It's day 1 for my family in New York's first coronavirus "containment zone," a state-mandated two-week shutdown of schools and other public-gathering points within a 1-mile radius of the state's epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in New Rochelle. With so much uncertainty—who will get sick, how long will this really last, and will I have the supplies we need—it’s hard to know how to react to this shutdown with my family, which includes two teenagers, here in Westchester County.

As recently as a week ago, "prepare for sickness" topped my to-do list in terms of what to gather and stock up on. In early March, it still all seemed like an anxious person's panic and overkill. At that point—only a few days ago—most of the local discussion among parents and neighbors centered on whether or not COVID-19 was overhyped compared with the seasonal flu. I decided to take it seriously—not as a panicked person fearing for my life, but in the interest of emergency preparedness for the sake of my family.

(Find more information, including school closings and indoor activities and games, in our Coronavirus Guide for Parents.)

If you're not heading out of town for spring break, you may be wondering how to keep the kids busy during their time off. Spring break camps offer a great way to keep them active, learning, and engaged (not to mention out of your hair) while they're out of school.  

Westchester offers many specialized programs, so there's sure to be a camp to please most interests. We've rounded up a dozen choices, including those focusing on nature, arts, and sports.

Be sure to check out our Event Calendar for more fun things to do during the break. And if you're looking ahead to the end of the school year, don't miss our Summer Camps Guide for Westchester Kids!

Life in Larchmont continues to perk up for families, with yet another opening of a family destination. We recently told you about the arrival of D.I.Y. Slime, where kids can get their hands on STEM-y fun without messing up their own home. On its heels comes Pop In! Play Space & Cafe, a new indoor spot geared toward kids under 6 that offers stimulating stations, flexible pricing, and birthday parties.

We paid a visit to size things up for our readers. Spoiler alert: We give it a big thumbs-up!

Read on for the inside scoop about Pop In! Play Space & Cafe. To stay in the know about new businesses, camp listings, our top picks from our Event Calendar, and more, make sure you're signed up for our newsletters!

March winds bring not only April showers but also much fun in and around Westchester, with lots to do both indoors and out.

The first half of the month brings the peak of maple-sugaring season, allowing families to join naturalists in tapping maple trees and evaporating this blasé-looking liquid into the sublime sticky stuff we all know and love. Some events—like the Maple Sugaring Party—are loaded with assorted embellishments, including the ultimate pleasure—eating it atop pancakes!

As for holidays, March is also known as Women’s History Month, and we have assorted recognition events on our calendar that are family-focused. March is also replete with celebrations of Purim, including “out of this world fun” at Purim in Outer Space, along with numerous ways to celebrate being Irish (or pretend that you are), like one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in New York. There are numerous hot-ticket alerts for live kid shows, including The Peking Acrobats, and while we await warmer temperatures, indoor highlights include the return of STEM-tastic. 

Note: The Pout-Pout Fish is now sold out, and if you’re looking for the Annual WHUD Kids Fair, that’s scheduled for April this year.

Grab your calendars and read on for our top things to do with kids this month in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Also be sure to check out our Event Calendar to be up-to-date on even more of the great goings-on this month!

Looking for fresh ideas to break from the birthday party monotony? We’ve scoured Westchester County to bring you 11 new birthday party venues where you can celebrate in 2020. From art studios to play cafes, martial arts studios to a marine education center, these spots promise lots of fun for your child's next fete.

Because there’s such a demand for birthday resources, we’ve kept tabs on assorted party venues and in-house party entertainers for Westchester families to simplify your research. Plus, we recently rounded up 20 Birthday Party Places for Westchester Toddlers and Preschoolers.

Read on for Westchester's 11 newest birthday party venues, and if you haven't done so already, sign up for our newsletters to stay in the know! 

Though February is prone to unsavory weather, the bright side is the many exciting family events happening in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. With celebrations of Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Black History Month, Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year, and Leap Day, the fun is sure to chase away the chill! Among the standouts are the WACA Chinese New Year Festival, and the sure-to-sell-out Victorian Valentine Tea. 

Check out other February traditions like Old-Fashioned Winter’s Afternoon, offering a wintry mix of fun; and Maple Sugaring Tours (with a kick-off party, to boot), heralding the launch of maple-sugaring season. Beyond all this, there are numerous shows we’re itching to see (unfortunately, Pete the Cat, highlighted in our 50 winter activities post, is sold out). Soon we’ll be telling you all the great reasons not to go away for Winter Break, one of which is that the Royal Hanneford Circus is coming to town.

This is just the tip of the iceberg! Read on for the full list of our month’s top picks, and remember you'll find many more on our Event Calendar, plus lots more on the way. Sign up for our newsletters to keep track of new finds!

Keeping kids educated and entertained can cost a pretty penny, so we've rounded up FREE and low-cost classes offered by local stores—including STEM programs, crafting, cooking, and more. We’re big fans of the $0 price tag, but we’ve also included a few that allow for one-time visits up to about $30. 

Many stores have various locations, so be sure to check with these to confirm local schedules, offerings, and rates.

Looking for more? We’ve previously rounded up 60 FREE Places to Play, which include stores, nature centers, play spaces, and other venues. Of course, libraries are also a great resource, and many offer one-time and recurring classes in coding, yoga, knitting, and more. Most importantly, keep tabs on our Event Calendar, where we curate the best local events with a heavy emphasis on FREE and inexpensive.

With the holidays over and the cold weather setting in, January may seem like a good time to hibernate—but not so for Westchester and Hudson Valley families! Our January GoList provides plenty of reasons for getting out and taking advantage of the compelling programs in our area. And, after the high cost of the holidays, you'll be glad to know that many of our picks are FREE!

The Best of the New York International Children's Film Festival returns for an encore screening, with a dozen short flicks hailing from around the world, and the circus comes to town when the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus brings its feats and daring to the local arena. For outdoor fun that embraces the season, bundle up for the Hudson Valley Rail Trail WinterFest, and if your kids are practically obsessed with poop, try Scat! Lest we forget the key holiday of the month, teach your kids about civic duty by finding a cause to lend a hand to on the annual MLK Day of Service. 

These are just a sample of the highlights we’ve identified for you—there are also shows, nature excursions, and more—so read on for more and consult our ever-growing Event Calendar for daily picks. Don’t worry: There’ll still be plenty of time to sit home by the fire in your jammies!