Fun and adventure with the kids doesn't have to end when the temperature dips. Big City Moms loves to get into the spirit of the holidays and there's no better place to celebrate winter than New York City. We've compiled some of our favorite classic city activities for you and your family to enjoy this season.
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an annual favorite known for its kitsch, glitz and glamour. With the Rockettes performing their legendary sky-high kicks, America’s largest flying indoor LED screen and the closing number featuring a parade of live animals, the entire family will be glued to their seats.
The Big Apple Circus is the perfect first circus for your kids. Every seat under the Big Top is 50 feet or less from the ring, and the acts range from acrobats to animals. Your toddler will love seeing goats riding on the backs of the miniature ponies and the older kids will be blown away by the acrobatics and feats of strength.
The New York City Ballet performs the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Enter the magical world of toy soldiers, dancing children, mischievous mice, waltzing snowflakes, a spectacular Christmas tree, all while seeing the most beautiful dancing on earth.
If your child loves the adorable dancing mouse, Angelina Ballerina, then you won’t want to miss her and her friends as they put on a holiday show for everyone in Mouseland. Angelina Ballerina The Very Merry Holiday Musical is filled with singing, dancing, and holiday cheer for the whole family.
Have you ever seen a movie showing New York City in the winter that didn’t have at least one scene at an ice rink? Neither have we. Create your own classic winter memories in one of the outdoor rinks around town. We especially like the rinks at Wollman Rink in Central Park, The Pond at Bryant Park and the iconic Rockefeller Center rink. Other rinks around the city
include Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, Lasker Rink in Central Park, and The Standard Hotel Ice Rink.
Back to celebrate its 20th anniversary, the New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show is a sight to see for all ages. Young fans of all things with wheels will love this extraordinary display. Kids can watch dozens of different types of model trains (including a Thomas train!) chug along more than a half mile of track. Adults will marvel at the scaled-down replicas of 140 different landmark New York City buildings made entirely of nuts, tree bark, fruits, pinecones, and leaves.
No matter what holiday you celebrate, it’s hard to resist the allure of 10,000 twinkling lights on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. After you’re done checking out the tree, stop by the Lego store for the giant Pick A Brick wall and the mini Lego Rockefeller Center. Take a tour of NBC’s studios, visit the NY Fire Zone or just stay warm and walk the Rockefeller Center Concourse.
The Christmas tree at Bryant Park is aglow and surrounded by great holiday shops that will be sure to help you cross off some of those presents for friends and family.
Other great Christmas trees around the city that are sure to brighten your day are the Chorus Tree at South Street Seaport, Christmas Tree at the Met, and the Origami Holiday Tree at the AMNH.
Capture and explore the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at the America’s Parade exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Let your children learn the parade’s history through photos, posters, snow globes and models of Parade balloons.
Window shopping in New York never disappoints . Macy’s, Saks 5th Avenue, Barney’s, Lord & Taylor and Bergdorf are all famed for their magical winter window displays.
When you’re burned out on browsing , your kids are likely to nominate you for parent of the year if you to take them to FAO Schwarz, Toys “R” Us or American Girl Place.
A hot chocolate break is the perfect time out. We especially love the cocoa libations at City Bakery, Max Brenner and Jacques Torres. If cold drinks are more your thing, you can’t beat Serendipity’s legendary frozen hot chocolate.
When the weather outside is frightful, one of our favorite easy toddler activities is to ride the subway to Grand Central Station. Little ones love watching the trains pull in and out of the station and the constellations painted on the ceiling in the Main Concourse can make anyone starry-eyed. Between now and January 16th head on over to the New York Transit Museum's Annual Holiday Train Show and watch little Lionel trains travel from Grand Central to the North Pole.
Holiday time is Hollywood’s time to churn out the kids flicks. This year, cozy up at the cinema with your kids, some popcorn and any one of the family-friendly films out now. For the littlest ones try The Muppets, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Artur Christmas, and Happy Feet 2. Older kids might prefer War Horse, Hugo, and The Adventures of Tintin.
Kris Kringle is spotted everywhere around the city of Manhattan and you and your children can tell him exactly what you want for Christmas this year. Great places to see the man from the North Pole include, Macy’s Herald Square, ABC Carpet and Home, South Street Seaport Mall, and Bloomingdales.
It may be too cold to go to the Central Park Zoo but it’s just the right temperature to see the American Museum of Natural History’s Mammal Halls. Preschoolers will love naming the familiar animals and kids of any age love the famous Dinosaur Halls. Stop by the museum’s Discovery Room, an interactive space created especially for kids ages 5 to 12.
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