41 Free Things To Do in Westchester with Kids

Roam the the cedar walk and gardens at Caramoor for a free, fun outing. Photo by Gabe Palacio

The best things in life are free, especially with kids. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up dozens of the best free things to do with kids throughout Westchester.

From outdoor adventures and museum access to STEM fun and seasonal excursions, and from Somers down to Mount Vernon, there are plenty of activities to please every interest. Be sure to bookmark this for year-round reference—your family will never be bored (or broke) again!

Keep tabs on our Westchester and Hudson Valley Family Activity Calendar, which is always loaded with free (and low-cost) activities for all ages, and check out our Local Guide to Free Fun Things To Do.

100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids

There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier

When it comes to free things to do in NYC, we're here to remind you that while raising kids in NYC can cost a pretty penny, it doesn't always have to. From free times to visit NYC's top museums and cultural institutions to restaurants where kids eat for free and stores where they can play for free, it's not too hard to find free things to do in NYC—you just need to know where to look. We do, and we're sharing our secrets with you in this list of 100 free things to do in NYC with kids.

Be sure to bookmark our Free Guide with all free things to do in NYC with kids and our Family Activity Calendar for more all-seasons entertainment on the cheap.

25 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in the Philadelphia Area

Kids eat free at IHOP every day of the week. Photo courtesy of IHOP

Not only does the Philly area have loads of options for fun family adventures, it's also a haven for food freebies and discounts for kids. Whether you're visiting the city or the suburbs, you will find chain restaurants and local spots that offer a break on the bill for kiddos.

Want to plan an itinerary for the day or weekend? Check out our events calendar or look at our list of 100 free things to do in Philly with kids! And if it's a special day, look for these birthday freebies. Don't forget to confirm these deals with the restaurants before you head out.

62 Birthday Freebies for Kids: Where Kids Get Free Food, Gifts, and Fun

Starbucks birthday freebies can include cake pops, drinks, or other treats!  Photo by Heather Cox Rosenberg

These birthday freebies for kids are free food, gifts, or special treats offered by restaurants, stores, and brands to celebrate a child’s birthday.

Birthday freebies for kids are a huge help: the sticker price for kids' birthday celebrations can be huge! So every little birthday freebie for kids is a gift to parents, too! Here, we've rounded up 62 places that offer up free stuff on your birthday. 

Read on to discover how to score Starbucks birthday freebies, free burgers and ice cream, calls from favorite characters (like Paw Patrol or SpongeBob), discounts on clothes, surprise gifts, and even more birthday freebies for kids.

For more birthday freebies near you, check out your city's Guide to Free Things To Do with Kids; and when you're ready to plan that party, be sure to check out our Birthday Party Ideas Guide for Unique Goody Bag and Party Favor Ideas, 100 Kids' Birthday Party Themes, and more.

Luminosa's Jaw-Dropping Light Show at Queens Botanical Garden Keeps the Holiday Magic Alive

The Queens Botanical Garden has debuted a new, glowing light show named Luminosa, which runs through March.

If the end of the holiday season has you feeling blue, Luminosa's dazzling after-dark display recently opened at the Queens Botanical Garden proves you can squeeze out a little more seasonal cheer—and stunning lights displays—even after Three Kings Day.

A dazzling light show, Luminosa debuted in late December, and it continues illuminating our far too-dark, too-early nights at the Queens Botanical Garden through Sunday, March 23. Luminosa is a mesmerizing, immersive, outdoor, IRL experience. Without even a smidge of screentime, kids find themselves in a vivid, video game-like world (while parents perhaps flash back to pre-kid clubbing days).

Visitors follow a winding, mile-long path, taking in more than 40 larger-than-life, lamp-lit scenes featuring glowing animals, gleaming Ionic columns, knights in literal shining armor, massive mushrooms, and luminous otherworldly flowers—it is set in a botanical garden, after all. Little ones won’t be the only ones drooling at the 120 tons of steel, 150,000 feet of silk, and more than 1 million LED lights coming together to create this electric wonderland.

Ways to Help with the Los Angeles Wildfires

Our hearts are with those affected by the wildfires in LA. ​Photo by Alex Miroshnichenko, via Flickr 2.0

The recent wildfires tearing through Los Angeles have brought chaos, heartbreak, and destruction to our beloved city. Pacific Palisades and Altadena, both stunningly vibrant LA communities, have been wiped out. Families have lost their homes, children no longer have local schools to attend, and historical buildings have been reduced to rubble. This is not how we envisioned starting a new year. 

Amid the confusion and wreckage, we must look for the heroes. First Responders are working tirelessly to battle blazes and get Angelenos to safety. Firefighters are putting their lives on the line to save others and contain fires in poor air quality conditions.

Read on for the best ways to support these unsung heroes and where to contribute to organizations that are diligently helping displaced families. 

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