Best Things To Do with Kids this Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Celebrate the holidays at Legoland New York's Holiday Bricktacular. Photo courtesy of Legoland

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Special holiday openings this weekend include the debut of Legoland New York's Holiday Bricktacular celebrations as well as Polar Express-themed train rides by Catskill Mountain Railroad, which also include hot chocolate and a meeting with Santa. 

Families can also enjoy fall-themed STEAM activities that celebrate the changing seasons at the Westchester Children's Museum's Fall Fest Weekend.

Read on for lots more standout events happening this weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. 

Disney on Ice and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

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Take in the new Disney on Ice production at the UBS Arena this weekend. Photo courtesy Feld Entertainment/Disney on Ice

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Disney on Ice shimmies into the UBS Arena this weekend with its latest show, Let's Dance. And if you're ready to start celebrating the holidays, the drive-through Riverhead Holiday Light Show and Polar Express in Port Jefferson open this weekend on the East End. 

Plus, the popular Snowflake Sock Skating attraction returns to the Long Island Children's Museum this weekend. And the free, walk-through animated Christmas story featuring Santa, his elves, and friends opens at Hicks Nurseries.

Or capture every precious moment of your little ones assisting in Santa's workshop through the lenses of his trained elves at Magical Wonderland NY.

Read on for more great events across LI this weekend. 

Sesame Street Learn & Play and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend

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Diggerland shines this holiday season with a drive-thru course covered in twinkling lights. Photo courtesy of Diggerland

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Sunny days are ahead this mid-November weekend with the grand opening of Sesame Street Learn & Play, an immersive play experience, at American Dream. Plus, bring on the holiday light spectaculars with the debut of LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival-Wonder Journey at Freehold Raceway Mall, which boasts an Alice in Wonderland theme.

NYC Subway Primer: How to Get Around with Kids

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Off to new adventures with an OMNY card in hand!

The New York City subway is the largest public transportation network of its kind in America with 472 stations on 25 routes, spread along 665 miles of track. Riding the subway is the fastest, easiest way to get from point A to point B in NYC, and it's a great way to travel with kids.

But, if you're not 100% familiar with the subway system, are traveling with a stroller, or hit schedule changes, it can really stink. The subway system can be a little daunting to navigate, so we've got all the info you need to ride the subway. We've also rounded up the best online resources to make it easier to get around NYC by subway, especially with kids.

If you're visiting NYC, be sure to bookmark our Visitors Guide, which includes a ton of parent-tested tips plus our top picks for the best attractions in NYC and how to make the most of a budget-friendly visit, too.

Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

"Peace, Love & Lights" brings a drive-thru light experience on the site of the Woodstock Festival. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods

This year's must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in the Hudson Valley include a wintry mix of spectacles, tree lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings, and other fun. 

Whether you’re looking for a drive-thru holiday lights display or a Christmas event outside in frosty air, we’re highlighting can't-miss holiday activities in the Hudson Valley below. Enjoy Lego-themed holiday festivities at Legoland New York's Holiday Bricktacular or dance and sing with the holiday characters at A Frosty Fest.

For an unforgettable family holiday experience, put on your pajamas and take a Polar Express-themed train ride with Santa through the Catskill Mountains.

Find even more ways to celebrate the season in our curated Christmas and Holiday Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Families. We also populate our Family Activity Calendar with loads of fun throughout the holidays, so keep close tabs to stay informed.

Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Hottest Toys and Christmas Gifts for Kids

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Cookeez Makery is one of the hottest new toys of 2024!

Looking for the best Christmas gifts for kids? Check out our ultimate holiday gift guide 2024, with the hottest toy suggestions for kids of all ages.

'Tis the season—it’s time to get serious about Christmas gifts for kids. The holidays will be here before you know it, and that means shopping. Lots of shopping. To help you find the perfect gift, we've talked to kids, toy experts, and parents to fill our gift guide for 2024 with some of the hottest toys of the season.

Whether your toddler loves Ms. Rachel or your teenager is dying for the latest Percy Jackson book, we’ve got the perfect gift for kids of all ages and interests.

For more gift ideas, check out the Mommy Poppins Holiday Gift Guide 2024, which has suggestions for cool stocking stuffers, baby's first Christmas gift, and more.

Best STEM Classes in New Jersey for Kids

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Robot Revolution in Summit focuses on competitive robotics.

If your child is interested in exploring the "hows," "whys," and "what-ifs" of the world around them, STEM classes in New Jersey can be a wonderful way to foster curiosity and critical thinking. We've rounded up 15 STEM classes for kids in the Garden State that teach coding, robotics, architecture, engineering, chess, and more.

For more kids' activities, check out our guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in New Jersey.

Big Top Comes to the Big Apple: Big Apple Circus and More High-Flying Shows in NYC

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The Big Apple Circus has pitched its big top in Damrosch Park for a fun-filled show that's an ode to its hometown. Photo by Jody Mercier

It's easy to run away to the circus in NYC—we have so many big tops passing through town each year that you can snag a seat in the stands in any season. A trip to the circus is an exercise in joy and a great introduction to live performances for little kids. High-flying acrobats and glittering costumes are great attention grabbers!

The beloved Big Apple Circus holds its annual holiday season run, dazzling audiences at Lincoln Center with acrobats, trained poodles, magic, and more. Circus newcomer Flip Circus makes multiple stops for audiences in Forest Park and McCarren Park, while the Grand Shanghai Circus brings a taste of China to St. George on Staten Island. Come spring, Cirque du Soleil's Luzia lights up Randall's Island, and the New Victory Theater has a pair of circus troupes on its docket this season, too.

Read on for all the touring circus acts you can catch in NYC, and book your tickets for your favorite big top now to ensure you don't miss out on the action.