Experience a kaleidoscope of photo-ops, plus acrobatic shows, tasty food, craft cocktails, live music, and more at the captivating light festival, Lektrik, at the Queens Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of Fever

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in NYC: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and More Things To Do

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0

See the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids

Bring your skates and you can hit the ice for free at Bryant Park. Photo by Colin Miller

What's Open Thanksgiving Day in NYC: Best Things To Do with Kids

Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 98th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Where to Watch, What's New

GUIDE

Guide to Thanksgiving in NYC for Kids and Families

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Leuca. Photo courtesy of the Noho Hospitality Group

26 Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in NYC

All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann

Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC

The Tianyu Lights Festival transforms the Citi Field parking lot into a magical holiday destination with larger-than-life lanterns and kid-friendly activities. Photo courtesy of the festival

Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids

Where To Find Free Turkey in NYC This Thanksgiving

Experience the magic of the Tianyu Lights Festival at Citi Field this holiday season. Photo courtesy of the festival

21 Best Things To Do in NYC November 2024 with Kids

Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden

Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now!

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NYC Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2024

Canstruction is free and open to the public at Brookfield Place through Monday, November 11. Photo by Heidi Lee

39 Free and Fun Things To Do in NYC this November with Kids

Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders at NYBG's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Photo by Ally Noel

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 35 Top Things To Do in NYC this Fall

The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.

Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025

Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC

Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep

Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier

47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day

Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop

GUIDE

Guide to NYC Classes for Kids

Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.

Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love

Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin

Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families

The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!

Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids

For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier

Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly

Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun

GUIDE

NYC Summer Camp Guide

Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier

25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More

Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.

21 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City

The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH

Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC

Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum

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Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids

GUIDE

Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC

Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.

Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids

There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier

101 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids

Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.

Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC

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Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC

See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo

100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up

Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier

3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier

NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families

These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.

75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier

Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids

No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird

40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now

65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age

Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.

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Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids

Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander

67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home

The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader

100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up

Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide

Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette

Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects

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Boredom Busters for Kids

Weekend Fun: US Open Kids' Day, Battle of Brooklyn, Soapbox Derby, and Sprinklers

Enjoy the last days of summer at Sprinkler Day at Asphalt Green. Photo courtesy of the Asphalt Green

8/22/18 - By Drew Kristofik

Tennis anyone? The annual Arthur Ashe Kids' Day is back, bringing tennis stars and music superstars to NYC in advance of next weekend's US Open. Can't get to Queens? Check out the US Open Experience down in the Financial District for kids' clinics and big-screen tennis viewing.

For old-fashioned summer fun, soapbox contraptions roll through Park Slope at Saturday's South Slope Derby, or get soaked at Sprinkler Day at Asphalt Green. History buffs can celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn, fought in 1776 on land that is now part of Green-Wood Cemetery, at the Battle of Brooklyn Monuments Tour or the Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, it's time to Boogie on the Boulevard up in the Bronx. The center lanes of the Grand Concourse from 162nd Street to 170th Street are closed to cars and open to a world of fun—with free music, art, and activities. This weekend is also your last chance to snag a free hot dog from the Hot Dog Bus.

Check a few more things off that "before school starts" summer bucket list—or start planning for fall: Tickets for Smithsonian Museum Day Live, offering FREE access to museums all around the city on September 22, are available to download now. Get 'em before they're gone! For more end-of-summer fun, check our August GoList and Event Calendar.