Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

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.

Free Perks That Come with Your Westchester Library Card

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 01/13/2019 - 11:00am

If your library card hasn’t left your wallet in a while, it may be time to pry it from its confines and put it to use.

More than a means to borrow books, your Westchester library card is your ticket to a host of privileges that you might not even know about. Put away the credit card and let this other piece of plastic save you money on admissions, shopping, and periodicals. In addition to checking out books, you can also borrow other media and even musical instruments, cooking supplies, and recreation equipment. Access technological services, learn a new language, support academic study, reserve a room. All this and more may be available, depending on the specific offerings of your local branch. Read on to see what you might be missing—not to mention all the books and free events, from storytimes to STEAM activities!

Looking for more helpful insight that helps you stay in the know with all things kid-related? Sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

Bundle Up or Hunker Down: 30 Winter Activities for Westchester Preschoolers

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 01/06/2019 - 10:00am

Cold temperatures and snow on the ground doesn’t mean you have to spend the next few months stuck at home (and, let's face it, who would want to?). We’ve rounded up some of our favorite events and things to do with preschoolers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this winter. From stage performances to nature programs, holiday celebrations to play places, we’ve got you covered.

Want more? For all ages, check out our mammoth list of 50 things to do this winter in Westchester, as well as our Event Calendar. Be sure to sign up for our newsletters to stay in the know!

50 Fun Things to Do with Westchester Kids this Winter

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 01/04/2019 - 10:00am

The holidays may be over, but winter will be with us as long as the groundhog dictates. We know how hard it is to keep the kids occupied this time of year, so we’ve gathered a slew of activities that you can do with your kids this season—beyond storytime and baking cookies.

Whether you're looking to stay local or you're itching to explore beyond our borders, we have ideas that should suit every level of motivation. You can embrace the cold at a winter festival or celebrate one of many winter holidays, including Chinese New Year, Groundhog Day, and Valentine's Day. Try a winter sport like snow tubing or skiing, or get some indoor action at a trampoline park or play space. And that's just the beginning—read on for the full list.

Looking for even more? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters to stay in the loop. We’ll keep you busy all winter long!

January GoList: The Best Things to Do in Westchester With Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 12/30/2018 - 9:00am

With the holidays over and the cold weather setting in, January may seem like a good time to hibernate—but not so for Westchester and Hudson Valley families! Our January GoList provides plenty of reasons for getting out and taking advantage of the compelling programs in our area. And, after the high cost of the holidays, you'll be glad to know that many of our picks are FREE!

Several live shows are worth booking tickets early for, among them the a capella sensation The Maccabeats, whose performance history includes the White House, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites. The Best of the New York International Children's Film Festival returns for an encore screening, with nine short flicks hailing from around the world. For outdoor fun that embraces the season, bundle up for the Hudson Valley Rail Trail WinterFest. Lest we forget the key holiday of the month, teach your kids about civic duty by finding a cause to lend a hand to on the annual MLK Day of Service.

Unfortunately, Pete the Cat has long been sold out, and the annual Winter Wonders Day is not being offered this year.

These are just a sample of the highlights we’ve identified for you, so read on for more and consult our ever-growing Event Calendar for daily picks. Don’t worry: There’ll still be plenty of time to sit home by the fire in your jammies!

New Year's Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 12/26/2018 - 1:00pm

The coming weekend is chock-full of holiday events for Westchester families, some of which have been listed in our roundup of New Year’s Eve activities. Below we’ve compiled a baker’s dozen of fun ways to spend the four-day weekend, including both New Year’s Eve celebrations, First Day hikes, post-holiday attractions, and other sources of entertainment.

Whether you opt for joining a New Year’s Countdown to Noon, watching the Harlem Globetrotters work their magic on the court, or any of the other fun events we’ve identified, we’re confident that 2019 will be off to a swinging start.

Be sure to consult the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar to craft the perfect itinerary for your family holiday, and don't miss our roundup of Winter Day Trips for Westchester Families if you feel like hitting the road.

All of us at Mommy Poppins wish you and your families a very happy New Year!

Best Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Events for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 12/21/2018 - 10:15am

Think shelling out big bucks for a babysitter, staying home, or navigating massive crowds are your only New Year’s options as a parent? Think again! We’ve identified fun ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve for kids of all ages—from noontime countdowns to later nights for the older set. Read on for some of the ways we’ve identified to ring in the new year, family style.

Our Event Calendar also includes other activities happening on December 31. To stay in the know about all this and much more, sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

15 Things To Do with Westchester Kids over Christmas Weekend

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 12/19/2018 - 1:00pm

You’ve made your list. You’ve checked it a hundred times. You’ve shopped till you dropped, you’ve wrapped, you’ve mailed, you’ve hosted, you’ve feted, you’ve done it all—except for some of the fun events we've identified for Westchester and Hudson Valley families!

In these final days before Christmas, take the time to enjoy some sparkly seasonal activities. Take in a stage performance, a Holiday Tour by Candlelight in an elegant historic home, or—a classic for a reason—It's a Wonderful Life. Hand your wish list directly to Santa and catch the best dazzling light displays. Read on for all this and more.

But the holiday season isn’t ending just yet, so savor it all in the coming weeks using our Event Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide as planning resources.

From all of us at Mommy Poppins, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

Susan Miele

Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

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