Check Out Cool Antique Model Trains & Toys at the New-York Historical Society Over the Holidays

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on

Even though we don't really know why the tradition started, trains and Christmas go together like Santa and his sleigh. From Polar Express rides to the MTA nostalgia subways to popular holiday train displays at the New York Botanical Garden and in Grand Central Terminal, there are lots of special seasonal experiences sure to please train-loving kids.

Now the New-York Historical Society has added a brand-new one: Holiday Express, an immersive installation filled with fabulous vintage toys and trains. While not all of the engines move, the display comes alive thanks to cool animated visuals and a layered soundscape. Plus special events, like this Saturday and Sunday's interactive Historical Train Weekend, mean even the youngest train fans can get on board with hands-on fun.

Read on for all the details and click through our slide show for a peek at all the cool choo-choos. You can find lots of other seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide.

News: Scholastic Store & The Moxie Spot Closing, Beam Center & Karma Kids Yoga Moving, College Scholarships, Are Playgrounds Too Safe?

Submitted by Alina Adams on

NYC, it is a-changing. The end of the year marks the end of the line for two of our top indoor drop-in play spots: Brooklyn Heights restaurant/play space The Moxie Spot and Soho's beloved Scholastic Store. As if that didn't put enough of a damper on our holiday spirits, two of our favorite annual seasonal displays aren't lighting up this year.

But all of our news isn't depressing. On the bright side, a Brooklyn makerspace and a popular kids' yoga studio are both moving to spacious new digs, FREE wireless Internet hubs are coming to public libraries and McDonald's is actually serving something you'll want to give your kids: college scholarships!

Best Kid-Friendly Malls for Holiday Shopping in NJ

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

'Tis the season to go shopping! The busiest shopping period of the year has arrived, and as much as you may want to dodge the malls, sometimes a holiday shopping trip is a necessary evil. And what’s even more stressful than fighting for parking, navigating crowds, and standing in mile-long lines? Doing it with the kids in tow. With the right planning, a trip to one of New Jersey’s 25+ malls can be a downright enjoyable experience during the holidays. We’ve rounded up some of New Jersey’s more child-friendly malls, which feature play areas, food courts, toy stores, events and interactive holiday displays, so bring the family for some fun, meltdown-free shopping.

Easy Handmade Thumbprint Holiday Cards Kids Craft

Submitted by Ally Noel on

Why does such a seemingly simple thing as a holiday card become so fraught? These adorable homemade holiday cards are the perfect solution. You don't need a professional family photo or much more than a cotton swab, white ink, and your thumbs to make a unique snowman holiday card each member of the family, no matter how small, can literally put his or her stamp on.

Ways for Long Island Families to Give Back During the Holidays

Jaime Sumersille's picture Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

The holiday season is a prime opportunity to teach your children about giving back, empathy and social responsibility. Donating and volunteering are great ways to show them that not everyone is as fortunate as they are.  And there are plenty of ways for Long Island families fulfill their give back goals.

And for more information about seasonal events on Long Island, check out our Holiday Fun Guide.

Holiday Toy Donation Events in Connecticut

Submitted by Pam Hegner on

The true meaning of the holiday season is to give to those in need. Nothing warms your heart more than seeing a child open a doll or fire truck they have been dreaming about. Here are some events happening across Connecticut that will help teach your children about the importance of charity. 

This Week's Picks: Presents and Presence, December 8 - 12

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on

With Christmas a mere three weeks away, it is hard to keep the greed in check. My children, who tend to be fairly reasonable beings eleven months of the year, are suddenly adding to their Christmas Wish Lists on a daily basis. “Maybe” and “We’ll see” have become my stock responses. Of course, our family talks about the spirit of the season, giving as opposed to receiving and thinking about those who are hungry or otherwise in need, but after a while, even these sentiments seem trite.

Time to re-set and make parenting about presence. A perfect place to start is in the Magic Forest, at its workshop on Mindful Parenting. Now that your parenting is centered, celebrate at SoCal Moms holiday party on the Pier, or check out our Holiday Fun Guide for other ways to enjoy the season.

Gowanus with Kids: Best 20 Things to Do in This Artsy Brooklyn Neighborhood

Teri's picture Submitted by Teri on

Sandwiched between the über-family-friendly enclaves of BoCoCa and Park Slope, Gowanus was a longtime industrial holdout thanks in large part to its infamously polluted namesake canal. But now that the neighborhood's got a Whole Foods, an artisanal ice cream parlor, a slew of small artsy businesses and the promise of a $500 million Superfund cleanup of its odoriferous waterway, Gowanus is undergoing a similar transformation as nearby Red Hook.

Construction sites are everywhere you look as mixed-use developments go up (yes, even along the 1.8-mile-long Gowanus Canal), and many of the old warehouses that are still standing now house art galleries, trendy bars and funky boutiques. Of course, while Gowanus is a haven for artists and entrepreneurs, family-centric attractions are still relatively limited, and there's only one park: the Thomas Greene Playground. But there are many cool, not-just-for-kids things to see and experience in this quickly changing Brooklyn nabe, which is bordered by Baltic Street to the north and the Gowanus Expressway to the south, Fourth Avenue to the east, and Smith and Hoyt Streets to the west. We kick off our series of posts about the area with our list of the top 20 things to do with kids in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

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