100 Free & Cheap Summer Activities for Families in Westchester County

Summer in Westchester is full of sunshine, memory-making, and so many things to do—without breaking the bank. Whether you're planning weekday adventures or weekend outings, we’ve rounded up 100 free or affordable and family-friendly summer activities right here in Westchester County. Bookmark this list, share it with a friend, and hit up as many as you can!

This guide is brought to you by our friends at Steffi Nossen School of Dance and Center for Movement in White Plains. One and two week dance camps offered from June - August for ages 3+  Schedule your free class trial today!

🎳 Indoor Fun + Special Summer Deals

1. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free and get 2 games per day at B 1 Bowling in Mount Kisco
2. Catch $1 family movies at participating Regal Cinemas, such as the Cortlandt Town Center, with their Summer Movie Express.
3. Enjoy $5 kids movies at Jacob Burns Film Center.
4. Visit the LEGO Store for monthly mini builds (free, no registration required!).
5. Get creative with free workshops at Home Depot (first Saturday of the month).
6. Join Lowe’s DIY kids workshops (select Saturdays).
7. Head to Barnes & Noble for free weekly Saturday storytimes.
8. Cozy up at the Sleepy Hollow Bookshop for music and storytime events weekly.
9. Read and win prizes with your library’s Summer Reading Program Kickoff.
10. Explore a new library with awesome kids’ play spaces—like Katonah, Greenburgh, or North Castle.

🌞 Outdoor Playgrounds + Splashy Fun

11. Cool off at local splash pads like Louis Engel Waterfront Park in Ossining or Pierson Park in Tarrytown.
12. Dig in the sandboxes at Leonard Park in Mount Kisco or Matthiessan Park in Irvington.
13. Visit the Discovery Playground at Greenburgh Nature Center (free).
14. Run wild at Willson’s Woods Park splash pad (Westchester County Park Pass or daily fee).
15. Enjoy the splash pad, playground, mini-golf, and trails at Saxon Woods Park.
16. Play pretend at Croton Point Park playground and beach area.
17. Visit Teatown Nature Preserve for family-friendly hiking and animal exhibits in the nature center (parking fee applies).
18. Explore the dinosaur garden and fairy trails at Lasdon Park & Arboretum.
19. Head to Pepsico Sculpture Gardens for nature and creativity combined.
20. Try a new-to-you playground in a nearby town and rate it together! Lots of choices in our Instagram highlights here.

🎨 Crafts, Culture + Community

21. Join Rewilding School’s Community Craft Night (last Friday of each month).
22. Visit the Katonah Museum of Art for their Saturday Open Studios (admission applies).
23. Head to the Westchester Children’s Museum for hands-on weekend fun including big weekend events, storytimes, and music and movement (fee applies).
24. Attend free family events at local farmers markets like Pleasantville and Mount Kisco's.
25. Jam along weekly at Ossining River Jam on Friday nights throughout the summer.
26. Explore free museum passes through your local library.
27. Visit the Hudson River Museum from 5 - 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month for free admission.
28. Visit the Bear Mountain Zoo just over the Bear Mountain Bridge (donation-based admission).
29. Hunt for public art installations in towns like Peekskill (MOCA) or White Plains (ArtsWestchester).
30. Sign up for Little Explorers for a morning in Market Square at Ridge Hill.

🎶 Music, Movies + Festivals

31. Pack a blanket for a summer concert series at local waterfronts.
32. Enjoy outdoor movies under the stars in towns like Bronxville, Pelham, and White Plains.
33. Celebrate 4th of July fireworks in your town or a neighboring one.
34. Check out your town's summer programming at outdoor events and parks.
35. Groove at downtown White Plains’ Summer Concert Series.
36. Attend a family sing-along event with Peek-a-Boo Family Music.
37. Visit Caramoor for family performances and picnicking.
38. Listen to local bands at Bronxville’s Summer Music Series.
39. Take in Jazz at Lyndhurst ($10/adults, children under 10 free, Thursday evenings).
40. Join a music play group outdoors.

🌊 Beaches, Pools + Nature

41. Swim at Westchester County Park beaches (Glen Island, Playland, Croton Point).
42. Visit public pools like Sprain Ridge (day passes available).
43. Walk the trail along the Croton Aqueduct.
44. Explore Ward Pound Ridge Reservation trails and special events.
45. Picnic at Croton Gorge Park near the dam.
46. Try a toddler hike and use our scavenger hunt.
47. Visit the Greenburgh Nature Center animals and trails.
48. Walk around Rockefeller State Park.
49. Join a family nature program at Sheldrake Environmental Center.
50. Go tide-pooling at Marshlands Conservancy in Rye.

🚴‍♀️ Easy Adventures & Hidden Gems

51. Bike or walk during Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway.
52. Explore Manor Park in Larchmont for beach views and climbing rocks.
53. Walk the trails at Muscoot Farm and say hi to the animals.
54. Hike the stroller-friendly path at Bronx River Reservation.
55. Take a short ferry ride to Haverstraw and back for fun on the water.
56. Stop by the Play Area at The Westchester Mall on a hot day.
57. Visit Untermyer Gardens for magical walkways and fountains.
58. Try a new bike trail or nature path in your area.
59. Climb the rocks at Pierson Park's waterfront playground.
60. Watch the boats go by at Tarrytown Marina.

💡 Easy At-Home Ideas (When You Just Want to Stay Put)

61. Host a backyard water day with sprinklers and sponges.
62. Create a DIY scavenger hunt using natural objects.
63. Build a cardboard city from Amazon boxes.
64. Plant herbs or flowers in a DIY container garden.
65. Try a Pinterest-inspired craft using recyclables.
66. Camp out in your backyard or living room.
67. Set up an ice excavation activity with small toys.
68. Do a chalk obstacle course on your driveway.
69. Make homemade play dough or slime together.
70. Create your own library or storytime corner at home.

🗓️ Special Events + One-Off Fun

71. Attend a Summer Street Fair.
72. Check your town’s Rec Department calendar for free kids’ days.
73. Visit a Touch-a-Truck event in your area, like Bedford Library's on June 14th or at The Yorktown Grange Car Show on June 21st.
74. Sign up for a free trial class (music, sports, dance, or martial arts), like Ramblin' Dan and the Freewheelin' Band in Pleasantville and Sleepy Hollow.
75. Join a summer storytime in the park (hosted by libraries).
76. Catch a puppet show or magician at a library or rec center.
77. Watch a sunset picnic concert.
78. Visit a community garden and learn about local food.
79. Try a kids cooking class at your library or community center.
80. Walk around the downtown of a nearby village.

📍Explore Westchester Like a Tourist

81. Walk the High Line-style walkway in Yonkers.
82. Visit Philipse Manor Hall for a dose of local history.
83. Go on a mural hunt in downtown White Plains.
84. Ride the Tarrytown Music Hall elevator and peek backstage on tour days.
85. Watch planes take off from Westchester County Airport viewing area.
86. Explore Kensico Dam Plaza.
87. Take a sunset walk on the Pier.
88. Find all the gazebos in Westchester parks and make it a photo game.
89. Discover a historic cemetery walk like Sleepy Hollow.
90. Visit a farm stand and let the kids pick your produce.

💕 Simple Moments That Still Count

91. Have a lemonade stand with neighbors.
92. Watch the sunset as a family and talk about the day.
93. Visit a new ice cream shop each week and vote on the best. We're partial to the newly opened Corner Creamery in Yorktown.
94. Have a reading picnic with a blanket and books.
95. Stargaze in your backyard or a quiet park.
96. Host a family talent show on your porch or driveway.
97. Do a free yoga video outside as a family.
98. Make a popsicle taste test station from different recipes.
99. Decorate your bikes or scooters for a summer parade.
100. Let your kids lead the day’s plan and be the guide.

📌 Want to keep this list handy?

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