Events: Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

The 90th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place this Thursday! Photo by Jennifer Morton via Flickr.
The 90th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place this Thursday! Photo by Jennifer Morton via Flickr.

Hooray for Turkey Day! Of course we have several Thanksgiving-themed events on our radar this week, but also two additional non-holiday events your family will love. Larger than life balloons, the most famous parade in the world (check out our parade viewing tips here), a sweet Thanksgiving workshop, the most magical holiday ballet ever created, and even something for Mr. Rogers’ fans — these are a few of our favorite things compiled especially for you and your family to enjoy this week. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 23

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation
Between 77th & 81st Streets (from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue)
3-10pm
Swamped on Turkey Day but still want to see the Macy’s balloons in person? Gather near the American Museum of Natural History, and watch the parade balloons being inflated on Wednesday afternoon. A few words of advice: The balloons usually take shape around 4:30pm, so be sure to arrive early to guarantee a prime viewing spot. Also, as with any event that brings large crowds, be sure to keep a close eye on the kiddies! This event is free.

Thursday, November 24

90th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Parade begins: Central Park West & 77th Street; Parade ends: Macy’s Herald Square
9am-12pm
Make sure to see this world-famous parade! The spectacle begins on Central Park West and 77th street, and heads south along the park before swinging East at Columbus Circle until Sixth Avenue, before it resuming its route south until it reaches the final destination–the Macy’s on 34th street. Bundle up and get there early if you want to get seats, especially in the early sections of the parade. Of course, there will be all the floats you love, including the iconic Snoopy float and the new “Trolls” and Charlie Brown balloons. This year’s performers include Tony Bennett, Daya, Sarah McLachlan, and Johnnyswim. This event is free.

Beginning Friday, November 25

George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker”
Lincoln Center
Various times
Families with children of all ages should be sure to see the New York City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker.” Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and Rouben Ter-Arutunian’s sets imbue E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story with holiday enchantment. Featuring a cast of more than 200 dancers, the classic tale of Clara’s journey to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy will feature a spectacular growing Christmas tree, toy soldiers, snow, and much more. Runs through Saturday, December 31. Tickets start at $79.

Friday, November 25-Sunday, November 27

Thanksgiving Family Workshop: Sweets on Screen & “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” Screening
Museum of the Moving Image
Workshop: 11:30am-3:30pm; Screening: 12:30pm
Stop by the Museum of the Moving Image to participate in some candy-themed crafts like candy animation, design your own candy factory film set, and more. Then, sit down and enjoy a screening of the classic 1971 version of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” starring the late, great Gene Wilder. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Free with museum admission.

Saturday, November 26

“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!”
Kings Theatre
2:30pm & 6pm
Is your child a fan of the hit PBS series “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?” Now you can see the show live as Daniel invites audiences on an interactive musical adventure to explore the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Based on the classic “Mister Rogers” characters, this action-filled production will delight ages 3 and up. Tickets start at $23.75.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Asphalt Green

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Asphalt Green’s high-quality sports programs start at 4 months old. Two beautiful facilities in vibrant Manhattan neighborhoods provide the optimal space for children to learn the fundamentals, play for leisure, or compete at the highest level.<br />As the leading sports and fitness facility in Manhattan, Asphalt Green’s never-before- seen training methods focus on improving your mental and physical game. Whether participating in swim, soccer, flag football, martial arts, basketball, baseball, tennis, or volleyball, coaches instill values that set athletes up for success in life and bring out their full potential in sports.</span></p>

Cucu's PlayHouse

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">Interactive, live-streaming music and movement class in Spanish for babies, toddlers and preschoolers!<br />Join us every day from Monday through Saturday at 1:30 pm EST to sing, dance and play together while learning Spanish from your home.</div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">This class is part of a Spanish Immersion Program where your child will be introduced to basic concepts like the animals, colors, numbers and letters. All of these through the universal language of Music. Each session is fun, interactive and engaging.<br />A selection of Children Songs in Spanish guides the class from start to finish. Activities are related to the lyrics, in order to familiarize the children with the words and their meanings. Some of the songs encourage the children to dance. Nilda uses puppets, musical instruments, and props to teach children basic vocabulary through action and interaction, rather than through translation.</div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><br />The classes are streamed on Zoom's webinar platform. Participants (children, parents, nannies) are able to join the video from their homes and interact with us in real-time, it is a fun and engaging experience.</div>

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers year-round, community-based dance and music programming in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School’s diverse and professional faculty provides progressive and non-competitive instruction with all of our classes accompanied by live music. Though we are a non-recital school, there are opportunities for students to perform and for parents to see their dancers in action.</span></p>