These Are the Best Businesses for Westchester Kids in 2017

 

Kids’ Sleepwear

baby deedee
347.850.2313

Brooklyn transplant Dominique de Bourgknecht started baby deedee when she couldn’t find any suitable sleep sacks for her young kids. Today, the Port Chester-based company sells a line of cozy sleepwear that’s a hit with parents (and tired kids!) everywhere. Find the products at Silver Spoon (Bronxville), Miller’s (Mamaroneck), and Twinkle Toes Baby (Rye).

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New Kids’ Museum

Westchester Children’s Museum
100 Playland Pkwy, Rye; 914.421.5050

In the year since opening, more than 40,000 visitors have flocked to the Westchester Children’s Museum. No wonder — the 6,500 sq ft facility offers everything from a toddler “beach” to a build-your-own-roller-coaster station, a reading nook, areas for creativity and construction, and even a makerspace, with design, technology, and science activities.

 

New Music Class

Songs for Seeds*
11 Rye Ridge Plz, Rye Brook
2 Ogden Rd, Scarsdale
914.725.2441

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For a rockin’ experience, immerse your kids in Songs for Seeds, a weekly 45-minute music class for children, newborn to 6 years old. Through a series of interactive activities, your little ones will play instruments, sing, and dance along with a three-piece band. The program’s stellar teacher/musicians take students on a fun musical journey that is sure to amaze.

 

New Children’s Fest

Play 2 Learn Festival

Harrison Public Library
2 Bruce Ave, Harrison; 914.835.0324

Don’t tell the kids, but they can learn while they play. The HPL Play 2 Learn Festival features dozens of hands-on activities in eight play zones centered on creativity, science, music and dance, physical fitness, sensory experience, make-believe, construction, and technology. It’s a free event to be held this year in Riis Park, outside the Harrison library on Sunday, Sept 10, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

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Karate School

New York Goju Karate Academy
558 Warburton Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson; 914.478.0508

This karate academy goes beyond teaching moves and techniques. Its comprehensive approach also ensures that students of all ages understand the philosophy behind the moves. Plus, with classes broadcast live into the waiting room, parents don’t have to wait and wonder.

 

Place to Introduce Kids to Theater

Westchester Sandbox Theatre
931C E Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck; 914.630.0804

Got a budding thespian on your hands? The Westchester Sandbox Theatre should be your main-stage venue. The center produces 10 youth-theater shows each year, giving local acting wannabes plenty of chances to be onstage. Also available are acting lessons and school-break theater camps.

 

Classic Baby Boutique

Adrian East
122 Kraft Ave, Bronxville; 914.337.0475

Dress your little ones in the timeless, classic style of Prince George and Princess Charlotte from this designer children’s fashion boutique that’s the latest incarnation of erstwhile town fixture Fierson’s. Expect items from such esteemed designers as Kissy Kissy, Torres, Carriage Boutique, and David Charles.

 

Local Website for Parents

ParentNation

Westchester offers a wealth of options for just about everything kid-related. But where there are choices, there is confusion. That’s where ParentNation comes in. Developed by Scarsdale couple Renee and Josh Levine, the site offers advice and feedback from other parents on a wide range of local children’s services, like daycare centers, pediatricians, and birthday-party venues.

 

Kids’ Book Shop

Little Joe’s
25 Katonah Ave, Katonah; 914.232.7278

Tucked upstairs in a coffee shop serving fair-trade organic coffee and teas, a lovingly curated selection of classic and contemporary kids’ books awaits lucky little readers and adults who love them. Owners and Bedford Corners residents Peter and Gretchen Menzies select every book, with story times offered twice a month.

 

Vintage Toys

A Nu Toy Store
16 Main St, Tarrytown; 914.372.7144

Obsessed with Star Wars figurines from the ’70s? Love LEGO sets from the early ’90s? Seeking Smurfs or Fisher-Price originals? You’re in luck at this Tarrytown gem, open since 2008. You can also pick up newer brands, like Melissa & Doug, Hape, and Green Toys.

Photo by Ken Gabrielsen

Antidote for Restless Kids

Rockin’ Jump
333 N Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco
914.743.5730; mtkisco.rockinjump.com
Ridge Hill, 241 Market St, Yonkers
914.510.9119; ridgehill.rockinjump.com

Not only is the Rockin’ Jump trampoline park a destination for fabulous fun, it’s also inclusive. Its regularly scheduled “Sensory Jump Time,” for kids with special needs, is free of crowds, low on sound and banishes the need to wear the requisite Rockin’ Jump socks. Looking for that elusive perfect kid’s gift? A Rockin’ Jump gift card rocks!

 

*Yes, We Know It’s a Chain, But…

Readers’ Picks 2017

Kids

After-School Program

Breaking Ground Dance Center 
101 Castleton St, Pleasantville
914.747.3150

 

Baby Clothes

Denny’s Childrenswear
969 Central Ave #D, Scarsdale
914.722.6077

 

Baby Gifts

hip-kid
77 S Greeley Ave, Chappaqua
914.861.2710

Bicycle Shop

Danny’s Cycles
1922 E Main St, Mohegan Lake
(plus four other county locations)
914.526.2600

 

Bookstore

Scattered Books 
29 King St, Chappaqua
914.529.8013

 

Boys’ Clothes

hip-kid
77 S Greeley Ave, Chappaqua
914.861.2710

 

Children’s Library

Ossining Public Library 
53 Croton Ave, Ossining
914.941.2416

 

Children’s Theater

ARC Stages
147 Wheeler Ave, Pleasantville
914.747.6206

 

College Prep

Riseman Educational Consulting, LLC
55 Taxter Rd, Irvington
914.715.9725

 

Dance School

Academy of Dance Arts
11 Clearbrook Rd, Elmsford
914.741.5678

 

Dining With Kids

Wobble Café
21 Campwoods Rd, Ossining
914.762.3459

 

Girls’ Clothes

Lester’s
18 Rye Ridge Plz, Rye Brook
914.908.5688

 

Martial Arts School

Go No Sen Karate
28 Welcher Ave, Peekskill
914.734.2461

 

Music School

Music Conservatory of Westchester 
216 Central Ave, White Plains 914.761.3900

 

Party Clothes

All About the Dress
480 Main St, Armonk
914.219.5300

 

Party Place

Breaking Ground Dance Center 
101 Castleton St, Pleasantville
914.747.3150

 

Pre-School

The Chapel School
172 White Plains Rd, Bronxville
914.337.3202

 

Private School

Hackley School
293 Benedict Ave, Tarrytown
914.366.2600

 

Public School District

Irvington UFSD
40 N Broadway, Irvington
914.591.8500

 

Sports Classes

World Seido Karate Organization
1 Parkway Plz II, Elmsford 914.909.5000

 

Sports Facility

OnTrack Sports Center 
29 S Depot Plz, Tarrytown
914.909.2974

 

Summer Day Camp

Summer Trails Day Camp
93 Mahopac Ave, Granite Springs
914.245.1776

 

Place to Take the Kids

Grand Prix New York
333 N Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco
914.241.331

 

Teen Fashion

Yogi’s Paw & Evolution 
141 Main St, Mount Kisco
914.864.0386

 

Toy Store

Miller’s 
335 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck
914.698.5070

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