Best Cooking Classes in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Fiddleheads offers personalized cooking lessons. Photo courtesy of Fiddleheads

Cooking classes are a fun way for kids to explore and develop their culinary talents while also learning about where food comes from and developing healthy eating habits. The abundance of local farms in Westchester and the Hudson Valley makes it a great place for young chefs to learn and cultivate their skills. Whether your child has an interest in cooking as a profession or just likes to have fun in the kitchen and make their own snacks, there is something for everyone. 

We have rounded up several businesses in the area that offer kids cooking classes, many of which focus on using farm-to-table, locally sourced ingredients. Some have their own teaching gardens where kids can learn to grow, harvest, and cook with fresh ingredients, and one is held on a working organic farm.

You can find more cooking classes for kids–and even book a class online–in our directory of classes and listings. And be sure to check our Westchester Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

Top Swimming Lessons for Long Island Kids

Jaime Sumersille's picture Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

Goldfish Swim Schools' three locations offer programs for children as young as 4 months. Photo courtesy of the school

Indoor swimming lessons are a great way to ensure kids are safe and can enjoy year-round fun at Long Island’s world-class beaches and pools. From private swimming lessons to classes in community pools, there are plenty of destinations for indoor lessons. The great thing about these pools is that when summer is gone, kids can continue lessons, adding to their skills.

Find more classes and enrichment opportunities in our directory.

Jenkinson's Boardwalk and Point Pleasant Beach: Top Tips for a Family Trip

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on

Jenkinson's Boardwalk and Point Pleasant Beach are only about an hour away from NYC and Philly.

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk and Point Pleasant Beach have long been popular family-friendly Jersey Shore destinations. About an hour's drive from New York City and Philadelphia, this picturesque stretch of shoreline lies between the beaches of Monmouth County and the craziness of Seaside Heights. The boardwalk plays host to many kid-friendly attractions, including an aquarium, arcades, mini-golf courses, a ropes course, and an amusement park with a whole section that’s just right for toddlers and preschoolers.

I spent many summers here in my youth, and with my own little one in tow this summer, I headed down to Exit 98 to spend the day at this popular Shore spot.

Looking for more warm-weather fun? Check out our Summer Fun Guide and Jersey Shore Family Guide for ideas. 

Sanity-Saving Snacks for Back to School Wins

Jessica Laird's picture Submitted by Jessica Laird on

Tastykake's kid-approved treats are ready to solve some of your snack-related back to school woes.

For moms and dads, the start of the school year means a return to frantic lunch packing, endless carpool planning, and way too many opportunities to drop the ball. But what if you could solve a slew of parenting problems with something as simple as, say, a cupcake?

With the back-to-school season right around the corner, we put our heads together with the baked goods-loving pros over at Tastykake® to brainstorm how their kid-approved treats can solve some of our snack-related back to school woes. Unsurprisingly, it turns out that when a little something sweet is the answer (and sometimes it is), Tastykake has parents covered.

San Diego with Kids: 60 Family-Friendly Things To Do in San Diego, California

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

There are tide pools everywhere you look in San Diego! Photo by Kylie Williams

Whether you live in California and are in town for a weekend getaway or coming from far away for a sunny vacation, we know the perfect things to do in San Diego. San Diego is honestly overflowing with family fun. Some of the destinations are obvious: billboards all over the city remind you that the Safari Park, Legoland, the San Diego Zoo, Sesame Place, and SeaWorld are just a few miles away. However, there are also so many incredible "off the beaten path" places to take your family that before you get halfway through this list it'll be time to go home, and you'll have to plan a return visit.

Looking for a place to stay while exploring San Diego? Here is our list of the best hotels in San Diego for families and favorite places to stay in Carlsbad.

Visiting Apex Entertainment Marlborough with Kids: What You Need To Know Before You Go

Kelley Heyworth's picture Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on

There are 24 ten-pin lanes and six candlepin lanes at Apex Entertainment in Marlborough.

Apex Entertainment Center in Marlborough is the perfect destination for my family. When they were smaller, my boys loved indoor play spaces, Now I need a spot where they can get their energy out in cold or wet weather–or in the middle of a heat wave. Indoor obstacle courses, bowling alleys, go-karts, and laser tag definitely fit the bill, but recently, Apex Entertainment Center combines these activities and more under one (ginormous) roof, with some 100,000 square feett of sporty and techie fun. Here's what you need to know before you visit Apex Entertainment Marlborough, New England's biggest indoor family entertainment center.

Visiting Urban Air Adventure Park in Connecticut with Kids

Makayla O'Keefe's picture Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on

Ride in the sky at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park in Manchester.

Visiting Urban Air Adventure Park in Connecticut is a must-do if you have active kids. You’ve probably been to an indoor playground or play space, like a trampoline park. These indoor adventure parks have been popping up all over New Connecticut in the past decade. The super-fun facilities are recognized by their wall-to-wall, quilt-like patchwork of trampolines. But then, there’s Urban Air Adventure Park. Marketed as "the Ultimate Indoor Adventure Park,” Urban Air's 84,200 square feet of indoor space also includes go-karts, a zip line, laser tag, a "Ninja Warrior"-inspired play area, a colossal climbing playground, and more. After a day with my kids, I can tell you visiting Urban Air trampoline park is worth the trip. Keep reading to discover what not to miss when you go.

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