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Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Maker Day, Berenstain Bears, Star Wars, Jan. 9-10

1/6/16 - By Susan Miele

As the temperature drops in Westchester, the fun doesn’t stop—it just moves mostly indoors. We know the holidays can cost a pretty penny, so we’ve made a point of identifying fun family events that won’t break the bank. In fact, of the eight top picks we’ve listed below, seven are entirely FREE!

Our recommendations include getting your creative juices flowing at Maker Day or Dia:Beacon Community Free Day; competing for the crown at the Annual Chess Tournament; meeting African creatures at Animal Embassy; and channeling The Force at Celebrate Star Wars.

Read on for more details and more options, and then continue on to our Event Calendar and January GoList for even more fun and enriching programs! 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Saturday, January 9

Maker Day - Rye
Enjoy a day of FREE workshops and demos, including high-tech topics and loads of interactive fun and learning.

Berenstain Bears Live - Tarrytown
The Berenstain Bears take the stage as the popular children’s storybook series is brought to the historic stage of the Tarrytown Music Hall.

Annual Chess Tournament - Rye
Whether or not your child is the next Bobby Fischer, he or she can enjoy a friendly chess competition in this four-hour tourney. FREE

Dia:Beacon Community Free Day - Beacon
Take advantage of this FREE opportunity to view special exhibitions and performances, as well as participate in interactive family workshops.

Celebrate Star Wars - North Salem
Grab your light sabers and twist your hair into Leia buns for this all-Star Wars party, featuring trivia, crafting and prizes. FREE

Animal Embassy - Pound Ridge
Go on a safari right here in Westchester, as you learn about the animal inhabitants of that distant continent. Get up close and personal with the likes of an African Hedgehog, a Mali Uromastyx Lizard, an African Royal python and more. FREE

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, January 10

Danceworks - White Plains
The modern dance troupe from Westchester Community College will teach the basics of this art form to families with audience participation. FREE

Summer Camp and Teen Program Fair - Rye
Hard to believe it’s time to plan for the summer, but this is the time of year that camp information becomes available. This event allows parents and kids to scope out multiple options at once. FREE

See all Sunday events.

Beyond Westchester

Catch The Pop Ups in Concert--a Grammy-nominated duo who performs interactive shows filled with songs, costumes, props, sets and whimsical handcrafted puppets. Their tunes run the gamut from synth-pop to reggae and soul.

Bubblemania is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, Big Band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids. Creations grow from intricate and imaginative bubble art forms to "trapping" people inside bubbles!

Photo credit: Animal Embassy