Things to Do with Kids

For parents who grew up going to the Holidazzle Parade and then Village, introduce your kids to Winterapolis!

Embrace the season and explore all the different events around Minneapolis through December! See the calendar here.

Various, around the Twin Cities

🎄🎄 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

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 the Waterdrinker Farm this season to experience thousands of twinkling lights, a vintage Airstream village, Christmas tree farm, s'mores fire pit stations, and magical holiday photo opps! Ice skating is even included!

Tickets are $20 per person, kids 2 and under are free! Animals (on leash) welcome.

‍

664 Wading River Rd.

Manorville, NY 11949

Join the Countdown to Kindergarten's Playgroup, hosted by the Boston Public Library on Mondays and Wednesdays!

From October 2025 to June 2026, every week, you and your child can practice school readiness, make new friends, and get connected to community resources. Kids will experience free play, circle time, and Story Time, and grownups will learn about early childhood development!

Please fill out an interest form and a playgroup leader will reach out to you to join a group. If you have any questions, call Antonio Mendez at (617) 821-3959 or Laura Mejia at (617) 308-1098.

Mattapan Library

1350 Blue Hill Ave

Mattapan MA 02126

Get Directions

‍

Catch this local vendor market at Waterdrinker Farms this season to get in the spirit!

Activities include:

• U-PICK Christmas Trees (Free to enter)
• Holiday Light Display
• Barnyard Animals
• Fire Pits & S'mores
• JUMP PAD (Weather Permitting)
• Mini Golf
• Obstacle Course
• Pedal Cars
• Wooden Playland
• Gingerbread Village
• Giant Santa Sleigh & Reindeer
• Giant Photo Wreath!
• Tons of Family Photo Opportunities!

Tickets are $20 per person, kids 2 and under are free! Animals (on leash) welcome.

664 Wading River Rd.

Manorville, NY 11949

Experience the history of Christmas festivities at Old Sturbridge Village! Relish old traditions and create new ones as you watch demonstrations of classic Christmas projects, stroll through the decorated Village and Christmas Tree Trail, listen to stories and live music, sample sweet treats, and more.

Plus, embark on a musical journey through the 19th century with Upon a Midnight Clear: An Acoustic New England Christmas presented by ClockJack Productions.

Hosted every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 28 to December 30. If you're a superfan and decide to go multiple times during the holiday season, check out their Candlelight Club pass!

Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road

Sturbridge, MA 01566

Back for its third year in a row, Reindeer Games is Bay Area’s favorite holiday tradition.  

Combining interactive games, jaw-dropping circus, and a heart-warming story, Reindeer Games is a must-see show for the whole family this holiday season!

Get tickets here, starting around $20. Multiple performances a day.

All ages are welcome, recommend for 2 years and up. Run time around 90 minutes.

Children's Creativity Museum Theater

221 4th St. in San Francisco

Trying to fill time off school during winter break! We've got you covered!

Join the Acton Discovery Museum for a week of winter fun! There will be so many options to keep your littles occupied.

Stop by the PlayLab where you can build with their collection of LEGO® bricks, add your wish for the new year to the Winter Wishes Tree, or settle in with a good book. Head out to Discovery Treehouse to Move Like an Animal or enjoy the sights and sounds of winter around Discovery Woods.

Vacation week is Sunday, December 21 - Tuesday, December 30. Please note that the museum is closed on December 22, 24 & 25.

177 Main Street (Route 27)

Acton, MA 01720

If school is out for winter break but you still need to work, check out the day camps available at the Bay Area Discovery Museum! Held December 22, 23, 26, 29, 30 and January 2

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

• Let's Move, great for 4-5 year olds
• Weld and Weave, great for 6-7 year olds
• Gears and Gizmos, great for ages 5-7

Enroll campers here.

‍

557 McReynolds Rd

Sausalito, CA 94965

NYC’s largest Kwanzaa festival returns for its 18th year—a week-long celebration of African heritage and culture!

Join daily candle lightings, watch youth performances, and take part in dance, drumming, and art workshops inspired by Kwanzaa’s seven principles.

Presented with Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation in association with the Brooklyn Children's Museum.

Tickets are $15, get them here.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum

145 Brooklyn Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11213

Another activity to keep kids occupied during winter break!

This charming puppet production transports audiences to a magical realm, staged in the pages of a giant painted storybook. When a wicked witch curses the baby princess Aurora, the entire kingdom falls into a deep sleep. Will a prince with a true heart arrive in time to break the spell? Find out in Tanglewood Marionettes’ masterful adaptation of this beloved fairy tale classic!

Stay after the show to meet the artists and see the puppets up close!

Plus, enjoy a dress-up station and coloring sheets! These activities are available after every performance.

All ages welcome, especially enjoyed by ages 4 – 8
Length: 45 minutes

32 Station St.      

Brookline, MA 02445

Learn and celebrate together the seven principles of Kwanzaa at the Children's Museum of Manhattan! Every year families, and communities come together to honor the ancestors and celebrate African and African American culture. Events include:

• ‍Rise Up! An Interactive Kwanzaa Concert with Asase Yaa
  Sunday, December 28 | Ages 5 & up
  Rise Up! brings Kwanzaa to life through music, dance, rhythm, and storytelling in a high-energy, interactive concert designed for children and families. The program immerses audiences in the cultural traditions of Kwanzaa while celebrating the power of unity, creativity, and joy.‍
• Collaborative Kwanzaa Mural
  Monday, December 29 | Ages 5 & up
  Join painter and artist Lillian Young for a collaborative mixed media mural! Work together to explore the Kwanzaa principle of ujima, which is a Swahili word that means collective work and responsibility.‍
• Prints of Wisdom: Adinkra Art
  Sunday, December 28 - Monday, December 29 | Ages 5 & up
  Discover Adinkra symbols from Ghana that share big ideas about kindness, strength, and love. Create your own print using shapes that speak to you! ‍
• Painting With Corn
  Sunday & Monday, December 28 – 29 | Ages 4 & younger
  During Kwanzaa corn is displayed as a symbol of children and community. Use corn on the cob as a paint brush. Roll it across paper to spread around the paint while you learn about the colors of Kwanzaa.

Included with museum admission. Get tickets here!

The Tisch Building

212 West 83rd Street

New York, NY 10024

New Year’s Eve is two days long at the Children's Museum of Manhattan!

This year, they’ll have inspirational music to start your New Year right, while celebrating their annual New Year’s Eve ball drop and dance party! Ring in 2026 in style by wearing fun wearable art of your own design and take home your own family time capsule, to remember who you are in this special moment. Events include:

• ‍New Years Eve’s Eve Concert with Mega Ran!
  Tuesday, December 30 | All ages
  Mega Ran is a former teacher turned rapper, songwriter, producer, podcast host and author who makes crowd powered interactive and fun music for the whole family. His album Buddy‘s Magic Tree House is nominated for a Grammy. Join them for songs of positivity, kindness and togetherness to bring in a great New Year!‍
• New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Dance Party
  Wednesday, December 31 | All ages
  Join for a countdown party to the New Year!‍
• Capsule of Wishes
  Tuesday & Wednesday, December 30 – 31 | Ages 5 & up
  Make a wish for your future! Decorate a time capsule container and fill it with drawings, dreams, or hopes for the year ahead.‍
• New Year’s Wearable Art
  Tuesday, December 30 & Wednesday, December 31 | Ages 4 & younger
  Decorate your own party hats to ring in the New Year!

Included with museum admission. Get tickets here!

The Tisch Building

212 West 83rd Street

New York, NY 10024

All aboard the school vacation train! Chugga-chugga choo-choo!

The DiMenna Children's History Museum is celebrating their annual Holiday Express exhibition with all things trains! Each program includes a hello song, silly interactive activities, a train-themed story book reading, and a train-themed craft. Each day will feature a new book and craft activity so come join again and again!

Included in museum admission, get tickets here!

Lower level at the New-York Historical Society

170 Central Park West

New York, NY 10024

Ring in 2026 with this family friendly party at NOON! That's right, a daytime event and early night in - sounds like the perfect way to welcome in the New Year!

• Special guest appearances by Elsa & Anna (Frozen)
• Snacks & drinks for little ones
• Craft activities
• Balloon drop celebration
• Interactive games led by the Frozen gang!

485 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118

‍Parking: Limited 2-hour street parking is available on Harrison Ave and Randolph Street. A paid lot is also located across the street at the SoWa Open Market (460–500 Harrison Ave) — $10 for the first hour, $5 for each additional hour.

Join Sugar Plum Parties to celebrate the end of 2025 with Princess Cinderella! Everyone takes home a tiara & wand, while enjoying fancy makeovers for hair and nails. Reign in the night (or afternoon, in this case) with singing, dancing, cake, and ice cream.

Remember the day with a commemorative take home photo!

$35 per child. Register here.

306 Boston Rd., Unit K (next to Belly Buster Diner)

Billerica, MA 01862

Bunker Park Stables offers 1-day to 5-day equestrian camps (along with full and half-day options) for riders of all levels and abilities! Try it out this 2026 summer! Exact dates announced at the time of registration.

Riders are responsible for a horse or pony for the entire duration of their camp, teaching them about responsibility in an exciting way. Camps include demonstrations, discussions, structured riding practices, and lots of hands on time with horses. Campers will walk away feeling more competent in the topic and, hopefully, lasting friendships!

For ages 4-17, perfect for the whole family.

*Register here on January 1 ASAP! Camps for the whole season often fill up same day!*

Bunker Park Stable

13175 County Parkway D NW

Coon Rapids, MN 55434

Night in the Museum is an overnight experience at Old Sturbridge Village designed for scouts, schools and other youth groups.

With only a map and a tattered journal at their side, young historians will travel back in time and take part in a mysterious, candlelit adventure through the 1830s. The quest will exercise their detective skills as they hunt for clues, conduct experiments, and investigate the past. Back at the hands-on learning laboratory, they will experiment with historic crafts to learn more about 19th-century life.

While these programs fill up fast and are almost sold out through the rest of 2025, grab your spot now for January 2026 HERE!!!

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road

Sturbridge, MA 01566

Join the California Academy of Sciences for an amazing opportunity in the new year!

At a Penguins + Pajamas Sleepover, the adventure begins well before bedtime—and continues the next day. Spark your young science-lover's imagination by exploring our exhibits after hours. Go stargazing at a private planetarium show. Snack on milk and cookies before going to sleep under the starfish (or the penguins, if you prefer). And be the first to greet Claude in the morning—after breakfast, of course.

Don't sleep on it—sleepovers fill up far in advance! Book early to avoid disappointment. Sleepovers start at 6 p.m. and continue until 8 a.m. the following morning.

• Saturday, January 17, 2026
• Saturday, January 31, 2026
• Saturday, February 21, 2026
• Saturday, March 14, 2026
• Saturday, March 28, 2026
• Friday, April 10, 2026
• Friday, April 17 2026 (Girl Scout Exclusive)
• Friday, May 1, 2026
• Friday, May 15, 2026
• Saturday, June 13 2026 (Girl Scout Exclusive)

Buy tickets here (starting around $136)!

Ages 4-17 welcome.

Golden Gate Park

55 Music Concourse Drive

San Francisco, CA 94118

Directions & Parking