce! Eat! Play! Bounce Magic is the BIGGEST indoor inflatable play and party facility in WNY! Giant inflatable bounce houses, large toddler only area, delicious new menu items, arcade games and prizes, indoor mini golf and a horizontal rock wall, all indoors! Open play daily, no reservations required. Don’t forget your socks!
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!
Kelkenberg Farm of Clarence
Kelkenberg Farm of Clarence is a family-operated business open for tours and group parties for all ages year-round. We are a real livestock and horse farm that has been welcoming farm visitors for over 30 years. There is fun for everyone every season of the year. Pumpkin pickin’ in the fall, sleigh rides in the winter, baby animals in the spring, and summer picnics. Come for your birthday, with your school, for pumpkins, or just for fun.
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. BMS offers traveling exhibits, a 3D cinema and permanent exhibit halls, including our hands-on early childhood gallery, Explorations, and the new interactive health science studio, Explore YOU presented by Independent Health. Our museum offers free parking and is handicapped accessible.
Erie County Fair
Hamburg. The Erie County Fair happens for 12 days every August in Hamburg at the fair grounds, just 20 minutes south of Buffalo. It is justifiably one of the most famous county fairs in the United States. Find great food, lots of free great concerts and more! Admission for kids 12 & under is FREE every day of the Fair.
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.
Buffalo Bisons
The Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Come out to Coca-Cola Field in spring and summer for the absolute best quality sports and family entertainment experience and value in town!
Just Fun Family Entertainment Center
Something fun for EVERYONE! Birthdays and Open Play! Indoor playground, Spin Zone Bumper Cars, 18 hole Black Light Mini Golf, Aeroball, Battle Zone shooting arena with Battle (paintless paintball, 11+) or Bazooka (soft foam balls, 7+)! Arcade & Food!
Burchfield Nature and Art Center
To assure that the Burchfield Nature and Art Center will continue to serve the community interests in the areas of art, recreation, music, history and nature by providing a welcoming and educational facility.
Darien Lake Amusement Park
New York State's Coaster Capital, and Western New York's #1 Family Fun Destination!
Tifft Nature Preserve
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!
Allegany State Park
Gorgeous and amenity laden, the park is divided into two areas - Red House and Quaker - both located in Salamanca.
Fantasy Island- CLOSED
Grand Island. Fantasy Island is a family-friendly theme park that’s just minutes away from almost anywhere in Western New York. It features thrill rides, live shows, a water park, a petting zoo, miniature golf, and other attractions.
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.
Explore & More Children's Museum
With nationally recognized and award-winning programs and exhibits, the most generous free admission policy in the area, and a mission to provide critically important informal learning experiences for all, Explore & More has become an important asset to the well-being of children and families in Western New York.
Billy Beez
Run, jump, bounce, slide and climb your way to an active lifestyle! Experience the fun, family fitness of our ultimate indoor play park, featuring interactive play zones, slides, sports courts, our signature Honey Cafe and so much more! Kids of all ages can join us for a day of play, birthday parties, group outings or community fundraisers. Come see what all the buzzzz is about.
Becker Farms and Vizcarra Vineyards
Becker Farms and Vizcarra Vineyards is a family owned 340 acre working fruit and vegetable farm. Pick your own apples, pumpkins, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, & plums. Also has a Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA)! Pumpkin Fiesta weekends in September and October.
Hidden Valley Animal Adventure
Hidden Valley Animal Adventure is located in Varysburg, NY and was founded by Hans Boxler in 2006. The company allows customers to experience the wild game and other exotic animals by taking a guided tour through the park, where you will be able to interact with over 200 animals, feeding them right out of your hands.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Place to Have Fun INSIDE
Rolly PolliesRolly Pollies is a kid's gym in Buffalo, NY offering: Baby and Me, Toddler, Preschool, and School Aged Gym Classes, WNY's Best Birthday Parties, Open Play with a Set Schedule, Ninja Warrior Camps, Classes, Birthday Parties and Tween Nights, Music, Art, Open Play, Montessori Practical Play, and Dance! NOW with THREE Convenient Locations in Buffalo.
Favorite Place to Have Fun OUTSIDE
Buffalo ZooThroughout 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!
Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum
Buffalo Museum of ScienceThe Buffalo Museum of Science is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the study and interpretation of the natural and physical sciences. BMS offers traveling exhibits, a 3D cinema and permanent exhibit halls, including our hands-on early childhood gallery, Explorations, and the new interactive health science studio, Explore YOU presented by Independent Health. Our museum offers free parking and is handicapped accessible.
Favorite Performing Arts
Shea's Performing Arts CenterShea’s Performing Arts Center started out in 1926 as a movie theater built by Michael Shea. Today, we are a campus compromised of three theaters here in the Buffalo Theatre District, intent on bringing the best of live performance through touring productions and local collaborations to Western New York.
Favorite Nature Center
Tifft Nature PreserveTifft 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!
Favorite Arts Education Program/Center
ArtparkWNY's premier destination for art, music, theater and family fun for over 40 years!
Favorite Sports Education Program/Center
StrikersBowling Center ~ Arcade ~ Bar ~ Birthday Parties ~ Bowling Leagues ~ Beer Blasts ~ Rock N Bowl ~ Bands ~ Craft Beers ~ Restaurant ~ Fish Fry
Favorite Farm (agri-entertainment)
Kelkenberg Farm of ClarenceKelkenberg Farm of Clarence is a family-operated business open for tours and group parties for all ages year-round. We are a real livestock and horse farm that has been welcoming farm visitors for over 30 years. There is fun for everyone every season of the year. Pumpkin pickin’ in the fall, sleigh rides in the winter, baby animals in the spring, and summer picnics. Come for your birthday, with your school, for pumpkins, or just for fun.
