Your Complete Guide to Raising Kids in Westchester

By NYMetroParents Staff February 4, 2016

Find everything you need for your family with this ultimate guide to raising kids in Westchester. Consult this resource whenever you need it to gain access to the best events in Westchester each weekend, to local Westchester birthday party places, summer camps, schools and child care, sports and after-school activities, doctors and hospitals, parent support groups, and more.

Living in Westchester with kids means lots of space to grow your family, access to tons of parks and outdoor fun, plus you've got the added suburban perk of driving to the grocery store!

Here we present your introduction to family life in Westchester, from Yonkers to White Plains, Pleasantville, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, Croton-on-Hudson, New Rochelle, Port Chester, and beyond. Consider this your cheat sheet to finding what you want for your kids when you want it.

Family Fun in Westchester

We take family fun time pretty seriously, which means we’re constantly updating our Calendar of Events with fun and low-cost things to do every day with kids in Westchester. The calendar is searchable, too, so it’s easy to find the events your family is most interested in, or you can head straight to our Editor’s Picks page to see where we’ll be taking our kids this month. Raising a family can be financially tough, so if you're saving a little extra, we've also rounded up the best FREE events for you every month.

Want our top event picks delivered to your email inbox every week (just in time to plan a fun weekend)? Then sign up for our family activities newsletter.

If you’re looking for something specific, our family fun guides will point you in the right direction. Here are some of our perennial favorites:

Carousels

Kid-Friendly Museums

Minor League Baseball Games

Volunteering

Zoos, Nature Centers, and Botanical Gardens

Or maybe you just want to know the best things to do every season in Westchester? We’ve got you covered there, too: Our editors scoured the suburbs to find the 100 must-do events in Westchester throughout the year, including 20 awesome annual events in each season.

Family Getaways Near Westchester County

Sure, we love everything Westchester has to offer, but sometimes it's good to get away for the weekend. Lucky for us, there are many places within easy traveling distance that are fun for families. Here are a few of our best bets:

Town of Ramapo Challenger Center in Rockland

Mystic County in Connecticut

Historic Hyde Park in Dutchess County

Sesame Place in Pennsylvania

See the full list of family outings here.

If you’re craving some time in nature, check out our seasonal guides to fun on farms: maple sugaring (spring), berry picking (summer), apple picking (fall), and where to cut your own Christmas trees in December.

Thinking about sending your kids to summer camp? Our Westchester camp guide includes nearby sleep-away camps along with specialty camps and traditional day camps. You can also learn about lots of camps at the annual Westchester Camp Fair.

Choosing Classes, Sports, and Camps

When they’re not in the classroom, we schedule our kids’ time around classes, sports, and other extracurricular activities during the school year and camp during the summer. There are so many wonderful options in Westchester, but we’ll help you choose the best fit for your child. Check out our guides to:

Sports Programs for Kids in Westchester

After-School and Weekend Classes for Kids

Summer Camps in Westchester

Of course, these extracurriculars look great on a college resume, but the last thing we want to do is overschedule our kids. We’ve got expert tips for avoiding burnout and finding balance.

Planning a Birthday Party in Westchester

Host a birthday party at home or at a nearby play space, theater, bowling alley, park, or other venue. You’ll find plenty of fun party places, party entertainment, specialty shops, party stores, and more on our site, to help you plan the best party in the neighborhood. Plus, check out the party tips and inspiration section of our site for everything from fun party favors to birthday cake recipes.

Westchester Schools and Tutoring Services

While Westchester is home to some of the best schools and educational programs in the area, the system can be hard to navigate. We’ve got advice for you every step of the way, from when you’re choosing the right preschool philosophy for your child (Montessori, Waldorf, play-based…) to when you decide to send your child to public, private, or religious school. Plus, we’ve got expert tips if you’re searching for tutors, learning centers, or the best school for a child with special needs. And check out our archive of education articles for year-round advice updated regularly.

Keeping Your Family Healthy

It’s important to have a family doctor and a team of health care professionals nearby that you trust with your family’s well being. Search our site for:

Doctors and Dentists

Urgent Care Centers

…and more family health services and providers

Also, check out our archive of health articles for a wealth of advice that will help you make the best choices for your family, such as:

How to Know When to Go to the ER or Urgent Care

10 Tips to Keep Your Kid’s Teeth Healthy

How to Know If Your Child Is Getting Enough Sleep

Finding Childcare in Westchester

As a busy Westchester parent, you need a nanny, babysitter, or other caregiver that you can trust. Use our site to find:

Nanny and Babysitting Services

Day Care and Child Care Centers

Finding Friends and Parent Support

If you’re new to the suburbs just new to parenting, you might be looking for a support network of like-minded parents to answer those burning questions: Where are the best playgrounds in my neighborhood? Which restaurants in town have a kids' menu, offer high-chairs, and allow strollers? What winter activities does Westchester offer for families? (Check out that answer right here!)

Parent Support Groups in Westchester

Support Groups for Parents of Kids with Special Needs

Plus, read essays by other city parents who know exactly what you’re going through.

Getting to Know NYMetroParents

Did you find what you’re looking for above? Feel free to email us your feedback and questions to editor@nymetroparents.com.

And remember, NYMetroParents keeps the conversation going beyond our comprehensive website. Make sure to pick up our print magazines (find a copy near you), and join our virtual community on Facebook and Twitter, where the comments are lively and the sneak-peeks are constantly coming!