Thanksgiving is all about spending time with loved ones and making memories and traditions that will last for years to come. We’ve rounded up a list of Thanksgiving activities for kids on Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk counties that the whole family will enjoy. We've also gathered Thanksgiving events for kids in New York City and in Westchester and Rockland counties.
Thanksgiving Events in Nassau County
Turkey Talk
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 17, 12pm and 1pm
WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
AGES: 5 and younger
WHAT: Join LICM for a humorous spin on the traditional Thanksgiving turkey! Learn why turkey is a mainstay of Thanksgiving dinner and “dress up” your own turkey decoration for the occasion!
WANT TO GO? $14 museum admission plus $4; free museum admission plus $3 for members. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
StART (Story + Art): ‘Maisy’s Thanksgiving’ by Lucy Cousins
WHEN: Nov. 19-21, 4:30-5:30pm
WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: This week in stART read “Maisy’s Thanksgiving” by Lucy Cousins. It’s Thanksgiving Day, and Maisy and her friends are having a special dinner! Help everyone gather the food, decorate the house, and bake yummy pies. After the story, create a pretend Thanksgiving “meal” to take home!
WANT TO GO? 516-224-5800. licm.org.
FREE 11th Annual Bethpage Turkey Drive Benefiting Island Harvest Food Bank
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 22, 7am-6pm
WHERE: Bethpage Federal Credit Union, 899 S. Oyster Bay Ave.,
AGES: All
WHAT: Help feed Long Island families this Thanksgiving at the 11th Annual Bethpage Turkey Drive benefiting Island Harvest. Your donations of frozen turkeys and non-perishable goods will help feed over 315,000 families in need. The New York Jets will also support this year’s Turkey Drive and will have a JetsFootball Legend on hand to help collect donated goods.
WANT TO GO? 516-263-6546. www.bethpagefcu.com.
Who Took Tom the Turkey?
WHEN: Nov. 9-23, 11/09 and 11/23 at 2pm; 11/10 at 11am
WHERE: BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
AGES: All
WHAT: A Thanksgiving musical, Tom Turkey has gone missing. Chief Clumsy Bull and the rest of the gang need to find him before the autumn festival.
WANT TO GO? $13; $11 in advance. 516-775-4420. broadhollow.org.
Thanksgiving Paint Event
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 23, 1:30-3pm
WHERE: Key to My Art East Rockaway, 131 Main St., East Rockaway
AGES: 5-17
WHAT: Teachers do not use stencils or draw the images for your kids – they learn how to do it on their own! It's not about looking “perfect”, it's about learning and having fun! No experience necessary. This is a DROP OFF event. If you don't want to drop off, please wait until you are ready. Children ages 5 and up only. Price includes all supplies, canvas, paint, and step by step instruction. Must register online in advance. Please arrive on time or your child will miss important instruction. Dress for Mess.
WANT TO GO? $20. 516-218-2920. www.keytomyart.com.
Apple Pie Family Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 23, 10:30am-12pm
WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the library for some pie making fun – cut fresh apples and prepare a homemade crust at the library. Each family will leave with a delicious pie they may bake and serve at Thanksgiving! Please bring your own rolling pin. Registration required.
WANT TO GO? $5 supply fee per family. 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.
FREE Thanksgiving Story Time & Craft
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 24, 11:30am
WHERE: The Dolphin Bookshop, 299 Main St., Port Washington
AGES: 5 and younger
WHAT: Join in the fun with this silly story “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie”, by Alison Jackson. Silly craft for all will follow.
WANT TO GO? 516-767-2650. thedolphinbookshop.com.
FREE Fantastic Frozen Festivities!
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 3-5pm
WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees
AGES: 2-12
WHAT: Island Trees Public Library has Frozen Fever! Whether you've already seen Frozen II or will during Thanksgiving weekend, celebrate our favorite royals from Arendelle at the library by Building A(n Edible) Snowman, fun photo ops and more!
WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.
Thanksgiving Events in Suffolk County
Who Took Tom the Turkey?
WHEN: Nov. 9-24, 11/9, 11/16 and 11/23 at 2pm; 11/11 and 11/24 at 11am
WHERE: BayWay Arts Center, 265 E. Main St., East Islip
AGES: All
WHAT: A Thanksgiving musical, Tom Turkey has gone missing. Chief Clumsy Bull and the rest of the gang need to find him before the autumn festival.
WANT TO GO? $13; $11 in advance. 631-581-2700. broadhollow.org.
FREE Rethinking Thanksgiving with Perry Ground
WHEN: Nov. 21-23, daily, 1:30-3pm
WHERE: Indian Island County Park, County Road 105, Riverhead
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Perry Ground for an engaging and informative workshop and storytelling session about the history of this very misunderstood holiday. Based on the only primary source documents that chronicle the “First Thanksgiving” and using a quiz-style format, visitors will learn accurate and culturally appropriate information about the English settlers at Plymouth and the Wampanoag, the Native people who inhabited that area, and learn about how this story became the holiday we know today.
WANT TO GO? 631-852-8629. ccesuffolk.org.
Thanksgiving Paint Event
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 24, 11am-12:30pm
WHERE: Key to My Art, 10 W. Oak St., Amityville
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Teachers do not use stencils or draw the images for your kids – they learn how to do it on their own! It's not about looking “perfect”, it's about learning and having fun! Dress for mess.
WANT TO GO? 631-608-9048. www.keytomyart.com.
FREE Thanksgiving Morning Worship Service on the Beach
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 28, 9am
WHERE: Cedar Beach, 244 Harbor Beach Road, Mt. Sinai
AGES: All
WHAT: Greet the dawning day in thanking God! A brief service will be led by Dr. Rev. Phil Hobson of Mt. Sinai Congregation Church, and sing with the gulls as the waves break upon the shore. Service begins at, 9am, to the left of the main building. All will be welcomed!
WANT TO GO? 631-473-1582. https://www.msucc.org/.
The Pajama Jammie Jam
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 29, 5:30-7pm
WHERE: Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton
AGES:
WHAT: Leave the leftovers green beans, casserole your way over to the Museum, and get ready to shake that cranberry sauce during CMEE’s post-Thanksgiving Pajama Jammie Jam! During the special nighttime event, kids (and grownups!) are encouraged to rock their PJs while enjoying pizza, playing in the exhibits, dancing under the disco ball, and more!
WANT TO GO? $15; $5 members. 631-537-8250. cmee.org.
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Main Image: A child makes a craft project at a previous event at the Whaling Museum and Education Center
Courtesy Whaling Museum and Education Center
