Celebrate the new year before dark with crafts, confetti, and a dance party at the Westchester Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
New Year's Eve Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids: Countdown to 2026
Make tracks to a train show during the holiday break. Photo by the author
Westchester and the Hudson Valley's Top Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids
Visit the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum for all kinds of interactive fun during Family Free Nights. Photo courtesy of the museum
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley in January 2026, According to MP Editors
GUIDE
Westchester & Hudson Valley Winter Vacation Guide
Ice Castles New Hampshire makes for a great winter day trip. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 30 Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
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
23 Fun Winter Day Trips from NYC
Enjoy glorious views on the Walkway Over the Hudson. Photo by Fred Schaeffer/courtesy of the Walkway.
50 Best Things To Do in the Hudson Valley with Kids
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
A visit to the United States Military Academy is a lesson in history and patriotism, but also tons of fun for families.
Visiting West Point with Kids: 37 Top Things To Do near the United States Military Academy
Kids can run, swing, slide, and even make music at Sally’s Dream Playground in Montgomery. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
Top Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley Worth Driving To
The Saugerties Lighthouse is a stunning getaway no matter the season.
Sleep in a Lighthouse and More Hudson Valley Family Resorts and Hotels
Summer camps are a great way to make new friends and develop new skills
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
The Play Place in Elmsford is one of Westchester's top indoor play spaces.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Westchester
Roam the the cedar walk and gardens at Caramoor for a free, fun outing. Photo by Gabe Palacio
41 Free Things To Do in Westchester with Kids
Enjoy water sports at Westchester Summer Day in Mamaroneck. Photo courtesy of the camp
Best Summer Camps in Westchester for Kids
Palisade Center's Climbzone features themed rock walls as high as 40 feet. Photo courtesy of Climbzone.
20 Best Things To Do at the Palisades Center Mall with Kids
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
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Poughkeepsie's Gravity Vault is an indoor rock-climbing gym with classes for kids as young as 5. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in the Hudson Valley
Mount Kisco's Grand Prix New York, a go-kart hot spot, offers birthday parties with racing, arcade play, and virtual reality.
17 Best Indoor Party Places for Kids in Westchester
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Fun for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
Kids explore the great outdoors Hudson Highlands Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the center
School Break Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Winter and Spring Break Camps
At Moe's Southwestern Grill, kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entree. Photo courtesy of the restaurant
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Kids under 1 are FREE hours at the Westchester Children’s Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with Westchester Kids
Kids can peek into the marine life in the aquariums at the Marine Education Center in Mamaroneck. Photo by Susan Miele
22 Free Things To Do Indoors in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Castle Fun Center in Chester has a giant inflatable park, a rock wall, laser tag, and more. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
15 Family Fun Centers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Grab a colorful treat at Harley's Sweet Shop in Woodstock. Photo courtesy of the shop
25 Best Things To Do in Woodstock, NY, with Kids
Kids can climb the walls at the Cliffs in Valhalla. Photo courtesy of the Cliffs
32 Things To Do on a Rainy Day Indoors in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Touch the soft rabbits at the Greenburgh Nature Center's petting zoo in Scarsdale. Photo courtesy of the center
Best Animal Petting Zoos near Westchester and the Hudson Valley Where Kids Can Meet Animals
Peekskill, NY, is a lovely riverfront community that acts an the unofficial gateway to the Hudson Valley.
25 Best Things To Do in Peekskill, NY, with Kids
Explore what makes things fly with the Westchester Children's Museum's Wind Tunnel Design Challenge. Photo courtesy of the museum
Visiting the Westchester Children's Museum in Rye: New and Ongoing Exhibits
Romp through the woods in the beautiful Catskills. Photo by Deborah Dadlani
40 Best Things To Do in the Catskills with Kids
GUIDE
Classes Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
Tig & Peach offers drop-in, no reservations required, open play 7 days a week.
7 Indoor Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for a Wild Romp
Friends young and old enjoy the attractions and Legoland New York, the first major theme park in the Northeast in 40 years.
  VIDEO
Legoland New York: A Guide to Visiting the Hudson Valley Theme Park with Kids
Frost Valley YMCA offers a variety of day and overnight camps for kids ages 5-14. Photo courtesy Frost Valley YMCA
Affordable Summer Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Kids love a birthday party filled with games and pizza at Chuck E. Cheese. Photo courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in Westchester
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
Free Museum Days (and Always Free Museums!) in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
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
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
These kids' movies are classic hits!
75 Best Movies for Kids: Top Family Movie Night Ideas
GUIDE
Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Westchester & the Hudson Valley
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas

Links: Valentines Crafts, Book Club for Boys, Free Brownies! More

2/4/09 - By Jodi

200902032218.jpgAlready the middle of the week and have you considered the implications?  You only have ten days left (nine if you’re looking at the school calendar) to fulfill all of your Valentine’s Day obligations.  I’ve found the cutest, and free-est (c’mon, give me a fake word here and there) ideas for handmade giveaways appropriate for the holiday.  Check that out as well as ideas for reading fun with your boys, an ASAP audition for your talented child to be in the Wizard of Oz, and some help finding that earring you lost on the 6 Train.  Go to it!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

 
 
Instead of buying those Hannah Montana pre-printed Valentines cards, print your own designs with cutout directions to be fitted around lollipops.  Easy and free!  (Skip to my Lou)
 
Find ideas on how to engage your son in reading by creating a book club for boys with his friends.  Find ideas and suggested reading here.  (Whip Up)
 
Think that it’s time for Junior to start pitching in with on the rent and groceries?  Put her to work in the new production of The Wizard of Oz national tour.  Hurry, though.  Auditions are today.  Click the ruby reds here.  (McBrooklyn)
 
On the way to the audition, stop in here for a freebie!  In this economy you’re pretty much obligated to take advantage of every free offer, no?  Do the right thing and get a free brownie from Henri Bendel!  (New Yorkology)
 
A new online service from MTA will help you locate items lost on a train.  Finally – a chance to relocate that button I lost three months ago!  (Gothamist)
 
Jodi also blogs at Pistols and Popcorn.  Check out her post about our visions of ourselves here.