Things To Do over Winter Break
Family Activities throughout Brooklyn and the NYC area during winter break.
Places to Enjoy Indoors with Friends and Family
Industry City
This is one of my favorite free destinations in Brooklyn. Of course, many vendors cost money, but most of the space is free for children to explore. Japan Village is one of our family favorites; CREA now offers date night drop-offs for children. Carreau Club has great picnic tables perfect for coloring and craft kits. Hapik Climbing is a new highlight for my children as an indoor activity, and it’s very active.
Movies
Both Nitehawk and Alamo Drafthouse have a strong representation of family-friendly movies right now. These shows do book up, so make sure you plan ahead of time. I highly recommend Alamo on Tuesdays for their $10 movie showings. My daughter highly recommends the kids’ meal with chicken tenders!
Private Picassos
Open on Monday, December 23rd, and Monday, December 30th, Private Picassos is a comfortable space with families. You can bring outside food and take your time in the craft or lounge areas. It’s a really easy default location.
Chuck E Cheese
Okay, don’t you roll your eyes at me? This location is so secure; they take selfies with parents and children, and no one can escape without displaying. No toddlers can run away here! This peace of mind makes it more enjoyable as an adult. If you have a child two years or younger, you may not need to buy a play pass; the child can press buttons and feel like they’re playing along. They also sell beer and wine here :).
Dekalb Market
This place is a bit chaotic —use that to your advantage with loud children! If you've got a group, try to grab a large picnic table, and you can resupply crafts from Target. Sixpoint Brewery is another great option. Their food is great, and my children especially love pretzels.
Brooklyn Bowl
With Family Bowling on Saturday and a Rock and Roll Playhouse on Sunday, this is a great spot for the middle of the day during the weekend. The bowling could add up, but if you make a reservation, it’s a great spot to spend a few hours with a large group.
Indoor Play Areas:
Hapik Climbing: This new space in Industry City is a great spot for children ages 4+. My four-year-old started scared, but he didn’t want to leave by the end. I can make reservations for climbing on December 25th and January 1st- they are open throughout the holiday.
Space Club: Space Club is open 365 days a year at both of their locations- Fort Greene and Greenpoint.
Genius Gems: Genius Gems has always been one of my defaults, partially because it includes a bar for adults. I also find the play space well-balanced for both of my kids, which can be hard to accomplish. It’s open every day throughout the holidays.
Play Street Museum: I haven’t yet reached this spot on the Upper West Side. My four-year-old would love these pretend houses, which are on our list. This is close to the 2,3 and is open every day over break except for December 25th.
Complete Playground: Complete is a bit more expensive- $50- than other options, but I find the time worth it for a few reasons. Complete is open every day during the winter break and has a new cafe for food and snacks. As far as I’ve seen, they never enforce the two-hour time limit.
Festive Ideas
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanical Garden: Running Nightly through January 5th, this is an easy Brooklyn option.
The Hard Nut at Brooklyn Academy of Music: This is the Mark Morris Dance Center’s interpretation of The Nutcracker. It’s family-friendly, with discounted family pack tickets through November 27th and a special family party on December 15th.
Yuletide Factory at New Victory Theater: Running November 23rd -December 29th, this show is recommended for Ages 5+. It includes performers from Cirque Mechanics with acrobatics, mechanical marvels, and a bit of clowning around.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker at Brooklyn Ballet: A re-imagined holiday classic, The Brooklyn Nutcracker fuses ballet, hip-hop, and a rich tapestry of global dance genres to create a new family tradition for the modern era. This theater is in downtown Brooklyn.
A Christmas Carol: This show, at only 70 minutes long, is easy for school-age children. It’s in Lower Manhattan at the Merchant’s House Museum in Lower Manhattan and runs through December 29th.
Family Ice Skating
Brooklyn Children’s Museum ArtRink: The ArtRink will return to the roof of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum later this month. The ice skating will be on synthetic ice and the rink is small. Regardless, this is a great, easy introduction for younger children.
Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Roebling Rink opens almost under the Brooklyn Bridge this year. Last year’s rink in a similar location was quite touristy. This year, they are offering two free skate sessions for locals (Brooklyn residents), which absolutely makes it worth checking out: Sundays from 10-11 AM and Mondays from 5-6 PM.
Lefrak Center at Prospect Park: There is no date yet for the ice skating rink to open. I highly recommend this ice skating rink. It has two large rinks depending on ability and easy skate assists for children who need them.
Brookfield Place Ice Skating Rink: This is one of my mom's friends’ go-to ice skating rink. She says it’s never too crowded, it’s real ice, and because it’s outside, it leads to a more authentic experience.
Domino Square Ice Skating Rink: New this year, there is an ice skating rink at Domino Park in Williamsburg.
Wollman Rink in Central Park: If you want an iconic New York City experience, I vote to visit Wollman Rink. This is one of the largest ice skating rinks available and will be far less crowded than Rockefeller Center with tourists, plus tickets are only $15/adult!
Rockefeller Center Ice Skating: Rockefeller Center charges surge pricing depending on the time of your visit. (I guess this is better than a crowd of tourists while my seven-year-old is trying to skate.) The max price is $114/adult, so plan accordingly.
If You’re Feeling Adventurous:
Legoland:
Legoland is open daily from December 26th- January 4th. Sure, it will be colder, but this is likely far less crowded than a visit in the summertime. I’ve never stayed at the hotel, but the rooms are very festive if you want a sleepover.
American Dream:
This will likely be busy, especially on weekends. If you’ve never been, It’s worth the trek! There are so many things to see and do. Pro Tips: I think one big activity a trip is enough. Also, the waterpark and theme park have AAA discounts if you book online ahead of time!
Nickelodeon Universe: Great for toddlers and above. The Paw Patrol playground is phenomenal, and they have thrill rides, too.
Dreamworks Water Park: Also great for toddlers and above; significant play areas and thrill water slides.
Big Snow: Yes, this is indoor skiing. I think this is great for kids starting around 5 and above who are interested in skiing or snowboarding. (I’d skip the sledding portion; it’s underwhelming.)
Legoland Discovery Center: This is great for ages three to five or Lego enthusiasts older than that. (It may not justify being the sole destination, but it is a great combination with something else. We went here with my three-year-old while the seven-year-old went skiing.)
Mountain Creek Ski Resort
Mountain Creek in New Jersey is a little over an hour from Brooklyn and feasible for a day trip. The temperates have been cold enough that the mountain is open. I haven’t been this season, but I found it quite easy with my children last year. Pro Tip: Pay for the premium parking. The walk from the free parking lot is torturous.
Holiday Camps
If you’re working or local this holiday and need some back to yourself, here are some of my favorite camp vendors that run camps almost every day during the holiday:
Gotham Gymnastics (scattered availability)
Treasure Trunk Theater (scattered availability)
Chelsea Piers (I think they have openings, but their website is terrible.)
Child-Friendly New Year’s Eve Activities
390 Social Child Friendly New Year’s Eve Party: Grab tickets now for the festivities from 12-2 pm on the 31st.
Three’s Brewing Family Friendly Ball Drop: A ball drop at 4 pm is right up my alley! Drink and food specials and a free cider toast to all.
Manhattan Children’s Museum Countdown: With two different countdowns- 12pm and 1pm- this is a nice one to fit into your day if you’re looking to do something special with the kids!
Grand Army Plaza Light Show: This starts at 10 pm, so it may be for the older children in your life.
Big Apple Circus: While it’s not specifically New Year’s Even Themed, they have a 12pm show and I’ve heard great things about this one!
Browse a new home
This is a quiet time of year for new inventory but we will see more hit the market after the new year and then an acceleration in the Spring!