Ikea

href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/brooklyn">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/brooklyn
1 Beard Street
Brooklyn, NY11231
718-246-IKEA (4532)

Whether you get there by bus, water taxi or car, Ikea can be a great place to take your kids on those days when you need a break. The children’s drop-off area called Smaland is located at the main entrance of the store and is open from 10 to 9pm, seven days a week, with the last child allowed entrance at 7pm.

Kids can stay for 45 minutes on weekdays and 30 minutes during weekends and holidays. They also must be aged three to 10, 37-inches to 54-inches tall and fully potty-trained (no pull-ups allowed). You’ll need a picture ID to drop them off and pick them up.

The restaurant is also a child-friendly alternative; open from 9:30am to 8:30pm daily (a half hour earlier than the store). There is a fairly large space for kids to play or watch a flat panel TV while they gorge on meatballs and chicken fingers.