2023 December Break: Activities for Kids in Westchester
Staying local for December break? There are tons of fun things to do in Westchester (and the surrounding area) where you and your kids can have the ultimate stayaction. From skiing to bowling to visits to the city, check out some of our go-to event picks and ideas to help you to make the most of your kids’ school break.
Psst…looking for more fun things to do? Check out our daily calendar that’s packed with fun event ideas!
Bowling
Enjoy some indoor fun at local bowling alley. In Westchester, check out Bowlero in White Plains; Homefield Bowl in Yonkers; Jefferson Valley Lanes in Jefferson Valley; and Monster Mini Golf in Yonkers.
Ice Skating
There are many indoor and outdoor rinks where you and your family can go ice skating. This includes the Brewster Ice Arena (63 Fields Lane, Brewster, NY 10509); Ebersole Ice Rink (110 Lake Street, Delfino Park, White Plains, NY. 914-422-1390); Murray’s Skating Center (348 Tuckahoe Road, Yonkers, NY 914-377-6469); Ice Hutch Rink (655 Garden Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY. 914-699-6787); and the Westchester Skating Academy (91 Fairview Park Drive, Elmsford, NY. 914-347-8232). Additionally, check out Bear Mountain (3020 Seven Lakes Drive, Tomkins Cove, NY 10986) for outdoor skating.
Skiing
Enjoy a weekend away or a day trip at a nearby ski area. Thunder Ridge in Patterson has 22 trails, three chairlifts, and four magic carpets as well as seasonal and daily lessons for kids age four and up. They also have a Mommy (or Daddy) and Me lessons for kids ages 4-5 where kids can learn more about the sport and start to get comfortable on the snow (Thunder Ridge Ski Area, 137 Birch Hill Rd, Patterson, NY 12563. 845-878-4100).
Additionally, families can check out the Victor Constant Ski Area. Here, they offer lessons for very young kids (they must be potty-trained) where they will learn how to use the equipment and balance. (Victor Constant Ski Area, 732 Victor Constant Road, West Point, NY 10996).
Museums
Enjoy some indoor interactive fun at one of the many nearby Westchester Museums. The Westchester Children’s Museum is great for kids ages 0-12 who will enjoy a range of hands-on and STEAM-based exhibits as well as special events on the weekend (100 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580). For modern art exhibits, check out the Katonah Museum of Art.
In the winter, they have a Young Artists Exhibit. This showcases the art of high school seniors from public and private schools. (134 Jay Street Katonah, NY 10536, 914-232-9555).
Kids of all ages will love experiencing the annual Bricktacular Winter Wonderland Event at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Held until January 1st, kids will love seeing giant holiday LEGO builds. Plus, enjoy a holiday scavenger hunt, LEGO ornament building, a hot chocolate bar, and much more! Ridge Hill, 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10710.
See a Broadway Show
Take a trip to the city to see a fun Broadway show. Some ideas for older kids include Kimberly Akimbo, Six, Hamilton, and & Juliet. Younger kids will enjoy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Wicked, Lion King, Aladdin, and Back to the Future, to name a few current musicals.
Running until January 1st
2023 Grand Holiday Illumination
Visit Untermyer Gardens during their annual Grand Holiday Illuminations. This free event features more than 100,000 holiday lights in this fun walk-through experience. Running until January 1st from 4:30pm- 8:00pm, no reservations are required. Additionally, this illuminated holiday experience is open on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Untermyer Gardens, 945 North Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701.
Running until January 1st
Holiday Bricktacular
Visit LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester with your kids to enjoy a fun-filled holiday event. This includes a meet-and-greet with the LEGOLAND gingerbread man, lego holiday building, photo with their larger-than-life LEGO snowman, Christmas tree, and presents, a scavenger hunt, ornament building, and much more. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, Ridge Hill Mall, 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10710
Friday, December 22nd-Sunday, January 7th, various times
Anastasia
Take the kids to see a Broadway-style production right in Westchester with the musical, Anastasia. This dazzling musical is based on 1997 animated movie that follows Anya, a brave young woman who is on a path to discovery as she uncovers a mystery. Ticket prices and times vary. White Plains Performing Arts Center.
Friday, December 22nd-Sunday, January 7th; Wednesdays to Sundays 12:00-pm-6:00 pm
Paleyland
Take a trip to the city to enjoy a day of immersive holiday fun at Paleyland. Held at The Paley Museum, this annual holiday event includes tons of ways to celebrate until January. Families can enjoy photos opportunities with Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Hermey the Elf, and more. There are also special meet and greets with My Little Pony, The Harlem Globetrotters, DreamWorks Trolls, Snoopy, Gabby’s Dollhouse, and Rosie’s Rules. Plus, enjoy a packed schedule of holiday screenings (various dates and times), including Elmo’s World: “Happy Holidays”; A Rugrats Kwanzaa; A Charlie Brown Christmas; Mickey Saves Christmas; Doctor Who Holiday Specials, and more.
Kids and families will also love seeing The Paley Express, a magical holiday train display that features wintery scenes from NYC to the suburbs. Additionally, families can enjoy free hot chocolate, giveaways, and holiday arts and crafts such as ornament making, puppets, and the chance to write a letter to Santa.
Throughout the space, you’ll also find places to take special holiday photos, including a candy cane backdrop and Santa’s sled. Additionally, families can enjoy gaming with over 65 games and VR experiences at the PaleyGX Gaming Studio. Note: add-ons such as the Santa Photo are $10 per person (Members are free) and gaming is $10 per person (Family members are free). Check out their website for specific dates and times of screenings and visits from Santa. The Paley Museum, 25 W 52 Street, NYC.
Running Until December 31st
Peace, Love, and Lights
Experience a magical illuminated experience at the iconic Bethel Woods. Enjoy this experience from November 24th-26th; November 30th-December 3rd; December 7th-10th and daily from December 14th-31st. This includes festive areas such as New York; Holidays Around The World; Snowflake Alley; Christmas; Candy Cane Lane; Enchanted Forest; and an ode to their historic site, Groovy Way. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts 200 Hurd Road, Bethel, NY, 12720.
Running until Sunday, January 7th from 10:00am-11:00am
The Great Holiday Train Show from the New Castle Historical Society (Chappaqua)
Join the New Castle Historical Society for this annual family holiday tradition. Families can see this historic 19th-century summer residence of Horace Greeley that is decorated for the holidays with running train displays in each of their period rooms. This year also includes some new additions with Harry Potter LEGO scenes of Hogwarts Express, Platform 9¾ and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Additionally, enjoy viewing a six-foot tall custom-made holiday tree train that runs on six levels. Visit the holiday gift shop to purchase train-themed items, candy, and more! Admission is $10 for members; $16 for non-members; and $9 for children ages 8 and under. New Castle Historical Society – Horace Greeley House, 100 King Street, Chappaqua, NY 10514.
