Katherine Dhurandhar

Katherine Dhurandhar is a Community Publisher for Mommy Poppins, representing the Westchester and Hudson Valley region of New York, and a freelance copyeditor for Westchester Publishing Company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband and son.

Latest posts by Katherine

Free in February: 30 Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 7:13am

The Revelators dance troupe performs at the Yonkers Riverfront Library in celebration of Black History Month. Photo courtesy of the library

Looking for FREE things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this February? Read on for dozens of great options.

No need to be stuck in the house this February, as we have found tons of great FREE things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley! Although it may be the shortest month, February is chock-full of holidays and cultural celebrations, including for Lunar New Year, Black History Month, and Valentine's Day. Our list also includes FREE things to do over the winter holiday break, including STEM workshops and an indoor sidewalk chalk party.

Read on for more of our top FREE event picks in February, and don't forget to eyeball our just-released Best of February List, which includes our top picks all month long. You can always find more freebies in our Guide to Free Things To Do in Westchester with Kids and our rundown of 50 Free Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Note that some events listed below may require advance registration. Click through to the listings for details.

3 Days in the Hudson Valley with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 6:33pm

Hang out Lego friends at Legoland New York. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

New York's Hudson Valley was recently named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top 20 must-see destinations in the world and those of us lucky enough to live here know that is a prime destination for a family trip. Its picturesque hills offer stunning views and numerous activities for all seasons, from hiking and waterfall hopping in the summer to skiing and snowtubing in the winter.

To give you the best bang for your buck, we're giving you a local's perspective on the best things to do in the Hudson Valley. You probably can't do all of these activities in three days (kids could probably spend the entire trip at Legoland), but we have included plenty of options so you can take your pick.

For more family-friendly fun, check out our roundups of Things To Do with Kids in the Hudson Valley, Best Hudson Valley Sledding Hills, and Easy Hikes in the Hudson Valley.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Best of January: 18 Top Things To Do in Westchester with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 12/30/2022 - 6:52am

Teatown Lake Reservation holds winter workshops for kids and families. Photo courtesy of the reservation

From New Year's Day to MLK weekend and Lunar New Year, January is a great time for indoor and outdoor activities. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this month.

January offers tons of opportunities for spectacular family fun. Outdoorsy families can kick off the year with a first day hike, and there are plenty of other ways to get out in nature this month, including a workshop on how to make maple syrup in your backyard.

If the frigid temperatures have you hiding indoors, there are loads of great things to do at local libraries and museums, including celebrating the Lunar New Year, enjoying live animal shows, or even learning about the shape of snow on other planets.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

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The Surprisingly Affordable Way to Fly Semi Private with Your Family

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Thu, 12/22/2022 - 12:00pm

Hop-on jet service JSX offers the perks of flying private, but at prices that are comparable to regular commercial travel.

If the hassle of air travel is keeping you from booking that beach vacation or has you dreading a trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa, hear me out. Hop-on jet service JSX may be the answer to parenting prayers, offering the perks of flying private, but at prices that are comparable to regular commercial travel.

As someone with a lot of far-away family, I've done my fair share of flying since my son was born, and I've never seen it done quite like this. With private crowd-free airports, quick contact-less check-in, and planeside luggage retrieval, imagine flying without wrestling your shoes off at security or waiting an hour at baggage claim with squirmy little ones. Add family-friendly amenities and non-stop flights from Westchester to Orlando and Miami, flying semi-private with JSX is amazingly easy, even with kids, and bags, and even pets, in tow.

I'm here to give you the inside scoop on this life-changing option for air travel, from a full list of perks to ticket pricing, and all your other questions about flying with JSX.

Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience Transforms FDR State Park Into Magical Walk-Through

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Wed, 11/02/2022 - 10:51am

The Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience has transformed FDR State Park into a magical walk-through.

Wands at the ready everyone: The forested trails of FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights have transformed into the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience. If you dare enter, you'll encounter characters, creatures, and favorite scenes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. Utilizing a magical combination of spectacular lighting and sound effects, this walk-through experience transports visitors to the Wizarding World and even allows guests to conjure a little magic of their own.

Read on for our full review, and be sure to book your tickets to the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience soon, as it's only in town for a limited time!

Tennis in Lower Westchester: 7 Great Centers for Westchester Families To Learn and Play Tennis

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Mon, 10/03/2022 - 11:42am

Photo courtesy of The New Rochelle Racquet Club

It's never too early (or late) to learn to play tennis. Whether your child aspires to be the next Serena Williams or is just looking for some great exercise and healthy fun, Westchester County offers some of the best tennis centers offering lessons, camps, and so much more. And since the courts go indoors for the winter, this is a sport the whole family can enjoy all year round.

Tennis classes are available for all ages and skill levels, so if tennis is a sport you’re looking to learn, or even if your kid is already a seasoned tennis player, read on for our picks of the top tennis facilities in lower Westchester. Grab your racket and get ready for fun, great exercise, and professional instruction close to home.

You can find more sports classes–and even book a class online–in the Mommy Poppins directory of classes and listings. Check out our Westchester Classes for Kids Guide for classes for kids of all ages.

Pregnancy and Parenting Classes in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Families

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 7:26am

Take a prenatal class with a partner at Prana Prenatal Yoga. Photo courtesy of the studio

Looking for pregnancy and parenting classes in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Read on for some of the top options in the area.

Parenting is not an easy job, and we could all use some help sometimes, whether you are expecting a new baby or going through the difficult teenage years. Thankfully, there are plenty of parenting classes right here in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, from pregnancy and birth classes to positive discipline and special-needs parenting classes. Many of the classes also offer additional support groups for parents to share their experiences and be part of a community.

You can find more parenting classes–and even book a class online–in the Mommy Poppins directory of classes and listings. Check out our Westchester Classes for Kids Guide for classes for kids of all ages. And find more new-parent resources in our Westchester Baby Guide.

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Pregnancy and Parenting Classes in NYC

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Mon, 08/15/2022 - 6:38pm

Hypnodoula Maeva offers newborn care classes. Photo courtesy of Hypnodoula

Parenting classes are a great way to learn about your child and connect with other parents. There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child, but for most of us in the modern world who don't have that village, parenting classes can provide much-needed knowledge, plus a support network. Thankfully NYC has plenty of pregnancy and parenting classes for new and expecting parents covering topics ranging from pregnancy and childbirth to sleep training and positive discipline. Many of these institutions also offer play spaces and support groups where parents can share their experiences, make lasting friendships, and even organize play dates.

In the wake of the pandemic, many pregnancy and parenting classes are still offered only virtually, but we have gathered together the best small-group, in-person classes in NYC as well as those offered as private, in-home sessions. You can find more parenting classes, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check out our NYC Classes for Kids Guide for more kids' activities and classes for kids of all ages. Find more new parent resources in our NYC Baby Guide.

Katherine Dhurandhar

Latest posts by Katherine

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