Summer is here, and while the end of school can be a relief, the new challenge is to keep the kids busy seven days a week! But filling those long days can get pricey—fast. Fear not: We’ve been hard at work identifying tons of FREE things to do with the kids that will keep them entertained all summer long—and we're not just talking about crafts. We found multi-cultural festivals, admission-free days, magic shows, outdoor yoga, astronomy nights, animal encounters, historical sites, and loads more.

Read on for 50+ of our favorites below, but also note that our Event Calendar is your BFF all season, because we keep adding to that frequently, so it’s always worth a gander. Want more that’s FREE? Bookmark our guide to year-round FREE things to do and sign up for our newsletters.

It’s time for Dad’s special day, and we’ve combed Westchester and the Hudson Valley to find the best ways for families to honor the important men in their lives. Sure, a nice dinner or sporting event is often the just-right excursion, but in case you’re looking for something more, we’ve got lots to choose from.

The big headliner of the weekend is the Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival, a two-day outdoor event celebrating environmental protection on a grand scale with a vast and impressive lineup of music, exhibitions, assorted entertainment, an instrument “petting zoo,” wholesome food, and more. This is just one of several summer festivals taking place this weekend; others include the Yonkers Ukrainian Heritage Festival.

Another musical highlight is Caramoor's Family Concert, when the illustrious venue presents a performance tailored to younger audiences. Fans of inflatables, this one’s for you: The Big Bounce America is bringing 20,000 square feet of jumpy fun to the Hudson Valley, including assorted variations on the bouncy theme. There also are a couple of kid-focused historical events this weekend, including Family Fun Day at the Piermont Railroad Station Museum, which offers particular appeal for young fans of locomotives.

Read on for all of our top picks, and check out our Event Calendar for even more options to choose from. Our June GoList can help you plan the remainder of the month, and signing up for our FREE weekly newsletters keeps you in the know! 

Have a very happy Father’s Day!

For those of you staying in Westchester for Memorial Day weekend, there's no shortage of events worth attending, both here and in the Hudson Valley.

Many towns and villages throughout the county celebrate the occasion with parades and ceremonies. Standouts include the Memorial Day Races & Fair, with fun festivities rounding out the occasion.

The three-day weekend is also a great time for animal encounters, with the Memorial Day Dog Parade & Show leading the pack. A couple of the many seasonal festivals we previously told you about also take place this weekend, and there’s a performance by the The Zerbini Family Circus.

And, while all of the above are annual affairs, this Saturday is the only chance we’ll have to celebrate Playland's 90th Birthday, and loads of perks are planned for the occasion. While there, head next door (or to Croton or New Rochelle), when Westchester beaches open for the season.

So let everyone else deal with the traffic and hassle of heading out of town; there’s plenty to do right here at home! Read on to see all of our top weekend picks, and consult our Event Calendar for even more options.