Hilltop Hanover Farm, in Yorktown Heights —approximately 9 miles from Peekskill— will transform into a storybook setting on Thursday, July 3. There, children between the ages of 3 and 6 will have the opportunity to enjoy storytime and hands-on activities while surrounded by nature. The initiative, titled From Farm to Fable, will begin at 10 a.m. and will last for at least one hour.
The selected stories are usually simple and vivid tales about animals, plants, and natural cycles. Among the favorites are The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, and Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert. Each narrative is designed to captivate young children through sounds, gestures, and active participation. The project bridges theory and practice: if the story speaks of seeds, the children plant them; if the book is about insects, they become explorers and head into the garden in search of bees or butterflies.
This program, which will be held more frequently during the summer, began in 2022. The activity focuses on sharing these stories to help visitors learn more about life on the farm, the plant cycle, or farm animals. When the group explores the farm’s outdoor areas, they can touch, smell, observe, or walk through the fields where vegetables and flowers are grown and later sold to the local community.
The purpose of From Farm to Fable, which will also be held on July 10, 17, 24, and 31, is to bring children closer to agricultural life and to teach them, in a tangible way, where food comes from. The location is ideal, as it encompasses more than 60 acres of cultivated land and forms part of the Westchester County Parks system, with trails open to the public and educational spaces that attract numerous visitors during vacation periods.
The event requires prior registration, as attendance is usually limited to between 10 and 15 children per session. The format is “pay what you can.” Membership or local residency is not required. For more information, the farm’s official website can be visited. To reserve tickets, please visit the following link. The farm is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farm stand operates from Thursday to Sunday.
