Things to do with kids in NYC
Best upcoming events and festivals
After declaring bankruptcy in 2016 to widespread lamentations, the family-friendly circus came bouncing back to life at Lincoln Center last year, and now returns for its 41st season with a show that aim to throw some spotlights on women. New ringmaster Stephanie Monseu presides over a spectacle that includes a trapeze routine by the Flying Tunizianis, a trampoline act created by Andréanne Quintal, and an acrobatic duet, performed by Virginia Tuells and Ihosvanys Perez, in which she does most of the heavy lifting.
This film fest for kiddos showcases approximately 100 features and shorts from around the globe and rounds out the experience with retrospectives, interactive workshops and filmmaker Q&As for families. This year, don’t miss the opening night with the premiere of The Boy Who Harness The Wind, cartoons such as Gordon & Patty, Heebie Jeebie Shorts, special talks about the future of virtual reality and so much more. Though a jury determines which director takes home the grand prize and other esteemed awards, young audience members can cast their votes in various categories. There are various times and locations. Please check the website for a complete lineup. Ages 3–18.
Every year Lincoln Center presents a phenomenal lineup of programming for kids of all ages. This years, wee ones (ages 0–18 months) can explore their surroundings with Rain, a sensory performance that includes touch and music, while slightly older babies (ages 6 months-36 months) can join a friendly environment for creative exploration with Pulsar. Highlights for big kids include Is this a Dagger? The Story of Macbeth (ages 8 and up), a retelling of the classic tale by a Scottish storyteller; You Me and the Space Between (ages 6 to 12), a performance about an inventive child that utilizes storytelling and choreography; Soundtrack '63 (ages 12 and up), a multimedia musical experience about music's relationship to social justice. A number of shows offer relaxed performances for neurodiverse audiences. Visit here for more details.
We're longing for spring—warm temperatures, blue skies and, of course, flowers. Fortunately, the New York Botanical Garden is here to deliver with its annual Orchid Show. Visitors can expect a taste of Singapore right here in NYC thanks to the 2019 theme. "Singapore" celebrates the Asian "City in a Garden," and we're certainly adding it to our list of things to do. Be sure to take a look at the festival's programming, which includes an insiders tour for budding botanists, orchid care demonstrations and q&a session. Mom and Dad, if you're calling the babysitter for a night off, you might want to consider enjoying an Orchid Evening ($38) complete with cocktails, music and naturally, the beautiful display. Learn more about "The Orchid Show: Singapore" here. All ages.
The Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the French Institute Alliance Francaise present an arts festival specifically targeted to youngsters. This festival combines philosophy, music, magic, design and dance through a series of programs that incorporate work from a bevy of French and global artists. This year, families can sign their crew up for Malika Zarra: Musical Journey (March 10 at 2pm, free, ages 5 and up), Philosophy for Kids (March 24 at 2pm, free, ages 6 and up) and so much more. Learn more about the offerings here. Ages 5 and up.
Brave the cold for some outdoor fun during Brooklyn Botanic Garden's wintry events for all ages on the first Sunday of December, January, February and March. When cabin fever hits the family, explore the garden's landscape on a nature walk with naturalist Bradley Klein, as he points out birds, mammals, and insects that remain active during the season. Then little ones can enjoy special hands-on discovery workshops and storytime. Mom and Dad: If you're flying solo, explore cool yoga classes. Check out the venue's website for full details of each month's offerings. All ages.
From mid-December through March, spend chilly weekend mornings at Film Forum's popular family-friendly movie series. Watch time-tested faves like It's a Wonderful Life (Dec 15 and 16), Charlie Chaplin’s The Circus (Dec 22 and 23), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Jan 19 and 20), The Muppet Movie (Feb 2 and 3), and more. Visit filmforum.org to view the complete schedule and grab your tickets. All ages.
Unleash your kids’ love for building with a festival devoted entirely to their favorite blocks. Curious minds will be able to try their hands at their own creations in the building station, gawk at life-sized LEGO models and race against friends at the speedway, among many other activities catered to young engineers in training. All ages.
Expensive Broadway price tags stopping your crew from heading to the theater? This annual promotion, a program of the Broadway League, is the perfect excuse to play dress-up and do Times Square in style. On February 26, 2019, kids don't pay a dime once you purchase a full-price adult ticket to a Broadway show. Tickets include fun perks like pre-theatre activities, restaurant discounts and educational programs. There's something for kids of all ages, including Frozen and The Lion King for young ones and Mean Girls and Dear Evan Hansen for the older set. Ages 18 and under.
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This musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz addresses surprisingly complex themes, such as standards of beauty, morality and, believe it or not, fighting fascism. Thanks to Winnie Holzman’s witty book and Stephen Schwartz’s pop-inflected score, Wicked soars. The current cast includes Jackie Burns as Elphaba and Amanda Jane Cooper as Glinda.
Give city kids a chance to explore lush landscapes on this 250-acre expanse
Theater review by Adam Feldman The world of Harry Potter has arrived on Broadway, Hogwarts and all, and it is a triumph of theatrical magic. Set two decades after the final chapters of J.K. Rowling’s world-shaking kid-lit heptalogy, the two-part epic Harry Potter and the Cursed Child combines grand storytelling with stagecraft on a scale heretofore unimagined. Richly elaborated by director John Tiffany, the show looks like a million bucks (or, in this case, a reported $68 million); the Lyric Theatre has been transfigured from top to bottom to immerse us in the narrative. It works: The experience is transporting. Jack Thorne’s play, based on a story he wrote with Rowling and Tiffany, extends the Potter narrative while remaining true to its core concerns. Love and friendship and kindness are its central values, but they don’t come easily: They are bound up in guilt, loneliness and fear. Harry (Jamie Parker) is weighted with trauma dating back to his childhood, which hinders his ability to communicate with his troubled middle son, Albus (Sam Clemmett); it doesn’t help that Albus’s only friend is the bookish outcast Scorpius Malfoy (the exceptional Anthony Boyle), son of Harry’s erstwhile enemy, Draco (Alex Price). Despite the best intentions of Harry’s solid wife, Ginny (Poppy Miller), and his friends Hermione (Noma Dumezweni) and Ron (Paul Thornley), things turn dark very fast. Set designer Christine Jones and lighting designer Neil Austin keep much of the stage shroude
No time to figure out the subway? Hop on and hop off at more than 30 stops around New York City with an open-top big bus tour. You'll cruise by world-famous landmarks including the Empire State Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Central Park.
Get in on a cool indoor hangout at Grand Central! This event transforms Vanderbilt Hall into a fun–filled dining area with live, family-friendly entertainment. Kiddos can make arts & crafts and get their faces painted courtesy of Kidding Around Toys, dance and sing along in the event's Jam to the Music perfomance courtesy of Brooklyn Children's Museum, watch performances from Grammy Award–winner Tim Kubart (Aug 24) and cast members of Wicked (Aug 25) and Something Rotten (Aug 26), too. There's also great food from the likes of Shake Shack and Zaro's Family Bakery available for purchase! Event located in Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall. All ages.
Your favorite show has been extended due to popular demand! This 60-minute performance adapts four of Eric Carle's most timeless tales.
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