Kids as young as 7 can take an amazing journey in the sky. Image credit: Above The Clouds

See the Hudson Valley Like Never Before
Has your kid watched Up a thousand times? (Or, let’s be honest, have you?) Above The Clouds operates hot air balloon rides out of Orange County that will give you a birds-eye view of the Shawangunk Mountains, the Palisades region and everything in between. This fully insured ballooning company, which has been operating for 30 years, offers 30-minute and hour-long rides. The operators suggest kids be 7 or older, but they have welcomed children as young as 4. Definitely know your child’s willingness to attempt something like this, and be prepared to abort the mission if he or she gives you a hard pass on flight day. (In addition to maturity levels, size needs to be taken into account—too small and he or she won’t be able to see anything over the side of the basket.) Private baskets can also be reserved if you want to be the only family on a particular ride; otherwise, most larger baskets hold about eight people.  

Get a High-Class Culinary Education 
Sur la Table at The Westchester offers Kitchen Fundamentals, a five-day cooking series that will teach your kids the A to Z about all things sweet and savory. These week-long camps will school on the finer arts of knife handling, making pasta from scratch, and even crafting recipes using a “mystery box” of ingredients. Classes are geared toward ages 8-12; Sur la Table also has a Science of Cooking series for kids and a Fundamentals class for teens. (Looking for more, less-splurgy cooking classes? We’ve got you covered.) 
 
Watch a Baseball Game in Bill Murray’s Seat
In what can still cost you less than a four-pack to Yankee Stadium, the Ultimate BYOF Experience at the Hudson Valley Renegades in Wappingers Falls includes a full meal (with dessert!), a pre-game catch and on-field photo, throwing out the first pitch and more. You will also get to enjoy the game from the seat of Renegades’ co-owner Bill Murray (yes, that Bill Murray).

Take a Trip to an All-Inclusive Resort
Rocking Horse Ranch in Highland is an ultimate family-friendly destination, with non-stop indoor and outdoor activities. Like another of our favorite indoor water parks, Great Wolf Lodge, the Ranch warms its swim areas to a comfy 85 degrees. In addition to swimming and splashing, the resort has horseback riding, supervised children’s programs and even spa treatments, as well as cross-country skiing, snow tubing and ice skating in the winter. 

Enjoy a a year-round swim at Rocking Horse Ranch. Photo by Mommy Poppins’ Diana Kim.

Camp Out with the Wolves
The Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem lets you have a sleepover outside the enclosure of its beloved resident wolves. The WCC’s Wild Nocturnal Adventure includes a four-person tent, a pizza party with an outdoor movie, and a nighttime experience filled with wilderness chatter. Glamping indeed!

Get Private Racing Lessons
Lessons aren’t necessary to have a great time at Grand Prix in Mount Kisco. But if your child wants to be a star at the track, half-hour and hour-long private lessons are available. Kids will practice on a privately booked track and will learn all about kart control, passing and other important racing skills.

Go Courtside at the Westchester Knicks
Not only can you pony up for some up-close-and-in-person seats at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, but the Westchester Knicks also offer a number of Fan Experience packages that take fandom to a new level. You and your kids can high-five or run out with the team, be part of a halftime show or scrimmage, or take a group photo with the team at the end of the game. One note: These packages are typically sold as group sales (10 or more people), so round up all your friends or make this part of a birthday party event.

Top image credit: Westchester Knicks