All Weekend

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show Opening Weekend – the Bronx
A November Go List pick: The NYBG's 23rd annual annual holiday display opens this weekend. Watch model trains go whizzing by more than 150 NYC landmarks made out of acorns, twigs, bark, berries and leaves. Afterward, kids can hit the Everett Children's Adventure Garden to make train puppets, march in musical parades and craft miniature balsam fir pillows. Free with All-Garden Pass: $28 for adults, $16 for children ages 2-12

360 Allstars – Midtown West
Another November Go List pick: Hit the New Victory Theater to catch this one-of-a-kind stage spectacle. Marvel at the mad skills of a championship basketball player, BMX biker, an acrobat and a pair of battling break-dancers, set to the pulsating rhythms of a live beat boxer. Want to save money on tickets? We're hosting a special Mommy Poppins performance next Saturday, November 22 when you can save 20% on seats and enjoy cookie decorating after the show. $15-$38

The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess – Midtown West
And another November Go List pick: Catch NYC Children's Theater's brand-new musical based on Loryn Brantz's picture book Harvey the Child Mime and featuring songs by preschool rock goddess Laurie Berkner. Happy tot Harvey accidentally gets shipped overseas in an imaginary box. Soon he's making royal new friends and teaching them about fun and togetherness. $25

The Three Bears Holiday Bash – Upper West Side
Hit Central Park's Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre for its annual seasonal show featuring the three bears and all of their fairy-tale friends. This spirited puppet performance celebrates all of the holidays: Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. $10 for adults, $7 for children under age 12

GingerBread Lane Opening Weekend – Corona
Gawk at the largest gingerbread village in the world at the New York Hall of Science. Chef Jon Lovitch's enormous display features hundreds of houses and is said to weight over 5,000 pounds! Free with admission: $11 for adults, $8 for children ages 2-17

Nature's Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters Opening Weekend – Upper West Side
Explore the American Museum of Natural History's new installation about the power of Mother Nature. Kids should especially enjoy the interactive stations where they can work a model earthquake, make a virtual volcano and experience what it feels like inside a tornado. Free with General Admission Plus One: $27 adults, $16 for children ages 3-12 
 

Saturday, November 15

Children's Book Fair – Crown Heights
And another November Go List pick: Celebrate quality kid lit at the Brooklyn Museum's eighth annual fest. Brooklyn-based children's book authors and illustrators will read from their recent titles, and there will be hands-on activities and photo ops for all ages. Free with suggested admission: $16 for adults, free for children under age 20

Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players – Upper West Side
Catch the Grammy-nominated kindie rockers as they play catchy tunes from their family album, Recess, at Symphony Space. $26 for adults, $16 for children

Northpole Communication Station – Midtown West
Head to Times Square for some early holiday fun courtesy of Hallmark. The company is setting up a giant Northpole Communication Station so kids can talk directly to a Northpole resident or maybe even Santa himself. Expect crowds. FREE

Trevor Day School Fall Festival – Upper East Side
Enjoy an indoor/outdoor carnival, a fantastic gift basket silent auction, shopping, a well-stocked cafe and gingerbread houses at this independent school's fundraiser. Free admission but there are fees for activities

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, November 16

Thalia Kids' Book Club: Terrific Tails – A Celebration of E.B. White
Yet another November Go List pick: Head to Symphony Space to celebrate the beloved children's book author who wrote classics like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. Luminaries such as Frasier's David Hyde Pierce, Tony Award-winner Liev Schreiber and Saturday Night Live alum Jane Curtin will read some of his best known work for kids, along with White's granddaughter and stepson. $25

Battle of Fort Washington – Washington Heights
Our final November Go List pick of the weekend: Watch history come alive at the 238th anniversary of this epic Revolutionary War battle in Fort Tryon Park. In addition to mingling with members of the Brigade of the American Revolution to find out what life was like during the era, families can watch blacksmith demos, listen to local historians, and try period crafts. FREE

Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal Opening Day – Midtown East
Looking for a more low-key and less expensive holiday train show than the one at NYBG? Then hit the New York Transit Museum gallery annex in Grand Central Terminal to see its modest annual Lionel train display. Hey, it's FREE.

Manxmouse: The Mouse Who Knew No Fear – Greenwich Village
Head to the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts to see this inventive stage adaptation of Paul Gallico's book. An odd-looking mouse (he's bright blue, tailless and has giant rabbit-style ears) goes on a quest to find his place in the world, braving wild animals, evil pet store owners and even his mortal enemy: a cat. $19 but save 25% on tickets with our discount code

BAMKids: A Hard Day's Night – Fort Greene
Introduce the kids to the Fab Four at a screening of this classic 1964 film featuring mod London and the Beatles mega-hits "Can't Buy Me Love", "She Loves You" and, of course, "A Hard Day's Night". $10 for adults, $7 for children under age 13

See all Sunday events.
 

Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in our Event Calendar.