Make tracks to a train show during the holiday break. Photo by the author
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The drive-thru light experience on the site of the Woodstock Festival runs through this weekend. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Christmas Weekend 2025 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do with Kids
Celebrate New Year's Eve in daylight hours at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
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The Keeler Christmas light display in Putnam Valley features nearly 1 million lights.
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Westchester in 2025
The stunning Peace, Love, and Lights drive-thru at Bethel Woods returns for another season of bringing visitors joy.
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows from NYC in 2025
Hit the ice at the scenic Mohonk Mountan House, which offers winter day passes to enjoy its spectacular resort amenities. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Ice Castles New Hampshire makes for a great winter day trip. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
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Enjoy glorious views on the Walkway Over the Hudson. Photo by Fred Schaeffer/courtesy of the Walkway.
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Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
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A visit to the United States Military Academy is a lesson in history and patriotism, but also tons of fun for families.
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Kids can run, swing, slide, and even make music at Sally’s Dream Playground in Montgomery. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
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The Saugerties Lighthouse is a stunning getaway no matter the season.
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Summer camps are a great way to make new friends and develop new skills
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The Play Place in Elmsford is one of Westchester's top indoor play spaces.
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Roam the the cedar walk and gardens at Caramoor for a free, fun outing. Photo by Gabe Palacio
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Enjoy water sports at Westchester Summer Day in Mamaroneck. Photo courtesy of the camp
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Palisade Center's Climbzone features themed rock walls as high as 40 feet. Photo courtesy of Climbzone.
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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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Poughkeepsie's Gravity Vault is an indoor rock-climbing gym with classes for kids as young as 5. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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Mount Kisco's Grand Prix New York, a go-kart hot spot, offers birthday parties with racing, arcade play, and virtual reality.
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Kids explore the great outdoors Hudson Highlands Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the center
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At Moe's Southwestern Grill, kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entree. Photo courtesy of the restaurant
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Kids under 1 are FREE hours at the Westchester Children’s Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Kids can peek into the marine life in the aquariums at the Marine Education Center in Mamaroneck. Photo by Susan Miele
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Castle Fun Center in Chester has a giant inflatable park, a rock wall, laser tag, and more. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
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Grab a colorful treat at Harley's Sweet Shop in Woodstock. Photo courtesy of the shop
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Kids can climb the walls at the Cliffs in Valhalla. Photo courtesy of the Cliffs
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Touch the soft rabbits at the Greenburgh Nature Center's petting zoo in Scarsdale. Photo courtesy of the center
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Peekskill, NY, is a lovely riverfront community that acts an the unofficial gateway to the Hudson Valley.
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Explore what makes things fly with the Westchester Children's Museum's Wind Tunnel Design Challenge. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Romp through the woods in the beautiful Catskills. Photo by Deborah Dadlani
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Tig & Peach offers drop-in, no reservations required, open play 7 days a week.
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Friends young and old enjoy the attractions and Legoland New York, the first major theme park in the Northeast in 40 years.
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Frost Valley YMCA offers a variety of day and overnight camps for kids ages 5-14. Photo courtesy Frost Valley YMCA
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Kids love a birthday party filled with games and pizza at Chuck E. Cheese. Photo courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
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Head to the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum from 5-8 pm on the third Saturday of the month to explore the museum for free, Photo by the author
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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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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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Weekend Fun: Whales, Kites, and a Kids' Race; June 22-23

Test your speed and mettle in Lancaster! Photo courtesy of Kids Obstacle Challenge
Test your speed and mettle in Lancaster! Photo courtesy of Kids Obstacle Challenge
6/19/19 - By Lucie T

It really feels like summer has begun here in Boston, so why not celebrate this weekend? There some special seasonal festivals: Kids can marvel at some magnificent kites (or fly their own), race their own cardboard boats, or nosh on some Portuguese food while enjoy music and face-painting.

After testing your speed and smarts at this family-friendly obstacle course race, you can plan a dip at one of these favorite local swimming pools for families, or check out this beloved YMCA's outdoor aquatic center—for free!  Enjoy ice cream with Elsa or introduce kids to some tasty vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Families can also celebrate the animals, from the tiny firefly to the largest mammal of them all. 

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

Need more family fun ideas? Check out our full events calendar, like our Facebook page, and sign up for our (free!) newsletter.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Summer Sand Paintings are relaxing to make and pretty to display. Photo courtesy of Artbeat
Summer Sand Paintings are relaxing to make and pretty to display. Photo courtesy of Artbeat

All Weekend

Wizard of Oz

Watertown
A mostly-female cast of The Create. Inspire. Change. Theater Company is just one draw in this colorful, lively production of the famous tale of Dorothy and her dog on the Yellow Brick Road. READ MORE

Summer Sand Paintings

Arlington
Create a beautiful 5x7 sand art painting on one of many canvases, including sunflowers, dragonflies, sailboats, and fish. READ MORE

Saturday

Firefly Friends

Milton
Celebrate the start of summer while enjoying a little ice cream, making a firefly craft, learning how you can make your backyard more firefly friendly. Then, venture outside into the night to go looking for these flashing insects. READ MORE

New England Whale Festival

Quincy
The annual New England Whale Festival features exhibits promoting marine conservation and boater education, with onsite marine mammal scientists, kid's activities, free boat rides, and the debut of life-sized North Atlantic right whale, Delilah. READ MORE

Kids Obstacle Challenge

Lancaster
Kids Obstacle Challenge is an adventure and obstacle course race series for kids ages 5-16, with 13-15 fun and challenging obstacles and mud.  READ MORE

Free Dorchester Heights Concerts

South Boston
Join the National Park Service, the Dorchester Heights Associations, and Boston Harbor Now for a free summer evening concert featuring live music from Mestiza, a Latin band from Berklee College of Music, and fun for the whole family presented by Knucklebones, including lawn games, and face painting. READ MORE

Ice Cream with Elsa on Tudor Wharf

Charlestown
This is an interactive party with Elsa and includes photo opportunities, a performance by Elsa, and a make-your-own ice cream sundae bar.  READ MORE

Fête de la Musique

Boston
For the 7th year, Fête de la Musique is being celebrated in the South End with live musicians filling the streets with a wide variety of music for all ages. READ MORE
Take flight at the Ronan Park Kite Festival. Photo courtesy of Friends of Ronan Park
Take flight at the Ronan Park Kite Festival. Photo courtesy of Friends of Ronan Park

Sunday

Boston Portuguese Festival

Boston
Join the Portuguese-American community of the Boston area in celebrating our Portuguese pride. The event is fun for all ages and free to the public. READ MORE

Summer Solstice Festival and Cardboard Boat Race Challenge

Concord
Kids can test their engineering skills by building a cardboard boat to race in the Concord River (materials provided) and then celebrate summer's arrival with boating, picnicking, musical entertainment and a bonfire with OARS and The Umbrella Arts & Environment.  READ MORE

Annual Kite Festival

Concord
Join neighbors in Ronan Park for the annual festival where kites are provided, as supplies last. READ MORE

Summerfest 2019

Hanover
Splash your way into summer at the South Shore Y Outdoor Aquatics Center which is open to the public today. READ MORE

Cambridge Vegetarian Food Festival

Cambridge
Come eat healthy organic, plant based meals, sample and purchase delicious vegetarian and vegan options from 25 of the area's top vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and check out over 50 artists, makers, import and vintage dealers, live music, farmers market vendors and more. READ MORE

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