What to do in NYC with 10 and 12 yr old

[Frenchkippy]

We are going to NYC during October half term. What do you recommend is good to do with a 10yr old and 12 yr old? Are there any good deals on if I book for things in advance?

Top of the Rock or Empire State Building
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Dylan's Candy Store
Pizza in Brooklyn (Grimaldis or Juliannas) followed by ice cream st Fulton Street and a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Natural History Museum
Intrepid Museum
Apple Store
M&M World and Hershey's Store in Times Square
Original Winnie the Pooh toys in the Public Library
Central Park
Ice skating
Madame Tussaud's
Ripleys
System Island Ferry
Highline
Roosevelt Tramway (cable car)
Federal gold reserve (free but must be
prebooked)
Ellen's Stardust Diner

So much to do, your kids will love it!

Wow - that is quite a list!
Did you get a New York Pass? You seem to be able to save a fair amount of money with it but I'm worried that I'll get it and then not be able to get into attractions as some people have said you need to be there before 9am, otherwise it may sell out.

Wish I had that list before we went

We didn't get a pass, but we are going just after Christmas so may consider it then.

We did prebook some things before we went - both the Crown of the Statue of Liberty and the Federal Reserve have to be booked in advance. We also booked Top of the Rock in advance, which did help with queues. On the other hand, jet lag will most likely mean you are up at 5am, so getting to attractions by 9am shouldn't be a problem !

So if you had 4 full days, what do you think you would fill up each day with, without making it too full IYSWIM!