How to Have a Tech-Free (ish) Summer

How to Have a Tech-Free (ish) Summer

As a mom of three kids (two of which are teenagers), tech is an integral part of our lives. They use laptops for school and communicate to their friends through these mini computers aka phones. With two of three home during the summer, I’m trying to get them off tech (as much as possible) to enjoy the very short season before they head back to school and life getting busy again. Part of our tech-free plans involve exploring more of Westchester, spending time outdoors, taking hikes, and enjoying the many free activities happening throughout the County.

Here are some ways we are trying our best to have a tech-free (ish) summer in Westchester.

1. Spend the day in a new town: One of our favorite low-key travel things to do over the summer is to check out nearby Westchester towns.  Do a little research to find the local playgrounds, lunch spots, and attractions to make a day of it with your kids.
2. Read: The Westchester Library System has an incredible summer library program called All Together Now. Through this program, kids can earn points for the hours and/or number of books they read. These points can add up where they can win prizes based on how many hours/books they read. Many libraries are also hosting
3. Garden: Don’t have a green thumb? Try something simple by getting some seeds and having your child plant them. My eight-year-old is really into doing this where we recently tried the World of Eric Carle x Creativity for Kids: The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Ready to Grow Garden. Housed in an apple shaped terrarium, she loved decorating, planting, and watering the chia seeds as they grew in a few days. It was easy, engaging, and fun as we watched the seeds become plants.
4. Visit a museum: Did you know that you can get FREE admission to many museums by showing your library card. Many of the systems have a list of museums where you can request passes three days before your visit. This includes Westchester and New York City museums such as the American Museum of Natural History; the Bruce Museum in Greenwich; Katonah Museum, and much more.
5. See a movie: This summer, cool down and enjoy and outdoor or indoor movie. Outdoor summer movies are generally free where you can also explore a new town and have a picnic dinner under the stars. For indoor movies, check out the JBFC Kids programming at Jacob Burns Film Center, featuring Mary Poppins on July 29th; The Muppet Movie on August 12th; and Where the Wild Things Are on August 26th, to name a few options.
6. Go on a hike: We are so lucky to have access to so many incredible nature trails in Westchester. Some favorites include Croton Dam, Greenburgh Nature Center, Teatown, Westmoreland Sanctuary, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, and Cranberry Lake Preserve.
7. Check out the new pool at Playland: This summer enjoy a cool-down at the new Playland pool. The pool features a zero-depth entry and 35-foot waterfront slide as well as new swan and dragon paddle boats that you and your kids can take around Playland Lake.
8. Sign up for the Sand Art Competition: Spend the day at Glen Island Beach on August 5th and participate in the Family Fun Day Sand Art Competition.
9. Go to a concert: There are so many outdoor concerts happening in Westchester, many of which are free. Check out the Summer Amphitheater Series at the Hudson River Museum; Music in Armonk Square; Music on the Hill; and the New Rochelle Summer Concert Series.
10. Take a road trip: There are so many nearby destinations that you can explore with your kids for a day or weekend away. We love taking drives to Cold Spring, Beacon, Woodstock, and more as well as visits to gorgeous sites such as Kaaterskill Falls and the Mongaup River Trail.
11. Take a walk: Don’t feel like taking a long hike, simply walk around your neighborhood with your kids.
12. Try a new ice cream place: Hooray for summer ice cream. Westchester is home to so many incredible ice cream spots like Bluebird Homemade Ice Cream in Cross River; King Kone in Katonah, Ice Cream Social in White Plains; Frannie’s Goodie Shop in Chappaqua and Mount Kisco; Bona Bona Ice Cream in Port Chester; Village Creamery & Sweetshop in Valhalla; Bigfoot Creamery in Ossining; and Penny Lick Ice Cream in Hastings on Hudson, to name a few.
13. Go fishing: There are numerous ways to slow down and fish with your kids in Westchester. Some options include Blue Mountain Reservation, Bronx River Reservation, Croton Point Park, and Wampus Pond. You will need a New York State fishing license from the Westchester County Clerk or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
14. Go bike riding on the Westchester North County Trail & Putnam Trailway: Offering 16 miles of trails through Yorktown Heights, Croton Reservoir, New Castle and more, you and your kids will love this scenic ride as you glide along this smooth trailway.
15. Create some art: Make some art at home or take a fun art class together. Railyard Arts Studio, Blue Door Art Center, and Kinosaito Arts Center has a great roster of family art classes/workshops.
16. Make slime: Visit D.I.Y Slime in Larchmont, a make-your-own slime shop where your kids can make their own gooey slime with add-ins such as beads, charms, glitter, confetti, gold leaf, chalkboard paint, and more.
17. Volunteer: Older kids can use their time to give back to the community. Organizations like Neighbors Links, 914 Cares, Ronald McDonald House of Greater Hudson Valley, Feeding Westchester, and more.
18. Indoor adventures: It does get pretty hot in Westchester over this summer. Check out some of our favorite indoor adventures such as LEGOLAND Westchester, the Hudson River Museum, Westchester Children’s Museum, indoor rock climbing, and more.
19. See a show:  There are many kid-friendly musicals and theatrical performances coming to Westchester this Summer. We are excited about Home, a new family-friendly musical presented by New Victory Theater at The David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center at Pocantico and Mary Poppins Jr at the White Plains Performing Arts Center.
20. Try a new game: We’ve recently been playing the new Pix Brix Mixed Series Paint Can. This STEM toy includes 1,500 pieces that can be constructed and deconstructed into various creations.

We hope this list helps you to find some new things to do in Westchester  as you enjoy this fun (but short!) season. With some clever planning and communication, your kids might just find that they enjoy activities beyond the world of their phones.