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Holiday Shopping: Where to Keep Kids Happy While You Shop in Westchester

12/8/13 - By Judith Frost

Shopping is mandatory during the holiday season, though its probably the part that kids like the least. They would rather be having fun around town, taking in a performance of the Nutcracker or checking out a cool holiday train display. So what to do when shopping duty calls?

There are a few ways to approach holiday shopping with your children in tow. You've got the twin options of bribery and coercion, or the combination of those two into one for maximum effect. Well how about scouting out the shopping centers with play spaces and entertainment to help make the experience more fun? We've rounded up your best bets for getting loads of shopping done in and around Westchester with kids in tow along with tips for keeping them happy while (or after) you shop!

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Cross County Shopping Center – Yonkers 
8000 Mall Walk
In addition to a small outdoor play place in this shopping center, great for quick spurts to release some energy in between stores, there are so many family friendly events happening regularly to help make shopping more fun for kids. Of course, there's always Santa. 

Westchester’s Ridge Hill - Yonkers 
One Ridge Hill Boulevard
This shopping center has nearly 60 retailers and several opportunities for entertaining restless children. Check out the centrally located playground; my kids love this one. This playground is also quite close to the Apple store, which is a favorite destination for my children. While you’re buying some gifts or getting one of your gadgets fixed, your children will be thoroughly entertained. Several mini tables have cute kid-sized cushion-chairs and iPads set up with children’s games. And who can forget Legoland Discovery Center? Kids will be delightfully entertained and you may even be able to scratch a gift or two off your list with their onsite gift shop.

Palisades Center - West Nyack 
1000 Palisades Center Drive
There are so many options for keeping little ones busy while you shop (if you have another adult to divide and conquer) or as an incentive for letting you shop. Kids can go for a ride on a carousel or ferris wheel (both indoors!) and now the mall offers Palisades Climb Adventure, a huge climbing structure for all ages. Attach a harness and climb through several retail levels right in the center of the mall. It's fantastic fun, if you're not scared of heights. There's also ice skating, bowling, arcade and movie theater (whew!). Check out all their entertainment options here. 

Check out our Holiday Fun Guide for more ideas for enjoying the season around Westchester.

Photo Courtesy of Westchester's Ridge Hill and Michael Hnatov.

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