Lisa Johnston

Lisa Johnston

Latest posts by Lisa

2017 Memorial Day Parades and Fairs in Westchester

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on

Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start to summer, and bringing kids to a parade or memorial service is a good way to demonstrate to kids how they can show respect for those who have died during military service.

We’ve rounded up the memorial parades and services occurring in Westchester this year. Looking for other ways to spend the long weekend? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters.

Preview: Get Hands On at Eastern LI's Mini Maker Faire

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on

Calling all makers, tinkerers, scientists and families: The third annual Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire is scheduled for June 10, 2017, once again in Harborfront Park in Port Jefferson. 

The ELIMMF is part of a larger series of maker fairs held around the world. As with the other festivals, the event is a hands-on celebration of all things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), and an exciting and creative way to spend a Saturday. We have what you need to know about this year’s fair, including the best part: Prices have been cut in half.

Looking for more ways to have fun in Suffolk County? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters. And see our Spring Guide for the best in family fun in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Mother's Day Brunch: 10 Places to Celebrate Mom in Lower Westchester

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and it's the one day a year we're mandated to celebrate all things Mom. Whether you're honoring your mother, grandmother, aunt or sister, one of the most popular ways to appreciate the special woman in your life is to treat her to brunch.

Westchester offers a variety of great restaurants featuring Mother’s Day brunch, and we've rounded up some of our top picks for those in Lower Westchester. Many places require reservations, and we suggest hurrying—we had to strike one annual standby from this year's list because it had already sold out. 

Looking for more things to do on Mother's Day and in May? Check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook!

Out of the Box: 10 Solo Sports for Free-Thinker Kids in Westchester

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on

While team sports are oft-heralded ways to build character and strengthen cooperation skills, they simply aren’t a great match for every child. Rather than forcing kids to participate in a sport they hate—either because they’re too young or because, well, they simply hate it—it’s usually better to find an activity that won’t make them hide behind you at drop-off.

Fortunately for Westchester children, there are plenty of local opportunities that help kids stay fit, learn something new and have fun! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite sports for those individualist kids. While some may technically include participation on a team, these focus more on setting personal goals than on tallying wins and losses.

Looking for even more enriching ways for kids to spend their time? Consult our Classes Guide and check out our Event Calendar.

25 Things to Do with Westchester Kids on Spring Break

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on

Staying in town for spring break? You can have a family staycation without leaving the state! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley during the week off from school—many of which are FREE!
 
To stay up to date with everything kid-related in Westchester, be sure to sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

Spring Break Camps for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on

If you're not heading out of town for spring break, you may be wondering how to keep the little ones busy during the break. Spring break camps offer a great way to keep kids active, learning and engaged while they are off from school.  

Westchester offers many specialized programs, so there's sure to be a camp to please most interests. We've rounded up several options, including nature, art and sports-themed programs. Different districts have different weeks off this year, so we've included several for each. Be sure to check out our Summer Camp Guide because summer will be here before we know it!

Spring 2017 Festivals in the Lower Hudson Valley

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on

Despite the cool temperatures, spring is definitely here, and that means outdoor festivals will soon dot the landscape of Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley! That's great news for those of us suffering from the winter blues and daydreaming about the warm, sunny days and budding flowers this season brings.

We’ve rounded up many fun fairs and festivals throughout Dutchess, Orange, Ulster and Rockland counties. In addition to featuring kiddie favorites like rides, games and live entertainment, many of these fetes celebrate the local environment, with workshops and educational activities for the entire family. Read on for all the details, and be sure to check out our Event Calendar for even more options.

10 Westchester Summer Camps for Kids Who Hate Day Camp

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on

Not all kids are meant for long games of Gaga and Pickle, daily swim lessons and vats of bug juice. While summer day camp is paradise for many children, others are far from fans and not at all shy about letting you know this.

Despite these strong feelings, you may still need a camp—or at least an activity— that will fill their days. In honor of these families, we’ve rounded up 10 summer camp ideas for kids who aren’t a good fit for traditional day camp.

Consult our Summer Camp Guide and sign up for our newsletters for more ideas on how to spend your summer.

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