Fall Fun: East End’s Pumpkin Patches and Crafty Ideas

Fall Fun: East End’s Pumpkin Patches and Crafty Ideas

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No October is complete without a trip to a pumpkin patch. Fortunately, the East End has some of the best pumpkin patches around, offering the perfect setting for fall family adventures.

Where To Go

Acres of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes await eager pickers at Hank’s PumpkinTown in Water Mill. Beyond pumpkins, the farm offers a corn maze, gem mining, apple picking, giant slides, train rides, and a playground for little ones. Be sure to savor a fresh cider donut and take a bag of roasted corn to go.

At Lewin Farms in Calverton, families can hop on a scenic hayride through the rolling farmland to select the perfect pumpkin. After you’ve found the perfect one, see if you can find your way through the 5-acre corn maze. Wrap up the afternoon with fruit ice cream, pies, roast corn, and craft beer from the market.

Fink’s Country Farm in Wading River offers ample fun for little ones with unlimited hayrides, a corn maze, an apple cannon, bounce pillow, animatronic chicken shows, kiddie train, pony rides, live music, and character appearances. Outside food is permitted in the picnic area. 

With locations in Jamesport, Mattituck, and Riverhead, PumpkinLand and Barnyard Adventure Park at Harbes Family Farm offer plenty to do after you’ve gotten your gourd. Choose from gnome, Wizard of Oz, Robin Hood, or Halloween themed mazes. Sample award-winning wine, take a musical hayride tour, or watch the pig races.

Get Crafty

Once you have your fresh-picked pumpkin, crafting is a fantastic way to engage kids in creative and hands-on activities during the fall season. Here are some fun and easy ideas to get started:

  • Pumpkin Painting: Let your kids’ imaginations run wild by providing paints and brushes for them to transform pumpkins into colorful works of art. They can paint faces, abstract designs, or even their favorite characters.
  • Pumpkin Carving: For older children with adult supervision, pumpkin carving is a classic fall activity. It’s an opportunity to teach them basic carving skills while creating spooky or whimsical jack-o’-lanterns.
  • Pumpkin Decorating with Nature: Gather leaves, acorns, pinecones, and other natural materials to decorate your pumpkins. Kids can use colored glue to create beautiful designs.
  • Pumpkin Seeds: Not exactly a craft, but it’s worth mentioning you can rinse the scooped-out seeds, salt them, roast them in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes, and eat them.
  • Pumpkin Planters: Hollow out a small pumpkin, adding soil and seeds, to create a mini planter. Kids can watch their own little garden grow.
  • Pumpkin Bird Feeder: Cut out a portion of the pumpkin and fill it with birdseed. Hang it from a tree branch and observe the local wildlife enjoying their autumn feast.
  • Pumpkin Candle Holders: Carefully carve out the top of the pumpkin, creating a hollow space. Place a tea light candle inside for a warm and cozy fall ambiance.
  • Pumpkin Masks: Cut eye and mouth holes in a pumpkin and let kids decorate it as a fun and festive mask for dress-up play.

Benefits of Crafting With Real Pumpkins

Crafting with pumpkins isn’t just a fun fall activity; it also offers numerous educational benefits for kids.

  • Fine motor skill building: While painting, carving, and decorating pumpkins, children enhance their fine motor skills as they carefully handle brushes, carving tools, and craft materials.
  • Self-expression: Pumpkin crafting activities encourage creativity and self-expression, allowing kids to explore their artistic talents and enjoy the season.
  • Education: Pumpkin seed art and planters introduce kids to basic principles of biology as they observe seed germination and plant growth.
  • Confidence building: Foster a sense of pride, self-esteem and accomplishment as your child showcases a pumpkin creation.

Want more ways to enjoy the season? Stop by The Shine Studio for classes, camps, and crafternoons.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Family-Friendly Activities

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As the leaves begin to change color and the air carries a crisp autumn breeze, September marks the start of a vibrant and culturally significant time of the year: Hispanic Heritage Month.

This celebration, spanning from September 15 to October 15, invites people across the United States to recognize, appreciate, and honor the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Spanish-speaking Americans.

Families in Long Island’s East End can partake in a variety of activities that not only celebrate this heritage but also provide an opportunity to learn, savor delicious cuisine, and connect with the local Hispanic community.

Long Island Hispanic Celebrations and Festivals

Hispanic Heritage Month in the East End kicks off with a series of lively celebrations, festivals, and events that showcase the vibrancy of Hispanic culture. To celebrate, you might consider attending:

  • Parades – Main Street in Patchogue Village comes to life with a bilingual mix of music and brilliantly festooned Hispanic dancers in the second-annual Hispanic Heritage parade, taking place at noon on September 24th. The parade is a colorful, energetic, and fantastic opportunity for kids to witness the pageantry of Hispanic culture.
  • Cultural Performances – Visit the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on September 16th from 6-10 pm for live music, dance performances, and a delicious Latin buffet. This type of event provides a captivating way for families to experience artistic expressions of Hispanic heritage.
  • Art Exhibits – Explore art exhibitions that showcase the perspectives of Hispanic and Latino artists. From September 14th through December 17th, the Long Island Museum presents “SOMOS/WE ARE,” a presentation of works from over 80 Long Island Latinx artists, spanning a variety of creative styles—from classic to contemporary.

Savoring Hispanic Cuisine

Food is a universal language that brings people together, and Hispanic Heritage Month provides an excellent opportunity for families to savor the flavors of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South and Central American, or Spanish cuisine. As a family, you might:

  • Cook Together: Consider preparing a Hispanic-inspired meal at home and letting your kids participate in the process. Try these kid-approved Top 5 Puerto Rican Recipes or Top 5 Recipes for Cinco de Mayo. Discuss the cultural significance of the dishes you’re making and put on a mariachi band to make the occasion special.
  • Visit Local Hispanic Restaurants: Seek out Hispanic-owned restaurants and eateries—like Maria’s Mexican, a kid-friendly establishment in Nesconset, voted “the Best Latin American Restaurant on Long Island.” Another great place to try is El Rincon Criollo in Riverhead, where children can sink their teeth into their first Cubano sandwich, empanada, and plantain in a vibrant, artistic setting. Sampling the authentic tastes of Latin American and Hispanic cuisine offers a delightful dining experience for the entire family.
  • Embrace Food Festival Flavors – Local food festivals treat the palate to a variety of flavors in one place. Encourage your children to try empanadas, tamales, or arroz con pollo. The Famous Food Festival “Taste the World” Long Island will return to Tanger Outlets in Deer Park for Columbus Day Weekend (October 6th to 9th). While not exclusive to Hispanic cuisine, the festival features at least one vendor from Cuba, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, and Peru, as well as four from Mexico and five from Spain. In addition, kids are treated to live music, cooking demos, mini golf, face painting, henna tattoos, virtual reality, rock climbing, and a haunted house.

Connecting with the Hispanic Community

Hispanic Heritage Month is also an ideal time to connect with the local Hispanic community, fostering understanding and friendship. To help your child along, you might consider:

  • Spanish immersion classes – Shine offers a theme-based Spanish immersion class for kids ages 2-10. Through visual arts, music, movement, storytelling, and games, participants engage in the richness of the Spanish language and gain a better understanding of the culture. From constructing Mexican luchador masks and Colombian molas, children will have enriching experiences and take-home items that remind them that it’s great to celebrate diversity.
  • Volunteering – Engaging your family in volunteer opportunities is another way to support the Hispanic community while promoting empathy. A few local organizations include: Maureen’s Haven in Riverhead (where they offer Spanish classes and roughly a third of those benefited are Hispanic); the Hispanic Counseling Center in Hempstead (which offers mental health counseling, substance abuse, and educational programs); and Long Island Cares (which serves food to predominantly Hispanic and African-American communities).

Stronger Together

Hispanic Heritage Month offers East End families a unique opportunity to celebrate, learn, and connect. By participating in local celebrations, savoring Hispanic cuisine, and engaging with the Hispanic community, families create meaningful experiences that promote cultural understanding and appreciation. Whether through dance, food, or art, this month invites everyone to embrace the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic heritage and its enduring impact on American culture.

Come celebrate with us at The Shine Studio in Bridgehampton.

The Summer of Canadian Wildfires: How To Explain the Effects of Climate Change With Your Child

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The summer of 2023 has been marked by devastating wildfires sweeping throughout Canada, sending the smell of barbecue and a thick, apocalyptic haze that affected more than a third of the U.S. population. These wildfires have not only caused immense ecological damage but also left a lasting impact on the lives of communities, wildlife, and the environment.

As parents and caregivers, it can be challenging to explain the gravity of these events to young children and help them navigate feelings of fear, confusion, and concern. In this blog, we explore how to approach the topic of climate change with your child, explain the recent Canadian wildfires, and empower them to take positive actions to protect the environment.

Choose Age-Appropriate Language and Concepts

Younger children may not fully understand complex scientific terms, but they can comprehend simple explanations about how human activities impact the Earth. Out of the Fires: A Journal of Resilience and Recovery After Disaster is a helpful and inspiring resource for parents and kids alike. Use this opportunity to discuss the importance of strength and resilience when facing any type of change.

Connect to Their Experiences

Children often understand concepts better when they can relate them to their own experiences. Talk about the recent heatwaves, changes in weather patterns, or extreme events they might have noticed in their local area. Ask questions and encourage them to share their observations and feelings about these occurrences. You might ask an older child to write an essay in response to the question, “Do You Experience Climate Anxiety?” or have a younger child divide a piece of paper in two and draw a picture of a polluted world vs. a clean world.

Encourage Questions and Provide Honest Answers

Children are naturally curious, and they may have many questions about the wildfires and climate change. Encourage them to ask questions and provide honest, age-appropriate answers. If you don’t know the answer to a question, take the opportunity to learn together. While it can be scary to think of a fire that can’t or won’t be extinguished, explain that, in some cases, allowing the fires to burn is part of the recommended long-term solution.

Teach Compassion and Empathy

Teach your child about the importance of compassion and empathy towards those who have been impacted. Donate to the Canadian Red Cross to show that there are ways ordinary citizens can help members of affected communities cope.

Highlight the Importance of Climate Action

Empower your child by explaining that everyone can make a positive impact on the environment. Discuss simple lifestyle changes such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting sustainable practices. Encourage them to be eco-conscious and proactive in protecting nature.

Engage in Environmental Activities

Engaging in hands-on environmental activities can help your child connect with nature and develop a deeper understanding of the impact of climate change. Consider planting a tree together, starting a small garden, or participating in a local beach or park cleanup. Attend or host an event that raises donations for the World Wildlife Federation.

Focus on Hope and Solutions

While it’s essential to be honest about the challenges posed by climate change, it’s equally important to focus on hope and solutions. For instance, you can choose an indoor activity when the air quality alert is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” and you can install an air purification system in your home. Share positive environmental news stories of individuals and communities taking action to address climate change and protect the planet.

Take a Break from Anxiety

Lastly, it can be helpful to move past anxiety by focusing inward with relaxing art projects and getting out to socialize. The Shine Studio in Sag Harbor is always open to you and your family. With classes, workshops, parties, and camps geared toward ages 0-12, there’s never a dull moment. We can also send creative supplies to your home to keep the kids busy and lighthearted. Learn more.

Be Sure To Pack In These Sweet End-of-Summer Celebrations

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August is bittersweet—the Sunday afternoon of summer—where the days are sunny, hot, long, and bursting, but the pressure is on to pack this last month of carefree family time with fun.

If you’re looking for ideas, let the many family-friendly national holidays be your guide. Here are special moments you can celebrate in August:

  • National Coast Guard Day – Friday, August 4th: Model appreciation for the United States Coast Guard by visiting the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville. Here children can learn about our region’s maritime history, including the Coast Guard’s role in safeguarding local waters.
  • National Friendship Day – Sunday, August 6th (First Sunday): Celebrate the importance of friendship by spending quality time with friends and family. Organize a picnic, play games, or encourage your children to create handmade friendship cards for their pals.
  • National Book Lovers Day – Wednesday, August 9th: Encourage a love for reading by having a family book exchange. The John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Habor is offering a free bookmark craft and trail mix from 12-3 — no registration required.
  • National S’mores Day – August 10th: Gather around a campfire and indulge in this classic, delicious treat. Sharing stories and laughter under the stars makes magical childhood memories. (Check out our camping post for more ideas!)
  • National Relaxation Day – Tuesday, August 15th: Take the opportunity to unwind as a family. Plan a relaxing day at the park or the beach. Order a pizza and spend the night at home watching movies with cozy blankets and favorite films.
  • National Tell a Joke Day – Wednesday, August 16th: Spend the day sharing laughter and joy. Watch a funny movie like “Honey I Shrunk the Kids,” “Minions,” or “Monsters Inc.” Read a book together—like LOL 101: A Kid’s Guide To Writing Jokes, then create a family-friendly joke competition to see who can come up with the funniest. If you have older kids, consider having everyone in the family write a standup comedy routine to perform.
  • National Honey Bee Day – August 19th (Third Saturday): Read Charlotte Milner’s “The Bee Book” to teach your child the significance of honey bees and pollinators in our ecosystem. You might plant bee-friendly, late-blooming flowers like Black-eyed Susans, Sedums, Zinnias, or Cosmos. Or you can pick up local honey at the Montauk Farmer’s Market to support local beekeepers at Sag Harbor Honey. Try this tasty baklava recipe to make the most of it!
  • National Aviation Day – Saturday, August 19th: Gather your tub of popcorn and watch Animated Hero Classics: The Wright Brothers as a family to celebrate the achievements of the famous aviation pioneers. Alternately, older kids may be interested in the Smithsonian Channel’s First In Flight. You can also build paper airplanes and take a road trip to the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, which lets kids tour cockpits and features many interactive exhibits.
  • National Dog Day – Saturday, August 26th: If you have a furry friend, celebrate this day by taking them for a long walk, playing in the park, or giving them extra love and attention. Watch a dog-filled movie like “Beethoven,” “Space Dogs: Adventure to the Moon,” “The Secret Life of Pets,” or “Homeward Bound.” If you don’t have a dog yet, it could be a great excuse to consider fostering or adopting from a local shelter—or volunteering at one.

Love a good celebration? So do we!

Consider adding a stop to the Shine Studio to your end-of-summer bucket list this year. Our fun organized activities combine art, music, culture, and play to educate, entertain, and inspire. Choose from courses, workshops, parties, day camps, and drop-ins. Contact us to learn more. 

Summer Strategies for Building Healthy Tech Habits

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Screen time has become as synonymous with summer as ice cream and swimming pools. Deep down, your gut is telling you: I don’t want my kids on screens all day every day. But screens are also the supreme pacifier that can give us a much-needed break. While a 30-minute screen time limit all summer long may not seem feasible, this article explores alternative schedules and provides strategies to foster healthy tech habits.

How Much Screen Time is Too Much?

While the exact threshold for healthy screen time varies by individual, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends abstaining from screens before age two and limiting time to one hour for kids ages 2-5. Children ages six and above can have consistent limits based on their parents’ discretion. Striking a balance between screen time and other activities, such as outdoor play, reading, and social interactions, is essential to ensure holistic childhood development.

“The reality is that most families will go through periods of heavy and light screen use, but as long as there’s a balance, kids should be just fine,” says Common Sense Media. They emphasize that it’s not just the quantity of screen time that matters, but the quality.

For instance, some apps are built for outdoor fun—like the SkySafari stargazer app or Smart Bird ID scavenger hunt game. Kids can use games like ThinkRolls or Cut the Rope to problem-solve or Prodigy and ABCmouse to reinforce learnings in math and reading.  

“If it’s a rainy day and the kids are going to play dance game rather than Pac-Man, great,” says Seattle Pediatrician Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson—though screens shouldn’t replace playing sports with friends to build esteem, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. 

Alternative Activities: Encouraging Well-rounded Experiences

As you might imagine, simply decrying and denying screen time is a recipe for failure. Instead, introduce healthy alternatives to screen time. Think of family rituals that are easy to build into the routine—like an after-dinner bike ride or board game session. Have your child learn to cook alongside you at dinner time. Work together to design a cozy corner with books and stuffed animals for morning reading sessions—and an art table for after-lunch drawing time.

Other engaging screen time alternatives include:

  • Offline Summer Fun: Plan weekend hikes at various local parks, trips to the science museum or zoo, and fun group sports like roller skating, laser tag, or bowling. Put amusement parks, ice cream parlors, playground play dates, beach swims, and movie premieres on your calendar. Take a family camping trip or vacation.
  • Outdoor Adventures: Encourage your child to explore nature and engage in sports activities. These experiences not only promote physical fitness but also foster curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.
  • Creative Pursuits: Promote artistic expression through painting, drawing, writing, and crafting. These endeavors stimulate imagination, problem-solving skills, and fine motor development.
  • Reading and Storytelling: Stress the importance of literacy by engaging in storytelling and visiting the library. Reading helps improve vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking abilities, while storytelling nurtures creativity and emotional intelligence.
  • Community Engagement: Participate in community service or volunteer projects as a family. Engaging with the community instills empathy, social responsibility, and a sense of purpose.
  • Hobbies and Interests: While your child will likely spend more times on screen during the summer, you can at least strive for moderation by balancing the digital hours with scheduled hobbies and activities. Enroll your child in swimming, karate, soccer, a musical instrument, or a summer day camp.

Additional Strategies for Parents: How To Create Healthy Tech Habits

To foster healthy tech habits, parents can implement the following strategies:

  • Consider your family values. Laura Knight, a former elementary teacher and author of “Break Free from Reactive Parenting,” created a family values chart to help the family collectively discuss what they valued and how screen time fit in.
  • Lead by example. Children learn from observing their parents’ behavior. Model healthy tech habits by setting aside dedicated screen-free times and spaces, prioritizing face-to-face interactions, and engaging in alternative activities.
  • Establish clear rules. Set clear and consistent guidelines for screen time usage. Define specific time limits, establish tech-free zones (such as during meals or before bedtime), and discuss the reasons behind these rules to help children understand their importance.
  • Make a chore-first summer routine. If you allow your children screen time the moment after they wake up, it’ll be much harder to reduce the amount of time spent using technology throughout the day. Instead, mandate that chores be done first to “earn” screen time. No chores? No TV, video games, phones, or computers that day. Try to make chore time fun by putting on an upbeat playlist, using a sticker chart, or putting out chore flash cards to foster greater independence.
  • Choose time of day wisely. Many kids find “tablet time” to be relaxing. An hour of screen time can be a blessing when you’re scrambling to chop, cook, and get dinner on the table. Summer screen time should work with your family life to produce greater harmony.
  • Invest in co-screen time. Research has shown that all screen time is not created equal. High-quality apps and learning together alongside your child can be good for your child’s social-emotional wellbeing. Engaging in co-viewing or co-playing activities with your child also allows for bonding, conversation, and critical media literacy discussions.

The Bottom Line:

Balancing screen time for kids over the summer is crucial for their overall well-being and healthy development. By setting reasonable limits, providing alternative activities, and implementing strategies to foster healthy tech habits, parents can create a balanced approach that allows children to enjoy their summer while cultivating a well-rounded set of skills and experiences. With mindful guidance and engagement, children can thrive in a digital world while embracing the richness of the offline world.

Want more quality summer time off-screen? Drop into the Shine Center for everyday fun.

Essential Social Skills for Your Kids—And How To Help Build Them

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It’s summer camp season again! With a closer glimpse into how your child plays and interacts with peers, you may naturally wonder, “What social behaviors are typical at this age?” and “Are there any skills I can help my child build?”

Social skills play a vital role in a child’s overall development. They are the building blocks for healthy relationships, effective communication, and positive interactions with others. Indeed, as a parent, you have a significant influence on nurturing your child’s social skills. In this blog post, we will explore some valuable tips to help you support and enhance your child’s social skill development.

Encourage Active Listening

Active listening is a fundamental social skill that enables children to understand and respond appropriately in conversations. Encourage your child to maintain eye contact, nod, and ask relevant questions. Practice active listening at home by engaging in meaningful conversations and demonstrating attentive behavior. For instance, when your child comes home from camp with a beautiful piece of artwork, you might say, “Tell me more about your painting. What inspired you to paint a sunset? What made you choose these colors? How did you feel when you finished it?”  

Build Communication Skills

Effective communication is a vital social skill. Encourage your child to express themselves clearly and respectfully. Teach them to use appropriate body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions when communicating with others. Engage in conversations with your child, encouraging them to articulate their thoughts and feelings. Provide constructive feedback to help them improve their communication skills.

Promote Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Encourage your child to consider different perspectives and recognize the emotions of their peers. Discuss real-life scenarios and ask your child how they would feel or respond. Puppets or toy figurines are a great way to teach. For instance, set up a scenario where a new child has come to the school, but isn’t sure about making friends and see how your child does at figuring out ways to get the new kid to get acclimated. This exercise fosters empathy, while helping your child develop compassion and build stronger connections with others.

Foster Inclusivity

Encourage your child to form a diverse social circle and include others in their play. Teach them the importance of embracing diversity and respecting individual differences. Celebrate holidays like Cinco de Mayo, Diwali, or Chinese Lunar New Year to show the beauty of embracing diversity. Read books like We’re All Wonders, Strictly No Elephants, or Each Kindness that help your child understand that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and fairness.

Teach Conflict Resolution

Conflict is a natural part of human interaction. Teach your child constructive ways to resolve conflicts, such as using “I” statements, listening to others’ viewpoints, and finding win-win solutions. Role-play different scenarios at home to help your child practice problem-solving and negotiation skills. For example, you might set up a scenario where both toys want to have the same toy, snack, car, or house, but they must share. Prompt your child to explore peaceful compromises.

Practice Good Manners

Teaching your child good manners sets a foundation for respectful social interactions. Teach them basic manners like saying “please” and “thank you,” greeting others, and using table manners. Reinforce these behaviors consistently, both at home and in public. When children understand and practice good manners, they are more likely to build positive relationships and gain the respect of their peers.

Model Positive Social Behaviors

Children often learn by observing their parents’ actions. Model positive social behaviors by demonstrating kindness, respect, and empathy in your daily interactions. Show appreciation for others, use polite language, and demonstrate active listening when conversing. Your child will absorb these behaviors and incorporate them into their own social interactions.

Encourage Peer Interactions

Provide opportunities for your child to engage with peers in various settings. Encourage participation in group activities, playdates, or organized sports. These interactions help children develop social skills, including sharing, turn-taking, and cooperation. Monitor these interactions and offer guidance when necessary to promote positive social behaviors. Come shine with us: we have half-day, full-day, and Saturday camps running all summer long. Or give the Shine Studio a try with drop-ins available in 30-minute time slots from 2:30-6 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (ages 4-13).

As a parent, you have a significant role in supporting your child’s social skill development. By implementing these tips and providing a nurturing environment, you can empower your child to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and navigate social situations with confidence.

Long Island Family Camping Adventures: Benefits, Activities & Destinations

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From the wonder of a red-bellied salamander to the ooey gooey goodness at the end of a stick, camping delivers an incredible family bonding experience filled with adventure, relaxation, and quality together time. Unlike posh hotels, camping uniquely implores us to unplug from the daily stresses of life, connect with nature, and soak up the ordinary moments of life.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of engaging in exciting adventures with your family, suggest a few fun activities, and recommend the top family-friendly camping destinations near New York City, the Hamptons, or the Tristate Area.

The Power of Camping with Your Family

While it’s easier to organize a trip to the playground or a day hike, overnight camping offers your family unique advantages that are well worth the effort. Here are a few:

  • Prolonged Disconnection from Technology: Camping encourages your family to disconnect from technology and spend quality time together. Without the distractions of TV, video games, and social media, you’ll have more time to create memories that will last a lifetime.
  • Learn New Skills: Camping can be a fun and educational experience for kids, as they learn new skills. From building a fire and campfire cooking to pitching a tent and orienteering with a compass, valuable life skills are a form of intergenerational education that builds confidence and independence.
  • Enjoy Nature on a Deeper Level: Camping immerses your child in the beauty of the outdoors with ample opportunities for unstructured play and exploration. Climbing trees, wading in streams, discovering new plants and animals uncovers a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world. Hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing can be fun ways for parents to share their love of the outdoors.
  • Encourage Healthy Habits: Spending time in nature—with all its fresh air, sunshine, and exposure to immune-boosting microorganisms—is good for our mental and physical health. Hiking is a great cardiovascular workout that strengthens muscles at the same time.
  • Teach Conservation and Responsibility: Nature-based activities offer firsthand learning experiences that inspire a deep appreciation for the natural world and a desire to protect the environment for future generations. When camping, you can teach your child about conservation principles like “leave no trace” by using established campsites, picking up all trash, and respecting wildlife and natural resources. Nature hikes are a great opportunity to role model good behavior and share your values about environmental stewardship.

3 Super Fun Family Camping Activities

Once you’ve decided to take the plunge, you’ll need to plan a few activities to ensure your kids have a truly magical time out in the wilderness. After all, it can be difficult to detach from the comforts of screentime—and rest assured, you’ll encounter some resistance early on. Having these ideas in your back pocket will ease the transition and provide the much-needed respite your family seeks.

1. Hiking Games

For many parents, the hike is the most exciting camping activity. While some children are true Ralph Waldo Emersons —stopping to smell every rose and investigate every rock — others prefer to trailblaze and run ahead to see what’s around the bend. A third cohort of outdoor adventurers may find it truly arduous to overcome tired legs and boredom. Be sure to bring plenty of drinks and snacks to break up the hike. A nature guide can give older kids something interesting to look at and learn about on these stops.

Sending the kids on a Trail Scavenger Hunt is one of the easiest hiking games to play. Give each child a small bucket and send them looking for a list of items: a pinecone, a leaf with a bug on it, or a rock shaped like a heart. For younger ones, Go Find It is an easy card game to unbox, asking kids to find “something dry” or “something red,” for instance. If your child finds everything on the list, make it more fun with a surprise prize — like nature stickers to decorate the bucket, a new stuffed animal, or a small set of wildlife figurines that can “walk” along the trail too.

Other games include: Nature Bingo (where the first person to spot five items on their card in a row wins); Alphabet Hike (where you look for something that begins with the letter A, B, C, and so on); I Spy (where you try to get someone else to guess what you’re looking at with a series of clues); or 20 Questions (where you try to get someone to guess what you’re looking at by answering up to 20 questions with a “yes” or “no.”)    

If rain drowns out your hiking plans, you’re sure to save the day with fun board games like Spot It: Gone Camping, Sloths in a Hurry, Outfoxed, Trekking the National Parks, Bear Stare Down, Slappy Camper, Go Fish, or Wild Craft!  

2. Arts and Crafts

Crafting together promotes social skills, while incorporating natural materials cultivates creativity and problem-solving skills. Besides, crafting outdoors allows kids to be as messy as they need to be, without worry.

Craft ideas include:

  • Pinecone Bird Feeders: Collect large pinecones and tie string or yarn around the top. Cover the pinecone with peanut butter and then roll it in birdseed. Hang the pinecone from a tree branch and watch as birds come to feed.
  • Nature Bracelets: Cut a piece of duct tape or masking tape to fit around a child’s wrist, sticky side out. As you go on a nature walk, collect small items such as flowers, leaves, or twigs, and stick them onto the tape to make a bracelet.
  • DIY Binoculars: Use toilet paper rolls or cardboard tubes and decorate them with markers, stickers, or paint. Glue two tubes together side by side and attach a piece of string to wear around the neck while exploring the campground or watching wildlife.
  • Rock Monsters: Collect smooth rocks and use acrylic paint to create monsters with different colors and patterns. Googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and pom poms make each monster unique.
  • Firefly Jars: Poke holes in the lid of a mason jar and have kids decorate the outside with glow-in-the-dark paint. On a nighttime nature walk, collect some fireflies and put them in the jar for a magical glowing effect. Remember to release the fireflies back into nature after a few minutes.
  • Leaf Prints: Collect some leaves from around the campsite and place them between two pieces of paper. Use crayons or colored pencils to rub over the paper and create leaf prints.

3. Campfire Fun

Campfire cookouts—s’mores in particular—are another highlight of any trip for kids. Elevate your s’more game by subbing Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for the chocolate sandwiched between marshmallow and graham cracker. As the kids enjoy their tasty dessert, bust out a good campfire story. Check out Cool of the Wild or the KOA website for a variety of scary, funny, and traditional campfire tales written in full so you can simply read them aloud.

You might also consider adding shadow puppets to the story. You can make simple shapes like birds, rabbits, and dogs, and use props like sticks or leaves to add to your show. The Ranger Rick website includes templates for making shadow puppets of animals you might encounter on a camping trip, such as a raccoon, a bear, and an owl. If you don’t have time to craft before you go, you might consider buying a shadow puppet set themed around The Little Prince, The Jungle Book, or monsters. These sets come with apps linking to music, sound effects, and stories you can play or read aloud.

If the activity level’s a bit higher and your kids love to be star performers and the center of attention, you might start up a singalong. Campfire song favorites include “Kumbaya,” “Down by the Bay,” “This Land is Your Land,” “The Ants Go Marching,” “On Top of Spaghetti,” “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” and “Five Speckled Frogs.” Make the show more exciting with portable microphones and flashlights.

As darkness falls, it becomes the perfect setting for glow-in-the-dark gameplay. Hand out glow sticks and glow necklaces, while playing games like glow-in-the-dark soccer, frisbee, ring toss, or laser tag. This can be the perfect way to run off all that sugar and get the kids ready for bed.

Once you’ve finished your s’mores and running around, encourage your kids to look up into the sky. Maybe it’s “cheating” a bit, but smartphone apps like Night Sky can be really cool for identifying constellations and planets. If unplugging is very much part of the plan, you might alternately use a constellation card deck to point out different star arrangements and learn the stories behind them. A telescope or binoculars can be a handy tool to bring along for a closer glimpse of the moon’s craters or the milky way. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a shooting star or two!

Best Summer Camping Breaks in New York City, the Hamptons, or the Tristate Area

The East End of Long Island offers many beautiful places to camp. Here are a few to consider:

  • Cedar Point County Park: Located in East Hampton, Cedar Point County Park offers 607 acres of scenic woods and shoreline with 61 RV and tent campsites as well as cabins with electricity and bunk beds in a secluded section of the park. Popular amenities include picnic areas, playgrounds, and hiking trails.
  • Hither Hills State Park: Hither Hills State Park is a popular camping destination located in Montauk. Here you’ll find 166 campsites and oceanview cabins to rent with electricity, bunk beds, fire pits, picnic tables. Amenities include a beach to explore, sport fishing, and hiking trails.
  • Wildwood State Park: Wildwood State Park offers 600 acres of forest and beachfront in Wading River. Stay at one of the 314 campsites or cabins fully equipped with kitchens, private bathrooms, and HVAC. Spend the day at the swimming beach, climb on the playground, take the boat out, or hike the trails.
  • Shinnecock East County Park: Shinnecock East County Park offers a beach with 80 oceanfront campsites and rustic cabin rentals in Southampton. When you’re not hiking, try to catch a few fish.
  • Montauk County Park: Montauk County Park—located in Montauk—offers a beach, hiking trails, playgrounds, and 80 campsites featuring ocean views.

If you’re looking to get outside the East End, cast a wider net and visit one of the Tristate Area’s top family camping destinations:

  • Harriman State Park: Here you’ll find dozens of campsites, 38 rustic cabins, and two cottages. The second-largest park in the New York parks system features 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, and 3 beaches.
  • Catskill Mountains: Renowned for its natural beauty, you’ll find ample camping options from tent sites and rustic yurts to RV hookups and luxury cabins. North/South Lake is an ideal spot for camping, kayaking, hiking, fishing, and swimming.
  • Bear Mountain State Park – This park offers plenty of family-friendly outdoor activities, including hiking, boating, fishing, beaches, and playgrounds.
  • Watkins Glen State Park – Known for its scenic waterfalls and hiking trails, this park offers a variety of camping options for all levels of experience.
  • Lake George – Located amid the six million acres of wilderness in upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains, Lake George is a popular destination for camping, swimming, boating, and hiking. The area offers a variety of camping options, including tent and RV sites, cabins, and cottages for rent.
  • Black Rock Forest – This forest offers a variety of camping options, from primitive to full-service, and is located just an hour from NYC.
  • Clarence Fahnestock State Park: Located in the Hudson Valley, Clarence Fahnestock State Park offers over 80 campsites, including both tent and RV camping, as well as a range of outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and boating. The park also has a sandy beach, picnic areas, and playgrounds, making it a great option for families with children of all ages.
  • Nickerson Beach Campground: Located in Nassau County, Nickerson Beach Campground is a popular destination for families seeking a beach camping experience. The campground is located right on the beach and offers a range of activities, including swimming, fishing, and surfing. The campground also has plenty of family-friendly amenities, including showers, laundry facilities, and a snack bar.
  • Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is located on the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The park offers camping options, including tent and RV sites, as well as cabins. The park is known for its scenic views of the Delaware River and range of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and boating.

Whether you’re looking for a beach camping experience or a forest retreat, these destinations have something for everyone. Now that the warmer weather has finally arrived, camping is a great excuse to get out and enjoy it. Staring up at the starry skies, you’ll wonder why you ever spent the majority of your time staring at screens instead. Exploring new trails, learning new skills, and indulging in novelty—these are all the ingredients you need to cement your family bonds and create lasting memories.

DIY Memorial Day Gifts: Fun Crafts for Kids and Adults

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Memorial Day is a day of remembrance to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country. Crafting DIY gifts can be a fun and creative way to celebrate with your kids and help them understand the significance of the holiday. Whether you use these crafts to decorate your home or gift to friends and family, Memorial Day crafts encourage quality time together, inspire reflection, and teach reverence.

Here are a few easy Memorial Day crafts to get you started…

Patriotic Wreaths

Show your support for the country and those who have served with a wire or woven branch wreath wrapped in red, white, and blue ribbon, with decorative elements such as miniature flags or patriotic-themed ornaments. You could also add a personalized touch by weaving in photos of loved ones who have served.

Flag Painted Rocks

Painted rocks have become a popular DIY craft, and for Memorial Day, you can find smooth, flat rocks in a rectangular American flag shape and apply red, white, and blue acrylic paint with a paintbrush. First, paint the entire rock white, then paint a blue rectangle in the upper left corner. Once the blue paint has dried, use a thin brush to paint red stripes across the rest of the rock. The paint dries quickly and provides a simple, affordable project that can be completed in just a few hours. Put your rocks in the garden, hand them out, or leave them on nature trails for others to discover.

Memorial Day Mason Jars

Mason jars are a versatile craft supply that can be used to make patriotic lanterns. For this project, you’ll need acrylic paint, as it adheres well to glass surfaces and dries quickly. First, paint the outside of the jar blue and let it dry. Then, using painter’s tape, create stripes around the jar and paint the exposed areas red. Once the paint has dried, remove the tape to reveal the stripes. Finally, you can add a white star using either a stencil or a sticker. Don’t forget to place a battery-powered tealight candle inside for a glorious glow.

Handprint Flags

Ideal for younger children, all you need is white paper, red and blue paint, and a paintbrush. First, have your child paint their hand completely with blue paint and press it onto the paper to create the blue field of the flag. Once the blue paint has dried, use a paintbrush to help your child paint red and white stripes onto the paper. This creates a handprint flag that is unique to your child, making it a wonderful keepsake to cherish in the years to come.

American Flag Popsicle Stick Craft

Teach the history and significance of the American flag using popsicle sticks; red, white, and blue paint; and a glue gun. First, paint the popsicle sticks white and let them dry. Then, use a hot glue gun to glue three sticks together to create a base for the flag. Glue one vertical stick on the lefthand side to form a pole your child can hold or you can stick into a planter. Once the glue has dried, paint a blue square in the top corner and add white stars. Older kids may be able to paint tiny stars, but stickers work best for younger children. You may also paint the handle of the flag white, brown, or gold, depending on your preference. Finally, paint the top stick red, leave the next one white, paint the following stick red, and so on to create a mini American flag that can be displayed or used as a decoration.

Drop Into The Shine Studio For More Seasonal Crafts and Activities

Whether it’s making patriotic wreaths, painted rocks, or American flag crafts, DIY crafts bring families and friends together with projects that both kids and adults enjoy. These DIY gifts not only serve as a tribute to those who have served, but also create meaningful memories and traditions for years to come.

If you love making crafts but not all the shopping or the mess, stop by our creative arts space in Bridgehampton, NY. In addition to our popular summer camps, we offer classes, workshops, party planning, and special events all year round.

Funny Business: Exploring the Benefits of Family Laughter in National Humor Month

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April is National Humor Month, a time when American families celebrate the importance of laughter and humor in our lives. It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn about the many different types of humor, from silly jokes to witty puns—and to explore their own sense of humor.

What is National Humor Month?

National Humor Month was founded in 1976 by author and humorist Larry Wilde, who believed that laughter is an essential part of a healthy and happy life. Wilde wanted to encourage people to take humor seriously, and to recognize the important role it plays in our mental and emotional well-being.

Ways To Celebrate National Humor Month With Your Kids

For kids, National Humor Month is a chance to let loose and have some fun. There are many different ways to celebrate this month, from telling jokes with friends and family to watching funny movies and TV shows.

This week, try some of the following:

  • Share funny puns—and create your own. Share funny jokes with your child and explain that puns are often funny because there are multiple meanings for words. One example of a joke like this is: “Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing!” Kids can also try writing their own funny stories or skits, and performing them for friends and family. The exercise could begin with a funny situation or object, followed by a clever play on words or unexpected punchline.
  • Read humorous books or comics. Another great way to celebrate National Humor Month is by reading funny books. There are comedic children’s books that are sure to make kids laugh, from classic authors like Dr. Seuss to new titles like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Kids can pen their own stories, using humor to create memorable characters and situations. Check out these funny writing prompts to get started.
  • Attend a performance. You can also explore different types of humor by analyzing different styles of comedy, from physical humor to satire and parody. Nearby family-friendly comedy clubs include: The Paramount in Huntington, Governors Comedy Club in Levittown and Bohemia, McGuire’s Comedy Club in Bohemia, and The Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore. All shows may not be family-friendly, so be sure to read the listings carefully. You might also encourage your rising star to write a comedy routine to perform for the family after dinner.

Live, Laugh, Love

National Humor Month is a great time for kids to learn about the benefits of laughter and humor. Laughter has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, boost the immune system, and improve overall well-being. By learning to appreciate and enjoy humor, kids can develop a healthy coping mechanism for dealing with stress and difficult emotions. Knowledge about the power of laughter and humor is a life-long gift you can give your child.

Visit the Shine Studio to meet a like-minded group of people who love to laugh and learn.

8 Fun Easter Traditions from Around the World

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Easter is a holiday celebrated around the world, whether for religious reasons or simply to welcome the spring season. While you may be familiar with hiding baskets filled with chocolate and eggs or a visit from the Easter Bunny, you may not have heard about all the kite-flying, mystery-reading, and water-sprinkling happening elsewhere. Read on to learn about unique Easter traditions and consider adding a lively new activity to this year’s festivities.

1. Kite Flying

The sky over Horseshoe Bay Beach is awash with color in Bermuda, as local residents fly kites handmade at the annual Kite Festival on Good Friday. Legend has it, a local Sunday school teacher used a kite to symbolize the ascension of Jesus Christ — and it’s been a hit ever since. Today, festivalgoers participate in kite competitions, races, Easter egg hunts, and fishcake contests.  

2. French Omelets

From hunts and rolling contests to dyes and breakfast, eggs are a quintessential symbol of Easter. But they take on special significance in France, where 15,000 eggs and over 300 pounds of bacon, garlic, onions, and crawfish tails go into the world’s largest omelet enjoyed by some 10,000 people. The modern tradition began in 1973, but was inspired by Napoleon’s overnight stay in the tiny southern town of Bessières where he enjoyed an omelet so much he ordered the locals to fetch every egg in the village to prepare a gigantic omelet for his entire army the next day. Today, the food is prepared by the The Giant Omelette Brotherhood of Bessières.

3. Murder Mystery Reading

There’s nothing like curling up with a good book during the chilly winter months—and don’t they know it in Norway, where there’s just six hours of daylight and average temperatures well below freezing. Crime stories, detective thrillers, and murder mysteries are their books of choice—a tradition known as Påskekrime. The tradition began in 1923, when a snippet of a murder mystery was printed on the front page of the newspaper and mistaken for fact. Today the stories are so pervasive you can even find them printed on milk cartons.

4. Costumes

Witches may be best associated with Halloween, but in Sweden and Finland, children dress up as “Easter witches” with old clothes, broomsticks, and copper kettles, going door to door and trading decorated willow branches and drawings for chocolate eggs. The tradition stems from the belief that witches head off to Blåkulla to party with the devil before Easter, so the children recite a blessing and their parents burn Easter bonfires to keep the evil away.

5. Italian Fireworks

You may think of fireworks for Independence Day or New Year’s, but Florence, Italy celebrates Scoppio del Carro, meaning “explosion of the cart,”an Easter firework display dates back to the First Crusade. In the modern-day celebration, the Archbishop of Florence lights a small coal lantern using flints once gifted to Pazzino, a crusade hero who climbed the walls of Jerusalem to raise the Christian flag. A pair of festooned oxen then travel the town pulling a three-story wagon built in 1622 loaded with fireworks. Drummers, flag throwers, and people wearing ornate 15th century costumes parade alongside the cart. Once the procession reaches the cathedral, the Archbishop of Florence sends out a little dove rocket attached to a string mechanism to set off the grand fireworks display.

6. Luxembourg Pretzels

The third Sunday in Lent marks Bretzelsonnden, or Pretzel Sunday, where the people of Luxembourg once showed their affection with sweet puff pastries decorated in icing and almonds. Dating back to the 18th century, a gentleman would offer the lady he fancied a pretzel on this day—and if she accepted, he visited on Easter Sunday to see if she found him sweet. If so, he received an egg in return. If not, he received an empty basket. On leap years, the girls offered pretzels to the guys. While the spring flirtation ritual has become antiquated, locals old and young still enjoy simply buying and eating their sweet frosted pretzels this time of year.

7. Bonfires

The tradition of lighting fire to chase away cold, dark winter and welcome the warmth of spring dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians. Osterfeurer has been incorporated into Easter Sunday and Monday traditions as the first major community gathering after months of Northwestern European winter — and about half the town attends! As you might expect, there’s beer and sausages, and locals also roast balls of dough over the open flames. Soon to follow are the communal fires on April 30th, a holiday known as Walpurgisnacht in Germany, Valborg in Sweden, or Čarodejnice in the Czech Republic—which purges the land of darkness and welcomes in the new growing season.

8. Dyngus Day

After weeks of fasting and praying, Easter brings a collective sigh of relief in Polish diaspora communities across Europe and the United States (particularly the rust belt cities of Buffalo, Chicago, and Cleveland). Groups gather for food and drink, parades, live music, and polka dancing the following day on Easter Monday — also known as Śmigus-dyngus, or Dyngus Day. As per tradition, boys chase girls with branches and water guns, and girls who get soaked are believed to marry within the year. These days, pussy willows and water guns are used by everyone who partakes in the festivities.

Love learning about cultural traditions? If you live in New York City, The Hamptons, or the Tristate Area, sign up for Shine’s Globe Trekkers class to visit a new country each week to enjoy the art, music, flavors, and games.

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