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Free Activities for Kids January 2025: 41 Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Visit the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum after hours to explore its Family Free Nights. Photo courtesy of the museum
Visit the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum after hours to explore its Family Free Nights. Photo courtesy of the museum
12/29/23 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Looking for FREE things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this January? Read on for dozens of great options.

As spectacular as the holidays are in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, all of the celebrations can take a toll on the family budget. So we've rounded up tons of free activities in January, including Family Free Night at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, where kids can explore STEM-themed exhibits and try out the new toddler rock wall, and the interactive fun at Safety Sally’s Firetruck Pinewood Derby at FASNY Museum of Firefighting.

January is also the start of the maple-sugaring season in the area, and you can kick it off with a Muscoot Farm backyard sugaring workshop.

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Please click through to our listings for full details including time and recommended ages. Some programs may require registration in advance.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Things to Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Wednesday, January 1-Sunday, January 5, 2025

Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens

Yonkers
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Inaugurated in 2015, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination has quickly become a Yonkers tradition, and thousands of visitors come to enjoy the spectacle. Come for FREE and see the Walled Garden lit with more than 100,000 lights and listen to holiday music from many traditions.  READ MORE

First Day Hike at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve

Cold Spring
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Choose from a 1- or 3-mile first day hike, and warm up with free hot cocoa, coffee, and snacks with fireside music. The shorter tour loops around Little Stony Point, while the longer excursion heads to the Cornish Estate. READ MORE

First Day Walk at FDR State Park

Yorktown Heights
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Ramble through FDR State Park with your guide Terence Ducey and see seldom-seen areas of the park on this fun and fact-filled first day hike.  READ MORE

First-Day Hike at Rockefeller State Park Preserve

Pleasantville
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Start your New Year with an invigorating 1.5 mile walk along the Hudson River across the beautiful landscape of Rockwood Hall. The hike is guided by Larry Trachtenberg of the Sawmill River Audubon Society, who will keep an eye out for winter birds including both bald eagles and the red tailed hawks often seen in this part of the preserve. READ MORE

Hanukkah Storytime at the Dobbs Ferry Library

Dobbs Ferry
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Join Ms. Gina at the Dobbs Ferry Library for a storytime and a chance to make your own menorah to use on the last night of Hanukkah. READ MORE

Apple Store Workshop: Draw a Portrait

White Plains
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Learn how to quickly draw a portrait in the Procreate app on iPad in this 60-minute session at the Apple Store. Start by taking a selfie and tracing it with Apple Pencil. You’ll practice using drawing tools, brushes, and a color palette to make a one-of-a-kind portrait.  READ MORE

Music & Movement and Story Time at the Westchester Children's Museum

Rye – Free with museum admission
Daily from January 2-31, 2025
The Westchester Children's Museum offers daily storytimes and Music and Movement classes that are free with museum admission. The Music and Movement interactive class features puppets, musical instruments, and props. Storytimes spark kids' imaginations and nurture their love for reading through monthly themed picture books and read-aloud. READ MORE

Mr. Popper's Penguins Party at the Rye Free Reading Room

Rye
Friday, January 3, 2025
Celebrate winter with a penguin party at the Rye Free Reading Room. Make a penguin popper craft, enjoy a snack, and watch Mr. Popper's Penguins. Bring a blanket and a penguin stuffie if you'd like!  READ MORE

Fun Friday Art at Pound Ridge Library

Pound Ridge
Fridays, January 3-31, 2025
Come to the library every Friday for a fun-filled afternoon of arts ‘n’ crafts. Kids can take their creations home to mom and dad! READ MORE

Fun Fridays with Imagination Playground at the Yonkers Riverfront Library

Yonkers
Fridays, January 3-31, 2025
Drop in every Friday for Imagination Playground, an innovative play system that transforms any space into a play space that encourages learning, social development, movement, and fun.  READ MORE

Celebrate Three Kings Day/Dia de Reyes at the White Plains Library

White Plains
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Families from all backgrounds are invited to celebrate and learn about the significance of Three Kings Day in this program at the White Plains Public Library. The program is led by the White Plains Puerto Rican Cultural Committee. READ MORE

Intro to Hiking at Trailside Nature Museum

Cross River
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Join Trailside nature Museum for a fun beginner hike! Learn how to read trail blazes, utilize trail maps, enjoy some of the reservation's more popular hiking destinations and learn some navigation tips to aid in future hikes. READ MORE

Home Depot Kids' Workshops

Various locations
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Home Depot hosts free hands-on workshops on select Saturdays, with seasonal and other special projects created to become your family's next keepsake.  READ MORE

STEM Sparks - Snowflakes STEM

Rye
Saturdays, January 4-25, 2025
Drop by the Children's Room at the Rye Free Reading Room every Saturday for an introduction to STEM designed just for preschoolers. Sensory boxes are filled with open-ended activities and materials to boost fine- and gross-motor skills, and games to enhance problem-solving and decision-making skills through experimentation with different objects.  READ MORE

Backyard Sugaring at Muscoot Farm

Katonah
Saturday & Sunday, January 4-5, 2025
Kick off maple sugaring season by making maple syrup right in your backyard! Meet at Muscoot's Sugar Shack to learn about the equipment you need, identifying sugar maples in all seasons, the right way to tap trees, and how to turn sap from maples in your yard into syrup on your pancakes. READ MORE

Storytime for the Little Ones at Barnes & Noble Mohegan Lake

Mohegan Lake
Saturdays, January 4-25, 2025
Families with little ones are invited every Sunday for storytime featuring books from the Children's department plus a coloring activity.  READ MORE

Saturday & Sunday Live Science Demos at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum

Poughkeepsie – Free with museum admission
Saturdays & Sundays, January 4-26, 2025
Drop in every Saturday and Sunday at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum for live STEM demonstrations! READ MORE

Family Science Workshop: The Snows of Other Worlds at the Hudson River Museum

Yonkers – Free with museum admission
Saturdays & Sundays, January 4-26, 2025
Stop by this family science workshop every weekend in January at the Hudson River Museum to learn about the shape of snow on other planets. Also learn how to create a beautiful hanging snowflake display out of heavyweight translucent paper.  READ MORE

KinoKids Kitchen Drypoint Workshop at Hendrick Hudson Free Library

Montrose
Sundays, January 5-12, 2025
Kids can create drypoint etchings using supplies that can be found in their kitchens at home, inspired by the ink drawings and etchings in the exhibition on display at Hendrick Hudson Free Library. READ MORE

Storytime for the Little Ones at Barnes & Noble Nanuet

Nanuet
Sundays, January 5-26, 2025
Families with little ones are invited every Sunday for storytime featuring books from the Children's department.  READ MORE

Free Things to Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Monday, January 6-Sunday, January 12, 2025

Toddler Yoga at the Dobbs Ferry Public Library

Dobbs Ferry
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Help your toddler find their breath and follow along as they flow through this little-kid-friendly practice with Pooja Mehta at the Dobbs Ferry Library. The interactive yoga adventure will be having them move in a way that feels good and allows them to use their imagination as they stretch their body and calm their mind! READ MORE

Fiesta! with Flor at Croton Free Library

Croton-on-Hudson
Wednesdays, January 8-29
Learn Spanish at the Croton Free Library, with music, puppetry, theater games, and movement. READ MORE

Girls Who Code Club at Lewisboro Library

South Salem
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
The Girls Who Code club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. The club is a FREE after-school computer science program facilitated by Children’s Librarian, Marie Nania. Boys are also welcome! READ MORE

Storybook Dancing with Steffi Nossen at the White Plains Public Library

White Plains
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Children embark on a storybook adventure, enhanced by music and dance. Led by an instructor from the Steffi Nossen School of Dance. READ MORE

Draw on the Walls of the Igloo at the White Plains Library

White Plains
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Kids are invited to color on the library's iPad and have their work projected on the library's panoramic video room that features Igloo Vision technology. READ MORE

Saturday Studio at Dia Beacon

Beacon
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Kids can join a practicing artist for a workshop of art-making, material experimentation, and play at Dia Beacon. Designed for all ages, Saturday Studio is a family-friendly program that is most suitable for children ages 5 and up. READ MORE

STEAM Saturday at the White Plains Library

White Plains
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Students will learn the science behind why things are as they are while also unlocking the creative side of their brains through a hands-on experience with STEM experiments at the White Plains Library. Topics will include biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and computer science. READ MORE

Storytime Yoga at the Croton Free Library

Croton-on-Hudson
Saturdays, January 11 & 18, 2025
Introduce your little one to the benefits of yoga. A certified kids' yoga instructor leads participants in acting out their favorite stories through yoga, music, movement, breath, and sound. This class is perfect for kids ages 6 weeks to 5 years old with a caregiver, but all are welcome. READ MORE

Author Visit/Wolf Moon Storytime with David Sherrin

White Plains
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Come enjoy A Special Author Storytime at the White Plains Library with David Sherrin who will be reading his book, The Baddest Wolf of All?, create a fun craft, and celebrate the coming Wolf Moon (Occurring on January 13th)! READ MORE

Animals in Winter at Trailside Nature Museum

Cross River
Saturday, January 11, 2025
How do different species survive the harshness of New York's winter months? Discover the different ways animals brave the frosty forests at Trailside Nature Museum. READ MORE

Free Things to Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Monday, January 13-Sunday, January 19, 2025

Cooking with Kids at Rye Free Reading Room

Rye
Mondays, January 13 & 27, 2025
The whole family is invited to this kid-friendly cooking program. Participants use a few simple ingredients to create a tasty snack together with the children’s librarian. READ MORE

Bokandeye African Dance Workshop at New Rochelle Public Library

New Rochelle
Saturdays, January 18-February 22, 2025
In celebration of Black History Month, join the New Rochelle Public Library for a 6 -week African Dance workshop where participants will learn basic traditional West African dance movements, some which date back to the 13th century Old Mali Empire. The workshop will culminate in a final performance for the public. READ MORE

"The Glow Show" with MadScience at Pound Ridge Library

Pound Ridge
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Discover amazing things that glow bright in the dark and come to light in this special program at the Pound Ridge Library. Probe the properties of light and explore some unusual applications of glow-in-the-dark technology!  READ MORE

Family Free Night at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum

Poughkeepsie
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Come in after-hours and explore all of the museum exhibits for free at family free nights at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum.  READ MORE

Free Things to Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Monday, January 20-Friday, January 31, 2024

Music with Zev at Will Library

Yonkers
Friday, January 24, 2025
Children are invited to sing along and dance with the award-winning children's song writer and performer Zev Haber. Music by Zev is an eclectic mix of music, instruments, dance and stories woven together to make a truly unique and fun interactive musical experience. READ MORE

Shelter Building at Trailside Nature Museum

Cross River
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Practice your winter survival skills at Trailside Nature Museum. Drop in to learn some shelter building basics. READ MORE

Safety Sally’s Firetruck Pinewood Derby at FASNY

Hudson
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Join Safety Sally for a fun and interactive show at the FASNY Museum of Firefighting. Help Safety Sally play her silly safety games and learn important safety tips. Then let your art skills dazzle and shine, as you decorate your own pinewood derby firetruck. Race your fabulous firetruck down the track to win a medal. READ MORE

Rock Your World Kids! Concert at the New Rochelle Public Library

New Rochelle
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Join Miss Armelle for an educational multicultural music show at the New Rochelle Public Library with instruments you get to play! Families are invited to join in this performance of global tunes that include traditional favorites and new songs. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Party at the Hendrick Hudson Library

Montrose
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Today is the first day of Lunar New Year and this year is the Year of the Snake! Join Miss Allyson and Miss Terri for a sss-pectacular celebration filled with food and fun.  READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration at Lewisboro Library

South Salem
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Come make an Orange Blossom drink, a New Year’s “Firework,” and learn about this Asian cultural holiday (Be sure to wear something red!) at the Lewisboro Library. Add your New Year wishes to the library's Wishing Tree! READ MORE

Nature Discovery for 2s and 3s

Larchmont
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Get outside in winter with other families at Sheldrake, as you discover nature with your little one. This class is designed to expose children to the joys of nature at a young age toward the goal of cultivating a life-long love of the natural world. Adventures for wee ones might include studying animal tracks, noticing nests, identifying over-wintering animals, nature activities, and storytime. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
Rockefeller State Park Preserve - Rockwood Hall
Rye Free Reading Room at Rye Public Library
Rye Free Reading Room at Rye Public Library
Huguenot Children's Library
Sheldrake Environmental Center