Place to Introduce Your Kids to Golf
The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
Westchester Golf Range
701 Dobbs Ferry Rd, White Plains
(917) 566-4120
www.thefirstteemetny.org
If your child shows any interest in becoming the next Tiger Woods or Lexi Thompson, sign him or her up immediately for The First Tee. Probably the most affordable kids’ sports program in Westchester (just $30 for a seven-week session!), the program teaches golf fundamentals—along with sportsmanship and life skills—in a fun and welcoming environment.
Family-Friendly Holiday Event
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland
Kensico Dam
One Bronx River Pkwy, Valhalla
(914) 231-4600; www.wwinterwonderland.com
Each year, between late November and early January, Kensico Dam transforms into a family-friendly outdoor holiday extravaganza. Cool features include a New York Rangers ice-skating rink, ice-sculpting demos, amusement rides, choreographed light shows, holiday shopping, yummy food booths, and the all-important visit with Santa.
Children’s Boutique
Expect Natural
774 N Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills
(914) 242-4685; www.expectnatural.com
This adorable shop for the wee ones features a lovingly curated assemblage of eco-friendly and handmade clothing, toys, and gifts by proprietor Ayo Hart. She’s co-founder of the Dolphin Organics line, also sold here, which she started so her own kids could keep clean without harsh chemicals. (The Padhma Cupcake Beanie? Just too cute!)
Tween/Teen Special-Occasion Boutique
All About the Dress
480 Main St, Armonk
(914) 219-5300; www.allaboutthedressny.com
Is your daughter having a bat mitzvah, sweet 16, or prom? This fab boutique, owned by savvy local moms, guarantees stress- and meltdown-free shopping for even the fussiest mini-stylista with its well-edited selection of designer special-occasion frocks that hit the sweet spot between trendy and traditional.
Day Camp
Camp Nabby
1 Nabby Hill, Mohegan Lake
(914) 528-7796; www.campnabby.com
An emphasis on “sports with smarts” makes for happy campers at an immaculately maintained and managed 17-acre haven for kids ages 3 1/2 to 13. Unique attractions like Ranger Rick’s Nature Center help balance play with fun learning. A brand-new Olympic-size pool opened the 2016 season with a splash.
Family-Fun Destination
MADE: my art + design experience
118 W Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck
(914) 341-1922; www.madeartstudio.com
This bright studio offers something for artists of all ages: canvas painting, mosaics, and pottery-throwing for roughly $22/person. Customize your little Rembrandt’s next birthday party with a project that balances technique with hands-on fun. Kids’ night out, adult night, and drop-off workshops make MADE Westchester’s one-stop art spot.
Kids’ Swimming Lessons
Aqua Tots Program at Swim Tank
45 W Red Oak Ln, West Harrison
(914) 694-3289; www.aquatots123.com
Whether you have an infant or toddler learning how to swim, a Kindergartener trying to overcome his or her fear of water, or a preteen interested in stroke development, Aqua Tots is the place to be for individualized instruction at affordable prices. Another plus: The stand-alone facility in Harrison is devoted entirely to swimming lessons (unlike your neighborhood Y or health club).
Bargain Birthday Party
Muscoot Farm
51 Rte 100, Katonah
(914) 864-7286; muscootfarm.org/party/birthday.html
Looking for an old-fashioned birthday party for your child, where they can just run around with their friends in the great outdoors? A celebration at Muscoot fits that bill and throws in the farm animals, to boot. It’s certainly not high-tech or extravagant, but you can invite the whole class, and the price can’t be beat: Outdoor parties (which include five reserved picnic tables) are $50; indoor parties (in the Activity Center) are $125; and hayrides are $75.
Theater Under the Sky
Theater in the Sanctuary at Westmoreland Sanctuary
260 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Mount Kisco
(914) 666-8448; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org
For a truly immersive art experience outdoors, we love the innovation of Westmoreland Sanctuary’s Theatre in the Sanctuary. Past productions have included Into the Woods, and, this season, The Wizard of Oz raises the curtain on July 22 to 24 and 29 to 31. We’re looking forward to lots of Munchkins, witches, and maybe even flying monkeys!
Mommy-Approved Baby Food
Fresh Bellies
The farm-to-table movement has reached baby food with Scarsdale mom Saskia Sorrosa’s line of seasonal purées for babes. The products, which are sold at area farmers’ markets and select Mrs. Green’s, are locally sourced and organic (when possible) and contain no added salt or sugar. They taste so good, you may find yourself sneaking a jar even after baby’s been fed.
Indoor Playspace
Rockin’ Jump
333 N Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco
(914) 743-5730; mtkisco.rockinjump.com
Kids of all ages (that means you, too, Dad!) can safely jump to their heart’s content at this indoor trampoline park where birthdays are a blast. Proof of the fun is in the squeals emanating from each jumping station: the Open Jump area, Dodge Arena, Foam Pit, and Slam Dunk Zone (think trampoline basketball). Even parents get royal treatment—comfy armchairs or massage chairs to relax and watch.
Hangout for Kids
3rd Universe Comics
35 N Riverside Ave, Croton-on-Hudson
(914) 827-3600; www.3rduniverse.com
At this café-like comic-book store, kids can join like-minded geeks to play face-to-face games, including Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and Pokemon. There are also card-trading opportunities, plenty of books to read, and teens teaching others how to play new games. Owner Bryan Deyo puts out healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, hummus, and carrots. And if your child can’t break away from the screen, there are computers for Minecraft and big-screen TVs for Super Smash Brothers tournaments, too.
