SANTA
Santa Clause is coming back to town! Santa is vaxxed and ready to hear kids' wishes (and dancing on the Radio City stage).
Details are still coming out so we'll keep updating this guide; sign up for our email list and follow our insta for the latest.
NYC
Macy’s Santaland
Midtown-30sCrowded but a magical must for city kids. Advance reservations (required) can be booked online up to 5 days in advance starting at 5:30 am (weekend spots fill up immediately). Still expect a 30-45 minute line slowly wandering through a charming North Pole village with animatronic toys and train displays. Express passes not available this…
Macy’s Breakfast with Santa
Midtown-30sEnjoy a festive breakfast feast with Empire State Building views at Stella 34 Trattoria, Macy’s 6th floor restaurant. Then meet Macy’s Santa Claus and take a keepsake photo with him and his elves. Includes a family-style Italian breakfast feast, takeaway treats, holiday activities and a mimosa or bellini for adults
Seatings at 8 am, 9…
Bloomingdale’s Santaland
Midtown-50sSnap a photo with Santa Claus in a private 20-minute meet and greet. Select a traditional “North Pole” or a special “South Pole” setting. All appointments receive a complimentary digital and print photo, as well as a special holiday face mask and sweet treat. Also decorate the sweater of the collectible Bloomingdale’s Little Brown Bear, and enjoy…
Santa Fun Cruise
SeaportVisit and take photos with Santa and his elves, decorate a gingerbread house, sing carols, enjoy live storytelling and nosh on a cookie, brownie, hot chocolate with marshmallow and other treats while watching stunning NYC views. Complimentary glass of sparkling wine for adults.
Includes open-air outdoor with panoramic views and heated indoor seating. See the…
Skate with Santa at The Rink
Midtown-40sThis urban rink is one of the smallest and most expensive in the city, but the iconic location is pure magic. Mostly outdoors, but admission is through the indoor skate house.
Admission varies by day and time as much as $30, so go early in the day, week and season if you can.
Skate With Santa & Holiday Crafts
FidiSign up for a skating session with Santa and enjoy two solo performances by the jolly man in red at an ice rink overlooking New York Harbor. One hour sessions start at 10:15, 11:30, 12:45 or 2 pm and Santa performs at 12:40 pm and 1:55 pm.
Skate aids and pushable sit-down sleighs for small…
Santa Land at Atlantic Terminal Mall
BrooklynSee a community-favorite Santa. Pets welcome. Masks optional for photo. Digital photos available from a professional photographer.
Special events include pet night and special sensory-aware mornings for kids with special needs. Note that this Santa, like many New Yorkers, is Black.
$5 non-refundable deposit required to hold your 15-minute time slot; can be applied to…
Winter Wonder at the Garden
Queens: Corona/FlushingCelebrate the best of December with free live musical performances, a tree and menorah lighting, holiday crafts, a tree tour, selfies with Santa (donations welcome), and sales at the Queens Botanical Garden Shop!.Enjoy a selection of beverages at the Holiday Bar for purchase.
Dress for the weather. This event is mainly outdoors on the…
Sinterklass – Saint Nicholas Day
BrooklynThis annual celebration, adjusted for social distancing guidelines, includes craft activities, tree lighting, and a visit from St. Nick.
St. Nicholas arrives on horseback around 2:30 pm to tell the traditional tale of The Bakers Dozen and invite children to sign the Red Book. Sip hot cider, try colonial games, create a holiday pomander, decorate…
North Pole Express
Midtown-40sAboard a polar express train on wheels (an open-topped double decker tourist bus) and drive by NYC’s stunning Christmas decorations. Sing along with Christmas carols and hear engaging stories from Elf while sipping hot chocolate. Those on Santa’s Nice List will get a sleigh bell as a present and tell him your wishes in person.
…
Santa Visits The Market
Lower East SideVisit Essex Market mezzanine level to get a photo taken with Santa (1 free print-out per family) and to decorate ornaments. Free to attend; no registration required.
Takes place on the mezzanine level of a spacious market with tons of delicious food options including creative pancake emporium Shopsin’s.
Princess Tea with Santa
Upper East Side-80sDress up in provided princess costumes and accessories and join Santa for tea. Say hello and take a picture with him (photo print included). Includes dress up, special holiday snacks and themed coloring or activity.
Drop off recommended; any adults that wish to stay must be vaccinated.
WESTCHESTER/CT
Santa Photo Experience
White PlainsTake a photo with a classic mall Santa in a small Santaland. Advanced reservations encouraged. Pets welcome.
Santa is vaxxed and will not be masked. Guests can choose to stay distanced or sit on Santa’s lap. Masks can be removed for photos.
Lasdon Park Holidays On The Hill
KatonahStroll through over 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor whimsical holiday exhibits at this spacious garden complex.
* In the Conservatory, watch trains chug along on nine multi-level tracks, over bridges, under tunnels, through quaint holiday scenes and colorful seasonal plants.
* Meet Santa in his Holiday Cottage from 10 am – 11:45 am…
Ridge Hill Santa
YonkersCome see Santa in a special cottage at an outdoor mall.
Santa is vaccinated and will wear a mask upon request. All staff will be masked. Guests are required to wear masks but may remove them for the photo. Online reservations recommended, walk-ins will be worked into the line as time permits.
Also visit the…
Holidays at Cross County Center
YonkersWalk through the center of a lit 44 foot tall Christmas tree and look up to the top. A professional photography team will be on site most nights and weekends to capture your photo, which you can print or have emailed directly to you.
Santa…
LONG ISLAND
VIRTUAL
Macy’s Santaland
New YorkCrowded but a magical must for city kids. Advance reservations (required) can be booked online up to 5 days in advance starting at 5:30 am (weekend spots fill up immediately).
Still expect a 30-45 minute line slowly wandering through a charming North Pole village with animatronic toys and train displays. Express passes not available this…
In the imaginative picture book How Santa Really Works, the jolly Christmas CEO oversees a vast operation with elves as toy designers, testers, makers, wrappers, and packers, not to mention spies. Clever and entertaining for older kids (and grown-ups) and fun to peruse for the younger set, with sprawling, detailed illustrations.
Events Search and Views Navigation
List of Events
Friday, November 1
Joe’s Pizza
Get a classic NY slice to go at this Greenwich Village institution (established in 1975 ), still owned and operated by 75-year-old Neapolitan native Joe Pozzuoli.
Storyline Online
Watch videos of celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creative footage of the illustrations. Readers include Oprah Winfrey Viola Davis, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
Wow in the World
Join hosts Guy Raz and the hilarious Mindy Thomas on a journey into the wonders of the world. Go inside brains, out into space and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology - with lots of wacky fun along the way. One of our family's faves.
Circle Round
Hear sound- and music-rich radio plays based on folktales from around the world. Explore important issues like kindness, persistence and generosity with guest stage and screen stars. Each episode ends with an activity that inspires a deeper conversation between children and grown-ups. My daughter's favorite at bedtime.
Here Wee Read
Find great books recommendations for all ages in all sorts of diverse & inclusive categories, from Harlem Renaissance picture books to graphic novels talking about race. Includes themed collections like Halloween, Weddings,, Kids with Disabilities and RBG. Find links to buy at bookshop.org, an alternative to amazon that supports independent bookstores.
Billy Johnson Playground
This rustic playground hosts an amazing 45-foot granite slide nestled into a rocky hill, bucket and tire swings, and an amphitheater and miniature stone bridge made of natural materials like plants, stone, and wood at a child’s scale.
Gotham West Market
Sample some of the best eats in the city including Ample Hills Creamery ice cream, Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop noodles, Jianbing Company's Chinese seasoned pancake/omelet, Corner Slice’s square pizza, Choza’s vegetarian tacos and more in an indoor, weather-proof hall.
Bella Abzug Park
Climb on rope webs in a colorful structure surrounded by undulating soft surfaces. Communicate through underground pipes, relax on tables and chairs, splash int he fountain and admire the Hudson River view.
New York at Its Core
Follow the story of NYC’s rise from a striving Dutch village to today’s “Capital of the World,” and consider its future in a changing world through more than 400 objects as well as interactive digital experiences. Framed around the key themes of money, density, diversity, and creativity, New York City’s history comes alive through the…
DiMenna Children’s History Museum
Ride an orphan train, play a newsies video game and explore lots of other interactive exhibits on a entire floor devoted to kids. Pick up a printed scavenger hunt or just explore the many installations covering centuries of New York history. Lots to learn for older kids and lots to touch including a train table…
Time Out Market New York
Sample some of the best NYC food: fluffy pancakes from the venerable Clinton Street Baking Co., thin-crust pizza from Patsy Grimaldi’s Juliana’s, Middle Eastern bites from Miss Ada, fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, Japanese comfort food from Bessou, cookie dough scoops from DŌ and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by Time Out New York. 21,000 delicious…
Garden Court Café at Asia Society
Lunch on brunch on seasonal dishes that reflect elements of the diverse cultures of Asia in the modern, glass-enclosed space filled with light, flowering vines, trees, and art. Gorgeous bento boxes. Tuesday—Sunday, 11:30 am—3 pm
Kefi
Dine on reasonably priced tradtional Greek cuisine including tasty mezes, fried meatballs, slouvaki, house-made Greek yogurt and more among cheerful, rustic decor in chef Michael Psilakis' friendly cafe.
Sebastian Brecht’s Obsessive Chocolate Disorder
Try unique, small batch, handmade chocolates and pastries, made fresh every week in a small, quirky East Village shop with rotating art on the wall. The constantly evolving menu featuring unusual and delicious combinations of flavors and textures with fun names like bob’s dark passion, the pucker and looky cookie snookie was created by the…
Thursday, January 2
BRAINPOP
Watch short, well-written animated films on a variety of topics including antiracism & Black history, STEM, arts, math and much more starring a very funny robot. Take quizzes and play games to test what you learned. Two editions, for ages K-3 or 4th -12th Grade (which can thoughtfully address some weighty topics, so monitor…
Wednesday, April 1
Treehouse Shakers
This local family-friendly theater/dance company offers its charming shows online: Hatched (designed for babies through preschoolers) the story of a newborn chick who emerges from her shell to a strange, busy world told through movement, music, and puppets and Under the Tangle (ages 8+), the story of a young orphaned girl lost in a mysterious…
Art For Kids Hub
Follow along step by step as a professional artist and his kid draw animals, emojis, people, vehicles and more. Clear, simple steps turn anyone into an illustrator.
Children’s Museum of the Arts
Children's Museum of the Arts' blog features how-to videos and detailed instructions for art projects like Paper Chains of Kindness and Collaborative Drawing Games. Projects can be adapted for different ages and made with materials around the house.
Tuesday, April 28
EduHam at Home
Explore the world of the Broadway phenomenon Hamilton and America's founding era. Access free materials to create songs or scenes inspired by history. Follow in Lin-Manuel Miranda's footsteps, learning how he incorporated primary sources into the songs he wrote for the show. Includes video clips of the show; interviews with Miranda, Alexander Hamilton biographer Ron…
Friday, May 1
Audible Kids
Find hundreds of free audio books handpicked by Audible editors. Choose from a mix of stories to entertain, engage, and inform young people, ages 0–18. Spanish, German, French, Japanese and Italian selections also available.
BUSY TODDLER
Find a trove of educational, easy-to-set up creative and sensory activities from a K-1 teacher turned SAHM. So many great ideas, quick & easy to messy messy, babies to tweens plus links to useful art supplies. Follow their great instagram account for daily inspiration.
DAYS WITH GREY
An educator and mom to 3 shares daily 'Breakfast Invitations,' easy-to-set-up sensory and art activities for preschoolers and toddlers.
NEW YORK CITY CHILDREN’S THEATER
Lovely local kids theater company provides entertaining and enriching activities for little ones inspired by past productions including art projects, theater games, storytimes, downloadable activity books and video sing-alongs.
VIRTUAL MUSEUM TOURS
Take virtual journeys to over 1,200 museums around the world via Google Arts & Culture. See collections and gallery views of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, Mexico City's Museum of Anthropology, Paris's Musée d'Orsay and more (plus NYC faves like the Whitney, Guggenheim and MoMA).
Mission US
Learn American history with a choose-your-adventure interactive, online game. Take the role of printer’s apprentice in 1770 Boston deciding whether to join the revolutionary movement, a Cheyenne teen in 1866, an enslaved 14-year-old girl escaping to freedom in Ohio, teenage farmers in the Great Depression and more young people. Explore rich, historical settings, make choices…
MoMA Families At Home
MoMA provides resources and ideas—from art-making activities to books and films—to spark creativity and fun at home. Explore artworks in MoMA’s collection through activities (available in English and Spanish), watch favorite kid-friendly short films with prompts to spark discussion, dig deeper into Dorothea Lange: Words & Pictures, find favorite Children’s Books about Art, listen…
Ailey All Access
The acclaimed Alvin Ailey dance company shares full length videos of past performances. Also see videos of company members dancing the landmark Revelations and other pieces together from home, join free online dance classes and check out the great Resource Guide for Educators. Find free live and on-demand classes for all ages in a variety of dance…
Carnegie Hall Music Explorers
Learn about musical culture and tradition around the world - African-American Freedom Songs, South African Zulu songs and many more - with lessons plans, music and video featuring global artists. The well-designed site features a world map to explore. Also Learn about symphony orchestras in an animated adventure in Carnegie Hall Listening Adventures.
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz Academy
Watch curated educated videos on the from Jazz at Lincoln Center's educational programs and learn about it's roots in African-American traditions and communities. WeBop instructors demonstrate fun activities to get families swinging and singing, members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra share performance secrets, and Middle School Jazz Academy instructors break down jazz techniques.…
Black Art Picture Books
Learn about African American art history with curated lists from Culture Type, a website exploring art by and about people of African descent. Find gorgeous books about Jean-Michel Basquiat, fashion designer Ann Cole Lowe, Jacob Lawrence and other great black artists on posts Black Art History: 10 Children’s Books Illuminate the…
Starfall
Learn letters, reading and math with untimed, sometimes silly interactive games for preschool through second grade. Includes letter recognition, games, stories, and animations that showcase letter sounds, short reading selections that emphasize vocabulary, and online books that provide fluency and comprehension practice. A favorite of our kids from an early age.
FLOCABULARY
Learn about a range of subjects for grades K-12 though catchy, educational hip-hop songs. Watch videos about math, history, science and more, learn new words, take quizzes then (this is the coolest part) write short raps/songs using your new words and knowledge.
ArtsPower Theatre On Demand
Watch ArtsPower’s acclaimed, full-length literature-based musicals and dramas online. Includes fun activities that families can complete together. School Editions with a multiple-lesson, academic course also available. Currently showing Chicken Dance, Anne of Green Gables, The Monster Who Ate My Peas and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
KHAN ACADEMY
Watch short videos taught by excellent instructors with an electronic whiteboard in just about any subject for preschool through college. The free Khan Academy Kids app (for ages 2-7) teaches reading, language, writing, math, social-emotional development, and more through open-ended activities and games like drawing, storytelling, and coloring guided by adorable animal characters. Also…
SCHOLASTIC LEARN AT HOME
Find online courses for pre-K to sixth grade+ with four separate learning experiences, each built around a meaningful story or video. Subjects include social studies; English language arts; STEM; science; and social-emotional learning.
MYSTERY SCIENCE
Science mysteries like 'What is the most dangerous animal in the world?' and the topical 'How does hand sanitizer kill germs?' are explored with images, entertaining videos and opportunities for discussion. Ends with simple hands-on activities designed with easy-to-find supplies.
Black-Owned Chocolate
Treat yourself while supporting local black-owned business buy ordering delicious chocolate treats from Sol Cacao (Bronx artisan “bean to bar” chocolate manufacturer), Dalloway Chocolate (vegan, gluten-free, bars & truffles with no refined sugar made in Brooklyn), and Harlem Chocolate Factory (bars, bon-bons, bark, cookies & more inspired by Harlem). We suggest eating…
The Paper Bag Players At Home
Watch short sketches from The Paper Bag Players, an acclaimed NYC troupe that makes stories out of cardboard and paper, paired with questions and/or activities that will help children think more about what they’ve watched and provide opportunities for them to create and imagine on their own. Play games and make cars, crazy faces, and…
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS
Learn about animals, science, geography and more with videos, games, quizzes and great photos. We love the 'Weird but True' facts about everything from Star Wars to eyebrows. Bright and simple enough for toddlers but interesting enough for tweens & teens (and a parents).
TANG MATH
The author of The Grapes Of Math and Math-terpieces: The Art of Problem-Solving Greg Tang brings his innovative approach to math online with highly visual games, animated books and downloadable materials that encourage creative problem solving. Difficulty levels can be adjusted for just about every age.