Say bye-bye to boredom this summer with these free outdoor activities around Westchester that are sure to put a smile on your kids’ faces and keep your wallet stress-free. While all of these activities are free, many locations are funded by donations, so if you love a spot be sure to show your gratitude!
White Plains Hospital Screening Under the Stars
Kenisco Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Glen Island Park, New Rochelle
There’s no better way to spend a summer night than with an outdoor movie, especially when it’s free! This film series presented by White Plains Hospital has two upcoming shows: Inside Out 2 on Saturday, July 26 and Moana 2 on Saturday, August 23 (shown at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle). Start the fun earlier by arriving at 5 p.m. for some pre-show entertainment to make the most out of the evening before the movie begins at sundown. Refreshments will be available for sale, but moviegoers are encouraged to bring a picnic alongside a blanket or some folding chairs.
Programming at Scarsdale Public Library
Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Rd, Scarsdale; 914.722.1300
Escape the heat with free children’s programs available with a Westchester library card (card does not have to be Scarsdale-specific) this summer at the Scarsdale Public Library. Programs range from baby-centric to adults, so there’s truly something for everyone. The Children’s Summer Concert Series is a great activity for kids who love music, and Latin Lives: A Fun Latin Course for Kids is the perfect summer learning activity to keep their minds engaged while having a great time. Visit the program calendar on the library’s website to learn more about the above programs and others offered.
Farm Day
Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah; 914.864.7286
Spend the day muddied up at Muscoot Farm, where you can explore the 777 acres of the former dairy farm and hiking trails for free. Walk through the barn and around the animal enclosures to imagine what life was like on the historic farm. Buildings like the Icehouse and the Milk House make for great history lessons and interesting time capsules, as does the farm museum. Muscoot is a great spot for kids to play in the sun and catch a glimpse of farm life while learning about the historic Hudson Valley, all for free.
Bicycle Sundays
Bronx River Parkway between Exit 22 at the Westchester County Center to Exit 4 at Scarsdale Road in Yonkers; 914.231.4500
On Sundays throughout the summer (specific dates are listed on the website), the Bronx River Parkway is shut down and taken over by bicycle enthusiasts. If you’re an active family or just love to take a ride, bring your bike and a helmet to enjoy some Sunday morning movement. If wheels aren’t your thing, the area is also open to joggers and walkers looking to get outdoors. Take part in this long-held Westchester summer tradition and get biking!
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Explore the Outdoors
Nature Center at Greenburgh, 99 Dromore Rd, Scarsdale; 914.273.3470
While some parts of the Nature Center at Greenburgh require an admission fee or membership, the grounds are free for all. Head to the center’s Discovery Playground, where the forest setting creates an atmosphere for imaginations to run wild. Visit the vertebrae aviary to check out bald eagles, great horned owls, quails and more. If land dwellers are more your thing, then be sure to catch a glimpse of the goats, chickens, and two tortoises.
The grounds hold replicas of a Native American longhouse and wigwam, alongside 32 acres of trails (we recommend the blue trail, which makes for a great walk around wood frog pond for those not so keen on difficult hikes). If you’re a member or willing to pay admission, a guided butterfly tour opens in July at the native plant meadow.
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Outdoor Movies and Toddler Storytime
Old Croton Aqueduct State Park, 15 Walnut Street, Dobbs Ferry (Park Office, park entry is accessible from a number of locations); 914.693.5259
A visit to the Old Croton Aqueduct is a fun trip whether you hike through the park, ride bikes, or attend one of the free outdoor activities and programs. Dobbs Ferry Library holds story times for toddlers in the Keeper’s House, where the reading is accompanied by a small craft to create the perfect kid-friendly morning. Movies on the trail are a great fit for nighttime entertainment, with Home Alone and Frozen 2 coming up as part of the Winter in July movie nights. You can’t go wrong with the free entertainment and hiking options that make Old Croton Aqueduct State Park the hidden Hudson Valley gem it is.
High-Energy Activities
Cross Country Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers; 914.968.9570
Have a kid fighting cabin fever who needs to get some energy out? Take them to Summer Fest activities at Cross County Center, where Zumba classes and No-Limit Ninja Pop-Ups are the perfect way to expel some of that excitement. The outdoor activities are free and have several dates throughout the summer (weather dependent), making them the perfect regular family outing. Summer Fest concerts are also set to dominate a portion of the season at Cross County Center to help make the Yonkers destination a one-stop shop for family fun.
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