Irvington

Top Playgrounds for Toddlers and Preschoolers in Westchester

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 08/04/2019 - 9:00am

There are lots of great parks and playgrounds in Westchester, no matter which city or town you live in. But finding a playground that’s suitable for the under-5 set can sometimes be a challenge—you want them to be safe; they want to try that giant, twisty slide with a group of wild 7-year-olds on it.

Happily, there are a number of toddler-friendly playgrounds throughout the area, with plenty of safe options for keeping them occupied and having fun. We've rounded up a few of our favorites.

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Westchester's Rivertowns with Kids: 75+ Things To Do

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 10:00am

There's so much to do in Westchester’s Rivertowns, the scenic and charming cities, towns, and villages that line the eastern shore of the Hudson River, from Yonkers to Peekskill.

The best part about the Rivertowns, of course, is their location along the water. This affords them not only scenic views and aquatic activity, but also a rich history from centuries of settlement along its banks.

Below we've rounded up assorted highlights of Westchester's Rivertowns for family fun, including kid-friendly restaurants, cool museums, beautiful parks, historic mansions, and much more. There are also numerous family-friendly events—from festivals to performances—that can be found year-round on our Event Calendar and via our free newsletters.

Christmas Tree and Menorah Lightings for Holidays in Westchester

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Sun, 11/18/2018 - 1:56pm

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to herald its arrival than with the lighting of Christmas trees and menorahs? You don't have to head to Rockefeller Center to enjoy that holiday magic.

Many tree lighting events in Westchester have live music, toasty refreshments, a visit from Santa himself and—in some cases—some extra bells and whistles. Menorah lighting celebrations include parties, music, and plenty of tasty treats.

We’ve rounded up several lighting festivities, ranging from big celebrations to cozy, small-town affairs.

Looking for more seasonal fun? Check out our November GoList and be sure to browse our Event Calendar. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletters to keep up to date on our latest info.

10 Westchester Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Fri, 10/19/2018 - 2:00pm

There are two types of families when it comes to eating at a restaurant on Thanksgiving: Those who swear by it and those who are simply confounded. We know families in each category and can relate to both. For those of you who want the deliciousness of a Thanksgiving feast served with a side of ultra-convenience, we’ve gathered a list of Westchester restaurants serving turkey with all the trimmings on the big day.

Many of these spots require reservations, so don’t delay! Heading into the city for the parade? We have a list for that, too.

For more family-friendly restaurants, be sure to sign up for our newsletters.

Free, Family-Friendly Halloween Parades and Events for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Janine Annett on Sun, 10/07/2018 - 11:00am

If you think Halloween town and library programs are only about storytime and paper pumpkins, think again! Many towns in Westchester offer standout events that are frightfully fun—not to mention the parades, parties, and more free activities for families who love Halloween.

Below we’ve listed two dozen places with fun Halloween programs. Best of all—they’re all FREE! (And, OK, there are storytimes and crafts, but we do like those, too.)

Read on for our top picks, and then continue on to our Event Calendar for many more fun October happenings.

Best Places for Frozen Yogurt with Kids in Lower Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 10:00am

Summer is here, as is the burning desire to cool down with an ice-cold frozen treat. We previously rounded up some of our favorite ice cream parlors in Westchester, and now we're turning to frozen yogurt. But what adults crave in a frozen-yogurt shop isn’t necessarily what kids want (gummy worms on top of cabernet-pomegranate twist?).

Choosing where to go for fro-yo is fraught with numerous options—partly because there are often new shops opening and others closing (Eastchester lost Nuts About Yogurt, while Pure Bliss recently closed in Pelham and Larchmont). Sure, there are many national chains to choose from, but our interest lies more in the local operations. To help guide our readers, my family made the ultimate sacrifice in visiting a bunch of fro-yo shops in Lower Westchester—strictly for our readers’ benefit, of course. A few calories later, we’ve whittled these down to a choice few and have offered the inside scoop.

Read on for the skinny on fro-yo! Be sure to sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook to stay in the know about all things kid-related in Westchester.

Hanukkah Fun and Celebrations for Kids in Westchester and Putnam

Submitted by Alison Reiser on Fri, 12/23/2016 - 12:00pm

Followers of the Jewish calendar know that our holidays seem to float from year to year. This winter, in an unusual and somewhat convenient twist of fate, the Jewish Festival of Lights runs December 24, 2016, to January 1, 2017, dovetailing with both Christmas and New Year's Day. No matter how you spell it—Chanukah, Chanuka, Hanukka, Hanukkah—this month spells fun with holiday celebrations throughout Westchester.

We’ve collected some of the most family-friendly activities occurring in Westchester and Putnam counties. For more fun outings this month, be sure to check out our Holiday Fun Guide and Event Calendar, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook.

Hudson Valley's Best Halloween Celebrations for Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Tue, 09/20/2016 - 10:00am

This post is being updated for 2017.

The Hudson Valley is the setting for many a scary Halloween happening—parents be warned! There's traditional fall fun like pumpkin picking, fall festivals, and corn mazes, but the area celebrates Halloween in a big way with attractions for all ages (and all levels of bravery). Even if you don't live in the Hudson Valley, these are totally worth the schlep and blowing the kids' bedtimes—at least once.

While the Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze is perhaps the top Halloween event in the area, there are other cool happenings just next door: the haunted attraction Horseman’s Hollow, a live retelling of Irving's Legend, and the little-kid-friendly Legend Behind the Legend. Head a little further north to Somers to check out the Halloween Train Show at Lasdon Park, and put the Wappingers Falls and Nyack parades on your calendar.

Our best advice: Start planning now. Nearly all require advance tickets and most sell out.

Don't forget to sign up for our newsletters to stay updated on all things Halloween-related.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parties in Westchester and Rockland

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 07/17/2016 - 4:00pm

Many fans of Harry Potter are eagerly anticipating the long-awaited release of the new series installment—Harry Potter and the Cursed Child—scheduled to launch at midnight on July 31. To help usher in this momentous occasion, some bookstores and libraries are rolling out the red carpet with festive celebrations. We’ve rounded up a bunch happening in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley to help you get your Harry glow on. (While exact details haven’t been announced, we’re holding out hope for exploding bon-bons or fizzing whizzbees.)

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual aficionado, you’ll find both midnight events and others by day. So don your robe, grab your phoenix feather wand and get ready to Apparate to the nearest venue!

To stay up to date with the latest activities, be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

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.