Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

25 Things To Do with Westchester Kids on Spring Break

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 03/24/2019 - 10:00am

Staying in town for spring break? Enjoy a family staycation and save on entertainment with the fun activities we’ve identified in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Many of our picks are FREE! Because some schools’ breaks include the day after Easter, our list does, too.

We've included celebrations of Easter, Passover, and Earth Day, as well as STEM activities, crafting, camp options, cultural excursions, places to play, and more.

Many other options can be found on our Event Calendar (with more on the way), and in our Spring Activity Guide for Westchester Kids. To stay up to date with everything kid-related in our area, be sure to sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

14 Easter Bunny Encounters for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 3:00pm

Just as Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to Santa, for many Westchester families, the same holds true for Easter and the Easter Bunny. While encounters are often possible at town egg hunts, there are many other opportunities to meet the bunny this spring.

Below we’ve rounded up 14 ways to say cheese with the rabbit. These include breakfasts, train rides, photo-ops for kids with special needs, and even the chance to go ice skating with the Easter Bunny. And more! Read on for the rundown and additional details.

Looking for more? Hop across the border to find out where you can dine with the Easter Bunny in Connecticut. And keep tabs on our Event Calendar for numerous other ways to celebrate Easter.

March GoList: The Best Things to Do in Westchester with Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 02/24/2019 - 11:00am

March winds bring not only April showers but also much fun in and around Westchester—so if you’re getting tired of Ol’ Man Winter, don’t despair!

The first half of the month brings the peak of maple-sugaring season, allowing families to join naturalists in tapping maple trees and evaporating this blasé-looking liquid into the sublime sticky stuff we all know and love. Some events—like Sugarfest—are loaded with assorted embellishments, including the ultimate pleasure—eating it atop pancakes!

As for holidays, March is also known as Women’s History Month, and we have events on our calendar that are family-focused. March is also replete with celebrations of Purim, including the “Big Apple”-style Purim in NYC, along with numerous ways to celebrate being Irish (or pretend that you are), like one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in New York. There are several hot-ticket alerts for live kid shows, including Peter Pan & Friends on Ice, and while we await warmer temperatures, indoor highlights include the Annual WHUD Kids Fair and the return of STEM-tastic.

Grab your calendars and read on for our top things to do with kids this month in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Also be sure to check out our Event Calendar to be up-to-date on even more of the great goings-on this month!

Maple Sugaring Events for Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 2:00pm

Here in the Northeast, what apple picking is to fall, maple sugaring is to winter. The season begins in February and runs through late March. Ideally, temperatures must dip below freezing at night and warm up during the day to stimulate sap flow. Thus, the maple-sugaring season is brief. And to make just one gallon of pure maple syrup, it takes more than 40 gallons of sap!

We've rounded up maple-sugaring fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Read on for details on where to learn about and celebrate this centuries-old tradition. Looking for more seasonal fun? Check out our Westchester Winter Fun Guide, and look to our Event Calendar for new events added daily.

40 Things To Do on February School Break with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 02/03/2019 - 10:00am

Ready for February vacation with the kids? Presidents Day falls on Monday, February 18 this year, and most Westchester schools are closed that whole week for a winter break. While some families fly south for February break, and others head north to ski, there’s no reason why families can’t enjoy a winter “staycation” right here in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. There’s so much to do!

With numerous tourist attractions, a slew of play spaces, scheduled events, and loads to enjoy outdoors, Westchester offers plenty of fun without the need for air travel or pesky traffic. Below we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to spend the week off from school without breaking the bank OR packing a suitcase.

Looking for more things to do? Consult our guide to FREE things to do in February, and make sure to check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook!

February GoList: The Best Things to Do in Westchester with Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 01/27/2019 - 10:00am

Though February is prone to unsavory weather, the bright side is the many exciting family events happening in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. With celebrations of Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Black History Month, Mardi Gras, and Chinese New Year, the fun is sure to chase away the chill!

Not all the events we’re highlighting this month fall under those themes, though. New this year is City of Science, a hard-to-believe-it’s-FREE attraction for STEAM lovers. With recent changes to the circus industry, the annual appearance by the Royal Hanneford Circus takes on added significance.

Other February traditions include the Chinese New Year Festival, featuring acrobats, cuisine, and other cultural appeal; Old-Fashioned Winter’s Afternoon, offering seasonal fun; and Maple Sugaring Tours (with a kick-off party, to boot), heralding the launch of maple-sugaring season. Several stage productions also merit parental attention (unfortunately, The Cat in the Hat, which we highlighted in our 50 winter activities post as a hot ticket, is sold out).

This is just the tip of the iceberg! Read on for the full list of our month’s top picks, and remember you'll find many more on our Event Calendar, plus lots more on the way. Sign up for our newsletters to keep track of new finds!

8 New Birthday Party Spots for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 01/25/2019 - 12:45pm

Are you crowd-sourcing to find a fresh venue for hosting your next birthday party? We know the drill. Despite the scores of party venues in Westchester, there’s often a desire for something new. Fortunately, a bunch of new venues opened in Westchester in the last year that offer kids’ birthday parties. From sweet shops to swimming, climbing adventures to cartooning, this new mix offers a variety of activities. Your kids might even be grown-ups by the time you try them all!

Read on to learn more. If you haven't done so already, sign up for our newsletters to stay in the know!

12 Stores That Offer Free and Low-Cost Classes for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 01/20/2019 - 12:30pm

Keeping kids educated and entertained can cost a pretty penny, so we like to help our readers find ways to keep expenses from getting out of hand. That’s why we keep our eyes peeled for FREE and low-cost classes and activities for kids of all ages.

Below we’ve rounded up classes offered by local stores, which include STEM programs, crafting, fitness, and more. We’re big fans of the $0 price tag, but we’ve also included a few that allow for one-time visits up to about $30. Many stores have various locations, so be sure to check with these to confirm local schedules, offerings, and rates.

Looking for more? We’ve previously rounded up 60 FREE Places to Play, which include stores, nature centers, play spaces, and other venues. Of course, libraries are also a great resource, and many offer one-time and recurring classes in coding, 3D printing, yoga, Zumba, cooking, and more. Most importantly, keep tabs on our Event Calendar, where we curate the best local events with a heavy emphasis on FREE and inexpensive.

Susan Miele

Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

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