Marisa Iallonardo

Latest posts by Marisa Iallonardo

Best Swimming Lakes near Westchester You Need To Discover

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 05/14/2023 - 7:24am

Make a splash at Croton Point Beach. Photo courtesy of Westchester County

Pools and splash pads are great for summer fun, but swimming lakes in and near Westchester are ideal destinations for cooling off in the great outdoors. While you'll only find a few local swimming lakes and rivers in Westchester County, the Hudson Valley offers plenty of places for freshwater swimming, including some spots that merit a day trip—or are worth visiting as part of an overnight stay at a nearby family campground.

Here, we've rounded up several lakes and rivers that are perfect for swimming with kids this summer, from the Hudson River to Lake Taghkanic.

Looking for even more fun in the sun? Check out our Summer Fun Guide.

Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Thu, 05/11/2023 - 4:47pm

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

These aquariums near NYC make for a fun under-the-sea day trip destination where families can see colorful fish up close, be entertained by a variety of undersea animals, and get a kick out of interactive exhibits, feedings, and shows.

There are a number of great aquariums within an easy day trip from the tri-state area, so the next time your kids request a trip to the aquarium, consider visiting one of these regional picks, which each offer a truly unique undersea experience. At these local aquariums in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, you can see everything from Beluga whales at the Mystic Aquarium to the East Coast's largest collection of sharks at the Adventure Aquarium.

Find more day trip-worthy destinations in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways and find all our top picks for animal fun in our Guide to Local Zoos and Gardens.

Best Strawberry Picking in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 05/07/2023 - 6:12am

Fishkill Farms offers certified organic berries during its strawberry picking season.

Strawberries from the supermarket or farmer's market are tasty, but going strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley is a springtime experience worth savoring with your family. Fortunately, there are plenty of farms for strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley that offer not only strawberry picking but other attractions that round out a visit.

Read on for our favorite local farms for strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley. Looking for more options? We’ve also rounded up where to go strawberry picking in Connecticut and have plenty of other picks for farm fun in our Guide to Pick-Your-Own Farms in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

50 Magna-Tiles Games and Building Ideas for Kids

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Tue, 04/25/2023 - 11:05am

What treasures will you find at the end of this Magna-Tiles rainbow? Photo courtesy of Magna-Tiles

Magnetic tiles—whether they're the classic Magna-Tiles brand or one of the many other variations—are one of the most beloved and versatile toys for kids of all ages. After all, there are so many fun Magna-Tiles games to play, interesting learning activities to do, and awesome structures to build.

Playing and building with magnetic tiles teaches kids STEM skills, helps them learn their shapes and colors, fosters their creativity, and so much more. I recently asked my third-grader and kindergartner to create whatever came to mind using their magnetic tiles and they had lots of inventive ideas, including a monster and a rainbow tower.

If you need some inspiration on how to have fun and learn with magnetic tiles, here are 50 Magna-Tiles games and activities, Magna-Tiles building ideas, Magna-Tiles printables and video tutorials, and more. For more at-home STEM and art ideas, check out our lists of easy science experiments for kids and 100 awesome art projects for kids.

What's New at Legoland New York for 2023 Season

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Wed, 04/05/2023 - 10:11am

Sensory guides posted outside rides and attractions are one of the resources Legoland New York offers as a Certified Autism Center. Photo courtesy of Legoland

Legoland New York is open for the 2023 season and there are lots of great updates for families. One of the most noteworthy: The resort, currently in its third year, is now a Certified Autism Center.

With specific autism-friendly features, Legoland New York joins Sesame Place Philadelphia as a day trip-worthy Certified Autism Center (CAC) for tri-state area residents.

Read on for what the certification means plus what else is new at Legoland New York in 2023. Hot tip: Start planning now for a cool summer vacation when its water playground opens! We've got more wet and wild fun in our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks for Families.

Most Affordable Summer Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 7:01am

The Rock Club Summer Camp promotes fitness, team-building, and confidence.

Fun summer camp options abound in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, from traditional day camps to STEM-focused programs to a variety of sports camps. But no matter your child's interests, camp can be a pricey proposition. If you're looking for especially budget-friendly options, we’ve rounded up a selection of the most affordable day camps in the area.

For this 2023 list, we've capped the cost at $500 per week, but most of these are well below that. Many of these camps offer half-day sessions as well as early-bird or sibling discounts. Plus, there are often options for financial aid or scholarships. Even if you don’t see that information listed, you can always ask to see if it’s a possibility.

For even more options, check out our Summer Camps Guide for Westchester Kids, or search our Camp Directory.

Ninja Warrior Gyms, Parkour, and Obstacle Courses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 02/10/2023 - 6:32am

Your kids can try their hand at being a ninja warrior at Grit Ninja in Pleasantville.

Are makeshift obstacle courses a common sight in your living room? If so, know that you're definitely not alone—and then consider taking your kids to one of the many obstacle courses, ninja warrior, and parkour gyms in the area. It’s a fun indoor activity for when the weather is either too cold or too hot for outdoor play, and it helps them get tons of energy out.

Almost all the programs and gyms featured here offer both classes and open gym time. Trial classes, camps, and birthday parties are possibilities at most as well.

Looking for more fun indoor activities with kids, like the area's top bowling alleys? Check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Westchester Kids.

Best Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in Westchester

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 01/22/2023 - 8:18am

Kids can start off their morning with a delicious waffle at Peekskill Coffee Shop.

Family-friendly coffee shops are among the many reasons I love living in Westchester—a list that also includes world-class outdoorsy activities and a huge range of things to do with kids every day of the week. As someone who works from home and also has two young kids, though, checking out the many great coffee shops near me is particularly close to my heart. Tea plus a treat is a win-win for me and them!

So whether you want a place to hang with your baby where you can read a book or two, or a spot to stop after basketball practice for a muffin with your little athletes, there are plenty of mom-and-pop shops to choose from throughout the county. The places on this list are all local—many owned by local families, too—and all offer delicious dishes, family-friendly hangs, and lively events that kids can take part in. Read on for a few of our favorite coffee shops in Westchester.

Looking to go out to lunch or dinner with the fam instead? Check out our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Westchester.