Pelham

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.

Workouts for Westchester Families to Try Together

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 2:33pm

While there are lots of Mommy and Me classes to take in Westchester, they’re usually geared towards the under-5 set. But what if you’re looking to spend time trying a fitness activity with your kids, like swimming or yoga, once they’ve made their way to elementary school? We’ve got those too!

Here are a few places in where families can work up a sweat together. The best part? You’ll get in a workout, kids will see firsthand the importance of staying healthy and active—and everyone will have fun.

Prefer to workout solo? Check out a list of gyms in the area with on-site childcare.

Give Active Kids a Place to Move at these New Westchester Sports Programs

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 02/02/2018 - 4:27pm

We know all too well how easy it is to feel cooped up during winter. Fortunately, there’s a slew of brand-new sports-related gyms and programs that just became available for Westchester families—offering plenty of alternatives to jumping on the couch cushions for the 1,000th time. There are even options for all ages, many with classes, parties, drop-ins and drop-offs.

Read on for the scoop on new places to get pumped, burn off steam and have fun! If you haven’t yet signed up for our newsletters, be sure to do so now to continually receive news like this and more!

What to Do on New Year's Eve with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Melissa Kagan on Sun, 12/24/2017 - 10:15am

Think shelling out big bucks for a babysitter, staying home or navigating through massive crowds, and keeping everyone awake until half-past-meltdown are your only options to ring in the New Year when you’re a parent? Think again! We’ve identified fun ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve during daylight hours. We’ve even thrown in a couple free, late-night options for older kids.

Our Event Calendar also includes other activities happening on December 31, as well as free New Year’s celebrations for kids the last few days of December. To stay in the know, sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

Drop-In: Where Westchester Kids Have Indoor Fun on a Moment’s Notice

Submitted by Janine Annett on Fri, 12/08/2017 - 8:00pm

If you and your kids are feeling cooped up during the cold weather, we have some good news: Westchester offers plenty of places where kids can bounce, jump, climb, play and explore.

We've gathered a big list of locations where you can take the kids to let off some steam. No planning? No problem. Most require no advance registration to attend or have open hours where you can stay and play for a while.

For even more ideas for winter activities, make sure to check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook!

FREE Bilingual Story Times for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 04/27/2017 - 10:00am

Because a public library’s mission is to serve the varying interests of its community, it’s fitting that many offer bilingual programming for children, especially in towns with diverse communities. Bilingual programming for Westchester families, however, is often attended not only by native speakers but also by those wishing to expose their children to a second language from an early age. One local mom we know strategically hired a Spanish-speaking nanny for her toddler and brought him to Spanish story time to increase this exposure.

Beyond the 30 to 60 minutes of weekly immersion, these programs can also provide a cultural hub—an opportunity for families to connect with others from their heritage and socialize both within and outside of the library setting. And since most are intended for young learners accompanied by a caregiver, you're sure to pick up some new phrases yourself!

We’ve explored the bilingual programs offered by Westchester libraries to round up some highlights. Though Spanish-language programs are the most abundant, a variety of languages are in focus—and one in particular offers a smattering of more than 20 languages, from Dutch to Urdu and Ashanti! One note: Although we confirmed with the libraries that these are ongoing programs, be sure to check before you go because dates can change.

Best Barbershops for Boys' Haircuts in Lower Westchester

Submitted by Erin Blakeley on Mon, 03/27/2017 - 10:00am

Gone are the days when you could snip your son’s hair in the comfort of your own kitchen. Today’s boys have big ideas about how to groom their locks, and mom’s scissors no longer seem to cut it. From celebrity-inspired faux hawks and high fades to styles that are just like dad’s, there’s so much more to boy hair than buzz cuts and bangs! Check out our list of the best places in lower Westchester to bring in your dude for a new ‘do.

Looking for more ways to stay in the know? Sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

Best Spots for Irish Breakfast with Kids in Westchester County

Submitted by Erin Blakeley on Fri, 03/17/2017 - 11:00am

You've set your leprechaun traps, baked your soda bread, and dug out all the green clothing from your closet. In other words, you're ready for St. Patrick's Day. While there are a number of family-friendly activities for St. Patrick's Day in Westchester County, you can also get your Irish on by taking your wee lads and lasses to a proper Irish breakfast.

Ireland's signature dish has something for everyone: eggs, beans, grilled tomato, and enough pork products to last a lifetime. So if you're thinking of skipping the St. Patrick's Day parade and heading straight to a kid-friendly brunch, these are the best spots in Westchester to settle in for the top o' the mornin'.

February Winter Break Camps for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Thu, 02/09/2017 - 4:00pm

It seems as if we've finally adjusted to being back from holiday break when it's time to start planning for the next week off from school! Whether you need to work or are just having a Westchester staycation, a school-break camp can be a great way for kids to spend their week off from the grind.

Whether your child enjoys sports or art (or both), Westchester is full of choices, and we've rounded up some of our favorites here. Be sure to sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the latest events, classes, news and more happening in Westchester, and follow us on Facebook!

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.