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Arts & Entertainment

Spending the Holiday Break at Home

Fun Ways to enjoy the Holiday Season with your kids right outside your door

We love to spend the winter holiday week in Brooklyn. This is the week that we try to play catch up on all of the things that we can't get to during the busy year. With the kids home from school and extra curricular classes suspended, this is when our family can really spend some quality time together and explore the city.

But if the idea of spending an entire week dressing your kids in multiple layers to hop on the F train and head into tourist-ridden Manhattan doesn't seem appealing, you're not alone.

Even though I grew up in New York, I still love to see the tree at Rockefeller Center and look at the department store window displays. However, these days I also love to spend time close to home, and I'm amazed at how many unique places, shows and events are within walking distance. I can fill an entire week of activities just in the local area.

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If you're at a loss for plans, here's a peak at what's on my family's dance card. I hope these inspire you to explore the area more this holiday season.

Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 22 & Dec 23

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See a show at Galapagos Art Space

7 pm doors, 8 pm show. $20

We hope to start getting into the holiday spirit at Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo. This week Galapagos is hosting "Under The Tree: An Aerial Holiday Celebration" presented by Suspended Cirque Doors. This Aerial show is performed by a New York based Aerial Company and is about toys coming to life. Probably better suited for the older kid set since it starts at 8pm. The theater does recommend the show for kids under 16 who are accompanied by a parent. It also looks like an amazing "date night" activity.

Open everyday starting Tuesday Dec. 28, 9 am - 6 pm 

Head to the Play Space at NY City Explorers

If you have pre-school aged kids, once you get bored of the toys in your living room, head over to the NY City Explorers. We spent a lot of time here when my kids were younger. On Friday, Dec. 31 they host their weekly song circle at 3:30 pm. It's a great alternative to spending a morning bundled up at the local playground. And if you want to go out on New Years Eve and you can't find a sitter, the Prospect Heights location is hosting a New Years Eve drop off party for kids.

Wednesday, Dec 29 or Thursday, Dec 30

Tour the Toy Museum of New York

This week we will head to the Toy Museum in the heart of Brooklyn Heights. On Wednesday and Thursday, the museum will have tables where kids can draw and do other craft projects. I'm excited to show the kids the collection of toys from the 1890's - 1980's. But be careful: It will be hard to avoid a walk down memory lane because the museum has both Cabbage Patch Dolls and Atari on display, the major toys of my (and maybe your) generation.

Tuesday, Dec. 28 - Friday, Dec. 31

Pop in at Mini Max and enjoy a story or art project

We love this hair salon/toy shop run by local moms. They offer a ton of FREE fun drop-in activities throughout the year, including Christmas week, at their Atlantic Avenue store. These include: Story time ay 10 am on Tuesdays, Music Jam Session on 10 am on Wednesdays, French Story Time on Thursday at 10 am and Making Punk Rock Bracelets at 4 pm on Friday.

Entire Week of Dec. 27

Go to camp in the winter at New York Kids Club

If you have to work during the holidays, and you don't have any childcare, New York Kids Club Winter Camp is a great place for your children to spend their winter break. The camp is for kids ages 2 1/2 to 6 and runs all week. Sign your child up for a morning, afternoon or full day session.

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