Things to Do with Kids

🎄🎄 Step into a sparkling winter wonderland and stroll along tree-lined paths aglow with thousands of twinkling lights. Discover festive displays throughout the Zoo and look for animal residents, including flamingos, black bears and reindeer, adding to the holiday magic!

*Some nights, even catch Santa and get some photos!

Get member and non-member tickets here! 4-pack discounts available (online only): save when you purchase four tickets together—perfect for families and friends!

Stone Zoo

149 Pond Street

Stoneham, MA 02180

Get Directions

A StoryWalk® is a fun way to get outside and enjoy a new book!

Join the Discovery Museum this American Thanksgiving season and go on a StoryWalk to read We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, a story that follows a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Starting with Fall and ending with Summer, follow the trail of pages to see how members of the Cherokee Nation say “Otsaliheliga” (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) to express gratitude for their blessings while reflecting on past struggles each day throughout the year.

Included with museum admission.

Acton Discovery Museum

Outdoors (dress accordingly)

177 Main Street (Route 27)

Acton, Massachusetts 01720

Lightscape is coming to the SF Botanical Gardens this year!

This one-of-a-kind, immersive light and music experience will transform the Garden into a mesmerizing world of wonder, food and beverages, and more than one million twinkling lights. Stroll through a mile-long trail of dazzling lights, dramatic colors, otherworldly lighted sculptures, and water features – right in the heart of San Francisco.

Get your tickets here!

San Francisco Botanical Garden

1199 9th Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94122

‍Directions

Join this free virtual workshop sponsored by the NY Hall of Science, which aims to guide youth on how important the SAT and ACT is for secondary education. Since the pandemic there has been conflicting reports about the weight of this within college admissions and this workshop aims to get to the bottom of it.

Get tickets here!

Virtual

Join the Children's History Museum to learn about 1920s Harlem rent parties and the people who would have attended them!

Rent parties were gatherings held by tenants to raise money to pay their high NYC rents. Many of these gatherings, held in private residences, provided an inclusive safe environment for any Harlemite willing to pay the cover charge, including queer residents. The host usually provided live music, dancing, food, and drinks.

Enjoy a snack that you would have come across at a Harlem rent party in 1920’s Harlem, and after interacting with historical interpreters and learning about rent parties during the Harlem Renaissance, go up to the 2nd floor and explore The Gay Harlem Renaissance exhibition!

Apprpriate for all ages.

Get tickets here!

*Image courtesy of nyhistory.org

DiMenna Children's History Museum

Lower level at The New York Historical

170 Central Park West

New York, NY 10024

Slide into the winter season with the Academy’s evening event for science fans of all ages! ❄️

See what their animals get up to after hours and enjoy special themed activities like:

• Greet the visiting reindeer—there for one night only!
• Dash and dance through your favorite exhibits, open late
• Decorate holiday cookies and create your own winter animal craft‍
• Get a delightful glow-up from face-painting artists
• Be dazzled by magic shows‍
• Sit back and stargaze during a planetarium show and enjoy specialty menu items in their Café
• Get a jump on holiday shopping featuring local vendors at the Holiday Bazaar
• Special crafts and activities for all ages!
• And more!

Get tickets here! (cheaper for EBT card holders)

Golden Gate Park

55 Music Concourse Drive

San Francisco, CA 94118

Directions & Parking

If school is out all week for the Thanksgiving holiday but you still need to work, check out the day camps available at the Bay Area Discovery Museum!

A great way to keep kids engaged and screen-free, the museum offers three different camps dependent on age:

• Animal Adventures, great for 4 year olds
• Masterpiece Makers, great for 5-year-olds
• Nailed It!, great for ages 6-7

Enroll campers here.

557 McReynolds Rd

Sausalito, CA 94965

The Children's Museum of Manhattan is hosting events for the holiday rooted in gibing thanks!

First, check out Thank-FULL for You (November 25 – 30). Your family can create art inspired by loved ones, food, and the joy of giving and receiving gratitude!

And later in the week, catch GratitudeFest (November 28 – 30). Celebrate the vibrant, diverse communities of New York together through song and dance!

Included in museum admission, get tickets here!

The Tisch Building

212 West 83rd St

New York, NY 10024

Bring your little ones to the New England Aquarium's Simons Theatre to enjoy the family-favorite film Finding Nemo on their five-story screen!

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the movie starts at 6:00 p.m., and concessions will be available for purchase!

$10/person, get your tickets here!

1 Central Wharf

Boston, MA 02110