Christi O'Donnell

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Latest posts by Christi

Where Westchester Kids Eat Free and Get Stuff on Their Birthdays

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Wed, 04/15/2015 - 9:00am

Before the advent of the e-mail lists, websites, apps, perk programs and loyalty cards, a kid’s best bet for a free birthday treat was a white candle in a scoop of ice cream and an embarrassing rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung by waiters and waitresses who had planned on making it big on Broadway.

Luckily, young people today have a lot more options available to them. From toys, desserts and cupcakes to entire breakfasts, lunches and dinners, there is a FREEbie just waiting out there for kids of every age (HINT: Grown-ups can sign up for the majority of these programs too!). Read on to learn where to score FREE birthday meals, gifts and more while you're out and about in Westchester. Speaking of free, don't forget to sign up for our FREE newsletter to have our latest news, reviews and tips delivered right to your inbox!

Westchester Gyms with Childcare: Where Parents Can Exercise While Kids Work Out

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Wed, 03/18/2015 - 8:00am

Warmer weather is just around the corner and springtime often brings with it resolutions to get active and stay fit--great ideas for the entire family! Along with indoor play spaces and kids-only gyms, Westchester also has several choices for families who want to get all of their exercising done in one fell swoop. While many local gyms have nurseries or playrooms where little kids can hang out while their parents work out, several have gone one step further and created sports and activity programs to keep kids busy while parents pound out miles on the treadmill or try to master those impossible double-unders.

Several fitness centers throughout Westchester offer comprehensive programs for kids that include everything from dance to cheerleading; sports to CPR training. Read on for details on keeping the whole family fit and active.

Places to Play in Cold Spring: Where Kids and Families Can Play and Learn

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Mon, 02/02/2015 - 10:00am

In January, we highlighted the village of Cold Spring including the area's top attractions and some suggestions on where to eat. Now we'll wrap up our tour of this cozy village with a look at the best places for kids young and old to play and learn.

Whether you're looking for quiet indoor activities or death-defying outdoor adventures, there's something for everyone--most within easy walking distance of the village's MTA station.

CSAs for Westchester Families: How to Buy Locally Direct from the Farm

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Fri, 01/16/2015 - 12:00pm

Hard as it might be to believe, deep in the middle of winter is the time to start thinking about next summer’s vegetables, especially if you prefer locally grown produce. Whether you’d like to pick-your-own at one of our local farms, pick up onsite or have fresh veggies delivered right to your door, there is a CSA here in Westchester to suit your family’s style.

If you're not familiar with the term, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and it is a thriving program throughout the Hudson Valley. Now, in the deepest days of winter, farmers all across New York State are planning their crops for next year and CSAs are making it possible for them to plant, tend, harvest and sell small-scale crops directly to the people who want locally raised food.

Read on for more info on CSAs, including details on how to join and participating farms throughout Lower Hudson Valley.

Indoor Pool Parties for Westchester Families

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Sun, 12/28/2014 - 11:00am

For those lucky children born between Labor Day and Memorial Day, a summer birthday pool party can often be a foregone conclusion. Kids and water-- what could be better? Fall, winter, and spring children need not despair! Just because summer is over there's no reason to put pool parties behind you. For a small splash of season all year long, consider one of these INDOOR alternatives. Many local fitness centers have for pool party packages that are guaranteed to please. Read on for details on where to throw an indoor pool party no matter the season.

Max And Ruby Live in The Nutcracker Suite: A Fun Twist on the Classic Ballet at Tarrytown Music Hall

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Thu, 12/11/2014 - 8:00am

“Max and Ruby! Ruby and her little brother Max!”…and so begins Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite. This re-imagined performance at the Tarrytown Music Hall was so much fun (especially for my Max-and-Ruby-adoring daughter), we've seen the show two years in a row. This unique live performance is filled with original music and dance numbers, colorful characters and some interesting twists on the classic Nutcracker tale.

If you are looking for a theater experience that will engage the whole family, allow for a certain amount of noisy restlessness and leave you with some great stories to tell at the next parenting meet up, this is the show for you. Read on for details about this live performance and tips to know before you go. Looking for more holiday productions? Check out our post on kid-friendly holiday shows. Also, be sure to check out our Holiday Fun Guide.

The Best Music Schools for Westchester Families

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Tue, 10/28/2014 - 12:00pm

Living in such close proximity to New York City makes it easy for Westchester families to enjoy some of the best musical performances in the world. For all of the budding musicians inspired by the great artists of today and of days gone by, Westchester is home to many wonderful music schools and conservatories that help prepare children for a lifetime of music appreciation while teaching them to march to the beat of their own inner drummer (or violinist, or pianist...you get the idea).

We've rounded up premiere music academies and schools for Westchester kids. Whether your infant is just beginning to respond to sounds beyond the "pop" of a bottle warmer or your teen is preparing to apply to college, these music schools offer programs for all ages and musical interests.

Looking for more class ideas? Check out our growing Westchester Classes Guide and Class Directory.

3 Cemeteries for Westchester Families to Visit for Halloween (or Anytime)

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Fri, 10/17/2014 - 8:00am

As a child, it never occurred to me that the picnics my family often went on in an old Dutch cemetery were anything but trips to the park. We’d have sandwiches, walk around the ancient stones trying to read the inscriptions (Literacy!), figure out how old the stones were (Math!) while collecting fallen leaves and acorns from the enormous old trees that shaded the small graveyard (Science!).

Now, with the year turning towards the heart of autumn—and, of course, Halloween—people become interested in the ghostly tales of those who lived here before us. For a unique spin on the ghoulishness of late night (or midday) cemetery visit, consider checking out these local and historic cemetery tours.