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Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Families in NYC, Westchester, & Long Island

Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Families in NYC, Westchester, & Long Island

Here are some Thanksgiving activities for kids provided by the amazing businesses in our area and some other ideas for having a great turkey day with your family.


Whether you choose to celebrate turkey day with friends or extended family this year or you choose to keep the gathering small, there are plenty of Thanksgiving activities for families in NYC, Westchester, and Long Island. This year, you can see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, make Thanksgiving-themed crafts, participate in a Turkey Trot or family hike, learn how to make new dishes for your feast, and more!

Click on your preferred region to jump to that section:

Thanksgiving Activities for Families in Manhattan

Kids 'N Comedy 'Thanksgiving Roast' Family Comedy Show

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 14, 1pm
WHERE: Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23 St., Chelsea
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: Gather your family to see some of the freshest young comedians at this Thanksgiving themed comedy show. 
WANT TO GO? Tickets are $18, plus a one item minimum. 

FREE Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 12-6pm
WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W. (between West 77th and 81st streets), Upper West Side 
AGE: All
WHAT: See the inflation of iconic, and soon to be iconic, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. 
WANT TO GO? Make sure to arrive early for a good spot!

Thanksgiving Celebrations

WHEN: Nov. 24-28, Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, 10am-12pm, 12:30-2:30pm, 3-5pm
WHERE: Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side
AGE: All
WHAT: Create a Thanksgiving dinner plate collage and art inspired by the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade floats.
WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors 65 and older and visitors with disabilities. Advanced registration required.

FREE 95th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 25, 9am-12pm
WHERE: Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th St., Midtown
AGE: All
WHAT: See a spectacular showcase of giant balloons, fabulous floats, exciting performers & more
WANT TO GO? Early risers arrive starting at 6am on the west side of Central Park West from West 75th to 61st streets. Can’t make it to the parade? Watch from home on NBC

Thanksgiving Warm-Up Party

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 25, 10am
WHERE: CAMP Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Circle #202, Columbus Circle
AGE: All
WHAT: Have fun making a festive craft while enjoying a view of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. There will be light snacks and beverages provided by Tartinery and Pressed Juicery.
WANT TO GO? $20. Advanced registration required. 

Thanksgiving Kids Harvest Cruise 2021

WHEN: Nov. 25-27, Thursday-Saturday, 12:15-1:45pm
WHERE: Event Cruises NYC, Pier 36, 299 South St., Downtown Manhattan
AGE: All
WHAT: Hop on board for a one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving New York Harvest Cruise filled with fun family Thanksgiving games. Meet Turkey and Pilgrim characters and hear their stories, make your own "turkey" and party hat, play bean bag toss and take photos with pumpkins, hay, and dried corn decorations, all with the Manhattan skyline as the background.
WANT TO GO? $89-$65; $49-$75 kids. Advanced registration required. 

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Thanksgiving Activities for Families in Brooklyn

FREE Kids Create: Grab and Go - Thanksgiving

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 19, 11am-6pm
WHERE: Ulmer Park Library, 2602 Bath Avenue Ave., Bensonhurst
AGE: All
WHAT: Pick up a Kids Create: Grab and Go - Thanksgiving Turkey Kit. Inside you will find everything you need to create your own turkey centerpieces that week.
WANT TO GO? First-come, first-serve basis. Limited number of bags available.

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Thanksgiving Activities for Families in Queens

FREE Nov. Kids Zone

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 13, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Queens Center Mall, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst
AGE: All
WHAT: Kids will create a fun Turkey Photo Frame in which they can place a family photo. Kids also receive a collector’s pin and a special lanyard to hold their Kids Zone pin.
WANT TO GO? Free while supplies last. Mom and Dad will receive a special coupon offer that can be combined with other coupons on that day.

Butternut Squash Soup & Turkey Legs

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 19, 3-4:30pm
WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens
AGE: 8-12
WHAT: Young Chefs will cozy up with a bowl of delicious butternut squash soup. And since it is a month to enjoy turkeys, they will create ‘chocolate caramel turkey legs’ for dessert while playing a game of fun turkey trivia!
WANT TO GO? $28. Advanced registration required. Dress for the weather. 

New York City Turkey Trot Half Marathon & 5K

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27, 8:30am-12pm
WHERE: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 111th Street to Van Wyck, Flushing-Corona
AGE: All
WHAT: Be a part of a Thanksgiving morning tradition at the LIVE New York City Turkey Trot Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk. Earn your delicious finisher doughnut and rock your turkey trot gear around town.
WANT TO GO? $100 half marathon; $60 5K; $9.99 kids division ages 11 and younger; free for Kids Dash ages 8 and younger; discounts if you register before Nov. 10. Advanced registration required.

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Thanksgiving Activities for Families in Westchester

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Spoon Rest Kids Fun Class

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 4:30-5:30pm
WHERE: A Maze in Pottery, 76 N. State Road, Briarcliff Manor
AGE: 6 and older
WHAT: Come and have fun painting a cute pumpkin spoon rest for your Thanksgiving table! 
WANT TO GO? $21.90. Advanced registration required.

FREE Nov. Grab and Go Thanksgiving Pickup Craft

WHEN: Nov. 10-23, Monday-Tuesday, 9am-6pm; Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm
WHERE: Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library, 1 Haseco Ave., Port Chester
AGE: 2-12
WHAT: Children will be given a bag with all of the pieces they need to make the craft.
WANT TO GO? Signup now by calling or emailing [email protected]

Friendsgiving Celebration

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 19, 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE: Rye Reads Learning Center, 180 Theodore Fremd, Rye
AGE: 5-7
WHAT: After reading Spookley Thanksgiving, there will be Thanksgiving dinner! Then make and take home a yummy Thanksgiving treat to share with your family or as a hostess gift.
WANT TO GO? $40. Advanced registration required. 



Make A Thanksgiving Turkey With Polymer Clay

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2-3pm ages 5-8; 3-4pm ages 9-12
WHERE: The Rye Arts Center, 51 Milton Road, Rye
AGE: 5-8 and 9-12
WHAT: Make a Thanksgiving Turkey! Using polymer clay you will learn how to make simple shapes and put them together to form a cute sculpture. All projects will be baked at home with simple instructions included with each project.
WANT TO GO? $25. Discount for members. Advanced registration required. 

FREE Parade Spectacular Park Party

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 21, 12-3pm
WHERE: Mill River Park, 1040 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT
AGE: All
WHAT: This free community event will feature giant helium balloons, marching bands, and dance and performance groups. Partygoers will enjoy 1 hour of performances and activities repeated three times to enable crowds to be effectively managed. All the best of the annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular will be brought together in one place.
WANT TO GO? Come at any time to watch a sequence for an hour, or come for the whole afternoon and enjoy the show three times over!

FREE Turkey Time Hike and Craft

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 21, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Crotona Nature Center in Croton Point Park, Crotona Park East and Charlotte Street, Croton-on-Hudson
AGE: All
WHAT: Unleash your creativity through art. Create Thanksgiving and seasonal arts and crafts using natural materials found throughout the park.
WANT TO GO? Make sure to wear appropriate clothing for the hike (and dress in layers!).

Westchester Turkey Trot 10K & 5K

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 25, 8:15am Kids Dash; 8:30am 5K & 10K start
WHERE: Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla
AGE: All
WHAT: Be part of a Thanksgiving morning tradition at the LIVE Westchester Turkey Trot 10K and 5K. Earn your delicious finisher doughnut and rock your turkey trot gear around town. Awards will be given to the top 3 participants, male and female in each age group and overall. Kids Dash finisher award to all participants. 
WANT TO GO? $70 10K; $60 5K; $9.99 5K Kid's Division Fun Run; free for Kid's Dash. Advanced registration required.

Hike Off the Turkey

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28, 10-11:30am
WHERE: Teatown, 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining
AGE: 8 and older
WHAT: What better way to celebrate and rejuvenate than with a hike in the fresh air?! Hike to Teatown Hill to get a glimpse of the Hudson Highlands and watch for the last of the migrating hawks.
WANT TO GO? $8; free for members. Advanced registration required. Wear sturdy boots or sneakers and dress in layers.

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Kids’ Thanksgiving Events on Long Island

Family Thanksgiving Ceramics Workshop

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 14, 1-3pm
WHERE: Gold Coast Arts Center, 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck
AGE: All
WHAT: Parents, grandparents, kids of all ages come together at this one day workshop to create unique art projects on ceramic bisqueware! Unique surface decoration techniques will be taught, such as stamping, printing, and stenciling. With expert instruction you’ll create your one-of-a-kind designs to proudly show off at home or to give as special gifts.
WANT TO GO? $60; $50 members. Advanced registration required.

FREE Island Harvest Free Turkey Giveaway

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 16, 10-10:30am
WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood
AGE: Adults
WHAT: It's free turkey day! Island Harvest Mobile Food Pantry will be located on the south side of the parking lot. Vehicles should enter on Third Street. The Island Harvest Volunteers will place the items in the trunk of your vehicle, so please have space prepared. Vehicles cannot line up before 9:30am, and drivers must remain in their vehicles. Walk-up service is available on the sidewalk.
WANT TO GO? Availability is limited, so registration is required.

stART (Story + Art): 10 Fat Turkeys

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 18, 11:30am
WHERE: Long Island Children's Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
AGE: 3-5
WHAT: This week in stART, the group will be reading “10 Fat Turkeys” by Tony Johnston. Practice counting down from 10 to one with a group of silly turkeys! After the story, “dress up” your own turkey decoration for Thanksgiving!
WANT TO GO? $14; $13 ages 65 and older, plus: $4; $3 LICM members. Advanced registration required.

Bethpage Turkey Drive for Island Harvest

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 19, 8am-4pm
WHERE: Bethpage Federal Credit Union Main Headquarters Parking Lot, 899 S. Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage
AGE: All
WHAT: Take part in the 13th Anniversary Bethpage Turkey Drive for Island Harvest Food Bank. Long Islanders are asked to drop off frozen turkeys, non-perishable food items (except those in glass containers), supermarket gift cards, or cash donations. 
WANT TO GO? For the safety of the community, Bethpage will require that all donors remain in their cars and place their donations in their trunks. Volunteers will then remove the donations from the car to ensure contactless donations. 

Thank you Turkey Thanksgiving Paint Event!

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20, 12-1pm
WHERE: Key to My Art, 10 W. Oak St., Amityville
AGE: 5-12
WHAT: Paint a fun and pretty Thanksgiving turkey! Step by step painting taught by a certified teacher.
WANT TO GO? $25. All supplies included. Advanced registration required. 

Turkey Trot

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2pm
WHERE: Rolling River Day Camp, 477 Ocean Ave., East Rockaway
AGE: All
WHAT: Join Rolling River Day Camp for its second annual Family Fun Turkey Trot Race. Ticket price includes organized kids and family races with games and music, post race party, snack "feast" bar, and Thanksgiving-themed arts and crafts! All families will receive a complimentary photo on the winner's podium. Prizes will be given out for the most creative costumes in each age group as well as the overall winner of each race heat.
WANT TO GO? $8-$25. Advanced registration required. Adults should wear sneakers as they will be participating in some races. Races will be based on age: the first heat is ages 3-5, the second heat is ages 6-11. In the spirit of the holiday season, bring a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to Gammy's Pantry. Rain Date: Sunday, Nov. 21.

ThanksGLOWing

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 6-8pm
WHERE: Sky Zone Deer Park, 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park
AGE: 5 and older.
WHAT: Get your holiday weekend started a little early this year with a visit to Sky Zone for Thanks-GLOW-ing! Lasers, music, and blacklight transform the whole park into a crazy jumping dance club.
WANT TO GO? $33 for 60 minutes; $36 for 90 minutes; $38 for 120 minutes. Advanced registration required.

Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 25, 12-4:30pm with seatings every half hour
WHERE: The Milleridge Cottage, 585 N. Broadway, Jericho
AGE: All
WHAT: Celebrate Thanksgiving with family and enjoy a feast featuring traditional and non-traditional foods.
WANT TO GO? $62.95; $32.95 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. Advanced registration required.

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Main photo by FamVeld/shutterstock.com

Here at Rockland Parent, we've got everything you need to have a safefun, and festive fall and Halloween season.  Whether it is pumpkin or apple picking, getting lost in a corn maze, making Halloween crafts or finding costumes and decorations, we're here to help. 

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Shara Levine

Author:

Shara Levine, originally from Brooklyn, is the Events Manager for NYMetroParents. As a lifelong New Yorker, and mom of four raising her kids on Long Island, Shara knows her hometown well and brings her love of all things fun to NYMetroParents by sharing the best in kid friendly events, festival, concerts, and performances in NYC, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland. When not helping parents plan their family's day out, Shara enjoys making random Seinfeld references and going on late-night Target runs. 

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