Whether you’re an avid fan of Columbus Day or prefer to celebrate indigenous peoples instead, everyone loves a three-day weekend to spend a little extra time with the kids and do something fun as a family—and we have ideas for family activities in the New York metro area you’ll love. While the kids are home from school this holiday weekend, consider taking a day trip to pick your own pumpkins or go apple picking in the New York area, or get lost in a corn maze. If you prefer to stay local, there are a variety of family activities to enjoy, from commemorating Columbus Day specifically, to special events at NYC museums, to art classes, story times, and just having a little fun on your day off! Whether you live in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, or Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, or Bergen counties, there’s plenty to do in your neighborhood!
Columbus Day Events Manhattan
Columbus Day Drop-In Art Workshop
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 1-4pm
WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: Kids will discover striking portraits on view and create self-portraits or portraits of family members using a variety of painting materials.
WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors; $8 students; free for children 18 and younger. 212-423-3200. thejewishmuseum.org.
Archaeology Mondays
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, Mondays, 3-5pm
WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: The Jewish Museum’s simulated archaeological dig highlights replicas from ancient to modern times in a hands-on experience.
WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors; $8 students; free for children 18 and younger. 212-423-3200. thejewishmuseum.org.
Native American Heritage Celebration
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 11am-2pm
WHERE: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. , East Harlem
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the history of local Native American groups, hear folk stories, and create a cornhusk doll.
WANT TO GO? $18; $12 students and seniors; free for ages 19 and younger . 347-441-9181. mcny.org.
The Music of Dinos Constantinides
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 8pm
WHERE: Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 154 W. 57th St., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: In this concert, faculty members from the Louisiana State University School of Music perform original compositions.
WANT TO GO? $50. 212-707-8566 x330. carnegiehall.org.
Columbus Day Weekend Events in Queens
Moving Image Studio
WHEN: Through Jan. 21: Weekends and Columbus Day, 11am-4pm
WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image , 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: Visitors can create media and other projects.
WANT TO GO? $15; $11 seniors and students with ID; $7 children ages 3–17. 718-429-2579. movingimage.us.
FREE Pumpkin Patch
WHEN: Oct. 6-27, Weekends and Columbus Day, 11am-4:30pm
WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy the crisp fall air and wander through the patch to find the perfect pumpkin.
WANT TO GO? 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.
Columbus Day Activities in Brooklyn
FREE Autism Awareness Workshop: Create and Connect Puzzles and Imagination Playground
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 11am-4:30pm
WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Create your own puzzle to support Autism Awareness. Pick up a timed ticket for a 30-minute session. Afterward, play in the Imagination Playground.
WANT TO GO? 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.
Staten Island Zoo Goes Blue for Autism
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 9am-12pm
WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy animal presentations, sensory exploration activities, and a scavenger hunt, plus a designated quiet area for breaks.
WANT TO GO? $6. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.
Nassau County Columbus Day Events
Columbus Day Paint Event- Ship!
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 11am-12:30pm
WHERE: Key to My Art East Rockaway, 131 Main St., East Rockaway
AGES: 5-17
WHAT: While the kids are off from school, get them out of the house for some painting fun at Key to My Art!
WANT TO GO? $20. 516-218-2920. keytomyart.com.
The Amazing Maize
WHEN: Sept. 22- Oct. 27, Weekends and Columbus Day, 11am-4:30pm
WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park
AGES: All
WHAT: Challenge yourself with finding clues, solving puzzles, and making your way out of the 3-acre maze.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Who knew getting lost could be so much fun?
WANT TO GO? $10 adult; $5 children ages 4-11; free for children ages 3 and younger. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.
Columbus Day Activities in Suffolk County
SuperHero Crafts
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 12–3pm
WHERE: The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 279 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Be inspired by the giant champions of the sea and create superhero-themed crafts at help-yourself stations.
WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children ages 4-18; free for children younger than 4. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.
Teen/Tween Pottery Immersion
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 12:15-3:15pm
WHERE: Studio E Art Classes, 565 Route 25A, Miller Place
AGES: 9-17
WHAT: Students work on high powered pottery wheels and learn hand-building techniques with clay.
WANT TO GO? $50. 631-744-4001. studioeartclass.com.
Dogman Paint Event!
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 11am-12:30pm
WHERE: Key to My Art, 10 W. Oak St., Amityville
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Come paint the cover of the latest Dogman book.
WANT TO GO? $20. 631-608-9048. keytomyart.com.
LOL Doll Surprise JoJo Siwa Paint Event
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 1:30-3pm
WHERE: Key to My Art, 10 W. Oak St., Amityville
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Come paint the Jojo Siwa LOL doll.
WANT TO GO? $20 . 631-608-9048. keytomyart.com.
Workshops for Children: Ravenous Raptors
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 10am–12pm
WHERE: Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport
AGES: 5-8
WHAT: Learn all about raptors.
WANT TO GO? $20. 631-854-5579. vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Westchester County Columbus Day Activities
Falconry Presentation: Skyhunters in Flight
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 1pm
WHERE: Wave Hill, 649 W. 249th St., Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: Watch hawks, falcons, and owls sharpen their hunting skills during an exciting outdoor flight demonstration.
WANT TO GO? $8; $4 students and seniors; $2 children ages 6-18; free for children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Rockland & Bergen Counties Columbus Day Events
Public Hayrides
WHEN: Sept. 17- Oct. 31, Monday-Friday, 3-5pm; Saturday, Sunday, and Columbus Day, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Secor Farms, 85 Airmont Ave., Mahwah
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy a scenic ride then explore the corn maze, pick a pumpkin, and relax under the rustic pergola.
WANT TO GO? $4; free for children younger than 1. 201-529-2595. secorfarms.com.
FREE Tales & Tunes
WHEN: Sept. 24- Dec. 10 , Mondays, 11am and 7pm; Tuesdays, 11:30am
WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo , Garnerville
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Enjoy stories, fingerplays, songs, and bubbles!
WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.
