The Best Family-Friendly Openings of 2025—Plus What’s Coming in 2026 Across NYC, NJ & Beyond

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Seeing the drones take flight at the NYBG last summer was a memorable family outing. Photo by author

The holiday hubub is mostly behind us—sugar cookie crumbs and piles of presents still waiting to be put away excepted—and that means it's time to look back at the year that was for families in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey. So, today, we're bringing you this list of our top family-friendly openings of 2025, plus offering a sneak peek at the fun on the horizon in 2026.

As always, thanks for joining us on all the adventures we've encountered, and cheers to a new year and new openings in the tri-state area.

Dallas-Fort Worth's New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More

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Come to the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden at the Dallas Arboretum for a Noon Year's Eve ball drop, bubble dance party, and winter STEM activities. Photo courtesy of the arboretum

New Year's Eve is almost here, and Dallas-Fort Worth has plenty of fun New Year's Eve celebrations perfect for families. You can head to a Noon Year's Eve celebration at the Dallas Arboretum or the Sci-Tech Discovery Center, spend all day riding waterslides and enjoying activities at Epic Waters, or head to a Taylor Swift tribute band concert at The HUB in Allen. If you've got night owls at home, Reunion Tower is bringing back the Lone Star NYE fireworks show, which is always a blast.

If you're looking for other fun things to do in Dallas with kids during the winter break, check out our events calendar or our round-up of the best activities in Dallas each weekend. 

That's a wrap on 2025! Happy Holidays from us at Mary Poppins, and we'll see you in 2026!

Top Things To Do with Kids in NYC in January 2026, from MP Editors

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Museo del Barrio's The Three Kings Day Parade takes over the streets of East Harlem Photo by Mommy Poppins

From New Year's Day to MLK weekend, January can be a great time for indoor and outdoor activities. Don't miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in New York City this month.

The new year gets off to a thrilling (and chilling) start when Coney Island Polar Bear Club members plunge into the freezing Atlantic on Wednesday, January 1, and families are welcome to join in (or just watch, which I recommend). Catch up with the Three Kings as they hand out gifts on the Lower East Side, and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at BAM's always-moving tribute. Close down the first month of 2026 by helping Wollman Rink break a World Record!

Best Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey January 2026, from Mommy Poppins Editors

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Disney on Ice's newest show, "Mickey's Search Party", is coming to Newark with fresh moves from many favorite characters. Photo courtesy of Disney on Ice

From Disney on Ice to maple sugaring, January can be a great time for indoor and outdoor activities. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in New Jersey this month.

A new year brings a new roster of warm and cozy post-holiday fun. Escape the cold and treat the family to warm indoor festivals, including the decadent Dessertopia and a festival of furry friends, Super Pet Expo. Or, layer up and brave the outdoors for Maple Tree Tapping or the Mount Holly Fire and Ice Festival.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

Top Free Things To Do with Kids on Long Island in January 2026, According to MP Editors

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Watch ice carving demonstrations and celebrate all things winter along the harborfront at Port Jefferson's annual Ice Festival. Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson Business Improvement District

From New Year's Day to MLK weekend and beyond, January is packed with activities for kids, indoors and outside. Don’t miss our favorite free and fun things to do on Long Island with kids this month.

From nature outings to indoor crafts to STEM opportunities, these options offer some awesome ways to spend time doing fun, family-friendly things that won’t cost you a cent.

For more things to do that won’t bust your budget, check out our roundup of free indoor play spaces on Long Island, our Winter Fun Guide, and our rundown of Long Island restaurants where kids eat free.

Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley in January 2026, According to MP Editors

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Visit the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum for all kinds of interactive fun during Family Free Nights. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for FREE things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this January? Read on for dozens of great options.

As spectacular as the holidays are in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, all of the celebrations can take a toll on the family budget. So we've rounded up tons of free activities in January, from Family Free Night at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, where kids can explore STEM-themed exhibits and try out the toddler rock wall, to a K-Pop Demon Hunters Party at the Ossining Public Library.

January is also the start of the maple-sugaring season in the area, and you can kick it off with FREE Backyard Sugarin' at Muscoot Farm.