Marisa Iallonardo

Latest posts by Marisa Iallonardo

10 Creative Virtual Playdate Activities for Preschoolers

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Tue, 01/26/2021 - 8:12am

Grab some play blocks and get building with a friend. Photo by the author

With many families opting out of in-person playdates, it can feel like a Herculean task to keep little ones with lots of energy engaged. While there are plenty of ideas for older kids (and lots of free games to keep them entertained), it can be a little trickier to find online playdate activities for toddlers and preschoolers.

Luckily, there are a number of ways for younger kids to have fun while playing with friends online. Here, we’ve rounded up 10 creative ideas for virtual playdates for preschoolers—some that require parent participation and other toddler activities where you can just set them up to play at-home and give yourself a much-needed break!

Exploring Teatown Lake Reservation With Kids

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Wed, 01/13/2021 - 12:30pm

Enjoy a lakefront picnic mid-hike at Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining.

Westchester's outdoor parks and preserves are one of the biggest perks of living here, and that's never been more true than this year, as we've navigated the pandemic. Looking for a fun, safe, outdoor things to do with kids has taken priority. To that end, if you haven’t visited the 1,000-acre Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining yet, now's the time to add it to your list.

Even with winter's chill upon us, there is plenty to do at this natural gem, which kept my family busy on a recent January morning. It was a memorable outing, from a fun lakeside hike to a photo-op in front of the bright, beautiful outdoor owl mural.

Here’s more of what we did on our visit—and what you can do while there. Find plenty more seasonal outings in our Winter Fun Guide.

8 Spots Offering Thanksgiving Dinner Takeout in Westchester

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 11/01/2020 - 6:31pm

Go for a takeout Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings from City Limits.

If you don’t want to deal with making a multi-course feast for Thanksgiving, consider this: Lots of restaurants in Westchester are offering Thanksgiving dinner takeout with all your favorite fixings. Plus, there are plenty of area bakeries offering delicious pies, cakes, and other treats for pick up or delivery as well.

Here, we’ve rounded up eight restaurants offering everything from turkey to stuffing and even options for non-turkey lovers. We’ve noted order-by dates when available, but be sure to call ahead to make sure you get yours in on time.

Find more ways to celebrate all month long in our roundup of the best family-friendly happenings in Westchester and nearby this November, and bookmark our continually updated Event Calendar for more fun options.

7 Things to Do at Minnewaska State Park Preserve With Kids

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 10/16/2020 - 12:00pm

Lake Minnewaska draws you into the stunning preserve that bears its name.

Fall is a great time for a Hudson Valley day trip, yet with so many great stops in the area, there’s something to do no matter the season. One all-season spot we love is Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Located in Ulster County, it offers everything from hiking to swimming, snowshoeing, and more.

Read on for our review of this stunning greenspace, which has long made our list of favorite New York state parks for a family-friendly hike.

35 Things to Do with Kids in Beacon on a Hudson Valley Day Trip

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Wed, 10/14/2020 - 11:17am

Beacon, New York, offers a picturesque Main Street to explore and plenty more family-friendly destinations.

Beacon makes for a superb family-friendly New York day trip at just about an hour from downtown White Plains. This Dutchess County town features an artsy, bustling downtown—mostly centered along Main Street, home to many different shops and restaurants. There’s something for kids of all ages, and it's also close to other exploration-worthy towns like Cold Spring.

We’ve rounded up fun things to do when you visit, whether you head up this fall or during another season. If you're looking for even more day trip ideas, check out our Family Day Trips Guide.

Top Indoor Play Spaces for Toddlers and Preschoolers in Westchester

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 03/01/2020 - 11:45am

Tig & Peach in Pelham offers lots of indoor fun for kids 6 and under.

There are some great playgrounds in Westchester specifically for toddlers and preschoolers, but when the weather is less than ideal for outdoor fun, there are a number of indoor play spaces that offer a chance for this age group to jump on trampolines, listen to music, make art, and even take a STEM class!

Here, we've rounded up a few of our favorites across Westchester, with opportunities for drop-in play as well as monthly memberships and more.

Looking for even more indoor activities? Check out our guide, and be sure to sign up for our newsletters to stay in the loop.

What's New at the Westchester Children's Museum

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 02/21/2020 - 9:00am

Explore what makes things fly with the Westchester Children's Museum's Wind Tunnel Design Challenge. Photo courtesy of the museum

The Westchester Children’s Museum in Rye is a go-to spot for area families looking for a fun day out with the kids. And now there’s even more to love: The museum recently underwent an expansion and has grown to a whopping 20,000-square-feet (up from 6,000), with lots of new features either already in place or coming soon.

We took a tour of the updated space to get the scoop on what’s still in play, what’s been added—and what’s on tap.

For even more great kid-friendly activities, check out our guide to area museums and galleries, or sign up for our newsletters.

9 Best Bunk Beds for Kids and Toddlers

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Thu, 02/20/2020 - 11:11am

The Belden twin over full bunk bed from Pottery Barn is great for overnight guests or siblings.

Bunk beds for kids are great—and have been topping family must-have lists for years, including for those of us living in small spaces. I can remember some 20 years ago when my brothers got their twin over twin model and we all thought it was the coolest thing ever. (The ladder! The height!) Fast-forward and now it's my own two kids enraptured by bunk beds they saw at a friend's house.

But finding the bunk beds that best fit your family isn’t always easy. Let us help: We've rounded-up bunk beds for kids that hit many of the most important points, including picks in different sizes—from toddler bunk beds to full over full bunk beds—and in a variety of price points, starting around $300.