Another weekend. This week flew by for me. Finally it feels like Spring and even though we’re not quite to June, there’s the definite feel in the air that the school year is ending and dreams of Summer are beginning. If your weekends are anything like mine, they are spent going from sport to sport and birthday party to birthday party. Be sure to carve out some time for yourself and time for you and the family to enjoy some togetherness. There are plenty of activities listed below that can help you out. Happy weekend!
Bruce Museum
The Bruce Museum is a hidden gem located just up the road from us in nearby Greenwich, CT. After you’ve checked out the museum, head across the street to a super fun playground the kids are sure to love!
On Friday from 2:30-2:45pm, check out the Marine Tank Animal Feeding.
Saturday and Sunday from 10-5pm don’t miss the 31st Annual Outdoor Crafts Festival. “Featuring fine contemporary craft, including ceramics, fiber, jewelry, glass, wood, metal, paper arts and leather, as well as craft demonstrations, family craft activities, live music and food.
More than 70 artisans showing one-of-a-kind ceramics, wearable art and other fine crafts will be featured at the Bruce Museum’s 31st Annual Outdoor Crafts Festival on Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. Includes fun, educational activities for children, international cuisine, and live music performances.
Ed Wright performs his original guitar music both days, 11 am - 4 pm
Annalisa Ewald also performs both days, and on Sunday, May 22, her students will participate in a recital by the Suzuki Guitar Method Open House from 11 am to 12 pm in the Bruce Museum Lecture Gallery.
Ongoing glass-blowing demonstrations each day by artist Jodi Bove.
Hands-on craft activities for all ages are offered at no additional charge in the Museum’s Education Workshop, and the Museum’s galleries will be open.
Admission to the Outdoor Crafts Festival is $8, free to members and children less than five.
Visitors are asked to park on Museum Drive and Steamboat Road or in the Island Beach Parking lot near exit 3 off I-95.”
Lightscapes
From the creators of the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze comes another “EXCITING, otherworldly experience of awe-inspiring illumination and all-original sculpture.
Van Cortlandt Manor springs to life during this incredible nighttime display. Taking place over 20 spring evenings and perfect for all ages, LIGHTSCAPES is a walk-through, land-art experience.
Enter through a rainbow and emerge from a bubbly haze into a dreamland of curiosities spread throughout this historic landscape as far as the eye can see. Do some “shadow dancing” in front of an interactive silhouette wall and transport yourself into a world of wonder as you enter the brand new Bubble Tunnel.
Encounter enormous “live” Luna Moth creations — some 15 feet tall! — perching high on a hill, flittering around for all to see. Check out the underbelly of a giant centipede as you worm your way through its segmented legs!
Navigate a drawbridge as you cross the River of Light and continue on your way to the Colorwheel Castle. Squiggle through the Caterpillar Cavern and discover larger-than-life elements like a colossal praying mantis and a massive mayfly.
Recycled elements serve as eco-friendly building blocks for all of our intergalactic flora and friendly woodland creatures.
State-of-the-art illumination highlights these amazing works of art and showcases Van Cortlandt Manor’s gorgeous natural landscape and specimen trees.
In the artfully decorated LIGHTSCAPES hospitality tent, enjoy spring-themed sweets including organic sorbet from Blue Pig of Croton and homemade candy and baked goods (plus savories!) from Geordane’s of Irvington.”
Tickets are on sale for the following times: 8:30, 9 & 9:30 Fri, Sat and Sunday
Cover the Court with Coins Fundraiser
On Saturday, May 21st, from 8-3pm, don’t miss the Soul Ryeders’ 4th annual children’s fundraiser, “Cover the Court with Coins” event to help show the children in our community how they can make a difference. Soul Ryeders and the Rye High School Breast Cancer Awareness Club are “challenging the children in our surrounding communities to cover and entire tennis court at Rye Recreation with coins.” All money raised will go to fun Soul Ryeder’s programs. Let’s show our children how they can make a difference in our community.
Rye Playland
You know Summer is near when Playland opens for the season! May has $15 May Day rides admission special all day! The amusement park opens at noon and closes at 7 on Saturday and Sunday.
Westchester Children’s Museum
Good news! The Westchester Children’s Museum, while not completed, is open for business and for you and the kids to enjoy! This “sunlit, colorful, vibrant learning space is filled with interactive exhibits that explore science, art, technology, design and the environment, with places to build, play, and create.” The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays 10-4. Current exhibits include:
MAKERSPACES
BUILD YOUR OWN ROLLER COASTER
KEVA PLANKS
WIND TUNNEL DESIGN CHALLENGE
TODDLER BEACH
SHADOW PUPPET THEATER
Visit their website to learn more!
On Saturday, May 21st, at 11am, don’t miss the ThankoRama Storytime Featuring The Thank You Book by beloved author Mo Willems. “Enjoy a reading of the book and activities afterward that help remind children that thanking those who do things for you can be so much fun!” Our closest Barnes & Noble is in White Plains, City Center but there are other nearby locations in Stamford, Palisades Center and Yonkers.
On stage now at the Broadway Theatre, it’s Happy Days from May 5th - July 17th. “If you like Grease, you will love Happy Days. Grab your poodle skirt, saddle shoes, and the kids, and take a rock & roll trip down memory lane! This new Musical is based on the television series and written by its creator, Garry Marshall. A Bright and funny musical celebration of nostalgia with lots of Singing & Dancing! Featuring 21 songs by Oscar and Grammy award-winning songwriter Paul Williams, including the series’ theme song.”
Check out schedule here.
Buy tickets here.
This weekend at the GNC, don’t miss Teaching Trails on Saturday, May 21st and Sunday, May 22nd at 11:30. This “Weekend Walk for All Ages” is a “Guided trail experience through our woodland forest. Our specially trained "Trail Ninja" volunteers provide information on trees, plants, wildlife and seasonal changes. Conversation varies each time. An ideal way to get acquainted with our trail system. Program runs approximately 45 minutes. FREE.”
And on Saturday, May 21st, at 2pm, check out Forest Magic-“Celebrate the magic of the forest as we scout the woods for fairies, trolls and gnomes. Hear some mythical lore and build fairy and troll houses. Costumes are encouraged! Members $5/person, Non-members $8/person.”
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones museum is an amazing place for the kids. Located about 20 minutes north of Rye Brook, in Norwalk, CT, it’s perfect for the whole family! Check them out here, then head on over for a fun filled day of learning and hands-on activities the kids will adore!
Mutt-i-grees will take place from 10:30-11:15. “ Enjoy a special canine storytime followed by a visit from a shelter dog.” Appropriate for ages 3+.
From 11:30-1 on Saturday, stop by the Animation Station and “learn the basics of stop animation by using an iPad to make a 15 second video. Ages 4 and older. $3 technology fee per child.”
The Dr. Seuss Week long celebration continues on Saturday from 1:15-2 with Cat in the Hat Hat – “Join us for a fun-filled reading of “The Cat in the Hat” and then create your own hat fit for a cat (or bar-ba-loot or who, you choose). Ages 2 and older. Limited space and tickets are required – Free tickets available at the Welcome Desk at 12:45 pm.”
Also on Saturday from 2-3pm, stop by “ATW:Performance Series An Arabian Adventure: Tanglewood Marionettes performance.”
On Sunday from 11:15-12 Dr. Seuss Week continues with a “wacky, colorful experience dedicated to all things Seussical. The Lorax Finger Puppets – Listen to a reading of the cautionary tale “The Lorax” and then finger-puppet your way into a more environmentally conscious mindset! (While supplies last!) This experience is recommended for All Ages.”
Weekend Zumba will take place from 1-130 on Sunday. Zumba Kids is an awesome way to dance your way to a healthy future! No age limit. Free with museum admission. “Note: Zumba Kids regularly occurs on Wednesdays at 2:30 pm.”
And finally on Sunday from 2-3pm, check out “ATW: Show Me a Tale-Forty Fortunes – For children ages 5 and older.”
Bicycle Sundays 2016
“One of Westchester’s longest-running and beloved recreational programs – Bicycle Sundays – rolls on select Sundays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m…During Bicycle Sundays, a portion of the Bronx River Parkway is closed to cars for the exclusive use of bicyclists, joggers, walkers, scooters and strollers. The course runs from the Westchester County Center in White Plains, south to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers, a round-trip of 13.1 miles. There are many points of entry and exit along the way.
Schedule:
Sundays in May, June and September
May 22
June 5, 12, 19 and 26
September 11, 18 and 25
Location: Bronx River Parkway from Westchester County Center in White Plains, south to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers.
Fee: Admission is Free, $7 parking at the County Center lot in White Plains
Maritime Aquarium
There is always SO much going on at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT.
Endangered Species Day will take place on Friday, from 10-5pm throughout the aquarium.
“Get a passport from your cashier and search for endangered species on exhibit here at The Maritime Aquarium. Learn why these animals' populations are threatened and what YOU can do to help. Bring your completed passport to the Gift Shop for a small reward.”
Did you know, Batman Vs. Superman comes to the Maritime’s Imax screen this Friday, May 20th.
Did you know there are Shark Dives on most Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m. And they are free with Aquarium admission. “Interact with the Maritime Aquarium's dive team among the sand tiger sharks, lemon shark and other creatures of the 110,000-gallon "Ocean Beyond the Sound" exhibit.”
Don’t miss the "Animals Without Passports" exhibit, open now through Jan. 2, 2017.
“The large humpback whale population off Cape Cod supports a popular whale-watching industry. And, for the first time in decades, at least three whales spent the late summer of 2015 in western Long Island Sound.
But humpbacks aren’t in New England waters year-round and their annual international migration is the focus of the special exhibit, “Animals Without Passports."
Displays explore the challenges of humpback whales’ annual 3,000-mile migration between New England and the Caribbean. Learn when and why the whales migrate, and the hazards they face as they cross ocean borders, including poisoning from pollution, becoming entangled in fishing gear and being hit by boats and ships.
The exhibit is installed in the lobby of The Maritime Aquarium’s IMAX® Theater because it is a perfect tie-in to the movie “Humpback Whales,” showing daily through May 26.
“Animals Without Passports” tells its story by focusing on one whale, a female humpback named Salt who has been studied by researchers for 40 years. Trace Salt’s “family tree” as you also learn how scientists identify and track individual whales.”
Dragons! Real or Myth? Meerkats and Jiggle a Jelly are also among some of the amazing current exhibits at the aquarium.
And did you know, now showing is the IMAX Movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays.
The aquarium is definitely worth a trip up the Merritt or 95!
Click here to learn more about Maritime.
Clay Arts Center Saturday Drop In Classes
Every Saturday from 2-4pm, drop in and have some fun “experimenting with clay for the first time. Plan a great afternoon with friends, family, or just for you while exploring your inner artist in this fun and messy introduction to clay! Professional ceramic artists guide fun, featured weekly projects - decided by the instructor. Projects take between 1.5- 2 hours. This class includes materials. Fee: $25 adult, $15 children under 12, $5 firing fee (per piece).
SPACE IS LIMITED. Tickets go on sale at the front desk 30 minutes prior to each session. First Come First Served.”
Hudson River Museum
The Hudson River Museum, in Yonkers, boasts an amazing Planetarium, six galleries, and a mansion!
Saturdays & Sundays 12 - 5 pm there’s “a safe space for children to explore, play, and create with their families. The room hosts a large-scale dollhouse, blocks, puppet theater, and books. A Junior Docent is present to answer questions and suggest activities.”
And Saturday and Sundays from 1-4, kids can do fun art projects – “Creative activities weekends inspired by the Museum’s collections and exhibitions, led by Junior Docents and art and science professionals. Ages 7+, can be adapted for younger children.” April’s project is “Build Two Bridges from pre-drawn plans—the Bridge of the Americas and the Centennial Bridge, which span the Pan-American Highway that joins North and South America.”
Saturdays 1-4, come do some fun science projects. This April kids can “Make a Watery Story Wheel, a collage from fragments that show the life cycle of a Hudson River fish and other river organisms.”
There are planetarium shows Saturdays and Sundays that the whole family can enjoy!
Shows on May 21 & 22:
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12:30 2 3:30 |
Earth, Moon and Sun- The Sky Tonight Habitat Earth |
The 12:30 show is for younger school-age children. The content and delivery of these shows inspires the youngest future astronomers to learn about the skies.
2 pm
The Sky Tonight. See what the sky is like on the Planetarium dome the VERY night you see this interactive show. LIVE presentation. Ages 8+
3:30 pm
Star shows that explore more complex scientific content as it draws you into the action. Ages 8+
To learn more, click here.
Family Arts Bash
On Saturday, May 21st from 1-5pm don’t miss the Family Arts Bash, sure to provide “a day of family fun featuring children’s art workshops, art exhibits and open artists’ studios in ArtsWestchester’s historic White Plains home!
A suggested donation of $10 per family at the door is appreciated
Tickets in advanced are not required.”
ArtsWestchester is located at 31 Mamaroneck Ave in White Plains.
Check out the schedule of activities here
Michael’s Kids® Club
On Saturday from 10am-12pm, come to Michael’s where kids can have fun creating a KIDS CLUB® FRAMED FOAM YARD ART while you shop! “Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per child, supplies included. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.”
Crafts at Lakeshore
Lakeshore will also be creating a fun craft this Saturday from 11-3pm for kids ages 3 & up. This week’s project is creating a “Twist & Twirl Spinner.”
Magical Years at the Emelin
On Saturday at 11:30 and Sunday at 1:30pm, check out Magical Years at the Emelin. “Grown-ups tell kids that these are the magical years of their life! Really? With trouble understanding parents, sibling rivalry and unanswered questions, this time can be anything but. Join this group of talented young performers as they sing and dance their way through the magical years of growing up.” Tickets are as follows, $20 - Adults, $15 - Children. Day of Price: $25 - Adults, $20 Children.
See more here.
Stamford Nature Center
The Stamford Nature Center is a wonderful place to visit. There’s a fun playground and animals to see on the grounds.
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This Sunday noon-4pm, don’t miss Sunday Explorers, “Our popular Sunday drop-in programs return for the spring. Join us for a weekly hike on our trails or for a chance to meet or feed some of our Heckscher WILD! animals. Explore Heckscher Farm as we greet goats, plant in our garden, and peek into barns to see if any baby animals were born. Visit the Overbrook Nature Center for some great self-guided crafts, additional animals, and exhibits too!” Also Sunday from 4-5:30, check out “Outdoor Adventures: Slithery Snakes-Get an up close look at everyone's favorite scaly serpents — the snakes! Learn how to identify our native Connecticut snakes, meet some live snakes from around the world, and then take a hike on our trails to look for signs of these scaly creatures and things they might like to eat for dinner. Additionally, find out the best ways to handle snakes and get to hold one of our teaching snakes. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Meets at the Overbrook Nature Center.” |
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There’s a couple of fun activities going on at the farm this weekend! On Sunday, May 22nd from 12-3pm, come Meet the Baby Animals. “The babies are here. Come to the farm and learn all about our animals and their offspring. 4-H will be on hand to answer questions.” Also, from 9:30-2:30 on Sunday stop by the Farmer’s Market for a variety of products. “Over 20 vendors make up this unique and local farmer's market! Additional dates:, 5/29.”
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Rye's Down to Earth Farmers Market
Speaking of Farmer’s Markets, Rye’s opens this weekend and runs Sundays, 8:30AM – 2:00PM, until December 4th. The market is located in the Parking Lot on Theodore Fremd Ave, Rye NY.
Saturdays from 8:30-1pm there’s also a Farmer’s Market happening in Pleasantville, NY. “Spring has sprung and so has the Pleasantville Farmers Market! The delicious good time is now outdoors at Memorial Plaza (next to the train station). Located right in the heart of Westchester County, the Market is centrally located in our beautiful, historic walking village -- perfectly positioned on your way to your destination or better yet, as a destination in itself. Experience the largest, year-round farmers market in Westchester, and the one voted Best of Westchester in 2014 and 2015 by the readers of Westchester Magazine. Market will take place rain or shine. The Pleasantville Farmers Market is a dog-free environment.
This week’s entertainment includes Marco the Magician! “Marco Frezza's acclaimed magic show confounds the senses of adults and children. With too much blow-your-mind magic for just one show, Marco has offered to perform at 9:30am and again at 11:00. Please bring the whole family, all your friends, even distant cousins to help us build a great crowd for Marco. He'll leave them all guessing!”
In addition, market visitors can enjoy the music of The Horned Angels from 10-12pm. This is an “All-women band writing original tunes and covering the finest old school country songs. Be ready to dance, laugh and cry.”
Weekends at Stone Barns Center, April 16 - November 13
Ticketed weekend admission has started!
Experience the farm with a day of Stone Barns programming.
STONE BARNS SELL OUT!!
Learn more & GET TICKETS HERE.
Experience what's happening on the farm, meet our farmers and greet the season.
“On a Saturday or Sunday visit Stone Barns, participate in a variety of seasonal, hands-on activities and drop-in tours all included with your one-day admission ticket. Ticket prices are as follows: Adult (ages 16+): $20, Youth (ages 2-15): $10, Members: FREE*!
This season on the farm The pasture grass is growing and preparing to welcome our chickens, flocks of sheep and new lambs. The field and gardens are coming to life with new growth and summer seedlings are growing in the propagation bay of the greenhouse, waiting to be transplanted into the field. A sample weekend day this spring will include:
Meet the: Sheep: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Farm Chore: Egg Collecting: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Meet the: Blue Hill Chef: 11:00 - 11:30 am
Farm Chore: Lettuce Planting: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Getting Grounded Tour: 11:30 am (45 minutes) Adults Hands on: Felting activity: 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Making the Rounds Tour: Greenhouse: 1:30 pm (20 minutes)
Listen: Story Time: 1:30 - 1:50 pm, recommended ages 2-6
Meet the: Sheep: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Farm Activity: Prep the Field Beds 2:00 - 3:00pm
Hands-on: Pesto making 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Getting Grounded Tour: 3:15 pm (45 minutes) Adults
Farm Chore: TBD: 3:45 pm
Making the Rounds Tour: Field: 4:15 pm (20 minutes)
Activities and details are subject to change.”
Other weekend ideas?
The movies are always a fun weekend option. Angry Birds Movie hits theaters this weekend in regular and 3D format. My kids are so excited about this one! Captain America: Civil War hit theaters last weekend. Rated PG-13 and in regular, 3D, IMAX and IMAX-3D format. Ratchet and Clank is sill pretty new to theaters. I hadn’t heard of this movie. It’s “ A CG-animated movie based on the iconic PlayStation video game.” In regular and 3D format. The Jungle Book is also out in regular, 3D and Imax! Also still out, Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice is in theaters! It’s rated PG-13 so may be a little too scary for the younger audience members. Still in theaters is Zootopia! A long awaited movie that was absolutely adorable. I loved it!! It’s out in regular, 3D and 3D Imax format! My son loved it so much he saw it twice!
Have you checked out Fun Fuzion in New Rochelle yet. Fun Fuzion is Westchester’s only indoor amusement park. There’s bowling, mini golf, billiards, lazer tag, and a fun house with games and rides. There’s also a movie theater next door! Definitely a spot worth visiting!
Or maybe the Bronx Zoo?
Or Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut?
The New York Botanical Gardens are also a beautiful spot to visit and stroll around.
Baseball anyone? The Yankees are in Oakland but the Mets are home this weekend. Saturday at 4:10 and Sunday at 1:10pm. Don’t feel like a Major League game, why not check out the Rockland Boulders? They are playing Saturday night at home.
And Bowlmor bowling alley is a fun option in White Plains!
The beaches in Greenwich are open. Passes are required from May 2 through October 31.! It’s a close, easy option that the whole family will love! There’s also Oakland beach in Rye. The Park is now considered “In Season” begins on the Friday before Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day. Weather permitting, lifeguards will be on duty and the beach is open for swimming from 9 a.m. until at least 5 p.m. Parking and Beach admission fees will apply.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to call ahead, to ensure a scheduled activity is still running. Email me at ryebrook@hamlethub.com and let me know if we missed any super fun, family friendly events and/or if you would like to advertise with us!
Photo Credit: Kelly Schwark