The Bronx Zoo lights up at night during the 2024 holiday season. Photo by Ally Noel
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The Tianyu Lights Festival transforms the Citi Field parking lot into a magical holiday destination with larger-than-life lanterns and kid-friendly activities. Photo courtesy of the festival
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All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0
See the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids
Many organizations throughout New York City are offering free turkey giveaways, plus full, hot Thanksgiving dinners this season. Photo by John McCarten for the New York City Council
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Guide to Thanksgiving in NYC for Kids and Families
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Leuca. Photo courtesy of the Noho Hospitality Group
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Experience the magic of the Tianyu Lights Festival at Citi Field this holiday season. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden
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Canstruction is free and open to the public at Brookfield Place through Monday, November 11. Photo by Heidi Lee
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Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders at NYBG's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Photo by Ally Noel
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Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 98th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024.
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Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
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Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
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Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
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The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
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For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
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The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
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Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
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There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
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Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
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See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
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Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Our Ultimate NYC Bucket List is Now a Free Printable

10/20/17 - By Anna Fader

What should we do today? It's the age-old dilemma anyone with kids faces. And even though New York City is seemingly overflowing with things to do, somehow it's still possible to feel at a loss.

Of course, we hope our website, event calendar, Go Lists, newsletters and many guides help you find inspiration whenever you need it, but we also know that sometimes you just want the answer to stare you right in the face. That's why we've made our most popular 100 Things to Do with NYC Kids Before They Grow Up list into a handy printable sheet that you can stick on your fridge (or wherever people stick things now that fridges are often stainless) and access at any time. We've cut down the list to just the top 50 things that are doable on any given day (although some are seasonal). If you need details on the activity just go to the short URL listed on the page and you can click to find all the deets for your activity. 

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We hope this will inspire you to try some things you haven't done, help you fill an empty day with something awesome, and make it even easier to remember you live in the greatest city in the world! You can download or print our FREE Ultimate NYC Bucket List PDF here. Just click the printer button in the top right to print or click to download to your computer. 

Download Our Ultimate NYC Bucket List

See Our Full 100 Things To Do In NYC List