Your Family’s Guide to Memorial Day Weekend in the Hamptons

Your Family’s Guide to Memorial Day Weekend in the Hamptons

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Memorial Day weekend is a time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by the brave men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many families observe this federal holiday with visits to grave sites, parades, and backyard gatherings. The three-day weekend invites families in the Hamptons to look for creative ways to spend their leisure time together. For East Enders, Memorial Day weekend also kicks off beach season, so you may want to consider celebrating with surf and sun.

Here are some of the best options for a Memorial Day weekend in the Hamptons 2021:

Jones Beach State Park

(2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh)

The legendary sand and sea, ocean boardwalk, and concession stands offer plenty of entertainment; but this weekend, you can check out their annual Air Show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds from 10 am to 3 pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Capacity will be limited to 50%, so be sure to purchase your $10 advance parking pass if your family plans to attend. The WildPlay Adventure Park is also open from 10am – 8pm, featuring ziplines, wobbly bridges, and obstacle courses for ages 5+.

Hither Hills State Park  

(164 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk)

Families flock to Hither Hills State Park for a pleasant stretch of sandy ocean beach, along with hiking and biking trails, campgrounds, picnic tables, playing fields, fishing, and a playground. Don’t miss the unique Napeague Harbor “walking dunes” trail. Make it a trip and camp overnight in a tent, cabin, or camper; bathrooms and a changing area make it easier for those with littler ones.

Orient Beach State Park

(40000 Main Rd, Orient)

Rent kayaks or canoes from the Eagles Neck Paddling Company to paddle the calm, scenic Hallock’s Bay. Kids love the large playgrounds, but you can also walk the salt marsh to encounter herons, egrets, and osprey in their natural habitats. Visitors can swim, paddle-board, hike, bike, walk the nature trails, and picnic. Orient Beach is also a U.S. Light House Society Passport Stamp Location, which could be a fun scavenger hunt type activity for the kids.

Splish Splash

(2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton)

If the temperatures heat up, it’s worth the 40-minute drive to Splish Splash, which opens for the season Saturday, May 29th. The park recently added two new extreme slides, Bombs Away and Riptide Race, for older daredevils. The yellow submarine splash pad, Lazy River, Pirates Cove, Soak City, Octopus Pool, and Monsoon Lagoon are fun attractions for all ages.

Garden of Eve Farm

(4558 Sound Ave, Riverhead)

It’s not too late to catch the tail-end of Tulip Fest at Garden of Eve, just a 30 minute drive from The Hamptons in nearby Riverhead. Open from 11am – 4pm, you’ll enjoy a free hayride to the East End’s only u-pick tulip field – the perfect family photo opp! Tulips cost $1 per stem or $10 for a dozen. Farm animals on-site include chickens, ducks, turkeys, sheep, goat, pigs, and horses. Other attractions include: the Huge Hay Tower to climb, Bouncy Town, a tube slide, sandbox, pedal kart track (ages 2+), and a Play Castle with swings.

Party – at Your House!

If you’re having a backyard barbecue, consider booking Shine educators to keep the kids entertained. We’re also accepting new applicants for our summer workshops and camps, which combine art, culture, music, nature, and physical activity in unique East End locations. Contact us for details.

 

Perfect Picnic Hacks for Parents

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“A picnic is more than eating a meal,” said cookbook author DeeDee Stovel. “It is a pleasurable state of mind.” The weather is warming up and quarantine fatigue is setting in hard. We’re all looking for ways to reconnect with our kids and make our weekends count. A picnic in the park is the perfect way to make a weekend afternoon feel more festive. Friday, April 23rd is National Picnic Day – so what better excuse? All it takes is a little planning and a little patience. Here are our best picnic hacks to ensure a smooth day trip.

Kid-Friendly Picnic Foods

  • Pre-grilled foods – try seasoned ribs, chicken skewers, eggplant, corn, and zucchini.
  • Side salads – skip mayo for Asian dressed coleslaw or mustard German potato salad.
  • Veggies – satisfy with mini carrots, sliced peppers, cherry tomato, and olives.
  • Snacks – grab hummus and crackers, tortilla chips, PB crackers, Goldfish, or pretzels.
  • Trail mix – fuel up with yogurt raisins, dried banana, cashews, cranberries, and seeds.
  • Meats – for carnivores, pack sliced or string cheese, pepperoni, and cocktail weenies.
  • Popsicles – but don’t forget to bring cupcake liners to serve as drip trays. Genius!
  • Watermelon/fruit kebabs – pre-chop and skewer to make it neater and more accessible.
  • Dessert – keep it simple with cherries, strawberries, brownie bites, and butter cookies.
  • Dirt cups – crush Oreos on the bottom, adding chocolate pudding and gummy worms.

Picnic Sandwich Secrets

Hate a soggy sandwich? So do we! Here are a few tips:

  • Make your sandwich as late as possible for optimal freshness.
  • Once the sandwich hits room temperature, eat within two hours.
  • Use ice packs and an insulated cooler to add a few hours of shelf life.
  • Pack watery ingredients like cucumber, tomato, and onion slices separate.
  • Avoid sandwich bags, which increase condensation. Wrap in foil.
  • Choose a robust bread, like rye, tortilla, pita, a hard roll, or baguette.

Want an easy, hassle-free experience? Central Park offers a baguettini sandwich, apple, bag of chips, cookie, and bottled water – a picnic basket to-go for $12.

Best NYC Picnic Spots

Not sure where to go? The options are vast, but consider:

Central Park’s “East Green” offers shady trees and ample room for fun. The East 72nd Street Playground is located nearby, with water features in the summer. The Conservatory Water offers model boat sailing, concessions, and restrooms. A short walk south to the Central Park Zoo rounds out the afternoon. 

It’s a busy spot, but Empire Fulton Ferry Park offer stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. Arrive early to grab a picnic table with an umbrella. Nearby you’ll find Jane’s Carousel, the nautical-themed Main Street Playground, and restrooms.

In Long Island City, Queens, Socrates Sculpture Garden is a waterfront park hosting oversized sculptures to gaze upon, as well as ample shade and enclosed spaces for inquisitive youngsters to explore. Hallets Cove just north of the park offers free kayak rentals.

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park provides beautiful, well-kept grounds showcasing nature’s beauty with greenhouses and gardens. Hands-on programming for children and mansion tours offer optional entertainment.

Wading River’s Wildwood State Park overlooks Long Island Sound. Have a picnic within the park in the shady picnic table grove or down on the sand. There are showers, camping sites, fishing, hiking, and a playground for the kids. 

Themes for Picnics with Kids

Want to change it up from the humdrum old picnic of yesteryear? Try these creative twists:

  • Teddy bear picnic – Invite your child’s favorite stuffed animals along.
  • Puzzle picnic – Melissa & Doug offer wooden jigsaw puzzles to enjoy in the fresh air.
  • Dress-up picnic – Dress in costume for a a princess and/or super hero party.
  • Water party – bring water balloons, squirt guns, and bathing suits.

Picnic Games & Activities

  • Active games include cornhole, KanJam, ring toss, bocce, football, frisbee, or soccer.
  • Spend the afternoon painting rocks and hide them around the park for people to find.
  • Surely we all remember playing Tic Tac Toe, blowing bubbles, and chalk drawings.
  • Go through the alphabet with the “I’m going on a picnic” memory game.
  • UPicnic entertains up to five kids with bubbles, music, puppets, and games for a fee.

Picnic Reads

There’s magic in the air, reading outdoors. Bring a few picnic books along:

Must-Have Picnic Supplies

Sometimes one or two items make all the difference in the world:

  • Picnic basket – or up your picnic game with an oversized insulated bag.
  • Picnic blanket – or a tablecloth if you’ve got a table nearby.
  • Sunblock – or an umbrella to save you from the UV.
  • Baby wipes – for inevitably messy hands!
  • Music speaker – play Amazon’s Portable Sunshine, Grill & Chill, or Kids Birthday Party.
  • Frozen water bottles – as a space saving way to keep food cold and guests hydrated.
  • Talcum powder – sprinkle a border around your blanket to keep ants and bugs away.
  • Mesh food screens or a portable fan – to keep flying insects out of the food.
  • Waterproof shower curtain – if you’ve had bad luck in the past with soggy swamp grass.
  • A change of clothes – a backpack with an extra set of clothes can save much complaint.
  • Trash bag – leave no trace!

Looking for more ways to entertain the kids? Contact SHINE to learn about our classes, workshops, parties, and day camps in New York City and the Hamptons.

Virtual Exhibits for Black History Month

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Black History Month encourages us to consider the many achievements of African-Americans throughout history. The commemoration dates back to a week-long event pioneered by scholar Carter G. Woodson, which transformed into a month-long celebration in 1970. If you feel comfortable wearing a mask, we encourage you to check out the Brooklyn Children Museum’s Black Future Festival this weekend. Otherwise, there are plenty of convenient and unique ways to dive into cultural history online, without leaving your home.  

Black History Month at the New York Public Library (NYPL)

NYPL offers a treasure trove of Black History Month activities for families, including:

  • Picture Books Reading List – Request a physical copy or e-book, or access online instantly, using Digital Books or Bookshare accounts. Featured books cover famous personalities like Martin Luther King Jr and Duke Ellington, but also everyday experiences like running a bookstore, coping with the grief of loss, and working cotton fields as a young child in California.
  • Be sure to check out the Schomberg Center’s curated list of “Black Liberation List for Young Readers,”accommodating physical copy requests and free checkout of e-books on Overdrive.
  • Watch NYPL Story Time – Librarians read their favorite books featuring black characters or written by African-American authors about the black experience. Stories include “Sulwe,” “Black Girl Magic,” and “My Rainy Day Rocket Ship.”
  • Black History Month Kids Events – Every day features different virtual events, from a chat and draw for ages 8-12 with black cartoonists and Black History Month Jeopardy, to read-aloud craft-alongs and book discussions.

Poe Park Visitor Center’s Black History Month Exposition

Poe Park Visitor Center is a community hub of art, literature, fitness, and community events in the Bronx. All exhibits have been moved online this year due to the ongoing pandemic:

  • Documentary photography: Michael Young; Trevon Blondet.
  • Mixed-media: Terrenceo Hammonds; Betty J. Murray; Gloria Zapata; Gregorio Velez.
  • Paintings: James Deliard; Josipa Kecman.
  • Wood prints: Joan Barnes.
  • Digital collage: Patrice J. Payne.

The New Museum’s Jordan Casteel Exhibit, “Within Reach”

Painter Jordan Casteel seeks to tell the stories of the overlooked people of color who bring the city to life, from Harlem street musicians and a little boy on a lap, to art students at Rutgers University and merch sellers. The virtual tour features 40 colorful, oversized portraits.

New York Botanical Garden’s Black History Month at Home

You’ll be missing the sweet smells of the blooms this year, but you can expect the same high-quality, family-friendly programming, such as:

  • A welcome message from NY State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey.
  • A performance, “Let Us Pull Together,” by the Harambee Dance Company.
  • A “Tree Time” read-aloud, education segment, and activity for children ages 4-8.

National Portrait Gallery’s Portraits of African-Americans

This comprehensive collection of famous faces is a national treasure, featuring brief bios and photographs, sketches, and paintings of everyone from Frederick Douglas and Jackie Robinson, to Shirley Chisholm and former President Barack Obama.

National Museum of African-American History & Culture’s Joyful Fridays

Though the NMAAHC is closed during the pandemic, they’re offering webinar-style Zoom classes featuring literature, discussion, and art, geared toward kids ages 4-8, taking inspiration from the Joyful ABC Activity Book series. On the 26th, they’ll be creating protest word paintings. Past activities include hat-making, portrait art, and sculpting from recycled materials.

We celebrate Black History Month as part of embracing a multicultural world and an important step in raising children who are wiser and kinder. If you liked this list, be sure to check out Shine’s “How To Raise a Culturally Sensitive Kid.” You will find a diverse and inclusive atmosphere at any of our upcoming classes, camps, parties, and workshops. We are open and operating under all the CDC and local COVID-19 protocols.

Top 5 Activities for Child Heart Health

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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you’ve no doubt prepared a special surprise for your little sweeties, but have you thought about your child’s physical heart health lately?

It seems like kids are in perpetual motion, so we assume they’re getting plenty of exercise just fidgeting, running around the house, and jumping on the furniture. Yet, nearly 60% of American children lack healthy cardiorespiratory fitness, according to a new scientific statement published by the American Heart Association. 

What Is Cardiorespiratory Fitness?

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) refers to the circulatory and respiratory systems’ ability to supply oxygen to muscles during sustained physical activity. Kids with optimal cardiorespiratory fitness have healthier heart and blood vessels, perform better in school, thin more clearly, and enjoy higher levels of self-worth and overall life satisfaction. Further, good CRF reduces the risk of lung cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The best way to measure CRF is with a cardiopulmonary exercise test on a treadmill. While most pediatricians do not test for cardiorespiratory fitness, there are ways to promote cardiorespiratory fitness if you’re unsure where your child stands.

5 Best Activities for Your Child’s Heart Health    

The “best activity” is tailored to your child’s interests, but here are a few options:

  • Running and Power Walking – Getting outside as a family, setting goals, and jogging together is the best way to encourage your child to pick up the sport. Relay races can be fun, especially if you have the “leader” call out the type of movement – whether it’s running, galloping, skipping, or jumping. You can also work in shorter bursts of running throughout the day with Level Up, Sonic the Hedgehog, or video game workouts on YouTube.
  • Swimming – Normally, the NYC Parks Department runs a lotto in early March for free swimming lesson sessions and hosts plenty of venues for swimming outdoors all summer long. COVID-19 concerns have put the squeeze on these programs for now, but you can still swim at Roosevelt Island FREE of charge on a first-come first-served basis, and also at paid lesson sites like Imagine Swimming!, Aqua Skills, and Physique Swimming.
  • Dancing – It doesn’t take anything more than the right music to throw a family dance party. Try this kid-friendly dance party playlist if you need the inspiration. The Just Dance video game is a blast if you own a Nintendo Switch, Wii, Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Xbox 360. There are plenty of places to find free virtual dance classes, too – ABTots, and the National Dance Institute, to name a few.
  • Jumping Rope – Once you’ve purchased a jump rope, it will take some time for your child to build their skills and learn the basic technique. In no time, your child will be learning jump rope songs and trying out Double Dutch. After a while, older kids can test their abilities with the Star Wars Jump Rope Challenge and learn a few tricks to impress their friends.
  • High Intensity Sports like Basketball & Soccer – It doesn’t cost much to pick up a soccer ball or basketball and play with your child. If you prefer formal instruction and group activities, kids as young as 3 can join the Dribbl program or Chelsea Piers’ youth basketball. NYC Basketball Kids also offers summer and holiday break camps for kids 5 and up. Soccer Shots is an amazing program that teaches kids traditional values like self-esteem and respect, while combining basic soccer skills and fun imaginative games for kids as young as two. The City Parks Foundation also has a free summer program if you’d like to test out the waters to see if soccer is something your child would like.

Shine NYC would like to wish you and your family a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Here are a few crafting projects and DIY valentine recommendations to enjoy after all that physical activity. Check out these picture books if you’re staying in, or consider going out to one of the children’s museums.

Ways To Celebrate Dia de los Muertos

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Dia de los Muertos is a holiday celebrating the rebirth of life in death, observed throughout Latin American communities on November 1st and 2nd. Most commonly, celebrations are associated with Mexico, but there are lively celebrations in US cities like Albuquerque, NM; San Diego, CA; San Antonio, TX; Tucson, AZ; and even locally, on Staten Island.

The History of Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos dates back thousands of years to ancient Mesoamerican cultures like the Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecs. These civilizations believed that a person traveled to Chicunamictlán (the Land of the Dead) after departing from Earth. Souls must pass nine challenges here, over the course of several years, to reach Mictlán (the final resting place).

Ancient Nahua rituals, originally held for the month of August, provided food, water, and tools to help the souls make this arduous journey. Later, the celebration was moved by Christians to correspond with All Saints and All Souls Days on November 1st and 2nd. The souls of children are believed to return on the 1st and the adults on the 2nd.

Modern families commemorate this holiday with culinary traditions and the creation of altars in their homes. In some communities, it is customary to clean gravestones, decorate the plots with flowers, and hold candlelit vigils in honor of their loved ones.

We love the idea of celebrating Dia de los Muertos because it uniquely recognizes the cyclical nature of life, reinforces family customs, and honors departed relatives. It’s also a fun way to reinforce cultural sensitivity. Here are a few ways to partake in this annual tradition.          

Bake Bread of the Dead

Recipes vary, but this version of Pan de Muerto (from a renowned bakery in Mexico City) calls for unbleached flour, sea salt, sugar, crumbled cake yeast, dry yeast, water, over a dozen lightly beaten eggs, unsalted butter, orange rind, and orange flower. Put on the Mariachi music and enjoy the delicious aroma of yeasty bread that fills the air. It only takes 20 minutes to bake, but you’ll need to get your starter ready the day before to allow adequate time for rising.  At the end of your rising period, you’ll be fashioning the dough into a skull and crossbones. We also recommend making Mexican Hot Chocolate in the crockpot to go with your bread!

Decorate Your Home with Ofrenda

Ofrenda means “offering.” On November 1st, older members of the community set up altars to commemorate and attract loved ones who have passed away. A fine white tablecloth is laid out on a small wooden table. Decorative tissue paper is placed over the cloth. Images of saints and a crucifix are generally placed on an elevated altar in the center of the table.

The ofrenda includes:

  • Velas – candles (one for each departed soul) light the way back home
  • Copal – incense elevates the family’s prayers to God
  • Flor de Muerto – marigold “flowers of the dead” also helps attract souls to the altar
  • Calavera – skulls made of granulated sugar, meringue powder, and water
  • Papel picado — perforated papercrafts to denote life’s fragility and invite souls to pass
  • Pan de Muerto – “bread of the dead” feeds the hungry souls that come
  • Sal – salt in the shape of a cross purifies the souls and protects them from corruption
  • Agua – also a purifier, water can quench the thirst of returning souls
  • Fotografias – photographs ensure that your loved ones can cross over

Personal items are also typically added. These belongings may include favorite articles of clothing like hats or shawls, beloved toys/games/stuffies for the kids, vices like coffee/cigarettes /liquors honoring a person’s taste, and favorite foods (mole, tamales, fruit, arroz rojo, hot chocolate, and dried fruits, for instance).

Make Sugar Skull Crafts

Sugar skulls are one of the most famous icons known to Dia de los Muertos, representing the sweetness of life. You can buy the molds and make the sugary treats yourself – or perhaps you’d enjoy one of these handicraft versions instead:

Another easy and popular craft is the Dia de los Muertos garland – comprised of pretty patterned papers, string, clothespins, scissors, and markers.

Watch “Coco” for Family Movie Night

“Coco” is a Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning Disney/Pixar animated film, geared toward ages 7+, but suitable for all ages. What 12-year-old Miguel wants most is to play Mariachi music, but his family believes that music has cursed them. This vibrant, beautiful coming-of-age drama is a tribute to kin and culture, as viewers journey to the underworld to uncover Miguel’s family secrets. Blessed with a wonderful soundtrack and packed with references to Dia de los Muertos traditions, the film is as enjoyable as it is educational.

Alt Picks: If you’ve seen “Coco” hundreds of times already, you might want to try: Let’s Go Luna’s “Day of the Dead” episode on PBS; Film School Shorts’ “Dia de los Muertos” on PBS; Scooby Doo and the Monster of Mexico on Amazon Prime; The Book of Life on Hulu; or Super Monster’s Dia los Monsters on Netflix. Once the kids go to bed, check out the James Bond movie Spectre (also on Hulu) — which inspired the first Dia de los Muertos parade in 2016.

Take a Culture Class

If you live in the NYC region, Shine offers Listillos, a Spanish immersion class combining storytelling, games, art, theater, music, cooking, crafts, Spanish language lessons, and field trips. These fun, engaging classes appeal to students learning Spanish as a second language, as well as native natural speakers who want to participate in cultural activities. The bilingual class is taught by a native Spanish speaker and is open to children of all language levels. Contact us to inquire about availability.

8 Activities for World Kindness Day

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November 13th is World Kindness Day. This international observance was introduced in 1998 by a coalition of kindness NGOs known as the World Kindness Movement. It began as a way to highlight good deeds in the community, overlooking boundaries of race and religion, to recognize the common thread of kindness that we all can share.

What Is Kindness?

Kindness is often confused with niceness or thoughtfulness. Kindness goes one step further than merely being nice. It’s a natural reaction to be nice to others who are nice to us. Kindness, though, is a proactive choice – going out of your way to cheer someone with your words and actions.

Thoughtfulness can be kind, but it’s often a word used to describe how we act toward family and friends. True kindness extends to the people in the community we may not know so well. It’s reaching out to classmates we’ve just met, neighbors we may not see often, and people of different skin colors, faiths, genders, and socioeconomic status.

8 Ways To Exercise Kindness

Of course, the best way to raise kind kids is to model it yourself – listen genuinely; put aside the chores and spend quality time when it’s needed; spend a few minutes playing; read books about kindness; observe and praise kindness in action among siblings; give random notes and gifts; emphasize the importance of recognizing friends and family on birthdays and holidays; wave and smile to strangers; find a passion project and volunteer.

Here are 8 activities to do with your child for World Kindness Day:

  1. Write a note and draw a picture for the teacher. The pandemic has been particularly stressful for teachers, whether they’re working virtually, splitting time in the physical classroom, or all in. Be sure to have your child include mention of what, specifically, is likable about the teacher. When you’re done, take a photo and send by email or messenger.
  2. Thank your mail carrier. Leave a note that says, “Thank you for delivering our mail each day!” USPS allows letter carriers to receive gift cards to specific retailers or eateries valued at $20 or less. FedEx does not allow deliverers cash or gift cards, but may receive gifts valued up to $75. UPS drivers have received knitted items, baked goods, and nominal gratuity tips.
  3. Give out three compliments today. Give out three compliments today. For young children, it can help to write out the compliments onto note cards that they can deliver to people. Another great exercise for young children with siblings is to have them write out three nice things about a brother or sister.
  4. Gift food. Make six giant chocolate chip cookies, place each one in a cellophane bag with a ribbon, including a note that says, “You’re a smart cookie!”, and drop them off to class friends or cousins. Give out bags of chips for the class with a note that says, “You’re all that – and a bag of chips!” Buy a stranger’s coffee or lunch at the drive-thru. Deliver a themed care package to an elderly neighbor – movie snacks, pasta night, chicken soup for the soul, or canned garden themed. If there are leaves or snow in your neighbor’s yard, clearing it is another random act of kindness.
  5. Donate locally. Gift a copy of your favorite book to your librarian. Donate outgrown clothes to Amvets or a homeless shelter. Pack up a grocery bag of popular items for the food pantry. Give food and litter to the animal shelter.
  6. Share Mother Nature’s bounty. Leave a potted plant on a loved one or neighbor’s doorstep. This time of year, you can also paint positive messages on miniature pumpkins and leave them on random doorsteps. Stop by a nursing home or senior center and give a bouquet to someone who hasn’t had a visitor in a while.
  7. Be the first thought in a grandparent’s day. Have your child send a sweet message to a grandparent first thing in the morning. A simple sentiment might be, “My days are brighter because of you!” or “The morning breeze is so gentle and sweet, it reminds me of you. Wish we were together today!” Your child might sing a favorite song to share or just give their own unscripted heartfelt message in a short video clip.
  8. Celebrate diversity. Kindness involves appreciating people who may have different cultures, traditions, beliefs, and preferences than ourselves. Choose a different culture to focus on each week. This week, you might serve up enchiladas with mariachi dinner music and watch “Coco” to celebrate Mexican culture. Next week, you might cook Jerk chicken while listening to steel drums and watch “Pirates of the Caribbean,” which was filmed in Jamaica. Every bit of exposure to something foreign and new helps. Little Passports is a great subscription service that sends curated boxes based on different countries from around the world. You might also consider signing up for one of our Globe Trekker classes geared toward kids 4-10 — which combines music, art, food, and games from around the world.

4 Ways To Spread Holiday Cheer

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Perhaps this year, more than ever, you have a deep longing to make a meaningful contribution. Maybe the stay-at-home orders have given you more idle time to reflect. Perhaps you’ve weathered the pandemic well and want to pay it forward with a spirit of generosity. Or you might wish to serve as a positive role model, showing your little ones that it’s not the receiving of gifts that brings joy to the heart, but the giving. It’s not always easy to donate amid the current crisis. Some organizations are turning away gently used clothing because they’re so inundated, while others are turning to corporate sponsors to reduce the points of contact. Here are a few charities still accepting the love and kindness of volunteers to fulfill their missions.

Adopt a Child’s Letter to Santa

The Postal Service has received letters to Santa for more than 100 years. In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock allowed postal employees and citizens to respond to these letters in what is today known as “Operation Santa.

Here’s how to participate:

  • Visit the USPS Operation Santa website.
  • Look through the children’s letters and find one that speaks to your heart.
  • Find and wrap the items on the wish-list.
  • Be sure to follow the shipping guidelines.
  • Bring your package to a local post office by December 19th so it arrives for Christmas.

On a more local level, Stockings with Care on West 24th Street in Chelsea runs a similar operation, where a volunteer “Santa” is matched with a local child’s wish list to spread the magic of the holiday season. Through Amazon’s Operation Smile Program, a percentage of what you spend can be automatically donated to Stockings with Care, too.

Make a Holiday Greeting Card for a Lonely Senior Citizen

More than 40 percent of America’s seniors regularly struggle with loneliness – a situation that is compounded even more by the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders. Citymeals on Wheels works with volunteers to craft handmade cards to brighten the spirits of the homebound senior citizens. Last year, the organization delivered 76,106 cards.

Here’s what to do:

  • Make your card out of folded-in-half cardstock or construction paper.
  • Write a seasonally appropriate greeting in marker or crayon on the front of the card.
  • Draw mood-lifting images. Avoid glitter or religious symbols or language.
  • Include a first name inside the card or sign “from your friends at Citymeals on Wheels.”
  • Include a slip with your full name and email or mailing address.
  • Address the card to:

Handmade Card Project

Liz Cantillo

Citymeals on Wheels

309 Drake Street

Bronx NY 10474

You may also direct questions to Shiela@citymeals.org. Other opportunities exist through City Meals on Wheels throughout the year, including: driving for the meal delivery service branch; helping out at a food pantry, serving and make boxes; making weekly phone calls or visits to seniors; and volunteering in the donations office. As one 80-year-old woman explained: “The beautiful cards from the children adorn my walls. This food nourished my body, but the thoughts and love that come my way touched my soul.”

Provide a Gift through Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots Foundation assists the U.S. Marine Corps in providing a sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. The local mission hopes to support 40,000 Long Island families in need. So far, they’re a third of the way to reaching that goal, so any assistance you can provide will be much appreciated.

How to participate:

  • Find the nearest drop-off location.
  • Purchase from popular toy categories like sporting equipment, books, backpacks, electronics, radio control cars and trucks, games, science kits, dolls, and hover boards/helmets.
  • Host a drop-off box at home if you’d like to have friends, family, and coworkers get involved. This is a great project to organize in memory of a loved one who has passed.
  • Participate in the Suffolk County Collection Drive on December 13th at 8 am, where a car parade drives from Millers Ale House in Commack, NY to Millers Ale House in Lake Grove NY to raise awareness and charitable donations.
  • You can also make a financial contribution here. As a top-rated charity, 96 percent of your donation goes directly to providing toys, books, and gifts to children, while the other 4% covers fundraising drives.

If you sell used toys on eBay, you can donate 10 to 100% of your sale price to the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation. Donors receive tax deductions and credit on eBay seller fees.

Host a Zoom Party for the Kids

Children exude resilience, even when they struggle internally to process all that’s happening. Whether they vocalize it or not, your children are likely feeling pangs of loneliness and isolation from school cancellations and paused social lives. Throughout the pandemic, Shine has offered craft bags and online classes to bring kids together. Our fully customizable holiday bags are full of goodies from wreaths to treats you can bake. The Shine team of educators sing, dance, perform live music, and guide the party through activities tailored to your theme. We can also staff a private day camp hosting up to eight kids (ages 4-11) with arts and crafts, science and nature, games and sports, music and educational programming. Contact us for details.

Looking for more ways to give back? You might also like:

The Art of Giving Back
Shine’s Favorite Things for the Holidays
10 Ways To Get NYC Kids Into the Giving Spirit
8 Activities for World Kindness Day
5 Simple Things You and Your Kids Can Do To Give Back During the COVID-19 Quarantine

A Week of Fun, Themed Winter Break Family Activities

/in , , /by
‘Twas the Week After Christmas when all through the house, the child was bored — but NOT quiet as a mouse!

You’ve all been there. You assume your kids will be grateful and more than happy to play with all their new toys. But instead they’re trashing the house, fighting with siblings, and complaining they’re bored! Overstimulation is a very real phenomenon. The holidays can be overwhelming for us all.  

Kids can use your compassionate guidance over the Winter Break, especially since they’re used to so much structured time. The vastness of break can lead to more TV and Nintendo Switch time than you’d care to admit. Deep down, you may long for a more meaningful experience for your kids.

After all, it’s been a difficult year. You may not like the new roles you’ve had to play – Teacher, Principal, Coach, Disciplinarian, Truancy Officer. The desire to reconnect as a family is particularly strong at this time of year when we’re basking in holiday altruism and preparing for a fresh start in 2021.

Feel free to incorporate some or all of these ideas into your week for a much-needed dose of fun…

Day 1: Board Game Day

Day 2: Winter Wonderland

  • Movie: Watch “Chronicles of Narnia,” “Frosty,” or “Moomins and the Winter Wonderland.”
  • Craft: Create ice candles to transform the backyard into a magical place. Bring the magic indoors by building your own snow globe out of a baby food jar, glitter, hot glue, and a waterproof toy or ornament.
  • Food: Dress in white for a winter wonderland dinner party with white foods – white cheese and crackers; chicken with white cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and cauliflower; and vanilla cupcakes, cheesecake, or eggnog for dessert.
  • Book: Ready or watch “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats.
  • Learn: Visit Nat Geo Kids to learn about winter celebrations, ice sculpting, and gingerbread houses.
  • Active Play: Bundle up and get outside. Take a walk around the neighborhood to see how the scenery has changed. Little ones will be happy with the standard snow angels or snowman. Return indoors for cocoa and a game of Don’t Slip Off The Snowflake. For older kids, up the ante by constructing an igloo (using bread pans) or a snow turtle.

Day 3: Space Day

  • Movie: Watch “Toy Story,” “Wall-E,” “Space Jam,” “La Luna,” or “Star Wars.”
  • Craft: Create plastic bottle jet packs. Paint galaxy space rocks. Make aliens in their spaceships.
  • Food: Wrap a hot dog in puff pastry for a “Rocket Dog” dinner.
  • Book: Read or watch “How To Catch a Star” by Oliver Jeffers.
  • Learn: Try a free app like Space Images, NASA, or Night Sky to learn more about space.
  • Active Play: Take a Space Walk, looking out for the space rocks you’ve strategically hidden, and potential aliens, too! Then flip bowls upside down to act as “planets,” as your child navigates your “ship” (a decorated cardboard box or laundry basket) through outer-space. You may also try a Space Adventure from Cosmic Kids Yoga for more structured guidance.

Day 4: Music Day

  • Movie: Watch “Coco,” “The Sound of Music,” “Mary Poppins,” or Sesame Street “Music Magic.”
  • Craft: Make your own microphones out of toilet paper rolls, tinfoil, gems, and construction paper.
  • Food: Whip up Tune-a-Piano sandwiches and a Music Note Veggie Tray for lunch.
  • Book: Read or watch “Because” by Mo Williams.
  • Learn: Learn Solfege, a system used in music theory to teach melody.
  • Active Play: Musical Chairs and Freeze Dance are fun, free games. A karaoke machine or Just Dance video game can add to the fun if you have the equipment. If you play an instrument, indulge in a few seasonal songs. Write and perform your own concert.

Day 5: Camp Out Day

Day 6: Sports Day

  • Movie: Watch a sports game – if not live, then an old historic match of your favorite team. You can also watch sports movies like “Sesame Street: Count on Sports,” “Scooby Doo Sports Spooktacular,” and “Arthur: the Good Sport” for younger kids, or “The Sand Lot,” “The Rookie,” “Mighty Ducks,” “Air Bud,” or “A League of Their Own” for older kids.
  • Craft: Make #1 Fan Foam Fingers and mini megaphones with your little sports fans.
  • Food: Order pizza and wings. Set out potato skins, a Charcuterie board, nachos, or these party foods.
  • Book: Read or watch “Bats at the Ballgame.”
  • Learn: Young children can learn to play soccer from the comfort of their own living rooms with the Soccer Shots on the Go program – an engaging virtual version of the live sessions.
  • Active Play: Play Charades, silently acting out different sports to see if others can guess what they are. Kick around a soccer ball, toss the baseball or football, shoot a few hoops (indoors, using the laundry hamper if you must!) Play Mario Tennis Aces – we won’t judge!

Day 7: Lego Day

We hope you enjoyed these fun family bonding activities. You can also contact Shine for virtual parties or pre-assembled crafting bags. If you live in New York’s East End, inquire about our safe in-person small group workshops available over the winter break today. Space is limited.

A Week of Fun, Themed Winter Break Family Activities

/in , , /by
‘Twas the Week After Christmas when all through the house, the child was bored — but NOT quiet as a mouse!

You’ve all been there. You assume your kids will be grateful and more than happy to play with all their new toys. But instead they’re trashing the house, fighting with siblings, and complaining they’re bored! Overstimulation is a very real phenomenon. The holidays can be overwhelming for us all.  

Kids can use your compassionate guidance over the Winter Break, especially since they’re used to so much structured time. The vastness of break can lead to more TV and Nintendo Switch time than you’d care to admit. Deep down, you may long for a more meaningful experience for your kids.

After all, it’s been a difficult year. You may not like the new roles you’ve had to play – Teacher, Principal, Coach, Disciplinarian, Truancy Officer. The desire to reconnect as a family is particularly strong at this time of year when we’re basking in holiday altruism and preparing for a fresh start in 2021.

Feel free to incorporate some or all of these ideas into your week for a much-needed dose of fun…

Day 1: Board Game Day

Day 2: Winter Wonderland

  • Movie: Watch “Chronicles of Narnia,” “Frosty,” or “Moomins and the Winter Wonderland.”
  • Craft: Create ice candles to transform the backyard into a magical place. Bring the magic indoors by building your own snow globe out of a baby food jar, glitter, hot glue, and a waterproof toy or ornament.
  • Food: Dress in white for a winter wonderland dinner party with white foods – white cheese and crackers; chicken with white cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and cauliflower; and vanilla cupcakes, cheesecake, or eggnog for dessert.
  • Book: Ready or watch “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats.
  • Learn: Visit Nat Geo Kids to learn about winter celebrations, ice sculpting, and gingerbread houses.
  • Active Play: Bundle up and get outside. Take a walk around the neighborhood to see how the scenery has changed. Little ones will be happy with the standard snow angels or snowman. Return indoors for cocoa and a game of Don’t Slip Off The Snowflake. For older kids, up the ante by constructing an igloo (using bread pans) or a snow turtle.

Day 3: Space Day

  • Movie: Watch “Toy Story,” “Wall-E,” “Space Jam,” “La Luna,” or “Star Wars.”
  • Craft: Create plastic bottle jet packs. Paint galaxy space rocks. Make aliens in their spaceships.
  • Food: Wrap a hot dog in puff pastry for a “Rocket Dog” dinner.
  • Book: Read or watch “How To Catch a Star” by Oliver Jeffers.
  • Learn: Try a free app like Space Images, NASA, or Night Sky to learn more about space.
  • Active Play: Take a Space Walk, looking out for the space rocks you’ve strategically hidden, and potential aliens, too! Then flip bowls upside down to act as “planets,” as your child navigates your “ship” (a decorated cardboard box or laundry basket) through outer-space. You may also try a Space Adventure from Cosmic Kids Yoga for more structured guidance.

Day 4: Music Day

  • Movie: Watch “Coco,” “The Sound of Music,” “Mary Poppins,” or Sesame Street “Music Magic.”
  • Craft: Make your own microphones out of toilet paper rolls, tinfoil, gems, and construction paper.
  • Food: Whip up Tune-a-Piano sandwiches and a Music Note Veggie Tray for lunch.
  • Book: Read or watch “Because” by Mo Williams.
  • Learn: Learn Solfege, a system used in music theory to teach melody.
  • Active Play: Musical Chairs and Freeze Dance are fun, free games. A karaoke machine or Just Dance video game can add to the fun if you have the equipment. If you play an instrument, indulge in a few seasonal songs. Write and perform your own concert.

Day 5: Camp Out Day

Day 6: Sports Day

  • Movie: Watch a sports game – if not live, then an old historic match of your favorite team. You can also watch sports movies like “Sesame Street: Count on Sports,” “Scooby Doo Sports Spooktacular,” and “Arthur: the Good Sport” for younger kids, or “The Sand Lot,” “The Rookie,” “Mighty Ducks,” “Air Bud,” or “A League of Their Own” for older kids.
  • Craft: Make #1 Fan Foam Fingers and mini megaphones with your little sports fans.
  • Food: Order pizza and wings. Set out potato skins, a Charcuterie board, nachos, or these party foods.
  • Book: Read or watch “Bats at the Ballgame.”
  • Learn: Young children can learn to play soccer from the comfort of their own living rooms with the Soccer Shots on the Go program – an engaging virtual version of the live sessions.
  • Active Play: Play Charades, silently acting out different sports to see if others can guess what they are. Kick around a soccer ball, toss the baseball or football, shoot a few hoops (indoors, using the laundry hamper if you must!) Play Mario Tennis Aces – we won’t judge!

Day 7: Lego Day

We hope you enjoyed these fun family bonding activities. You can also contact Shine for virtual parties or pre-assembled crafting bags. If you live in New York’s East End, inquire about our safe in-person small group workshops available over the winter break today. Space is limited.

4 Ways To Spread Holiday Cheer

/in , /by

Perhaps this year, more than ever, you have a deep longing to make a meaningful contribution. Maybe the stay-at-home orders have given you more idle time to reflect. Perhaps you’ve weathered the pandemic well and want to pay it forward with a spirit of generosity. Or you might wish to serve as a positive role model, showing your little ones that it’s not the receiving of gifts that brings joy to the heart, but the giving. It’s not always easy to donate amid the current crisis. Some organizations are turning away gently used clothing because they’re so inundated, while others are turning to corporate sponsors to reduce the points of contact. Here are a few charities still accepting the love and kindness of volunteers to fulfill their missions.

Adopt a Child’s Letter to Santa

The Postal Service has received letters to Santa for more than 100 years. In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock allowed postal employees and citizens to respond to these letters in what is today known as “Operation Santa.

Here’s how to participate:

  • Visit the USPS Operation Santa website.
  • Look through the children’s letters and find one that speaks to your heart.
  • Find and wrap the items on the wish-list.
  • Be sure to follow the shipping guidelines.
  • Bring your package to a local post office by December 19th so it arrives for Christmas.

On a more local level, Stockings with Care on West 24th Street in Chelsea runs a similar operation, where a volunteer “Santa” is matched with a local child’s wish list to spread the magic of the holiday season. Through Amazon’s Operation Smile Program, a percentage of what you spend can be automatically donated to Stockings with Care, too.

Make a Holiday Greeting Card for a Lonely Senior Citizen

More than 40 percent of America’s seniors regularly struggle with loneliness – a situation that is compounded even more by the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders. Citymeals on Wheels works with volunteers to craft handmade cards to brighten the spirits of the homebound senior citizens. Last year, the organization delivered 76,106 cards.

Here’s what to do:

  • Make your card out of folded-in-half cardstock or construction paper.
  • Write a seasonally appropriate greeting in marker or crayon on the front of the card.
  • Draw mood-lifting images. Avoid glitter or religious symbols or language.
  • Include a first name inside the card or sign “from your friends at Citymeals on Wheels.”
  • Include a slip with your full name and email or mailing address.
  • Address the card to:

Handmade Card Project

Liz Cantillo

Citymeals on Wheels

309 Drake Street

Bronx NY 10474

You may also direct questions to Shiela@citymeals.org. Other opportunities exist through City Meals on Wheels throughout the year, including: driving for the meal delivery service branch; helping out at a food pantry, serving and make boxes; making weekly phone calls or visits to seniors; and volunteering in the donations office. As one 80-year-old woman explained: “The beautiful cards from the children adorn my walls. This food nourished my body, but the thoughts and love that come my way touched my soul.”

Provide a Gift through Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots Foundation assists the U.S. Marine Corps in providing a sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. The local mission hopes to support 40,000 Long Island families in need. So far, they’re a third of the way to reaching that goal, so any assistance you can provide will be much appreciated.

How to participate:

  • Find the nearest drop-off location.
  • Purchase from popular toy categories like sporting equipment, books, backpacks, electronics, radio control cars and trucks, games, science kits, dolls, and hover boards/helmets.
  • Host a drop-off box at home if you’d like to have friends, family, and coworkers get involved. This is a great project to organize in memory of a loved one who has passed.
  • Participate in the Suffolk County Collection Drive on December 13th at 8 am, where a car parade drives from Millers Ale House in Commack, NY to Millers Ale House in Lake Grove NY to raise awareness and charitable donations.
  • You can also make a financial contribution here. As a top-rated charity, 96 percent of your donation goes directly to providing toys, books, and gifts to children, while the other 4% covers fundraising drives.

If you sell used toys on eBay, you can donate 10 to 100% of your sale price to the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation. Donors receive tax deductions and credit on eBay seller fees.

Host a Zoom Party for the Kids

Children exude resilience, even when they struggle internally to process all that’s happening. Whether they vocalize it or not, your children are likely feeling pangs of loneliness and isolation from school cancellations and paused social lives. Throughout the pandemic, Shine has offered craft bags and online classes to bring kids together. Our fully customizable holiday bags are full of goodies from wreaths to treats you can bake. The Shine team of educators sing, dance, perform live music, and guide the party through activities tailored to your theme. We can also staff a private day camp hosting up to eight kids (ages 4-11) with arts and crafts, science and nature, games and sports, music and educational programming. Contact us for details.

Looking for more ways to give back? You might also like:

The Art of Giving Back
Shine’s Favorite Things for the Holidays
10 Ways To Get NYC Kids Into the Giving Spirit
8 Activities for World Kindness Day
5 Simple Things You and Your Kids Can Do To Give Back During the COVID-19 Quarantine

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