100% Absolutely FREE, Fun and Slightly Educational Events from 8/16-8/20

We were up for a challenge: find 100% FREE ACTIVITIES  in Westchester for all ages that are fun and, if possible, educational. After extensive research, we've come up with 12 great ideas and you don't even have to pay for parking (just gas and tolls if necessary). We've included two beach activity, as it is still summer –one sand castle and kite flying extravaganza in New Jersey and one sand castle contest in Coney Island -- which are a bit of a drive, but worth it because access to the beach also is FREE, making for a lovely day.

Friday, August 16
What: SummerFest Arts & Crafts for Kids; live show with characters, music and dancing for kids
When: 9:00 am -11:00 am
Where: 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers NY 10704 (this event takes place on the stage, in the center of the mall near Adidas)
Cost: Free
Contact: Please RSVP by calling (914) 968-9571 to participate.
Website:  Click here
Ages: 5-12

What: Wiggle, Giggle Time: "Children will wiggle to music, giggle to funny rhymes and pretend to be wild and wonderful animals in this lively interactive program."
When: 9:30 am-10:00 am
Where: Rye Library 1061 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY 10580
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.ryelibrary.org/uncategorized/wiggle-giggle-time/
Ages: 18 months - 4 years

What: Ridge Hill Farmers Market, which features an array of fun activities for the whole family including cooking demonstrations and food tastings.
When: 11:00 am – 7:00pm
Where:1 Ridge Hill Rd, Yonkers, NY 10710
Cost: Free
Website: http://westchestersridgehill.com/
Ages: all

What: Teen Gaming Fridays: Play Wii and X-Box games on the big screen. Snacks provided.
When: 3:00 pm-4:30 pm
Where: Rye Free Reading Room,1061 Boston Post Road, Rye NY 10580
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.ryelibrary.org/featured-teens-home/teen-gaming-2/
Ages: Teens

Saturday, August 17
What: Story Time on the Farm: Age-appropriate books are selected to illustrate and explore farm life.
When: 1:00pm - 1:30pm; Sunday also
Where :Stone Barn Farm 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills NY 10591
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.stonebarnscenter.org/products/story-time-on-the-farm.html
Ages: best for ages 2-5

What: Fascinating Fungi: a fun and informative walk through the woods in search of mushrooms. Reservations not required.
When: 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Where: Muscoot Farm, Rt 100, Katonah, New York (40 minute drive from Scarsdale)
Cost Free
Website: www.muscootfarm.org
Ages: All

What: Free Crafts for Kids: children gather at the Lakeshore Learning Center every Saturday to participate in a craft project. Lots of creative fun with glitter, paper, paint and more.
When: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where:Lakeshore Learning Center, Midway Shopping Center 969A Central Ave
Cost Free
Website:  Scarsdale Store 
Phone: (914) 472-1820
Ages: 8 and under

What: Kites & Castle; Always wanted to learn the best kite-flying techniques or sandcastle-building tips? Well, now you can! The event showcases a sand sculpture produced by a world-class sculpture, a sandcastle building workshop for children and adults to learn the secrets professionals use to build their creations, a kite-making workshop to learn how to design and fly a kite from kite flying professionals and beach games for the whole family including ladder golf, corn hole and more.  TOP PICK!
When: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Where: Cape May City, New Jersey – the cove at Beach Avenue and Second Avenue
Cost: Free
Website: www.strongerthanthestorm.com
Ages All

What: Alliance for Coney Island and Astella Development Corp. present the 23rd Annual Sand Sculpting Competition; a chance to see hundreds of professional sand castles, pick up some pointers from professionals and win some cash.
When: 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: Coney Island, Beach and the Boardwalk West 10th to West 12th Streets , New York NY
Cost: Free but preregistration recommended to compete
Website: http://www.astelladevelopment.org/
Phone: 718-266-4653
Ages: All

Sunday, August 18
What: Annual StoryWalk Series; Enjoy a book while taking a walk along the StoryWalk Trail
When: 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale NY 10583
Where Greenburgh Nature Center
Cost: Free
Website: http://greenburghnaturecenter.org/programs-and-events.html
Ages: 8 and younger

Tuesday, August 20
What: Photography Collages: Experiment with ways to repurpose photographs by creating mixed media collages.
When: 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Where: Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum 258 Main Street Ridgefield, CT (45 minutes from Scarsdale)
Cost: Free; museum admission is free on Tuesdays during the summer.
Website: www.aldrichart.org
Ages: All -- children must be accompanied by an adult

What: Back to School Open House at Great Play; Come to Great Play and try out a class for free (zumba, sports, motor development, etc.)
When: August 20, 21 and 22; times vary
Where: Great Play 969b Central Park Avenue (lower level) Scarsdale
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.greatplay.com/locations/scarsdale/openhouse.html
Phone: (914) 713-3470 for reservations
Ages: 6 months to 12 years