Apple Recipes To Make the Most of Your Fall Harvest

Apple Recipes To Make the Most of Your Fall Harvest

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Apple picking is an autumn rite-of-passage for many families in the East End. New York State is blessed with more than 55,000 apple orchards to choose from, including our top four East End apple farms for families.

If you’re looking for a fantastic apple this year, you’re in luck! While the growing season started cold and dry, the recent heat built up the sugar content of the apples, while the rainfall increased sizing and the cool nights enhanced the ruby red coloration.

The harvest is abundant, no matter what type of apple you prefer, with 29 to 30 million bushels available in total, on par with the five-year average. Popular Gala and Mcintosh are already available, with Honeycrisp and Fuji starting to appear. Champlain and Hudson Valley exclusives like SnapDragon and RubyFrost may not debut until mid-October.

Once you and the kids have enjoyed a day at the apple farm, you’ll have fresh-picked apples to enjoy for a good six to eight weeks if you store them in the refrigerator. If you have leftovers or like to get creative in the kitchen, we recommend the following apple-inspired recipes to whip up with your little chefs. After all, cooking together has been shown to increase math, science, and literacy skills, while fostering both independence and cooperation in children. 

Easy Apple Pie Bites

If you’re looking for a quick, easy after-school snack, look no further! Upgrade your apple slices by tucking them inside crescent rolls and topping with butter, cinnamon, and sugar. The job is easy enough for kid hands to pull off and cooled down, ready to eat, in less than 30 minutes – what more could you ask for? Get the recipe.

Apfelpfannkuchen

You may prefer calling this a “giant German apple pancake” or a “Dutch Baby,” which sounds just as cute as it is fulfilling. Some serve this as a weekend breakfast or you could prepare it on a Sunday for a quick Monday dinner paired with a hearty salad. You may consider doubling the apples, while cutting the butter and sugar rations in half, for a healthier alternative that still tastes great. Get the recipe.

Apple Crisp

You’ll need five cups of thin-sliced firm, crisp apples to make this delicious treat. The heavenly scent emanates from your oven for 50 minutes as it’s cooking is worth the effort alone! Kids will love shaking up all the ingredients in a plastic bag before dumping it into a pie pan. Don’t forget to buy French vanilla ice cream to dollop on top. Get the recipe.

Apple Bread

You may want to do the apple peeling and coring before you call the kids in to help mix the batter. The end result is a kid-pleaser that isn’t overly sweet, but makes a great breakfast — especially when warmed slightly in the microwave or toaster and spread with a thin layer of butter as you would garnish a banana bread. Get the recipe.

Apple Cheddar Tart

Midwesterners know a thing or two about gussying up their apples with complementary pairings. Few bites are more satisfying than the sticky sweetness of caramelized apple alongside salty, sharp cheddar. This recipe hails from French pastry chef Thomas Raquel who works at La Bernardin, an elite restaurant on West 51st Street, steps from MoMA. The steps are more complex than the previous recipes and involve a bit of dough rolling for an older chef’s apprentice, but we included it for the creativity and local flavor nevertheless. Get the recipe.

Hungry for More?

You can also try our Fresh Cinnamon Cranberry Apple Sauce, dice or grate apples to mix with cabbage coleslaw, grill on a skewer alongside pears and pineapples, or toss with crunchy granola, yogurt, and nuts for a quick apple parfait. If you love the idea of your child cooking, but want someone else to clean up the mess, consider adding one of Shine’s “Kitchen Stars” signature cooking classes to the mix.

Calm and Connect: Strategies for Successful Weeknights

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School has been back in session for a few weeks, with many kids returning to “in-person” education for the first time in over a year. Some children will take to the resumption of routine like a fish in water, while others may struggle. For a number of reasons, evenings may seem derailed. Whether your evenings are fraught with a zombie-like zone-out or with hysterical meltdowns over seemingly nothing at all, it can help to have a strategy in place to calm down and connect. 

Why do after-school meltdowns occur?

It can be difficult to untangle the rationale for a change in attitude and behavior. Your child’s teacher may have glowing reviews that bear little resemblance to the monstrous performance before you after 4 pm. Remember, home is a “safe place” for most kids — an environment where they can dump all their emotions without fear of rejection. The primary caregiver tends to bear the brunt of behavioral outbursts. Psychotherapist Andrea Nair calls this phenomenon the “after-school restraint collapse.” Even if the emotions of the day were largely positive, they’ve still built up over the course of the day and require release.  

Are you covering the basics?

Before you overanalyze, run through this checklist of general needs to determine if something has gotten overlooked recently (It’s all too easy!):

  • Sleep: School-age children need 10-11 hours of sleep per night to promote optimal health. If bed time has gotten pushed back, begin by adjusting 30 minutes earlier at a time until you’re back on track.
  • Food: Children eat 4-5 times a day. Inquire as to how well your child is eating at school. As soon as your child gets in the door, greet him or her with a drink and a healthy snack that combines protein and carbohydrates. Examples might be peanut butter and crackers or low-fat cheese and fruit.  
  • Schedule: While we like our children to participate in after-school activities, it can be too much for some — particularly if you’re rushing around on weekdays. Consider scaling back to one or two activities that can be done on the weekends instead.

Ready for a new Calm-and-Connect routine?

If you are pretty confident in how the household is run, but yearn for calm and connectedness, try this strategy:

  • Say hello, with a smile and a hug. Resist the urge to talk too much or ask too much.
  • Present a small snack and water.
  • Encourage quiet playtime to decompress. This can vary from child to child, but may include: coloring, a puzzle, fidget toys, reading, or TV/tablet time.
  • Either before or after dinner, work in a light fitness activity. Take a walk; have a dance party; or play a sport like basketball, tennis, or soccer.
  • Use dinner time as a moment where everyone can share something about the day.You might ask: “What was the best/worst part of your day? What’s something that made you laugh? What’s something new you learned today? Which friends did you play with today? What are you thankful for?” Some kids (especially as they get older) find it easier to open up and talk working alongside you, rather than when directly confronted, so you may alternately consider discussions while washing dishes, raking leaves, folding laundry, or playing sports together.
  • Transition comfortably through the evening activities by using a timer and gently reminding your child how much time there is before the next step.
  • Bath and a book can be a very calming evening routine for your child to let cares melt away. If you are religious, this is a great time to pray as well. If your kids need extra snuggle time, get them into the bath 15 minutes earlier and remind them that it’s for the greater good of spending more quality time together!

Calming & Connecting After-School Activities  

  • Physical Activity: Kick a soccer ball. Throw a football or baseball. Shoot a basketball. Hit a tennis ball. Do Cosmic Kids yoga. Take a walk. Visit a playground. Ride a bike. Have a tickle fight or wrestling match. Play “Red Light, Green Light,” tag, or “Mister Fox.” 
  • Craft Activity: Put together a puzzle. Construct a block tower. Sculpt with Play Doh. Dig in the sandbox. Draw, color, or paint a picture together.
  • Open-Ended Play: Organize toys into sets, stored in plastic bins. Rotate sets from the cupboard to a play table. A surprise of fresh toys can be a welcome sight for kids after a long day of highly-structured routine.

Weekend Game Plan

You may feel like two ships passing in the night during most weekdays, but all is not lost. Try to reserve a portion of the weekend for family bonding time. Aim for a balance of unstructured free play time for the kids while you catch up on household chores, plus one special activity you’ve planned. Have a Friday family movie night with popcorn. Take a cool nature hike, visit an amusement park or museum, go apple picking, attend a fall festival, visit a farm or playground, see a creative arts performance, visit with relatives, and find other ways to enjoy a few hours together.

If you’re busy, but looking for immersive, enriching activities for your children, consider signing them up for one of Shine’s classes, workshops, or camps this year. We take the stress out of planning crafts, field trips, and educational opportunities, so you and your child just experience the fun.

Tips For Your Family’s First Drive-In Movie Experience

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If there’s one silver lining of the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions, it’s perhaps the surging popularity of drive-in movies. What once may have been viewed as antiquity is now a practical way to social distance and enjoy a film or two.

A Brief History of the Drive-In

Informal drive-ins date back to 1910, but the first patented experience is said to be the Park-In Theaters in Camden, NJ, circa 1933. Back then, a movie cost a quarter per car and a quarter per person, but never more than $1. The first showing was a not-so-family-friendly feature called “Wives Beware” about a man who faked amnesia to pursue multiple women, but it was a wild success, attracting patrons from 43 states.

Where To See a Drive-In Movie in NYC and the East End

Today, the drive-in is a fun and unique experience, with ample opportunities for NYC families to partake. Upcoming area attractions include: 

  • Wall-E (8/28), Superman (8/31)

Skyline Drive-In (1 Oak St, Brooklyn, NY 11222)

Cost: $55 per car or $19.49 per outdoor seat

  • Willy Wonka (8/27), Wizard of Oz (8/28)

Camp Pouch Drive-In Movie Series (1465 Manor Road, Staten Island)

Cost: $40/car, $10/lawn

  • Spiderman Homecoming (8/28)

Brookhaven Town Hall Parking Lot (1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, Long Island)

Cost: $20 to benefit Boy Scout Troop 454

  • Raya and the Last Dragon (9/24)

Callahan’s Beach (Route 25A, Fort Salonga, NY 11768)

Cost: $10/car

Also, check out the NYC Parks Department website for more pop-up “Movies Under the Stars.”

Follow these tips to hit up the local drive-ins like a seasoned pro:

Make your vehicle more comfortable.

Dress the kids in their pajamas. Bring pillows and blankets to make the car comfortable. If you have a truck, van, or hatchback, you may consider parking backward and throwing an air mattress in the back of your vehicle for supreme comfort. Just be sure to bring Bungee cords, in case the venue requires you to keep your hatch secured below roof-level so as not to obstruct others’ views. Be sure you know where all the light switches are, in case you want to leave a door or hatch open during the show. A small trash can will keep all your popcorn bags, empty juice boxes, and candy wrappers under control. Plates, napkins, cups, and baby wipes are always good to have on hand. If you like the idea of movies under the stars, you might also set up picnic blankets, camp chairs, or inflatable air loungers outside of your vehicle to enjoy the show.   

Plan how you’ll listen to the audio.

There are three options for hearing the film through its designated radio frequency. Either you leave your vehicle running the entire time, creating exhaust and draining your vehicle’s battery; OR you turn your car off and turn it on every 30 minutes or so to recharge the battery; OR you bring a portable FM radio with extra batteries. A solar-powered radio saves you the hassle of batteries altogether.  

Network with friends.

It can be fun to head out to the event with family or friends. Kids especially love the social aspect of going to a drive-in film with cousins and their pals. You can communicate by smartphone or two-way radios if you’re not parked alongside one another.

Arrive early.

Events are often crowded, so you’ll want to arrive 30 to 60 minutes before showtime to get a good parking spot with prime viewing and easy access to the exit. If you’re in a truck or SUV, you may not be allowed to park front and center. Bring board games, books, art supplies, frisbees, soccer balls, a deck of cards, a glow-in-the-dark football, or tablets to occupy your children in the meantime.

Be ready for bathroom breaks.

A flashlight will come in handy if you have kids who will need a restroom during the show. Make sure YOU are in control of the light, so your child does not disturb others. Bug spray is a wise item to pack, as we are into late summer now. Hand sanitizer is another good bet, just in case the restrooms are less-than-accommodating.

Bring food if you can.

Many concession stands are closed now, due to COVID, but some establishments have rules about bringing in outside treats. Read up on the drive-in you’ll be attending beforehand and plan accordingly. You may be able to arrive early and set up a grill or bring takeout pizza. Consider bringing the essentials: popcorn, candy, homemade chocolate chip cookies, soft pretzels with cheese dip, and a cooler with cans of soda. Adults may want to bring a Thermos of coffee to plan for a late night.

Does your child love The Arts? Check out Shine’s Stage Lights class for ages 3-5, 6-7, or 8-10. This performance-based class brings familiar stories to life using music, movement, games, puppets, and more.

Experience East End Gardens and Farms

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Shine’s “Pop-up Field Trip Thursdays” invite you and your child to take a trip to the best gardens and farms the East End has to offer to enjoy our local bounty. This has been one of our favorite pastimes for years now, as we cultivate deeper community relationships with the good people who produce our food. We believe gardening and farming experiences enrich the mind, body, and soul of children and adults alike. There are still spaces available if you’d like to join us.   

Gardening and Farming are Ideal Summer Activities for Children

Young children can practice a number of developing skills – from locomotion and muscle management as they ambulate around the dirt rows, to fine motor control as they grasp trowels and pick up seeds.

Research tells us children are more likely to eat healthy when they see how food is grown and prepared. Kids are also less likely to suffer from asthma and more likely to have healthy immune systems when they interact with farm microbiota.

The fresh air, moderate-to-high exercise, and sensory stimulation intrigue both mind and body. Learning the different names of foods and animals on the farm helps develop burgeoning literacy skills. For kids with attention deficits or hyperactivity disorders, regular green time has been shown to reduce adverse symptoms.

Kids love making mud pies, building stick forts, and having outdoor adventures, but all too often they’re glued to a screen. Engaging in nature play improves fitness, learning capacity, and social-emotional development. Free playing at a farm or garden setting promotes imagination, cooperation, and resilience.

New York’s East End is Blessed with Beautiful Gardens and Farms

A few of our favorite Thursday field trips include:

Amber Waves Farm

Kids enjoy participating in farm chores, walking through the chicken barn, taking a foraging hike, picnicking, story time, and puppet theater shows. They learn about composting, seed planting, natural crafting, and cooking. The farm itself grows over 350 vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, and grains.

Bridge Gardens

The Peconic Land Trust runs a great farm-to-table program at Bridge Gardens in the summer that teaches children about the plant life cycle and sustainable gardening through song, story, and fun take-home projects. This five-acre gem offers beautiful landscapes to walk through, complete with community gardens and art sculptures as well.

Madoo Conservancy

Madoo is about discovery and adventure. Children enjoy painting, crafting, storytelling, art exhibitions, music lessons, and picnicking in the gardens. The atmosphere is far from stuffy. Children are encouraged to run around until their hearts’ content. 

Longhouse Reserve

The Longhouse Reserve specializes in art and music programs for children. From the Yoko Ono chess board and the red garden, to dry woodlands and playful second lawn — the whimsical sculptures and well-cultivated spaces spark the imagination.

Ready To Get Out Into Nature?

Gather with like-minded friends for a Shine field trip. We work closely with each venue to create fun, age-appropriate activities that leave a lasting impact. Our enriching combination of art, culture, music, culinary, and fitness activities are beloved by families across the East End. Contact us for details on our next Thursday adventure.

Happy Summersgiving!

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Thanksgiving conjures up warm, cozy memories of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, family, friends, and gratefulness. But who says this day has to come just once a year in chilly November? After all, many families now regularly celebrate “Christmas in July.”

Attorney Robert Solomon of Norwood, New Jersey came up with the idea of “Summersgiving” in 2009 to share his favorite holiday traditions with friends on the first Saturday after the summer solstice. “This is a celebration without obligation,” he told a local news outlet. “There’s no need to get anybody presents. There’s no obligation to attend. And you’re not obligated to have your uncle. This is about celebrating with your best friends, and eating your favorite food.”

The first Summersgiving included 15 guests. Word spread like wildfire and Solomon expects upwards of 75 guests these days. Summersgiving is now listed on the National Day Calendar website and has received mentions from at least 200 families on social media. People love summer weather, pools, and backyard parties — and they love the Thanksgiving feast. Lydia Korff of Miami, mother of a teenage son, explained, “For kids today, where there’s so much chaos going on in the world, it’s good to get together with family and friends and trach them the meaning of gratitude.”

It’s not too late to call a few friends for a potluck. Kick off your inaugural Summersgiving with these ideas…

What To Serve

Unlike Thanksgiving, there are no hard-and-fast rules for Summersgiving. The idea is – you’re not shackled to traditions, but feel free to incorporate what you love most. Many hosts opt to make the event a potluck, where everyone brings a dish, to reduce stress. Robert Solomon came from a family of chefs, so he was excited to introduce guests to culinary wonders such as: sweet potato mousse with marshmallow, Broccoli Supreme casserole, cornbread stuffing with Andouille sausage, and turkey roasted over charcoal on a rotisserie spit.

Turkey: What would Thanksgiving be without the turkey? You may opt to “give your turkey a tan” by grilling, deep-frying, or roasting it under a brand new galvanized garbage can. (Truly! Trash can turkey yields a smoky, moist, melt-in-your mouth bird in just two hours!)

Veggies: Roasted Brussels Sprouts are easy to throw on the grill with minimal effort. Adding blue cheese and bacon gives them a heavenly flavor. Corn on the cob is another easy option the kids will surely enjoy. Add cilantro, lime, and paprika if you want to jazz it up. For a healthy appetizer, give the kids avocado toasts with roasted red peppers on top. Here is the official recipe for Robert’s famous Broccoli Supreme.

Carbs: Cornbread stuffing offers a slightly different version for your summer feast. Potatoes are a very “Thanksgiving” side. Try grilled potato skewers that can be mashed plate-side or a sweet potato salad. Biscuits and gravy are a no-fuss accompaniment.

Desserts: Try pumpkin pie with a tropical twist and apple pie for tradition lovers. Luscious lemon bars are a light-tasting dessert catering to adult palates. Kids will enjoy grab-and-go chocolate chip cookie sticks and strawberry shortcakes. Grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream are another option if you’re barbecuing anyway.

Beverages: A few bottles of white wine like chardonnay or sauvignon blanc will pair nicely with turkey. Adults may also enjoy a festive, refreshing cranberry cocktail, while kids can enjoy their own alcohol-free cranberry spritzer.  Bring in summer vibes with pineapple punch. Be sure to have plenty of bottled water on hand.

How To Decorate

There’s no shortage of decorations available at Party City and Oriental Trading Post, but you don’t have to go crazy to make your yard look festive. Often, a party tent with a few fairy lights and paper lanterns changes the entire vibe and creates a definitive sense of “place.” You can’t go wrong with elegant white table covers and beautiful fresh-cut flowers centerpieces, creatively displayed in watering cans or hollowed-out pineapples.

Why do it all yourself? Spend a day preparing with the kids, while teaching them how to plan a special party. Here are some traditional Thanksgiving place-setting crafts for the kids to make – or you may want to try one of these summery crafts that double as party favors.

If you like dressing festive, you can order a Summersgiving shirt for next year or make your own design.

What To Do

Now that your family is no longer confined indoors, there’s a wealth of possibility for backyard fun:

  • Setup a game of cornhole, horseshoes, croquet, or carnival games for the kids.
  • Turn on the sprinkler, fill water balloons, or hop in the pool to get wet and wild.
  • Kids love messy and outdoors is the perfect place for Play Doh, paint, tie-dye, bubbles, and sand art.
  • Set up a summer scavenger hunt or a treasure hunt with a chest of Dollar Store toys at the end.
  • Build an obstacle course with cones, hula hoops, stepping stones, and balls.
  • Hang a pinata filled with goodies to hit blindfolded with a bat.
  • Have the kids put together this easy palm tree craft, adding note of gratitude for each leaf.

If you live in the East End of NYC, contact Shine to bring the fun. We’ll entertain all the little ones at your backyard party with a full, engaging program of music, art, sports, culinary, crafting, nature exploration, and more. We bring all the supplies and clean up afterward. Contact us for pricing and scheduling details.  

How To Remember It

As the saying goes, “The days drag, but the years fly by!” Don’t forget to capture the memories.

  • Take lots of pictures! Create a Google Photos Album for Summersgiving to share and look back on.
  • Get at least one big group photo of all your guests assembled together.
  • If you can, take a few short videos to record the sights and sounds. Interview people about their day.
  • Jot down your most precious memories in a Summersgiving journal.

How To Help Your Child Cultivate a Love of the Great Outdoors

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Kids who spend time engaged in solitary activities outdoors have the strongest bonds with nature, according to researchers at North Carolina State University.

Parents are often concerned with signing their kids up for sports like soccer, t-ball, or tennis to get them active and out of the house. While highly structured activities benefit kids in their own way, they don’t necessarily foster a deep love of nature – the sort that builds confidence, responsibility, creativity, contemplation, attention span, energy, relationships with others, and a spirit of conservationism.

For the study, scientists surveyed 1,285 children ages 9-12 to identify what makes kids feel most comfortable outside. They found that kids had a variety of preferences, but what initiated a strong connection with nature or the desire to pursue a career in environmentalism was a more solitary activity in early childhood.

If you’re looking to foster a lover of the environment, consider introducing or encouraging one of the following pursuits identified in the study:

Fishing

Angling can be a great stress reliever. All kids can be taught to fish, but by six they have the skills necessary to be more autonomous. Location is key, as younger kids will want to see the fruits of their labor — the exciting flopping fish on the end of their lines! Consider a fully stocked lake, pond, or river listed on your state’s Department of Environmental Conservation website.

Try starting with an ultralight spinning pole with a four pound line, size 8-12 hook, a sinker, a bobber, and bait worms. This setup will be sufficient enough to reel in trout, bass, sunfish, and catfish. When you bring in a catch, take a moment to show the gills, scales, fins, and fish anatomy.

Look out for crawdads, tadpoles, minnows, turtles, and other creatures, sometimes turning over rocks or looking under logs. Turn your eyes up to scour for ospreys. Talk about how each animal plays an important role in the ecosystem and emphasize the importance of leaving no trace behind, picking up all litter.

A few hours is plenty long enough for kids with short attention spans. When they get tangled, let them use your pole as you fix it for them to minimize idle time. Bring plenty of sunscreen, snacks, drinks, sunglasses, changes of clothes, and patience. Heap on the praise and let kids make choices like which spot to fish, which special bait to use, or when to pause and look for critters.    

Hunting

You’ll know a child is ready to accompany a hunt if he or she is asking a lot of questions. Rather than simply answering questions to satiate the curious mind, take your child along. Kids as young as 10 can take beginner safety courses, while those 16+ will need their own hunting licenses. Rabbit and deer are good first game to hunt, as these animals provide a great meal for the family.

Load up on gear to make the activity more fun. Face paint, camouflage, muck boots, binoculars, hats, and hearing protection are essentials in helping your child have a sense of belonging on the trip. Bring lots of snacks like beef jerky and trail mix, as well as drinks. Consider preparing a tree stand or a ground blind in advance, so you have your own special spot staked out.  

Go early and break up the time with periods of walking around. Let your child pack a bag, use a compass, and blood track – which will all encourage independence, a reward in itself. Look for animals prints, deer rubbings on trees, scat, or other signs of wildlife. Talk about shot placement, aim, range landmarks, and other information to help your young hunter. Also take a moment to remark upon the sights, sounds, smells, and feels of the woods.    

Exploring

Hiking and camping are perfect activities for encouraging exploration of the natural surroundings beyond the backyard. Plan a day trip or holiday weekend to enjoy as a family. Choose a scenic location with ample wildlife, water features, and relatively flat walking paths. If you’re camping, consider venues with family-friendly amenities like ice cream trucks, kayak rentals, pools, and mini-golf.

This kid-friendly book will help your child spot different types of trees, birds, clouds, insects, animals, and flowers along the nature trail. A scavenger hunt game like Go Find It can also be great fun for little ones, encouraging them to find “something bumpy” or “something yellow,” for instance. Consider stepping back and allowing your kids to wander freely, within eye sight, to enjoy the thrill of solo exploration.   

Silent “sit spotting” is a type of meditation that can really help kids connect with their natural surroundings. Have your child find a place on the walk that feels special. Or, if you prefer, you might bring supplies to build a teepee to create a unique sense of place. Practice sitting crisscross-applesauce with eyes closed, asking your child to listen and let you know what sounds are all around. Then open your eyes and discuss what plants, insects, animals, clouds, shapes, textures, or colors you see. Listen to the birds. Touch the moss. Breathe in the dirt. You might consider tracking your observations day after day. Just five minutes daily is all it takes to experience the benefits of mindful meditation – like calmness, self-awareness, and happiness.  

Looking for more ways to get your child out into nature? Try one of Shine’s Hamptons camps or mini-camps geared toward ages 2-12. We’ll be at the LonghouseReserve, Children’s Museum of the East End, and more iconic East End locations this summer.

Perfect Picnic Hacks for Parents

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

Kid-Friendly Picnic Foods

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

Picnic Sandwich Secrets

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

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

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

Best NYC Picnic Spots

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

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

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

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

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

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

Themes for Picnics with Kids

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

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

Picnic Games & Activities

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

Picnic Reads

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

Must-Have Picnic Supplies

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

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

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

Youth Camps Are Safe, New Study Says

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Warmer weather has many New Yorkers looking forward to better times, including the ability to gather in small groups outdoors again. Spring Break is coming up for our kids, which means they’ll need child care and entertainment during school-free days. We’re pleased to report great news as to the safety of spring break and summer camps. Shine camps operated last summer without a single positive case reported. Beyond that, on a grander scale, new analysis confirms the almost nonexistent transmission rate when proper hygiene and distancing protocols are put in place.

Youth Camps Provide Opportunity for Safe Social Interaction

Last month, Duke University researchers published a new study in the journal Pediatrics, affirming the safety of summer camps. They analyzed data covering more than 6,500 children and staff members at 54 YMCA programs in North Carolina from March through August 2020.

Though overall regional community transmission rates were peaking at this time, researchers identified just 10 campers and nine workers with confirmed COVID-19 infections during that time. Out of the 19 infections, only two individuals were believed to have caught the virus there. All others were infected outside of camp. Symptomatic spread rate (with the presence of cough or fever) was 0.6% and asymptomatic spread risk was 0.07%, according to the study.

They added that the social and emotional benefits of the “in-person programming” camps provide further “outweigh any risk of transmission.” This past year has been difficult, but families can feel comfortable promoting the wellbeing of their children through camp settings this spring and summer.

COVID-19 Safety Measures Make a Difference, Experts Say

According to researchers, the low transmission rate can be attributable to measures like:

  • Offering outdoor activities, as well as indoor.
  • Minimizing groups to 10 kids per adult.
  • Pre-camp quarantining for overnight campers.
  • Conducting daily temperature checks and health questionnaires.
  • Enforcing hygiene measures like mask-wearing and hand-washing.
  • Encouraging social distancing of six feet or more whenever possible.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, play spaces, and materials daily.

All Shine camps and workshops follow NY State best practices and the latest CDC guidance. Visit this link for details on how we’ve been operating safely this past year.

Shine Spring and Summer Camp Registration in the Hamptons and NYC Are Now Open

We’ve been cooped up too long! Shine can keep your kids active, educated, entertained, and safe this spring with classes, workshops, and day-long programming at camps in the Hamptons and NYC.  Shine programming is run by experienced educators and geared toward ages 4-12, incorporating art, music, science, culture, foreign language, cooking, free-play, sports, theatre arts, games, as well as your child’s own unique interests.  

Our Spring mini-semester runs from Monday, April 5th through Friday, June 11th

Summer programming is also available Monday, July 5th to Friday, September 3rd. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, group sizes will be limited. Contact us for details.

Virtual Exhibits for Black History Month

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

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

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

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

Poe Park Visitor Center’s Black History Month Exposition

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

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

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

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

New York Botanical Garden’s Black History Month at Home

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

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

National Portrait Gallery’s Portraits of African-Americans

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

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

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

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

Top 5 Activities for Child Heart Health

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

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

What Is Cardiorespiratory Fitness?

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

5 Best Activities for Your Child’s Heart Health    

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

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

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

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