Ringing in the new year at the iconic Times Square ball drop or at an impressive fireworks display are on many a native and traveler's NYC bucket list. But for new parents? Or those with a preschooler or toddler in tow? Let's be honest, you'll be lucky to be awake at 10pm.

Still, there are plenty of events in New York City for early-to-bed families. From museums to restaurants, read on for our best bets for ringing in 2017 with toddlers, preschoolers, and any kid or parent who prefers getting extra ZZZs over sticking around for the annual fireworks barrage.

Find family events happening all weekend in our New Year's roundup, and more seasonal fun in our Holiday Fun Guide.

NYC kids are no doubt worked into a holiday frenzy this week. They can sense the school vacation headed their way—and are hopped up on holiday treats, and good cheer! Keep 'em focused with cool art projects like snowy dioramas and reindeer sock puppet making, or let them shake out some of that energy with Make Music Winter, a free outdoor musical event happening all over the city this Wednesday.

Catch Santa for FREE all week at Bryant Park, and kick off the holiday vacation with FREE museum hours this Friday. There are also Hanukkah celebrations, concerts, and menorah lightings, and don't miss out on these NYC maker spaces for drop-in fun, especially as the weather turns, well, frightful.

Whether you're sticking around the city this whole week, or headed off for the holidays, it's worth getting out to cross off those last items on your NYC holiday bucket list, from a department store windows walk to checking out some of the most colorful and brightly lit trees. Don't forget what the city looks like come February. OK, a lot less crowded, but a lot less festive, too.

Read on for our best bets for NYC kids this week, December 19-23, and don't forget to check out our daily Event Calendar for more things to do with the kids the week, or our Holiday Activities Guide for more seasonal NYC fun...all December break long.

The city is awash in Nutcracker performances come holiday season, from the iconic New York City Ballet’s production at Lincoln Center to the abridged, children-friendly Keith Michael's The Nutcracker. For NYC families with kids under 5, the question always is: are they ready? Will they even make it to intermission before they lose it?

I had that same thought as my almost 4-year-old and I took our seats at the Clurman Theatre on 42^nd Street for a Nutcracker-themed family musical, Ballerina Swan and The Nutcracker, from The New York City Children’s Theater, and it was only 50 minutes with no intermission.

I shouldn’t have worried. As soon as the dancers took to the stage, my daughter was riveted. Read on for our parent review of this brand-new piece that incorporates ballet, acting, and puppetry into a special holiday show for young children.