Hastings

Canoe, Kayak, and Paddleboat Rentals for Westchester Families

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Sun, 07/22/2018 - 4:00pm

Westchester County and the Hudson Valley boast plenty of pools and spray parks to keep kids and adults splashing their way through the sticky summer months. But for New York families seeking a more active outdoor adventure, paddling down one of the state's many natural local waterways can't be beat.

Novices can take guided tours or lessons offered by kayak companies, and children as young as 3 can help power a paddleboat with some of that energy they never seem to burn off. More adventurous paddlers can take on half-day tours of the Hudson River and its aquatic ecosystems or conquer stand-up paddleboarding.

Read on for nearby spots where you can flex those rowing arms with canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, rowboats, rafts, and more. And for even more water fun, check out our list of the best lakes and rivers for swimming in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

15 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Westchester with Outdoor Dining

Submitted by Janine Annett on Sun, 07/15/2018 - 10:00am

Beautiful weather practically begs for heading to one of these local kid-friendly dining spots with outdoor seating. We’ve got a roundup of 15 restaurants worth trying—with varying price points, atmospheres, and cuisines—where Westchester families can get their alfresco dining fix.

For even more restaurant suggestions, sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

Mother's Day Brunch: Where to Celebrate Mom in Lower Westchester

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Fri, 04/20/2018 - 4:00pm

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and it's the one day a year we're mandated to celebrate all things Mom. Whether you're honoring your mother, grandmother, aunt or sister, one of the most popular ways to appreciate the special woman in your life is to treat her to brunch.

Westchester offers a variety of great restaurants featuring Mother’s Day brunch, and we've rounded up some of our top picks for those in Lower Westchester. Many places require reservations, and we suggest hurrying.

Looking for more things to do on Mother's Day and in May? Check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook!

Top Parent and Child Music Classes in Westchester

Submitted by Melissa Kagan on Fri, 03/02/2018 - 11:00am

It's never too early to get started on music appreciation with your child. Taking a baby & me music class can boost your tot’s brain power, help develop social skills, and foster creativity. It’s also the perfect excuse to let your guard down and boogie to your favorite kid tunes.

Here's our comprehensive list of the best music classes for babies and toddlers in Westchester. Looking for even more classes for kids? Consult our Classes Guide and sign up for our newsletters!

13 of the Best Places for Families to Get Pizza in Westchester

Submitted by Janine Annett on Mon, 11/27/2017 - 3:07pm

Whether your family likes to kick it old-school when it comes to pizza—or you prefer a gourmet take on the tried-and-true formula of crust, sauce and cheese—Westchester has plenty of pizza options. Slices, pies and more can be found in this baker's dozen of pizzerias—there's even a mobile pizza truck!

For more great ideas on places to dine out with the family, check out our Westchester Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide and sign up for our newsletters.

Book-Lover Crawl: 10 Ways Westchester Families can Celebrate Reading

Submitted by Janine Annett on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 11:47am

New York City might get all the credit for the best and biggest bookstores, libraries, literary events, and authors, but Westchester is also full of great places to visit and things to do for those who love all things literary. So put your book down for just a minute and check out these 10 family-friendly ideas for book lovers.

Have a budding writer in the family? Check out our list of creative writing classes for Westchester kids.Or sign up for our newsletters to receive more suggestions right in your inbox.

Summer Art Camps for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 01/19/2017 - 9:00am

Choosing a local summer camp is no small task, especially with the myriad options. While many Westchester camps include art projects as part of an all-purpose agenda, several specialize in sparking creativity among budding Picassos and O’Keeffes. If your idea of art is finger-painting and pinch pots, think again; these programs ooze creativity, even in their design, with such diverse offerings as silk screening, metalsmithing, fused glass, cartooning, dream-house design, fashion design, candle-making, puppet-making, graphic-novel development—even making your own art supplies. And that’s not all.

Below, we’ve rounded up eight summer art camps to help you explore your options—and your child’s creativity. Dress for a mess and be glad the paint, glitter and glue aren’t all over your house!

Be sure to sign up for our FREE newsletters to stay up to date on the latest events, camps, classes, news and more happening in Westchester—and follow us on Facebook.

Nature Preschools in and around Westchester

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Thu, 08/11/2016 - 6:00pm

Most preschools incorporate some aspect of nature exploration in its curriculum, but the schools in this list bring it right to the forefront. Hoping to encourage the natural scientists in its students, these schools teach how to be good eco-citizens by learning and caring for our environments. They also encourage plenty of hands-on outdoor fun and different types of STEAM-based activities.

Looking for other preschools in our area? Check out the Preschool Directory and our Preschool Guide, both of which are chock full of information. Those in our border towns may also be interested in our list of nature-based preschools in Connecticut.

Best Allergen-Friendly Bakeries in Westchester

Submitted by Melissa Kagan on Thu, 12/10/2015 - 10:00am

While the words gluten-free, nut-free, vegan and dairy-free and have long been associated with below-average offerings, this list proves safe-for-everyone snacks don't have to be tasteless. Whether it’s you, your little ones or last-minute house guests, feel free to indulge in allergen-conscious treats from these dietary-restriction-friendly bakers. After all, the simple pleasure of a baked cookie or cupcake should be enjoyed by everyone.

Here are six Westchester bakeries that will cater to your allergies and food preferences, doctor-recommended or not. Check out our Restaurant Guide for more kid-friendly places to eat, and sign up for our FREE newsletters to stay up to date for all things family-friendly in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Fall 2015: Best New Classes for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Tue, 09/15/2015 - 12:00pm

Fall is upon us and Westchester is blooming with new facilities that cater to families and a slew of new class options for all ages. Even established facilities are sprouting up with novel course offerings. Not sure where to start? We've rounded up new clsses throughout Westchester, to help keep you in the know.

While some are traditional offerings like music and painting, we've also found an eclectic assortment including toy design, special-needs yoga and gaga. Several options are even tailored to infants as young as three weeks!

Read on to learn more about these and other new classes for kids in Westchester this fall! Also consult our Event Calendar for additional class options that don’t require a multi-week commitment.