The Bronx Zoo comes to life after dark during its annual Holiday Lights event. Photo by Terria Clay/courtesy of the Bronx Zoo

Holiday Lights, Christmas Carousel, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a must-see holiday destination in NYC. Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Gardens

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The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0

See the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids

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Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025.

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Where To Find Free Turkey in NYC for Thanksgiving Dinner 2025

Meet Santa aboard The Polar Express chugging along the Morristown and Erie lines. Photo courtesy of the Morristown and Erie Railway

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See your favorite characters come to life at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon inflation. Photo by Eugene Gologursky/courtesy of Macy's.

24 Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Enjoy a cozy, French-style Thanksgiving meal at Le Rivage. Photo by Evan Sung

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Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden

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Volunteer to help feed families in New York this Thanksgiving.

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Canstruction is free and open to the public at Brookfield Place through Monday, November 10. Photo by Heidi Lee

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Kids as young as 14 can apply for an eco-focused internship at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Photo courtesy of the Alley Pond Environmental Center

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The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.

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See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo

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Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

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The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader

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Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila

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Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

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There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum

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Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

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Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.

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For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier

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The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH

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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

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Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.

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Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier

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The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette

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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander

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Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

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25 Best Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids October 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

No tricks, just treats at Boo at the LA Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Zoo

9/28/25 - By Toby B

There are tons of things to do in Los Angeles for ghouls and gals, but Halloween is the name of the game in October. Los Angeles comes alive with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and, of course, trick-or-treating—so many opportunities to wear Halloween costumes!

Major treats are in store for families looking for things to do in Los Angeles this October. The sky's the limit at the Pacific Airshow as high-flyers, including the US Air Force Thunderbirds, take to the air over Huntington Beach. DTLA's major cultural institutions open their doors with free performances and interactive activities at Grand Ave Arts: All Access, and dearly departed loved ones are remembered and honored at Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street.

Favorite frightful Halloween activities include the chance to Boo at the LA Zoo, find the STEM in the pumpkin at Battleship IOWA Halloween STEMebration, and Pumpkin Palooza at Discovery Cube OC, wander through the Carved jack-o-lanterns in La Canada-Flintridge, watch wheeled gourds speed to the finish line at Manhattan Beach's Pumpkin Race Festival, and so much more.

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Los Angeles in October—we're adding more events to the Los Angeles Family Event Calendar daily. Keep reading for the very best things to do in Los Angeles this October, and don't forget to check back weekly for our picks for the best things to do in Los Angeles each weekend.