Things to do with kids in NYC
Best upcoming events and festivals
Our favorite feline (Hello Kitty) is celebrating a milestone: her 45th anniversary. To mark the momentous occasion, New Yorkers can enjoy a Chelsea pop-up (18th St and Sixth Ave) dedicated to the super-adorable advocate of kindness and friendship. Until Dec 24, shoppers will be able to visit Cost Plus World Market to stock up on exclusive merch (toys, accessories, kitchen goods) in honor of our leading lady. Snag Hello Kitty pasta sauce for dinner, sip on Hello Kitty soda, find a cute plush and of course, strike a pose in the Instagrammable spot while you're there! Learn more about the event and items at worldmarket.com or sanrio.com.
Canstruction New York is back at Brookfield Place, and sculptures made entirely by stacking cans of food have taken over the place. You will be amazed by these feats of engineering from some of NY's leading architects and designers. (All the cans are unopened, and will be given to City Harvest.) Prizes will be awarded on Nov 11. The first Canstruction New York was heled 12 years ago, and since then over 1 million cans of food have been donated. All ages. Free.
Every year, Bryant Park transforms into a winter village complete with an outdoor ice skating rink right at the center. Shop from local vendors selling food and drinks and get an early start on those holiday wish lists. Wonderful pop-up shops for kids and families abound, as well as eateries with sweet and savory cusines from around the globe. Holiday festivities are scheduled from the opening day, as Oct 31 will welcome kiddos for Tricks and Treats from 4–6:30pm. Later in the season, little ones can visit Santa from Dec 14–22, so tell your crew to start brainstorming! All ages.
This year, the Bronx Zoo has decided to reinstate its beloved holiday light show, and the grand spectacle promises to be bigger—and greener—than ever. The celebration of Christmastime and conservationism will feature animated lights, Chinese lanterns and LED displays that depict species from around the globe—lions and elephants from Africa and pandas from Asia and more. All ages.
Twelve acres of radiant art will take over Randalls Island with three fairy-tale themes: Winter Fantasy, Wild Adventure and Sweet Dream. You can wander through the colorful LED arches of the Donut Tunnel and get lost in the snow-covered trees of the Frosted Forest for an electrifying experience that is the epitome of merry and bright. Be sure to explore the children’s printmaking workshop (various dates, walk-ins available; $29) and other activities,then refuel with snacks from Nathan’s Famous, Baked in Color and other eateries.
After a glowing reception in 2018, the NYC Winter Lantern Festival will return to Snug Harbor Cultural Center with eight acres of LED lights that manifest an Asian flair (thin kpandas, dragons and florals). But the gorgeous showcase is about more than just photo ops: Stick around for a taste of some international fare as well as juggling, Tibetan folk dancing, hoop tumbling and other live performances. All ages.
You'll feel like you've stepped straight into a scene of Jurassic Park!
Prepare for a lively celebration! Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Rink will welcome the holiday season with its beloved roller disco events at City Point, and kids can get in the action! Lace up and enjoy. The schedule, which will run until Feb 15, 2020, is as follows: Learn to Skate for Kids: Thursdays 5–5:45pm (7+) Holiday Themed Dress-up Skate Party for Families: Fridays 3–5pm (7+) Toddler Skate: Saturdays 10–11am (6 and under) Learn to Skate for Kids: Saturdays 11–11:45am (7+) Santa Skate: Holiday Themed Dress-up Skate Party for Families: Saturdays noon–2pm (7+) Dazzle Disco Dress-up Skate Party for Families: Saturdays 2:30–5:30pm
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You'll get one hour in the gym, plus 30 minutes in the party area and a special T-shirt for the birthday kid.
The Brooklyn Christmas Lights tour of Dyker Heights is a 3.5 hour bus tour of the most extravagant Christmas light displays in the country which are located in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, aka "Dyker Lights." Over 100,000 people flock to this area every year to see the most over-the-top Christmas decorations. If this tour doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit then your name is Ebeneezer Scrooge! Highlights: Informative, friendly and professional guide Ideal choice for families Seasonal Offer
Take an interactive journey through history and innovation as you explore the legendary aircraft carrier "Intrepid", the space shuttle "Enterprise", the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine. Pre-book tickets for convenient Priority Access. Highlights: Learn the history of fascinating air, space and water craft Visit the USS 'Intrepid' aircraft carrier's flight deck, gallery deck and mess deck Marvel at the "Enterprise", the world's first space shuttle View 28 authentically restored aircraft, including the Lockheed A-12, the world's fastest military jet and spy plane Explore the submarine "Growler", the only American guided missile submarine open to the public Step inside the British Airways Concorde, the fastest commercial aircraft to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean. (Additional entry fee required) View collections of military memorabilia and machinery at the Intrepid Museum Enjoy the benefit of a flexible ticket redemption policy. You can make your visit whenever you like, within a month of your scheduled ticket date
Your skip-the-line ticket to The Museum of Modern Art includes a free audio guide, special exhibitions, films, and gallery talks. The MOMA's renowned collection of modern and contemporary art includes Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night and Andy Warhol's Gold Marilyn Monroe, along with works by Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Cindy Sherman, Elizabeth Murray, and many other great artists of our time. Bonus: Admission to MoMA PS1, the contemporary art center in Long Island City, is also included for up to 14 days after your visit to MoMA. Highlights: Family friendly Instant Confirmation Skip the line
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
