Fun Archives

8 Thanksgiving Crafts for a Memorable Holiday

November 7, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Learn, Make, Party, Play/by Shine

There are so many blessings to celebrate at Thanksgiving time. With vibrant autumn colors just starting to fade, plucky turkeys waddling through farms and fields, and guests arriving at the house armed with pumpkin pies and side dish stuffing, what better time to celebrate your child’s creativity with a themed craft? Here are five of our favorite ideas to get you started.

Thanksgiving Table Turkeys – KiwiCo

If you’re expecting company, treat your guests to a special party favor: an adorable hand-sculpted turkey place setting. The body’s made of clay, with a pom-pom head, sticker beak, googly eyes, and felt toothpick feathers. Have your child write down the honored guests’ names or a special message of gratitude onto each placard.

Fall Colors Foam Weaving Placemat – Oriental Trading

Weaving is a timeless activity that’s easy enough for preschool children to learn. Simply guide the colorful foam pieces over-and-under through the pre-cut slits to create a beautiful and practical place setting for your holiday table.

Beaded Pipe Cleaner Corn – One Little Project

All you need are a few pipe cleaners and pony beads from the Dollar Store to keep little hands busy, building manual dexterity and customizing their own corncob of color. It doesn’t get much easier than this! A four-year-old can easily spend 20 minutes just picking out colors, buying you time to get your turkey in the oven.

Turkey Suncatcher Kits – Etsy

A tissue paper suncatcher always looks dazzling in the window when those first morning rays peak into the home. Your child will feel pride and joy upon gazing at the color combination he or she put together. This kit comes with sturdy black turkey cutouts, so your kids need only cut and add tissue paper with a glue stick. Help your child trim the edges for a polished finish.

Thankful Pie – Country Living

Cut a red construction paper circle as the foundation of your pie, using the inside of a paper plate as your guide. Cut half-inch tan pieces of construction paper to glue into a lattice pattern that looks like the top of the pie. Cut out a slice and have each child at the party write down someone or something they are thankful for this year. Along the top of a paper plate, write “I’m thankful for…” and secure the pie with a brass fastener, so the empty slice can rotate to reveal different messages.

Mason Jar Luminary – Create Craft Love

This craft requires a trip to the craft store for a mason jar, acrylic paint, twine, a votive candle, and a small piece of vinyl. First you’ll cut a leaf shape out of the vinyl—either by using a Cricut Explore or by tracing around an outdoor leaf—then you’ll stick it to the side of the mason jar. Paint over top of it in a festive color (like persimmon, for instance!) and wait for the acrylic to dry. Once it’s settled, peel off your vinyl leaf to leave an imprint behind. Add dried corn kernels to the bottom of the jar, wrap twine around the top, and enjoy the flickering light show.

Creatology 3D Thanksgiving Truck – Michaels

This craft kit comes with 37 wood shapes, 56 felt stickers, 52 glitter foam stickers, 16 printed felt stickers, acetate sheets, craft blue, printed paper card shapes, bamboo sticks, shredded tissue paper, adhesive gems, a brush, and double-sided tape. What more could you want? The end result is a cute centerpiece that children have as much fun playing with as they do building it.

Personalized Craft Bags – Shine

Looking for something that can keep the kids busy at your Thanksgiving party, with minimal supervision required? Shine’s customized craft bags can holiday-themed or suited to your child’s unique preferences. We’ve gotten fantastic feedback on these fabulous little bags. Check out our highlight reel here and contact us to learn more about our all-in-one fun party boxes.

Food-Free Halloween Treats the Classroom Will Love To Death

October 12, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Party, Play/by Shine

When we were children, our parents sent us to school with bags of Reese’s Cups, Skittles, and M&Ms. But now that more and more teal pumpkins are cropping up and 1 in 13 children has a food allergy, many schools are kindly asking that parents send in food-free holiday treats.

Move beyond party favor knick-knacks destined for the trash with these food-free Halloween treats your child’s class will find frightfully delightful:

Mini Flashlights – a useful gift that’ll come in handy trick or treating and telling spooky stories around the campfire. These even come with lanyards and batteries.

Halloween Stationary Set: Each child receives a treat bag containing a pencil, eraser, stamp, ruler bookmark, and sticker.

Halloween Sensory Squishies: Filled with non-toxic water beads, these characters are more cute than scary, but squeezing them is strangely relaxing.

Halloween Books: If you feel strongly about promoting literacy, a book always makes a thoughtful gift. For the little ones, you can get “The Night Before Halloween” or “How to Catch a Monster” for about $5 a piece. Ages 6+ might get engrossed in a Halloween activity book or bust a gut over Halloween Mad Libs, while older kids (ages 7+) might like splitting up this Goosebumps set (20/$56).

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Halloweek Rubber Duckies: All dressed up for the holidays, the class will love this twist on the classic bath and pool toy.

24-Piece Halloween Jigsaw Puzzles: Encourage patience and focus with 12 different styles of Halloween puzzle. It’s affordable enough you can throw it into a goodie bag with other treats if you please.

Halloween Wreath Craft Kits: It’s always nice when your child has fun creating, then that fun adorns the house for a month, and goes away until next year!

Halloween Monster Mini Plush: There’s nothing more endearing than a child toting around a beloved character. For a 10-year window of time, the house can never have too many plushies.

Glowing LED Ghosts: Glowing ghosts are not only fun toys to play with, but they make cute table or window decorations once the children have outgrown them.

Super Hero Cape Costumes: Dress up is highly popular for the under 10 crowd. Role playing is good for language development, emotional regulation, and self-esteem.

If you’re a teacher looking for a unique in-class activity, ask us about our custom craft bags.

Bonus Read:

Parents, be sure to check out our Guide to a Perfectly Haunting Halloween Day from Dawn ‘til Dusk for games, snacks, movies, and activities to make this holiday extra-special for your children.

Road Trip: Ocean City, MD

August 24, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Learn/by Shine

August 30^th, 2022 is “National Beach Day” — a day to celebrate our nation’s sandy shores and reflect on the importance of keeping these beautiful public spaces clean. Simply visiting the beach with your children when they’re young will foster a love of nature and a healthy respect for preservation. Located 6.5 hours down the shoreline, Ocean City, Maryland is a paradise of playgrounds and putt-putt—fun for the whole family. Here’s everything you need to know.

Where To Stay

There are plenty of oceanfront accommodations — even last minute in high season. Staying toward the boardwalk end will give you the closest proximity to walkable entertainment.

The Grand on 20^th Street: You won’t have to cross any roads to get right onto the boardwalk. If it’s a rainy monsoon August day, you won’t miss a beat with the indoor pool and onsite game room, complete with pool tables, air hockey, and arcade favorites. The pizza restaurant and ice cream parlor onsite don’t hurt either.

Holiday Inn 17^th Street: Recently renovated, the Holiday Inn ups its pool game with fountains, a lazy river, and children’s play area featuring shipwreck and whale structures. There’s also an indoor pool. Every room is a suite with a fully-equipped kitchenette, separate living room, dining area, and complimentary laundry.

The Residence Inn on the Bay at 62^nd Street: This one’s not on the boardwalk, but it’s worth considering for the beautiful bayside sunsets. Voted 2020 Hotel of the Year by Coastal Style Magazine, the accommodations are spacious and the lobby enthralls kids with the second-largest saltwater fish tank in Ocean City. Drop by the tiki bar for outdoor swimming, BBQing, dining, and kid-friendly entertainment.

Where To Eat

On the boardwalk, you’ll want to sample local staples: Dolle’s saltwater taffy, Thrasher’s fries, Fractured Prune donuts, King’s funnel cakes, and Dumser’s Dairyland ice cream. If the lines are jammed up, try another location down the boardwalk, as foot traffic can be random.

If you’ve been to one Ocean City eatery, you’ve been to them all, as many establishments are owned by the same proprietors. You can count on kids menus, playgrounds, Jimmy Buffet, and tchotchkes adorning the walls pretty much everywhere you go.

Alley Oops: Mini bowling and all the best arcade games await at Alleyoops. Photo opps include giant tiki statues and muscley surfer sharks. The crab-topped chicken is a solid choice — and be sure to check out the live sharks swimming in their tank in the center of the dining room. Order the “Shark Juice” and get a free shark toy for the kids.
Fish Tales: This is where the locals gather around the bar. The wooden pirate-themed play area provides all the nooks and crannies kids need to feel like they’re on an adventure, while the food is served up on frisbees. While you snack on your conch appetizer, the kids can change it up from the usual burger and tenders to fish sticks.
Dead Freddies: Look up on your way in to see a pirate resting lazily in his hammock and keep your eyes open for sharks, ye land lubber! Get a photo taken with Captain Jack Sparrow out back while your kids play on the double-decker plastic pirate ship. The crab soup (the same you’ll find at De Lazy Lizard) is out of this world.
Ropewalk: This tourist favorite can be difficult to get into at dinner hour, so it’s best visited at lunch time. You may feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you note the Ronald Reagan statue, Ronald Reagan beer, and sandwich named “the Gipper.” You’ll find more beer options here than the standard Land Shark, while the kids play ring toss and corn hole games or scale the playground. The crab egg rolls, fried pickle chips, seared ahi tuna, and crab artichoke dip on the appetizer menu may be all you need, but there’s also Bayou Steam Pots, Caribbean Grouper, and Filet Mignon.
De Lazy Lizard: Inviting you to “get lazy,” this bayside tiki-umbrellaed restaurant is the perfect place to dip your toes in the sand and watch the sunset with a fancy cocktail. The kids receive free frisbees and lizard toys, while adult beverages are served in souvenir tiki cups. Loaded nachos, tacos, salads, and burgers are the main fare.
Belly Buster’s: Sometimes you just need a greasy grinder you can sink your teeth into. Belly Buster’s is a cantankerous local favorite where you can grab a meatball bomber or a French Dip and eat until your heart’s content back in your hotel room when you’re tired of dining out.

What To Do

It’s hard to miss the amusement park rides, though they can be an expensive way to while away the time. Many of the Jolly Roger at the Pier rides are rickety and old, though the Ferris wheel is worth a whirl for the bird’s eye view.

Beach Day: Ocean City sand is deep and soft. There are plenty of life guards up and down the beach, but you’ll want a USCG-approved life vest for the kids due to how rough the waves can be. A rip current can carry your child away rather quickly if you don’t have a hand on them. Little ones will likely be more than content to climb on the whale and dinosaur bone beach playgrounds or build sandcastles on the beach, while your older daring tweens will find the crashing surf a true thrill! Many places along the boardwalk have boogie boards for rent or sale.
Mini Golf: Old Pro Golf and Nick’s Golf are the two main proprietors of Ocean City mini golf. Their well-maintained courses are uniquely themed with dinosaurs, medieval castles, pirates, sea creatures, and safari animals. The courses tend to get busy after lunch, so go early if you want to take your time and soak it all up.
OC Life Saving Museum: You can’t miss the stark white lighthouse building at the very end of the boardwalk. Stop at the front desk to pick up a scavenger hunt for the kids; it’ll keep them busy and once completed, they can pick out a free shark tooth. The aquarium section contains horseshoe and spider crabs, sea horses, eels, and a few fish, which put on quite a show at feeding time. Exhibits chronicle Ocean City’s fishing, surfing, and carnival history, with an upstairs playroom for the kids. The air conditioning makes it a welcome place to escape the heat for a few hours. There’s also a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum on the boardwalk.
Bike Rental: Before noon, bikes are allowed on the boardwalk and there’s no better place to find one than Dandy Don’s. In addition to adult and child sized bikes, he’s got tandem bikes for the whole family (although these bikes work best if everyone actually pedals), as well as classic car beach cruisers for two with Bluetooth sound systems.
Assateague Island: Thirty minutes from Ocean City proper you’ll find an island of wild horses — one of the few places in the United States you can see them roam free. he visitor’s center has a movie about the ponies, a touch tank, air conditioning, and bathrooms, so it’s worth a stop on your way in. At the National Seashore, you’ll find three hiking trails: one on a marshland boardwalk, one along the sand dunes, and one through an old growth forest. Bring a can of bug spray to keep the black flies away. While sightings aren’t guaranteed, you’re likely to spot the horses hanging out close to the roads and around the parking lots. You may also consider camping right on the island, renting kayaks, or taking an ecotour by boat from Ocean City.

How To Get Around

Driving isn’t too overwhelming, as the city’s very well planned out with divided lanes of traffic and sensibly timed lights. There are large public lots at the end of the boardwalk where you’ll find ample parking spaces. Some of the mini-golf spots or popular restaurants can reason to consider alternatives to driving. Truly the best-kept secret of Ocean City is the BUS! Ride all day for just $3 per person. You’ll need exact cash on hand, but the buses are clean and run up and down the main strip every 10 minutes. You can even track the bus with the Transloc Rider App.

We hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of Ocean City, MD. When you’re back in town, there’s always fun and festivities at the Shine Studio. Stop in and tell us about your trip!

How To Enjoy Christmas in July

July 18, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Party, Play, Taste/by Shine

July kicks off with a bang, as Independence Day fireworks explode in the night sky. Yet, if you live for celebration, it can feel like a long, uneventful stretch until Labor Day. If you missed Friendsgiving, no worries: there are still a few more weekends this month to slap together a Christmas in July.

Food

The perfect dish varies from family to family, but a potluck makes planning easy.

Appetizers invite artistry, with snowman cheese balls, fruit and cheese Christmas trees, or one of these creative Christmas wreath veggie trays.

Try to think of summer twists on your typical fare. For instance, you might bake a ham with pineapple rings and cherries on top or throw turkey legs on the grill. Serve with sides of S’mores Sweet Potatoes, Mexican street corn, and refreshing Holiday-Spiced Cranberries.

Or prefer pasta? Try this Easy Summer Grilled Lasagna, along with Christmas Salad and Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks.

Everyone loves a traditional sugar cookie cut-out for dessert, but you might also try Hot Chocolate Icebox Pie, a Christmas Jell-o, Santa Hat Crispy Cheesecake Squares, or quick and easy Peppermint Bark.

Frills

The details bring the concept of Christmas in July to life:

Encourage attendees to dress in their favorite Christmas tees, hats, and ties. Christmas themed sunglasses or necklaces made of flashing lights and jingle bells make easy accessories for the group. Choose someone to play Santa!
Be sure to bust out all your Christmas serving trays and centerpieces.
Add Christmas inflatables, themed table cloths, tiki Santa statues, festive flamingos, strands of lights wrapped around the trees, or a lit palm tree to your décor.

Fun

There are countless ways to spice up a summer Christmas party:

Too early for Christmas music? Never! A microphone with a built-in speaker and YouTube is all you need for a Christmas karaoke party.
If you have a sandbox, you might have the kids build and decorate a “sandman” instead. Or you could fill red, white, and green water balloons for a fight. Christmas themed pinatas are always a hit with the kids, too!
Organize a “white elephant” gift exchange. Everyone picks a number out of a hat to choose a gift, with an option to steal. For a simple-yet-silly twist, have everyone wrap up a re-gift or something from their home they want to get rid of! Pick up a few items from the dollar store for the kids like a wiffle ball toss game, excavation eggs, chalk, glow-in-the-dark necklaces, or plush toys.
Play a game like Santa Cookie Elf Snowman or the 12 Games of Christmas.
Put on your favorite Christmas movie. Since the weather is much better than December, you might consider an outdoor movie experience with a projector and inflatable screen.

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Why wait until December to make memories that’ll last a lifetime? For more ideas on summer entertaining, contact The Shine Studio. We can bring games, crafts, and activities to entertain the kids at your next party or you can drop in for classes, workshops, and camps all summer long.

Let Your Light Shine in Celebration of Pride Month

June 13, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Learn/by Shine

Having pride in who we are and who we love is important all year round, but June allows the LGBTQ+ community to have centerstage after so many years of living in the shadows. It gives us the opportunity to remind the world that “love is love” and celebrate all that we have fought for to be where we are today.

The History of Pride Month

New York City’s Stonewall Riots were a turning point in the gay rights movement. After the police raided a gay bar at the Stonewall Inn on June 28^th, 1969, protests erupted in the streets for six days. The Stonewall Inn became a refuge for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual people — a place where they were welcome and free to express themselves.

The rainbow Pride flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 to symbolize sexuality (pink), life (red), healing (orange), sun (yellow), nature (green), art (turquoise), harmony (indigo), and soul (violet). Since then, pink and blue have been added for transgender, as well as brown for black and Latinx people.

President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” in 1999 and 2000. President Barack Obama did the same from 2009 to 2016, and President Joe Biden affirmed the celebration in 2021 and 2022.

How To Talk To Your Kids About Pride Month

A good introduction to Pride Month is to explain that Pride is about loving yourself for exactly who you are, even if you seem different from the people around you. Pride is a feeling we have inside when we know who we are, unapologetically, and aren’t afraid to show the world.

Even if you’re not in an LGBTQ+ household, straight parents can raise their kids to be advocates and allies of the community by encouraging them to be open-minded and recognize that we may be different, but we are all united by love. Children are fortunate to have parents that love them — and all children deserve a home full of love, no matter what their family looks like. Teach your children that words can hurt, but kindness and acceptance is the best gift they can choose to give others around them.

East End Pride Month Events

The month is half over, but it’s not too late to catch many great Pride events on the East End:

Pride Month Rainbow Lantern Walk – June 17^th

Location: Sunken Meadow State Park (25A & Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park)

Time: 8-9:30 pm

Cost: $4, advance registration required

Drag Queen Story Hour, Games, and Crafts with Bella Noche – June 18

Location: Children’s Museum of the East End (376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Tpke)

Time: 12-2 pm

Cost: Included with $19 admission

BTW Fundraiser Benefiting Pride for Youth with DJ JoJo Ciara – June 18

Location: BTW Bar & Grill (3297R Long Beach Road, Oceanside)

Time: 7:30 pm

Cost: $5-10

Pride Shabbat Morning Service with Guest Fred Becker – June 25

Location: Jewish Center of the Hamptons (44 Woods Lane, East Hampton)

Time: 10 am

Cost: Free

Pride Month Color Connection Family Program – June 25

Location: Connetquot River State Park Preserve (Sunrise Highway, Bohemia)

Time: 10:30 am – 12 pm

Cost: $4, advance registration required

Pride parades are a fun, entertaining, and joyful introduction to the celebration of self and others.

This year, the Hamptons celebrated its first Pride Parade on June 4^th, beginning at 11 am near Pond View Lane and Guild Hall, marching east on Main Street to Herrick Park via Newton Lane, Railroad Avenue, and Lumber Lane, with music by DJ Karin Ward in the park until 3 pm.

While you may have missed that one in our backyard, it’s not too late to drive into the City for the 28^th Annual NYC Pride March on June 26^th; the march starts at noon between 25^th Street and 5^th Avenue. Following the parade, PrideFest/FamilyFest street fair will be taking place at Astor Plaza (East 8^th Street and 4^th Avenue).

In addition to participating in local events, there are many ways to celebrate at home: reading themed books, donating to charities like the Trevor Project, supporting LGBTQ+ owned businesses, or hosting a party with friends and family.

Want to get into the spirit? Stop by the Shine Studio to make a few rainbow-themed crafts. Our warm and welcoming space is always accepting of drop-ins. Contact us to learn more.

Why & How To Celebrate National Children’s Day June 12th

June 9, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Play/by Shine

“The days drag, but the years fly by,” according to a common parenting adage. Amid the hustle and bustle of a busy week of work, school, sports practices, dinners, and bedtime routines, it’s all too easy to lose track of how we spend our daily minutes.

In fact, 6 in 10 parents worry they aren’t spending enough “quality time” with their children, and 1 in 3 children say their parents “work too much.” While parents report feeling happiest playing games with their kids, watching tv together is the most common activity.

National Children’s Day, celebrated this year on June 12^th, reminds us to slow down our fast-paced lives, turn off technology, and focus on togetherness.

The History of National Children’s Day

Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard of Chelsea, Massachusetts first set aside this day in 1856 to hold a special baptism service and addressing problems affecting the child welfare.

Formally, different administrations have chosen different days to celebrate — the second Sunday of October (1989-2000), the first Sunday of June (2001-2016), and November 20^th (2016-present).

Because of all these changes, people choose when they want to celebrate. The second Sunday in June is truest to the original proposed date — and also the nicest weather-wise, so why not take a moment the weekend before Father’s Day to celebrate the “future changemaker” in your life?

How To Celebrate National Children’s Day

Sometimes it can be difficult to come up with a mutually satisfying activity, as kids often prefer imaginative play which adults may find boring. Here are a few ideas to get the gears turning:

Go to a park — preferably one with a playground (and pack a picnic!)
Dine out — show your child to your favorite restaurant (bonus for an outdoor patio!)
Road trip — check out one of these nearby locations within a few hours of the East End
Play board games — consider some of these expert and parent-tested classics
Make a craft — stop by the Shine studio to pick up a custom-themed craft bag
Play Hide & Go Seek, catch with a ball and frisbee, or croquet in the yard
Visit a family activity center — try roller skating, go karts, bowling, and mini golf
Organize a dance party — all you need is music, but add balloons to make it more fun!
Paint — create a family mural to make a lasting memento of your memories
Hike, bike, or swim — fresh air and activity is a nice change of pace to work and school
Stop by the Shine studio — drop in for a class, workshop, or dance session

Consider this opportunity to break from routine, explore the outdoors, share family stories, ask your child about life, and start new traditions. If you want to connect with the larger parenting community, you can share your adventures using the social media hashtag #NationalChildrensDay.

3 Gotta-Try Child Birthday Parties for 2022

May 4, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Party/by Shine

Okay, let’s be honest. How many dinosaur, unicorn, mermaid, safari, and super hero birthday parties have you been to? A ton, right? Every birthday party made with love is worth the effort, but you don’t have to settle for Encanto. Give guests an unforgettable Instagram-worthy experience with one of these unique child birthday ideas.

Bubbles and Brunch

“Pop on over for bubbles and brunch,” reads the invites. This simple theme is ideal for first birthdays and toddler parties. Balloon decor is always a hit, while kiddie pools filled with small clear beach balls occupy the littlest guests. Bubble wands, bubble machines, and giant bubbles add a whimsical charm to an outdoor event. Lay out omelet bites, pancake holes, grapes, and blueberries for your morning event. Mix up a sparkling punch for the kids and mimosas for the adults.

Lateovers

Move over, sleepovers. Lateovers are the newest trend—perfect for co-ed parties and kids who aren’t ready to spend a night away from home. Night time brings a whole new set of activities, including glow-in-the-dark dance parties, karaoke, musical instrument concerts, and outdoor movies with popcorn. If you’re serving up a movie, you might consider having kids arrive with sleeping bags and pajamas—though the perk here is that everyone leaves at 9:00 pm and gets their much-needed shut-eye. For a more active party, improv a kid-sized stage to see singing and dancing talents blossom. Nachos, pizza, and ice cream sundaes are low-stress snacks to serve up, along with a music instrument shaped cake.

Garden Art Party

If your child is a pint-sized Picasso, show off your family’s creative side with an art-themed outdoor garden party. Now that it’s finally warm enough to get out on the patio, you can set up tables with butcher paper and paint supplies. If paint-by-numbers aren’t your cup of tea, you can try these galaxy name paintings made with small canvases and masking tape. Decorate with whimsical woodland creatures or lumberjack prints and beautiful garden blooms. Serve up lemonade or tea alongside sandwiches cut into butterfly, mason jar, or flower shapes. Then invite kids to the cupcake decoration station where they’ll find everything from crushed Oreos, gummy worms, and sprinkles, to strawberries, whipped cream, and food-safe animal figurine toppers.

Plan Your Next Party with Shine!

Birthdays can be a lot of work when you’re juggling so much already. Shine can plan the whole party for you. We’ll bring staff, activities, supplies, and fun that matches the theme of your choice. Choose one of our classic themes or create a custom experience. Add-ons are available. Contact us to discuss how we can help create the East End event everyone will be talking about for years.

Passover and Easter Fun in New York

April 10, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Taste/by Shine

This year, Passover and Easter festivities overlap with most of the fun taking place April 16^th and 17^th. New York State is a great place to play, whether you’re sticking close to home on the East End or taking a regional road trip for break week. If you haven’t planned anything yet, it’s not to late to hit the road for a quick family getaway.

Thousand Islands: Easter Brunch

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 7 hours

Snag a reservation for Easter Brunch at Bonnie Castle Resort and Marina (10 am to 3 pm) or Riveredge Resort (9 am to 2 pm). Both resorts have indoor pools overlooking Alexandria Bay. Nearby Boldt Castle is not only one of New York’s most beautiful residences, but there’s also a children’s playhouse and bowling alley. Mini golf, go-karts, zoos, farms, aquariums, and drive-in theatres are among the family-friendly area attractions.

Adirondacks: Easter Weekend Retreat

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 6 hours

Treat yourself to a relaxing holiday stay at The Sagamore Resort where you’ll be welcomed with an Easter egg hunt overlooking Lake George, a guest appearance from the Easter Bunny, a build-a-bear activity, movie nights with popcorn, and bonfires with s’mores. The onsite Rec Center will amaze the kids with everything from ping pong, indoor wiffle ball, and rock climbing, to basketball, tennis, and video games. Did we mention there’s an indoor pool? The brunch at their signature Italian restaurant, La Bella Vita, is a culinary experience the adults won’t forget.

Capital Region: Liberty Ridge Farm Easter Egg Hunt

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 5 hours

Liberty Ridge Farm is hosting their 10^th Annual Easter Eggs-perience on Saturday, April 16 from 8:30 am to 3 pm. Equidistant between Albany and Saratoga Springs, the farm offers sweeping country hillside views that make the perfect backdrop to a visit from the Easter Bunny. Kids will love the baby farm animals and pop-up play zone, while parents can shop the Market Barn & Bakery for goodies.

The Catskills: Easter Bunny Express

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 4 hours

Tickets are still available for Adirondack Railroad’s Easter Bunny Express, which takes a 90-minute climate-controlled chug from the base of the mountains to the historic Remsen Depot for an Easter egg hunt, goodie bag, and photo shoot with the bunny of honor. Stay at the new, all-inclusive Melour Resort in the village of Tannersville near Hunter Mountain for Kosher dining and family-friendly activities.

New York City: Easter Parade

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 2 hours

Or if you prefer to stay closer to home, there’s always the annual Easter Parade & Bonnet Festival in New York City—a tradition dating back until the 1870s. The route moves from St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 10 am on Easter Sunday, continuing down Fifth Avenue from 49^th to 57^th Street until 4 pm.

If you’re staying in the East End, stop by our new Shine Studio for springtime fun! We offer a variety of classes, workshops, and activities for ages 0-12.

5 Perfect Breakfasts for Your Little Valentines

February 9, 2022/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide/by Jayme Taylor

Anyone who’s cooked a meal for the family knows it’s a labor of love. From cutting the crust off the bread of a finnicky toddler, to arranging the chocolate chips in the pancake into a smiley face, we are more than accommodating.

Sometimes the joy is in sharing our grandmother’s special recipe, introducing the kids to an exotic flavor for the first time, or simply taking pleasure in filling their bellies with healthy foods and watching them gain sustenance and take form before our eyes.

Children may seem like little butterflies, flitting from one amusement to the next all day long, but they’re soaking it all up – the aromas emanating from the kitchen, the heat from the bustling stove, the sound of you singing as you’re making, the funny ideas their imaginations concoct as they gaze upon their plates.

Planning a few meaningful moments with food can have sticking power. Your kids may forget much of their childhood, but they’ll remember that you took the time to care; and when they find themselves suddenly whipping up heart-shaped eggs for their own children come Valentine’s Day, they’ll smile and think of you. If you’re still looking for that special Valentine’s Day breakfast idea, we hope you find inspiration here.

Heart-Shaped Donuts (Sally’s Baking Addiction)

There’s much to love about this donut recipe. You’ll need buttermilk, heavy whipping cream, nutmeg, food coloring, and sprinkles – a few items you might not always have on hand – and, ideally, a heart-shaped donut pan. The dough is cakey and the frosting thick. Be sure to read the comments section for extra tips to prevent sticking and get that perfect color/ consistency.

Sunny Side Up Egg-Heart Toasts (Chef De Home)

Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create a nest for the egg within the toast. You can use white or sourdough and strawberry jam or Nutella, depending on your kids’ preferences. Hershey Kisses make a nice plate garnish! If your kid only eats a scramble, consider topping with a heart-shaped tomato. These heart-shaped omelet muffins are quick and easy to make-ahead as well.

Red Velvet Pancakes (Something Swanky)

It’s hard choosing a favorite pancake. Ultimately, red velvet cake mix and cream cheese wins, adding an unexpected twist to a traditional pancake breakfast equally suited for kids and parents alike – no artificial dye necessary! Garnish with strawberries and sprinkles. We also loved these caterpillar pancakes for tiny tots and the Emoji pancakes for slightly older kids.

Conversation Heart Toasts (Hungry Happenings)

All you need is bread, jam, milk, food coloring, and food-safe paintbrushes to create a slice of fun. Toast the bread to perfection in a toaster, oven, or toaster oven and serve with real candy hearts for a whimsical twist. You can use a stamper if your freehand paint-writing isn’t the hottest.

Valentine Charcuterie (A Momina Moment)

If you want an over-the-top spread, consider putting together a trendy charcuterie board. (The heart-shaped waffle maker is clutch, but you can also cut your waffles into shapes using a pair of kitchen shears.) Follow this easy recipe for chocolate-dipped strawberries. Swap the sugar cookies out for heart-shaped bacon if you need a little more savory to offset the sweet.

Hungry for More?

Does your child take an interest in cooking? Come and explore with Shine’s “Cooking Stars” class (ages 3-5, 6-7, 8-10). We combine food art, science, literature, and hands-on culinary experiences to enrich your child’s life.

How Dance is Good for Children

December 14, 2021/in Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Learn/by Shine

The New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker is a winter tradition for many local children. It’s a marvelous spectacle with 125 children, 90 ballet dancers, 62 musicians, and a 41-foot Christmas tree. But for kids, dance is more than dazzling. As soon as babies can stand, they’re wiggling and wobbling and dancing in their own unique ways. Dance is a natural part of physical development, but it’s also one worth cultivating formally, as there are numerous mental and physical benefits of dance for children (and adults, too, if you want to join the fun!). Continue reading to learn about some of the fascinating studies pertaining to studying dance in childhood.

Engagement and Joy

Babies find rhythm, tempo, music, and dance more engaging and enjoyable than plain speech. University of York researchers also found “the better the children are able to synchronize their movements with music, the more they smile. What better way to share joy with your child than a daddy or mommy and me class?

Lower Stress

Can dance wire the brain to cope with hardship and open up paths to learning? The short answer is: yes! Intensive arts programs in music, dance, and visual arts can lower the cortisol levels in chronically stressed, economically disadvantaged preschoolers, according to a 2016 study published in the journal Child Development. The dance classes not only developed children’s artistic abilities, but also promoted learning in math and literacy.

Better Academic Performance

Researchers are always looking for affordable interventions to help impoverished youth rise up and achieve better outcomes in school. It turns out, enrolling in dance and music study improves a child’s grades all the way through eighth grade, no matter the socioeconomic status, according to George Mason University Arts Research Center.

Brain Neuroplasticity

Dancing engages multiple brain functions at once to increase neural connectivity and flexibility. Dancing strengthens connectivity between the central and cerebral hemispheres, modifies white and grey matter in various brain regions, and integrates different brain areas to improve neuroplasticity, according to a January 2019 study published in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioural Reviews. This neuroplasticity is what allows the brain to strengthen connections, rewire, and relearn as necessary – all fundamental components to developing a growth mindset.

Balance and Fine Motor Control

We all want our kids to move well and with great coordination. Not surprisingly, dance programs “significantly improve” a child’s balance, fine motor skills, and the neurological processes that support movement, according to researchers in Brazil who studied 85 children in 1^st to 5^th grades. What surprised researchers was that the benefits of dance persist — to some degree — for months, even after a formal dance program ends.

Weight Management

Diabetic children between the ages of 8-16 were able to improve cholesterol and reduce BMI by 1.7 units with two hours of playing “Dance Dance Revolution” per week with their families. By comparison, the control group increased BMI by 1.6 units and gained an average of 17 pounds over the same time period. Yale researchers found dance more effective at reducing weight, body fat, and insulin sensitivity than traditional clinic-based weight counseling.

Physical Activity

As kids get older, it can be more and more difficult to engage them in regular physical activity, especially with the ubiquity of video games. However, video games can also be part of the solution, say researchers. The Universite de Montreal reported that games like Dance Dance Revolution and Wii Sports actually increased teen activity levels from less than 60 minutes per week to more than 100. “As less than 15% of children and adolescents currently participate regularly in physical activity, we are pleased to report that exergaming can add to regular physical activity to attain physical activity guidelines,” concluded researchers.

Join Our East End Dance Party!

If you’re interested in dance lessons, there is no better place than the brand-new Shine Studio. In studio 3, we’re pleased to feature artists-in-residence Our Fabulous Variety Show. Their classes include tap, ballet, jazz, musical theatre, acting, and improv – with a mission to help kids learn, express themselves, hone their creativity, and grow. Contact us for details.