Christi O'Donnell

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Weekend Fun For Westchester Kids: Eggs, Bunnies, Wolves, Earth Day & More, April 19-20

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Thu, 04/17/2014 - 11:00am

Spring is truly here! As Spring Break winds down, this is a fantastic weekend to get outside, explore the reawakening world and celebrate the return of long warm days.The forsythia are bursting into bloom, pollen is floating through the air and bunnies are laying eggs all across Westchester County.

For children and families who are celebrating Easter on Sunday, this weekend is packed with opportunities to hunt for eggs, hide eggs and pose for a photo with the Easter Bunny.

In addition to Easter activities, Earth Day celebrations are getting under way in Ossining and Yorktown while nature centers across the county are helping people learn about the ways in which animals, birds and bugs greet the spring.

Keep reading for some of this weekend’s top picks. For more information on any event, be sure to click through to the event list for more details. And be sure to check our Events Calendar for even more fun happening this weekend and beyond in Westchester.

Eastchester Shopping for Kids: Best Shops for Children's Clothing, Books & Toys

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Wed, 04/16/2014 - 9:00am

We continue our month-long coverage of Eastchester with a look at shopping in the area. Ranked as one of Money Magazine's Top 100 Places To Live, Eastchester is a Westchester County shopping destination. Wander along Pondfield Road and Park Place in the incorporated village of Bronxvillle and you'll find these streets lined with beautiful boutiques. Then travel up Post Road to Eastchester and Tuckahoe where a mixture of family business, both new and old, and chain retailers offer something for everyone in the family.

Read on for details on our top picks for shopping for--and with--kids in Eastchester. And be sure to sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest news, venues, shopping, dining and more for Westchester families.

Places to Play in Mount Kisco: Where Westchester Kids Can Play and Learn

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Fri, 03/28/2014 - 9:00am

So far this month, Mommy Poppins has shined a spotlight on Mount Kisco, taking a look at what to do and where to eat with kids in this bustling town. Now, as we wrap up our month-long coverage of Mount Kisco, we're turning our attention to some of the best places to play in the area. From swings and slides to race cars and Rover, there is an amazingly diverse variety of indoor and outdoor activities and play spaces to choose from in this town covering just a smidge over 3 square miles. Read on for our top picks for playing, learning and having fun in with kids in Mount Kisco.

Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Mount Kisco

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Sat, 03/22/2014 - 11:05am

We continue our month-long coverage of Mount Kisco with a look at kid-friendly eateries in the area. Walk along East Main Street and South Moger Avenue in Mount Kisco, and it is easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of locally owned restaurants and eateries that this small townage has to offer. Have no fear, hungry reader! Mommy Poppins has sampled and snacked her way up and down these delicious thoroughfares and has compiled a list of the tastiest and most family-friendly places for your dining pleasure. From soups, pizza and pancakes to French, Indian, Ethiopian, Mexican, Asian and Greek specialties, we've found a meal for every appetite.

Read Across America: Where to Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Fri, 02/28/2014 - 8:00am

As both a mom and a teacher, I truly believe it is just about impossible to overstate the importance and creativity of Dr. Seuss’ amazing books for children. Every year, in early March, schools, libraries, books stores, families and artists of all stripes come together to celebrate Dr Seuss’ Birthday and the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day. This year Dr. Seuss’ birthday falls on Sunday, March 2, and many venues in Westchester County--including several of our recently featured Rivertowns--will be celebrating in his honor. Fry up a batch of “Green Eggs and Ham” and then head out to one of these Seusstastic celebrations! Some programs require advance registration or have residency restrictions so be sure to check in advance!

Where Aspiring Ice Hockey Stars Can Learn to Play in Westchester

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Sat, 02/15/2014 - 8:00am

At the 2006 games, 15 year old Valentina Bettarini broke world records by being the youngest Olympic hockey player, male or female, that the sport had ever seen. That means that today's 7 year olds already have a shot at Olympic gold in the 2022 competition. Set them on the right course early with a good ice hockey program.

Earlier this week, we let you know about the many places around Westchester where kids can learn figure skating. If hockey's more your thing, try out one of the beginner, intermediate or advanced ice hockey programs offered by these Westchester ice rinks.

Westchester's Best Hot Chocolate Spots for Families

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Mon, 02/10/2014 - 12:00pm

Move over, Manhattan. There are hundreds of places in Westchester County that serve hot chocolate, however there are a handful of spots that inspire such fierce loyalty in their customers that entire families are willing to bundle up, brave the cold and make a veritable pilgrimage “over the ground so white” to their favorite cocoa shop.

Last week told you about our favorite coffee shops in the Rivertowns, now we're focusing on our top picks for the best hot cocoa in Westchester County. These are shops where the hot chocolate tastes more like a melted candy bar than that watery powder-based stuff that dribbles out of office vending machines; shops where chocolatiers, baristas and servers routinely go out of their way to create drinkable confections.

5 Family-Friendly Coffee Houses in the Rivertowns

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Fri, 02/07/2014 - 10:00am

If you’re anything like me, it often feels as if that there is just too much blood in your caffeine system. This is especially true when I am trying to get from Point A to Point B with a bored, cranky, uncomfortable preschooler howling at me from the confines of her ridiculously plush and ergonomic car seat. Luckily, the stretch of Rivertowns between the Tappan Zee Bridge and the Bear Mountain Bridge are home to a variety of cafés and coffee houses that provide more than just a quick pick-me-up. These spots are particularly kid-friendly (one even welcomes pets!) and offer delicious and divinely caffeinated beverages (or decaf, if that's your thing).

So if you need to recharge while you're out and about around town, check out one of our favorite kid-friendly coffee shops and cafés from Tarrytown to Peekskill.