Top Ten Winter Break Activities
Family Activities throughout Brooklyn and the NYC area during winter break.
Places to Enjoy Indoors with Friends and Family
Spend the Day at Industry City
This is one of my favorite free destinations in Brooklyn. Of course, you’ll spend money at the vendors, but you can be indoors at no cost and wander; 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 and indoor playtime. 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.
See a Family Movie at Nitehawk or Alamo Drafthouse
Both Nitehawk and Alamo Drafthouse have a strong representation of family-friendly movies right now. SpongeBob SquarePants will be the big one; we loved Zootopia 2 if it’s still on the schedule. 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 kids love the kids’ meal with chicken tenders!
Play at Chuck E Cheese
Don’t sleep on Chuck E Cheese if you have kids 2-5 years old. If you go right when they open, and it’s not too crowded yet. If you have a younger child, don’t even spend money- just let them press buttons. It’s a very easy place to meet up with friends because your kids are safe and can’t walk out without you.
Family Bowl
Enjoy the old school activity with your family. Brooklyn Bowl has family bowling hours every Saturday and Sunday. Melody Lanes in Sunset Park is one of my favorites for a throwback vibe.
Places for an adventure over the Winter Break
Legoland
Open 11 am-5 pm most days over the holiday (excluding 24th & 25th), the Holiday Bricktacular looks very fun. They do have a hotel on-site if you’re looking for a last-minute getaway where you will win many points with your children.
Mountain Creek Ski Area
Mountain Creek is the closest ski area to NYC. In the morning, we make it there in under an hour from Prospect Heights, usually (always longer on the way home). They also offer mountain tubing, and it’s a great spot for ski exposure. I highly recommend paying for parking if you’re headed there with kids- it must be reserved ahead of time.
American Dream
The two biggest highlights here are the Dreamworks Water Park and Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park. I think they are both quite fun, but you’re headed to a water park and a theme park right next to the biggest city in the US. If you’re a AAA member, there are discounted tickets online. I also do not recommend the combined passes. I’ve been here several times and never had more energy for more than one place, i.e., the water park and theme park in one day is too much.
Activities if you’re feeling festive
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Lightscape is running nightly (except 24th & 25th) through January 5th. My family really enjoyed it, and it’s a great one to add to your list!
Merry Mayhem at New Victory Theater
Kid-friendly performance with shows through December 28th.
Skate with Santa
On December 20th & 21st, head to Lefrak for special skate with santa sessions. They’re open everyday throughout the break for skating with parents too.
Bonus Activity Ideas
Indoor Playground Map by Neighborhood
My most popular blog post. Read above for all the indoor ideas close to you!
Family Ice Skating
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.
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.
Holiday Camps
If you’re working or local this holiday and need some time for 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
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- 12 pm and 1 pm- 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 Eve themed, they have a 12 pm 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!