Happy December!
It’s a hectic season, where it’s easy to let the fun of the holidays slide right by. So if you’re looking for ways to slow down and get your kids in the holiday spirit, we’ve got 12 of them right here!
Jam out to Holiday Music with Funikijam
Where: Upper East Side and Hell’s Kitchen
Best for: age 2 – 10 years
Get in the spirit with music! Funikijam has tons of holiday fun going on, from their Holiday Beat interactive music class to their Family Spectacular, a live stage show that’s fun for the whole fam.
Get Holiday Crafty at the Craft Studio
Where: Upper East Side and Tribeca
Best for: age 3 months – 17 years
Or if your kids feel like getting crafty to celebrate the holidays, we’ve got classes for that, too. Choose from the Craft Studio’s Design Your Own Holiday Gift Bag and Wrap, Holiday Ornament Workshop, Holiday Cookie Workshop, Hanukkah Menorah Craft Workshop, or come to their Holiday Music and Craft Party!
See Angelina Ballerina, The Very Merry Holiday Musical
Where: SoHo
Best for: age 2 – 7 years
In this holiday treat, Angelina and her friends are planning an absolutely positively spectacular holiday dance pageant, the best in all of Mouseland! When a mix-up prevents the pageant from going on, Angelina and her friends must use their creativity to save the show. With dancing, singing, and festivities, this heart-warming musical is perfect for the whole fam. Or you could check out one of these other 12 Holiday Shows for NYC Families.
Come to Juliette and Ella’s Play Date Holiday Spectacular
Where: Upper West Side
Best for: age 6 months – 3 years
These unique classes use the art of storytelling to introduce babies to music theory, ballet technique, and sign language. This special holiday class is full of surprises for your little one like bubbles, puppets, balls, parachutes, and more!
Deck the Halls in Kindermusik’s Holiday Class
Where: Larchmont
Best for: age 5 years and under
Enjoy holiday and winter-themed music, activities, and lots of instruments in this fun music class. Each class focuses on a fundamental element of music, promoting a love and understanding of music right from the beginning. Bonus: it’s free!
Book a Holiday Play Pass at FunFit Kids
Where: Upper West Side
Best for: age 5 months – 5 years
Join FunFit Kids for extended play hours, specially designed for cold winter days! Give your child the opportunity to climb, bounce, twirl, and socialize in an unstructured environment. (Caregivers must be present.)
Adobe Stock/Oksana_S
Attend a Christmas Ornament-Making Party
Where: Upper West Side
Best for: age 6 –11 years
Come to Modern Pressed Flower to create a handmade ornament using coasters, wood pieces, plastic balls, paint, glitter, glue, decoupage, ribbons, sequins, pressed leaves, and pressed flowers. The instructor will guide the students through a variety of methods to create one-of-a-kind ornaments to keep or give as gifts this year.
Book a Holiday Mini Session
Where: Upper East Side, Central Park, Fresh Meadows
Best for: all ages!
There’s no better time to capture the moment with your mini mes. Did you know you can book photography sessions through KidPass? Wendy Chan Photography, Yusi Photography, and BabyZ Photography are all offering holiday mini-sessions throughout the month of September. Book one now!
Go Ice Skating
Where: various locations
Best for: all ages
Fun, and just a little bit nerve-wracking, you can’t go wrong with ice-skating. Mommy Nearest has 8 outdoor ice skating rinks around NYC where you can take your kiddos for a spin!
See Santa
Where: various locations
Best for: all ages
If it’s your thing, Mommy Nearest has rounded up 15 places to see jolly old St. Nick in NYC. Great for a photo op!
Take a Gingerbread House Cooking Class
Where: various locations
Best for: all ages
A classic holiday activity! Who knew there were 6 different classes in NYC to choose from? Mommy Nearest has them all, so pick the one that’s right for you!
See a Holiday Train Show
Where: various locations
Best for: all ages
From the popular train show at the New York Botanical Garden to the return of Holiday Express at the New-York Historical Society (but with a twist!), these holiday train shows are sure to bring the season to life.
Looking for more ways to play in the city? Here are 15 things to do with tourists in NYC. And if you want to discover and book even more fun, check out all upcoming activities across the NY Metro area.
Header Image: Adobe Stock/JackF