Best Thanksgiving Movies for Kids and the Whole Family

Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow is a Thanksgiving movie full of cool creatures kids will love. Photo courtesy of the Jim Henson Company and Lifetime Pictures

Watching Thanksgiving movies is part of many families' Thanksgiving traditions, much like watching football or the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And gone are the days of having to gobble up Thanksgiving dinner by a certain time to catch whatever special is airing on network TV. With so many streaming platforms, there are a variety of Thanksgiving movies for kids and families to watch at any time.

Whether it's an animated Thanksgiving special, a family-friendly football film, or even a holiday classic to get everyone in a festive mood, here are 20 of the best Thanksgiving movies and specials for kids and families. For even more Thanksgiving fun—including hilarious Thanksgiving jokes and fun Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities—check out our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families.

KPOP the Musical Brings Full-Scale K-pop Concert to Broadway Stage

Go behind the scenes with fictional K-pop stars during KPOP the musical on Broadway. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Editor's note: KPOP the musical plays its final Broadway performance on Sunday, December 11, 2022.
If your kids are fans of K-pop, you won't want to miss seeing KPOP the musical, an original production that's landed on Broadway and our list of the best Broadway shows to see with kids this season. Starring current and former K-pop stars, KPOP the musical is a lively and energetic show that will have you dancing in your seats.

Fresh off a viewing of KPOP the musical with my 12-year-old daughter and her friends, here's what you need to know about bringing your kids to this new Broadway show. Find more great productions for all ages in our Guide to Children's Theater and Shows in NYC.

10 Top New Jersey Gyms for Indoor Rock Climbing with Kids

The Gravity Vault has climbing locations throughout New Jersey.

Your local rock-climbing gym combines fitness, thrills, and fun. It's the perfect way to get the kids moving and out of the house and still stay indoors when the weather isn't cooperating. Check out these 10 New Jersey facilities for open climbing, with options for beginner through advanced climbers!

Check with each facility about age requirements and which sections are best to try with kids. Some facilities recommend a staff-belay booking if you're new to climbing.

Take a look at our rundown of indoor obstacle courses and other great options in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for NJ Kids

Wonderland Dreams Invites Guests to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole and Embrace a Unique Art Experience

Fun, playful photo-ops await at the immersive art experience Wonderland Dreams.

Immersive art experiences have been popping up all over town in the past year, but the new Wonderland Dreams exhibit that's taken over a cavernous Midtown space is like nothing we've ever seen before. This Alice in Wonderland-inspired canvas is brought to life by the magical brushstrokes of artist Alexa Meade. Its sprawling 30-room walk-through is full of colorful props, stunning photo-ops, and inspiring backdrops that left us smiling long after we left the exhibit.

Read on for more details of our visit to Wonderland Dreams and bookmark our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC for more kid-friendly art adventures to enjoy.

Luxe Play Space WowMoms World Opens on Long Island

A view of the play space. Photo courtesy of WowMoms World

WowMoms World, which recently opened in Mineola, is a luxury play space that also offers services for caregivers. The relaxing space is set up so that children can play or take a class while caregivers or parents enjoy a manicure, a bite to eat, or even take a class themselves. This unique business–which currently has other outposts in Canada and Florida–truly has the entire family in mind. 

Check out our roundup of affordable after-school classes for Long Island kids and other ideas in our Childcare Guide to Long Island

All Aboard South Florida's New Train: Riding the Brightline to Miami

No traffic, comfy seats, and an element of adventurous fun—these are all reasons why my family has fallen in love with the Brightline train, the high-speed rail service that connects West Palm Beach to Miami (with a stop in Fort Lauderdale). Anyone who lives in South Florida can tell you that the roads between these cities get congested, especially on a Friday afternoon. The Brightline presents another option for travelers. For kids and their parents, it also means an experience they're unlikely to forget. 

So what exactly can you expect aboard the Brightline? And when does this South Florida train service expand to other cities in Florida? Read on for all of the details, including a special Miami Polar Express Christmas Train. And to find out about more of our favorite train rides in Florida, check out our 10 favorite scenic train rides in Florida.

Holiday Lighting Celebrations in Los Angeles: Christmas Tree Lightings, Menorah Lightings, and Fireworks!

Is this really America's tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree? Check it out live and see! Photo courtesy of Citadel Center

Get ready to deck the Southland halls, walls, trees, skies, and more with Christmas tree lightings, menorah lightings, and fireworks! As the holidays get rolling, there are plenty of opportunities to snap photos with Santa, take in a boat parade, and marvel at some spectacular neighborhood holiday lights and Candy Cane Lanes, but the best way to kick it all off is with a good old-fashioned tree lighting (or menorah lighting) ceremony. Communities all over Los Angeles and Orange County have their own traditions—including caroling, cocoa, fireworks, and much more. Pick whichever of the locations below is nearest to you, and go rock around a Christmas tree!

We'll keep adding more below as communities make their plans. Check our events calendar and sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep up with the latest info. For more holiday events and activities, check our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families.

Free in November: Veterans Day Events, Fall Festivals, and More Free Things To Do in Orlando With Kids

Disney Springs gets into the holiday spirit starting this month. Photo by Kent Phillips, courtesy of Walt Disney World News

For the whole month of November, we've rounded up some of our favorite, fun, and most significantly, FREE events in Orlando, perfect for families of all ages and sizes. There are outdoor movie nights happening in Orlando, Longwood, and Maitland, as well as Veterans Day weekend events, including a wreath ceremony and parade. And make sure to keep fall festivals alive and well by attending free Orlando events like Fusion Fest, Maitland Rotary Art Festival, and much more.

With the start of November comes the inevitable start of holiday programming! Get ready for Santa's arrival later this year with FREE holiday events kicking off in November, like those in Mount Dora, Celebration, and Orlando. Start shopping and get into the holiday spirit at Disney Springs or spend time meeting mischievous elves in Kissimmee.

We've amassed Orlando's top activities for the month in our Best of November piece. Get even more ideas of what to do in our wonderful city by visiting the Mommy Poppins Orlando events calendar!

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