Top 20 Places to Take Kids in Westchester County - 2019

Come howl with wolves! Home to 51 wolves, including critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves, the Wolf Conservation Center is one of the wildest destinations in New York. Visitors learn about the true nature and plight of wolves during guided education programs and are able to witness wolf communication and behavior firsthand by howling with the WCC’s ambassador wolves! Through wolves, the WCC teaches the broader message of conservation, ecological balance, and personal responsibility for improved human stewardship of our World. Register for a program today! https://nywolf.org/

Of course, our local library system is not really ONE place, it is MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication.

Muscoot Farm was originally a "Gentleman's Farm" founded by Ferdinand T. Hopkins in 1880 and operated as a dairy farm until Westchester County acquired the property in the late 1960s. Today, Muscoot Farm is a Westchester County Park that strives to preserve and interpret its agrarian past. Visitors may stroll through the original barns, visit with the animals, participate in educational programs or hike the many miles of trails. There is something for everyone on Muscoot’s 777 acres!

The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (CCBF), the largest children’s book festival in the metropolitan tri-state region, takes place place the first Saturday in October at Robert E. Bell Middle School in Chappaqua, New York. 145 renowned children’s book authors and illustrators participate. The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is grassroots, all-volunteer effort, with community members working together so that children and teens can be inspired by their favorite authors.  The Festival gives kids and families a chance to meet and interact with the creators of their favorite characters – to appreciate that there is a real person behind the art and the words on the page.  For more information, visit http://www.ccbfestival.org/ or follow the CCBF at www.facebook.com/chappaquachildrensbookfestival.

Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails.

Playland, also known as Playland Amusement Park, is located in Rye, New York. Playland is Metro New York's great family amusement park! From the famous Dragon Coaster to rides like the SuperFlight Coaster, Music Express and Double Shot - Playland offers the best in family fun. There are more than 50 major and Kiddyland rides and attractions; a beach, pool, and pier on Long Island Sound; lake boating, entertainment, fireworks, lots of great food, and much more.

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens and grounds, and wonderful moments with friends and family. It enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality. Its mission also includes mentoring young professional musicians and providing educational programs for young children centered around music.

The Greenburgh Nature Center is a nonprofit nature preserve and wildlife refuge with a mission to ignite passion, curiosity and respect for our natural world. They have been a leader in environmental education since 1975. Its 33-acre property includes a woodland preserve with hiking trails, a pond, organic garden, Native Plant Meadow, Native American Replica Village, and nearly 100 animals. The Center impacts close to 90,000 individuals every year through visits to its nature preserve and community outreach. They provide hundreds of nature and environmental education programs each year to local schools and offer many seasonal programs and events to the public year-round. Visit www.greenburghnaturecenter.org for a full listing of programs and events.

The Play Group Theater (PGT) is a nonprofit, educational theater organization dedicated to providing process-oriented theater training for Westchester’s children and teens.

Founded in 1957, Clay Art Center is a nationally recognized non-profit center for the advancement and practice of the ceramic arts in Port Chester, NY. We offer year-round hand building and wheel throwing classes for youth aged 6 – 15, taught by professional ceramic artists who specialize in kindling a passion for creative expression. During the summer weekly themed camps take place in July & August. Not sure where to begin? Try our popular Saturday Drop-In Class, schedule a birthday clay party, or get your own hands dirty in our many class offerings for adults.

Storm King Art Center is located on a pristine 500-acre landscape of fields, hills, and woodlands providing the setting for a collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most acclaimed artists of our time.

The Westchester Broadway Theatre (WBT) is the longest running year-round Equity theatre in the state of New York, with a 37-year history of nearly 200 main-stage productions and over 900 Monday/Tuesday special events and concerts.

Rockin' Jump - is the Ultimate Trampoline Park. Fun for kids of all ages! Our massive main trampoline jump arena, trampoline basketball arena, trampoline dodgeball arena and trampoline stunt bag provides something for everyone. The perfect Birthday Party Venue and a healthy family activity. We offer fitness disguised as fun.

Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails.

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens and grounds, and wonderful moments with friends and family. It enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality. Its mission also includes mentoring young professional musicians and providing educational programs for young children centered around music.

Come howl with wolves! Home to 51 wolves, including critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves, the Wolf Conservation Center is one of the wildest destinations in New York. Visitors learn about the true nature and plight of wolves during guided education programs and are able to witness wolf communication and behavior firsthand by howling with the WCC’s ambassador wolves! Through wolves, the WCC teaches the broader message of conservation, ecological balance, and personal responsibility for improved human stewardship of our World. Register for a program today! https://nywolf.org/

The Katonah Art Center is located at 40 Radio Circle in Mt. Kisco with easy access for families in Armonk, Bedford & Chappaqua. The Katonah Art Center is Westchester’s go-to hub for students looking to learn about and excel in the visual arts. Drawing, painting, pottery, sculpture, photography, fused glass, jewelry-making, 3D printing, digital arts and more! All ages and all levels welcome. After school and weekend classes available.