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

Pumpkin World Brings New Halloween Jack-o'-Lantern Trail to the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 10/20/2023 - 10:38am

Pumpkin World's jack-o'-lantern trail takes visitors on a spectacular journey once the sun goes down.

It's officially spooky season in the Hudson Valley, and you won't want to miss a trip to Pumpkin World, the Hudson Valley's newest spectacular Halloween exhibition, featuring more than 5,000 artistically carved, lit pumpkins spread throughout Clover Stadium in Pomona. With the numerous activities for kids, plus food and beverages available for purchase, my family was able to enjoy a full evening at Pumpkin World, and everyone had something to do.

Read on for the scoop on this Hudson Valley Halloween attraction, which is one of our top Halloween events in the region. Find more Halloween fun in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide.

Best Preschool and Toddler Classes in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Mon, 09/11/2023 - 2:58pm

Kids can draw, paint, and use clay at Oodle Monkey. Photo courtesy of the studio

There are tons of preschool and toddler classes to pick from in Westchester and the Hudson Valley that help kids get their energy out while learning valuable skills.

We've rounded up 21 toddler and preschool classes in the area that range from school skills and STEAM classes to dance and sports classes for preschoolers. One class even combines horseplay–with actual horses!–and literacy learning. All of our picks are drop-off classes that foster independence and prepare children for the first day of school.

For more classes for toddlers and preschoolers, see our picks of the Best Mommy-and-Me Music Classes in Westchester and the Best Mommy-and-Me Classes in the Hudson Valley.

For even more after-school programs, check out our full Classes Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids.

Mommy-and-Me Classes in the Hudson Valley for Kids and Babies

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 08/25/2023 - 11:00am

Moon River Mother and Child offers a variety of parent-and-me music classes that get the whole family grooving. Photo courtesy of Moon River Mother and Child

Mommy-and-me classes are a great way to bond with your child while developing their socialization skills and learning something new. Plus, it's an excuse to get out of the house, meet new friends, and shake up your daily routine.

We've rounded up 14 mommy-and-me classes offered in the Hudson Valley, ranging from parent-child music classes to mommy-and-me soccer and family yoga classes.

For even more after-school programs, check out our full Classes Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids and our Back to School Guide.

Mommy-and-Me Music Classes in Westchester for Kids and Babies

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 08/13/2023 - 7:07am

Sounds Good Westchester invites families to join its music classes indoors, outdoors, or online.

It's never too early to share a love of music with your baby, and mommy-and-me music classes in Westchester are a great way to do just that. These classes can boost your baby's brain power, develop social skills, foster creativity, and even introduce your baby to new languages and cultures. They're also a perfect excuse to let your guard down and boogie to your favorite musical tunes.

Below, we've rounded up 15 mommy-and-me music classes in Westchester for babies and toddlers. The offerings range from mixed-age classes to baby-centered lap-sit programs, with some offering the popular Suzuki method, in which parent and child learn a new instrument together. Others offer additional benefits such as language immersion and learning about the music and cultures of other countries.

Find more classes for kids of all ages in our Guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in Westchester.

Off-the-Beaten Path Swimming Holes in the Catskills

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 06/16/2023 - 7:01am

Take the family to the gorgeous Fawn's Leap for a day of swimming.

Jumping into a cool, fresh swimming hole is one of our favorite ways to cool off on a hot summer day in the Catskills. Lucky for us, the Hudson Valley region is filled with off-the-beaten-path swimming holes that are well worth the time it takes to find them.

While some of the swimming holes on this list are established local swimming spots, we have included some more remote spots that require a bit of a hike but afford a little more privacy. For some of the spots, it would be helpful to wear water shoes, while others will require hiking boots. As always, be aware of wildlife in the area, and please use eco-friendly sunscreen and bug spray to avoid contaminating the pristine ecosystems.

For more Catskills fun, check out our picks of things to do in the Catskills with kids as well as family-friendly Catskills resorts. For more ideas on where to go swimming, check out our picks of the best pools and best swimming lakes in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Best Parks and Playgrounds in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 05/21/2023 - 7:33am

Balance on the wobbly bridge at Freedom Park in Lagrangeville.

Known for its picturesque scenery and spacious natural areas, the Hudson Valley offers some amazing parks and playgrounds where kids can enjoy nature, cool off on hot days, and even meet new animal friends. Out of the dozens of parks spread out over the Hudson Valley, we have picked out the best options with the most activities for kids of all ages, plus some fun attractions for the adults too, so you can make a day of it with the whole family.

For more ideas on where to play, check out our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Sedona with Kids: Best Things To Do in Sedona, Arizona

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sat, 05/20/2023 - 12:00pm

Take a short but challenging hike to Cathedral Rock for gorgeous views.

With its magical, red-rock landscape and plethora of outdoor activities, Sedona, AZ is a great destination for your next family vacation. Whether you want to explore the art and history of this rich cultural area, catch thrills in a backcountry Jeep or ATV tour, or get up-close and personal with nature on one of the many hiking trails, there is something for everyone in Sedona.

Sedona is often called the gateway to northern Arizona because of its central location among some of the most iconic attractions in the American Southwest, including the Grand Canyon. We were able to visit Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Petrified Forest in one overnight trip from Sedona, but these are also doable as day trips.

Here are 32 things to do in Sedona with kids, including family-friendly Sedona hotels and restaurants. Check out our Western US Family Travel Guide for more adventures out west, including our visitors' guides to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Colorado Springs.

St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2023 in Westchester: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Wed, 03/15/2023 - 11:30am

Kids 8 and under can run for the gold in the Rainbow Dash in Montgomery. Photo courtesy of the Village of Montgomery

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this St. Patrick's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

St. Patrick's Day weekend wouldn't be complete without Irish celebrations, and our picks for the best things to do include a St. Patrick's Day Parade and an Irish festival to kick off the weekend. Other family-friendly events this weekend include multiple maple sugaring outings, live animal programs, and the final weekend of Flip Circus.

Don't miss our roundup of FREE things to do in March in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, our picks for spring day trips for families, and ideas for family weekend getaways in the area.

Katherine Dhurandhar

Latest posts by Katherine

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