New York City is one of the most exciting places to visit for Thanksgiving. You get the city at it’s best. The Macy’s Parade. Colorful Fall leaves (if you’re lucky). A peek at the Christmas season splendor.

With so many options though, what do you do with a long weekend in New York City?

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Before Your Trip

New York City is one of those places you could just wander. There are endless things to see and do and eat. With kids though, I think New York City is a place where you want to have a game plan before you land.

Research

When you are planning a trip to New York City, start with the big things you want to do.

• Are you going to the Macy’s Parade?
• Are you dying to visit one of the awesome museums?
• Are you planning to stay in Manhattan the whole time or are you going to branch out into the other boroughs.

No clue where to start? Begin with this: New York City with Kids or for your first trip you might just want to start with our 10 Must Dos for a first family visit to the city.

Books to Read

Before we head somewhere I like to read a couple of books with my kids and talk with them about some of the cool things we’re going to see. Older kids might also want to help you plan.

12+ Children’s Books about New York City

Packing

The most important thing to remember about visiting New York City is that you will spend innumerable hours walking around outside. You need to have great walking shoes and clothes to keep you comfortable outside.

Make sure to pay attention to the weather before you pack because the weather can vary a lot in November.

In general you will want:

• Comfortable walking shoes or boots
• Warm socks
• Jacket (warmth will depend on weather)
• Hat and Mittens
• Long Sleeved Shirts
• Pants

As a tourist, I also recommend that you carry a slightly less obvious bag (think not oversized backpack) and looking at a map before you leave the house/hotel. GoogleMaps on your phone will tell you how to navigate the city – including trains! Pull up directions, take a screenshot. Then, do your best to memorize your way to the train before you head out and look at your next directions on the train so you know where to go when you get off.

Another thing to consider is that although your phone is super helpful for navigating and that’s much easier than trying to figure out maps on your own, it does drain your battery. However, similar to finding bathrooms, places to charge your phone are elusive. Having a rechargable battery pack is super helpful.

Where to Stay

There is no easy answer to where to stay in New York City. This is especially tricky with kids because hotels tend to be on the small side.

A couple things to keep in mind:

Despite being relatively small in actual size, it can take a while to get anywhere in New York City. I would think about you want to do and then try to find somewhere to stay that is near those things.

I would also make sure that you are no more than a couple of blocks from a subway station. In New York City that isn’t hard to accomplish in most areas, but something to keep in mind. If it’s a train station with more than one train line running through that’s even better. Having trains close will cut down on your travel time.

Thanksgiving Weekend Family Itineary

The options are truly endless. New York City has something for everyone. While we were living in the city I compiled this rather thorough list of the Best of New York City for Kids with tips and tricks and advice along the way.

To help you narrow it all down for a Thanksgiving Weekend, here is what we most recommend:

Day One: Thursday (Thanksgiving)

You will likely arrive on Wednesday at some point. Grab a slice of pizza, explore the neighborhood where you’re staying, or check off something on your personal must-do list. Then get to bed early – Thanksgiving will be a busy day!

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

If you’re visiting NYC for Thanksgiving then it’s likely that going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is on your list. I’ve done this three times, twice with my kids. It is an awesome experience, but you definitely need to know a few things before you go. READ MORE

Central Park

Central Park has my heart. It’s my absolutely favorite part of NYC and in my opinion it is a must for any trip to New York City.

Try to schedule this for the best weather day of your trip because you will obviously be outside, but it is a nice run around break for the kids after standing and watching the parade.

This is a park that is unfathomable until you actually explore it. The size is staggering. To give you a small kid-friendly taste, here is our guide to the 21 playgrounds in the park. Yes, TWENTY ONE. That wasn’t a typo. Depending on where else you’re going on your trip, popping into the park to visit one of these awesome playgrounds will likely be a welcome and easy play break for your kids.

See a Show

Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall are always a fun Christmas option. You can also see any number of Broadway shows. They are always changing so look on line for what is currently open. The age guidelines are pretty accurate in our experience.

Day 2: Friday

This is Black Friday and Black Friday in New York City is a whole new level of crowded and crazy. We went to Macy’s once on Black Friday for the experience and it certainly was an experience. If you aren’t looking for insane early holiday shopping, then here is what we’d recommend.

Christmas Market

There are Christmas Markets all over Manhattan. We like the one at Union Square because of a few booths we love and it’s proximity to the Strand Bookstore, but there are all good and pretty comparable.

The Bryant Park one has an ice skating rink which I’d avoid skating there on Black Friday but it’s definitely another fun option.

Strand Bookstore or other bookstore options

New York City is full of awesome bookstores. The Strand is one of our favorites. There is a great collection of children’s books for kiddos, but also book of all types and sizes for everyone else as well. Books Are Magic is another amazing shop.

Ice Skating

Ice Skating in New York City is one of those must-do things. There are a lot of options. Rockefeller Center is definitely the most iconic. We skated there once again for the experience and it was cool, but it’s also super pricey and crowded.

Wollman Rink in Central Park is another iconic option. We skated there this year. It is still pricey and crowded, although less pricey and less crowded and the rink is larger. Skating around as the sun set behind the city was a priceless experience.

Day 3: Saturday

One World Trade Center

If you haven’t been to New York City in the past couple of decades, then the 9/11 Memorial should be on your list. It is powerful and free to visit and sits between the 9/11 Museum and One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.

The One World Trade Center is fine for all ages although your toddler likely won’t be as excited by the view as the adults. If you want to go up in the One World Trade Center then you might want to consider purchasing tickets ahead of time. For more tips you should know before you visit, READ MORE HERE.

On the other hand, the 9/11 Museum is truly fantastic as well, but I would recommend that for 10+ depending on the sensitivity of the child.

There are also other fun things to do in Lower Manhattan while you’re down there. Here are our absolutely favorites: 9 Hours in Lower Manhattan

If you want to visit the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island this would also be a good time to tackle those because you’re relatively close to the ferry.

Sea Glass Carousel

This little carousel in Battery Park definitely an overlooked gem. It is one of the coolest and most unique carousels. This year we went at nighttime and it looked extra cool in the dark, but it’s cool anytime of day. The carousel is near One World Trade Center and the Staten Island Ferry so it’s pretty easy to tuck this into your adventures.

Day 4: Sunday

Sunday might mean that your weekend is coming to an end. Hopefully you still have a full day for adventures in the city because there is still lots to do!

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station is one of those iconic places. Standing in the center of the main terminal is a spot that just feels alive. I especially love it when it’s decorated for Christmas.

You kids might be less impressed by the splendor of an old building, so here is what you don’t want to miss if you’re visiting with kids.

• Trains! Not just the big ones, although you can see those too. There is also a fun train show in the gift shop. It runs all over the store which delighted my twins when they were younger.
• Whispering Corner. There is a spot around the corner and down the ramp from the main terminal where if you stand on opposite corners from someone and whisper they can hear you on the other side.

Rockefeller Tree and Holiday Windows

The Rockefeller Tree is not lit up for the season until the week following Thanksgiving so if you are in the city longer then hold off on this one until you can see it all aglow. If you have to leave before the lighting however it is worth strolling past, especially because the LEGO store and FAO Schwartz are right in Rockefeller Square.

Across the street you will also find the Holiday window display at Saks. This year it was FROZEN. They are always beautiful displays. If you have time, you should also pop down to the holiday windows at Macy’s in Herald Square which stretch two city blocks.

Insert Museum of Your Choice Here

There are a host of excellent museums in New York City and many are very family friendly. Depending on your family’s interests, spend the afternoon at the Museum of Natural History, Museum of Math, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, or any of the other awesome museums that sound interesting to your family.

Bonus Day? Brooklyn!

If you have a bonus day then I would definitely spend it in Brooklyn. We loved living in Brooklyn and there are tons of things to do that are often overlooked by tourists. I could write an entire weekend posts about just Brooklyn, but to get you started – if you have a day to spend in Brooklyn, I would:

• If it’s nice outside, visit Brooklyn Bridge Park and eat Pizza across the street
• OR Prospect Park. We loved the family friendly botanic garden inside the park, the playgrounds, and the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.
• If it’s less nice, I would start at the Transit Museum – don’t miss the subways in the basement – but the Children’s Museum is also fun.

Our Full List of New York City Ideas!

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade may be truthfully one of the least child friendly events in New York City.

But wait, you’re thinking! There are balloons and floats and confetti and bands and clowns! How can that not be child friendly.

I’m with you there – except for the clowns! – the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade absolutely has all of those things. But you need to be prepared. In order to enjoy any of that there are a few things you need to know.

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1. You will have to wait. 

What you don’t know about the people lining the parade route when you watch the Macy’s Parade on TV is that they have already been there for hours. I wish I were exaggerating. We sent the first two people in our party to the route around 6 to hold our spots and they called about a half an hour later to tell us to hurry over.

To make this work:

• Get to bed early the night before so you are ready to entertain the littles while you wait.
• Stay somewhere close to the route. We were about two blocks away at the Empire Hotel and that was perfect.
• Bring some stuff to entertain your kids. We brought bagels to eat, their kids kindles, and this card game that I use for waiting all the time.
• Or – alternatively buy tickets or befriend someone who gets reserved seats in the bleachers. These aren’t easy to come by but they do reduce the amount of waiting and standing you do, although you still have to get there quite early.

2. You will need to dress for the weather.

November in New York City can mean a lot of different things. Sometimes it snows. Sometimes it rains. Sometimes it’s hot. Sometimes it is really cold.

All this means, pay attention to the weather and make sure to dress accordingly.

When you’re going with little kids, keep in mind two things:

• Kids usually get cold faster than grown ups, especially when they aren’t moving.
• It is much colder in the morning before the sun comes up (remember how early you’re getting there to stand still and wait?)

We got lucky with the weather both times we went with our kids. No rain or snow. It started off in the 30s and then gradually grew to about 50 by the time the parade ended. I dressed our kids in their full snow gear (snowpants, boots, hats, mittens, EVERYTHING) and they were nice and warm while we waited in the early hours. Gradually they took off some of the layers as it got closer to parade time.

I also wore leggings under my jeans and was really, really happy I did.

3. You will want somewhere to sit. 

It is helpful if you have even a couple chairs or buckets to sit on. Then you can take turns standing and sitting during all that early morning waiting. It also helps to block off space from people that squeeze in later.

For kids I highly recommend bringing some 5 Gal Paint Buckets that you can get super cheap from Home Depot or Lowes. You can stack them to carry. They are reasonably comfortable to sit on and your kids can stand on them to see better during the parade. We learned this trick from a really friendly family we stood by the first year who makes an annual trek to the Thanksgiving Parade.

4. You will not be able to go to the bathroom. 

This was the scariest part for me. Me – not even our 3 year old twins. I’m still kind of amazed that we made it with no accidents.

Here are my tips:

• Make sure everyone goes right before you leave.
• Do NOT give your kids anything to drink while you wait. That sounds terrible but I’m confident it was an important step.
• If you do think they will need to go, leave and go to the nearest coffee shop or restaurant about an hour into your wait. The closer you get to parade time the more impossible it is to move an inch, let alone go to the bathroom and get back. My least favorite part about New York with kids is that it is so hard to find a bathroom so scout this out beforehand. Starbucks has become my go-to because they reliably have a bathroom you can use if you buy a drink.

Is it worth all that?

Yes! Absolutely. I have done it three times now. Once as a kid and twice as a mom and yes, it is worth it.

Some things are not. For instance, we waiting in a four block line to see the balloons being inflated the night before and I was completely un-impressed by the event and my kids were overwhelmed by the chaos. I think 3 out of the 4 of us cried that evening.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade however is worth it. You have to plan. You have to dress warmly and plan activities and remember to use the bathroom and be prepared to defend your space on the sidewalk. You need to be ready to ooze enthusiasm for your kids very early in the morning.

But yes, it is worth it. It is worth it because it is a once in a lifetime parade. It is quite unlike anything else.

Want More? Read Our Complete Guide to NYC with Kids

There is something incredibly empowering about being high up in a skyscraper peering down at the city and teeny people below you.

This is universally true for all ages which is likely why experiences like going up in the Empire State Building or One World Trade Center exist. Even someone terrified by the experience, like me, can appreciate the awesomeness of this.

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My kids, as you may know, are fascinated by skyscrapers. We did a whole homeschool preschool skyscraper unit building, reading, and otherwise exploring skyscrapers. When they found out we were moving to New York City this is the thing they were most excited about being near. (Their aunt and uncle were a close second!)

Going up in a skyscraper was high on their must-do list so we made it happen as soon as possible. If you are contemplating heading up in the One World Trade Center will little ones there are some things that are helpful to know.

5 Tips to Know Before You Go

Whether you are skyscraper enthusiasts like our twins or enjoy getting a view of the city (this is a great one) or are curious about the One World Trade Center after 9/11, these are great tips to know before you go visit.

1. New Yorkers Like to Wait

I’m joking of course, because I doubt they actually enjoy the experience but I am fairly certain that the average New Yorker spend more time waiting than any other US citizen. Lines are everywhere and waiting it just a way of life.

Children on the other hand do not like to wait. If you’re a parent, you are well aware of this unfortunate state of events. This is to say expect to wait and have some ideas of how you might pass the time. We have recently fallen in love with this Disney Found It Game to help us pass the time when we have to wait.

2. Entrance Times Can Be Reserved Ahead of Time

Go on the website beforehand and reserve a time. This won’t completely eliminate the wait time, but it will be significantly reduced.

The downside is that you are committed to a date and time. If you leave yourself extra time and choose your time/date wisely this is doable.

Your other option to avoid waiting forever is to pay quite heavily for an express pass which will cut you to the front of the line.

3. Consider the Weather

This is may be obvious, but going up in a tall building on a gray or foggy day is less fun. Your visibility is substantially less and no one will be impressed by your high up view of gray – least of all your toddler.

Tickets are non-refundable except in extreme circumstances.

4. Little Kids are Free

At least as of August 2019, children under 5 are free but they do need a ticket. This was huge for us! It was half the cost to go up in the One World Trade Center as it will be in another year.

5. Use the Bathroom Beforehand

This is likely my number #1 tip for all things New York – but insist that your child try to use the bathroom whenever you are near a restroom. There are times this will feel redundant, but just do it.

The number of places in New York City where there are no restrooms significantly outweighs the spots where they do exist.

There are bathrooms once you are past security inside and up in the tower, but during that waiting period outside and before security you are a bit out of luck.

Our twins loved our trip to the One World Trade Center. They loved searching for different buildings and seeing how small everything and everyone looked below us. One of their favorite parts was the Sky Portal which makes it appear like you are walking on the taxicabs and people below you.

At the end of the day, choose your date and time wisely and plan ahead. Do that and the One World Trade Center is a wonderful experience for all ages.

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Christmas is almost here. Can you feel the excitement growing? I think that – the waiting, the excitement – is probably my favorite part of Christmas.

Because we are a family that loves to go on adventures, Christmas Adventures are part of our holiday family traditions.

We started taking our twins on Christmas Adventures pretty much as soon as they could walk.

When they were two they toddled around the block at my parent’s house in Wisconsin to look for Christmas lights. That took a remarkably long time compared to the blocks my kids walk now with their Christmas lights scavenger hunts in hand, but it was an early attempt at exploring the season and laid the groundwork for our family Christmas adventure traditions.

Since then these traditions have grown and changed and we’ve moved several times, but getting out and finding the spirit of the season in our city or town is always a part of our December.

Download Christmas Printable

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10 Christmas Adventures for Kids

Below are 10 of our favorite annual Christmas Adventures. I hope you find at least one new one to try with your family this holiday season.

1. Searching for Signs of Christmas

As early as Thanksgiving weekend we like to go on a Christmas signs hunt. We walk our neighborhood or town and take in the signs of Christmas approaching – the decorations, the Christmas trees, the lights.

Last year we loved finding the smell of Christmas trees on the street corners in New York City.

This year we’re planning to wander Little Italy and Liberty Station, as well as our own neighborhood to search for signs of Christmas.

2. Christmas Book Shopping

We are a book obsessed family so really any excuse to go to the bookstore will do. I always love making a special trip around the holidays to read new Christmas books. On a cold winter day there is little better than snuggling up in a warm, cozy bookshop for an hour or two.

We have explored many bookshops over the holidays looking for gifts and new books to add to our already insane Christmas Book Collection.

This picture is from last December in the cozy children’s section at Boswell Book Co on Downer Ave in Milwaukee WI.

This year I’m hoping to do some Christmas book shopping at one of the local San Diego indies. If you have a favorite, let me know in the comments!

3. Window Displays

New York City window displays are famous and one of my musts if you are in Manhattan for the holidays, but even if you are somewhere else it is likely that stores this time of year in your area will have to festive window displays. Go take a walk and peek in.

Last year we were pressing our noses up to the windows at Macy’s.

This year I doubt we’ll find anything quite as impressive, but we’re planning to explore some shopping areas and see what we can find.

4. Holiday Parade

This has been one of our favorite holiday traditions in the different places we have lived.

In the Twin Cities we bundled up for the Holidazzle parade.

In Baraboo WI, we super bundled with hand warmers for the night time Winter Lights parade.

In Madison MS, we enjoyed the relatively warm holiday parade down main street and the chance to chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus afterwards.

In New York City, we watched the incredible Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with it’s detailed floats, performers, and jaw dropping balloons. (Read my tips for doing that with kids in this post)

I’m not sure what California has in store for us, but I’m excited to find out. We have the La Jolla Christmas Parade.

5. Holiday Lights Walk

This is another one we have always loved. I like to wait until about the week before Christmas. We bundle up one evening and go for a walk. We’ve used this Scavenger Hunt the past few years for some integrated literacy and because my kids are a bit scavenger hunt obsessed.

Most towns have an area infamous for their lights. When we lived in Brooklyn the Dyker Lights were an annual must.

This year we’re going to walk around our neighborhood and check out one of these holiday light displays.

6. Holiday Markets

Our favorites in New York City were the one in the Oculus and at Union Square. My kids love browsing the different little shops and we also take turns bringing them to pick out gifts for each other and for us (their mom and dad). We use these adventures as mini-math and currency lessons, much like going to the farmers’ market.

This year I’m planning to go to the Maker’s Holiday Fairy at the Broadway Pier and browse shops at our favorite Little Italy Farmers’ Market.

7. Special Holiday Displays

My kids are awed by a really special holiday display. This one is the luminary display in Brookfield Place in lower Manhattan and it was our favorite in New York City at Christmas Time.

This year we are planning to visit the San Diego Botanic Garden for their garden of lights and watch the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights.

8. Ice Skating

My kids love ice skating….or at least the concept of ice skating. Actually moving across the ice is a work in progress. We love trying though. I read this list of rinks in San Diego and was so excited that this wasn’t a Christmas adventure we were going to have to miss in California.

This picture was taking at the Brookfield Place in lower Manhattan overlooking the river, Lady Liberty, and New Jersey’s skyline. We also loved ice skating in Prospect Park in Brooklyn and although pricey, I thought skating at Rockefeller is one of those ‘you should do this at least once’ experiences.

9. Christmas Tree Hunt

One of my favorite things about Christmas are the beautiful lights and trees that pop up everywhere. Hotels, town squares, train stations, libraries. They are everywhere and we love searching for them. If you follow Little Kid Big City on Instagram I think she is the queen of hunting down Christmas trees every year.

This one is from the New York Public Library in 2017.

One of the things I love most about hunting for Christmas trees is that they often surprise you. You round a corner and wow – there is an incredible tree.

10. Find the Best Hot Cocoa

In our case this is more of a find good Vegan hot cocoa in our current town. Not an easy task. I’m a huge hot cocoa fan though so I like to taste test some this time of year.

Download Christmas Printable

What are your favorite holiday adventures? I’d love to hear about them and San Diego suggestions you have for us in the comments!

Between the super hot New York City Summers and with cold, snowy Winters, I feel like I’m often looking for somewhere indoors to take my kids. The awesome Children’s Museum of Art is one of our favorite spots to spend a few hours either away from the cold or the hot.

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Trip to Children’s Museum of Art

The Children’s Museum of Art is a space built to encourage and inspire creativity in our youngest children.

It is tucked into the South Village District of Manhattan and bursting with color and ideas.

Before the Field Trip

Before you go, map out your route. Whether you’re trying to find parking or taking the subway, one of the only downsides of this museum for us was getting there. Check their directions page and double check their somewhat odd schedule before you head to the museum.

During the Field Trip

There is a lot to do at the Museum of Art, but it is still doable in a morning or afternoon. When you first arrive, I recommend signing up for a spot at the Clay Bar immediately. Those are timed reservations and working there is a fun, unique art experience. It is a slightly odd system, feel free to ask the staff if you need help, but it is worth the little wait in line and oddity.

read more: NYC with Kids posts

It is also helpful to know that there are no strollers allowed. If you’re bringing a baby, pack a carrier to hold them while you move around the museum. If you’re with a toddler – no worries. The space is not huge. They will manage fine without the stroller. Note: you can park your stroller in coat room.

This is the under 5 space – super crowded during weekends and days off, but also a perfect space for little creatives. My advice is to get there early. When they get to capacity they turn people away – this is actually true for whole museum.

My kids LOVED the stop motion film making area. This was something they had never tried and they loved playing around with the combination of creative loose parts and technology.

These big blocks are found in the creative building space. I love that large muscle art is included in the museum. The space is a little small but my kids both this too.

Our absolute favorite part of the museum was the main over 5 art studio. For our observation they do not turn away younger kids, but it is geared towards older artists.

We spent the most time here. There were painting easels for tempera paint and watercolors. There were also two large tables with projects and lots of supplies for creating.

Good things to know about Children’s Museum of Art

• Your kids will probably come home with a little paint or art supplies on them – so dress accordingly.
• The museum is small, so I would recommend avoiding it on weekends and public school vacation days if you can. Regardless – get their early.
• Pret A Manger is down the block for an easy and healthy lunch or snack option. They have dairy free options and allergens are well labeled but you need to hunt a bit. My son had the chicken noodle soup.

read more: NYC with Kids posts

Afterwards

I think it is impossible to walk away from this museum without feeling the need to create more. I would recommend having some collage and/or painting supplies on hand for further explorations over the next few days.

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The Guggenheim might not seem like the most little kid friendly field trip idea, but we had a blast exploring shapes on our visit.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, often called The Guggenheim, is an art museum located in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and it’s famous for it’s architecture as much as for what is found in it’s renowned collection.

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Learning about Shapes at the Guggenheim

I took my twins to the Guggenheim for the first time one hot summer day when they were six years old.

Before the Field Trip

Before I go on a field trip of any kind with my kids I like to prepare myself. I usually start by visiting the website for wherever we’re going. In this case I was thrilled to find The Guggenheim website to be super helpful.

I read the basic tips for visiting, got directions, and took note the family events they have for the future.

I was particularly intrigued by the Kindergarten visit ideas they had for teachers. This visit guide focused on the Geometric shapes in the Guggenheim which I thought would both interest my kids and extend what they were learning about in math.

Also read: Everything you need to know about NYC with Kids

Then I packed my bag for the next day. I included my basic adventure supplies as well as;

• Notebooks with a shape hunt drawn on one page for each kid or hunt on paper with clipboards.
• Colored pencils in a Ziplock Bag
• Pencils
• Camera

During the Field Trip

My kids both love art and going new places so they were pretty excited about this trip. In the back of my head I also knew that my kids don’t like to be indoors, quiet, or relatively still for too long so I had some ideas to keep them engaged planned.

1. The Shape Hunt

This I drew out in their notebooks. You could easily make one on the computer and make copies if you are visiting with a larger group.

While we were riding the train, I talked to them a little about the building and showed them the shape hunt. We labeled the different shapes together. When we got there I gave them each their hunt and a pencil and they started looking at the foyer while I paid.

For the Guggenheim Museum, Wright used many geometric shapes but chose not to use rectangles or squares. It is a building completely without 90º angles which my kids found fascinating once I pointed this out.

We did see a ton of other shapes, though, wherever we looked. The entire structure is an amazing combination of different shapes.

After we all marveled a bit about that, we started hunting for shapes in the art work. My son loves any sort of scavenger hunt so this was his focus throughout.

My daughter needed some other ideas to keep her engaged.

2. What’s your favorite?

In each exhibit, as we looked around the museum I asked them to find one sculpture or painting that is your favorite.

Sit and look.

What do you like about it?

How does it make you feel?

What shapes do you see in the piece?

Would you like to draw a picture of it?

These questions slowed them down a bit and gave me a little time to look around each space as well.

If drawing the whole thing is overwhelming, which is completely understandable. Try drawing just a part of the work of art.

Perhaps focus on one object or change one small part in a fun way.

read also: a visit to the eric carle museum

3. Name the Art

Don’t feel like drawing? Can you imagine what you would call the work of art? This is another fun way to get kids thinking about the art.

After they have named it, look at what the label and read the title the artist picked.

Does knowing the title change the way you understand the artwork?

4. Compare and Contrast

Comparing and contrasting things is a skill my kids are learning about with their kindergarten curriculum. We’ve mostly done it with elements of stories, but you can also compare two works of art.

How are they similar to each other?

How are they different?

5. Move like the Art

This works for paintings, but best with sculpture. Can you move like the art?

My daughter loved doing this with the sculptures of dancers but there are a lot of fun pieces this works well with throughout art museums.

Good things to know about the guggenheim with kids

• There is a cafe with good, but expensive food. You can only eat in the cafe area.
• There are bathrooms, but they are somewhat hidden. Use the map or ask a friendly staff member to help you find one. We used the bathroom near the cafe when we stopped for a snack.
• The museum isn’t huge. We saw almost everything except the special exhibit in a morning. However – with all field trips I think it is important to only do as much as your kids are ready for. You want them to leave feeling positive about the experience.

after the field trip

Afterwards – create art of course!!

Immediately afterwards we went across the street to Central Park and one of our favorite playgrounds. You can read my full guide to all of the Central Park Playgrounds in this post.

The next few days though, we created a lot of art. I think art of all kinds begets more art.

With kids this age there are a ton of options, but I think open ended exploration with different materials is best. Pick an artist or style and play with the materials they use most frequently. Our favorite is making really BIG art.

Here are three art themed blogs that I adore for kid art ideas.

• Meri Cherry – amazing color bursting process art ideas
• The Artful Parent – lots of creative material explorations and projects
• Art Class Curator – great for tying art to kids

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New York City truly is a place with something for anyone – even cereal fans. The Kellogg’s NYC restaurant is located across the street from Union Square Park and is my new favorite snack spot for kid friendly eating in the city.

If we’re being honest, I may have counted their bowls of cereal for a meal once too.

This inconspicuous little spot sits on a second story store front just off Union Square.

Once you get inside though, it is surprisingly spacious.

affiliate links may be included below.

This is a cereal joint. That was obvious right?

We highly recommend it for breakfast and even more for a fun snack. This is a perfect mid-adventure day stop.

Eat a bowl of cereal.

Hang out for a bit.

Then hit the city again.

Eating at Kellogg’s NYC

know before you order

• DIY cereal bar where you choose your cereal type or types and then a buffet style area with tons of toppings. with over 30 playful toppings.
• They also have a menu with some suggested creations that you might want to check out before you start loading your bowl.
• You pay per bowl, not by weight, so feel free to load up. I do wonder if this will change – so make sure to check their current prices.

dairy free / allergy tips for kellogg’s NYC

• Buffet style areas always make me nervous with my kid’s severe allergy. Know your child’s severity and know that just mixing a bunch of different cereals together can be super fun and colorful.
• They have a variety of milk options. We had soy but there were other options as well.

one more thing!

*Don’t miss the Instagram station along the wall behind you when you check out. I was too amused by this idea. It is complete with a light source and props.

*Read more on their website.

find all of our dairy free tips + posts here

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New York City with kids is an experience. Whether you are visiting or relocating to one of the 5 boroughs it is important to start with that knowledge.

Like everywhere we’ve lived, there is good and bad.

New York City is overwhelming and exciting.

It is loud and busy and full of opportunity.

It is smelly and dirty and also full of light and green spaces.

New York City is an experience.

What I love most about moving as much as we do is the opportunity to really delve deep into wherever we are living. It’s kind of like immersive family travel.

We know wherever we are now is temporary and so we explore and see as much as we can and just experience it in a way we might not if we were settling in for good.

When we moved to New York City we were determined to experience the city as much as we could. This is the culmination of our year and a half living in one of the greatest cities in the world.

New York City with Kids

Resources

• My First Trip to New York – helpful book that focused on the kid friendly side of NYC.
• Fodor’s Brooklyn – not family specific, but awesome advice for what’s worthy of visiting in Brooklyn.
• Mommy Poppins New York City – great blog for getting an overview of the many, many options in NYC for families.
• A Child Grows in Brooklyn – more Brooklyn focused blog for families. 
• Little Kid Big City – another great NYC based blog. LOVE her Instagram feed. She also has a really fun NYC guide book / choose-your-own-adventure book for kids also called LITTLE KID, BIG CITY that is really fun.
• Globetrotting Mommy – this mommy and her little girl are big adventurers based in NYC.

Things to Do

I divided this area up by borough to hopefully make it more navigable and helpful.

Start with: 10 Must Do Things for Families in New York City or Thanksgiving Weekend in NYC with Kids

Manhattan

• 9 Hours in Lower Manhattan
• Sea Glass Carousel in Battery Park with Kids
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and Liberty State Park with Kids
• 5 Things to Know Before Visiting the One World Trade Center with Kids
• What to Know Before You Visit Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum with Kids
• Children’s Museum of Art
• A Visit to the Museum of Math in New York with Kids
• Grand Central Station with Kids
• Guggenheim with Kids
• Central Park with Kids
• Unofficial Guide to the Playgrounds in Central Park
• Kellogg’s NYC: Kid Friendly & Allergy Friendly Snack Spot
• Non-Touristy Things to do in NYC

Brooklyn

• What to do at the Brooklyn Bridge Park with Kids
• Brooklyn Botanical Gardens with Kids
• A Visit to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
• Marine Salt Marsh Hike with Kids

Queens

• 5 Reasons to Head to the New York Hall of Science

The Bronx

• New York Botanical Gardens with Kids

Seasonal Events

• How to Enjoy the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Kids
• Thanksgiving Weekend in NYC with Kids
• 5 New York City Christmas Events Families Shouldn’t Miss
• New York Botanical Gardens Train Show

The Museum of Math is a fascinating museum for those intrigued by Math – and even for those less Math inclined (raising my hand). I recommend it for anyone ages 5 and up.

Located across the street from Madison Square Park and a few blocks from my beloved Flat Iron Building it is centrally located and easily accessible from the N Q R or W 23 Street Subway Station.

When you enter, you are greeted by this track for square bicycles. My kids found this endlessly entertaining. Truthfully so did I.

read also: Everything guide to nyc with kids

On the main floor there were also several areas with manipulates to explore how shapes work. I loved the open ended nature of these opportunities.

One of my favorite parts about the museum was the inventive uses of technology. This area above encouraged you to make patterns on the wall with a projector.

There was also an awesome gross motor number challenge that involved full body movement and technology. All of us ages 5-63 gave that one a try.

Our favorite nook was probably the pattern painting shown below.

These were all found on the first floor. You can head downstairs for more fun, but the ideas down there are more complicated and aimed at older children and adults. Our kids still had a lot of fun down there but needed more assistance and understood the concepts a little less.

This is one of the few museums that we have visited that had something for kids and teens and adults. We all found something that fascinated us.

A truly unique museum.