The Top Kid-Friendly December Events in the Bronx for 2019

new york kids weekend

If you live in the Bronx and don’t want to travel far into the city to enjoy some festive activities, we have some great ones right here! From seeing lights at the Bronx Zoo to seeing your favorite holiday film at the New York Botanical Garden, take a look at our round-up of the best December events in the Bronx for 2019!

Looking for more events around the city this month? Check out, The Top Kid-Friendly December Events in Brooklyn for 2019

[R]Evolution of Hip Hop Breakbeat Narratives – Concourse
December 6

Get ready for an interactive pop-up experience that will be held at the Bronx Terminal Market starting from December 6! With the collaboration of The Universal Hip Hop Museum, MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality, and Microsoft, you’ll not want to miss out on this unique experience. You’ll be traveling through hip-hop’s history via artificial intelligence and art for a personalized virtual experience. bronxterminalmarket.com

Family Affair: Winter Wonderland – Concourse Village
December 7 

Celebrate the holiday season in a family-friendly winter wonderland. There will be festive art activities for the whole family and plenty of holiday-themed decor to get you into the holiday spirit. Make this Family Affair part of your exciting build-up to Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve! Winter Wonderland is recommended for kids ages 4 to 12. Free, 1-4 pm. 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10456, bronxmusuem.org

Santa at KRVC– Fieldston
December 12

Bring your little ones to see Santa Claus at Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt. Drop in anytime to meet and greet Santa. Be sure to take photos of your kids with Santa for either your Instagram or your upcoming holiday cards…or both! Free, 3:30-6:30 pm. 505 West 236th St., Bronx, NY 10463, krvcdc.org 

Annual Bird Count – Fordham
December 14

Scientists invite your family to help keep count of the garden’s birds so that they can better estimate the health of their populations and guide future conservation efforts. The garden is a beautiful haven for birds, including owls, woodpeckers, chickadees, and herons. Join novices and expert birders for the Annual Bird Count! Free with garden admission, 11 am. 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458-5126, nybg.org

Family Art Project: Self-Portraits: Follow My Tracks – Riverdale
December 14

Learn about the navigation systems of animals and then consider the tracks that they leave behind during this Family Art Project. Using natural and food materials, create your own self-portrait from the tracks that you leave behind, remembering all the places you’ve been and the memories you hold. Free, admission to the grounds free until 12 pm, 10 am-1 pm. West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471, wavehill.org

Winter Wonderland – Williamsbridge Oval
December 14

Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center creates a Winter Wonderland for families! Celebrate the holiday season with arts and crafts, music, games, and a special visit from Santa Claus. Have some family fun as you learn about all of the winter holidays. Free, 12:30-2:30 pm. 3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467, nycgovparks.org

Nutrition and Wellness Show – Allerton
December 14 

Kids ages 0 to 8 are welcome to come learn about nutrition and fitness at the library! Songs and movement activities will be used to promote eating well and physical exercise. Little ones will compare what nutrients plants need to grow with what we need to stay healthy. Presented by Rockness Music, there will also be basic yoga stretching and a run down of the importance of physical activity in daily life. Free, 11 am. Allerton Library, 2740 Barnes Ave., Bronx, NY 10467, nypl.org

Ice Jubilee – Fordham
December 20-23 and 26-31

Stop by the zoo to celebrate winter with fun and exciting activities for every family. Take adorable photos of your little ones on the Ice Throne and do your best penguin impression down the 20-foot ice slide. There will even be an ice bar for adults and plenty more activities for kids to tune into the winter festivities. Included with Holiday Lights Tickets: Adults $29.95, Kids ages 3-12 $22.95, Kids ages 2 and under free, 6-9 pm. Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, bronxzoo.com

Holiday Favorites Film Festival – Fordham
December 21-24, 26-29

Head to Ross Hall to catch your favorite holiday movies on the big screen. Enjoy a rotating selection of classics that please every crowd, from little ones to adults. Grab your popcorn and get ready for heart-warming and funny holiday entertainment. Free with garden admission, 11 am-4 pm. New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458-5126, nybg.org

Ultimate Dodgement Family Tournament – Hunts Park
December 23-27

Get active during the holiday season at this family dodgeball tournament. Kids ages 12 to 17 are invited to compete in Ultimate Dodgeball. Whether your kids are in the tournament or not, bring your friends and family to come watch this exciting and fast-paced sport! The finals will be held on December 31. Free, 1-4 pm. Hunts Point Recreation Center, 765 Manida St., Bronx, NY 10474, nycgovparks.org 

Ice Carving Competition – Fordham
December 28

A must-see event, the Ice Carving Competition will draw families all across NYC to check out these sculptors in action. Watch as five professional sculptors create 20 ice sculptures in a “speed carving” elimination challenge. Your little ones will be amazed to see the blocks of ice transformed into holiday masterpieces! Included with Holiday Lights Tickets: Adults $29.95, Kids ages 3-12 $22.95, Kids ages 2 and under free, 6-9 pm. Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, bronxzoo.com  

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This Is Cooperstown

<p>Nicknamed America's hometown, Cooperstown has small-town charm and world-class attractions including the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, a must-see for fans of the game and the ultimate homage to America's Pastime. Discover fine, folk, and Native American art at Fenimore Art Museum, acclaimed and varied performances at the Glimmerglass Festival, craft beer at Brewery Ommegang and Red Shed Brewery, fresh cider from the Fly Creek Cider Mill, great restaurants, four-season events, and outdoor fun.</p>

Explore MetroWest Boston

<p><span style="white-space: normal;"> </span></p> <h1>Turn Whining into Winning in MetroWest Boston</h1> <p>From beer gardens to corn mazes, state parks to beautiful art, MetroWest Boston is a great destination for a weekend trip! Enjoy <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/get-outside/?imgoing-place=hopkinton-state-park-61a91acef30b531a665ab64d">Hopkinton State Park</a>’s gorgeous foliage while kayaking on the lake or hiking, mountain biking, or snowshoeing on the amazing trails.</p> <p>In the evening, catch a play, musical, concert, art exhibition, dance performance, or immersive theatrical event at <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=hopkinton-center-for-the-arts-63c03d7e0d792d753263b4d1">Hopkinton Center for the Arts</a>.</p> <p>Get a great night’s sleep at one of the region’s hotels, such as <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/where-to-stay/?imgoing-place=the-verve-hotel-boston-natick-tapestry-collection-by-hilton-61aa4790f30b531a666119e4">The VERVE</a>, with its fun and funky pop art décor, or <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/where-to-stay/?imgoing-place=aloft-framingham-6216279ccc891d1d0862c8c2">Aloft</a> with their pool tables and lobby games. In the morning, visit the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=danforth-art-school-61a8e11cf30b531a66592d90">Danforth Art Museum</a>, a jewel box housing 3,500+ artworks from three centuries, including groundbreaking sculptures depicting the African and African American experience by Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller.</p> <p>Cross the street to the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=framingham-history-center-61a8e11cf30b531a66592d92">Framingham History Center</a> to explore their new multilingual exhibit that traces the city’s immigration story, from those fleeing the 1690s Salem Witch trials, to the Irish and Italian influx in the 1800-1900s, to the current migration of Brazilians. “Framingham’s Collective Journeys” includes oral histories, interactives, and artifacts.</p> <p>No visit to Framingham is complete without stopping at legendary <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/eat/?imgoing-place=jacks-abby-craft-lagers-61a8e11cf30b531a66592da0">Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers</a>, one of 17 breweries in MetroWest, where you can enjoy a flight with a schnitzel sandwich or their famous Framinghamburger. Afterwards, spend a few hours at <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/activities/?imgoing-place=level99-64a8389c51f92a351a6a3f06">Level99</a> testing each other with 50+ mental and physical escape rooms and challenges.</p> <p>The next day, tour the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/where-to-stay/?imgoing-place=longfellows-wayside-inn-61aa7aa3f30b531a66621f57">Wayside Inn</a>. The oldest inn in America’s 100-acre property includes the Old Barn, now a farm stand with displays of antique farming tools, the historic Grist Mill, and beautiful grounds containing the Longfellow Memorial Garden, the Redstone Schoolhouse from the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, the Martha-Mary Chapel, and Josephine's Pond for fishing. Stay for a delicious gourmet meal in their historic dining room.</p> <p>Spend the afternoon at the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=american-heritage-museum-61a92852f30b531a665b17bf">American Heritage Museum</a>. Start your tour in the depths of a WWI trench listening to a nurse’s first-hand account from the Western Front while bombs explode above you and the floor begins to shake. This extraordinary museum features one-of-a-kind historic aircraft, tanks, cars and rare relics from the Revolutionary War to today, in immersive exhibits and living history events. Afterwards, wander the charming shops and boutiques of downtown Hudson.</p> <h3>MetroWest Boston offers these and many other attractions, activities and events for the whole family!</h3>

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Summer Game Camp</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including –</p> <p dir="ltr">- Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch!</p> <p dir="ltr">- A digital campus!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Moderated chat hours!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons & Dragons</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons & Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons & Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! </p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dungeons & Dragons Junior</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons & Dragons games. Our Dungeons & Dragons Jr. game provides a D&D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&D so they can eventually move onto the main game.</p>