Please remember that all public schools are closed for Winter Break starting Monday, December 23rd. School resumes on Thursday, January 2nd.
Looking for fun activities to do with your children during the break? Why not go on an adventure and explore one or more of the wonderful museums New York City has to offer. Use your Cool Culture Family Pass if you have one! Here are a few suggestions:
Origami Holiday Tree, until Jan. 12, daily, 10 am – 5:45 pm
American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West at 79th Street, Upper West Side)
212-769-5100
AGES: All
WHAT: The delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree and two merrily lit 19-foot Holiday Barosaurs welcome visitors to the Museum throughout the holiday season.
Free with museum admission ($23; $13 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2).
Deck the Halls: Snow Globe Making
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 11 am – 2 pm
Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side)
212-534-1672
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Enjoy a special snow globe workshop, cookie decorating, and traditional Christmas songs. A special holiday snack is included!
Free with museum admission ($20 adults; free for anyone younger than 20)
The CMOM Christmas Tree
December 1 – 27, daily, 10 am – 5 pm
Children’s Museum of Manhattan (212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side)
212-721-1223
AGES: All
WHAT: Share your memories and make new ones this holiday season as you design ornaments inspired by the art in the exhibit, Art, Artists & You, for the annual CMOM Christmas Tree.
Free with museum admission ($15; free for children younger than 1)
PaleyLand
December 7 – January 5, Wednesdays – Sundays, 12 – 6 pm
The Paley Center for Media (25 W. 52nd St., New York)
www.paleycenter.org/paleyland-ny
AGES: All
WHAT: Create magical holiday memories while engaging in a special Instagram moment in a whimsical candy cane forest, playing holiday-themed video games and VR, enjoying craft activities and games, warming up with hot cocoa, viewing beloved holiday TV classics, and visiting with Santa!
Free
Remake the Holidays
December 27 – 30, daily, 12 – 4 pm
New York Hall of Science (4701 111th St., Corona)
718-699-0005
AGES: All
WHAT: Families bend, twist, light, sculpt, and animate a new version of the holiday season with workshops, demos, artist installations and more.
Free with museum admission ($16 adults; $13 children)
For more suggestions, check any of the websites below for some great free or low cost local NYC resources for the whole family: