Theaters
If You Love Vital Children’s Theatre, You Might Also Love…Literally
Alive Children’s Theatre
Whether following the misadventures
of Pinkalicious or showcasing the pirouettes of Angelina Ballerina, Vital
Children’s Theatre brings loveable and vibrant characters to life right in
front of your children’s eyes (vitaltheatre.org). Another great destination for
both theater and book lovers is Literally Alive Children’s Theatre, which turns
classic literature into musicals (think “Treasure Island” and “The Little
Mermaid”), and even offers pre-show arts workshops designed just for kids
(literallyalive.com)!
If You Love Carnegie Hall, You Might Also Love…The Little Orchestra
Society
The world-famous Carnegie Hall
is more than just a grand recital and concert hall—it’s also a perfect place to
cultivate your child’s interest in music (carnegiehall.org). The “CarnegieKids”
program puts on free interactive concerts for children ages 4-6, and the Hall
offers Family Concerts for families with children 5-12. Another great venue
offering quality classical music for kids is The Little Orchestra Society
(littleorchestra.org). A
staple for over 62 years, this musical gem offers a “Lolli-Pops” series of
concerts for kids ages 3-5 and the award-winning “Happy Concerts for Young
People” series for children ages 6-12.
If You Love The Gazillion Bubble Show, You Might Also Love…John
Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean
Small bubbles, huge bubbles,
green bubbles, blue bubbles—millions of bubbles of different colors and sizes
fill the New World Stages Theatre each night as the popular Gazillion Bubble
Show graces the stage with light effects, lasers and incredible bubble
creations (gazillionbubbleshow.com). And where else can you find bubbles? Under
the sea at John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean (imaginoceanthemusical.com)! A magical
black-light puppet show created by the artist behind Disney’s “Johnny and the
Sprites,” the show chronicles the adventures of aquatic friends Tank, Bubbles
and Dorsel.
If You Love Symphony Space, You Might Also Love…The Bring Your Own
Kid (BYOK) Series At 92Y Tribeca
With performances and events
that bring kids closer to literature, music, theatre, film and dance, Symphony
Space is the perfect place to give your kids a broad introduction to the arts,
and their “Just Kidding” concert series means there’s always somewhere to take
the kids on Saturdays (symphonyspace.org). And guess what? 92Y Tribeca’s BYOK
(Bring Your Own Kid) concert series means there’s always somewhere to take the
kids on Sundays (92y.org)! The series features performers on the cutting edge
of the kindie music scene, like Astrograss, Joanie Leeds and Secret Agent 23
Skidoo.
If You Love The New Victory Theater, You Might Also Love…Tribeca
Performing Arts Center
Known as the go-to Broadway
theater for families,
New Victory Theater maintains a packed roster of high-quality performances in
every genre imaginable, from dance to circus to vaudeville (newvictory.org). Another
great venue for dance, puppetry and musical performance is the Tribeca
Performing Arts Center, where kids can get up close and personal with some of their
favorite fictional characters, like the barnyard animals from “Giggle, Giggle,
Quack,” Charlotte from “Charlotte’s Web” and Aslan from “The Lion, The Witch
and The Wardrobe” (tribecapac.org).
If You Love The New York City Ballet, You
Might Also Love…New York Theatre Ballet
Graceful dancers, exquisite costumes, classical music—ballets are a
wonderful treat for children and parents alike. Parents who love the New York
City Ballet (nycballet.com) are sure to fall in love with the lovely New York
Theatre Ballet (nytb.org), whose “Once Upon a Ballet” series of one-hour
performances for children includes such gems as “Cinderella,” “Sleeping
Beauty,” and “Carnival of the Animals and The Firebird.”
If You Love The Theater At Madison Square Garden, You Might Also
Love…The “Big Red Chair” Family Series At The NYU Skirball Center
Madison Square Garden is the arena known around the world, and the Theater
at MSG offers world-class entertainment for families all year long
(thegarden.com). Make sure to catch Cirque du Soleil’s “Wintuk”—it’s a great
way to celebrate the winter season as a family. Another great spot to catch
world-class family entertainment is The NYU Skirball Center, home to The “Big
Red Chair” Family Series, which offers moving, educational and entertaining productions
for kids of all ages (skirballcenter.nyu.edu).
If You Love Central Park’s Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, You
Might Also Love…Puppetworks
Originally a 19th century schoolhouse designed for the 1875
Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre
was purchased by the NYC Parks Department in 1947 and has been entertaining
families ever since (swedishcottage.org). Children love watching talented
puppeteers bring stories like “Cinderella” and “Peter Pan” to life. While
Puppetworks may be a bridge away for Manhattanites, this
institution is well worth the trip (puppetworks.org). The not-for-profit
company entertains kids of all ages with hand-crafted marionettes and
imaginative retellings of classic tales like “Aladdin” and “Little Red Riding
Hood.”
Museums
If You Love The Children’s
From
exploring a cave with Dora to traveling back in time to ancient
kids from all over the city love learning through the interactive, arts-based
exhibits at the Children’s
(cmom.org). And just a short trip downtown is another great arts
destination—the Soho-based Children’s Museum of the Arts, features artwork by
children and child-friendly artists and keeps a calendar packed with hands-on
workshops (cmany.org).
If You Love The
Boasting a staggering collection of dinosaurs, fossils, taxidermy
and dioramas, The American Museum of Natural History is a go-to destination for
many
The museum’s interactive exhibits (there are over 450 of them!) make it a great
place to jump-start an interest in science outside the classroom. Another great
oasis for small science lovers is the New York Hall of Science, which features
a
mini golf, an expansive science playground complete with slides, sand pits and
fog machines, and a host of other hands-on exhibits and workshops that blur the
lines between education and entertainment for curious kids (nysci.org).
If You Love The
The world’s premiere destination for modern art, the MoMA’s
six floors house more than 150,000 diverse works of art (moma.org). The collection
also appeals to small artists-in-the-making, allowing kids to view works by
artists like Van Gogh, Picasso and Warhol in a welcoming setting. For another
dose of innovative ideas, visit
which opened in 2007 and showcases international, cutting-edge contemporary art
(newmuseum.org). Abstract pieces fill this ultra-modern space, and the museum’s
frequent family days and free admission to children under 18 are two great
reasons to stop by.
If You Love The
Guggenheim, You Might Also Love…
Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural gem contains art as
marvelous as the spiral wonder he designed (guggenheim.org). Teach your little
ones to admire the masterpiece of Wright’s design as they view pieces by
Kandinsky, Picasso and Van Gogh. For another lesson in structural appreciation,
head to
at
will delight in the ever-rotating, whimsical art exhibitions, not to mention
the many outdoor art-making workshops.
If You Love The
Jewish Museum, You Might Also Love…Children’s Galleries for Jewish Culture
With more than 28,000 objects in its permanent collection—including
paintings, sculptures, photographs, coins and ceremonial pieces—The Jewish
Museum chronicles Jewish heritage and history (thejewishmuseum.org). Budding
historians will love choosing from over 4,300 television programs from 1935 and
on, all of which are pulled straight from the National Jewish Archive of
Broadcasting. For another interactive, educational experience, consider making
a trip to the Children’s Galleries for Jewish Culture (cgjc.org). The exhibit “From
Tent to
Near East” allows little ones to find food, make clothes and construct houses. “From
Home to Home: Jewish Immigration to America” is another hands-on experience
that lets kids choose if they want to relocate, shop, pack or even create their
very own community.
If You Love The
Museum Of The City Of
The Museum of the City of
traces the history of each of the five boroughs from their humble beginnings to
modern day (mcny.org). Children will delight in the extensive collection of classic
toys, including 18th-century dollhouses and trinkets, as well as the
collection of vintage Broadway memorabilia and exhibits commemorating fire
fighters, cars and fashion in the city. Take another step back in time with a
visit to the
house that served as a fashionable retreat for urbanites during the 1800s (back
when
was the northernmost point in
(mvhm.org).
The house boasts eight furnished period rooms and an exquisite garden, and
offers tours, workshops and events for families.
If You Love The
Pay homage to the subway and a slew of other machines
dedicated to getting you where you need to go at the NY Transit Museum
(mta.info). Housed in a historic 1936 subway station in
history of public transit. Kids interested in the history and workings of the
city will also enjoy the
with its exhibits, collections and educational workshops that chronicle the
legacy of
(nycpolicemuseum.org). Kids can test out patrol car sirens, take their friends’
mug shots and explore a real jail cell. The museum also offers a permanent
exhibit honoring the
police officers who were lost in 9/11.
If You Love The
Sea, Air And
Full of paintings, drawings, models and other sailing-related
paraphernalia, the
traces the history of
through this port (southstreetseaport.com). Grab a bite to eat and enjoy
shopping and strolling the cobblestone streets. Plus, check out the new
“Tigers” exhibition, where kids can learn all about their favorite striped
felines through high-tech interactive exhibits. For a look at more modern
seafaring technology (and to learn about air travel and space exploration, too),
hop aboard the World War II aircraft carrier Intrepid at the Intrepid Sea, Air
& Space Museum, which features a range of interactive exhibits and hosts
family activities and events throughout the year (intrepidmuseum.org).
