Mamaroneck

Learn, Play & Grow: 10 Westchester Spots with Enrichment Classes for Babies

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 04/15/2018 - 4:25pm

Westchester has tons of classes for kids of all ages—and babies are no exception. Whether you’re interested in introducing your little one to yoga and gymnastics, or even have her start learning a foreign language, you’ll find something in our area. Here we’ve rounded up a few classes to try, for babies anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months old.

Looking for even more first-year fun? Read our round-up of Mommy & Me music classes—and be sure to check out our Event Calendar for daily events.

8 Art Studios and Centers for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 03/11/2018 - 5:25pm

Whether you’re in the “please don’t color on the walls” phase or your tween in serious about honing her painting skills, you’ll find a creative and enriching art class available in Westchester. The best part? There are classes for any and all interests—from painting and cartooning to clay-making and silk screening.

We’ve rounded up places in our area where kids can get creative. Have a writer or musician instead? We’ve got them covered too. Check out our full Classes Guide for even more picks.

8 Bakeries Making Outrageous Birthday Cakes for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 01/17/2018 - 4:31pm

Kids’ birthday parties have become way more elaborate than when we were kids, with large guest lists and elaborate entertainment. Birthday cakes have stepped up their game, too. While some parents opt for simplicity, like buying a sheet cake from the supermarket or Carvel, there’s a definite market for sensational cakes with a heftier price tag.

Below we’ve rounded up Westchester bakeries that have the chops to create cakes worthy of The Food Network. Whether you seek a simple layer cake frosted in buttercream or a three-tiered tower adorned with elaborate fondant figurines, these shops—pardon the expression—really take the cake!

Read on for the skinny and sign up for our e-newsletters to stay in the know about all kinds of resources for Westchester families!

Where to Host an Indoor Birthday Party for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 12/10/2017 - 4:00pm

While the weather outside means that park and pool parties are a no-go right now, it doesn’t mean that kids can’t have a blast celebrating inside. And trust us: There are no shortage of places for Westchester kids to get their party on—whether the birthday boy or girl wants to jump on trampolines, bake cookies, do yoga or race go-karts.

Here, we’ve put together a list with choices for a variety of ages (and invite lists)—from preschoolers to tweens and teens. Looking for even more options? Check out our full Party Planning Guide or head straight to our directory.

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.

25 Cool and Free Halloween Programs for Kids in Westchester

Submitted by Janine Annett on Fri, 10/13/2017 - 4:30pm

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

Below we’ve listed more than two dozen places with fun Halloween programs. Best of all—they’re all FREE! (And, OK, there are some 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 events.

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.

4th of July Fireworks: Where to Celebrate with Families in Westchester

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 4:00pm

Independence Day is right around the corner, and that means summer fun, barbecues and, of course, stunning pyrotechnics. Fireworks go hand in hand with the 4th of July, so the big question is, where to see a show?

The famous Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is one option (and we have the best spots to watch with your family); however, if you prefer to stay closer to home, there are great displays happening all over Westchester. Some celebrations take place before the holiday, and often the fireworks come with fairs, festivals, and concerts, so there's lots to do and see. Read on for where to catch the best 4th of July fireworks in Westchester.

Looking for more ways to spend your summer? Sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook!

Westchester's Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in June & July

Submitted by Alison Reiser on Wed, 06/14/2017 - 10:00am

Grab a blanket, picnic dinner, and maybe event a glass of wine because whether you go to work or drive the camp carpool, a free concert in the park is just the thing to end your day on a relaxing note. Here in Westchester, we're lucky enough to have many of our parks on the waterfront, and you'd be hard-pressed to beat that view at sunset.

This summer, towns around the county are hosting bands playing everything from rock to jazz to country to Cuban. How's that for variety? While most of these are completely free, a few do charge a small fee for parking.

Looking for more summer fun? Consult our Event Calendar and our Summer Activity Guide, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter.

6 Parks in Westchester Great for Birthday Parties

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 05/12/2017 - 4:00pm

The warm weather is here, which makes it a great time to host an outdoor birthday party. But what if you don’t want the inconvenience, or don’t have the space, to host a bunch of high-energy kids at your house? One of our local parks can be a great option.

Whether you’re looking to have a small party or a big bash, there are lots of parks in the area to accommodate your needs—and many have tons of fun amenities too, from splash pads to playgrounds to soccer fields. Here, we’ve rounded up six of our favorite.

Looking for even more fun birthday party ideas? Sign up for our newsletters!