Weekends in New York with kids are difficult: they always are something to do, but with the multitude of options constantly available to us, settling on the right activity always feels like an overwhelming challenge.

While cultural institutions like the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Sloomoo Institute, and the American Museum of Natural History are delightful year-round destinations, I find that the weekends usually call for something more unique and creative.

As a mother of three young children, like “what are we going to do this weekend?” stress has come to define my days off…which is why I want to make yours a little easier.

This winter in particular, New York is home to tons of fun and exciting activities that cater to kids of all ages, offering the kind of entertainment that’s sure to burn them out and allow you to enjoy a nice glass of red when they invariably fall into a deep and satisfying sleep on Sunday night.

The December 6 debut at CAMP at 110 5th Avenue at 16th Street, for example, is a immersive Bluey experience produced in association with BBC Studios, focusing on the hilarious Australian pre-school TV series about the cute puppy (fellow parents, in the vast empire of children’s television, Bluey it’s definitely one of the less irritating programs out there).

The Flatiron toy store boasts a sort of “secret” space behind the walls that houses a rotating set-up of immersive experiences. Over the past few years, organizers have transformed the destination into a replica of the Disney house Enchanting and a colorful, rainbow-heavy rendition of his trolls world.

Aimed at both the younger set and older kids it is Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminalan annual program that has become a tradition for many families and — bonus points! — participation is completely free.

The Transit Museum’s exhibit of a miniature electric railroad that runs through some of New York’s most famous landmarks is actually celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, so it’s definitely a good time to catch the schedule. Find it at the New York Transit Museum Gallery and Shop near the station shuttle now through February 2025.

Speaking of locomotives, the eponym Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is also up and running for the season. A beloved destination curated by artist Laura Busse Dolan and her team at Applied Imagination since 1992, the production typically consists of 200 New York City-scale buildings and structures that are recreated using bark, leaves and branches. You have until January 20, 2025 to catch the ticketed show in the Bronx.

Over the neighborhoods, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has brought back its stunning winter light show, Bright landscape. Officially opening this weekend, the illuminated trail after dark will feature new light installations alongside old favorites developed by artists from ten different countries. Note that the trail is outdoors, so bundle up the kids before heading out there.

If you’re willing to spend some time in the cold, try the New York Botanical Garden trail of light inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Note that the experience is only open until November 30th, so make it a priority to visit in the next week or so if you want to see it.

It is also outdoors Frost Festwinter extravaganza taking over Coney Island’s Luna Park starting this Saturday through January 1, 2025.

However, perhaps the most exciting new event of the season is “Luna Luna: The Forgotten Fantasy” at the Shed at Hudson Yards.

An amusement park designed by a group of 20th century artists that opened in Hamburg, Germany in 1987, Luna Luna closed in 1990. All the rides were stored in Texas for 36 years until a group of entrepreneurs saved and partially restored them for 2023. show in Los Angeles that was very rave. The recreated park – featuring works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roy Lichtenstein, Salvador Dalí, Keith Haring and Sonia Delaunay, among many other artists – just debuted in New York and will remain on view until January 5, 2025.

While all the events and destinations mentioned clearly focus on children, there is something to be said for experiencing the different offerings as a parent with children in tow.

I can imagine the sparkle in my 5-year-old daughter Giordana’s eyes when she sees herself in a mirror dome designed by Dalí and now seen at Luna Luna, or the excitement of my 3-year-old daughter Alessia when she enters the Blueyhis recreated home. As for my son, Elijah, who is almost 2 years old, he will probably be running down the beautiful Lightscape trail, trying to turn off at least a few of the million lights currently adorning the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I apologize to all fellow participants in advance.

Time Out Tip: Looking for more “traditional” winter activities to participate in with your kids? We’ve got you covered. Here are some always good things to do with kids in New York during the colder months:

• Walk through FAO Schwarz: Shop for holiday gifts at the iconic toy store and play “Sticks” on the on-site giant piano.
• Go skating: There are a ton of wonderful ice rinks around the cityincluding a a new one in the renovated Domino park.
• Catch a Broadway show: River is always a good idea, especially considering the stellar reviews the recently released film adaptation of the production received. Other options include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and a touring production of Annie with Whoopi Goldberg as Miss Hannigan.
• Model your doll at American Girl Place in New York: Fair warning, your little one will never want to leave this doll mecca. Whether you’re shopping for a new product, styling your precious doll with fresh produce, or grabbing lunch at the on-site cafe, there’s plenty to do on-site.
• The birth of a new stuffed animal at Build-A-Bear: If American Girl dolls aren’t for you, consider taking your kids to make their own stuffed animal. There are a lot of different locations around New York. Find the one closest to you Here.