Oh, the weather outside might be frightful, but we’ve rounded up the best winter fun activities that are hands-down delightful. Whether it’s gingerbread house making, ice sculptures, santa events, things to do in nyc or festivals, now that you’re in the know, let us go, let us go, let us go!
Wednesday, December 3rd: Visit the Build-a-Bear Pop Up Shop in Times Square and snag one of their exclusive new Frozen characters with built in music (trust us on this one). (565 Fifth Avenue, NYC)
Thursday, December 4th: Pop by the Holiday Celebration at Tices Corner where you can sip hot cocoa and enjoy barbershop-style holiday carols as Santa arrives by fire truck. (6pm, Rain/Snow Date: Friday, December 5th, 441 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Woodcliff Lake)
Friday, December 5th: The Shops at Nanuet will be hosting their annual Tree Lighting and Winter Festival, with live entertainment on the Promenade and shopping with special offers. (6pm to 8pm, Shops at Nanuet, Rte 59, Nanuet)
Saturday, December 6th: Watch Santa Fly in to the NJ Aviation Hall of Fame via helicopter, then pull up in an airport fire truck (Doors open at 10am, Santa flies in at 11am, $8 adults, kids under 12 free, Teterboro Airport), then head over and watch the beautiful performance of NJBallet’s Nutcracker at Bergen PAC (shows at 1pm and 5pm, tickets start at $29).
Sunday, December 7th: Head to Manhattan’s UWS to visit the famed Origami Holiday Tree at the Museum of Natural History, learn tricks from origami pros then take the Night at the Museum Tour. Or stay local and take in Kaplen JCC on the Palisades’s theater production of Alice in Wonderland perfect for kids ages 3 and up. ($12 in advance, 2pm-3pm, Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly)
Monday, December 8th: Holiday shopping can be done comfortably with kids in tow when you visit the Ice Palace at The Mall at Short Hills. Frozen fans will love this interactive experience complete with a light show, snow, the Icy Hand Print Experience and seeing some of their favorite characters come to life. (through December 24th, The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills)
Tuesday, December 9th: Check out the festive Holiday Train Show at the NYBG: Hop aboard the Evergreen Express for lively activities in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden like parades and hands on workshops. Weekends include building your own train puppet. (tickets start at $16, Through Jan 19th,The New York Botanical Garden. 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, 718.817.8700)
Wednesday, December 10th: Create memories at the American Girl at The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Starring the Rockettes Experience. Kick it off with the show at Radio City, meet a rocket, then stroll over to American Girl for dinner, crafting and more fun (dolls are welcome, obviously). ($110/per person, various dates in December, 4pm, 609 5th Avenue at 49th Street, NYC, 877-247-5223)
Thursday, December 11th: Calling all readers of “My Weird School Series” and “Genius Files”, come out to meet the seriously cool author Dan Gutman at Books and Greetings, who will make you laugh and sign your favorite edition. (4:30pm, 271 Livingston Street, Northvale, 201-784-2665)
Friday, December 12th: Sweet stuff. Gingerbread House making classes at Chef Central Paramus (kids 3-10) and teens (11-14) ($30, register online, 240 Rte 17 North, Paramus)
Saturday, December 13th: Make gorgeous Christmas Snow Globes at Fresh and Fancy Farms, (575 River Rd, New Milford) then head to the Madeline Tea at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC for civilized eats, treats, singalongs and storytime. ($35/child $75/adult, 10am and 12:45pm, The Carlyle Hotel, NYC, 212 744 1600)
Sunday, December 14th: Visit with the Critters, Santa and Characters at the Bergen County Zoo at their annual Holiday with the Animals program (noon-3pm, Bergen County Zoo, Paramus) , Listen to the melodic sounds of the SHIRAH’s Annual Chanukah Concert at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades (1:30 to 3pm, FREE, West Clinton Ave, Tenafly, 201.408.1465) or meet live reindeer over at Demarest Farms (12-2pm, 244 Wierimus Rd, Hillsdale)
Monday, December 15th: Shop the holly-lined aisles of the Union Square Holiday Market and connect with the artisans from near and far who are selling their wares.(Union Square, NYC, 11am-8pm)
Tuesday, December 16th: Hit Ridgewood for their annual Menorah lighting ceremony on the first night of Hanukkah. (lighting at 5:30, Van Neste Square, Ridgewood)
Wednesday, December 17th: Enjoy a stylish holiday tea, get beautiful photos, and hear a story from Santa Claus himself when you attend the Tea with Santa at the Plaza Hotel. (Wednesday, December 17, 2-3pm & 4-5pm, Adult/$50, Child/$100, The Plaza, NYC)
Thursday, December 18th: NY Times rated this rendition of The Big Apple Circus “Metamorphosis” with 5 stars, so you’ve got a great chance of it keeping your little ones entertained. Check out Francesco the clown and the rest of the talented crew during their run at Lincoln Center. (through January 11th, www.bigapplecircus.org, Lincoln Center)
Friday, December 19th: Visit the Holiday Lights at Turtle Back Zoo: a Frozen Theme, where thousands of beautiful lights are set to holiday music and crafts, the Frozen movie will be shown and Elsa and Anna will be on hand for a meet and greet. (through December 21st, movie starts at 5pm, Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange)
Saturday, December 20th: Visit with Santa for his last day in Ridgewood and enjoy a Breakfast at The Office Bar and Grill and then drop in to his house in the park while you sip on Kilwin’s hot chocolate. (8am breakfast, 12pm to 4pm, activities, East Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood)
Sunday, December 21st: Head over the bridge for some outdoor skating at Bank America’s Winter Village at Bryant Park, see the Santa Parade, snag free photos, and shop the boutiques for stocking stuffers! (parade kicks off at 1pm, see rates/times for skating, Bryant Park, NYC)
Monday, December 22nd: Climb upon the Liberty Science Center’s new Infinity Climber -a suspended multi-story play space that dares you to climb, crawl, and balance your way through pathways as high as 35 feet above the atrium floor. (tickets start at $19.75, Liberty State Park 222 Jersey City Boulevard Jersey City)
Tuesday, December 23rd: Grab your resident sweet tooths’ for a trip to hotspot The Sugar Factory Brasserie for face-sized smokin’ festive mocktails- then shop the meat packing for fashion must-haves. (Sugar Factory Brasserie, 46 Gansevoort St, New York, (212) 414-8700)
Wednesday, December 24th: Hunker down for some good food, crafting and light a fire. For inspiration, visit our I Heart the Holidays Pinterest board.
Thursday, December 25th: If you’re not celebrating Christmas, head over to Kaplen JCC on the Palisades to see magician David Caserta’s mind-blowing magic and comedy show for fun your whole family will love. (10:30am show, $10/ticket for non-members, Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, West Clinton Ave, Tenafly)
Friday, December 26th: NJPAC’s Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer is classic tale taken from your favorite TV classic and adapted for stage- your children (and you) will definitely be humming along. (multiple show times, tickets start at $25, buy tix here) Or road trip it 1.5 hours over the Pennsylvania border to Sesame Places A Very Furry Christmas and enjoy millions of twinkling lights, festive decorations and whirling rides including the new Cookie’s Monster Land featuring five rides, festive shows and a Santa meet and greet. (tickets start at $24, Sesame Place 100 Sesame Road Langhorne, PA)
Saturday, December 27th: Wanna really get in the spirit? Marvel at homemade gingerbread houses at NYSI’s Ginger Lane that are drafted, designed, baked, planned, built and decorated by chef Jon Lovitch over the course of an entire year. Then make your own at the workshop- and gobble down later. (2pm to 4pm, $10/pp for workshop, reservations recommended, NY Hall of Science, 47-01 111st Street, Corona, NY)
Sunday, December 28th: Make it a traintastic day for your kids by visiting one of our local model railroads. Each spectacular railroad boats an intricate design, modular scenery, and lots and lots of trains! (The Donald Cooper Model Railroad, 201 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, 1-4pm, Family/$10, Ramapo Valley Railroad, 620 Cliff Street, Hohokus, 1-4pm, Suggested donation Adult/$4, Child/$1)
Monday, December 29th: Animal lovers will go batty for Outragehisss Pets Open House – with exotic live animal demos and shows every hour starting at 1pm. ($5/pp, doors open at 10:30, The Barn 811 Chestnut Ridge Road, Chestnut Ridge)
Tuesday, December 30th: Climb upon the Liberty Science Center’s new Infinity Climber -a suspended multi-story play space that dares you to climb, crawl, and balance your way through pathways as high as 35 feet above the atrium floor. (tickets start at $19.75, Liberty State Park 222 Jersey City Boulevard Jersey City)
Wednesday, December 31st: If cooking with your little one is your thing, why not make it a party? This hands-on Let’s Cook Together cooking class will have children ages 3-10 and their adult assistants making festive treats like franks in a blanket and sparkling party punch. (Chef Central, 240 Rt.17 North, Paramus, 10:30am, $50 (for both Child and Adult))
