Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

Easter Weekend for Westchester Kids: Bunnies, Eggs and Disney Live!

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 03/28/2018 - 5:00pm

Whether or not you celebrate Easter, you’ll find great family activities this weekend for Westchester and Hudson Valley families. There lots of Easter egg hunts to fill up those baskets, as well as locomotive fun aboard the Easter Bunny Train. The most egg-citing thing about EGG-citement? Not messing up your own kitchen!

Not all weekend fun is eggy and bunny-ish. Tickets remain available to Disney Live!, the kind of experience that is likely to send your child’s jaw dropping at the sight of beloved characters on stage. For a lower-priced and lower-key performance, try a Magic Show.

As this weekend commences a week (or so) off from school, rely on our spring break guide for ways to optimize the time, and peruse our hot-off-the-press April GoList to plan the whole month.

Read on for more! Check out our Event Calendar for additional options, and sign up for our rnewsletters to be totally in the know.

Spring 2018 Festivals and Fairs in Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 03/23/2018 - 12:00pm

Photo of Fol de Rol County Fair by Susan Miele for Mommy Poppins

Despite the mild winter we’ve had, it’s always exciting to anticipate the arrival of spring. Beyond warmer weather and longer daylight, the caliber of events ratchets up, particularly the fairs and festivals that depend on these conditions. Westchester is buzzing with many such events all season long, promising fun-filled outdoor events for the entire family.

We've rounded up our favorite spring festivals, street fairs and celebrations happening throughout Westchester, many of which are free. Be sure to check out our Spring Activity Guide for more seasonal fun and sign up for our newsletters and consult our Event Calendar to stay informed of more great family events!

The Royal Hanneford Circus: An Annual Tradition that Won't Break the Bank

Submitted by Susan Miele on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 10:00am

While circuses like Ringling Brothers, The Big Apple Circus and Cirque du Soleil are household names, the lesser-known Royal Hanneford Circus ranks on the list of must-see circuses. We took it upon ourselves to check things out at a recent visit in Westchester, N.Y., and have what you should know about its upcoming visit to Wilmington, Mass.

Read on for the inside scoop, and be sure to sign up for our newsletters to receive stories like this in your inbox!

25 Free Things to Do in March with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 03/04/2018 - 10:36am

In like a lion, out like a lamb goes March, the saying goes. Indeed, though we can't complain of a harsh Westchester winter this year, we nonetheless can look forward to the arrival of spring mid-month and the fun that lies ahead. We're always hunting for a good bargain, so below we've rounded up our top free events for families to help our readers get the most out of the month without getting the most out of your wallets.

Some of the free seasonal fun this month include Easter egg hunts, St. Patrick's Day parades and (though not all are free) maple sugaring. And, though Mother Nature's gone easy on us so far, there still may be a good snowfall ahead and the chance to go sledding at one of our favorite hills. And don't forget our list of free places to play for year-round fun.

Read on for our top picks, but also consult our Event Calendar for more free (and not-so-free) activities. If you subscribe to our newsletter, we'll keep you in the know, March and beyond!

Presidents' Day Weekend Fun with Westchester Kids: Circuses, Curling

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 2:00pm

Image of "Swallows and Amazons" courtesy of the Jacob Burns Film Center

If you’re staying in town for the three-day weekend, get ready for lots of local fun for families right here in Westchester and the Hudson Valley!

As we reported in our February GoList, the circus is in town! With the recent closing of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the performance by The Royal Hanneford Circus is that much more special. If clowns aren’t enough ha-ha for you, grab some more giggles at Mr. Pennygaf's Cirkus Sideshow Spectacle. Or, for less comedic entertainment, the kid-adventure film Swallows and Amazons looks promising.

If the Olympics has your family asking, “What’s curling and where do people do that?” then take advantage of the local Curling Open House and skip the flight to Pyeongchang. And since Presidents’ Day is intended to honor our presidents, celebrate accordingly at Washington’s Birthday Celebration.

Read on for more of our top weekend picks and check out our Event Calendar for an even bigger selection of activities this weekend and beyond. Kids off from school next week? Check out 40 Things to Do with Kids on a Westchester Winter Staycation to avoid cabin fever.

Give Active Kids a Place to Move at these New Westchester Sports Programs

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 02/02/2018 - 4:27pm

We know all too well how easy it is to feel cooped up during winter. Fortunately, there’s a slew of brand-new sports-related gyms and programs that just became available for Westchester families—offering plenty of alternatives to jumping on the couch cushions for the 1,000th time. There are even options for all ages, many with classes, parties, drop-ins and drop-offs.

Read on for the scoop on new places to get pumped, burn off steam and have fun! If you haven’t yet signed up for our newsletters, be sure to do so now to continually receive news like this and more!

20 Free & Fun Things to Do in February with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 01/28/2018 - 5:30pm

Photo courtesy of One River School of Art + Design

Though the dead of winter, February is alive with annual occasions that help serve as the basis of fun, cultural events—Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year, Black History Month, Presidents Day and more. February is also the start of maple-sugaring season and, this year, the Winter Olympics.

Especially fortunate is that there are many ways to enjoy these occasions without breaking the bank. We’ve scoured Westchester venues to identify the best free events for families—so you don’t have to! Below are our top 20, offering not only holiday celebrations but also eclectic sources of amusement and enrichment.Stay tuned: We'll also let you know what to do on a Winter Break staycation!

Read on for these, then head to our Event Calendar and February GoList for more.

Coming Soon! One River School of Art + Design Opening for Westchester Families

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 01/25/2018 - 4:00pm

One River School of Art + Design is coming to Westchester, with locations soon opening in Larchmont and Hartsdale. While the latter is tentatively planned for March, the Larchmont facility will begin classes January 29, followed by a Grand Opening weekend, when free workshops will allow sampling of the school’s offerings.

Read on for the heads-up on this burgeoning option for Westchester families. Stay abreast of other news by signing up for our newsletters!