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

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

/in , , , , , /by

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

Wrestle!

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

Plan a Treasure Hunt.

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

Play with Stuffed Animals.

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

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

Play Balloon Games.

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

Make Cardboard Box Cars.

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

Check Your Local Library

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

Give Them A Job To Do

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

Send Them Outside

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

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

Let Imaginations Run Wild With Clothespin Animal Crafts

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

Bake A New Holiday Tradition

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

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

The Benefits of Pretend Play & Holiday Gifts That Inspire

/in , , , , /by

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

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

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

The Benefits of Pretend Play, According To Science

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

 

Top Pretend Play Gifts

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

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

 

How To Encourage Pretend Play

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

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

Kid-Friendly Activities For Thanksgiving Weekend in NYC

/in , , /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

/in , , /by

 

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

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

Besan ke Ladoo ke Cookies

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

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

Get the recipe here.

 

Diwali Persimmon-Vanilla Cobbler

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

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

Get the recipe here.

 

Crunchy Mithai

By Alice’s Pepperpot

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

Get the recipe here.

 

Warm Doda Barfi Treacle Tart

By Chef Manish Mehrotra at Indian Accent in Le Parker Meridien

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

Get the recipe here.

 

Chicken Korma with Almonds

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

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

Get the recipe here.

 

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

The Importance of Music in Early Childhood Development

/in , , /by

“The potential possibilities of any child are the most intriguing and stimulating in all creation,” once said Ray L. Wilbur, the third president of Stanford University. As parents, we yearn to give our children the best foundation. We want them to be happy, talented, intelligent, and successful. Recent advances in neuroscience have allowed a window into the many ways music molds the developing brain, hard-wiring it for all these ambitions.

What Does Research Say About The Importance of Music in Early Childhood?

There is an exhaustive body of research selling music as a pathway to intelligence, ability, and overall happiness. In his 1983 theory of “multiple intelligences,” psychologist Howard Gardner posited that music intelligence is as important as logical and emotional intelligence based on the way that music strengthens the mind-body connection. For instance, children develop better motor skills when movement is combined with music. Neuroscientists have observed noticeable differences in the spatial awareness and language processing centers of the brain in young musicians.

Scientists have called music “a breakthrough” for children ages two to nine. After 15 months of weekly musical instruction, sound discrimination abilities, fine motor skills, and spatial intelligence improve. By age six, children taking music lessons score at least three IQ points higher than their peers. Elementary school children in the best music education programs score about 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent higher in math on standardized tests. The social advantages are not to be overlooked. Though it can be difficult to quantify, music will make your child more interesting and happier. As Dr. Eric Rasmussen of Johns Hopkins University explains: “It gives you a better understanding of yourself… how you think and express yourself are enhanced.”

When Should I Focus on Music Development for My Child?

Researchers describe the ages of 0-6 as the “music babble” stage, where children approach music in a way that is totally different from adults. During these formative years, children do not yet understand the tonalities, meters, and rhythms of music, but they are developing a foundation for music competence.

Children move through the following stages of music knowledge:

  • Acculturation (Birth to Ages 2-4): Unstructured music education provides children with exposure to different tones, keys, harmonies, and meters. Instrumental music works best for children to absorb the different sounds of their environment. Typically, by about 18 months, you will begin to notice the benefit of guided music acculturation over children who have not had the same exposure. Children begin to babble sounds and practice choreographed movements. By the end of this stage, they will echo the tonal and rhythmic patterns they hear, though their performances can still be somewhat hit-or-miss.
  • Imitation (Ages 2-4 to Ages 3-5): Children begin to transition to more purposeful musical action and learn how to teach music to themselves. Rather than directly imitating the adults they hear, children become aware of their own patterns. Eventually, incorrect imitations move toward greater accuracy.
  • Assimilation (Ages 3-5 to Ages 4-6): At this stage, youngsters become aware of musical syntax and comprehend musical phrases. They can perform patterns with precision and coordinate tonal patterns into singing.

During these formative years, the brain is extremely active and flexible in laying down the circuitry for lifelong musical reception and expression. Beyond these early years, you can expect to see impressive gains in your child’s musical aptitude and a mastery of the chosen instrument. Opportunities to travel, perform in large music halls, participate in summer festivals, and develop an identity tied to music aptitude now open up to your child.

What Kind of Music Exposure Does My Child Need?

Northwestern University researchers debunked the so-called “Mozart” myth, which theorized that children who simply listen to classical music develop superior intelligence. Rather, scientists discovered that it’s the act of generating and manipulating sound that rewires the brain for success.

“Making music matters,” they concluded, in the same way that playing sports impacts physical fitness (not watching sports). Parents play a critical role in facilitating a love of music and all the benefits that come along with it. To cultivate a lifelong love of music, parents should follow their intuition, find music their kids love, hire good teachers, and let their child discover an instrument they truly like. Much early childhood music inspires a love of music through the language children speak: play!

The effects can be astounding. Since 2008, 93 percent of low-income children in Los Angeles taking music instruction have gone on to college, despite a dropout rate above 50 percent in their neighborhoods.

How To Help Your Child Shine

Shine offers early music development classes based on the latest research, starting with babies who are less than a year old. Music Stars is our signature music class, incorporating song, storytelling, instruments, and upbeat movements for aspiring young musicians of all ages. Sing & Shine helps ages 0-2 with a themed exploration of instruments, game play, familiar songs, and rock n’ roll with the support of a caregiver. For ages 3-5 or 6-8, we offer Stage Lights, a creative performance class that incorporates puppetry and masks in with music and movement. At age 5, your child can begin more formal Group Music Theory or Private Piano and Guitar lessons. We’re offering cool new Bass and Percussion instruction for older kids now as well. Contact us to learn more.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

https://www.musictogether.com/about/research/research-based-program/importance-of-music-in-early-childhood

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/elaine-winter/2017/Why-Music-Matters-in-the-Early-Childhood-Classroom/

https://www.parents.com/kids/development/intellectual/6-benefits-of-music-lessons/

https://www.foxnews.com/health/how-important-is-music-education-in-schools

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

/in , , , /by

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

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

Elm Street from Hampton to Pelletreau Street (Southampton Village) 

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

Huntington (Suffolk) 

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

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

Floral Park and Garden City (Nassau)

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

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

Upper West Side (Manhattan)

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

Upper East Side (Manhattan)

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

Garden Place (Brooklyn Heights)

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

What Time Is Trick-or-Treating In NYC?

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

Looking for More Halloween Fun?

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

4 Best East End Apple Farms For Families

/in , /by

The pop-up pools are closed and back-to-school shopping’s done. We’re finally unpacking our sweaters and ordering our spiced pumpkin lattes. Apple picking is one of those autumn rites-of-passage we most look forward to – along with the week of apple pie and apple crisp baking that follows!

New York is the largest apple-producing region east of the Mississippi, so we are blessed with a bountiful harvest and great variety. Two new types of apples out of Cornell – SnapDragon and RubyFrost – can only  be found here. Besides that, you can find some of the best Honeycrisp and Gala apples in the country, not to mention the juicy heirlooms New York State is known for — like Empire and McIntosh.

The East End apple farms offers fun by the bushel with playgrounds, hay rides, corn mazes, bounce houses, donuts, and so much more to enjoy. The season runs from September through late October, so there are still plenty of delicious treats on the trees.

 

Hank’s Pumpkin Town (Water Mill)

The name can be deceiving, but Hank’s Pumpkin Town holds its own – not just as one of the best apple farms in the East End, but as one of the top spots to go in the whole NYC region. There are 14 varieties to choose from, including Gala, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Daybreak Fuji, Snow Sweet, and more. Shoppers can find decorative gourds, Indian corn, mums, roasted corn, and baked goods for sale. Kids will love the wooden train, duck race, farm stand, maze park, calf milking, pig racing, tractor rides, gem mining, and face painting.

Details: 240 Montauk Highway, Watermill. 631-726-4667. Open Saturdays & Sundays, 9:30 am – 6 pm.

 

The Milk Pail (Water Mill)

Celebrating their 32nd year of U-Pick apples, the Milk Pail is run by John and Evelyn Halsey, along with their daughters Amy and Jennifer – the  11th and 12th generation of family farmers in a tradition dating back over 350 years. Along with the rich family-oriented background, the Milk Pail offers visitors over 20 varieties of apples, including Gala, Jonamac, Macoun, Honeycrisp, and types you won’t find anywhere else. Best of all, little hands can reach most apples on easy-to-reach dwarf trees. Shoppers can pick up fresh-cut flowers, brownies, eggs, vegetables, and unique gifts in the country store. Be sure to grab fresh apple cider for the kids and take them on the wagon-led farm tour.

Details: 50 Horsemill Lane, Watermill. 631-537-2565. Open Friday through Monday, 10 am – 5:30 pm.

 

Harbes Family Farm & Orchard (Riverhead)

Harbes Family Farm takes you for a ride on the “Apple Express” tractor-pulled wagon to the orchard, where there are more than 27 varieties of apples. Come late September, you’ll find Golden Delicious, Crown Empire, and SnapDragons. In early October, they’ve got firm and crisp Cameos, pie-baking Jonagolds, and orange-red Autumn Galas. Hold out until mid-October for those rare, crisp, and tart RubyFrost apples that make a perfect pairing with wine and salad. Pony rides are the biggest highlight for youngsters. This is also a great spot for older kids, who can snack on homemade caramel-dipped and candy apples or get lost in the interactive Robin Hood corn maze that takes about 35 minutes from start to finish. Nights in October feature a spooky corn maze experience. Mom and dad can take a break from the picking to sample some of the vineyard wines and ciders in the Wine Gazebo. The Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck, NY is also worth checking out if you’re looking for general fall fun, beyond apple picking. You can pick up their apples in the market and enjoy a wider range of kids’ activities, including: pig racing, a musical hayride, bounce pillows, interactive shows, animatronic chickens, a Gnome-themed hedge maze, sports games, rubber duck races, bunny farm, chick observatory, goat bridge, and petting zoo.

Details: 5698 Sound Ave, Riverhead. 631-369-1111. Open Saturdays & Sundays, 9 am – 6 pm.

 

Seven Ponds Orchard (Water Mill)

Bring your red Radio Flyer wagon to the orchard to choose from over 14 varieties of dwarf tree apples like Fuji, Gala, and Golden Delicious. In addition to the routine apple picking protocol, Seven Ponds brings the fun with an awesome wood pirate ship playground, swings, slides, and a wooden windmill. Hay rides and a corn maze add to the allure. If you’re in the mood for sampling, you can pick up fresh roasted corn on the cob or cider and donuts. Take home a bouquet of sunflowers and a few pumpkins if you please.

Details: 65 Seven Ponds Rd, Water Mill. 631-726-8015. Open Daily, 9 am – 6 pm.

Need a few recipe suggestions for all those apples?

Try Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce or Fresh Cinnamon Cranberry Applesauce.

Tip from the Pros: Turn the apple three times and lift it from the bottom until it snaps. This is the easiest way to pick your prize, without struggling with the branches or hurting the trees.

Contact Shine for more fall family enrichment experiences in the Hamptons and through-out the tri-state area.

Resources:

 

International Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Italian Recipes for San Gennaro Day

/in , /by

The Feast of San Gennaro has evolved from a one-day religious commemoration in the Old Country to an 11-day celebration of food and culture in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. Saint Januarius — a bishop, martyr, and the Patron Saint of Naples – is most famous for the miraculous liquefaction of his blood. The Feast is celebrated on September 19th by the Roman Catholic Church and the 21st in the Eastern churches. If you can’t make it down to the cannoli-eating contest on the 14th or the many other events taking place in NYC, consider using this excuse to have an ethnic feast day at home with your kids. Cooking is a fantastic way to solidify the familial bond and teach your children important skills.

Rao’s Meatballs

Rao’s Restaurant in East Harlem

Your family may never see the inside of the legendary Rao’s. The 119-year-old East Harlem restaurant take neither reservations, nor walk-ins. There are only 10 tables and you need to “know-a-guy-who-knows-a-guy.” However, you can prepare and taste their most iconic dish at home! Rumor has it, their in-house secret is that they use all veal, but the recipe they share includes ground beef and pork as well – perhaps because it’s more likely to hold together. Pecorino Romano cheese, garlic, and oregano add savory flavor. Meatballs are always a kid-favorite! You can pair these with Rao’s Homemade Marinara, which can be purchased by the jar at Target and on their website — or made at home.

Get the recipe here.

Veal Cutlets Milanese

Patsy’s Italian Restaurant

The Scognamillo Family owns a well-known dynasty of food. Their beloved restaurant, Patsy’s, was a favorite of famous crooner Frank Sinatra. One of Frank’s favorite dishes was the Veal Milanese. It’s a simple recipe flavored by fresh herbs like parsley and oregano, as well as Parmigiano-Reggano and lemon, which makes it an easy weeknight meal. Chef David Rocco recommends serving veal alongside carrots and spinach with vinegar.

Get the recipe here.

Prosciutto & Fig Bruschetta

Felidia & Becco

Felidia & Becco opened right in the heart of the theatre district’s Restaurant Row in 1981.Today it’s still the sort of place that inspires foodies to become chefs. Generally speaking, Bruschetta is the perfect size for little hands. This recipe’s innovative add — sweet fig — inarguably appeals to tiny tastebuds. At the same time, you can Introduce your kids to more sophisticated flavors with lesser-used ingredients like prosciutto and sage honey. There are many ways to cook this – in a pan, over a charcoal fire, or in the oven.

Get the recipe here.

Eggplant Parmesan

Fresco by Scotto

Local Restauranteur Rosanna Scotto told Hamptons Magazine her mother knew Parmigiana so well, she could make it with her eyes closed. She and her siblings, Anthony and Elaina, first thought their family dish wasn’t “glamorous” enough for their Manhattan restaurant, but they continued to wow friends at home in Southampton with it. After much soul searching and after hearing the kids ask grandma for “chicken pajamas” again and again, they “came to a Parmigiana moment” and decided to “do it big” for all to share. Even though the kids may not be able to pronounce it, you’ll be surprised by how willing even the fussiest eaters are to gobble up vegetables with this Eggplant Parm recipe. The best part for little chefs is all the fresh cheese grating action.

Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Biscotti

Union Square Café

Children old enough to fully appreciate Play-Doh and roll long “snakes” out of it will enjoy fashioning this classic Italian treat. Made with cocoa, an extra egg, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, sugar, a touch of espresso, and all the usual mix-ins, whipping up Biscotti with the family is a labor of love. Each recipe makes 60-80 biscuits, so if you have extra give Biscotti as a gift. They will stay fresh for two weeks in an airtight container or you may freeze them for a few months and serve as an after-school snack or quick breakfast treat.

Get the recipe here.

We hope you enjoy these Italian-American recipes with your family and all the 92nd San Gennaro Day celebrations throughout the city. For more information, visit https://sangennaro.nyc. If you’re looking for Italian language lessons or more cultural activities for your children, contact Shine to ask about our current offerings, which includes trips, workshops, classes, and parties.

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

/in , , , , /by

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

Color Factory

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

The Color Factory
251 Spring Street
Manhattan, NY 10013

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

Pier 2 Pop Up Pool

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

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

Candytopia

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

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

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

2018 Riverhead Railroad Festival

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

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

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

Harbes Family Farm Watermelon Festival

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

Harbes Farm & Vineyard
715 Sound Avenue
Mattituck NY 11952

 

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

What Are NYC Parks Doing For Earth Day & Arbor Day?

/in , /by

Environmental conservationist Wendell Berry once said: “The world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.” This month, we have two excellent opportunities to get the kids outside, thinking about nature, and learning about good stewardship of the Earth. Even the littlest gardeners-in-training can understand the beauty of a flower, the joy of getting their hands dirty, and gratitude for the warm sunshine. New York City offers a bounty of beautiful parks to visit any day of the year – but, most meaningfully, on Earth Day and Arbor Day.

Celebrate Earth Day 2018 on April 22nd

Few cities do Earth Day like New York City. Rooted in 1970, Columbia University activists convinced the mayor to shut down Fifth Avenue for the day and encourage demonstrations in Central Park. About 100,000 people visited Union Square to express support for the holiday throughout the course of the day, with swells of 20,000 at any given time. The idea was to get Americans out into the spring sunshine to peacefully express their wishes for environmental reform.

Here are a few places to take the kids on Earth Day:

  • Wave Hill House – Sculpt a mini garden with brightly colored oil clay, take a free meditation session, plant a green-roof birdhouse, design your own gratitude flag for the community garden, and leisurely tour the 28-acre public garden in the Bronx with views of the Hudson River and Palisades. Its scenic beauty attracted the likes of Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain, so why not you, too?
  • Pelham Bay Park – Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in NYC – three times the size of Central Park, in fact. Among the 2,700 acres, you’ll see Orchard Beach, two golf courses, baseball fields, tennis courts, the historic Bartow-Pell Mansion, and salt marsh wetlands that attract egrets, herons, and red-winged blackbirds. For the 25th consecutive Earth Day, the disability-friendly Playground For All Children is host to a memorable day of arts and crafts, volunteer opportunities, sensory gardens, music, and live performances. The volunteer project starts at 10 a.m. Call 718-430-1891 for more details.
  • Fort Tryon Park – If you’re looking for a meaningful way to get older kids involved in volunteer work, join the Friends Committee of the Fort Tryon Park Trust and NYC Parks for their annual Beautification Day from 10 am to 2 pm in the Heather Garden. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Plants, tools, and gloves will be provided. Afterward, enjoy arresting views of the Hudson River, George Washington Bridge, and the Palisades.

If you’re in the mood for a family hike, the Urban Park Rangers will be doing guided tours at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens), Seton Falls Park (Bronx), Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan), and Marine Park (Brooklyn). If you’re really into the activism aspect of Earth Day, you can take part in a number of events sponsored by the Earth Day Initiative throughout the month.

Celebrate Arbor Day 2018 on April 28th

The first American Arbor Day dates back to 1872, when newspaper editor and future Secretary of Agriculture Julius Sterling Morton oversaw the planting of one million trees in Nebraska City. The day was celebrated with a 1,000-person parade, each classroom planting a tree that they would tend to throughout the year, speeches from public dignitaries, and the singing of “America.” It became an official nationwide observance by 1882. Today, Arbor Day continues to be an important fortification against deforestation.

Try these NYC Arbor Day celebrations:

  • Wave Hill – Kids ages 5+ will love donning a hard hat and safety tree-climbing harness to explore the canopies of an old sugar maple at the Junior Arborist Station. Afterward, you can taste fresh maple syrup in the shop. Youngsters who like crafting are treated to a sensory experience, making bark rubbings out of wax paper, burlap, cheesecloth, leather, paper, and yarn. Educational guided tours round out this fun-filled Arbor Day celebration.
  • Prospect Park – The Audubon Center at the Boathouse invites you to a free day of crafts, games, and nature-inspired activities. Nature enthusiasts will receive a Discovery Pack nature activity kit, learn about the parks’ tree species on a guided tour, and spread mulch to protect tree roots.
  • Planting Fields Arboretum – From 11-4 on the 28th and 29th, bring children ages 4+ to see circus performers, face painters, Smokey the Bear, petting zoo animals, caricaturists, live music, railway exhibits, and seedling giveaways.

For hands-on tree planting fun, get involved at Battery Park (Manhattan), Evergreens Cemetery (Brooklyn), or contact the Million Trees NYC project to find out how your family can get involved.

 

Contact Shine to learn about our nature-themed enrichment activities and parties.

ServicesEventsAboutBlogContact
212-414-5427
info@shinenyc.net
For Media Inquiries, Contact media@shinenyc.net
Location New York, NY 10036
Location Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Follow Us
FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagramYoutube

Site Map | Copyright ©2021 Shine Creative, Inc.

Website and SEO by RazorRank