3 Fun family activities in New York
If family fun is on your holiday agenda this autumn/winter season and New York your chosen destination, then we can help you out. The Big Apple isn’t just limited to parks, there is an abundance of family orientated activities and things to do to keep kiddies of all ages happy and well-entertained. The hardest part was choosing! So, here are three suggestions suitable for a range of ages, ideal for families visiting New York with children, and that promise to be an entertaining experience all round. Enjoy!
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
This celebration is a great family activity and just the perfect event for entertaining the kids. It is organised by the luxury department store Macy’s who traditionally celebrates the Thanksgiving Day Parade on the 25th of November on the streets of New York, marking the kick-off of the Christmas holiday season.
This year, and like previous years of the event, the highlight will be the giant helium parade balloons taking the form of famous cartoon characters such as Spiderman, Mickey Mouse, Toy Story, Shrek, Snoopy, Spongebob, Kermit the Frog, and a whole array of other balloons for the entertainment of the entire family, in addition to floats such as the Jolly Jolly Pirate Ship, the Statue of Liberty, Castle of Dreams, 123 Sesame Street, and of course Santa’s Sleigh, amongst many others. Other attractions include novelty balloons, bands, performance groups, specialty units, and clowns.
The 84th edition of the Thanksgiving Day Parade (yup its being going since 1924) is being celebrated this year, so more than 3.5 million spectators are expected to line the streets and see the various parade helium balloons in all their glory in this 2 mile parade through Manhattan, New York.
New York Aquarium
Open 365 days a year the New York Aquarium located just off Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn, is another great idea for kids. This exciting attraction spans over 14 acres of New York territory and is packed to the gills with an incredible diversity of the world’s ocean.
The New York aquarium features more than 300 marine species, and children and adults alike will enjoy meeting some of the mammals (sea lion, pacific walrus, sea otter), birds (black footed penguin), fish(sand tiger shark, giant octopus), and reptiles (sea turtle, tomato frog) living there, as well as learning about their natural history, biology, cultural rules, and conservation status. The Aquarium’s exhibits include the Touch Pool, Alien Stingers, the Sea Lion Celebration at the Aquatheatre, and the Planet Earth – Shallow Seas 4D Experience, amongst others.
Furthermore, there are some new additions to the aquarium family in the form of Tazo the rescued sea otter who apparently likes to chew things, just like a puppy and the new born sea pup, the first to be born in the Aquarium. So head down to the New York Aquarium, where a wonderful water world of amazing marine animals and creatures awaits you!
Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM)
Comprising a real hands on experience for the kids (and not so big kids), the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is a destination where children and families of all backgrounds can learn, play, and grow together.
The CMOM offers a groundbreaking array of exhibits, innovative programs, and first class performances, and boast of bringing the joy of creativity and discovery to each child who walks through the door. Their abundance of exhibits include playworks with Alphie the talking dragon, adventures with Dora and Diego for much younger children, and Ancient Greece with Gods, Myths and Mortals, the Wizard of Oz where you can follow their yellow brick road to meet Dorothy and her friends, and finally photo installations showing pictures of a snowman in various stages of melting, amongst many others.
Further attractions include engaging, and family-friendly interactive performances by Broadway artists, professional dance troupes and recording artists, and other exciting activities promoting both fun and wellness in the CMOM. This place truly makes learning fun!
Anna – Marketing Team
