Photo by Ravanelli Photography
New Kids’ Shop
Rye; www.sammyandnat.com
This upscale boutique showcases welcome alternatives to ho-hum department-store offerings with its charming mix of sweet baby gifts and cool yet classic kids’ fashions. An outgrowth of the adorable Sammy + Nat children’s brand, it features that line, plus other select, handpicked brands. Many monogram options, too.
Kids’ Clothes for Any Style
Katonah; www.andjameskatonah.com
Here’s a perfectly curated store selling the hottest kids’ brands, like Bella Bliss (for the prepsters), Pink Chicken (for the Gotham fashionistas), trendy tween lines, such as Stella Cove and Spiritual Gangster, and natural/organic styles from Bella Tunno and Milkbarn. In addition to coveted kids’ clothing, &JAMES has glamorous trunk shows for tweens, flower-crown-making events, and in-store family portraits.
Museum Program for Crafty Kids
Katonah; www.katonahmuseum.org
Young or young at heart, here’s how to do the Learning Center: Grab an “Imagine It!” bag of drawing/building materials and prompts to use as you walk through the galleries. Then visit the Center afterward for a self-guided, exhibit-themed craft project with oodles of supplies, a display area to add to, a touch wall, and other activities. Finally, curl up on a beanbag with related books and videos.
Kids’ Optical Selection
Scarsdale/Armonk; www.eyedesignsofwestchester.com
Sure, one can find unique designers and on-trend styles for adults at Eye Designs, but it’s also the premier location to find kids’ styles. With lines that come in impossible-to-break designs, the store offers a warranty package, so whether it’s scratched lenses or lost frames, Eye Designs will handle it.
Kids’ Clothing
Scarsdale; www.wyattlily.com
Wyatt Lily offers a taste of NYC in their large Scarsdale boutique with upscale clothing in sizes infant to 14 years for boys and girls. It’s the go-to place for hard-to-find yet ultra-trendy pieces. “Our look is little-girl chic, which makes it cool for moms, too,” says owner Rachel Uchitel. “Is it your daughter’s or yours?”
Photo by Laurie Murariu
STEAM Classes
Scarsdale; www.thedae.com
The after-school workshops at the DAE encourage budding young scientists and engineers to explore STEAM-inspired topics, such as computer programming/coding, 3D printing, graphic design, audio, video & VFX production, game design, digital drawing, Web development, physical computing, and more, in a hands-on, project-focused way.
Kids’ Sports Training Facility
Ardsley; www.houseofsportsny.com
At 120,000 square feet, House of Sports is the New York Metro area’s largest sports complex, chock-full of exactly what every sports-nut Westchester kid wants: top-notch facilities for basketball, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, and hockey. The complex offers many options, including open play, sports classes, training camps, adult leagues, and birthday parties.
Murals
White Plains; www.sabrinasmurals.com
From outer space to sports to fairy-tale scenes, muralist Sabrina Crowley can make your child’s (and your) wildest design dreams come true. Her son, Joey, was her inspiration to spread joy through this type of art (his mural was her first) — which she can create in bedrooms, playrooms, and nurseries, plus communal areas, like schools and businesses.
Photo courtesy of One River School of Art + Design
Kids’ Art Classes
Hartsdale/Larchmont; www.oneriverschool.com
Founded with the goal of bringing cool art schools to the suburbs, One River’s mission is to deliver an art-education experience that is both fun and current. With two locations in Westchester, students — whether kids, teens, or adults — can enjoy classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art, photography, and filmmaking. Summer and school-break camps add to One River’s appeal.
New Toy Store
Ossining; www.pennyandting.com
When you walk into a toy store and feel the magic, a place where charm and cool coexist, you know it. The space is a warm hug of first-rate name- and boutique-brand toys (don’t miss the Ravensburger 3D puzzles), books both classic and new, Wupper bouncy mobiles, games, stuffed animals, and art supplies that color outside the lines, hand-picked by a former educator.
Photo by Robin Eden
Eco-Friendly Kids’ Toys
Mount Kisco; www.alltogethernowkids.com
At All Together Now, parents can reduce their carbon footprints while raising children with environmentally friendly toys they can enjoy playing with and feel great about. Choices include modeling clay with fruit and vegetable coloring, wooden toys made from recycled materials, and plastic toys that are BPA-free.
Global Toys and Gifts
Rye; www.threegoms.com
Art meets action figures at this eye-popping toy, stationary, and gift shop offering super-cool goods from across the globe. While high-end pens and markers can be purchased at this hip shop, the stars are the utterly unique plushes, art toys, and figurines.
After-School Program
Ossining; www.mikeriskomusicschool.com
Baby Clothes
Tuckahoe; www.lilchameleon.com
Baby Gifts
Bronxville; www.silverspoongifts.com
Bicycle Shop
Scarsdale (plus four other county locations); www.dannyscycles.com
Bookstore
Chappaqua; www.scatteredbooks.com
Boys’ Clothes
Chappaqua; www.hip-kid.com
Children’s Library
Elmsford; www.greenburghlibrary.org
Dance School
Pleasantville; www.breakinggrounddance.com
Dining With Kids
Tarrytown; www.littlebstarrytownny.com
Girls’ Clothes
Chappaqua; www.hip-kid.com
Martial Arts Schools
Eastchester; www.balancedmartialarts.com
Music School
Ossining; www.mikeriskomusicschool.com
Party Clothes
Armonk; www.allaboutthedressny.com
Party Place
Mount Kisco; www.gpny.com
Preschool
Bronxville; www.thechapelschool.org
Private School
Tarrytown; www.hackleyschool.org
Public School District
Briarcliff Manor; www.briarcliffschools.org
Sports Facility
Ardsley; www.houseofsportsny.com
Summer Day Camp
Purchase; www.summertech.net
Take the Kids
Rye; www.playlandpark.org
Teen Fashion
Larchmont
Photo courtesy of Toy Box
Toy Store
Mamaroneck; www.toyboxmamaroneckny.com