Ways To Keep The Kids From Going Stir-crazy Over Winter Break

Ways To Keep The Kids From Going Stir-crazy Over Winter Break

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School entertains our children all fall long, keeping their minds and bodies active. Winter break can be a welcome respite from such a structured existence, but eventually our children start bouncing off the walls and driving us crazy. Here are 10 ways to make the holiday season a memorable and enjoyable time for the whole family.

Wrestle!

Rough-and-tumble play is valuable for young children, particularly little boys. Think of yourself as a coach in allowing your child to test strength and delight in the notion of being powerful, while modeling fairness, self-control, and empathy. Animal studies show roughhousing stimulates neuron growth in the cortex and hippocampus regions of the brain, which aids in memory, language, learning, and logic. You can try a gentle “pillow fight” on a carpeted surface, allowing your child to lead the play session and “win.” You might pretend you’re dinosaurs, superheroes, or classic movie monsters for added fun.

Plan a Treasure Hunt.

Keep your child’s analytical problem-solving skills sharp by creating a simple Treasure Hunt. Place the first clue somewhere easy to find – like in a cereal bowl or on the bathroom sink. Each riddle should describe a place to check for the next clue. Instead of giving your child a prize at the end, you may consider leaving coins at each location for your child to put into a piggy bank at the end. Another option is to make a list of items for your child to find in the house.

Play with Stuffed Animals.

Every household with children ends up with dozens of stuffed animals. But what to do with them all? Winter break is the perfect chance to get these “friends” involved in the family’s affairs. Just 10-15 minutes a day of solo play with a stuffed animal boosts confidence in toddlers. Or you may want an excuse to join in the fun. Options include:

  • Set the timer and hide a group of stuffed animals for your kids to find.
  • Place the animals in “perilous” locations to have your child “rescue” them.
  • Get out play jewelry, doll clothes, and Halloween costumes for a pet fashion show.
  • Let your child put together a fancy tea party or a casual picnic.
  • Play “nurse,” while your child runs a pet hospital to cure the sick or injured.
  • Have your child take his or her plush camping – with tents, singalongs, and s’mores.
  • Get in the holiday spirit by “wrapping presents” for the stuffed animals.

Play Balloon Games.

You’ll be amazed at how long a game of “Don’t Let The Balloon Touch The Ground” can continue. You might want more than one balloon to challenge older kids. For two or more kids, you can set up a “net” with a string attached to two chairs for a game of Balloon Volleyball. The physical activity burns off excess energy, while improving arm strength and hand-eye coordination.

Make Cardboard Box Cars.

This time of year, there’s bound to be a few child-sized boxes around the house. In fact, a particularly large box can be more fun than what’s inside it! Parenting Magazine offers an easy tutorial on fashioning a box into a car. Give your child markers or paints for decorating to keep them busy a while. Later on, your kids can take their cars to “the drive-in” for a family holiday movie. (In a pinch, laundry basket cars will do!)

Check Your Local Library

Sometimes you’ve just got to get out of the house for a minute. The library is a classic place to find free entertainment. You can make a game of it for older children by asking them to find: a nonfiction book about winter holidays; a magazine of winter crafts; a book about a snowman; and a funny holiday book. Many libraries have puzzles and other quiet toys for kids to explore. Some host events. This month, the Hampton Library is hosting a number of free activities, including Minecraft building clubs, toddler story time, play-a-palooza, winter decoration making, and slime science experiments.

Give Them A Job To Do

We tend to think of kids and chores as mutually exclusive, but giving your children a meaningful way to participate means they are no longer competing for your attention. You know that madness that takes hold just before dinner? Have your kids help you cook and marvel at how you’ve avoided the chaos. It might take you twice as long to fold the laundry or sweep the floor, but you’re teaching a valuable skill and boosting their confidence. Research shows that young children who routinely do chores are more responsible, better able to deal with frustration, and delay gratification – all of which contribute to greater academic success.

Send Them Outside

Children are safe to play outside as long as the wind-chill is 32 degrees and above. In temperatures 13 to 31 degrees, indoor breaks should happen every 30 minutes. Once the kids are bundled, you can suggest one of the following activities to them:

  • Use Mr. Potato Head accessories to make your snowman.
  • Bring baking supplies and dishes outside for a “Snow Ice Cream Parlor” or kitchen.
  • Have a good old-fashioned snowball fight.
  • Build a snow fort or igloo.
  • Fill plastic spray bottles with cold water and food coloring for “snow painting.”
  • Use criss-cross sticks and pine cones to play Tic Tac Toe in the snow.
  • Make snow angels or bring your cookie cutters outside to make tiny snow prints.
  • Take a snowy hike to appreciate the beauty of winter, topped with hot cocoa.

Let Imaginations Run Wild With Clothespin Animal Crafts

You won’t need much artistic ability to create an adorable plaything. Have your child draw an animal, alien, dinosaur, or favorite TV/movie character on a piece of construction paper or card stock. Cut out the image. Cut off legs if they’re drawn in and replace with clothespin legs. You can also design a scene for the creatures to interact with using a large piece of cardboard. Paper bag puppets are always a big hit, too, if you’re short on clothespins.

Bake A New Holiday Tradition

Some kids look forward to making a gingerbread house each year. If you’re really ambitious you can do it from scratch using a dozen ingredients and icing, gumdrops, licorice, and peppermints for the decorating. You can also purchase pre-made gingerbread house kits if you’re just into the assembling and decorating part. If you want a more edible annual tradition, try Kris Kringle cut-outs. Add a couple drops of anise to the dough and the frosting for a hint of unique holiday flavor. Invite cousins or friends over for a frosting and sprinkle decorating party.

Still not satisfied? Get more winter break ideas here or stop by and see us at the Children’s Museum of the East End for winter camp activities geared toward ages 3-6.

The Benefits of Pretend Play & Holiday Gifts That Inspire

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“Play is the work of the child,” once said Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori. If you’ve ever tried to pull a toddler away from a pile of toys, you know what serious business play truly is! Pretend play, in particular, is an integral part of childhood involved in the development of higher cognitive functions – creativity, empathy, abstraction.

The foundation for creative play begins to blossom around 18 months of age with objection substitution, such as pretending a banana is a telephone. The timespan between 3 and 5 is known as “the high season of imaginative play,” where children develop the capacity to interact with imaginary environments. They begin to understand the difference between dress-up and role-playing activities, and replica play using small-scale models. To some degree, pretending continues throughout childhood and even into adulthood – with great benefit.

This holiday season, consider gifts that promote learning through fantasy, role-playing, and pretending.

The Benefits of Pretend Play, According To Science

  • Animal studies have shown that play grows the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for sensory processing, language development, memory formation, and reasoning.
  • Animal studies have also indicated increases in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor during periods of play and exploration. BDNF is essential for the creation, survival, and maintenance of neurons. With high levels, it is easier for the brain to acquire and retain new knowledge, and feel happier.
  • Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp of Washington State University found that one-third of the 1,200 neocortical genes show significant changes in activity – effectively making rats in the experiment more “social” in nature — after 30 minutes of play.
  • A growing body of research shows play improves a child’s emotional self-regulation, impulse control, and use of language. Children who excel at pretending also display delayed gratification, reduced aggression, civility, and empathy.
  • Social scientists note a direct correlation between pretending and Theory of Mind development, which enables children to understand the variation of perspectives within themselves and the awareness that others may think differently.
  • When dramatic play was introduced to literacy training, children showed better language diversity, as well as increased interest in reading and writing.

 

Top Pretend Play Gifts

The possibilities are endless, but you can take inspiration from some of the top-selling pretend play gifts:

  • Occupational Costumes – Pretend play is about more than princesses and super heroes. Melissa and Doug offer a wide range of occupational outfits, from firefighters, police officers, and construction workers, to chefs, doctors, and airline pilots.
  • Science Sets – Doctor tools never seem to lose their appeal. For less than $20, your aspiring physician could have a blood pressure monitor, thermometers, stethoscope, otoscope, bandages, glasses, a shot, cell phone, and several other items. Outdoorsy types will love camping all winter long with this tree house tent, camping gear set, and picnic basket. Labcoats, scales, rulers, goggles, clipboards, tweezers, beakers, timers, and magnifying glasses are fun pretend play toys for little scientists.
  • Play Kitchens – Boys and girls alike can perfect their practical culinary skills in the comfort of their own pint-sized station by Step2. Most units come with a sink, stovetop, oven, refrigerator, microwave, and pantry, but some high-end models add in a supermarket, grilling station, pizza oven, and coffee maker. The kitchens typically come with an assortment of cheap plastic foods, but don’t expect much quality there. Melissa and Doug offer a great variety of themed food sets our kids love — like salad, sushi, pasta, pizza, and pancakes. Learning Resources sells worthwhile breakfast, lunch, and dinner themed baskets, too. Along the same line, you’ll find diner sets, food trucks, and farmer’s markets.
  • Playsets & Figurines – There are many ways to immerse your child into a miniaturized world filled with communication, problem-solving, and empathy. Playmobil is a tested, tried, and true brand for preschoolers, with sets ranging from zoos, pirates and castles, to farms, dinosaurs, and fairy forests. Their advent calendars are an ideal way to dive right in! Calico Critters is a whimsical brand of animals with their own homes, schools, supermarkets, restaurants, salons, playgrounds, and shops. For the littlest tikes, Fisher Price Little People sets come with bigger, non-choking-hazard pieces. Older kids can combine the love of creation with pretend play using LEGO sets.
  • Housekeeping – Is it ever too early to warm the kids up to the idea of doing a few chores around the house? Choose from themed sets for laundry, indoor scrubbing, vacuuming, or gardening. Baby dolls and accessories let children explore the idea of being mommies and daddies themselves one day to give back all they love they’ve received from you.
  • Vehicle Play – Children love movement, so vehicles are a natural draw. The youngest children will enjoy cruising around the house in a classic foot-to-floor Little Tikes Car, while toddlers will become enthralled by Tonka trucks and train tables, and older kids collect Hot Wheels or ride

 

How To Encourage Pretend Play

Some children are naturals, while others may need a little more coaching to spark the imagination. Reading is a helpful companion to play, as it gives children fantastical fodder to work with in their pretend realms. You might find it helpful to use stuffed animals, figurines, or puppets to explore real-world challenges you’re trying to assist your child with – be it sharing, dealing with transitions, or eating vegetables. Keep an eye on your child’s natural inclinations and foster whatever weird whims he or she may have – be it an obsession with astronauts or a love of lemonade stands. Be patient and kind to yourself: it may take you a while to get in touch with your inner child and remember how to genuinely enjoy playing.

Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Las Posadas, Shine wishes you and your family a wonderful holiday season. If you’re looking to enrich your child’s life with meaningful experiences that combine education and fun in the New Year, we’d love to help. Contact us to learn more about our classes, workshops, City Adventures, and parties.

Kid-Friendly Activities For Thanksgiving Weekend in NYC

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There’s more to Thanksgiving time in New York City than the Macy’s Parade. For many East End parents with young children, the whole parade experience with its 3.5 million spectators can be somewhat overwhelming. It’s a bustling time of year with the official holiday shopping season kicking off, Christmas tree lightings, and Santas just around every corner. Here are a few of the most heart-warming events for the whole family to enjoy without having to venture too far west.

Disney On Ice – Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale – November 23, 24, or 25

This year’s theme is “Mickey’s Search Party,” inviting children in the audience to help Mickey Mouse find Tinker Bell, with the help of Miguel, Moana, Belle, and Elsa. According to executive VP and producer Nicole Feld, you can expect captivating performances and a lot of audience interaction. “With this production of Disney on Ice… we have pushed the action past the ice, expanding the stage beyond our traditional surface. The excitement will not only happen in front of fans, but all around them with characters emerging from the stands in unexpected places for one-on-one delightful moments.” Get tickets.

Magic of Lights – Jones Beach State Park – November 22-25

A drive-through lightshow is something you have to experience with your family at least once. Pile into your car for a leisurely two-mile drive through a holiday light show, set to seasonal music. The Holiday Village returns for the second year in a row, with hot cocoa, fireside smores, holiday movies, a hay maze, and pictures with jolly old Saint Nick. Buy your tickets online.

Festival of Trees – The Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City – November 23-25

What better way to welcome the winter season than with free indoor ice skating? The event promises a remarkable assortment of designer-decorated Christmas trees, along with a gingerbread village – all for sale. Vendors will be on-site offering the perfect toys and holiday gifts, including Department 56 villages. Watch dance and musical performances, decorate a cookie, or track down Santa for a photo opp. All proceeds benefit the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County and the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Get more information.

Polar Express Trolley – Riverhead, Southampton – November 24-25

Though the Polar Express Trolley has been rolling along for five years now, the sixth year promises new spectacular surprises. “We used to pick up the people and take them to the North Pole to see Santa,” says North Fork Trolley General Manager Jay Mooney. “This year, it’s a whole production. They will be immersed in the Polar Express from the time they get there.” Performances throughout the ride, as well as singing and dancing shows at the North Pole have been added to the 90-minute trolley adventure. The event is recommended for ages 2+, and will include hot cocoa and cookies. Feel free to wear your pajamas while awaiting pickup at The All Star Bowling Alley. They’re expecting to sell 10,000 tickets this year at $55 a piece, available by calling 631-369-3031.

Connetquot River Boat Parade and Fireworks – Oakdale, November 24th

Who says fireworks are just for the 4th? With the earlier sunset time, you can expect a sparkling display by Grucci at about 7 pm. Prior to that, yacht owners deck out their boats for a unique holiday-themed water parade departing View Restaurant at 5:30, heading to the Snapper Inn and back. Other ideal vantage points include: Great River Town Ramp, Nicoll’s Point Marina, Oakdale Yacht, Timber Point Marina, and Vanderbilt’s Wharf. While the parade itself is free, venues may charge for parking and you’ll probably want to grab something to eat at one of these joints, too! If it rains, the event will take place on the 25th.

Christmas Celebration — Montauk Point Lighthouse, Montauk – November 25th

It costs $50,000 to light up the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse for the holiday season. Hopefully generous benefactors will step forward to ensure this tradition continues. Bring the family to see it for yourself. Festivities are tentatively scheduled to begin at 11 am, with the light switch flipped around 4 pm. You can expect speeches, raised glasses, a singing of the National Anthem, and a grand salute. Festivities include caroling, pony rides, cider, snacks, and the opportunity to meet Santa. The rain date is slated for Sunday, December 3rd. Updated details are available at the Montauk Chamber of Commerce website.

Contact Shine to make the most of your Thanksgiving holidays. We can provide fun, educational entertainment for children at your party. Or ask about our many enrichment workshops, classes, and field trips.

International Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Indian Recipes For Diwali

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Diwali is India’s most important festival of the year — a festival of light – not just physical light, but spiritual light. Regardless of whether you’re Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, or Sikh, there is a story of the triumph of good over evil that you can share with your children. To celebrate Diwali, people will clean their homes and shop for kitchen utensils or gold on day one; decorate their homes with clay lamps and Rangoli patterns on day two; gather for feasts, fireworks, and festivities on day three; visit friends and relatives to kick off “the new year” on day four; and enjoy a lavish meal with siblings on day five.

When we think of Diwali from a culinary standpoint, two things come to mind – “snacks” and “sweets!” Naturally, both of these food genres go over well with kids, who seem to subsist solely off them for days at a time. Research shows involving kids in the kitchen makes them healthier eaters over a decade later. With a little bit of patience on your part, you gift your children with the tools they need for wellness. We hope you enjoy Indian home-cooking with your little ones and devouring these dishes as a family.

Besan ke Ladoo ke Cookies

From Surbhi Sahni, co-owner of Bittersweet, New York City

Ladoo is a round sweet that can be made of various ingredients. This recipe will take you less than an hour to make and uses common Indian recipe ingredients like chickpea flour and ghee, combined with sweet almond flour, sugar, and raisins, as well as savory cardamom seed and almonds. Some people say it’s the besan, or chickpea flour, that makes the tastier version. A Diwali Festival without ladoo would be incomplete.

Get the recipe here.

 

Diwali Persimmon-Vanilla Cobbler

From NYC based Michelin-starred chef Vikkas Khanna’s cookbook “Indian Harvest”

“During Diwali, my maternal grandmother would always send a basket of fruits,” Chef Khanna recalls. The glossy persimmons showed through the colored paper. Cobbler is an easy dessert to make with limitless fruit combinations. This recipe combines “the tangy, sweet, delicate flavor of persimmons” with the “rich smooth vanilla.” The buttery crisp pastry makes this dish “a comforting end to a perfect meal,” he says. Child chefs helping out in the kitchen will especially enjoy the step where they blend the flour, sugar, baking powder, cornstarch, almonds, salt, and butter with their fingers to form coarse crumbs.

Get the recipe here.

 

Crunchy Mithai

By Alice’s Pepperpot

Mithai can be more savory or more confectionery, depending on the recipe. “If there’s one thing that captures the Indian culinary psyche, it’s mithai,” says the UK Guardian. This version comes from a NYC recipe developer who grew up in Guayana, but remembers buying this tasty treat from a local street vendor and West Indian bakeries, where it was packaged alongside parsad, peera, goja, and gulgula for Diwali. Because it’s so easily made in large batches, mithai is popular at Hindu weddings, too. With a blend of anise seed, fresh grated ginger, cinnamon, and coconut, this treat will excite your child’s senses. The crunchy texture is kid-approved.

Get the recipe here.

 

Warm Doda Barfi Treacle Tart

By Chef Manish Mehrotra at Indian Accent in Le Parker Meridien

Back home, this goodie tends to be popular only during Diwali. Here, it’s Indian Accent’s top-selling dessert with its grainy, fudgy texture. Though the addition of London-inspired tart isn’t exactly traditional, it’s “a stroke of genius,” says anyone who has tasted it. For the kids, there is plenty of stirring involved – with the cream and the eggs, not to mention the sponge crumbs. Reminiscent of pecan pie, it’s best served warm and topped with vanilla ice.

Get the recipe here.

 

Chicken Korma with Almonds

By Madhur Jaffrey, recipe authority at Dawat on East 58th

“No recipe can ever compete with the love and care food is cooked with in an Indian home using recipes passed on for generations,” says Madhur Jaffrey, author of more than 30 cookbooks. While Diwali isn’t known for large entrees, we thought you’d probably want to feed the kids something more than dessert for dinner, so we included this chicken recipe packed with flavors of ginger, clove, bay, cardamom, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, chili, tomato, and the sweet, curry-esque garam masala. Add a dash of cream and you’ve got an amazing dish for the whole family in less than one hour. If you’d like, you can serve it with Madhur’s Raisin Rice Pilaf or alongside Indian breads, vegetables, and chutneys.

Get the recipe here.

 

Visit NY Metro Parents or The Indian Eagle for ideas on how to celebrate Diwali with your children in NYC, including dance performances, crafts, parades, and cooking demos. If your child is a master chef in the making, contact us to inquire about our “Kitchen Stars” cooking classes for ages 3-5 or 6-8.

New York City’s Best Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treating

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Wondering where to trick-or-treat in NYC? On October 31st, it’s a vast wonderland of spooky displays, generous treats, and good old-fashioned gangs of costumed kids. Fortunately, you don’t have to live in a particular neighborhood to take advantage of its Halloween bounty. Neighborhood-hopping is commonplace and, in some jurisdictions, encouraged. So here is your guide to our favorite places to celebrate.

Halloween fun is subject to change, of course, but historically, these have been some of the best places for trick-or-treating and festivities in the East End, Brooklyn, and Manhattan:

Elm Street from Hampton to Pelletreau Street (Southampton Village) 

Since 2009, the mayor has ordered the closing of high-traffic Elm Street to traffic from 3 to 6 pm. Last year, Edible Long Island called Elm Street “the best Halloween block party out East.” The pet parade and shop trick-or-treating down on Main Street in Southampton is another big draw.

Huntington (Suffolk) 

Newsday called Huntington one of the most “stroller-friendly towns” on the Island, so it’s a great spot for taking little ones out. Family-friendly festivities kick-off with the 4 p.m. costume parade at the Huntington Post Office on Gerard Street, followed by trick-or-treating at participating shops and beautifully decorated homes.

Older kids (recommended for 13+) won’t want to miss Huntington’s Restless Souls Haunted House Complex at Huntington Station, which features “Phantom Plaza” Midway games, an outdoor attraction, “Klownkatraz,” and an “Alien Autopsy” escape room. (The proceeds from this Haunted House go to the LGBT-friendly West Hills United Methodist Church.)

Floral Park and Garden City (Nassau)

With over a third of the residents under 18, you can be rest assured there will be loads of little ones filling their sacks with candy in Floral Park, so if you like people-watching, this small village bordering Queens is a must. Homeowners deck out their lawns with spooky displays and put orange lights in the windows of their historic gems.

Garden City is another ideal Nassau neighborhood for trick-or-treating, with majestic homes, towering trees, and wide streets with low car traffic volume. Residents are generous with their candy-giving, and you can hit up the merchants along Seventh Street, too.

Upper West Side (Manhattan)

The huge party takes place on West 69th Street between Broadway and Central Park West, with candy, inflatables, entertainment, closed-off streets, and police patrols for safety. Locals love the traditional door-to-door candy collecting from the historic Brownstones down leaf-covered streets the best. Decked-out prewar buildings on 78th and 79th streets between Columbus and Amsterdam attract crowds. For equally good décor and fewer crowds, you can try 87th or 90th between Columbus and Amsterdam.

Upper East Side (Manhattan)

Historically, the go-to block has been 78th Street between Park and Lexington avenues. Other popular spots include Carnegie Hill’s 92nd Street between Park and Madison avenues, which is closed for live music, art projects, candy, and costume / decorating contests from 5 to 6:30. Up North, there are ample goodies in the Brownstone mansions along 94th and 95th streets, between Park and Lexington.

Garden Place (Brooklyn Heights)

Residents are serious about their Halloween displays in Garden Place and Grace Court Alley, with fog machines, life-sized mummies, coffins, and jack o’lanterns aplenty. For a quieter residential experience, head to nearby Remsen and Joralemon streets. Parades and parties take place at Pierrepont Playground at 10 am the Saturday before Halloween.

What Time Is Trick-or-Treating In NYC?

For most residential neighborhoods, trick-or-treating can begin as early as 5:30 and generally wraps up around 8:30. The commercial stretches are different. Little ghosts and goblins arrive as early as 9:30 am to trick-or-treat on Lexington, Third, and Madison. One candy store shopkeeper had refilled her candy bucket four times by 2:30 in the afternoon! Elm Street trick-or-treating goes from 3-6 pm. Upper West Side businesses stop handing out treats at 7 pm due to the rising popularity in recent years.

Looking for More Halloween Fun?

Shine brings structured activities to your Halloween party fun. Whether your kids are six months or 12 years, we’ve got games, ghost stories, crafts, songs, and cooking that will entertain, instruct, and inspire.  Contact us for details on how we can help you plan the ultimate holiday party. For ideas you can do yourself at home, be sure to check out our Celebrate Halloween Pinterest board.

A Few Fun Things To Do In NYC and The East End Before Summer Is Over

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“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well,” once said Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin. The thought of these warm, sunny afternoons coming to an end is enough to put a brief chill in your bones. Thankfully, New York City and Long Island’s East End offer a plethora of last-minute events, giving us that one last taste of summer. Here are a few activities we recommend…

Color Factory

The Color Factory pop-up exhibit started in San Francisco and makes its Soho debut on August 20th in a 20,000 square-foot commercial space located at 251 Spring Street near Avenue of the Americas. It’s hard to imagine what your Instagram might be missing, but how about wading in a bright yellow sea of 207,000 balls? Or perhaps you’d like a photo of your little ones on rainbow-colored stairs that seem to go on for miles? Kids and grownups alike will love grooving on the luminous dance floor, designing their own custom color ice cream scoop, walking along a giant infographic to reveal their “secret color,” and gazing upon floating balloons with wishes for the world written by students at 826NYC. The collection of 16 unique exhibits inspires wonder and fosters art appreciation. Before you leave, be sure to grab a “Local Color” neighborhood map that directs you to 20 unique color experiences hidden in downtown Manhattan to discover.

The Color Factory
251 Spring Street
Manhattan, NY 10013

Get your tickets here. (Kids 2 and under are free!)

Pier 2 Pop Up Pool

While McCarren Park’s new pool soaks up the spotlight, you and your family can slink off to Brooklyn Park’s coolest “hidden gem.” The Pop-Up Pool is a small, kid-friendly 3.5-foot-deep pool that allows just 60 people in at a time between 10 am and 5 pm. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to get free, “first come first served” wristbands for your 45-minute session. You’ll also find a nice sandy beach area with umbrellas, prime for relaxing; a concession stand serving burgers, dogs, and ice cream; plus you have all the beauty of Brooklyn Bridge Park at your disposal, with its playgrounds, picnic tables, rolling greens, volleyball courts, soccer fields, and public art displays. Try to go on a weekday when it’s less crowded if possible. Otherwise, keep the sprinkler park on Pier 6 or a stop at Ample Hills Creamery on Pier 5 in mind as your back-up option to avoid disappointment.

Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 2
150 Furman St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Candytopia

The Candytopia interactive art installation is recommended for anyone who has ever dreamed of eating their way through the Candyland board game or taking a tour of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. You’ll be treated to candy portraits inspired by Andy Warhol, Van Gogh, and Leonardo daVinci. You’ll see flying unicorn pigs, a candied sphinx, and a pit of marshmallows. There’s no shortage of photo opps throughout the sugary spectacle. Gummy candies, chocolates, nostalgic favorites, and other sweets will be provided throughout your tour to satisfy your sweet tooth. This whimsical wonderland is only open August 15th through November 15th, so get in while you can!

Penn Plaza
145 W 32nd Street
New York, NY 10001

Get your tickets here! (Children 3 & under are free.)

2018 Riverhead Railroad Festival

Train-obsessed kids can get a close-up look at some of Long Island’s historic railcars August 25th-26th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take the 10:15 AM Greenport Scoot to visit the Greenport Museum, with a ride back to Riverhead at 12:50 PM. Ride on a restored 1964-1965 LIRR World’s Fair park train. Visit a historic Lionel layout. Race miniature locomotives. Purchase your own train set. See G, O, HO, N and Z scale layouts. See historic blacksmithing demos. Enjoy refreshments and live music.

Railroad Museum of Long Island
416 Griffing Avenue, Riverhead
Fourth Street, Greenport

Get tickets at the box office for just $10. (5 and Under free!)

Harbes Family Farm Watermelon Festival

Calling all watermelon lovers August 25th-26th from 10 am to 7 pm! Harbes Family Farm welcomes you to a day full of contests from watermelon rolling to seed spitting. Kids will love the Barnyard Aventure – a singing hayride that tours the 100-acre farm, complete with pig racing and other friendly farm animals. Other highlights include: giant bouncing pillows; a goat bridge and mountain slide; a Sports Zone with baseball, football, and basketball toss games; and a hands-on preschooler playland. Adults will be treated to the relaxing sound of live rock, pop, and blues in the courtyard from 1-5 pm. Don’t forget to pick your own perfect watermelon and grab a bottle of their award-winning wine to take home.

Harbes Farm & Vineyard
715 Sound Avenue
Mattituck NY 11952

 

Contact Shine to find out many more ways to make the end of summer meaningful.

Top 5 Recipes For Fil-American Friendship Day

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International Kid-Friendly Food:

The Philippine Islands were originally a U.S. territory from 1898-1935 and a U.S. commonwealth from 1935-1941. The Japanese occupied the islands during the second World War, but General Douglas MacArthur took the land back in 1945. On year later, the Philippines were granted independence on July 4th. The holiday was first celebrated as “Republic Day,” but later celebrated the friendship between two peoples as “Philippine-American Friendship Day.”

As of 2014, the New York City / New Jersey / Long Island statistical area was home to 262,375 Filipino Americans. Woodside, Queens is known as one of America’s most prominent “Little Manilas,” but you don’t have to visit Papa’s Kitchen, Ihawan, Tito Rad’s Grill, or Maharlika to get a taste of authentic foods like chicken adobo, kare kare, or lechon. You can introduce your children to these traditional favorites right in your own kitchen.

Oxtail Stew in Peanut Sauce (Kare Kare)

From the “I Am A Filipino Cookbook” by Maharlika Owners Nicole Ponseca & Miguel Trinidad, Courtesy of NYT Cooking

This is a great dish to work on with older children who express an avid interest in cooking, as there is a lot of vegetable chopping and stock making. If your kids love vegetables and nutty sweetness, they will love this dish. Honestly, there are a few tricky ingredients in this recipe, but you can pick up oxtail from Esposito Meat Market or the International Meat Market in Astoria, and Whole Foods will have the achiote paste. Johnny Air Mart in the East Village will have a fish paste condiment called bagoong, “the secret stinky weapon of Philippine cuisine,” which adds depth to the flavor if you’re adventurous.

Get the recipe.

Chicken Adobo

From Amy Beso and Romy Dorotan, owners of The Purple Yam in Brooklyn, courtesy of NYT Cooking

We’d be remiss if our Fil-American recipe list didn’t include some form of chicken adobo! This version comes os part of what made The Purple Yam in Brooklyn so famous. The thick coconut milk tames the pepper’s spice and the tangy vinegar down a notch. With just eight ingredients, you’ll find a considerable depth of flavor here, though it’s oh-so-easy to make. Add fragrant jasmine rice for the perfect complement to the golden sauce.

Get the recipe.

Note: Every part of the Philippines has their own version. In the northern part of the Philippines, they omit the coconut milk and chilies in favor of ginger root, whole pepper corns, garlic, and bay. Get the recipe for that version done up in slow-cooker here.

Filipino Egg Rolls (Lumpia)

From Tomas & Yvonne De Los Reyes, owners of Jeepney in Brooklyn

Lumpia is a traditional “comfort food” appetizer served at house parties. Kids will enjoy wrapping up ground beef or pork, onion, carrots, sprouts, and green beans into an egg roll wrapper. Fry for five minutes into a crispy roll and serve with a vinegar dipping sauce. Joey Fatone, former singer with N’Sync, danced when he tasted this recipe and called it “a party in his mouth.”

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Pancit Canton (Filipino-Style Lo Mein)

From Frances Tariga, Chef at MEGU at Dream Downtown

According to Pint-Size Gourmets, Pancit Canton is one of the 10 most kid-friendly Filipino dishes. Served at family gatherings as a symbol of health and longevity, this savory and satisfying dish wins for diversity of color and presentation, though it’s not exactly “health food.” Filipino Lo Mein noodles make the perfect quick dinner, says Chef Frances Tariga. “They’re simple, easy, and everyone will like them,” she explains. This recipe uses chicken marinated in corn starch, egg whites, and soybean oil, pan-fried with garlic and scallions, served over al-dente lo mein noodles with soy sauce and topped with bok choy, carrots, cabbage, green beans, lime, and fresh cilantro (if you please).

Get the recipe.

Mango Royale

From Los Angeles Chef Isa Fabro, Adapted by Ligaya Mishan for NYT Cooking

What could be easier to whip up with the little ones than a no-bake dessert? The deep honey flavor of mangoes naturally goes over well with the kids, as does the creamy texture. Add graham crackers, butter, and cream, and you’ve got one sweet summer treat. If you can’t get ahold of Manila mangoes, you’ll need to remove the excess fiber and add lime to Kent or Haden mangoes, but either way, your dessert will turn out delectable. Opt for over-ripe mangoes if you can find them. If not, try ripening the mangoes overnight in a brown paper bag, or you can even use defrosted frozen mango in a pinch.

Get the recipe.

Cooking is an ideal way to bond and share culture with your children. For other experiences: take a visit to the roving Filipino-American Museum (currently on display in Midtown’s Ace Hotel); check out the Fil-American Day Parade in Jersey City the last weekend of June; keep an eye on the Filipinos of NY events calendar; take a day trip to Seacaucus, NJ for the annual Fiesta in America in August, featuring Filipino dance, food, storytelling, and crafts; or contact Shine to learn about our multicultural programming and kids’ cooking classes.

 

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipinos_in_the_New_York_metropolitan_area

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Day_(Philippines)

https://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Queens,+NY&start=0&sortby=review_count&cflt=filipino

http://www.foodrepublic.com/2015/06/18/get-familiar-with-bagoong-the-stinky-secret-weapon-of-philippine-cuisine/

https://www.pintsizegourmets.com/10-kid-friendly-filipino-foods/

 

Ways to Have a Meaningful Mother’s Day at Home

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Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach $23.1 Billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation. The average person will be spending an average of $180 to lavish mom with attention with everything from flowers, jewelry, and brunch, to electronics, spa services, and day trips.

Yet, most moms admit what they really want on Mother’s Day are the simple things – a morning in bed, a cup of tea, family snuggles, a roast cooked for them, homemade cards, and a nature walk. Mothers of young children, in particular, long for a little peace and quiet – or just a calm day with no meltdowns.

NYC is a flurry of Mother’s Day events, but if the simple pleasures are more your speed, try one of these meaningful Mother’s Day activities at home.

Brunch outside

After a miserable April, forecasters are calling for temperatures up in the 70s. It may be cloudy and slightly damp from Saturday rain, but still a decent day for dining al fresco.

  • Outdoor brunch – Make fresh-squeezed juices, quiche, and fruit salad to enjoy lunch outside on the patio.
  • Picnic – It’s not too early for sandwiches, watermelons, chips, pasta salad, and lemonade in a wicker basket.
  • BBQ – Dads aren’t the only ones who like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, barbecue drumsticks, and corn on the cob.
  • Tea Party – Make the afternoon special with homemade scones, tea, a mini honey pot, and fancy finger food.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, there’s always the classic option of breakfast in bed. Older kids may enjoy whipping up an omelet with dad, while younger ones are perfectly capable of stirring up waffles with a side of strawberries. Don’t forget the coffee in mom’s favorite mug!

Get crafty

Crafts are a calming way of spending quality time together, whether the kids are big or small. You don’t need to have any particular craft in mind. Freeform is sometimes the most fun way to go, with the right supplies on hand. Consider:

  • Rock salts, glue, and watercolor paints
  • Clay flower pots, craft paint, rubber stamps, rhinestones, and mini fairy or gnome figurines
  • Pom-poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, glue, magnetic tape
  • Felt, buttons, scissors, glue, ribbon, glitter
  • Paint-by-Number kits
  • Perler Beads or Aquabeads kits

On a nice day, get outside with sidewalk chalk. Keep the kids occupied drawing a pretend town or other fantastical setting. Draw classic Hopscotch, bulls-eye beanbag toss, Tic-Tac-Toe, or obstacle courses for hours of fun.

Take a trip down Memory Lane

What better opportunity to reflect upon the sweet morsels of motherhood past and present than Mother’s Day?

  • Break out the oldies. Kids love looking through albums of old photographs and watching home movies.
  • Create a comic strip. Older kids can illustrate an event, celebration, or humorous incident from the year.
  • Preserve history. To honor a deceased mother, order signature jewelry or handwritten recipe pottery.
  • Check out Ancestry.com. Older children may enjoy looking at the family tree, historic documents, and photos.
  • Sit down for family scrapbook making. Begin a tradition of creating a beautiful annual keepsake, chronicling the past year. Print out your photos using a service like Snapfish or Shutterfly. Stop by the craft store to get scrapbook paper, stickers, hole punchers, and stamps for adorning. To make your scrapbook even more meaningful for next year, keep a running list of funny quotes from the kids to add.

Garden together

If you’re not one to “relax,” special day or not, visit the local nursery to pick out new flowers or vegetables for the garden a few days in advance. Then spend Mother’s Day weeding, planting, and sharing stories with those you love.

  • Make it more fun for the wee ones. Kids love having their own watering cans and pint-sized tools.
  • Adorn it. Paint and decorate rocks to add to your garden.
  • Choose long-lasting cut flower varieties. Shop for daisies, dahlias, mini sunflowers, asters, scabiosa, coneflowers, or larkspur to make beautiful arrangements all summer long.

Snuggle up to a Mother’s Day movie

Kids are only so little for so long. When the sun goes down, pop the popcorn, line the couch with blankets, and enjoy one of these movies suitable for Mother’s Day:

  • Dumbo – A circus elephant with big ears finds himself on his own once his mother is locked away for sticking up for him. In the end, Dumbo realizes the source of his ridicule is actually his strength and reunites with his mom.
  • The Boss Baby – New moms will empathize with the hilarious take on bringing a new baby into the house. If you haven’t seen it yet, this Pixar film uses a mix of beautiful animation styles, while inserting a few much-appreciated adult jokes and “30 Rock” style humor. Yet, it’s also captivating enough for a 2-year-old.
  • Brave – It can be difficult for adolescents to reconcile their mothers’ dreams for them with the aspirations they have for themselves. Princess Meridia lands her mother and herself into trouble with a witch in this Disney flick.
  • The Incredibles – Elastigirl is not just the wife of Mr. Incredible. She’s a fantastic superhero mom, too!
  • Freaky Friday – Tess Coleman and her daughter Anna wake up in each other’s bodies for a day, which helps them learn to get along better.

Top 5 Recipes For Cinco de Mayo

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International Kid-Friendly Food

Contrary to popular belief, May 5th is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s underhanded victory over the occupying French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 – 41 years after Mexico became a sovereign nation. During the Battle of Puebla, 4,000 Mexican troops defeated twice as many heavily-armed French soldiers, revealing the strength of the Mexican people to the rest of the world. In Mexico, the holiday is lauded as an important symbol of patriotism, commemorated with military reenactments and parades. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a widespread celebration of Mexican-American culture – and a great excuse to explore the joys of muy delicioso Mexican cuisine with your children!

Huevos Rancheros

Here is a popular dish celebrated on “Day of the Child” that would double as a great Cinco de Mayo brunch for the whole family. Charbel Barker cooks this family-passed recipe with her two little boys. “This is a great recipe to teach your kids because there are very few steps,” Barker explains. Made with thick-cut ham, eggs, potatoes, tortillas, cheese, and refried beans – you’ll want for nothing! You can top with store-bought salsa or make your own from this fun four-step NY Post recipe.

Get the recipe.

Guacamole

From Josefina Howard, chef at Rosa Mexicana in Manhattan, courtesy of NY Times Cooking

Avocados are a great plant-based source of protein for kids. The creamy texture is an easy sell to the youngest solid-food-eaters. This recipe calls for ½ teaspoon of Serrano chili, which you’ll want to omit when mixing it up for the kids. If you have a lava stone mortar, all the better! Kids really enjoy the mashing aspect of guacamole making. Some recipes call for garlic, citrus fruit, cheese, cumin, or jalapeño. By comparison, this recipe uses just six simple ingredients and is best served with crunchy tortilla chips.

Get the recipe.

Pasilla-Tamarind Paste

From Aarón Sánchez, Award-Winning Food Network Chef & Former Co-Owner of NYC’s Centrico, courtesy of NBC

“I want my kids to know their culture as they grow up seeing dad cook and speak Spanish at home,” explains Chef Sanchez. He makes simple dishes at home – with a new ingredient thrown in as a twist. “Introducing new and different flavors to them is important,” he adds. “They don’t have to love it, but I want to expose them to it.” In his more recent cookbooks, he strays from the typical format of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Instead, he offers sauces with versatile flavors that can give a Mexican twist to any menu. This paste delights kids with its tart and sweet dichotomy. The pasilla chili is mild and rich, balanced by the flavors of the wonderfully tangy tamarind fruit. Use as a marinade or rub with your red meat of choice. The sauce will stay fresh in a tight-sealed container for up to a week or can be easily frozen for later.

Get the recipe.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

From NY Times Food Writer Amanda Hesser

Made from 10 ingredients, this saucy, kid-friendly casserole combines shredded chicken, corn tortillas, cilantro, and queso añejo, a crumbled sharp white cheese. The tomatillo sauce is mild enough for your little ones, and you can choose to omit the jalapeños if necessary. If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute quinoa and red beans for the chicken. Serve it with a traditional medley of steamed beets, cauliflowers, and carrots or a simple green salad would do just fine. Some people save this recipe’s enchilada sauce for eggs, tortilla chips, rice topping, or sprucing up meats.

Get the recipe.

Creamy Lime Pie

From Chef Enrique Olvera at Cosme in the Flat Iron District, Courtesy of The Latin Kitchen

Chef Enrique Olvera is not only a world-renowned chef. The NY Times has suggested he could be “the king of NY” with authentic Mexican cuisine that extends beyond the stereotypes. Pujol, his Mexico City based restaurant, uses native ingredients like heirloom varieties of corn, wild greens, obscure chilies, even insects. Most of his recipes are highly complex with tricky-to-track-down ingredients, but this dessert is sinfully simple. All you need is condensed milk, fresh lime, cream cheese, frozen yogurt, and a pack of vanilla wafers.

Get the recipe.

Cooking is one of the many ways you can celebrate Mexican-American culture with your children. New York City residents can also visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for Spanish lessons, Talavera tile making, and Papel Picado crafting. The fifth of May is also opening day for the new hand-carved, disability-accessible carousel in the Greenbelt’s Willowbrook Park. Contact Shine to learn about the cooking classes and unique cultural experiences we offer area children.

 

 

Passover Activities For Kids

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Passover Activities For Kids

Passover is one of the most beloved religious holidays, celebrated by more than 70% of Jewish Americans. The story of Moses provides rich lessons about “standing up for equality, pursuing justice, and standing up for the rights of the marginalized… core Jewish commitments,” as Rabbi Rick Jacobs put it. Children are central to the Passover proceedings as a symbol of the continuity of the Jewish people, but the significance is likely to pass them by if we don’t go out of our way to include them in the family rituals. Incorporate some of these Passover activities to engage the youngest members of the faith.

Passover Pretend Play

  • The Big Clean – In preparation for Passover, families keeping Kosher kitchens remove all Chametz. Involve kids in the search party with a scavenger hunt to find hidden cookies under the bed, in pockets, closets, drawers, school bags, and toy chests.

 

  • Plagues – Scatter squishy green frogs or plastic locusts across the table to represent the plagues. Rite Lite Judaica sells Plague Masks that represent terrors like darkness, boils, wild animals, frogs, and cattle plague – or you could just as easily make your own out of construction paper.

 

  • Seder Set – Particularly from ages 3-5, children become fascinated with “playing adult.” KidKraft sells toy versions of the Seder plate, wine goblet, bottle of wine, matzo, afikomen and matzo covers, and a prayer book.

Passover Crafts

  • A Cup For Elijah – Families put out a cup of wine for the prophet Elijah at the Passover Seder. Toward the end of the dinner, they open the door to symbolically “let Elijah in.” For this craft, take a plastic Dollar Store wine goblet, paint a liberal strip of white craft glue around the top, and wrap a colorful piece of wool or jute string around the cup. Alternate with more glue and different colored strings for a rainbow look. Add sequins or gems.

 

  • Red Sea Diorama – The parting of the Red Sea makes for a great mini scene. Upcycle cardboard by cutting it into at least six curvy wave shapes in a variety of sizes, covering them in blue tissue paper. Affix the waves into slits cut into a cardboard base, using glue to secure them. Don’t forget to leave a path down the middle. You can make little people out of corks, dressing them in felt clothes, bottle cap hats, and yarn hair, and drawing faces with black marker.

 

  • Matzo Cover – Use a plain white handkerchief or cut a square out of a choice piece of fancy fabric. Just be sure it’s bigger than a piece of matzo. Decorate the cloth with oversized gems, embroidered grapes or spring flowers, and puffy paint border embellishments. Paint the Hebrew word for Passover to make it extra relevant.

Passover Cooking

  • Shine’s Favorite Jewish Recipes – We’ve rounded up five delicious, easy Jewish recipes to make with kids, including Potato kugel, Soup Dumplings with Minced Brisket, Kookoo-e Sabzi, Braised Short Ribs with Squash Puree and Roasted Corn Salad, Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Pistachio.

 

  • Passover Pizzas – What kid doesn’t love pizza? Pre-heat a baking stone at 500 degrees for a half hour. Mix 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose white wheat flour, ½ tsp. sea salt, and 1/3 cup olive oil in a food processor. Add ½ cup of water. Form into 12 dough balls and roll on a floured surface until cracker-thin. Prick holes with a fork to prevent bubbling. Cook for one minute per side. Reduce heat to 250 degrees. Top with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and your favorite toppings or seasonings, cooking for 15 minutes more.

 

  • Macaroons – Widely considered thee flourless dessert of Passover, macaroons come in many designs from almond to raspberry, but we like this basic chocolate-dipped coconut recipe. Whisk together 1 large egg white, 2 TBSP honey, ¼ tsp pure vanilla, the grated zest of one lemon, and 1/8 tsp of coarse salt. Stir in 1.5 cups of fine-shredded unsweetened coconut. Make 15 balls with a 1.5” ice cream scoop and bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 12 minutes at 375 degrees, rotating halfway through. Before serving, drizzle with 2 ounces of melted dark chocolate and refrigerate 15 minutes to set.

If you’re looking for more ways to incorporate Jewish culture into the lives of your children, ask us about our Vitamin J Jewish art and cultural class for kids of all ages. We explore basic Judaica in a variety of fun, creative ways.

Additional Children’s Passover Resources:

USA Today – Passover Holiday Explained, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/04/22/passover-jewish-holiday-explained/83387514/

Amazon – KidKraft Passover Set, http://amzn.to/2HBNsce

Tori Avey – Elijah’s Cup Craft, https://toriavey.com/home-garden/family-fun-elijahs-cup-passover-craft

Creative Jewish Mom – Splitting of the Red Sea Diorama, http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/03/kids-crafts-for-pesach-krias-yam-suf-the-splitting-of-the-red-sea-diorama.html

Cooking with my Kid – Mighty No-Sew Matzah Cover, http://cookingwithmykid.com/2011/04/12/mighty-matzah-cover

Martha Stewart – Coconut Chocolate Macaroons, https://www.marthastewart.com/1098219/coconut-chocolate-macaroons

Disgustingly Good – Matzo Pizza, http://disgustinglygood.com/2012/03/31/matzo-pizza/

 

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