DIY Memorial Day Gifts: Fun Crafts for Kids and Adults

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.

How To Throw a Spring Color Party

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Color parties are trending hot for spring and summer birthdays and events. In fact, posts labeled #colorparty have garnered over 48 million views on TikTok. If you’ve never been to one but are looking for a unique theme for your child’s birthday, continue reading for ideas and inspiration.

Why a Color Party?

There’s nothing more refreshing than the assembly of colors after a long winter! Color parties have roots in Holi, the Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. The main rituals involve flinging colored water and powders onto friends, family, and festivalgoers as a reenactment of a game Hindu god Lord Krishna played with his consort, goddess Radha. Borrowing a similar spirit, Color Run 5Ks are celebrated around the world, including New York’s Citi Field.

Psychologically, colors can symbolize many different ideas emotions — red for love, orange for sociability, yellow for happiness, green for money, blue for tranquility, or purple for opulence. Taken as a whole, the rainbow is the sum of its parts —a celebration of diversity, inclusivity, hope, and friendship. In some circles, rainbow colors represent God’s covenant with Noah after the Great Flood destroyed much of the world — and in others, a rainbow signifies LGBTQ+ identity and pride.

Studies show children are naturally drawn to bright, saturated colors — and that these colors can affect their moods. So for your next event, consider the crowd-pleasing color party to create memories for years to come.

How To Prepare for a Color Party

  • Buy the supplies. One of the easiest ways to set up your color party is to buy packets of loose, dry powder and put them into Dixie cups. Skip squeeze bottles or squirt guns, which tend to jam up. Another fun option is to use color powder cannons, which use compressed air to blast partygoers up to 20 feet away.
  • Put safety first. The powder itself is non-toxic, typically made of food dye and cornstarch, but it’s best if you don’t directly inhale it or get it in your eyes. So, no matter which option you choose, we recommend passing out colored bandanas and sunglasses to serve as protective gear and keep everybody safe.
  • Secure the venue. The ideal location for a color party is in your own backyard or on private country land with the expressed permission of the property owner. Color parties might not be welcome in public spaces due to cleanup considerations.
  • Have cleanup supplies on hand. If you’re doing the cleanup, you’ll want brooms and dustpans or leaf blowers to move dry powder from your sidewalk or driveway. A sprinkler, hose, or pressure washer will clean up the grass if necessary. A soapy water bucket and sponge can clean your tables and chairs. A vacuum cleaner will pick up any stray colors tracked into the house.
  • Send the invitations. There are several approaches to a color party. Some events have each person pick one color — and they dress from head to toe in that color and bring a matching dish to share. For the main color-tossing event, we recommend handing out white t-shirts as practical party favor keepsakes. Even though the color powders typically wash out of clothing, it’s best to forewarn guests on the invitation that the party could get messy.
  • Decorate. To add vibrancy, you can hang rainbow garlands in trees, hang colorful leis on each chair, tie up helium-filled balloons, set out colorful plastic tablecloths, add LED lights to mason jars as centerpieces, freeze water balloons and place them into a cooler with bottled water.

All that’s left now? Have fun!

Color Party Games and Activities

For the main event, divide your group into two teams (each with their own color), put on the high-energy tunes, and let them run wild with the goal of coating the opposing team while evading their retaliation. If you prefer, each person can have a different color and the game can be played warrior-style.

While the color war is the main event, there are many other activities:

  • Art: Art naturally lends itself to a rainbow of colors, so you might consider setting up a painting station or place colored confetti, construction paper, and glue on the table to see what the kids come up with — or even just simple sidewalk chalk can add to the party décor.
  • Color Powder Alternatives: Instead of “war,” you might set up obstacle courses the kids have to run through while others try to hit them with powder. Or you might divide into two teams, fill black balloons with two different colored powders, and play a roulette-style game where you pop a balloon over a player’s head. If it’s their team’s color, the team gets a point. If it’s the other team’s color, the team loses a point. If it’s the magic gold powder, they earn their team five points.
  • Wet and Wild: Bust out the sprinklers and slip-and-slides to make those colors even more saturated! And remember those frozen water balloons? Once they’ve thawed out in the hot sun and all the water’s been consumed, they’re fair game for another fun round of friendly competition. Or perhaps you organize a calmer tossing event for the chance to win a colorful prize.
  • Hula Hoop Contest: Hula hoops come in bright colors, so they make the perfect contest.
  • Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of colorful items hidden around the yard kids need to find to win a prize.
  • Dessert Station: A vanilla cupcake decoration station with colored sprinkles is always a hit.

Plan Your Next Event

Want help orchestrating your next party in New York City, the Hamptons, or the tristate area? Shine educators travel to your location of choice, bring themed supplies, set up decorations, entertain the kids with guided activities, and cleanup when the event’s done. No fuss, no muss — only fun! We also offer creative programming that includes summer camps, classes, field trips, and more. Contact us for details.

When dodgeball had run its course, we handed out cheap goggles to act as protective eye gear and got the color fight under way.

The East End’s Best Places To Light a Menorah

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This year, Hanukkah begins Sunday, December 18th and lasts through Monday, December 26th.

While menorah lighting is a Jewish winter tradition, it’s perfectly okay for all to celebrate. As Rabbi David Zaslow put it:

“Hanukkah is less of a religious holiday and more of a celebration of religious liberty. It celebrates the defeat of an empire to squelch the religious freedom of a minority group, but the people of Judea banded together, whether they were religious or not, and defeated the Syrio-Greeks. So, yes, it’s totally wonderful that a non-Jewish person might want to celebrate the lighting of the menorah and placing it in their window… as a sign of the solidarity with the Jewish people.”

Why We Light the Menorah

The first mention of a menorah can be found in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31-40). According to the text, God revealed the lamp’s design to Moses on Mount Sinai: a candlestick forged out of a single piece of gold, with three branches on each side representing “the tree of life,” and a central shaft cup somewhat elevated to signify the Sabbath. Forged by craftsman Bezalel and placed in the Tabernacle, the first menorah became a symbol of God’s seven days of creation as well as the seven branches of human knowledge.

To understand the modern-day tradition, you have to dig back some 2,100 years ago when the Land of Israel was under repressive rule by Syrian-Greek emperor Antiochus who defiled the Holy Temple of Jerusalem with Greek idols and decreed that the Jewish people must worship Hellenistic gods. Studying the Torah and observing its commands was strictly forbidden.

Though vastly outnumbered, the Maccabees—a small band of Jewish warriors—drove the mighty Greek armies out of the land. When they reclaimed the Holy Temple, they wished to light the candelabrum (menorah) only to find the Greeks had contaminated the oil, save for one cruse—enough to last one night.

Miraculously, that one-day supply of oil lasted eight days and nights, and the holiday of Hanukkah was established to commemorate. On each of the eight nights, a new candle or oil cup is lit.

Where To Partake in Menorah Lighting in NY’s East End

The Grand Menorah Lighting – Long Beach

What: Celebrate with the Beaches Jewish Community and the City of Long Beach in Kennedy Plaza. In addition to the Menorah lighting, there will be hot potato latkes, jelly donuts, coffee, and the Great Chocolate Gelt Drop.

When: Sunday, December 18th (5:00 pm) 

Monday, December 19th (6:00 pm)

Tuesday, December 20th (6:00 pm)

Wednesday, December 21st (6:00 pm)

Thursday, December 22nd (6:00 pm)

Friday, December 23rd (3:30 pm)

Saturday, December 24th (6:00 pm)

Sunday, December 25th (5:00 pm)

The Annual Milleridge Menorah Lighting – Jericho

What: Rabbi Krivisky hosts in the Milleridge Inn at 585 North Broadway in Jericho. Jelly donuts and driedels will be served. Entertainment includes fire eaters and ice sculptures.

When: Sunday, December 18th (5:00 pm)

Manhassat Chanukah Festival – North Hempstead

What: Mary Jane Davies Green hosts across from Town Hall in Manhassat (220 Plandome Road).  The event will feature face painting, live music, a gelt drop, a magician, and live menorah ice sculpting.

When: Sunday, December 18th (3:00-5:00 pm)

Grand Menorah Lighting – Huntington Village

What: Chabad of Huntington Village is hosting a menorah lighting in the Huntington Village Winter Wonderland at Main Street and Wall Street. Bring the kids for live music, chocolate gelt, and a juggling / fire-breathing show.

When: Monday, December 19th (5:00 pm)

How To Light the Menorah at Home

If you’d like to partake in the tradition at home, you can read about how to light a menorah in-depth here or follow these guidelines:

  • Place your menorah in a window or on a table outside your door—somewhere it can spread light to others.
  • First light the shamash—the raised candle in the center of the menorah.
  • Once the shamash is lit, recite the Hanukkah blessing.
  • Then light one new candle each night—starting at the far right, moving left. On the eighth night, you’ll light all the candles, starting from the far left.
  • You’ll light one new candle of the menorah just after dark each night of Hanukkah, except for Friday when the menorah is lit before dark to avoid lighting on Shabbat.

Come celebrate the holiday season at the Shine Studio. We welcome people of all faiths, cultures, and traditions. From culinary and music, to art and theatre—together, we let our beautiful light shine. 

8 Thanksgiving Crafts for a Memorable Holiday

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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

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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.
20 for under $30 here

  • Halloween Stationary Set: Each child receives a treat bag containing a pencil, eraser, stamp, ruler bookmark, and sticker.
24 pack for $16.99 here

  • Halloween Sensory Squishies: Filled with non-toxic water beads, these characters are more cute than scary, but squeezing them is strangely relaxing.
20 for $40 here

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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 for $21 here

  • 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.
Get 20 for $20 here

  • 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!
Get 24 for $38 here

  • 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.
Get 15 for $25 here

  • 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.
Get 24 for $30 here

  • 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.
Get 24 for under $50 here

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

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August 30th, 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 20th 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 17th 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 62nd 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

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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.

Frills

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

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

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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 28th, 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 17th

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 4th, 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 28th Annual NYC Pride March on June 26th; the march starts at noon between 25th Street and 5th Avenue. Following the parade, PrideFest/FamilyFest street fair will be taking place at Astor Plaza (East 8th Street and 4th 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.  

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