A lot of folks already call Times Square a circus. But as the vibrant setting of the Big Apple Circus' brand-new show Luminocity, it becomes one, literally. It's a cute concept: The set is all bright lights and Broadway marquees, and the live band plays snippets of iconic NYC tunes. The main attraction is, as always, the wonderful lineup of traditional circus acts like trapeze, high-wire and juggling showcased in an intimate setting.

As I've said in the past, the Big Apple Circus puts on particularly great shows for kids because they're less over-the-top than Cirque du Soleil and less overwhelming than Ringling Bros. At a tight two hours full of eye-popping feats and lowbrow humor, plus adorable dogs (all rescues) and horses, Luminocity delights circus-loving audiences of all ages.

My kids have come down from the excitement (and candy overload) of Halloween and are starting to settle into the season of giving thanks. Actually, if I'm being honest, they are looking PAST the season giving thanks, already asking about letters to Santa. I happen to like Thanksgiving. There's no frenzy over gifts or costumes, just lots of good food and family gatherings...and football. Plus it's a perfect excuse to reinforce lessons in being grateful and giving back. So I try to find ways to help my kids appreciate the season and slow down a bit before we head into the holiday mayhem of Christmas. Crafts are usually a hit with my kids, so I like to start there.

I'm no Martha Stewart, but my kids love doing crafts, and the more glue and glitter, the better (according to them). So I've obliged, but on my own terms--they have to be quick and relatively easy. To help get in the Thanksgiving spirit, we've got some fun craft ideas for the family that fit my criteria. These crafts are also a fun way for kids to artistically show what (and who) they are grateful for, which can make it a more lasting lesson. Enjoy!

When wandering through Brooklyn Heights' charming, tree-lined streets, it's easy to see why "America's First Suburb" also became New York City's first official historic district back in the 1960s. But, though its stately townhouses may seem unobtainable, there are plenty of attractions families can experience in the super-family-friendly neighborhood whether you live there or not.

Take in stunning views of New York Harbor and Manhattan while walking the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, which was ingeniously built high above the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Explore the activity-packed Brooklyn Bridge Park, which includes the awesome Pier 6 Playground and the Pier 2 Pop-Up Pool. Go underground, literally, to learn about NYC's transportation system at the New York Transit Museum, which is located in a defunct subway station. And check out Atlantic Avenue, historically a hot spot for delicious Middle Eastern food and antique stores, which is now also bustling with popular kid places.

Local parents stay connected through the Brooklyn Heights Parents Group and keep up on everything happening in the neighborhood on the Brooklyn Bridge Parents site, which also covers adjacent Dumbo. The Brooklyn Heights Blog is another great source for neighborhood news.

Throughout the month, we'll be offering an in-depth look at everything Brooklyn Heights and its more commercial neighbor, Downtown Brooklyn, has to offer families. For the purposes of our posts, our geographical boundaries are Old Fulton Street to the north and Atlantic Avenue to the south, Flatbush Avenue Extension to the west to the East River. We kick off our coverage with our top 35 things to do with kids in Brooklyn Heights.