Shopping: Thanksgiving 2014 Gifts & Treats

Editor’s note: To further get in the giving spirit this Thanksgiving & holiday season, click HERE to learn about local opportunities to give back by volunteering!

Kitchen Aid
Entice the youngest members of the family to pitch in with the Thanksgiving meal preparations by offering them a cool apron to wear while cooking. Not only will Williams-Sonoma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Apron for kids keep youngsters’ holiday outfits spic-and-span, but it will help create a festive mood and make them feel included in contributing to the day. $29.95, williams-sonoma.com
The Name Game
There’s no reason that “kid-friendly” and “sophisticated” have to be mutually exclusive when it comes to a holiday tabletop. And Mark and Graham’s Linen Satin Stitch Cocktail Napkins are the perfect example. The linen napkins promise to be super-soft, super-absorbent, and totally machine-washable (making them great for kiddos)—plus, the look is one of understated elegance (and is customizable when it comes to monogram and color options). $32 for a set of four; markandgraham.com
Treat Yourself
This Thanksgiving, the gourmet crisped rice makers at Treat House are serving up some new festive treats in harvest flavors. Prepare to feast on bites of Pumpkin Pie Spice, Turkey Caramel Sea Salt, and Candied Orange Cranberries. And in keeping with the spirit of the season, 10 cents from every treat purchased will be donated to the Food Bank for New York City. $2.25 per treat; $24 for a 12-pack; treathouse.com
This Must Be The Place
Add some crafty panache to your tabletop with Meri Meri’s Thanksgiving Placecards (a set of 10) from Land of Nod. The set includes pilgrim-shaped place cards in male and female designs, each bearing a blank banner for writing in guest’s names. $12.95, landofnod.com
Creative Cookies
Well-known as a sweet treat staple in NYC, Eleni’s is at it again with their seasonally inspired Color Me Turkey Cookie with Markers set. As with all Eleni’s Color Me cookies, this kit lets you decorate artisan sugar cookies with edible markers—so each sugary turkey is totally unique. Plus, cookies are made in a nut-free environment and are certified Kosher. $58.50 for 21 cookies and seven markers; elenis.com
Festive Flock
Planning an all-day marathon celebration for Thanksgiving? Keep little ones occupied with a fun craft! The Paper Source’s Turkey Puppet Kit—which includes paper bags, pre-cut shapes, assorted papers, googly eyes, and templates for five puppets—is the perfect activity for kids to do together! Bonus points if you can wrangle the kids into putting on an after-dinner show for the grown-ups! $15.95, papersource.com
Home Plate
Complete with rustic, patchwork-style turkey tableaus, Pottery Barn Kids’ BPA-free and dishwasher-safe melamine plates are the perfect way to make young guests feel special—plus each different style offers up a message of something to be thankful for. Snap up the Food, Sun, Family, and Friends designs for a complete set. $6.60 each, potterybarnkids.com
The Dude Abides
They say the right tee-shirt really ties an outfit together—and none more so than this cheeky pick for toddlers from Old Navy. Perfect for little dudes to rock as they gobble up their dinner and sip their non-alcoholic White Russians (read: milk), this 100 percent cotton crewneck comes in an aptly named Squash hue and is sure to elicit a few giggles from any “Big Lebowski”-loving parents at the dinner table. $8, oldnavy.com

Monster Mini Golf

Upon entering Monster Mini Golf, all perceptions of traditional mini golf will be spirited away by the indoor, 18-hole, monster-theme, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course! The locations in <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Deer Park</a>, and <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/gardencity/">Garden City, NY</a> invite guests to experience a host of family-oriented fun activities. Whether visiting for the first time or the one hundredth, mini golfers feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf amidst spooktacular monsters and custom, glow-in-the-dark, hand-painted artwork. While testing their skill on the fairways, lively music flows over the course from the unique &ldquo;WEIRD Radio&rdquo; station&rdquo; and an interactive DJ entertains golfers with contests, awarding cool prizes for the wackiest reasons. While the course is challenging enough for adults, it is also quite playable for children. Monster Mini Golf is open year-round and frightfully fun for the entire family. In addition to miniature golf and thrilling arcade and redemption games, the locations offer additional attractions. <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park, NY</a> offers a Laser Maze and a Virtual Reality experience. The Garden City location offers a Laser Maze, Bowling, and a Virtual Reality Experience. Two very posh, private party rooms are also available and are perfect for any event. Monster Mini Golf looks forward to making it a monstrous success. Monster Mini Golf is indoors, ensuring that the event will always take place, regardless of the weather. It is a climate-controlled, affordable source of family entertainment. For more details please visit <a href="http://monsterminigolf.com">monsterminigolf.com</a> or find them on Facebook.

The Wild Center

The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure. Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day. In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears. The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty&rsquo;s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Looking for something to do with the kids in New York City that is fun, exciting, and educational? The Intrepid Museum offers family-friendly activities and programs all year long that keep children engaged, entertained, and curious about history and science. Fun rain or shine, the Museum offers both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits and activities. With so many things to do and see, you&rsquo;ll never hear &ldquo;I&rsquo;m bored,&rdquo; when you climb aboard Intrepid. A non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world&rsquo;s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine.