Weekend Guide August 28-30

 

This feels like it should be Labor Day weekend but it’s not! It’s the weekend after many of us have been away on an annual family vacation, or been with the kids for a week (or more) without camp.  School starts this Wednesday for us here in Rye Brook and then Labor Day weekend comes along.  It doesn’t feel right but we’ll go with it, because what choice do we have but to embrace it! A new school year is a chance to start anew with new friends, new teachers, new classes, maybe a new school, and who knows what else?!  Enjoy the ride!

Rye Library Programs

Today, Friday, August 28th, from 4-5pm, kids in grades 3-5 can check out the “Summer Science Fun Club - Sharks - Get Up Close with WCM- Pre-Registration is required for this program… “*PLEASE NOTE - YOU MUST ARRIVE ON TIME FOR THIS PROGRAM.  10 MINUTES AFTER PROGRAM BEGINS WE WILL GIVE YOUR SPOT TO SOMEONE ON THE WAITING LIST.

A virtual "shark-o-pedia" for children.  Young shark biologists will venture through a fantastic lesson in comparative anatomy during this dissection of a preserved (over 2ft long) dogfish shark, make a "shark-o-meter" to measure dozens of different species and (with site approval) taste a piece of freshly cooked Mako shark steak..”

Click here to learn more

Click here to learn more about any of the Rye Library’s programs. 

 

 Renaissance Fair

Saturdays, Sundays & Labor Day from 10-7, August 1st-September 27th, head a little over an hour north west from Rye Brook up to Tuxedo Park NY to go back in time and enjoy the Renaissance Fair.  This fun faire is a “rollicking romp through Elizabethan England” and features dance, music, storytelling, arts, crafts, food, games and rides all set on the beautiful grounds of Tuxedo Park which have been transformed into a magical, medieval village.

Click here to learn more.

 

Playland

Always a fun activity for the whole family, Playland in Rye NY is open for the summer but closes soon!  This amusement park offers rides, food, entertainment and an arcade! What more could a kid want?!

In addition, there are amazing fireworks displays choreographed to music every Friday in July and August!

Park hours for this Friday and Saturday are 12-12am, and 12-10pm on Sunday.

 

Westchester Children’s Museum

While you’re at or near Playland, why not check out the all new children’s museum!  Admission price this summer is “Pay-What-You-Wish.” “The Westchester Children’s Museum, located on the Boardwalk at Playland in Rye, is open for the season. The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for by-appointment groups.

Among the exhibits this year are:

  •     “Build Your Own Roller Coaster” - an interactive, hands-on experience that involves the creation of your own roller coaster from design phase to testing phase. Visitors will have a chance to make discoveries about force, energy, friction, and stability - all while having a great time. Sponsored by Con Edison.
  •     KEVA planks - an interactive experience comprised of thousands of small, uniform building planks yielding endless creation possibilities. Incorporating elements of art and architecture, the exhibit will challenge children, fuel creativity, and allow for collaborative interaction.

Make things fly - The fun begins when junior inventors use odd materials to create a flying object and then experiment with it in the museum’s fantastic wind tunnel.”

For more info, visit their website

Pleasantville Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday from May 23rd (8:30-1) through December 5, the Pleasantville Farmer’s Market is open for all to enjoy in Memorial Plaza, next to the train station. There will be “farm-fresh foods, prepared foods created with regionally sourced ingredients, as well as many other unique offerings. It's a great way to support local agriculture and eat healthy year-round.”

This Saturday from 9:30-11 kids can do something they always want to do, “Play with Their Food- Using fresh ingredients from the Market, and assistance from local chef Suzy Scherr, kids create their own edible magic wand this Saturday!”

 

Bruce Museum

The Bruce Museum is a hidden gem 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!

Today, Friday, from 2:30-2:45, check out the Marine Tank Animal Feeding.  Free with admission and no reservation required!

And on Sunday from 1-3pm the whole family can enjoy a Family Studio Workshop focusing on Abstract Painting!  This is appropriate for all ages and a wonderful chance for ”families to explore the process of making fine art while using quality art-making supplies and discussing current exhibitions. No reservations. Fee per person: $7 members, $15 non-members.”

 

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!  The museum is open on the 4th but closing early!

Check out, Mega Making, Stepping Stone’s newest exhibit experience, which was “designed by Stepping Stones to celebrate creativity in our children! They will be the future engineers, designers, inventors, artists, teachers, scientists and the ones shaping the world - maybe in as little as 10 years from now!”

“The Mega Making exhibit experience is organized into five main areas: Art, Textiles, Construction/Woodworking, Tinkering and Book Nook/Future Ideas. Using real materials and real tools, young makers can explore art, textiles, construction and woodworking, tinkering and gadgets and a variety of materials, techniques and projects!”  There will be staff members to help get kids started, “whether it’s working a needle and thread for the first time, practicing using wrenches and screwdrivers, tinkering with batteries and buzzers or picking out the perfect artist medium. Something for all ages, best for 5 and older. Children and their adults will surely enjoy a unique experience together!”

And tonight from 6-8:30pm, don’t miss the Storybook Pajama Party to celebrate Raggedy Ann’s 100th birthday!  “Listen to a bedtime story in your PJs, meet Raggedy Ann, enjoy story-related activities throughout the museum and get your face painted like Raggedy Ann or Andy. Space is limited, registration required. Early-bird registration available through August 26.”  Price is as follows, Members $10/person, non-members $15/person. After August 26: Members $12/person, non-members $17/person.”

 

Stamford Nature Center

The Stamford Nature Center is another fabulous destination just up the Merritt!

On Sunday from 10-2pm, don’t miss the Sunday Farmers Market!  There will be SNC’s own farm-fresh eggs from the chickens on Heckscher Farm, maple syrup made in the SNC’s own Maple Sugar House, and wool from their sheep. There will be weekly farm-related family activities with the "Market Madness" program led by one of the environmental educators.

*SM&NC Sunday Market Admission Only: FREE.

Please note free entry to the Farm Market does not include: Galleries, Heckscher Farm, Nature's Playground, hiking trails or participation in the Market Madness program.

 

 

 

Maritime Aquarium

There is always SO much going on at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT.

On Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-3pm, check out the Toy Boat-Making Workshop for a fund 20 minute boat-building project!  “Build and decorate a toy sailboat to take home as a special keepsake of your Maritime Aquarium visit. Cost: $5 per child (in addition to Aquarium admission).”

Ongoing exhibits worth checking out include the butterflies in the Flutter Zone, the Dragon exhibit (ending Labor Day), the always curious and adorable Meerkats and the Jiggle A Jelly Jellyfish exhibition.

Did you know that the aquarium offers Shark Dives on “most Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays
at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m. The Maritime Aquarium's dive team spends some quality time among the sand tiger sharks, lemon shark and other creatures of the 110,000-gallon "Ocean Beyond the Sound" exhibit. Thanks to a cool communication link, you can even talk with the divers while they're in the exhibit with the sharks! They'll tell you that sharks should be respected ... but not feared.  Free with Aquarium admission. Please Note: the audio system that lets you hear the divers talk also carries the sounds of the divers' SCUBA respiration. Some young children may find this loud and unnatural.”

The aquarium is definitely worth a trip up the Merritt or 95!

Click here to learn more about Maritime.

 

Weekends at Stone Barns Center

Weekends at Stone Barns Center are wonderful!  
Experience what's happening on the farm, meet the farmers and greet the season.  On a Saturday or Sunday visit Stone Barns to participate in a variety of seasonal, hands-on activities and even better, now drop-in tours are included with your one-day admission ticket!  Tickets sell out so be sure to get yours ahead of time!

Prices are as follows; 
adult (ages 16+) $20, youth (ages 2-15) $10.  Children under 2 & members: FREE. Click here to become a member and learn more! Or here to purchase tickets 

 

Greenburgh Nature Center

The GNC always has a fun array of activities for families to enjoy each weekend! 

Ongoing: Red Fox at Hickory Lane by Kathleen M. Hollenbeck. “This self-guided Story Walk runs Sunday, June 28 through Sunday, September 27. Stop by the Manor House (Closed Fridays) for a free CPK kid's meal bookmark and to enter a free raffle for a $20 CPK gift certificate, while supplies last.”

On Saturday, August 29th and Sunday, August 30th at 11:30am, check out “Teaching Trails- Guided Trail Experience through our woodland forest. Discover who left that track, which tree makes the best animal home, or who uses that fallen tree for protection. Program runs approximately 45 minutes. FREE!”

On Sunday at 2pm, check out “Feeding Fun- It's mealtime for our animals! Come see what's on the menu and learn how we keep our critters healthy. FREE for members, Non-Members $8/person.”

 

Muscoot Farm

On Sunday, August 30th from 12-3pm, head to Muscoot Farm to celebrate their “40th year open to the public with a fun-filled day of activities for all!  There will be hayrides, games, crafts, and a band! In addition, the farmer’s market and art show will also be going on so come on by and help celebrate!!!!”

Hudson River Museum

The Hudson River Museum, in Yonkers, boasts an amazing Planetarium, six galleries, and a mansion!

In addition, this weekend HRM has Art Projects for the kids (making costume crowns and hats) on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm and Science Projects on Saturday from 1-4.  The Science project explores “Icy Worlds- As the New Horizons spacecraft flies by the Pluto system, we fill in information on our giant Pluto globe.”

Also, kids can build fairy houses on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4!

For more info, click here.

 

Michael’s

Most Saturdays, from 10-12pm, Michael’s offers a fun crafting opportunity for kids to participate in while their parents shop! This Saturday’s project sounds like a blast for kids, it’s creating a “KIDS CLUB® Bookmark”, perfect for Back to School!

For just $2, kids can spend 30 minutes at this drop-in program, have fun, express their creativity, and take home a completed project.  Supplies include.  For more information click here.

 

Crafts at Lakeshore

Lakeshore will also be holding a fun, free crafting workshop this Saturday from 11-3pm for kids ages 3 & up.  Their project also sounds like lots of fun, creating a “Bug Buddy.” Click here to learn more.

Farmer’s Market in Rye

All summer long, Rye hosts a great farmer’s market in the back parking lot behind Encore, Chase bank and Blue Mercury on Sundays from 8:30-2pm.  

NY State Fair

Every year, nearly one million people get to experience the NY State Fair.  It’s a 12-day celebration from August 27-September 7th up in Syracuse NY.  There promises to be “delicious food, eye-opening exhibits, captivating entertainment and outrageous fun.  The Fair showcases thousands of animals, hundreds of commercial attractions, scores of exciting midway rides and dozens of big-name entertainers.”  So if you feel like taking a drive, hit the road and head north to 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, New York 13209.

 

Movies

The weather is forecast to be beautiful this weekend, but sometimes you just need to be indoors and veg and what better place to do so than at the movies, the perfect indoor destination!  Relatively new, the “Fantastic Four” rated PG-13.  Also still new in theaters and sure to be a hit with the little ones, Shaun the Sheep Movie rated PG!  This animated movie from our friends across the pond looks absolutely adorable!!Still new, “Pixels” rated PG-13.  In regular and 3-D format.  Also out, “Ant Man” rated PG-13.  Perhaps a little more kid friendly, Minions is still in theaters!  My kids loved it and it’s out in regular and 3-D versions.

Check out showtimes here!

 

Other good weekend ideas include baseball games!! Check out the Met's and Yankee's schedules!

Or maybe the Bronx Zoo?

The NY Botanical Gardens are a beautiful nearby destination!  

 

Or how about fruit picking? Silverman’s Farm is a great nearby option in Easton, CT where you can pick your own fruit…depending on what’s ripe.  Check it out!! 

And Bowlmor bowling alley is now open in White Plains!

The beaches in Rye and Greenwich are a close, easy option that the whole family will love!

What about mini golfing? Nearby spots to play this fun game include Saxon Woods and Playland

Finally, a fun activity to cool down on the hot summer days that lie ahead, sprinkler park! There’s a great one located in Mamaroneck, at Harbor Island Park.  And while you’re there, you can check out the beach, the playground and all the yummy restaurants on Mamaroneck Ave! 

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

 

 

B
Submitted by Bethel, CT

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