Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

Best Things To Do in Westchester in September With Kids: Hot Air Balloons, and More

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 09/09/2020 - 2:47pm

The 29th Annual Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival is going to be hosted drive-in style at Tymor Park in Union Vale, New York. Photo courtesy of the festival

Live, in-person things to do with kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley continue to roll out. We're here to ease the stress of the impending return to school with plenty of socially distanced events to enjoy long after you've savored your Labor Day barbecue. We've even got a Back-to-School Fair planned to help you round out your child's extracurricular activity schedule, whether you're looking for in-person or virtual class offerings.

We've welcomed the news that several sizable annual traditions have been reimagined for a safe return in 2020, like the spectacular Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival. Halloween season is kicking off this month, too, with the return of the Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze and Home of "the Legend." While the weather remains warm, September is full of outdoor entertainment—from drive-in movies to live performances.

Read on for our September event picks, as well as venues that are now open to visitors. Be sure to keep tabs on our daily Event Calendar to stay in the know! If you're looking for more things to do, we're continuing to maintain our list of virtual event picks plus activities to enjoy nearby—like hikes in our state parks, visits to swimming lakes, and more socially distant activities.

The Best Local Ice Cream Shops in Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 08/28/2020 - 12:15pm

King Kone is a sight to behold and offers a welcome, tasty, roadside diversion.

One of the sweetest parts of summer is an outing to a local ice cream shop. Whether you're cooling down with a shake or lounging on a bench and licking a cone, these frozen treats hard to pass up.

Westchester has its fair share of independent ice cream parlors. We've rounded up 18 of our favorites below so that families can get in their "last licks" of the summer. Whether you prefer to keep things simple with traditional treats or get excited about inventive confections like donut ice-cream sandwiches, we've got the goods.

Private Family Experiences, Tours, and Charters for Socially Distant Fun Near NYC

Submitted by Susan Miele on Tue, 08/18/2020 - 4:00pm

The VW Picture Bus delivers drive-in movie nights to your backyard or another locale. Photo courtesy of the company

Five months into the coronavirus shutdown, area families are getting antsy and in need of entertainment. Though New York's numbers are looking good, the need for social distancing remains. Luckily, we're surrounded by creative operators offering private family experiences and tours that make social distancing while enjoying an out of this world excursion possible. Best of all, some of these splurge-worthy private family experiences even come to you.

Once you've had your fair share of fun at our beautiful area swimming lakes, taken a day trip or two, or even booked one of these local family-friendly camping sites, consider spicing up these last weeks of summer with a pick from our list of private family experiences.

Whether you're action-oriented and want to ride in a helicopter or are happy to have a family rendezvous with ponies, we've rounded up a variety of options. What's more, this destination-worthy list includes providers based in New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and the Hudson Valley. Read on for a dozen options and get ready to book an unforgettable experience for your nearest and dearest.

Fun Outdoor Classes for Kids in Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 08/07/2020 - 10:32am

Roasting lunch over the fire - covid style with masks at the Rewilding School. Photo courtesy of the school

Looking for classes for kids with built-in social distancing and great ventilation? A number of local Westchester businesses have successfully pivoted during the COVID-19 shutdown to offer children’s classes in an outdoor setting. These are in addition to classes that are typically held outdoors, such as horseback riding lessons.

While many businesses have not yet announced their fall schedule (when more offerings are expected), there’s still time this summer to take advantage of some ongoing programs for kids. Read on for our list of 13 sources for outdoor classes for kids, ranging from art and music class to soccer and nature programs. Find online classes and more virtual entertainment options in our Poppins@Home platform.

Best Bike Rides in and Near Westchester for Family Cycling

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

On Bicycle Sundays, the Bronx River Parkway is open exclusively for bicyclists, in-line skaters, scooters, walkers, and joggers. Photo courtesy of the Westchester County Police Dept.

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.

Ways to Support Local Businesses in Westchester During the Pandemic

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

Enjoy Groove's Family JAM, a livestreamed music class from a local business. Photo courtesy of Groove Family Music

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.

Westchester Toy Stores and Bookstores with Delivery or Curbside Pickup

Submitted by Susan Miele on Mon, 05/04/2020 - 1:04pm

Womrath Bookshop includes a very robust and varied children's section, including a wide selection of toys and cuddly plush critters. Photo courtesy of Womrath Bookshop

For Westchester families looking to combat cabin fever during the shutdown, we've rounded up toy stores and bookstores that are providing fun resources for curbside pickup or delivery. Order online or call these local businesses for arts-and-crafts supplies, building sets, puzzles, books, board games, and outdoor toys—even basketball hoops and trampolines—to help pass the time and keep spirits high.

Journey on an adventure to another time or place through a good book, busy kids with a tinkering or crafting kit, or stock up on birthday gifts—all while supporting local businesses. For more ideas for keeping kids entertained, check out these boredom busters and keep tabs of virtual activities on our Event Calendar.

Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

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