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See Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

Thanksgiving in New York City wouldn't be what it is without the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you're eager to take your kids to glimpse those giant balloons and don’t want to rise before dawn, visit the area near the American Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, to watch the giants come to life, including the brand-new balloons for 2018.

While the balloon inflation isn't crowd-free, it’s an only-in-New York event all its own—and a must-do holiday event for families. Read on for tips on when to go and where to eat dinner afterward. In need of more holiday inspiration? Visit our Thanksgiving Fun Guide.

Zimmer Children's Museum Gets a New Name and a New Home in the New Year

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The Zimmer Children's Museum, the hugely popular Miracle Mile hub for the preschool set, is making a break for the beach, picking up more space and a new name along the way. Soon to be known as the Cayton Children's Museum, it will create a whole new reason to go to Santa Monica Place, that mall with the ocean view at the end of the Third Street Promenade—giving families one more reason to spend a day in the seaside suburb. 

16 Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend with NYC Kids

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

The Thanksgiving holiday break is nearly here, and while Thursday is likely filled with giant helium-filled balloons and hearty portions, you've got three more days to entertain the kids after everyone's stuffed.

Whether you're entertaining out-of-towners, or enjoying a family staycation, we've got you covered. From only-in-NY experiences to fun holiday happenings and a slew of kid-friendly shows, we've rounded up 16 fun ways to spend some quality time with your family over the long weekend.

8 Things to Love About the Children's Museum of Manhattan

Submitted by Kera Rennert on

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is an absolute must-visit for any NYC family with young children, and it’s especially great for kids ages ten and under. This Upper West Side mainstay is a super-fun environment to learn about science, culture, art, music and history. CMOM features both permanent and rotating immersive exhibits, themed play areas, workshops, classes, and interactive performances, all designed around the latest child development research. The nearly 40,000-square-foot institution spans five stories, which seems to be just enough space to keep your children happy, engaged, and occupied without overwhelming them (or you).

I’ve taken my kids to CMOM more times than I can count, and it never gets old. There’s always something new and interesting to explore, along with some ever-present favorites (the fire truck is sure to please any child, big or small – just ask my husband). Read on to see our top reasons why CMOM is one of our favorite kid-centric destinations in all of New York City.

All Aboard With Thomas & Friends at Please Touch Museum's New Exhibit

Submitted by Christine Mooney on

If you have a little train lover in your family, chances are you practically live on the Island of Sodor: humming along to the theme of Thomas & Friends™, and amassing more trains, tracks, and stations than you thought humanly possible.  Now Thomas the Train fans are in for a special treat. At Please Touch Museum’s latest exhibit, Thomas and Friends: Explore the Rails!, the entire family can enter their favorite world of make believe, practice STEM skills, and spark their imaginations with Thomas.  Read on to find out what makes this exhibit a must-do for Philly area families with tykes in tow. 

TapeScape Opens at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Submitted by Katie Nave Freeman on

As the weather cools and those freezing playground slides become less appealing, we’re all scrambling for indoor activities to keep our little ones entertained. Luckily, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum has added another family-friendly NYC activity to the to-do list.

TapeScape, open now through December 30, 2018, is an explorable structure made from scaffolding and 480 rolls of packing tape. My daughter and I had the pleasure of visiting the museum’s newest exhibit and it’s exactly as promised. We loved climbing through the tens of thousands of feet of clear tape that is intricately woven around a metal frame. There are many tunnels and passageways to explore, which inspired my three year-old's sense of adventure. She even asked if we could replicate the structure in our own kitchen. Uh, no.

Kids Can Be the Doc (McStuffins) at Liberty Science Center

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on

The Doc is in the house! Well, at Liberty Science Center, that is. Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit is a real-life replica of Doc’s backyard clinic where she uses her magical stethoscope to fix hurt toys. Visitors to the exhibit, inspired by the Peabody Award-winning television series, are transported to the hospital where they can help Doc McStuffins and her friends take care of all kinds of dolls, gadgets, and stuffed animals.

My 5-year-old superfan was so excited to attend the exhibit’s recent grand opening that she wore a lab coat from last year’s Halloween costume. But don’t worry, there are plenty of white coats and stethoscopes to go around at LSC so that your kiddo can help care for toy patients like a pro. Feel free to bring your own “hurt” stuffed animal from home, too.

Read on for our tour of the highly-interactive Doc McStuffins' toy hospital where young doctors-in-training can perform check-ups and diagnose toy patients, while learning about healthy habits, compassion, and nurturing care.

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