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Best Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

1. Visit Mohonk Mountain House 

Splurge on day passes to Mohonk Mountain House and take in the gorgeous winter Hudson Valley scenery from the mountaintop. The variety of options includes a winter sports pass, which provides equipment rentals for ice skating, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

2. Ski at Hunter Mountain

Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, Hunter Mountain is a prime destination for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The resort features 1,600 vertical feet of ski slopes and a learning center for lessons from first-timers to advanced skiers. Check out our rundown of all the family-friendly ski areas in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

3. Go Snowtubing at Mount Peter

Take the thrilling ride down Mount Peter's 600-foot snowtubing hill, which also features a conveyor lift back to the top. There is also a Little Tikes tubing hill, with a smaller slope plus an area for kids to play in the powder. Mount Peter is also a great place to go skiing or snowboarding. Online reservations are required. Explore our write-up of more family snow tubing adventures in the Westchester and Hudson Valley area.

4. Go Sledding at Mills Mansion

The Hill behind the historic Mills Mansion in Staatsburg is our favorite spot for sledding in the Hudson Valley, featuring a long, sloping hill and gorgeous views of the Hudson River. This hill is my family's favorite because it's long enough to get good speed but has a gentle slope at the bottom, so you don't have to worry about crashing into anything.

Plus, there is always plenty of free parking and the cute town of Rhinebeck is close by, with great options for a post-sledding meal, hot chocolate, or sweet treat. Explore our other top picks for snow day sledding in Westchester, or head to one of the other Hudson Valley sledding hills.

5. Go Snowshoeing or Cross-Country Skiing at Minnewaska State Park

Explore a winter wonderland at Minnewaska State Park. Take showshoes to see the frozen Awosting Falls, or go cross-country skiing around Lake Minnewaska, a gorgeous glacial lake at the top of the Shawangunk Ridge. Only skiing, no hiking, is permitted around the lake in the winter, but if you don't have gear, don't worry. Rentals are available in the nearby town of New Paltz.

6. Go Maple Sugaring at the Ashokan Center

Head to Ashokan's Annual Maple Fest on Saturday, March 15, 2026, for some maple tree fun—plus campfires, nature walks, and more. Or check out one of the other spots for maple sugaring in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

7. Honor the Bald Eagle at EagleFest

Pay homage to our majestic national bird on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the annual Hudson River EagleFest, which celebrates the bald eagle’s return to the area.

8. Hike to frozen Kaaterskilll Falls

Who says hiking is just for summer! Bundle up and see the state's tallest waterfall, Kaaterskill Falls, as it turns into an ice castle. In fact, winter is arguably the best time to see the falls as the crowds are considerably less. Take the short trail to the viewing platform or venture down the trail to the bottom of the falls.

Snow boots and microspikes are recommended, especially for the trail to the bottom, as the trails can be slippery. If the parking is full, head over to nearby Plattekill Falls, which is even a shorter hike to a spectacular waterfall.

9. Drive Through the Christmas Lights at Westchester's Winter Wonderland

Celebrate the festive season at one of the spectacular holiday light displays in the area. Westchester's Winter Wonderland is one of our favorites, as it features 1.2 miles of dazzling light tunnels and installations, plus a real Santa. Families can also take a tour of the best-decorated houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, many of which keep their lights up well after Christmas. 

10. Go Ice Skating at Bear Mountain

Take a round on the outdoor ice rink at Bear Mountain State Park. We love this rink because it is open even when the other local ponds are not yet frozen over. Plus, you can also visit the bears in the zoo, ride the carousel, or have lunch at the Bear Mountain Inn. Check out our review of the best ice skating rinks and ponds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, plus more picks in Connecticut and NYC.

11. Dine in an Igloo at Salsa Picante

Experience the latest al fresco dining craze by reserving a table in a heated igloo at Salsa Picante in White Plains—and enjoy some great Mexican food, too, including guacamole freshly made at the table.

12. Visit the Animals at Muscoot Farm

Muscoot Farm in Katonah offers programs for kids year-round, including its weekly Little Explorers program, monthly Animal Interactions program, and maple sugaring in the winter. 

RELATED: Free Museums and Museum Days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Explore the Maker Space at the Westchester Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Best Indoor Winter Activities for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

13. Play Indoors at the Westchester Children's Museum

Visit the Westchester Children's Museum in Rye and walk through the fun STEM-focused exhibits, or sign up for one of its events. The museum features beautiful views of Long Island Sound and offers daily storytimes and music programs as well as special weekend events, including a winter-themed Snow Day Weekend. 

14. See a Planetarium Show at the Hudson River Museum

Head to the kid-friendly Hudson River Museum—and be sure to check out a show at the planetarium while you're there. The museum also offers family art and science workshops on weekends that are included with admission.

15. Explore STEM Exhibits at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum

The multilevel Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum features STEM exhibits for kids of all ages, including a toddler area with a big fire engine for kids to climb on. Kids can literally spend the entire day here, but if they have extra energy, bundle up and visit the Walkway over the Hudson next door. 

16. Climb the Walls at the Palisades Center

The Palisades Center is a huge indoor mall that features tons of activities for kids, from an indoor ropes course and climbing wall to a go-kart track and ice rink. Check the events calendar for free Kids Club activities and other special community events. 

17. Build with Legos at Legoland Discovery Center 

The Legoland Discovery Center in Yonkers is situated within the Ridge Hill Shopping Center. This indoor play space is a heaven for Lego-loving kids and includes a track to build and race Lego cars, a Duplo play area for toddlers, and a multilevel indoor playground. Make a reservation online ahead of time. Note: The mall charges an hourly parking fee.

18. Go Rock Climbing Indoors at The Rock Club

Kids of all ages can literally climb the walls at The Rock Club in New Rochelle. The indoor rock climbing facility offers classes, teams, or just day passes for first-timers. Indoor climbing is safe, great for kids' muscle development, and even better for getting their energy out. Check out more local indoor rock climbing gyms.

19. Play Ninja Warrior at No-Limit Ninja

If your kids love to flip, climb, and challenge themselves with parkour, they will love the huge indoor obstacle space at No-Limit Ninja in Yonkers. The 10,000 sq ft facility—one of the largest in the tri-state area—features three distinct, flexible obstacle courses designed for ninjas of all ages and abilities. Check out more local ninja warrior gyms and obstacle courses to keep kids moving this winter.

20. Ski Indoors at the American Dream Mall

This New Jersey mega mall is packed with enough amenities to keep kids busy all season long. Attractions include an indoor waterpark, Sea Life Aquarium, Big Snow indoor ski resort, Sesame Street Learn & Play center, and even more, if you can believe it. We love the awesome variety of international foods at the top-notch food court in this mall. 

RELATED: Family-Friendly Ski Areas near NYC

Traipse through the pristine snow in Minnewaska State Park. 

21. Get Creative at the Katonah Museum of Art

The Katonah Museum of Art offers art-making activities for kids and families, including Saturday Open Studios, where kids can engage in art projects inspired by the art on view in the museum. Check out more local art studios in Westchester.

22. Go Under the Sea at Norwalk Aquarium

The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut, is just a short trip for Westchester families, and it is well worth it! The aquarium features a large collection of tropical fish, seals, an amazing shark tank, and cool touch tanks where kids can touch stingrays and jellyfish (tops only!). There is also a meerkat exhibit with peek-a-boo holes where kids can climb in and see up close.  

23. Head to the Emelin Theater

The Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck offers unique films and performances for kids and families throughout the year. Check the calendar for upcoming performances at the Emelin, including Dr. Kaboom! on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

24. Make a Splash at the Kartrite

The Kartright Resort and Indoor Waterpark features vacation resort vibes right here in the Catskills. Book a vacation or grab a day pass to the waterpark and enjoy the slides, lazy river, game room, and more. Check out more indoor water parks to escape winter's chill!

25. Romp Indoors at The Castle Fun Center

Our favorite playgrounds may be frozen over, but there are plenty of indoor romping spots that welcome kids year-round. The Castle Fun Center in Goshen is one of our favorite spots for the sheer number of activities available there, from a massive (10,000 ft!) indoor inflatable park to rock climbing, bowling, roller skating, and more.

RELATED: Inexpensive Winter Weekend Getaways near NYC

Splash around in the tropical waters at Aquatopia at Camelback Resort.

Creative Winter Day Trips from Westchester and the Hudson Valley

26. See the Beluga Whales at Mystic Aquarium

One of my favorite day trips from the Hudson Valley is Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut. The Beluga Whales are the main attraction that distinguishes this aquarium from others in the area, but kids can also see African penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, and more.

27. Have a Mini-Vacay at Kalahari Resort

Kalahari in the Poconos is my favorite indoor waterpark in the area, featuring Africa-themed decor, thrilling waterslides, a lazy river, and an indoor/outdoor hot tub, which was my family's favorite. Day passes are available for the waterpark and game room, or you can book a stay in the hotel for even more family activities. 

28. Visit Ice Castles

Ice Castles New Hampshire is located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a winter vacation destination in its own right. Kids will love exploring the gorgeous frozen structures, which feature ice caves, ice slides, and lots of photo ops. The whole family can also enjoy snowtubing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and cozy firepits.

29. Escape to Lake George

The Adirondack town of Lake George is not just a summer destination. It is a winter wonderland with skiing, snow tubing, a winter carnival, and more fun to help you embrace the season. Take a walk across the frozen lake for a unique winter experience.

30. Explore the Town of Woodstock

Explore rock and roll history in the town of Woodstock, the namesake for the famous festival. Explore the numerous shops downtown, the frozen Waterfall park, or go sledding on the hill at the picturesque Comeau property. Warm up by the fire pits at the Mudd Club or try one of the cupcakes featured on the Food Network at Peace, Love & Cupcakes.

FAQs About Winter Activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Q: What are the best indoor activities for toddlers in winter?
 A: The Westchester Children's Museum has a great space for toddlers to play, as well as daily music and storytime programs included with museum admission. Local libraries are also great to explore, as many have indoor play spaces and free programs for toddlers. Any place with a train table is always a favorite.
Q: Where can I find free winter activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?
 A: The local libraries, nature centers, and even bookstores offer no-cost family events. Check out these 19 free indoor places to play spread throughout the region.
Q: What are some winter activities that work for all ages?
 A: Kids of all ages can enjoy the outdoor winter activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. The area's indoor play spaces also have designated areas for toddlers as well as activities for teens and tweens. 
Q: Is there snow in Westchester and the Hudson Valley during winter?
 A: There is a chance of snow in Westchester generally between November and March. As you go further north in the Hudson Valley, there is more and more. In the Catskills, it is pretty much a guarantee that there will be great snow for skiing, snowshoeing, or any other winter sports you want to do. 

A version of this post was first published in 2021 and has been updated annually.