Westchester County could be the perfect place for your weekend getaway. It's a few miles from New York City and offers endless fun. The county is surrounded by the Hudson River and Long Island Sound and is home to bustling cities and quaint villages. There are many places to visit, including historic sites and haunted homes.
A number of parks and nature preserves are available in the county. It is possible to share your knowledge about the natural surroundings with your children. For example, the Cranberry Lake Preserve offers a variety of family-oriented nature programs and interactive displays.
The Bronx River Parkway Reservation is another great place to visit. This park is Westchester County’s oldest and most well-known linear park. It's 13.1 miles of traffic-free transportation, designed to be easily accessed by bike or foot. You will find many scenic overlooks along your route. Also, you can get free audio tours.
During the spring, summer, and fall, you can take a walk on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. It passes through several small communities, and is a popular destination that draws thousands of visitors every year. This trail is open for in-line skaters as well and walkers.
A unique place worth visiting is the Mario Cuomo Bridge Walkway. This is a 3.6-mile walk over water with six overlooks. Weekends are open for bicycling, walking and jogging.
The bridge offers spectacular views. The road is closed to cars Sundays. Metro-North trains run to Tarrytown. From there, you can walk to National Road to reach the park.
One of the most popular festivals in the region is the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival. The 43-year-old festival features bluegrass music and is family-friendly. Both children and adults are welcome to take part in the activities, which include the headless horseman.
Barton Orchards' BBQ Weekend and Brews Weekend are great ways to get outside during Labor Day Weekend. Kids under 12 years of age and their parents can enjoy the festival for free. Visitors can stop by Barton Orchards' Farm Markets for local fruits and vegetables, as well as take in the sights of the festival.
Sleepy Hollow Craft & Street Fair, are just a few of the other fantastic events. The Halloween Extravaganza returns on October 12. Over 7,000 pumpkins can be carved and visitors can enjoy haunted carousels and live music.
There are numerous farmers markets located throughout Westchester County. They are usually held in the spring or fall and feature local farmers and artists. Some markets may also offer special events for children.
While you are in the area, you should definitely visit the Blue Door Art Center. This local non-profit accepts donations, and hosts free art exhibitions and shows. Summer on the Sound concert program is open throughout the summer. You will find opportunities to catch the top up-and–coming artists at several art centers.
FAQ
Is it safe to allow my child to climb trees.
Trees are strong structures. But climbing trees presents risks if your child isn't able to assess his or her physical capabilities.
To climb a tree higher, you must use both your hands and your legs. To maintain balance, your child must be able use both his arms and legs.
Your child must be able easily move between branches. This requires strength and agility.
Don't force your child to climb trees if she isn't ready.
You can still enjoy climbing a tree together by sitting on the lower limbs or using a ladder. You can also sit together on a branch to read books.
What can children do to help with gardening?
Two ways that children can help in gardening are:
They can teach you how to garden and give you advice on gardening.
Gardening can be done by children. They can give you ideas on how to plant vegetables, trees and flowers.
You might even ask them to help plant seeds when you find out which grows best in your area.
This is because kids love plants and learn quickly. They will love helping to make your yard look beautiful and learn how to grow food.
What other activities are you able to do with your family that are enjoyable?
There are many ways to spend time with your family. There are two types that you should avoid. The other type is spending time with friends while discussing yourself. This kind of activity usually ends when the conversation runs out.
This second activity involves disagreeing about who is better than you. Doing this will make your spouse feel worse and can even cause you to hurt your children.
You might think, "Well then, we need these arguments." That's right. We do. We can sometimes find better ways to spend our time. Playing with your children could be as simple as reading with them, going for walks, doing homework with them, or cooking dinner together. These activities involve your whole family working together.
For instance, instead of arguing about who is smarter, why not agree to compete against each other in a game? Perhaps you all enjoy the same book and want to read it together.
Oder why not make time to watch a film together? What about sharing a meal together to discuss the day? Why not play board games?
These activities can be fun and let you have fun together without fighting. You can also learn from each other.
What are the 5 best outdoor activities for kids?
Whether you live in the country or the suburbs, there are tons of fun things to do outside. Here are five of our favorite activities we think every kid should have the chance to experience at least once.
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Go to the Zoo. Zoos are great places for family time. Going to a Zoo allows you to be close to the animals. It's also an excellent opportunity to teach your children about conservation. Some zoos offer programs to educate visitors about the issues that affect endangered species. Online information is available. You can also call ahead to inquire about classes and events at your local Zoo.
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Visit a Nature Center. These are great places to learn more about the natural environment. You will find interactive displays and exhibits as well as many hands-on activities. You will be amazed at the variety of cool toys that you can give your children! It's a great excuse to hike through local parks and forests, so it's worth visiting a nature center.
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Take your children on a bike ride - When is the last time that you took them on a bike trip? They will be just as happy riding bikes today as they were growing up. Bicycling isn't just a good way to exercise; it's also a great method to get to understand your community and find hidden gems.
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Play a Sports Game. Sports games don't only appeal to kids who grew-up playing them. Sports games can still be enjoyed by all ages today. It is important to find something that suits your group. All of these options are great for families who want to spend time together.
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Enjoy a Movie Under The Stars - This may be the best way to take in the great outdoors if you have a large yard. All you need is a blanket or lawn chair, a picnic basket full of food and drinks, and maybe a grill. Take your blankets outside and enjoy the starry night.
Statistics
- So you're less likely to breathe in enough of the respiratory droplets containing the virus that causes COVID-19 to become infected if you haven't had a COVID-19 vaccine. (mayoclinic.org)
- According to The Outdoor Foundation's most recent report, over half of Americans (153.6 million people) participated in outdoor recreation at least once in 2019, totaling 10.9 billion outings. (wilderness.org)
- According to the Outdoor Foundation, about half the U.S. population participated in outdoor recreation at least once in 2018, including hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, and canoeing among many more outdoor activities. (activeoutdoors.info)
- Later in life, they are also more likely to result in delinquency and oppositional behavior, worse parent-child relationships, mental health issues, and domestic violence victims or abusers10. (parentingforbrain.com)
- Remember, he's about 90% hormones right now. (medium.com)
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How To
Is it safe to go camping with my children?
This is a critical question as camping today is much more dangerous than it was in the past. There are many dangers, including poisonous snakes, bears, wild animals, tornadoes, lightning storms, flash floods, hurricanes, avalanches, wildfires, blizzards, and even terrorism.
Most parents aren’t aware of the risks. Parents assume that camping is fun and safe for their children. However, campers now face more risks than in years past.
The number of campers who were injured or killed by other campers grew by almost 50% between 1980-2001. That's almost 1000 children who died camping over those years.
Additionally, North America now has more venomous animals than it did in 1900. You will also find more poisonous insects, plants, fish, reptiles and other animals than ever before.
Camping can also be dangerous. According to the National Park Service statistics, approximately 200 vehicles are involved in fatal accidents each year near national parks.
Even worse, experts estimate that an average family spends $1300 per year on outdoor activities, such as hiking, boating, fishing, and climbing. This includes equipment, food and gas as well as lodging and transportation costs.
Remember that camping with your children will likely cost you more than if you stayed at home. If you plan to spend $1,300 on a weekend trip, you could easily spend twice that amount.
You might wonder why you should consider taking your kids camping first. You might wonder if it is safer to take your children camping than to stay in warm, dry places.
Well, yes, it is certainly better to avoid extreme weather conditions. Here are three reasons to let your children experience the outdoors with nature:
It will inspire their imagination. Did you know that there are other things outdoors? The sky is always open and the stars can be seen. And the wind blows through forests. This helps children understand the world around them. This inspires children to imagine flying, exploring space, and becoming astronauts.
It will improve their overall health. You can exercise and enjoy the outdoors while camping is a great option. This can lead to healthier lifestyles later on in life. Sports participation is associated with lower rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in children. They also tend not to eat junk food or drink as many sugary beverages.
It will teach them responsibility. Camp helps your kids learn to share responsibilities, cook meals, clean up after their peers, and respect each other. These lessons will be valuable at every stage of life, regardless of how old your children are. These skills are also valuable for teenagers and adults.