Westchester is not only a wonderful place to live with families; it surprisingly has a lot of free and engaging things to do for kids of all ages. From nature hikes to tennis, to fireworks and so much more, Westchester has much to offer kids and families. As you venture out of your town, you’ll find so many exciting things to do!
Psst… Check out Calendar Highlights: Family-Friendly Events Around Town!
Explore Muscoot Farm in Katonah to see farm animals and learn more about this former dairy farm. Pick up some fresh fruit, vegetables, and local goodies from their farmers market every Sunday. Free admission, 51 Route 100 Katonah, New York 1053.
Enjoy one of the many area beaches in Westchester County where you can spend the day at Rye Playland (Friday nights in the summer also include fireworks), Glen Island Park, or at Croton Point Park. Free admission; however, some beaches have parking fees.
There are so many incredible hikes in Westchester for novice explorers to newbies. Some great places for kids include Teatown in Ossining, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, Westmoreland Sanctuary in Mount Kisco, or the peaceful Mianus River Gorge in Bedford. Free admission.
Enjoy a scenic bike ride on the Bronx River Parkway. This 807-acre park includes three paved areas ranging from a one-mile loop to a five-mile loop. In the summer, enjoy Summer Sundays, which includes access on a 13.1-mile loop of the Bronx River Parkway from White Plains to Yonkers. Free admission.
Whether you still call it the Tappazen or the newly minted Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, one thing is for sure you and your family will enjoy a long stroll or bike ride on this 3.6-mile path. Along the way, you can also enjoy six lookout sections and public art created by local artists. Free admission. I-287, Tarrytown, NY 10591
A Yonkers staple, the Hudson River Museum offers an incredible collection of summer concerts and activities in their outdoor amphitheater. Free admission, 511 Warburton Avenue Yonkers, NY 10701
Take a stroll in nature and soak in the beauty of Untermyer Gardens. They host family programming, including storytime and adventure tours for kids. Free admission, 945 North Broadway, Yonkers NY 10701
Have a picnic at the Friends of the Rockefeller State Preserve, where you can enjoy impressive views and art from their on-site gallery. Free admission, 125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY 10570
While you do need a ticket to see a concert at Caramoor, they do have Open Grounds Days where you can explore their grounds, enjoy a picnic, experience their sound art, and soak in the beauty of their gardens. Free admission, 149 Girdle Ridge Rd, Katonah, NY 10536
Local libraries in Westchester are the go-to place for local events for kids of all ages. The Chappaqua Library hosts regular storytimes or fantastic kids’ programming at The Katonah Village Library like yoga, STEM challenges, and storytime, or exploration, storytime at the Bedford Hills Library, or movement at the Harrison Public Library. Free admission
The go-to book event is the place to explore and meet your kids’ favorite author. While you do have to purchase books, the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival offers tons of free programming during their event, including author readings, meet and greets with characters, and enjoy activities in their family zone. Free admission, 108 Allen Pl, Chappaqua, NY 10514.
Learn more about nature at the Greenburgh Nature Center. They also have five marked trails to explore that weave through a beautiful pond. Free admission,
Enjoy music all summer at one of the many Westchester Outdoor Concerts. This includes concerts in Mount Kisco, White Plains, New Rochelle, Yonkers, Armonk, and Ossining.
Walk the Armonk Art Show and explore art and meet with artists. Free admission, Friends of the North Castle Public Library 19 Whippoorwill Road East, Armonk, NY 10504.
For even more art, explore the Katonah Art Walk to check out local galleries and boutiques. Free admission, Katonah, NY.
See the Dino-Mite exhibit at Lasdon Park and walk through a path featuring larger-than-life dinosaurs. Free admission, Katonah, NY.
Watch the sunset at Pierson Park in Tarrytown, overlooking the Hudson River. Fee admission, 238 W Main St, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Take a free tennis lesson at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck. Free admission, 123 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck, NY 10543.
Explore the PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens featuring incredible sculptures and art. Free admission. 700 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase, NY 10577
Enjoy the grounds at Stone Barns for free on Saturday or Sunday in the winter. Free admission, 630 Bedford Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591.
Visit Hilltop Hanover Farm and see cows grazing, enjoy a picnic on their grounds, or simply walk around. Free admission. 1271 Hanover St, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598.
See the New Rochelle artsy murals to view eight beautifully illustrated murals that focus on mother nature, diversity, and gender equality. Free admission.
Go fishing in one of Westchester’s many streams or lakes. Fly fishing is available at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River and even ice fishing is permitted in certain lakes.
See the Arts in the Parks exhibit at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River. Free admission,
Enjoy a picnic in one of many Westchester-area parks, such as V.E. Macy Park in Ardsley, Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, or Willson’s Woods Park in Mount Vernon. Free admission.
Visit the 40-acre Lenoir Preserve, to view The Ribbons of Remembrance and to explore the grounds. Free admission, 19 Dudley Street, Yonkers, NY 10701.
Soak in the beauty of the Kitchawan Preserve, offering access to 208-acres of trails. Free admission, 712 Kitchawan Rd. (Route 134), Ossining, NY 10562
See the Garden of Remembrance in White Plains, which honors the memories of those killed during the Holocust. Free admission, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY
Visit the Blue Door Art Center to see their latest gallery exhibit. Free admission, 13 Riverdale Avenue. Yonkers, NY
Check out new student art at the Pelham Art Center. Free admission, 155 Fifth Ave #1503, Pelham, NY 10803.
Explore a new playground such as the playground at Saxon Woods in White Plains, Jack’s Friendship Garden in New Rochelle, Roselle Park & Playground in Pleasantville, or Barnhart Park in Sleepy Hollow. Free admission.
Walk around the Ossining waterfront, play at the Louis Engel Waterfront Park, and enjoy a cool down at their Spray Park. Free admission, 25 Westerly Rd, Ossining, NY 10562
Explore nature with the River Explorers. This free program offers Hudson River Seining and Nature-Themed programs in the summer. Free admission, 35 Alexander Street, Yonkers, NY.
Have your kids learn more about farming by doing farm morning farm chores at Muscoot Farm. Free admission, 51 Route 100 Katonah, New York 10536.
Check out an event at the newly reopened Peekskill Arts Alliance. Free admission, 27 N. Division Street, Peekskill, NY
Enjoy Tibbetts Brook Park, Westchester’s first park, for a day of swimming, hiking, or walking around the grounds. Free admission, parking fees. 355 Midland Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704
Stay connected to ArtsWestchester for a list of ongoing local events and activations for families, including a teen program.
Enjoy a stroll and lunch outside at Van der Donck Park in Yonkers. Free admission, 41 Dock St, Yonkers, NY 10701
Take a walking tour of Yonkers to explore and learn more about its rich history. Free admission, Yonkers, NY
Visit the Beverly E. Smith Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden to sit in the gardens, explore, read and learn more about these creatures. Free admission, Lenoir Nature Preserve in Yonkers, NY.
Learn more about natural habitats specific to Westchester at the Marshlands Conservancy. This 147-acre preserve also includes three miles of trails and one-half mile of shoreline. Free admission, Route 1, Rye, NY 10580.
Enjoy a cultural event at Westchester such as Westchester Roots, the Wakanda Celebration, or Ecuadorian music in Sleepy Hollow. Free admission.
View the works of fine photographers at The Ground Glass in Rye. Free admission, 51 Milton Rd, Rye, NY 10580.
Hike the Westchester Farm Trail, a route connecting 13 farms. Great for older kids and novice walkers, the 17-mile trail connects from Sleepy Hollow to North Salem, where you can enjoy interactive activities and have the chance to see all of the incredible farms in the area. Free admission.
Walk around the historic grounds of the John Jay Homestead to explore its grounds and learn more about its history. If you visit on Saturday, you can also check out their seasonal farmers’ market. Free admission, 400 Jay St, Katonah, NY 10536
Visit the Jay Heritage Estate, a 23-acre former home of John Jay. Free admission, 210 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580
Kayak at Croton River Park, a 508-acre park located on the Hudson River. Free admission, but parking fees apply. Free admission, 1A Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
