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Weekends in New York with kids are tricky: there is always something to do but, given the plethora of options constantly at our disposal, settling on the right activity always feels like an overwhelming challenge.
Although cultural institutions like the Children's Museum of Manhattan, the Sloomoo Institute and the American Museum of Natural History are delightful destinations all-year round, I find that weekends usually call for something a bit more unique and creative.
As a mother of three little kids, that sort of “what are we going to do this weekend?” stress has come to define my days off… which is why I want to make yours a bit easier.
This winter especially, New York is home to a slew of fun and exciting activities that cater to kids of all ages, providing the sort of entertainment that is sure to exhaust them and let you enjoy a nice glass of red when they invariably fall into a deep, satisfying slumber on Sunday night.
Debuting on December 6 at CAMP at 110 5th Avenue by 16th Street, for example, is an immersive Bluey experience produced in collaboration with BBC Studios focusing on the hilarious Australian preschool TV series about the cute puppy (fellow parents, in the vast empire of kids television, Bluey is certainly one of the less irritating programs out there).
The Flatiron toy store boasts a "secret" sort of space behind walls that hosts a rotating setup of immersive experiences. Throughout the past few years, organizers have turned the destination into a replica of the casita from Disney's Encanto and a colorful, heavy-on-the-rainbows rendition of the Trolls world.
Geared towards both the younger set and older children is the Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal, an annual program that has become a tradition for many families and—bonus points!—is completely free to attend.
The Transit Museum's display of a miniature electric railroad running through some of the most recognizable NYC landmarks actually celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, so it's certainly a good time to catch the program. Find it at the New York Transit Museum Gallery and Store by the station's shuttle passage now through February, 2025.
Speaking of locomotives, the eponymous Holiday Train show at the New York Botanical Garden is also up and running for the season. A beloved destination organized by artist Laura Busse Dolan and her team at Applied Imagination since 1992, the production usually consists of 200 scaled NYC buildings and structures that are recreated using barks, leaves and branches. You've got until January 20, 2025 to catch the ticketed show in the Bronx.
Across boroughs, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has brought back its stunning winter light show, Lightscape. Officially opening this weekend, the after-dark illuminated trail will feature new light installations alongside old-time favorites developed by artists from ten different countries. Keep in mind that the trail is all outdoors, so bundle up the kids before heading there.
If you're okay with spending some time in the cold, try to stop by the New York Botanical Garden's light trail inspired by Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Keep in mind that the experience is only open through November 30, so make it a priority to visit in the next week or so if you want to see it.
Also outdoors is Frost Fest, the winter-time extravaganza taking over Luna Park at Coney Island starting this Saturday through January 1, 2025.
Perhaps the most exciting new event of the season, though, is “Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy” at the Shed in Hudson Yards.
An amusement park designed by a group of 20th century artists that opened in Hamburg, Germany in 1987, Luna Luna shut down in 1990. All the attractions were stored in Texas for 36 years until a group of entrepreneurs rescued and partially restored them for a 2023 show in Los Angeles that was all the rave. The recreated park—which features works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roy Lichtenstein, Salvador Dalí, Keith Haring and Sonia Delaunay, among many other artists—just debuted in New York and it will stay on view through January 5, 2025.
Although all the mentioned events and destinations clearly focus on the kids, there is something to be said about experiencing the various offerings as a parent with children in tow.
I can just imagine the sparkle in my 5-year-old daughter Giordana’s eyes when seeing herself in a trippy mirrored dome designed by Dalí and now on view at Luna Luna, or my 3-year-old Alessia's excitement when stepping into Bluey’s recreated house. As for my son Elijah, who is almost 2, he’ll likely be running around the beautiful Lightscape trail, trying to turn off at least some of the one million lights currently adorning the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I apologize to all fellow attendees in advance.
Time Out tip: Looking for more “traditional” winter activities to partake in with your kids? We’ve got you covered. Here are some always-good things to do with children in New York during the colder months:
- Walk around FAO Schwarz: Shop for holiday gifts at the iconic toy store and play "Chopsticks" on the giant on-site piano.
- Go ice skating: There are a ton of awesome rinks all around town, including a new one at the revamped Domino Park.
- Catch a Broadway show: Wicked is always a good idea, especially given the stellar reviews that the just-released movie adaptation of the production has received. Other options include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and a touring production of Annie starring Whoopi Goldberg as Miss Hannigan.
- Style your doll at the American Girl Place New York: Fair warning, your little one will never want to leave this doll mecca. Whether purchasing a new product, styling your precious doll with a fresh do or having lunch at the on-site cafe, there are plenty of things to do on site.
- Birth a new stuffy at Build-A-Bear: If American Girl dolls are not for you, consider taking your kids to make their own stuffed animal instead. There are a ton of different locations all around New York. Find the one closest to you right here.