Some Things for Kids to Do in the Southeast-Brewster Area

You have kids. You have gotten the feeding them, caring for them, and educating them parts down pat, but now and then you need to find things for them to see or do. These things need to be interesting stuff that is nearby and it would be really nice if they weren’t boring for you, right?

Fear not! Patch.com has you covered. Here is an even dozen events and activities in the Brewster and Putnam area that are for kids.

Liberty Paintball Games - Liberty Paintball is open every Saturday and Sunday all year round from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Private groups of fifteen or more are available most days of the week by reservation only. There will be open play on weekends and from Dec. 26 through Dec. 30. The facility takes reservations for other dates.

Lights and More at Boscobel: A six-night series of evening events will take place at Boscobel place Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 17. There will be thousands of lights, luminous displays, and festive holiday happenings around the gardens and grounds. You can take a twilight tour, walk the candlelit paths with a hot cup of cocoa, and celebrate the season. There will also be performances by magician Margaret Steele, ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner, and the Libby Richman Jazz Trio, and many others including Mr. and Mrs. Claus. View Boscobel's website for the complete schedule. The schedule is: 5:00-9:00 p.m. for the grounds and attractions and 4:30-7:30 p.m. for Twilight Tours, which require a reservation. Boscobel is at 1601 Route 9 D in garrison. For more information, call 845-265-3638 or click here.

Dickens in Red Hook: Arts at the Chocolate Factory will present Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” on two Saturdays, Dec. 10, and Dec. 17. Shows are at 10 a.m. and noon on both days. You’ll experience the joy of Christmas as you meet the Cratchit family including Tiny Tim, along with visits from Ebenezer Scrooge, his Nephew Fred, the ghost of Jacob Marley and the three spirits of Christmas. All seats are reserved and are $10. Anyone under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. For reservations call 845-475-7973. The venus is at 54 Elizabeth Street in Red Hook.

Hip-Hop Nutcracker in Purchase: This is a contemporary twist on the classic ballet, set in New York City with modern dance styles and an on-stage DJ. The performance is on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m. at the concert hall at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill road. Tickets are $17.50 to $52.50. For more information, call 914-251-6200.

Winter Wonderland at Kensico Dam: The third annual Westchester Winter Wonderland is at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, and will be open on select dates through January 2. Winter Wonderland, put on by the Friends of Westchester Parks, takes place at the park in Kensico Dam Plaza after 5 p.m. Tickets cost $15 per person (5 and under are free) and can be purchased on site or in advance. It’s open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Most of the attractions at Winter Wonderland are included with the fee, including two carnival rides, hay rides, a circus performance, and more. Bring skates or rent them to use the RangersTown Rink. Visitors can buy refreshments and gift items from vendors, or a ride on a pony or camel.

Go Ice Skating: There is public ice skating at several rinks in or near Westchester. These include the Evarts Rink at the Harvey School in Katonah, Brewster Ice Arena in Brewster, Palisades Center Ice Rink in West Nyack, Sport-o-Rama in Monsey, Ice Time Sports Complex in Newburgh, McCann Ice Arena in Poughkeepsie, and Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties.

Photo via Wikimedia.