Consider Westchester County if you're looking for a weekend getaway. It is just a short drive from New York City, and offers endless entertainment. It is surrounded by Long Island Sound and the Hudson River. The county is home to many bustling cities as well as charming villages. You will find many interesting places to visit, from historical sites to haunted residences.
A number of parks and nature preserves are available in the county. Children can enjoy learning about the natural environment. Cranberry Lake Preserve for instance offers many family-friendly nature programs and interactive displays.
Another great destination is the Bronx River Parkway Reservation. This park is Westchester County’s oldest linear park. It's 13.1 miles of traffic-free transportation, designed to be easily accessed by bike or foot. There are numerous scenic overlooks along the way and free audio tours available.
You can walk the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail in the spring, summer and fall. The path passes through many small towns and is popular with thousands of tourists each year. The trail is available for cyclists, inline skaters, as well as walkers.
A unique place worth visiting is the Mario Cuomo Bridge Walkway. This path, which crosses the water for 3.6 miles, has six overlooks. The path can be used for walking, biking, and running on weekends.
This is a great opportunity for you to see the scenic views from the bridge. However, the road is closed to cars on Sundays. Take the Metro-North train from Tarrytown to get to the park. Then, walk to the entrance at National Road.
The Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival, one of the region's most popular festivals, is a must-see. This 43-year old event features live bluegrass music. Participants include both adults and children.
Barton Orchards' BBQ Weekend and Brews Weekend are great ways to get outside during Labor Day Weekend. For children under 12, and their parents, the festival is free. Barton Orchards' Farm Markets is open to all visitors.
Sleepy Hollow Craft & Street Fair are other great events. October 12th will see the return of this Halloween extravaganza. The Halloween Extravaganza returns on October 12.
There are many farmers markets across Westchester County. These farmers markets typically take place in the spring and fall. They feature local farmers, artists, as well as artisans. Some markets offer special events that are suitable for children.
While you are in the area, you should definitely visit the Blue Door Art Center. This non-profit organization accepts donations and offers free exhibits and art shows. Summer on the Sound concert series is also available throughout the summer. Several small art centers will also offer opportunities to catch some of the best up-and-coming artists.
FAQ
How do you engage children in outdoor activities?
Outdoor play is a favorite activity for children. But most parents don't realize how much fun there is for kids when they go out into nature. There are so many things to do outdoors. Children can have fun exploring the natural world, whether they are playing in the dirt or climbing trees.
It can be difficult to make sure that children are safe when they travel far away from their homes. To keep children safe while enjoying the outdoors, it is essential that they have the right equipment. Children who have the proper clothing and equipment will be more comfortable in the great outdoors.
Children can have fun regardless of the weather. If they have the right gear, children can safely climb hills, jump into the sea, ride bikes, and follow trails.
It is important that children are taught how to recognize hazards and avoid danger. This includes learning how to look ahead and back when they are running, cycling, or hiking.
Parents should show their children how to recognize dangerous situations and avoid trouble. A child should ask questions if they see someone walking alone along a trail. Parents should teach their children how best to react when they meet strangers.
Children should be taught first aid and CPR by their parents so that they can assist each other in an emergency. Learning these life-saving techniques gives kids the confidence to face any situation.
Our final piece of advice is sharing our knowledge with the next generation. To live long and healthy lives, we must pass on what we have learned.
We hope this article has inspired you to get outside with your kids. We hope you will keep reading our articles to find out more about making the most your time together.
Should I let my child run around barefoot?
Yes! Running barefoot helps strengthen muscles and bones, improves posture, and promotes good hygiene. It also prevents blisters, cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
You may also want to consider shoes for children with sensitive skin. Wash your feet first if they are dry or sweaty.
You should always supervise your children while they are playing outdoors. Your child should be supervised from a distance.
When your child is playing in the grass, be sure she doesn't eat any plants or drink any water. This can be prevented by keeping your child away from high grass areas.
What outdoor activities are the most enjoyable for children aged 8-10?
The best outdoor activity for an eight-to-ten-year-old kid is probably riding his bike. He'll love his freedom and independence when out on two wheels. If you live near parks, lakes, or playgrounds, you might consider taking your child there. Even better, if you do, make sure to bring along a helmet and protective gear.
It's hard to find anything more exciting than riding a bicycle down a hill or racing across grassy fields. Riding a bicycle also gives kids something they can share. Cycling allows children to make friends and bonds with others, which is something that can be difficult for many kids who feel isolated when they are playing sports by themselves.
Bike riding teaches kids many valuable lessons. For example, they learn to balance themselves and how to control their speed. They also find time to exercise and burn calories without even realizing it. Bike riding helps them to stay healthy and active.
A bicycle is easy to maintain. It's easy to fix a flat tire, or replace a broken chain. Bikes require little maintenance. Kids spend most of their time enjoying themselves rather than worrying about whether their tires are inflated properly or their brakes work correctly.
Bicycles cost less than cars. A typical bike is between $25 and $200. This means that you can buy several bikes for your family members and allow them to enjoy the many benefits of bicycling.
You can bring your children's bikes along to the local beach, park, playground or trail. These places are fun for everyone, and you don't need to worry about where you can store your bike when you return home.
Bicycles are versatile. You can ride them outdoors as well as indoors. These bikes are great for traveling and making friends. If you don't have a permit for motorized vehicles (like New York City), bicycles are an excellent alternative.
Statistics
- A 2019 study found that kids who spend less time in green spaces are more likely to develop psychiatric issues, such as anxiety and mood disorders. (verywellfamily.com)
- 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)
- Remember, he's about 90% hormones right now. (medium.com)
- 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)
- 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)
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How To
Is camping safe for my family?
This is an important question because you may not realize how much more dangerous camping is today than it used to be. There are many hazards, including poisonous snakes. wild animals. flash floods. hurricanes. avalanches. wildfires. blizzards.
Parents aren't always aware of these dangers. So they assume that going camping is perfectly safe and fun for children. Campers are now exposed to greater risk than ever before.
The number of campers who were injured or killed by other campers grew by almost 50% between 1980-2001. This means that nearly 1,000 children were killed camping in those years.
In North America, there are more venomous plants than ever before. Insects, fish and reptiles are all more dangerous than ever.
There are many ways you could get hurt or killed while camping. For instance, according to statistics compiled by the National Park Service, there are roughly 200 fatal accidents involving vehicles yearly near national parks.
Experts estimate that the average family spends $1300 per day on outdoor activities such hiking, boating or fishing. This includes equipment, food and gas as well as lodging and transportation costs.
However, camping with your kids will require you to spend far more money than if the family had stayed at home. Spending $1,300 for a weekend trip could easily be doubled.
You may wonder why you should first take your kids camping. After all, isn't it safer to stay inside where it's warm and dry?
It is definitely better to avoid extreme weather conditions. These are three reasons your children should be able to experience nature outside:
They will be able to develop their imagination. Did you know that there are other things outdoors? The sky is open, the stars are visible, and the wind blows through the trees. This helps kids to see the big picture and understand the nature of the world. It encourages your children to dream of flying, exploring space and becoming an astronaut.
It will help improve their health. Camping offers many opportunities to get outside and exercise. This can lead later in life to healthier lifestyles. Children who are active in sports have lower rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions. They also consume less junk food, and drink fewer sugary drinks.
It will teach your children responsibility. Camp teaches your children how to clean up after themselves, prepare meals, and respect others. These lessons are important no matter the stage of your child's childhood. They are great skills to have for when your children become teens or adults.