Are you looking for things to do with kids in Westchester this summer? There are so many kid friendly activities in Westchester from biking to hiking to visiting farm animals! Enough to keep your kids active and off their screens this summer! Below you will find 10 outdoor things to do with kids in Westchester this summer. We’ve also included a few indoor activities as well.
Outdoor Things to Do with Kids in Westchester
Go Biking with Kids at the Bronx River Parkway
Take your kids biking this Sunday! Bronx River Parkway is closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays from 10am-2pm. During Bicycle Sundays, the Bronx River Parkway will be closed to automobile traffic and is open exclusively for bicyclists, in-line skaters, scooters, walkers and joggers from Exit 22 at the Westchester County Center to Exit 4 at Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. The round-trip distance is 13 miles. Westchester County’s Bicycle Sundays will be held every Sunday from May through October – except Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Columbus Day weekends. Admission is free.
Bring the Kids to a Farm in Westchester
Bring the kids to a farm and spend the afternoon visiting the pigs, chicks and sheeps at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. Tickets are required for admissions to Stone Barns during visiting hours on Thursdays to Sundays from 11am-5pm. One day admission tickets to Stone Barns must be purchased online or if you are a Stone Barns Center member, campus visits are included with your membership. You can also visit your local Westchester library to borrow a Free Stone Barns Weekend pass. There are maps available for self guided tours of Stone Barns Center. Otherwise, if you prefer a guide, you can book a Field Trip at Stone Barns where a farmer will take you through an interactive walk around Stone Barns. If you are a foodie, you will enjoy the Culinary Edition Field Trips, where you will also watch a culinary demonstration by the Stone Barns Chef in Residence. For families with young children, exploring the property at your own pace is a fun activity. The Blue Hill Café and Grain Bar is closed but you can preorder lunch boxes for picnic lunches at Stone Barns. Stone Barns Center is at 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY (for GPS use Tarrytown, NY)
Kayak with Kids in Westchester
Spend the afternoon kayaking with kids in Westchester. Rent kayaks from Hudson River Recreation. Kayaks are available for rent from four Westchester kayak launch locations- Croton River, Rye Beach, Croton Point Park and Tarrytown Lakes. You can rent single kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes and Stand Up Paddle Boards from Hudson River Recreation. Hobie Pedal Boards are also available for rent in some Westchester locations. It’s a great way to introduce kayaking to young children or beginner kayakers who are looking for a relaxing afternoon of paddling. If you prefer a guide, you can book kayak tours from Hudson River Recreation. Kayak lessons and Stand Up Paddle Board lessons are also offered. You should book your kayak rentals or tours in advance as they do sell out.
Hudson River Recreation Westchester Locations:
- Croton River – Echo Canoe Kayak Launch: 3 Veterans Plaza, Croton-On-Hudson, NY
- Rye Town Park – 95 Dearborn Avenue, Rye, NY
- Croton Point Park– 1 Croton Point Ave, Croton-On-Hudson, NY
- Tarrytown Lakes Park– Tarrytown, New York
Bring the Kids to an Amusement Park in Westchester
For old-fashioned amusement park fun, bring the kids to Rye Playland Park! Think bumper cars, house of mirrors, dragon coaster, log flume and go-karts. Younger kids can enjoy Kiddyland rides like boat ride, carousel, and a kiddy coaster. Rye Playland Park is open Wednesdays to Sundays. You can buy your Rye Playland Park tickets online. Westchester residents can get a discount on Rye Playland Park tickets. Rye Playland Park at 1 Playland Parkway, Rye, New York
Spend the Day with the Kids at the Beach in Westchester
Spending the day at the beach is a fun, outdoor activity with kids in Westchester. Take the kids to the Beach at Rye Playland Park this summer. Admissions is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 5 to 11 and free for children age 5 and under. Parking is $10. There is a concessions stand or you can pack a cooler with snacks and drinks for your day at the beach. Rye Playland Park at 1 Playland Parkway, Rye, New York
There is also an adjacent beach that is ran by Rye Town Park where non-residents can buy a beach pass for the day. The 2021 Rye Town Park beach fee for non-residents 12 and older is $10 on weekdays, $15 on weekends and $20 on Holidays and the daily parking fee is $10/car on weekdays, $20/car on weekends and $25/car on Holidays. Rye City, Rye Brook, Port Chester or Rye Neck residents can can buy daily beach passes and season beach passes to Rye Town Park at a discounted rate. Rye Town Park is at 95 Dearborn Avenue, Rye, NY
Visit a Nature Center in Westchester
A visit to the Greenburgh Nature Center is a fun, outdoor activity with kids in Westchester. The Greenburgh Nature Center is located in Scarsdale, NY. If you want to stick with outdoor activities with the kids, there are a lot of outdoor things to do at the Greenburgh Nature Center. Your kids will enjoy visiting the sheep, goats and chicken in the barnyard. Or checking out the eagles, hawks, owl and raven. There is even a Native American Village replica complete with a life-sized wigwam! There are trails for hiking. All the trails at the Greenburgh Nature Center are less than a mile long so it is very manageable for hiking with kids. And of course a visit to the Greenburgh Nature Center is not complete without spending time at the Nature Discovery Playground. Pack a picnic lunch and have lunch at one of the picnic tables. If you are looking for outdoor things to do with kids in Westchester, a visit to Greenburgh Nature Center should be on your list! Greenburgh Nature Center is at 99 Dromore Rd. Scarsdale, NY.
Go Hiking with Kids in Westchester
Take your kids hiking in Westchester. Bring your kids to Rye Nature Center and explore the trails. There several trails at Rye Nature Center and all of them are less than a mile long, making it a very easy and manageable hike with your kids. Your kids will enjoy exploring the grounds at Rye Nature Center. Don’t forget to check out the pond at Rye Nature Center, home to turtles, frogs and dragonflies! The grounds, trails and playgrounds at Rye Nature Center is open daily from dusk to dawn daily. Don’t forget the bug spray! Rye Nature Center at 873 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY
Take Your Kids to a Lazy River in Westchester
Want to spend your afternoon floating down a lazy river in Westchester? Bring your kids to Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers, NY. Tibbetts Brook Park has a large aquatic complex, home to a lazy river! There is also a splash pad and pools with lap lanes! If you are looking for an outdoor activity with kids that is perfect for hot summer days, then definitely bring the kids to Tibbetts Brook Park. You have to be a Westchester resident to use the facilities at Tibbetts Brook Park and there are parking and swimming fees. Tibbetts Brook Park at 355 Midland Avenue, Yonkers, NY.
Take Your Kids to a Water Park in Westchester
Spend the day with your kids at a water park in Westchester County. Wilson’s Waves is a water park located in Wilson’s Woods which is one of the oldest parks in Westchester County. Your kids will love sliding down the 18 foot high water slides. What about swimming with the 3 foot waves at the wave pool at Willson’s Waves! If you have younger kids, they will enjoy running around the water playground’s fountains and sprays! Your kids will have a blast spending the day at this Westchester County water park! You have to be a Westchester County resident to enter the park and there are parking and swimming fees. Wilson’s Waves is in Wilson’s Woods Park at East Lincoln Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY
Watch an Outdoor Movie with Kids in Westchester
Bring the kids to watch an outdoor movie in Westchester County. Every Monday, you can catch an outdoor movie on the lawn at Ridge Hill. The outdoor movies at Ridge Hill are free and seating is on a first come/first served basis. Come early with your blankets and lawn chairs. There are food trucks and games starting at 7pm and the outdoor movies start at sunset. Your kids will enjoy watching an outdoor movie under the stars! The Ridge Hill Outdoor movies are all kid friendly (see below for outdoor movie schedule). Ridge Hill is located at One Ridge Hill Boulevard Yonkers, NY. Outdoor movies is at South Lawn, corner of Market Street and Lembo Street near Whole Foods Market
Ridge Hill Outdoor Movie Schedule
- July 5: The Lion King (2019)
- July 12: Trolls World Tour (2020)
- July 19: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- July 26: Godzilla vs. King Kong (2020)
- August 2: The Incredibles (2004)
- August 9: Captain Marvel (2019)
- August 16: Guardians of the Galazy (2014)
- August 23: Wonder Woman (2020)
- August 30: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
- September 6: Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
Indoor Things to Do with Kids in Westchester
Due to the Covid Pandemic, it is safer for kids to do outdoor activities in Westchester County. Please follow the CDC guidelines regarding masking and social distancing requirements.
Bring Your Kids to a Children’s Museum in Westchester
Take a break from the summer heat, bring the kids indoors to Westchester Children’s Museum. Younger kids will love the hands-on exhibitions. Kids can build roller coasters, experiment with the wind tube and there is even a toddler section for the little ones. Westchester Children’s Museum is open for play Thursday to Saturday with two sessions: 10am-12:30pm and 1:30-4pm. Westchester Children’s Museum will close for one hour to be cleaned and reset between sessions. Westchester Children’s Museum at 100 Playland Parkway, Rye, NY
Take Your Kids to a Planetarium in Westchester
Bring your kids to watch a planetarium show at the Hudson River Museum. Planetarium shows are available on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30pm and 2pm. The 12:30pm planetarium show is geared towards younger kids while the 2pm planetarium show is darker and more suitable for older kids. Tickets for the planetarium shows can be purchased in advance. You can also watch free planetarium shows on Fridays at 6pm through August 27. Masks are required at the Planetarium. Capacity is limited to 50%, you should buy your tickets in advance. Hudson River Museum at 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, NY.
Kid Friendly Activities in Westchester that are Currently Closed Due to the Covid Pandemic
The last time we checked, these kid friendly activities in Westchester are closed. We are listing it down here anyways, in case they open! Please check their websites for the latest update.
Journey to Colonial America at Philipsburg Manor
Step into life in 1750 New York- tour the manor house, check out the working gristmill, learn about the life stories of the Philipse family and the enslaved community. If you have kids learning about Colonial America, the Philipsburg Manor is definitely worth a visit. Philipsburg Manor is located at 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY. Due to the Covid Pandemic, Philipsburg Manor is currently closed. Please check their website for the latest update.
Take the Kids to a Sculpture Garden in Westchester
Take a stroll in the beautiful grounds at PepsiCo’s Global Headquarters in Purchase, NY. Admire the various sculptures by renowned artists like Joan Miro, Henry Moore, Max Ernst, and more. Don’t forget to check out the koi fish in the pond. Pack lunch, sit at a picnic table and enjoy the scenery. The PepsiCo sculpture garden is free and open to the public from March 30 to October 31 on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm. Don’t forget to download the PepsiCo App for sculpture descriptions and turn by turn directions. PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens at 700 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase, NY. Due to the Covid Pandemic, the PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens are closed. Please check their website for the latest.
Catch and release hundreds of critters into the Hudson River at Center for the Urban River at Beczak.
Bring your kids to the Center for the Urban River at Beczak in Sarah Lawrence College. This popular free Saturday program series is for kids ages 5-12. Each lesson includes a hands-on river exploration activity followed up by a take-home craft. All River Explorers programs are lead by educators from the Center for the Urban River at Beczak. A popular activity is the Hudson River Family Seining, designed for participants of all ages. Participants will drag a seine net into the river catching and releasing hundreds of critters. Registration to the River Explorers Program is required. Due to the Covid Pandemic, this program is currently on hold. Please check their website for the latest update.
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