Age-Appropriate Ways to Build Responsibility

Age-Appropriate Ways to Build Responsibility

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Ultimately, health and independence are what any parent wants for a child. A responsible child will grow into a respectful teenager and an independent adult. Self-sufficiency builds self-confidence at any age. This blossoming is never more evident as an infant delights in learning to sit, roll, crawl, stand, and walk. It may seem like a far leap from a food-flinging toddler to a responsible young adult, but small steps toward obligation and accountability can be taken with children as young as two.

Choosing a system

There are countless ways to organize a chore chart. For instance, Neatlings has a system where kids complete responsibilities in exchange for a set amount of screen time or tickets that can be redeemed in “the family store” for money, a treat, or a special play date.

Some parents use a printed chore chart with stickers to mark completion. If all chores are completed for the week, the agreed-upon allowance is given. A jar of Popsicle sticks holds a number of “extra” chores that can be completed for additional earnings.

WooHome.com shows a number of DIY chore charts to employ. The magnetic sticky paper chore chart offers a visual and gratifying way for young children to mark completion of tasks. All the tabs are left open and they simply close the flap to read, “Done!” For chores that must be completed in a set order, the “Track Your Chores” Racetrack is genius! Older kids might like the clothespin / clipboard or magnetic systems, or simple, visual “Do It / Did It” boxes may work best. The method of organization that makes the most sense all boils down to personal preference.

Building responsibility in toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners

Giving toddlers chores helps them figure out the routine that will help them make it out the door on time on their way to school and wind down for bed at a decent hour. It’s more about building confidence, gaining compliance, and making the point that chores are something one does to contribute to the family. At this age, children often need prompting and help, but they are full of surprises when the bar is set high!

Reasonable chores for toddlers include:

  • Getting dressed
  • Brushing teeth
  • Setting the table
  • Making the bed
  • Feeding a pet
  • Helping cook a meal
  • Tidying up the bookshelf
  • Watering plants and flowers
  • Helping put groceries away
  • Mopping up spills and light dusting
  • Picking out pajamas and clothes to wear
  • Helping to wash and dry loads of laundry
  • Turning off the lights when leaving a room or the house
  • Putting clothes in the dirty laundry basket and hanging up a towel after bath
  • Carrying dirty dishes to the sink or putting utensils in the dishwasher
  • Picking up toys when finished playing, placing them into a bin, toy box, or easy access storage

Building responsibility in kids ages 6-12

By this time, children begin to understand the concept of “earning money” and all the wonderful luxuries having money can afford. They may be on their parents’ case about wanting a certain toy, vacation, or special activity – which is the perfect time to start teaching them about money and encouraging them to be hardworking self-starters. It is also important to introduce elementary school age children to “adult-like” behaviors like writing out “Get Well” cards, thanking others, volunteering, donating old toys, and using polite language in social situations.

  • Washing windows and mirrors with diluted vinegar
  • Dusting off furniture in the main rooms of the house
  • Wiping down the dinner table after eating
  • Sorting laundry, folding, and putting away clean clothes
  • Loading the dishwasher independently
  • Walking the dog and cleaning out litter boxes
  • Taking out the trash and recycling
  • Vacuuming a room
  • Organizing the closet
  • Fetching the mail
  • Cooking a meal
  • Packing lunches
  • Washing/cleaning out the car

Building responsibility in teenagers

Teenagers are notoriously stereotyped as “lazy” and “self-absorbed,” but encouraging them to continue on with a tradition of responsibility is especially important in these years characterized by fierce independence. With driving on the horizon and more social events on the calendar, teens may find this avenue to earn and save money to be particularly helpful. Parents should take extracurricular and homework demands into consideration when scheduling chores to be sure teens are not overwhelmed.

  • Testing smoke alarms four times a year
  • Painting his or her bedroom
  • Planting his or her own garden
  • Creating party invitations and decorations
  • Making dinner once a month
  • Washing his or her own laundry
  • Cleaning out the fridge
  • Organizing the closets
  • Babysitting younger children
  • Donating some allowance proceeds to charity
  • Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping floors
  • Raking leaves, shoveling snow, and mowing the lawn
  • Sewing buttons
  • Cleaning toilets and tubs
  • Replacing light bulbs

What To Expect

Despite the best of intentions, the occasional chore battle or nagging reminder is perhaps inevitable. The chief “jobs” of childhood involve observing limits, pushing limits, and acquiring skills working toward greater self-sufficiency. Setting the foundation early with expectations and firm-but-flexible rules is responsible parenting. The bright light at the end of the tunnel is raising a child that is responsible, rather than entitled. So, hang in there – the rewards are worth it!

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

Top 5 Fall Foliage Experiences For NYC Families

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Life gets so hectic, especially in New York City. Fall foliage is a great excuse to slow down, get outdoors, pose for the camera, and soak up these precious family moments amid the nature’s most splendid backdrops.

Amtrak’s Great Dome Train Cars

 

What kid doesn’t love trains? It’s a smooth, stress-free way to cover a lot of ground that frees passengers from driving, so they can completely soak up the scenery. Once again, Amtrak’s rolling out their historic Great Dome Car, built in 1955 and made for admiring nature with panoramic views through tall windows on all sides, including the roof. You can hop on the train from Penn Station and pick up the vintage train along the Downeaster route (through seaside villages from Boston, MA to Brunswick, ME) and Adirondack routes (through the Adirondack Mountains from Albany, NY to Montreal, QB). There is no extra charge for this breathtaking experience, with tickets from NYC to Montreal as low as $68 one-way, and up to two children (ages 2-12) riding half-price. Book your trip online with the “See New York and Save” promotion to save 15 percent. Rides began September 25th and will continue through November 4th.

Hudson River Cruise to Cold Harbor

Boat rides offer another enjoyable experience for leaf peepers. One of the best Hudson River fall foliage cruises to take with kids is Seastreak’s ferry expeditions to the quaint town of Cold Harbor, a Federal Historic District North of Westpoint, with Victorian Era housing, distinctive shops, and local artists aplenty. Enjoy low-key antique shopping with older kids who’ll go wild for the toy hospital at Once Upon A Time Antiques, as well as the vintage lunch boxes, Pez dispensers, comic books, and toy shops down Main Street. Visit the Butterfield Library for children’s program to entertain the little ones, tour Bannerman Island’s majestic castle, take a Family Farm Tour at Glynwood, take a scenic hike at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, or take wee ones under 5 to Tot Park where they can climb and explore until their hearts’ content. Get more recommendations on what to do in Cold Harbor with kids from Mommy Poppins.

Day Cruise To Bear Mountain

Circle Line sails 2.5 hours up the Hudson River to historic Bear Mountain. Once docked, passengers have three hours to take in the local hiking trails, visit the Trailside Museums and Zoo, bird watch in a protected refuge, climb Perkins Tower for panoramic views, and ride the park merry-go-round. Picnic lunches can be pre-ordered, with wine, beer, soda, sandwiches, hot dogs, and snacks available for purchase. New this year, weekend excursions will include an Onboard Oktoberfest with German beer, food, and live music. The cost is $65.99 per adult and $52.99 per child (ages 3-12).

New York Botanical Garden Tram

The 20-minute, narrated tram ride at the New York Botanical Gardens takes visitors through the 250 acres, past over 30,000 trees, all in their autumn finest, with nine stops at landmarks like the Bronx River waterfall, Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, and the Ornamental Conifer Forest. The Everett Children’s Adventure Garden is a great spot for the kids to unwind. This time of year, the Gardens feature more than 100 scarecrows on display, visits from “creepy creatures of Halloween,” giant pumpkins, and trick-or-treat trails. Visit the Events page for specific dates and times. Weekend passes are $28 for adults and $12 for children (2-12).

Fort Tryon Park

For an easy, inexpensive day, head over to Fort Tryon Park. Located along Riverside Drive, between 192nd and Dyckman Streets, this Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. park offers one of the top 10 views in all of NYC. One reason why Fort Tryon is a top pick for fall foliage is its great vantage point high amid the Heather Gardens of Linden Terrace, which sits high above the Hudson River, overlooking the George Washington Bridge and unspoiled Palisades Park. Kids have their choice of two playgrounds – the climbing equipment of the Jacob Javits Playground, and the playhouses, sculptures, and swings of the Anne Loftus Playground. Kids 12 and under are free at the Cloisters Museum and Gardens, which features must-see exhibits for kids enamored with knights and princesses. It’s worth the visit to see the historic Unicorns tapestries alone! The free MET Cloisters Family Workshops are also a great excuse to visit at a particular day and time. Don’t be fooled by the fancy fare: children are welcome at the New Leaf Café.

What is the best time for fall foliage in NYC?

The five boroughs of NYC typically see a fall foliage peak happening the last week of October and into the first week of November. This year’s leaf model predicts a slightly earlier peak — particularly in the higher elevations — but also a prolonged color period, thanks to all this unseasonably warm weather.

In the first week of October, spotters around Rockland County reported 40 percent color transition with some bright orange, red, and yellow colors, but observers at Bear Mountain State Park said the area had just 25 percent transition, with muted golds and reds. Bright red, deep purple, and pops of bright yellow foliage was just starting to turn in Westchester County and White Plains. Foliage change in NYC’s Central Park and Long Island was reported at 5 percent or less.

Check out the New York Fall Foliage Report at ILoveNY.com for the most recent updates (posted every Wednesday afternoon). You can also check out this interactive map from Smoky Mountains National Park that predicts when fall foliage will peak this year.

Additional NYC Fall Foliage Resources:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

How to Choose Extracurricular Activities for Your Child

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The right extracurricular activity provides enjoyable socialization time outside the school environment. Furthermore, recreational fun gives a child the opportunity to demonstrate the competence and mastery – important building blocks for self-esteem and identity development. Kids tend to function best when they have schedules and structure in their lives. Middle and high schoolers with busy after-school calendars are far less likely to engage in risky behaviors like substance abuse. Taking an interest in the selection process will increase the odds that your child finds the right fit – and sticks with it. Here are a few tips from experts in child development to steer you in the right direction.

Consider your child’s age.

For kids in kindergarten or first grade, one or two days a week are plenty. Transitioning to a full day of school is a big adjustment in itself! Dance, art, and non-competitive sports are fun stress-busters for this age group. By second or third grade, music lessons, language classes, computer programming, and competitive sports are popular choices.

Introduce your child to a wide range of experiences.

Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code, says the common thread among many childhood phenoms with skills in tennis, singing, and skiing is that they have had a wide range of experiences and family activities over the years. “When a child sees someone else who has a particular talent and decides that she wants to be like her someday, it can be a lightning bolt that lights up the brain,” he explains. Attend sports, theatrical, and orchestral performances as a family. Spend time out in nature. Take your child to drop-in art classes. Visit every local museum you can. Sign your child up for a variety of short summer camps and workshops. Check out NY Parent’s “50 Things Every NYC Kid Should Experience,” and start running down the list.

Promote natural gifts, talents, and interests.

Experts caution parents against blindly pushing kids to follow in their footsteps. Each child arrives with individual abilities and interests that may vary from your own. In choosing activities for her family, home school mom Rebecca Capuano says she considers each child’s natural strengths and interests. Based on family history – the fact that she and her husband both have musical abilities – they concluded that music lessons might be a good start. One daughter had the perfect physique for sports, but was more apt to “pick daisies on the field than kick the ball,” so they ruled out soccer and signed her up for sewing lessons instead – which she is really thriving at.

Cultivate interest in volunteerism and acts of kindness.

Animal shelters, nursing homes, and non-profit organizations offer excellent opportunities for kids to learn compassion and selflessness. Clubs like 4-H, Kiwanis, or the Boys and Girls Clubs of America provide children with a deep sense of community and promote practical skill-building in everything from cooking and pitching a tent, to sewing and sports.

Once you’ve narrowed down the choices, visit the activities while in session.

The only way to truly get a feel for the environment of a program is to stop by while a session is underway. Ideally, you’ll be greeted by friendly, enthusiastic staff who speak effortlessly about their expertise. Look to see that the space is clean, safe, and spacious, with ample resources for all participating students. Does the activity appear organized and supervised by no less than 12 adults for every child? Ask about hidden costs, such as uniforms, costumes, and equipment. Do the kids seem happy to be there? Can you imagine your child joining in the fun? Go with your gut.

Keep after-school activities down to no more than 20 hours per week.

Denise Pope, a researcher from the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, found that “If you do over 20 hours a week of extracurriculars – after-school sports or music – that’s where we start to see some health issues.” Students doing more slept less, suffered higher stress levels, and were treated for more emotional problems than their less-scheduled peers. Pope adds that kids need ample “PDF” every day – Play-time, Down-time, and Family-time – which can be just as valuable as a structured activity.

 

Want a helping hand discovering your child’s passion? Shine offers workshops, pop-up classes, camps, and structured party activities to take some of the stress of planning off your shoulders. We simply show up with a ready-made experience your child is bound to love! If the light bulb goes off and your child finds something in our curriculum he or she loves, we are happy to point you in the right direction to foster that interest.

 

Resources:

https://childmind.org/article/finding-the-balance-with-after-school-activities/

https://qz.com/503560/this-is-how-long-your-kids-should-be-spending-on-extra-curricular-activities/

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/16/how-to-help-your-kids-choose-the-best-extra-curricular-activities/

http://www.parents.com/kids/development/thrive-in-2025/positive-ways-to-encourage-extracurricular-activities/

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/extracurricular-activities/best-bets-after-school

https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/how-to-choose-extra-curricular-activities-for-kids/

https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-clubs-kids-and-youth-2087395

http://sengifted.org/mining-for-gold-helping-your-child-discover-their-passion/

 

 

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

International Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Jewish Recipes We Love

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There are more than 1.5 million Jewish people living in New York City, bringing with them fantastic foods like old-fashioned bagels topped with lox, pastrami deli sandwiches, matzo ball soup, hand-rolled knish, hummus platters, and chocolate-hazelnut filled babka. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins the evening of September 20th so what better time to try something new?

We recommend taking one of the Lower East Side Jewish Food Tours, or checking out the best places for Jewish food in NYC, if you haven’t already. But, by far, the most meaningful way to explore new cuisine with your kids is right at home in your kitchen. Rather than shooing your littles out of the kitchen, invite them in! Roll up your sleeves and get a little messy with these five kid-friendly Jewish recipes.

Potato Kugel

From the NY Times

Itta Werdinger Roth grew up in an Orthodox Jewish community in Australia, but married an American and quickly became a New York City sensation, known just as much for her traditional home-cooking as for her all-woman Hasidic rockband. Jewish food differs vastly around the world, but “everyone knows potato kugel,” she told the NY Times, adding: “There are two kinds: good and bad. It’s like a savory cake; you bake shredded potatoes with eggs and onions, and the inside comes out so creamy you eat it almost like mashed potatoes.” Cooking with kids doesn’t get much easier than this recipe consisting of just potatoes, onion, eggs, salt, pepper, oil, flour, and baking powder. This version is rooted in Lubavitch Women’s Cookbook Publications’ “Spice and Spirit,” which is thee cookbook for traditional Jewish cooking. From there, the recipe has been tweaked with subtle variations to get the perfect crispy-creamy textures.

Get the recipe.

P.S. If your kids really love potatoes, consider taking them to the 9th Annual NYC Latke Festival at the Brooklyn Museum on December 18th!

Soup Dumplings with Minced Brisket

From Kosher Like Me

Liz Rueven is from Connecticut, but enjoys “probing the scene in NYC” for inspiration. Most of her recipes are kosher vegetarian, but this homemade kreplach recipe comes from the Ashkenazic Jewish cuisine her Nanny made. It’s a traditional dish enjoyed for Purim, the holiday commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people under Haman’s persecution in ancient Persia, but you can cook up this savory soup with the kids on any cool weather day for a satisfying treat. It’s a project, to be sure, but older kids enjoy the whole process of mixing and stuffing, so don’t shy away from this memorable experience.

Get the recipe.

Kookoo-e Sabzi

From The Sephardic Heritage Cookbook

The Sephardic Heritage Cookbook doesn’t necessarily have a New York connection, but it is one of the top-selling Jewish cookbooks, after all. The recipe itself just seemed to appeal to kids and adults alike. First, what kid isn’t going to love asking for “kookoo?” Parents will like this egg-based dish because it’s similar to an omelet or frittata, but gives you the chance to sneak in loads of healthy vegetables and herbs. And it’s versatile. You can serve it hot or cold, as an appetizer or a main dish. You can serve it with bread, feta cheese, or plain yogurt. It keeps well in the fridge for several days or you can freeze it in tin foil.

Get the recipe.

Braised Short Ribs with Squash Puree and Roasted Corn Salad

From Nir Mesika

Celebrity Chef Nir Mesika is the founder and executive chef of Timna, a modern Israeli restaurant in the East Village of NYC that was named “the best new restaurant” by USA Today in 2015. Braised short ribs was always his favorite Rosh Hashanah meal growing up, he says, because “the family was waiting for it all day long,” so dipping into the shared pot in the center of the table was so satisfying when the time came. Plan to spend some time on this recipe, but the melt-in-your-mouth textures and cozy flavors are bound to be a hit with everyone in your family.

Get the recipe.

Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Pistachio

From Einat Admony

Einat Admony is the chef and owner of Balaboosta in Manhattan, Bar Bolonat in the West Village, and Taim, as well as a regular consultant to the Jewish Food Society, an organization dedicated to preserving traditional cultural recipes. She recalls this favorite Rosh Hashanah recipe fondly. “When I was a child in Israel,” Admony said, “the high holidays meant peeling two whole cases of pomegranates for our family’s holiday meals. Out of the two cases and the resulting 20 pounds of seeds, we would get only a few small jars of pomegranate preserve. It was tiring, detailed work, and I used to hate it, but it would end up as part of our dinner, so I knew it was all for a good cause.” You can serve four main courses or eight side dishes with this recipe – which, thankfully, only calls for half a cup of pomegranate seeds.

Get the recipe.

We hope you enjoy preparing these healthy, international dishes for your family. Contact us to learn about fun enrichment activities for your child, including cooking classes, our Health Nuts workshops, City Adventures, and more!

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

4 Ways To Savor The End of Summer in NYC

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Months of summer sunshine, pleasant weather, socializing at picnics and barbecues, traveling, and indulging in family fun are a breath of fresh air to a year of work and school responsibilities. By mid-to-late August, our shopping carts are filled with notebooks and folders instead of sunscreen and sand pails. We’re thinking ahead to carpool arrangements and sports practices. Where did the summer go?

 

At this point, it’s common to experience the “End of Summer” blues. If only we could slow down and hang onto summer a little bit longer! We’re all looking to pack a few more family memories in our suitcase before fragmenting into our own separate lives when school starts again. Here are four memorable finales for the summer that will leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

 

1. Get your thrills at one of the pop-up summer playgrounds made for adults and kids.

Playgrounds have come a long way from the metal slides, swing sets, and harrowing teeter-totters of our youth.

  • The Bronx Zoo’s new adventure zone with zip-lines over the Bronx River, kid-friendly Nature Trek, and free public pools is worth checking out if you haven’t already.
  • The Terrace at Brookfield Place offers a rooftop Coloring Bar on Monday evenings, free movies and music on Wednesdays, and shuffleboard on Fridays, in addition to French fare, best enjoyed in their shaded picnic grove.
  • Rockaway Water Park features floating trampolines, rope swings, water slides, a Tarzan Boat, jet skis, and canoes in Jamaica Bay.
  • Adventures at Governors Island is a new play area boasting a 24-foot climbing wall, themed mini golf, the city’s longest slide, and double zip-lines overlooking the Statue of Liberty.

2. Find something for everyone with an end-of-summer festival.

  • Catch one of PuppetMobile’s Cinderella Samba free performances around the city.
  • This year’s super popular FringeJR festivities, geared toward the 5-12 crowd, will include: an exploration of Amelia Earhart’s legacy through circus acts and puppetry; a Fairy Tale Villain musical; pirate comedy; kings, queens, and dragons; as well as a fort filled with crafts and cool character meet-and-greets.
  • In September, the 31st Annual Queens County Fair offers a traditional celebration of pie-eating, pig racing, carnival rides, midway games, and blue ribbon livestock competitions.

3. Cram in one last getaway.

  • Schedule at least one more day at the beach and your soul will thank you! Some of the best spots for families to swim, tube, water ski, boat, and play in the sand include: Brooklyn’s Coney Island, Jacob Riis Beach or Rockaway Beach in Queens, and Long Beach on Long Island.
  • Camping is another scrapbook-worthy, end-of-summer event for the whole family. Take nature hikes, play a few board games at the picnic table, tell spooky ghost stories, and roast s’mores over the campfire. A few family favorites within a few hours of the City include: Hither Hills State Park in Montauk, Watch Hill Fire Island National Seashore, Floyd Bennett Field, Malouf’s Mountain Sunset Campgrounds, and Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
  • NYC is blessed with a number of ideal road trip destinations for day or weekend trips on a budget. Try Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA for the littles, Hershey Park for the amusement park lovers in your family, and Mystic, CT or Cape Cod to find timeless fun for all ages.
  • Staycationers can find plenty of family togetherness at home. The first rule is UNPLUG – pack those electronic devices away! Replace “the usual” with fun scavenger hunts, board games, crafting, swimming, dining out, outdoor movies, and backyard camping.

4. Volunteer with your kids to end summer with a humbling sense of purpose.

Worried your child will feel too self-indulgent or spoiled after all that summer fun? Ground them with a volunteer service project to wrap up the season with pay-it-forward kindness and generosity.

If you’re stumped for ways to transform a regular day into a memorable experience, we’re always happy to help with our wide range of pop-up classes, workshops, parties, and our Lighthouse Project. Contact us to add more fun, creativity, exploration, and fun to your summer. It’s never too late to slow down the pace, bask in the moment, and be a kid again!

 

Additional Resources:

 

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

How To Get NYC Kids Excited for the Great American Eclipse of 2017

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What are you doing August 21st? Space lovers will be offered a unique opportunity to revel in one of nature’s mysteries where the moon positions itself between the Earth and the sun for two-and-a-half minutes. During that time, viewers will notice the 10-15 degree temperature drop, the sun disappear, planets and stars shine like never before, and the thrill of anticipation as time seems to stand still. No other event comes close to capturing the awesome power of the universe and the fragility of man.

According to Joe Rao, an educator at New York’s American Museum of Natural History, the Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017 will be “one of the events of the century.” In fact, some people have been waiting for an eclipse to pass from coast to coast since 1932. Here are some ways to experience the event with your budding astronauts.

1. Get your solar viewing glasses and hit the road!

“Perhaps a hundred million people will see it,” estimates Hayden Planetarium Director Neil deGrasse Tyson. “In a day where everyone can travel, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have every single American in the path of totality,” he adds. For New Yorkers, the closest spot within the path of eclipse totality would be Columbia, South Carolina – 11 hours away. Lodging is still available at Hilton Columbia Center, Aloft Columbia Downtown, Hyatt Place Columbia Downtown, and the Holiday Inn and Suites. While you’re in town, visit the South Carolina State Museum’s antique telescope and state-of-the-art planetarium. The Soda City Eclipse Viewing Festival at the Historic Speedway festival grounds will feature food trucks, live music, and a viewing party.

Another option 11 hours from home is the viewing at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Clingman’s Dome is closed for exclusive media viewings, but the trail leading up to it should offer similarly expansive views over the pine forest canopy. Park staff will also be available at Cades Cove and Oconaluftee to serve as your informal guides to the big solar event. Nearby Bryson City, NC will be a flurry of activity all week long, with Farmers Markets, live music at Riverfront Park, petting zoos, bounce houses, bonfires, rafting, and many more activities.

2. Attend a local viewing party to feed off the excitement of a crowd.

Don’t despair if you aren’t in the market for a spontaneous getaway. New York City will still experience a 70 percent blockage of the sun around 2:44 pm. Even though it’s not as dramatic, our eclipse will still be something to see, and there are plenty of places to do so.

The Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, of course, will be thee place to be for the big viewing in NYC. They’ll be entertaining guests from noon to 4 pm with a NASA livestream broadcast, information on eclipses in the Cullman Hall of The Universe, pop-up talks by astrophysicist Brian Levine, and outdoor viewings at the Rose Center for Earth Space and the Arthur Ross Terrace.

Other eclipse viewing parties will be held at:

For a more intimate experience with your family at a less-crowded, scenic spot, try:

Experts say our eclipse won’t be dark enough to see stars, but (with the right equipment) you’ll spot the partial eclipse, as well as Venus — in the western sky below and to the right of the sun. In addition to the outdoor viewing, you can watch the official NASA livestream to see what other people are experiencing across the country.

Sunglasses are not strong enough for direct solar viewing. However, with advance planning and a couple dollars, you can protect your family’s eyes from permanent damage. NASA lists just four companies whose glasses meet international safety standards for the event: American Paper Optics, Rainbow Symphony, Thousand Oaks Optical and TSE 17. Glasses will have a globe logo with the letters “ISO” and the letters “CE” that certify the filters have been adequately tested for safe, direct viewing of the sun. Local libraries will be handing these out. Photographers will need “solar neutral density filters” to protect their camera lenses, too.

3. Have your own solar eclipse viewing party at home.

Here are some “mind-illuminating” activities for your little partygoers:

  • Learn about the eclipse with a free booklet from Bill Nye and the National Parks Service, geared toward kids ages 5-12.
  • Watch an animation of what the August 21st eclipse will look like from your zip code or precise street address at https://eclipsemega.movie/simulator.
  • Once you get your official glasses, you can have the kids decorate them in their own unique ways and share their creations on social media sites using the NASA-recommended hashtag #MyEclipseGlasses.
  • Make “Solar Eclipse Sundaes” by stacking a scoop of lemon sherbert, a scoop of chocolate ice cream, and a scoop of homemade Blue Moon ice cream in a clear glass.
  • Take the temperature every few hours to see how it fluctuates throughout a typical day. Compare these readings to the day of the eclipse. Plot the numbers on a graph.
  • Chart the family pet’s behaviors for a few days before the event, and watch what happens during the eclipse.
  • Talk to your older children about civics, business, and hospitality. Hopkinsville, Kentucky is destined to be the point of greatest eclipse. The town has a population less than 33,000, but they are expecting 50,000 people for the big day. How will they feed everyone? Where will people stay? How will the residents get to school or work with all the extra traffic? Have your child write a story about it, or design a tourism brochure explaining why people should come from out-of-town to celebrate in your
  • Encourage junior history buffs to read more about historic eclipses – such as the first discovery of eclipses by the Chaldeans in the 700s BC or how a total solar eclipse in 585 BC ended a war between the Medes and the Lydians. Mark Twain’s novel “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” features a time traveler who avoids being burned at the stake with his cunning knowledge of solar eclipses.
  • Create your own zany stories about “strange events that took place during the eclipse.”
  • After the viewing, ask the kids to describe what the eclipse meant to them in just six words. If you wish, you can send your entries into NASA to be included in their time capsule to be opened at the next total eclipse in 2024.

If you don’t see the August 21st Eclipse, you’ll have to wait until 2045 to watch the next coast-to-coast solar eclipse – possibly with your grandkids! The next total solar eclipse won’t occur in New York until 2079, but you can travel as close as Upstate New York to see a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Until then, shine on, you crazy diamonds!

Additional Resources:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

International Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Asian Recipes We Love

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New York City is blessed with a bounty of home-cooked Asian cuisine. We love taking the kids to Chinatown, with its heavenly custard buns, deep-fried sesame balls, dim sum, and red bean ice cream! Yet, you needn’t leave home to experience a world of flavor. Asian food can be a tough sell for kids, with its crunchy raw vegetables and spicy ingredients, but these five recipes will introduce your children to new flavors they’ll enjoy, while satisfying your taste buds too!

Rainbow Noodle Bowl

From Freshmade NYC

This recipe comes from our friends at Freshmade NYC, a group that hosts cooking classes and parties for kids.  Requiring very minimal cooking, this dish can be prepped ahead and thrown together in five minutes, making it the perfect weekday lunch or dinner. Built-in versatility allows you to tailor your ingredients based on your family’s preferences, but the Freshmade NYC chefs recommends cucumbers, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, scallions, baby spinach, zucchini, sliced mushrooms, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, basil, and mint combined with noodles, sesame seeds, citrus juice, honey, and a sauce like tamari, soy, or coconut aminos.

Get the recipe.

 

Chicken and Corn Soup

From RecipeTinEats.com

When you think of Chinese, chicken and corn soup may not immediately come to mind, but South Australian Blogger Nagi calls it a “Chinese restaurant classic.” Like her other “15-minute recipes,” it’s a fast soup to make — especially when you have bags of cooked, shredded chicken in the freezer. Best of all, it warms the soul and appeals to kids. (What little one doesn’t love a can of creamed corn?) This soup uses traditional Chinese ingredients like soy sauce, scallions, and ginger. Nagi usually throws leafy Chinese greens like bok choy, Chinese broccoli, carrot, and chopped zucchini to make it a complete meal.

Get the recipe.

 

Asian Beef Short Ribs for the Crockpot

From The Spruce

It’s hard to believe something so delicious has only five ingredients, but our palates are much easier to please than we imagine! The succulent meat from the ribs falls right off the bone, so you don’t have to worry about too much cutting with the little ones, and the slow-cooking mellows out the spice from the chili garlic sauce to a kid-friendly temperature. Serve with mashed or baked potatoes and asparagus for something truly spectacular.

Get the recipe.

 

Orange Beef

From Food Gal

Brooklyn Chef Dale Talde admits that he doesn’t always follow the rules with his cooking, as you’d guess from the title of his cookbook: Asian-American: Proudly Inauthentic Recipes from the Philippines to Brooklyn. But it did land him an appearance on “Top Chef” and accolades from a number of bloggers, including the NY Times and San Francisco “Food Gal” Carolyn Jung, who says this orange beef recipe “raises the bar.” With ingredients like filet mignon, fresh orange juice, and fish sauce, you’re promised a dinner heaping with flavor that is far better than the “cheap, battered, fried, cornstarchy” swill served in modern take-out.

Get the recipe.

 

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

From Cookie and Kate

Here’s a healthy and quick, vegetarian dinner that sneaks in protein with the use of tasty Cashews or by adding Crispy Baked Tofu. The fresh pineapple screams out “summer,” while soy and chili garlic sauce add a splash of Asian flavor. Lime and cilantro awaken the senses further. The only veggies in this fried rice recipe are scallions, garlic, and red bell pepper, but you can add others listed in Kate’s Extra Vegetable Fried Rice recipe, such as snow peas, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, peas, carrots, kale, baby spinach, tatsoi, or white onion.

Get the recipe.

We hope you enjoy preparing these healthy, international dishes for your family. Contact us at Shine NYC to learn about fun enrichment activities for your child, including cooking classes, Health Nuts workshops, outdoor gardening, city adventures, and more!

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

5 Best NYC Day Trips For Kids & Parents

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Kids don’t always share our ideas of fun. For us, long, lazy days of summer are the height of happiness. For them, those days can get a little boring. So this summer, give them something exciting to look forward to and plan a field trip or two to break up the monotony. Check out these five destinations just outside Manhattan that are fun whether you are four or forty.

The Hudson River Museum

511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, NY
Distance from NYC: 45 minutes

This turn-of-the-century museum beckons families with creative programming that combines art and science. Art projects geared toward kids ages 7+ include flower pot decorating, planet sculpting, and 3D printmaking. The Early Explorers room, designed for kids under 5, hosts a puppet theater, books, blocks, and a large-scale dollhouse. The gardening program allows children to transplant seedlings to pots, taste fresh-picked beans, and see how vegetables are grown.  Kids ages 5-8 will be awed by the on-site planetarium, which includes live presentations from astronomers, as well as short movies by Sesame Workshops, professional filmmakers, and well-known narrators. A guide will take you back to 1876, as you learn about the Victorian family who originally inhabited the historic Glenview Mansion.

 

Belmont Park & Race Track

2150 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY
Distance from NYC: 53 minutes

Start your day with Breakfast at Belmont, a tasty continental buffet, available from 7 to 9:30 am on weekends and holiday mornings at the Trackside Café. Afterward, board the tram for a ride through the stable area, giving kids an up-close view of the horses and the starting gate loading area. Check the calendar for the next Family Fun Day to enjoy bounce houses, a petting zoo, carousels, and carnival games included with your $5 admission. Pack a picnic lunch or take advantage of concession stands in the Belmont Backyard, where you’ll also find a children’s playground and duck pond. Parents can place their bets on the strangely-named horses, for as little as a dime, at one of the many TV/betting stations. Belmont Park is best known for the Belmont Stakes in June, but there are thrilling races Wednesday through Sunday, through mid-July.

 

Bear Mountain State Park

Route 9W North, Bear Mountain, NY 10911
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 23 minutes

It’s difficult to compete with the Bronx Zoo, but the Trailside Zoo and Museums at Bear Mountain State Park are still impressive and enjoyable for visitors of all ages. Kids can see wildlife aplenty – from rehabilitating mammals like fox, black bear, coyote, and porcupines, to snakes, frogs, and turtles at the herpetology house, to the magnificent birds of prey like bald eagles, owls, and raptors. Museum space is dedicated to natural history, geology, and human history. While you’re there, be sure to take a spin on the hand-carved Merry-Go-Round, and rent a paddle or row boat to enjoy Hessian Lake. Popular summer activities include: lunch in the shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing, navigating trails with easy hiking and biking, dipping into the swimming pool, and tossing a ball around the spacious play field. An outdoor ice skating rink is open from late October through Mid-March, and Perkins Memorial Drive and Tower are open from April through late November for a spectacular view of the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park. Adventurous families with babies in carrier backpacks or teens can hike to the 1,300-foot summit for a day packed with adventure.

 

The Franklin Institute

220 North 20th Street, Philadelphia PA
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 47 minutes

While “a penny saved is a penny earned,” you won’t mind dropping some cash at the Franklin Institute for the day, with its 10 interactive, hands-on attractions and permanent exhibits that never get old. Older kids can experience the thrill of a mirror maze, virtual reality, and two escape rooms, while younger ones will love riding on a full-sized, smoke-blowing, whistling train and “training to fly” in the Wright Model B airplane. Walk through a 220-foot model of the human heart, bike across a high wire 28 feet above the Atrium floor on the SkyBike, see the stars in the Fels Planetarium, run in a simulated race against pro athletes in the SportsZone, or crawl through a “tunnel of neurons” in the award-winning Your Brain exhibit. Temporary displays have focused on kid-friendly artifacts like dinosaurs and mummies. Crafty science carts located around the museum offer paper-making and bridge construction projects that keep both mind and hands busy. Once the kids are done running around, you can settle in for a relaxing IMAX film before grabbing dinner in neighboring ChinaTown and heading home.

 

Field Station: Dinosaurs

40 Fort Lee Road Leonia, NJ
Distance from NYC: 47 minutes

Fans of “Jurassic Park” can play paleontologist for a day at this unique attraction.  A field guide greets you upon arrival, introducing you to the camp and giving you passport books to become “Super Paleontologists” by collecting stamps at each of the exhibits. You’ll work your way through fossil excavation, art tents, a nursery with baby dinosaurs, and several research tents. Amphitheater shows include a Dinosaur Dance Party, a T-Rex “Feeding Frenzy”, and the Olympic-style T-Rex Games competition. Workshops, games, and movies pack plenty of educational content in with the “wow factor.” Of course, no dinosaur attraction would be complete without animatronics! Undoubtedly, the highlight of your trip will be the forested walking trail, complete with 30 full-size animatronic dinosaurs.

Taking youngsters out of The City for a day isn’t always easy. There’s a lot to plan and pack! But there is a lot for parents to learn about and love in these excursions, and you can be rest assured your kids will be talking about the family bonding time for years to come!

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

8 Ways Kids Can Entertain Themselves at Your Fourth of July Party

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The best Fourth-of-July parties are entertaining for kids and adults. Here are some of our favorite open-ended party activities that will entertain and engage kids, while grown-ups enjoy cocktails and conversation.

Top 8 July 4th Activities

 

1.      July 4th Firework Crafts

Firework crafts are easy enough for older kids to do without supervision or for a teenager to oversee the littler ones. Simply cut the end of paper towel rolls into strips for a great firework template that can be dipped into glitter paint. The bounce and twist motion it takes to create “fireworks” encourages hand-eye coordination and fine motor development, while kids use their imagination and combine colors. Another variation of this craft uses shaving cream, liquid water colors, and toothpicks. You can also use forks to make a circular pattern or dab a dish brush onto the paper for a similar effect.

2.      Independence Day Scavenger Hunt

Plan to pair younger kids with older kids, and make a patriotic-themed Scavenger Hunt around the yard or house before guests arrive. There are countless variations, but the basic idea is to write out a riddle leading kids to the next clue. An example might be: “An old fable says that George Washington chopped one of these down” – which, of course, will lead the sleuths to a cherry tree on the property. You could hide the American flags to be collected as part of a patriotic theme, or make printouts of famous patriots, places, and symbols from American history. To add a layer of intrigue, you could attach an activity to each discovered clue, such as “Do five pushups” or “Sing the Star-Spangled Banner.” An easier version can be made for younger kids by simply providing a list of hidden items to find. They can be very specific patriotic items / printouts, or broader items like “something fuzzy” and “something pretty.”

3.      Red, White and Blue Water Balloons

Water balloons are always a hit at any outdoor summer picnic. Of course, there is some liability that adult guests may get a little wet, too. Encourage structured games, rather than all-out warfare. The basic Water Balloon Toss involves two lines of people standing across from one another, tossing and catching small water balloons. Partners who drop and break the balloon are out. If the partners successfully complete the toss without the balloon breaking, they take one step back. Another fun game is Water Ballon Dodgeball where two teams are divided up and take turns hurling water balloons back and forth until one team is left standing. Buy red, white, and blue balloons to make it festive. When the sun goes down, you can bust out these glow-in-the-dark balloons recommended by a camp counselor.

4.      4th of July Bicycle Parade

The Fourth of July naturally lends itself to pageantry. Set up an Americana themed costume box with props and outfits like the Statue of Liberty, Paul Revere, George and Martha Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Colonial soldiers. Or you can ask young guests to come dressed as their favorite patriotic attire to compete for the “best costume” prize. Kids can bring their bikes to decorate for a “parade” around the block (or the driveway). Have streamers, flags, stickers, construction paper, markers, and spoke beads on hand for decorating.

5.      Independent Jewelry Making Station

Older kids can enjoy hours of making red, white, and blue bracelets and necklaces. Supply them with red, white, and blue beads, as well as beads shaped like stars or letter beads that allow them to write messages. Oriental Trading is a cheap place to find patriotic charms and supplies, or you could try Etsy.

6.      Capture the (American) Flag

Divide the team into the red team vs. the blue team, using bandanas to signify who is on which team. For team flags, you could use the American and “Don’t Tread on Me” flags. The object of this classic game is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to their territory. If you’re tagged by an opposing team member, you have to go to the designated “jail.” You can only get out of jail if your team member tags you. Each team typically divvies themselves up into “Guards” who try to tag opponents sneaking into their territory, “Attackers” who are on a mission to find the other team’s hidden flag, and “Scouts” who rescue team members from jail and support the other roles.

7.      July 4th on TV!

Electronic media is never our first pick, but what if it’s raining? What if the kids have been running around for hours and crave that little bit of “down time” to recharge their batteries? Our best educational TV pick for the Fourth of July is Liberty’s Kids, an entertaining-yet-educational series about the American Revolution. Other picks may include movies like: “Johnny Tremain,” “This is America, Charlie Brown,” “All Aboard America,” or “Ben and Me.”

8.       Stand up and Sing, Patriots!

What better time to brush up on everybody’s favorite patriotic songs that embody the very spirit of our independence? For a comprehensive list of all the most classic patriot tunes and lyrics, check out https://www.scoutsongs.com/categories/patriotic-songs.html. Or curate your own list of modern pop hits that celebrate what it means to “R.O.C.K. in the USA”, be an “American Girl”, or remind your favorite kid what a “Firework” he is. Or if you have a Broadway baby, why not host a Hamilton sing along!

Additional Resources: https://www.icanteachmychild.com/shaving-cream-fireworks/

Holidays are an exciting time for the kids, so be sure to put their boundless energy to good use. Have them work on easy table decorations, or inspire their inner “chef” by having them assemble these simple 4th of July snacks. While you are celebrating America’s independence, your little ones will be celebrating their growing sense of independence, too.

Have a sensational party!

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

Summer Road Trip Tips: How to Keep Peace in the Backseat

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When I first imagine my family on a summer road trip, we’re smiling, singing, snacking, and snapping photos. We’re making sweet memories that will last a lifetime. But a moment later, I’m panicking, imagining teary toy battles, bored screaming, and endless complaining.

Having survived it more than once, I know you can take more than one high-energy kid on a road-trip and survive. Sure, I’ve cheated, using DVD players and Kindles to pacify them – yet, I’ve found some of the best activities don’t involve electronics.

For happy car travel, try one of these boredom busters…

For the Littles:

  • Mesmerize them with the magic of coloring books. My girl was never big into coloring, but for some reason the mess-free magic really appealed to her. This worked out great because I’d rather not worry about melted crayons or permanent marker on my seats! I tried a few different varieties, but preferred the ones from Bendon books. The colors are vibrant, the character selection is good, and the pages are bound together so they’re not flying out the open window. (Just hang onto the cap, so your child doesn’t lose it… and buy a stack of books to last!)
  • Let them enjoy “being a kid” with the whimsy of bubbles. The idea of bubbles used to make me cringe, but Fubbles no-spill bubbles is a game-changer. If your child recently learned the art of blowing bubbles, then you know this activity can keep them busy for quite a while – especially when they realize the unending joy of bubbles drifting lazily down the interstate. (Note: I figured the cars behind us may not appreciate the free window cleaning, so we reserved these for the lonelier stretches of road.)
  • Encourage your little engineer. My 1-year-old likes anything he can bang, pound, or disassemble. I like the little tool box toys with hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, drills, shape sorters, and sound effects. The portable tool toy not only kept my son busy in the car, but relieved boredom during hotel downtime as well.
  • Draw them into an imaginative environment (that isn’t the car) with magnetic toys. Many a mom has sworn by the use of cookie trays and the classic alphabet magnets. What’s not to love? It’s easy enough to procure and pack. (Only use these toys if your children are beyond the stage of putting toys in their mouths!) For our trip, I picked up a couple of Hape’s magnetic travel sets. My imaginative 2-year-old loved playing “Vet Clinic” and “Circus.” Other magnet kits I’ve seen let children change a character’s outfit – which, any mother-of-a-toddler knows, never loses its novelty.

For School-Aged Children:

  • Inspire your aspiring architect with Legos. For the 4-7 demographic, Legos are always a hit. If you have Legos already, you can make a DIY travel case out of a baby wipes container, metal lunch box, or craft organizer bin. I was starting at square one with my kids, so I found myself browsing the Lego Junior Suitcase kits, which were compact and ready-to-travel, with themes like Supermarket, Fire Patrol, Farm, and Vehicles for hours of creative play in the car.
  • Beat boredom and make time pass faster with classic board games. What better time to play a board game than when you’re cooped up in the backseat? Kids ages 8 and 9 will love Grab & Go classics like Clue, Battleship, Trouble, Connect 4, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Monopoly, and Life. For younger ones, try Guess Who. Kids ages 4-7 may also like memory games that challenge their budding skills.
  • Show your thoughtfulness by making each child their own Activity Binder. There’s something so special about having a binder with your name on it and a set of art supplies that is all your own. If you have the time and desire to prepare, visit the craft store to pick up: a three-ring binder, sheet protectors, scissors, pencil pouches, glue sticks, colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, drawing paper, and stickers. Activities can include Road Trip Bingo, Scavenger Hunts, Word Puzzles, Crosswords, Art Prompts, Story Starters, Mad Libs, Word Searches, and other activities. Check out this PDF for ideas on making “Road Trip Activity Binders” for each child. (If you have no time, you can be rest assured Melissa and Doug make everything… and I mean, thing.)

For Game Lovers:

  • Get zany and creative with a game of License Plate Lingo. I love this variation of the classic License Plate spotting game. Read off the license plate letters of a car ahead of you, and ask the kids to come up with a silly acronym. For instance, “CKU” might be “Colorful Kangaroo Underwear” or “Creepy Koala Umbrella,” or “Cat-Kissing Unicorn.” I’m competitive, so I like to make the game more exciting by doling out dole out stickers for the funniest or zaniest ideas each round, and offering the winner a small toy or treat at the next rest-stop.
  • Build memory skills with The Picnic Game. You may recall this game from school, which is played by simply adding foods onto a picnic list ranging from A to Z. The first player begins with, “I went to a picnic Saturday and I brought…” then states a food that starts with A like apples. The next player repeats the first bit and adds a food starting with B, such as: “I went to a picnic Saturday and I brought apples and bananas.” It’s not so easy to remember 23 items, plus coming up with something you can take to a picnic that starts with X!
  • Reward observant passengers with the Cows On My Side game. For the rural road trip, Cows On My Side is an easy game kids as young as 3 will appreciate. When you see a cow on your side of the road, holler, “Cows on my side!” to get a point. You can also call out, “Cows on your side!” to steal a point from another player. If you see a cemetery, shout, “Ghost cow!” and steal all of the other side’s points. There are, of course, many other games you can play, powered by your collective minds. The guessing game “21 Questions” should be familiar to all parents. Simply think of a person, place, or thing, and have each player take turns asking questions to find out more about your noun. Another game that always has me busting a gut is “Fortunately/Unfortunately.” One person starts by saying “Fortunately,” and describing an event. The next player begins with “Unfortunately,” and puts their own twist on what has happened. The last player tries to find the silver lining by coming back full circle to “Fortunately.” So, for instance, a round might go: “Fortunately, I finally saw someone after 20 miles of driving down the desolate highway. Unfortunately, that person was a zombie. Fortunately, I, too, was searching for a pit stop serving brains for lunch.”

Snacks and activities are enough to keep most kids occupied. (Oh, we had cheese sticks, pretzels, carrot sticks, yogurt melts, nuts, apple slices, and granola all over the floor of the SUV… but, by God, the kids were happy!) If yours are particularly rowdy, you may have to up the ante. One mom said she gave each child a roll of quarters to be spent on whatever they wished once they reached their destination – but only if they were “polite, patient, and obedient” during the drive. If they had to be asked to do something (or not do something) more than once, they lost a quarter. And if all else fails, you can always build your own backseat divider like this clever father of triplets did!

Happy traveling!

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri. If she’s not writing, rest assured she’s out enjoying nature, digging in sand, cruising the high seas, drinking coffee, or hanging out with a pair of German Shepherds.

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