The Best Family Shows of Off-Broadway's New Victory Theater 2024-25 Season

The New Victory has been the go-to destination for enriching and affordable theater for families since 1995.

My daughter may be in college now, but we still catch as many shows as we can at the beloved New Victory Theater. That’s a testament to its reputation as New York’s premier performing arts destination for families, with programming that entertains and engages kids and adults alike–so you never outgrow its offerings. Sure, sometimes we bring a 6-year-old cousin along, but just as often we don’t!

Right on 42nd Street in Times Square, the off-Broadway theater has been the go-to destination for enjoyable, enriching, and affordable theater for young audiences and their grown-ups since 1995. With hands-on workshops, pre-show activities, post-show photo ops, and performances tailored to kids with autism and other sensory, social, and learning disabilities, the nonprofit has introduced multiple generations to the magic of the performing arts and raised the bar for what family theater can be.

As a theater enthusiast and longtime New Victory fan myself, I'm thrilled to share a preview of the venue’s 2024-25 season, including the best shows for different ages and tips on how to save money on tickets.

Halloween, Fluffernutter Day, and More Holidays & Activities for October 2024

Get gaudy! Wear your craziest clothes for Wear Something Gaudy Day on October 17!

October means HALLOWEEN! But that’s just one day, there are 30 more days to fill with awesomely spooky, costume-filled, pumpkin-spiced October fun.

In addition to Halloween, you can also celebrate Fluffernutter Day, Rosh Hashanah, Wear Something Gaudy Day, International Sloth Day, and more — all in October. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ve also rounded up all the Halloween fun with days set aside for Halloween parties, Halloween movies, and pumpkin carving (we've got easy templates so your pumpkins will impress even if you have limited art skills, promise!).

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. For more ideas for Halloween activities, check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants near the American Museum of Natural History

Round out your museum day with a kid-friendly meal at these family-friendly restaurants on the Upper West Side.

Starved after your visit to one of the top kid destinations on the Upper West Side? These family-friendly restaurants near the American Museum of Natural History are guaranteed kid-pleasers.

In addition to AMNH, kid-friendly attractions like the DiMenna Children's History Museum at the New-York Historical Society, and the Children's Museum of Manhattan mean few Manhattan neighborhoods scream kid-friendly quite like the Upper West Side, so the area's restaurants are overwhelmingly welcoming to families.

While you really can't go wrong anywhere, we've rounded up more than a dozen of the best spots to grab a quick bite or sit down for a full meal. For more family-friendly eateries, check out our NYC Kids Guide to Restaurants.

My Unpopular Opinion: Kids Shouldn’t Have Cell Phones

How should parents navigate children’s exposure to technology?

Here is my unpopular opinion: kids shouldn’t have cell phones.

As much as a kids' cell phone might seem like the ultimate tool for staying connected, a growing body of research shows that a cell phone for kids—especially a smartphone—can have negative effects on brain development, mental health, academic performance, and more.

"But my kid NEEDS a cell phone to keep them safe." I strongly disagree! Read on to see why I think that...and how to solve these problems without a cell phone.

Save On Top-Rated New York City Outings and Experiences for Kids and Families

Groupon's online marketplace offers tons of discounts on activities for kids and families.

Find tons of daily discounts on the top New York City kid activities and family experiences in Groupon’s online marketplace.

NYC is certainly a fun-filled city–but it’s an expensive one too! And we all know keeping costs down when you’ve got kids to keep busy is no easy feat.

If you’re looking for New York City activities and outings for the whole family that won’t break the bank, we’ve rounded up some of Groupon’s best deals on top-rated experiences. Take a look at these 4- and 5-star-rated deals that’ll help you save on everything from zoos to movie tickets to tours of iconic NYC landmarks.

Where to Play Pickleball, Tennis, and Other Paddle Sports in NYC

During the summer CityPickle's outdoor courts transform Wollman Rink into a pickleball paradise. Photo by Jody Mercier

After the drama of the Summer Olympics and the thrill of the US Open, paddle sports are gaining in popularity. More people are picking up pickleball in NYC, plus other paddle sports, and enjoying their own fast-paced matches. If you're ready to dive into the action, check out the best places to play pickleball in NYC this season, plus some top picks for playing indoor tennis with kids in NYC. We've even got an entire list of the best tennis classes in NYC for kids to give you even more options to hit the courts with kids.

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