15 Fun Spring Activities and Ideas From Moms in Westchester

​The weather is warming up and plants are in bloom. Parents and kids alike are anxious to get outside. Step into the warm weather with this list of activities recommended by local parents in Westchester County, NY!

Parks

Croton Gorge Park, Route 129, Cortlandt, NY- Trails for miles, Croton Gorge Park has a beautiful background and is great for walking and checking out the waterfall. The walk is stroller friendly and great for a Spring day with the family. At the entrance of the park you will find a beautiful little park to play, including some slides, a jungle gym and more. After you’re all worked out from the walk and the playground sit down at one of the park benches and have a picnic with the kiddos.
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: $10 per car on weekends ($5 if you have a park pass), May through September only. Free on weekdays.

Croton Point Park, 1A Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520- Croton Point Park sits nestled along the Hudson River. The park has great trails for walking with little ones or pushing a stroller. There are two great playgrounds. One playground is meant for school age children and the other is meant for preschool age children. There are spacious seating areas under beautiful shady pavilions. In the summer be sure to check out the beach. The backdrop to the playgrounds is a beautiful view of the Hudson and the streaming Metro North as it zooms by, especially during rush hour.
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: $5 with Park Pass, $10 without Park Pass; daily, beginning May 28 - Labor Day; weekends only May and September

FDR Park, 2957 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598- FDR is a sanctuary in upper Westchester. FDR is a beautiful park, which includes walks a plenty, spacious picnic areas and a gigantic pool for summer swimming. The park is a nature retreat to families that live in bustling areas of Westchester and everyone in between. There is an awesome playground that is newly renovated with swings for the younger and the older children.  There is also a tire swing and a swing with seat suitable for mothers with babies or children who feel more comfortable in a seat. FDR Park also has a great rock wall climbing structure and spinning seats, which my toddler loves until she has to stand up post spinning.
Bathrooms: Available at parking lot 1
Parking: $8 entry fee, 5/21-6/12- weekends & holidays & 6/13-9/5- daily, swimming pool- $3 all ages; credit cards accepted

Garth Road Playground, 280 Garth Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583- Garth Road Playground is a secret gem in lower Westchester. Garth Road is not just any playground; Garth Road is fenced in, a parent dream come true. The fence makes it safer for parents with little ones. Garth Road has climbing structures, a rock-climbing wall, swings for all and of course slides. Garth Road also has some beautiful plant boxes so be sure to check it out while the flowers are in bloom. The park is also located next to the Metro North Railroad, so kids love watching the trains zoom past!
Bathrooms: None available on site
Parking: Street Parking

Gedney Park, 161 Millwood Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514- Gedney Park offers three different types of jungle gyms to suit different ages and stages of children. All are brightly colored and difficult to miss. The park has swings for both younger and older children as well. My toddlers’ favorite of course is the sandbox. Should she play with it? Taste it? Or dig? These are some of the many things that cross her mind. The scenery in the park is almost jaw dropping at this time of the year. After hours of play you can strap the kids on your back or in a stroller and head out for a beautiful adventure in and around the woods. After all the fun is over find a picnic bench, which are located in the park and sit down for a nice lunch. Gedney Park is closed until June for renovations!
Bathrooms: None available on site
Parking: Free parking lot available

Harbor Island Park, 123 Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543- Harbor Island Park is another fun-filled park for the whole family. The park showcases a small roped off swimming area on the beach. Harbor Island’s main attraction is the mat surface sprinkler area. There are also public bathrooms right on the beach complete with showers. After all the water fun, dry off at the nautical themed playground, which overlooks the harbor. The playground has something for all ages including a slide, sandbox, jungle gym and more. The beach and sprinkler park are open until 5 pm every day until Labor Day. Parking for the park is $5 and the beach and sprinkler fee is $5 for adults and kids under 6 are free.
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: In season $5 per car

Kensico Dam Park, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla, NY 10595- Kensico Dam Park is everything you may be looking for if you want to stay fit and let the kid’s blow off some steam. Kensico features two playgrounds, one meant for younger children and one for older children side by side; making it less likely to worry about turning your back on any of the kiddies at this park.  Kensico features a beautiful track for walking with the strollers, riding bikes, roller-skating and even running, if you are that brave. In addition to the playgrounds there is a wide-open grassy area in the middle of the track, perfect for picnics, playing ball, hula hooping, jump roping or really anything your child finds fun. The Dam has a beautiful view of the Kensico reservoir, great for those snapshots!
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: Free parking lots available

Pierson Park, 238 West Main Street, Tarrytown, NY 10591- Pierson Park has broad views of the Palisades, the Tappan Zee Bridge, Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, and the New York City skyline; so get ready for some family selfies. Pierson Park features the Westchester Riverwalk, a paved foot path stretches for about a mile along the waterfront making stroller walks easy and accessible, soon to attach all the way up to Peekskill. Pierson Park has a playground that includes splash fountains for those hot days nestled on rubber pads to keep bruises to a minimum. Pack a swimsuit! There is also a nearby pavilion where families can relax in the shade, unwind and eat after all the fun! You can also walk over to Lighthouse Ice Cream Company and get a delicious treat or coffee to enjoy outside.
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: Free lot and street available, time limit

Sagamore Playground, 66 Sagamore Road, Bronxville, NY 10708- Sagamore Playground sits on a shady hill in the beautiful town of Bronxville. This wonderful hidden spot is enclosed with a fence, perfect for 1 or more children. This park has a paved area, which has ride-on bikes and push toys. My daughter couldn’t get enough of the endless toys at her fingertips. Sagamore has a number of jungle gyms including one strictly for toddlers and preschoolers and swings for all ages. The playground also has a sandbox and sand toys waiting to be played with by children. The tree-lined park is very tranquil for children and parents alike. The playground is up a little bit of a hill so make sure to keep your eyes open so you don’t miss it!
Bathrooms: None available on site
Parking: Free street parking, 2-hour limit

Riverfront Green Park, 117 North Water St, Peekskill, NY 10566- For those avid train lovers, this park is your destiny. My daughter refers to this park as the “choo choo Park”. The trains stop and go close enough to the playground that your children can count the cars, imitate the sounds or even wave to the passengers on board. My toddler loves the train and no matter where on the jungle gym she is, she will make her way to the grass to wave to the trains as they pass. The park is part of the RiverWalk, which will eventually span 51.5 miles of Westchester along the Hudson. Riverfront Green has a stage where they host shows and fireworks in the summer. Make sure to bring a picnic to eat by the water, as this can definitely be a day trip!
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: Free on site

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Animals

Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah, NY 10536- There is so much good to say about Muscoot Farm. I will start with the basics. Muscoot is a free day trip and is great for children of all ages. There are opportunities to explore, play and learn all in one experience. Muscoot features animals such as pigs, horses, chickens and so much more. Muscoot also has baby animals in the Spring. Muscoot can get busy so if you are going, be sure to bring snacks and drinks to keep your crew hydrated and ready for more walking.
Admission: Free on site
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: Free on site

Stew Leonard’s, 1 Stew Leonard Drive - Yonkers, NY 10710- Located in Yonkers, Stew Leonard’s can be a fun and exciting place to visit in the Spring. You can eat some ice cream and the best part is that you can even see the baby farm animals. Don’t take my word for it; go check it out!
Admission: Free
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: Free

Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY 10591- Stone Barns is located on picturesque grounds.  Wednesday- Friday Stone Barns has no fee entry and self guided tours. With a map in hand this tour is enjoyable and educational. One can see animals living and eating amongst their natural habitat and a nice pardon from our bustling life. Be sure to dress the kids and yourself in sneakers and comfy clothes, as the walk can be long. After visiting with all of the animals take a nice seat with your family in the grass and have a picnic. It surely will be an enjoyable day!
Admission: Wednesday- Friday, Free; Saturday- Sunday, Adult (16+): $20, Youth (ages 2-15): $10, Members: FREE
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: Free on site

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Walks

Teatown, 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining, NY 10562– Conveniently located minutes from the Taconic State Parkway, Teatown is a secret nature haven. If you are looking for a nice place to explore and get messy, Teatown is one of the most beautiful places. The education center houses live animals safely in habitats and even life size stuffed bears for those photo ops. There is definitely a lot to see at Teatown and a lot to explore including 15 miles of hiking trails open daily and the Teatown Kitchawan Preserve. Teatown also has great educational programs if you are interested in signing up!
Admission: Free
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: Free on site

Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583- The Greenburgh Nature Center is a wide-open nature preserve with trails for walking or strolling, a pond for exploring and gardens. Greenburgh Naure Center is a sanctuary for wildlife habitats. Make sure to check out all of the animals once you get inside, they even have some of the animals outside including farm animals and birds. Spring is the perfect time to go as it features hundreds of species of traveling birds that use it as a resting place on their travels. The Center is a hidden escape just off of a busy Avenue. The playground is wonderful for all ages featuring different kinds of climbing gyms, rocks to explore, buildings to climb, swings to swing on, mazes to climb and so much more!
Admission: Non-Members: $7 adults, $6 seniors/students, $5 children 2-12. FREE for Members and children under 2 years
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: Free on site

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Bonus Spots: Just Over the Westchester Border, Worth the Visit!

Cold Spring Tot Park, High St, Cold Spring, NY 10516‬- This park is PERFECT for toddlers and preschoolers but can also be fun for children in elementary school. This hidden gem is behind the main street in Cold Spring. The park flaunts a large sandbox always filled with toys, trucks, shovels and buckets available for use by all, so make sure to bring hand wipes. There is a jungle gym available and swings for the little ones and the big ones! ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
Bathrooms: None available on site
Parking: Free street parking

Bear Mountain State Park, Route 9W North, Bear Mountain, NY 10911- If you ever wanted fresh air, a place for the kids to run, activities for the toddlers and pretty much something for everyone, then Bear Mountain State Park is your best bet! Bear Mountain is located in the heart of the mountains on the Hudson River, just over the Bear Mountain Bridge. The Park has fields for miles as well as picnic benches for the masses, a swimming pool for the summer, a merry go round for those trying to hide from the sun, an ice skating rink in the winter, hikes and trails, boats to rent, a museum and a zoo! Don’t forget before you leave, stop by the lodge and get some ice cream! There is more then enough to keep most occupied for hours!
Admission: Pool-$2, Merry-Go-Round- $1 (children under 42 inches must be accompanied by an adult), Museum and Zoo- Free
Bathrooms: Available on site
Parking: $10 for a full day after Labor Day

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Interested in exploring ALL the parks in Westchester County? Click here for detailed information about all of the Westchester County parks!

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Written by Jenna Korn. Jenna holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education in Birth through 2nd Grade. She currently works as an Education Coordinator and Teacher in a private preschool in Bronxville. Jenna enjoys bringing local families together and loves exploring everything Westchester with her 2-year-old daughter. Jenna is so excited to write for Westchester NY Moms!

Photography by Dylan K.

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