Things to Do with Kids in Westchester this Weekend

Plan a fun weekend for your family in Westchester County!

By NYMetroParents Staff January 19, 2021

Enjoy these fun weekend activities with your kids in Westchester. Start planning your weekend now.

*Be sure to call venues ahead of time to make sure events are still happening in the wake of coronavirus concerns.*

If you're like us, you love weekends because it's the time when you get to spend quality time with your kids, whether you are planning a day trip to a nearby destination or are looking for things to do that are close to home in Westchester County. There’s lots to do this weekend with your family, from concerts and performances to museum exhibits, shows, crafts activities, seasonal events, parades, and more, so you're sure to find something to do that the whole family will love. Look no further for ideas and plan your weekend with our guide that highlights the best family-friendly (virtual and in-person) events happening in and around Westchester County, including family fun in Mamaroneck, White Plains, Scarsdale, South Salem, Yonkers, Valhalla, Hastings-on-Hudson, Katonah, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Tarrytown, Larchmont, Croton-on-Hudson, Pellham, Pleasantville, Bronx, and Peekskill. You can also check out our calendar for things to do each month, and for more fun in the New York area, visit our Rockland, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island weekend roundups!

IN PERSON Hands & Earth: Perspectives on Japanese Contemporary Ceramics
WHEN: Oct. 20 - Jan. 24, Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10am–5pm; Sundays, 12-5pm
WHERE: Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay Street Route 22, Katonah, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Organized by the Lowe Art Museum from the collection of Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz, Hands & Earth: Perspectives on Japanese Contemporary Ceramics includes works by some of Japan's most important artists. The KMA's exhibition marks the first time that the Horvitz's renowned collection will be exhibited in New York. While Hands & Earth focuses on contemporary ceramics, the 41 works on display also provide a comprehensive survey of Japan's ceramic tradition over the past 80 years, from the Mingei Folk Craft Movement of the 1930s to contemporary ceramic sculpture. Additional support for this exhibition has been provided by The Japan Foundation, New York.

WANT TO GO? $5-$10. 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org.

IN PERSON Discover Seasonal Wonders
WHEN: Nov. 17 - Jan. 31, Tuesdays-Sundays, 10am-5pm
WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

250 acres. 1 million plants. And you. Experience the peaceful seasonal beauty across our 250 acres. Find out what's beautiful now and explore the winding trails of the old-growth forest and spot winter berries, colorful mushrooms, and birds amid the tranquil landscape. Dig deeper into the collections with mobile guides, audio tours, a self-guided forest bathing experience, fun for families, and more.

WANT TO GO? $22 adults; $8 children. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

IN PERSON Seal-Spotting & Birding Cruises
WHEN: Jan. 9 - 24, January 9, 1pm; January 10, 2pm; January 23, 1pm; January 24, 1:30pm
WHERE: Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT
AGES: All
WHAT:

Journey out onto Long Island Sound in hopes of seeing some of the seals and waterfowl that spend the winter just off our shores during The Maritime Aquarium’s 2021 season of Seal-Spotting & Birding Cruises. These invigorating two-hour cruises seek out some of the harbor seals and gray seals that come into the Sound each winter. Maritime Aquarium educators will point out these federally protected marine mammals and talk about their natural histories. They’ll also help identify such winter waterfowl as buffleheads, mergansers and long-tailed ducks. Dates and departure times vary by low tide. COVID precautions include required mask-wearing, reduced capacity onboard and no provided binoculars. (BYOBinoculars.) The Aquarium’s hybrid-electric research vessel has a climate-controlled cabin but, because the best viewing is outside on deck, participants should dress for the weather. The cruises offer memorable family fun but please note that all passengers must be at least 42 inches tall. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The cruises depart from the dock outside the Aquarium’s IMAX movie theater. Call to make required reservations.

WANT TO GO? $31.50; $26.50 members. 203-852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org.

ONLINE Papi' Virtual Cooking Class: Amatriciana Pasta
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 21, 630pm-830pm
WHERE: Papi' , 19 Bank Street, White Plains, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Join Papi' owner Alessandro Crocco in the kitchen (virtually)! Learn how to make Amatriciana Pasta! Amatriciana, a popular tomato sauce found in many restaurants in Rome, also features crispy pork cheek. $25 per household (two people) Includes the meal for two, the recipe kit with all main ingredients, recipe, and access to the Zoom. Kits can be picked up the day of between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Purchase tickets in advance.

WANT TO GO? $25. 914-328-6535. visit https://eventbrite.com/e/papi-virtual-cooking-class-amatriciana-pasta-tickets-135921828849.

IN PERSON Storybook Dance Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 23, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Westchester Children's Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye, NY
AGES: 3-8
WHAT:

Do you ever wish you could jump into your favorite storybooks? Do you love to dance and express yourself? The Storybook Dance program combines literacy and the love of reading, dance and creative expression to young learners, ages 3-5 years old. Each session the dancers will go on an adventure into a story book and dance their way through the pages while learning fun, creative dance. They explore literature, music and dance in a fun and engaging way. Join WCM for a magical leap into the classic story Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. This workshop is good for the whole family, but recommended ages are 3-5. Advanced registration required.

WANT TO GO? $10; $9 members. 914-421-5050. https://discoverwcm.org/new-events/01-23-2021-storybook-dance-workshop.

IN PERSON Winter Birding Walk with Doug Bloom FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 23, 9:15-10:30am
WHERE: Sheldrake Environmental Center, 685 WEAVER STREET, LARCHMONT, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

Celebrate the new year with a winter walk at Sheldrake. Not everyone has migrated or is hibernating. See who is hanging around and look for signs of mid-winter life. Advance registration is required. A separate form must be submitted for each member of your party, regardless of age.

WANT TO GO? 914-834-1443. https://sheldrakecenter.org/event/winter-birding-walk-with-doug-bloom/.

IN PERSON Sunset Hike FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 23, 4:30-5:30pm
WHERE: Van Cortlandt Park at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, 246th Street and Broadway, Bronx, New York
AGES: All
WHAT:

As the sun hangs low over on the horizon, the park morphs into a magical realm. Witness the wonder of sunset with the Urban Park Rangers.

WANT TO GO? 718-548-7070. https://nycgovparks.org/events/2021/01/23/sunset-hike.

ONLINE Girl Scout Virtual Badge in a Day Workshop- JUNIORS & CADETTES: STEM CAREER EXPLORATION
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 23, 10-11:30am
WHERE: Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY
AGES: 9-17
WHAT:

Do you dream of becoming a zookeeper or veterinarian? Maybe a field biologist? In this virtual badge workshop, you'll explore different careers in wildlife conservation by meeting animals and the people that work with them, begin planning your future career, and much, much more! Available for both Juniors and Cadettes. Workshops include the steps to earn your badge plus virtual visits to select exhibits and live animals. Book a workshop for your troop or register for one of the scheduled programs. Advanced registration required.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 members. 800-433-4149. https://wcs.education/girl-scouts.

IN PERSON Bird Book Sculpture Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 23, 10:30-11:30am
WHERE: The Rye Arts Center, 51 Milton Road, Rye, NY
AGES: 9-12
WHAT:

Have you ever wondered what to do with an old book? With a pair of scissors and glue, transform it into an objet d'art! Bring an old book (hardcover or paperback) and sculpt out a phoenix or a bird of your own design. Advanced registration required.

WANT TO GO? $20 (members receive discount). 914-967-0700. https://ryeartscenter.org/workshops-1/2020/1/25/new-paperworks-book-magazine-sculpture-amppy.

ONLINE The Theory of Relativity
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 23, 8pm
WHERE: The Play Group Theatre, One North Broadway, White Plains, NY
AGES: All
WHAT:

We are all connected in more ways than we realize. And with each connection, the trajectory of our lives is altered forever. Immerse yourself in The Theory of Relativity, a fully recorded performance filled with heart, music, and stories of human connection, just when it's needed most. Join The Play Group Theatre for the one night only release of this memorable performance from PGT Virtual Stage! The Theory of Relativity Music & Lyrics by Neil Bartram Book by Brian Hill Directed by Jill Abusch Musical Direction by Jeff Ostermueller Cinematography by Steven Abusch Audio Engineering by James Powers Costume Design by Jill Abusch Box office ticket sales are now open. Tickets are now available online.

WANT TO GO? $18; $36 family admission. 914-946-4433. playgroup.org/shows.

ONLINE Girl Scout Virtual Badge in a Day Workshop- SENIORS: VOICE FOR ANIMALS
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 24, 10-11:30am
WHERE: Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY
AGES: 13-17
WHAT:

Find out about the global work that Wildlife Conservation Society does to help animals around the world. You will earn your Voice for Animals badge by meeting some of the animals in our parks, chatting with zoo and aquarium experts and learning how you can get more involved in wildlife conservation. Workshops include the steps to earn your badge plus virtual visits to select exhibits and live animals. Book a workshop for your troop or register for one of the scheduled programs.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 members. 800-433-4149. https://wcs.education/girl-scouts.

Looking for more events in your area? Search our comprehensive events calendar.

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