Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

Best Bike Rides in and Near Westchester for Family Cycling

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 07/31/2020 - 9:01am

For both exercise and family bonding, a bike ride along a scenic bike path is a great way to spend a lovely day in Westchester. Whether your kids have recently ditched their training wheels or are older and ready for action, we've got a cycling destination for your clan. And, if your four-wheeled rider is ready for the big time, here are some pointers on how to help your child ride without training wheels.

Read on for more details on bike paths and trailways throughout Westchester County. For more outdoor excursions, consider embarking on one of these Hudson Valley hikes, and check out our Summer Activity Guide for more seasonal fun.

Ultimate Summer Staycation Planner for Westchester Kids: 50 Things to Do in Summer 2020

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 07/03/2020 - 11:17am

While summer 2020 is bound to look different than years past, Westchester and Hudson Valley families needn't sacrifice fun. As proof, we've rounded up 50 fun summer activities for kids throughout the region. With a little creativity, local families can still enjoy scrapbook-worthy summer activities without straying too far from home.

Below we've rounded tons of things to do with Westchester kids. Whether you're looking to get out of the house or host DIY camp in your backyard, we've got the goods—from drive-in theaters to Independence Day celebrations, backyard science experiments, and more summer fun.

If this jam-packed list isn't enough, we've got tons more seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide plus tons of resources in our Stay-at-Home Guide, and plenty of online classes and virtual camps on our Poppins@Home microsite.

Ways to Support Local Businesses in Westchester During the Pandemic

Submitted by Susan Miele on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 3:44pm

While local businesses have raced to pivot in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and there are many ways to support Westchester businesses while optimizing time at home. We've already shared our roundup of toy stores and bookstores offering curbside pickup or local delivery, as well as where to buy groceries, and some of the local restaurants and bakeries preparing special-occasion meals. Still, many other small businesses can use help now, too.

Buying local is a win-win: Beyond being an act of compassion toward business owners and workers, keeping your green in town translates to a more robust local economy, benefiting municipal services, property taxes, and property values. Local businesses are also who we all turn to for donations to support our PTA and other local organizations.

Below we've compiled multiple ways to support local businesses. It's by no means a comprehensive county-wide list. Other ways to help include purchasing gift cards, initiating memberships with nonprofit organizations, and avoiding third-party delivery services when possible to ensure your dollars stay with the local business you're supporting. So, consider these ways to shop small and keep businesses where they belong: in your neighborhood.

And while you're showing your support for the businesses you love, we hope you'll count Mommy Poppins and our small business partners among them. You can support Mommy Poppins by sharing articles you find useful with friends or on your social media channels, checking out our directory of virtual classes, camps, and birthday parties and telling businesses you found them through Mommy Poppins. Also, as part of our effort to keep our local parent writers and this website afloat and support some of our favorite family businesses, we've created Poppins@Home, a platform for small businesses to share free and low-cost online classes and birthday parties with kids all over the country. Please consider trying a few of these fun, affordable, and creative classes—and spreading the word among your friends—as yet another way to support, uplift, and get through these challenging times together!

10 Great Hikes with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 11:33am

For Westchester and Hudson Valley families seeking together time in nature, we've rounded up ten destinations for family hikes. Whether you seek an easy walk for little legs or a more challenging excursion for adventurous types, our list can be your new go-to resource for trailblazing.

Time spent in nature is associated with reduced stress and numerous health benefits. Connecting kids with nature can also help instill a lifelong love of nature and a feeling of responsibility for the environment. Fortunately, there's no shortage of green space in our area, and hiking is a great activity that can be enjoyed in all kinds of weather. So fill your water bottle, lace up those sturdy shoes, and choose your preferred setting, be it lake, woods, or waterfall. Read on for details!

Please note that some of the destinations or activities listed below may be closed or canceled during the COVID-19 shut-down.

Mother's Day Brunch, Dinner and Treats for Takeout and Delivery in Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 1:11pm

Perhaps this year more than ever, moms deserve a special celebration for Mother's Day. With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, a fancy Mother's Day brunch at a sit-down restaurant is out. Instead, we're bringing you details on takeout and delivery options you can enjoy at home from Westchester-area restaurants and bakeries. Below we've rounded up 11 spots serving everything from Mother's Day brunch to elegant teas, baked treats, and other goodies to make mom's day special.

Beyond a catered meal, families can enjoy a celebratory outing at one of these Westchester destinations that remain open. Be sure to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Add to this the return of Bicycle Sundays, and you've got yourself a day! But, because moms deserve to be honored the full 24 hours, we're keeping our Event Calendar populated with virtual happenings that families can enjoy together. We also encourage kids to craft a handmade card and offer it to mom, along with a big hug!

Read on for ways to order a feast fit for a queen. Whether you're an essential worker, homeschooling your kids, or any other kind of super mom, we know you deserve a special meal on Mother's Day. From all the moms at Mommy Poppins, we wish you a very happy Mother's Day!

Grocery Delivery Services in Westchester to Get You Through the Pandemic

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 9:39am

With grocery shopping becoming an increasingly challenging task in the time of social distancing, many Westchester families are turning to grocery delivery services. Yet, even this resource is difficult to secure. Below, we've rounded up an assortment of grocery delivery options, some of which will likely be familiar to you, while others might give you food for thought.

Before you fill your cart, here are some pointers:

Plan ahead: With unprecedented demand, shoppers should anticipate a two-week turnaround, as well as the prospect of out-of-stock items and even the occasional canceled delivery. Moreover, with many stores setting limits on the quantity of staples, like milk, that can be purchased, you can safely predict you're going to want another delivery fairly soon.
Keep trying: Though the website you're shopping on might list the next delivery date as two weeks from now, by refreshing your screen or trying again later, you might get lucky with an expedited timeframe.
Join forces: Some of the options we've listed below may require minimum purchases that could be difficult for your family to justify. By teaming up with neighbors, you might be able to tap into each other's delivery services.
Tip well: Shoppers, store workers, and delivery providers are risking their health to feed your family (and their own).

Regardless of your approach, let's be grateful for what we have. To share this bounty, consider helping those with food insecurity by supporting a local food bank.

Read on for 16 grocery-delivery services, specialty providers, and straight-from-the-farm resources able to deliver food to your door. One caveat: With the situation in flux (e.g., stores closing for deep cleaning), the information below may change by the time you read this.

Looking for more help during this trying time? We've got plenty of tips, tricks, and boredom busters in our Stay-at-Home Guide.

Easter Brunch and Passover Seder Takeout and Delivery Options in Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Mon, 04/06/2020 - 12:00pm

On top of all the coronavirus challenges we've faced recently, there's a new consideration this week: Where can you turn for Easter and Passover meals in Westchester? Fortunately, we've researched tasty options for you, rounding up 15 spots to fill your holiday table, whether you're dining in for Passover Seder, Easter brunch, or Easter dinner.

Beyond merely sparing you from the kitchen, these eateries offer festive dishes to make your feast look like all is right in the world. From Italian pizza rustica to Passover matzo crack, plus hot-cross buns, and an exploding bunny cake, our compilation hits all the holiday high notes. As a bonus, you'll be supporting local businesses. Up the ante on your celebration by enjoying one of these family-friendly Easter crafts or creative egg-dying ideas.

Read on for our list of restaurants and bakeries offering Easter brunch, Easter dinner, and Passover takeout and delivery. Keep in mind, many establishments are experiencing challenges in procuring ingredients and may require some menu flexibility as they struggle through the circumstances along with the rest of us.

From all of us at Mommy Poppins, we wish you and your family a happy holiday weekend, no matter how you're celebrating.

What's Open in Coronavirus Shutdown: Parks, Gardens, Hikes You Can Do While Social Distancing

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 12:00pm

Social distancing with kids is no easy task—boy do we relate! Whether your kids are young and whiny or older and rebellious, keeping them occupied and safe nowadays is a challenge.

We recognize the need to get out of the house for fresh air and a change of scenery. Fortunately, we can! Below we’ve compiled a list of destinations that remain open to the public in and around Westchester. We hope that these refuges not only provide a sense of normalcy in these trying times but also help you discover a new destination your family loves. Disclaimer: With everything changing from one day to the next, please check with any venue you plan to visit to confirm it remains open.

Be sure to bookmark our Coronavirus Parent Guide, chock-full of boredom busters, online learning tools, STEM activities, craft projects, podcasts, movie picks, and more. We’ve also been cataloging virtual events from all over the country on our Event Calendar and have rounded up our faves for the days ahead.

Read on for where to go—and be sure to practice safe social distancing! Most of these venues are FREE!

Susan Miele

Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

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