Guide Archives - Page 2 of 14

Your Family’s Guide to Memorial Day Weekend in the Hamptons

May 28, 2021/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Guide /by Shine

Memorial Day weekend is a time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by the brave men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many families observe this federal holiday with visits to grave sites, parades, and backyard gatherings. The three-day weekend invites families in the Hamptons to look for creative ways to spend their leisure time together. For East Enders, Memorial Day weekend also kicks off beach season, so you may want to consider celebrating with surf and sun.

Here are some of the best options for a Memorial Day weekend in the Hamptons 2021:

Jones Beach State Park

(2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh)

The legendary sand and sea, ocean boardwalk, and concession stands offer plenty of entertainment; but this weekend, you can check out their annual Air Show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds from 10 am to 3 pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Capacity will be limited to 50%, so be sure to purchase your $10 advance parking pass if your family plans to attend. The WildPlay Adventure Park is also open from 10am – 8pm, featuring ziplines, wobbly bridges, and obstacle courses for ages 5+.

Hither Hills State Park

(164 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk)

Families flock to Hither Hills State Park for a pleasant stretch of sandy ocean beach, along with hiking and biking trails, campgrounds, picnic tables, playing fields, fishing, and a playground. Don’t miss the unique Napeague Harbor “walking dunes” trail. Make it a trip and camp overnight in a tent, cabin, or camper; bathrooms and a changing area make it easier for those with littler ones.

Orient Beach State Park

(40000 Main Rd, Orient)

Rent kayaks or canoes from the Eagles Neck Paddling Company to paddle the calm, scenic Hallock’s Bay. Kids love the large playgrounds, but you can also walk the salt marsh to encounter herons, egrets, and osprey in their natural habitats. Visitors can swim, paddle-board, hike, bike, walk the nature trails, and picnic. Orient Beach is also a U.S. Light House Society Passport Stamp Location, which could be a fun scavenger hunt type activity for the kids.

Splish Splash

(2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton)

If the temperatures heat up, it’s worth the 40-minute drive to Splish Splash, which opens for the season Saturday, May 29^th. The park recently added two new extreme slides, Bombs Away and Riptide Race, for older daredevils. The yellow submarine splash pad, Lazy River, Pirates Cove, Soak City, Octopus Pool, and Monsoon Lagoon are fun attractions for all ages.

Garden of Eve Farm

(4558 Sound Ave, Riverhead)

It’s not too late to catch the tail-end of Tulip Fest at Garden of Eve, just a 30 minute drive from The Hamptons in nearby Riverhead. Open from 11am – 4pm, you’ll enjoy a free hayride to the East End’s only u-pick tulip field – the perfect family photo opp! Tulips cost $1 per stem or $10 for a dozen. Farm animals on-site include chickens, ducks, turkeys, sheep, goat, pigs, and horses. Other attractions include: the Huge Hay Tower to climb, Bouncy Town, a tube slide, sandbox, pedal kart track (ages 2+), and a Play Castle with swings.

Party – at Your House!

If you’re having a backyard barbecue, consider booking Shine educators to keep the kids entertained. We’re also accepting new applicants for our summer workshops and camps, which combine art, culture, music, nature, and physical activity in unique East End locations. Contact us for details.

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

May 17, 2021/in Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Learn /by Shine

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

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

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

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

Fishing

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

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

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

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

Hunting

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

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

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

Exploring

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

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

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

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

Benefits of Block Play – and How to Inspire a Lifelong Love of Construction

May 17, 2021/in Front Page Blog, Guide, Learn, Play /by Shine

From rudimentary wooden squares and rectangles to complex interlocking plastic Lego sets, block play is serious business for growing young minds. One of the great things about blocks is that they are a timeless toy that transcends all ages. In the words of playwright George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” We invite you to consider the many benefits of block play and to get involved with your child.

A Few Benefits of Block Play

There are countless advantages to block play, but spatial reasoning, math skills, and improved cognitive flexibility are among them.

Spatial Reasoning is vital to investigating and solving problems. Spatial intelligence is used heavily in architecture, art, astronomy, construction, engineering, plumbing, technology, science, and surgery. A study of 51 preschoolers found that those most interested in block construction and built more sophisticated structures also performed best on a standardized test of spatial intelligence.

Math skills improve when a child plays with blocks of different shapes, sizes, colors, and types. Researchers found that young children who were better at copying block structures performed better in early mathematics all the way through middle and high school. This is great news, whether your child is an aspiring financial analyst, computer programmer, medical scientist, actuary, data scientist, or math teacher.

Cognitive flexibility is the ability to switch between two different concepts or to consider multiple concepts at once – in other words, “multi-task.” The chance of being successful in life greatly increase with the amount of cognitive flexibility a person has. One study found that cognitive flexibility greatly improved among preschoolers subjected to structured and unstructured daily block play activities, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Beyond these perks, educators use blocks in the classroom to improve social emotional skills, cooperation, sharing, problem-solving and empathy.

Ideas for Block Play at Any Age

Babies – Aim for soft blocks at this age, as everything goes into the mouth for exploration! These interactive Baby Einstein blocks feature different textures, a vibration effect, a mirror, and a variety of colorful pictures. Soft stacking blocks can provide endless hours of fun – even if you’re the one stacking and your baby’s the one toppling it down.

Toddlers – At this age, anything goes! Simply provide a variety of blocks – wood, foam, plastic, or whatever you have. They love shape and color sorting, carrying and dumping the blocks, stacking up towers and knocking them down. By preschool, most kids will start to experiment with building bridges, castles, roadways, and more complicated structures, while developing elaborate storylines involving their toys as characters. Magna-Tiles are an investment that will grow with your child. We’ve also gotten years of use out of Bristle Blocks. Magnetic “Tangram” pattern blocks can be a fun way to explore how different shapes come together to form larger structures.

1^st Grade – 2^nd Grade – Use food to create edible structures. Marshmallows, apples, cheese, crackers, and gum drops all work great — with toothpicks to hold it all together. The JELL-O “Play and Eat” kits are another fun way to play with your food, while honing those construction skills. For the summer months, take the fun outdoors by collecting loose items in a tote and setting up a building zone; use mirrors, crates, tree stumps, boulders, knitting spools, pom poms, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, felt pieces, kitchen utensils, pots, recycled containers, plastic pipes, and more. Use PVC pipes to construct a simple playhouse for dolls, a pulley system for action figures, or a more elaborate structure the kids can actually play inside themselves.

3^rd Grade – 4^th Grade – At this time, kids are able to put together more elaborate LEGO sets matched to their interests, though some kids just prefer creating their own structures using open-ended Classic bricks. More time is spent in planning, arranging for symmetry, and adding detail work. Dramatic play involving an assortment of toys is still prevalent. Video games like Minecraft allow children the opportunity to explore block-like figures in a virtual environment they can control. Marble runs and erector sets can take block building to the next level. Circuit Cubes appeals to older kids, inviting them to build tanks, mechs, robots, and other vehicles using more sophisticated materials.

Block Play for NYC Kids

Shine invites you to join Block Party, a constructive arts class geared to ages 4-10. Over multiple sessions, little architects will expand on traditional designs using a variety of materials, including sugar cubes, marshmallows, toothpicks, tree blocks, and more. Sculptural art projects translate block play into creative applications of all we’ve learned. Contact us for details.

Additional Resources:

https://www.parentingscience.com/toy-blocks.html

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/mar2015/ten-things-children-learn-block-play

https://babyyumyum.co.za/7-benefits-of-block-play/

https://blog.schoolspecialty.com/steam-challenges-for-block-play-in-early-childhood/

https://docs.msl.mt.gov/librariesweb/documents/Ready2Read/PlaySpace/pg_rrps_stagesinblockplay.pdf

https://www.theempowerededucatoronline.com/2017/08/block-play-ideas.html/

https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/best-structure-building-activities-kids/

Perfect Picnic Hacks for Parents

April 16, 2021/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Taste /by Shine

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

Kid-Friendly Picnic Foods

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

Picnic Sandwich Secrets

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

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

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

Best NYC Picnic Spots

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

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

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

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

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

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

Themes for Picnics with Kids

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

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

Picnic Games & Activities

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

Picnic Reads

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

Pignic
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
The Bear’s Water Picnic
Ready for Anything
The Giant Jam Sandwich
A Picnic with Monet
We’re Going on a Picnic
The Wind in the Willows (for older kids)

Must-Have Picnic Supplies

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

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

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

Youth Camps Are Safe, New Study Says

March 22, 2021/in Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Play /by Shine

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

Youth Camps Provide Opportunity for Safe Social Interaction

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

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

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

COVID-19 Safety Measures Make a Difference, Experts Say

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virtual Exhibits for Black History Month

February 26, 2021/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide, Learn /by Shine

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

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

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

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

Poe Park Visitor Center’s Black History Month Exposition

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

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

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

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

New York Botanical Garden’s Black History Month at Home

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

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

National Portrait Gallery’s Portraits of African-Americans

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

View the portraits on Google Arts & Culture.
Take a Black History Month virtual field trip at US museums on Google Arts & Culture.

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

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

Register for the live class, Fridays 11-11:45 – it’s free.
OR collect your resources and watch the videos on-demand.

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

Top 5 Activities for Child Heart Health

February 12, 2021/in Celebrate, Front Page Blog, Fun, Guide /by Shine

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

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

What Is Cardiorespiratory Fitness?

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

5 Best Activities for Your Child’s Heart Health

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

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

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

Ways To Celebrate Dia de los Muertos

February 4, 2021/in Celebrate, Guide /by Shine

Dia de los Muertos is a holiday celebrating the rebirth of life in death, observed throughout Latin American communities on November 1^st and 2^nd. Most commonly, celebrations are associated with Mexico, but there are lively celebrations in US cities like Albuquerque, NM; San Diego, CA; San Antonio, TX; Tucson, AZ; and even locally, on Staten Island.

The History of Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos dates back thousands of years to ancient Mesoamerican cultures like the Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecs. These civilizations believed that a person traveled to Chicunamictlán (the Land of the Dead) after departing from Earth. Souls must pass nine challenges here, over the course of several years, to reach Mictlán (the final resting place).

Ancient Nahua rituals, originally held for the month of August, provided food, water, and tools to help the souls make this arduous journey. Later, the celebration was moved by Christians to correspond with All Saints and All Souls Days on November 1^st and 2^nd. The souls of children are believed to return on the 1^st and the adults on the 2^nd.

Modern families commemorate this holiday with culinary traditions and the creation of altars in their homes. In some communities, it is customary to clean gravestones, decorate the plots with flowers, and hold candlelit vigils in honor of their loved ones.

We love the idea of celebrating Dia de los Muertos because it uniquely recognizes the cyclical nature of life, reinforces family customs, and honors departed relatives. It’s also a fun way to reinforce cultural sensitivity. Here are a few ways to partake in this annual tradition.

Bake Bread of the Dead

Recipes vary, but this version of Pan de Muerto (from a renowned bakery in Mexico City) calls for unbleached flour, sea salt, sugar, crumbled cake yeast, dry yeast, water, over a dozen lightly beaten eggs, unsalted butter, orange rind, and orange flower. Put on the Mariachi music and enjoy the delicious aroma of yeasty bread that fills the air. It only takes 20 minutes to bake, but you’ll need to get your starter ready the day before to allow adequate time for rising. At the end of your rising period, you’ll be fashioning the dough into a skull and crossbones. We also recommend making Mexican Hot Chocolate in the crockpot to go with your bread!

Decorate Your Home with Ofrenda

Ofrenda means “offering.” On November 1^st, older members of the community set up altars to commemorate and attract loved ones who have passed away. A fine white tablecloth is laid out on a small wooden table. Decorative tissue paper is placed over the cloth. Images of saints and a crucifix are generally placed on an elevated altar in the center of the table.

The ofrenda includes:

Velas – candles (one for each departed soul) light the way back home
Copal – incense elevates the family’s prayers to God
Flor de Muerto – marigold “flowers of the dead” also helps attract souls to the altar
Calavera – skulls made of granulated sugar, meringue powder, and water
Papel picado — perforated papercrafts to denote life’s fragility and invite souls to pass
Pan de Muerto – “bread of the dead” feeds the hungry souls that come
Sal – salt in the shape of a cross purifies the souls and protects them from corruption
Agua – also a purifier, water can quench the thirst of returning souls
Fotografias – photographs ensure that your loved ones can cross over

Personal items are also typically added. These belongings may include favorite articles of clothing like hats or shawls, beloved toys/games/stuffies for the kids, vices like coffee/cigarettes /liquors honoring a person’s taste, and favorite foods (mole, tamales, fruit, arroz rojo, hot chocolate, and dried fruits, for instance).

Make Sugar Skull Crafts

Sugar skulls are one of the most famous icons known to Dia de los Muertos, representing the sweetness of life. You can buy the molds and make the sugary treats yourself – or perhaps you’d enjoy one of these handicraft versions instead:

Another easy and popular craft is the Dia de los Muertos garland – comprised of pretty patterned papers, string, clothespins, scissors, and markers.

Watch “Coco” for Family Movie Night

“Coco” is a Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning Disney/Pixar animated film, geared toward ages 7+, but suitable for all ages. What 12-year-old Miguel wants most is to play Mariachi music, but his family believes that music has cursed them. This vibrant, beautiful coming-of-age drama is a tribute to kin and culture, as viewers journey to the underworld to uncover Miguel’s family secrets. Blessed with a wonderful soundtrack and packed with references to Dia de los Muertos traditions, the film is as enjoyable as it is educational.

Alt Picks: If you’ve seen “Coco” hundreds of times already, you might want to try: Let’s Go Luna’s “Day of the Dead” episode on PBS; Film School Shorts’ “Dia de los Muertos” on PBS; Scooby Doo and the Monster of Mexico on Amazon Prime; The Book of Life on Hulu; or Super Monster’s Dia los Monsters on Netflix. Once the kids go to bed, check out the James Bond movie Spectre (also on Hulu) — which inspired the first Dia de los Muertos parade in 2016.

Take a Culture Class

If you live in the NYC region, Shine offers Listillos, a Spanish immersion class combining storytelling, games, art, theater, music, cooking, crafts, Spanish language lessons, and field trips. These fun, engaging classes appeal to students learning Spanish as a second language, as well as native natural speakers who want to participate in cultural activities. The bilingual class is taught by a native Spanish speaker and is open to children of all language levels. Contact us to inquire about availability.

8 Activities for World Kindness Day

February 4, 2021/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Make /by Shine

November 13^th is World Kindness Day. This international observance was introduced in 1998 by a coalition of kindness NGOs known as the World Kindness Movement. It began as a way to highlight good deeds in the community, overlooking boundaries of race and religion, to recognize the common thread of kindness that we all can share.

What Is Kindness?

Kindness is often confused with niceness or thoughtfulness. Kindness goes one step further than merely being nice. It’s a natural reaction to be nice to others who are nice to us. Kindness, though, is a proactive choice – going out of your way to cheer someone with your words and actions.

Thoughtfulness can be kind, but it’s often a word used to describe how we act toward family and friends. True kindness extends to the people in the community we may not know so well. It’s reaching out to classmates we’ve just met, neighbors we may not see often, and people of different skin colors, faiths, genders, and socioeconomic status.

8 Ways To Exercise Kindness

Of course, the best way to raise kind kids is to model it yourself – listen genuinely; put aside the chores and spend quality time when it’s needed; spend a few minutes playing; read books about kindness; observe and praise kindness in action among siblings; give random notes and gifts; emphasize the importance of recognizing friends and family on birthdays and holidays; wave and smile to strangers; find a passion project and volunteer.

Here are 8 activities to do with your child for World Kindness Day:

Write a note and draw a picture for the teacher. The pandemic has been particularly stressful for teachers, whether they’re working virtually, splitting time in the physical classroom, or all in. Be sure to have your child include mention of what, specifically, is likable about the teacher. When you’re done, take a photo and send by email or messenger.
Thank your mail carrier. Leave a note that says, “Thank you for delivering our mail each day!” USPS allows letter carriers to receive gift cards to specific retailers or eateries valued at $20 or less. FedEx does not allow deliverers cash or gift cards, but may receive gifts valued up to $75. UPS drivers have received knitted items, baked goods, and nominal gratuity tips.
Give out three compliments today. Give out three compliments today. For young children, it can help to write out the compliments onto note cards that they can deliver to people. Another great exercise for young children with siblings is to have them write out three nice things about a brother or sister.
Gift food. Make six giant chocolate chip cookies, place each one in a cellophane bag with a ribbon, including a note that says, “You’re a smart cookie!”, and drop them off to class friends or cousins. Give out bags of chips for the class with a note that says, “You’re all that – and a bag of chips!” Buy a stranger’s coffee or lunch at the drive-thru. Deliver a themed care package to an elderly neighbor – movie snacks, pasta night, chicken soup for the soul, or canned garden themed. If there are leaves or snow in your neighbor’s yard, clearing it is another random act of kindness.
Donate locally. Gift a copy of your favorite book to your librarian. Donate outgrown clothes to Amvets or a homeless shelter. Pack up a grocery bag of popular items for the food pantry. Give food and litter to the animal shelter.
Share Mother Nature’s bounty. Leave a potted plant on a loved one or neighbor’s doorstep. This time of year, you can also paint positive messages on miniature pumpkins and leave them on random doorsteps. Stop by a nursing home or senior center and give a bouquet to someone who hasn’t had a visitor in a while.
Be the first thought in a grandparent’s day. Have your child send a sweet message to a grandparent first thing in the morning. A simple sentiment might be, “My days are brighter because of you!” or “The morning breeze is so gentle and sweet, it reminds me of you. Wish we were together today!” Your child might sing a favorite song to share or just give their own unscripted heartfelt message in a short video clip.
Celebrate diversity. Kindness involves appreciating people who may have different cultures, traditions, beliefs, and preferences than ourselves. Choose a different culture to focus on each week. This week, you might serve up enchiladas with mariachi dinner music and watch “Coco” to celebrate Mexican culture. Next week, you might cook Jerk chicken while listening to steel drums and watch “Pirates of the Caribbean,” which was filmed in Jamaica. Every bit of exposure to something foreign and new helps. Little Passports is a great subscription service that sends curated boxes based on different countries from around the world. You might also consider signing up for one of our Globe Trekker classes geared toward kids 4-10 — which combines music, art, food, and games from around the world.

4 Ways To Spread Holiday Cheer

February 4, 2021/in Celebrate, Guide /by Shine

Perhaps this year, more than ever, you have a deep longing to make a meaningful contribution. Maybe the stay-at-home orders have given you more idle time to reflect. Perhaps you’ve weathered the pandemic well and want to pay it forward with a spirit of generosity. Or you might wish to serve as a positive role model, showing your little ones that it’s not the receiving of gifts that brings joy to the heart, but the giving. It’s not always easy to donate amid the current crisis. Some organizations are turning away gently used clothing because they’re so inundated, while others are turning to corporate sponsors to reduce the points of contact. Here are a few charities still accepting the love and kindness of volunteers to fulfill their missions.

Adopt a Child’s Letter to Santa

The Postal Service has received letters to Santa for more than 100 years. In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock allowed postal employees and citizens to respond to these letters in what is today known as “Operation Santa.

Here’s how to participate:

Visit the USPS Operation Santa website.
Look through the children’s letters and find one that speaks to your heart.
Find and wrap the items on the wish-list.
Be sure to follow the shipping guidelines.
Bring your package to a local post office by December 19^th so it arrives for Christmas.

On a more local level, Stockings with Care on West 24^th Street in Chelsea runs a similar operation, where a volunteer “Santa” is matched with a local child’s wish list to spread the magic of the holiday season. Through Amazon’s Operation Smile Program, a percentage of what you spend can be automatically donated to Stockings with Care, too.

Make a Holiday Greeting Card for a Lonely Senior Citizen

More than 40 percent of America’s seniors regularly struggle with loneliness – a situation that is compounded even more by the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders. Citymeals on Wheels works with volunteers to craft handmade cards to brighten the spirits of the homebound senior citizens. Last year, the organization delivered 76,106 cards.

Here’s what to do:

Make your card out of folded-in-half cardstock or construction paper.
Write a seasonally appropriate greeting in marker or crayon on the front of the card.
Draw mood-lifting images. Avoid glitter or religious symbols or language.
Include a first name inside the card or sign “from your friends at Citymeals on Wheels.”
Include a slip with your full name and email or mailing address.
Address the card to:

Handmade Card Project

Liz Cantillo

Citymeals on Wheels

309 Drake Street

Bronx NY 10474

You may also direct questions to Shiela@citymeals.org. Other opportunities exist through City Meals on Wheels throughout the year, including: driving for the meal delivery service branch; helping out at a food pantry, serving and make boxes; making weekly phone calls or visits to seniors; and volunteering in the donations office. As one 80-year-old woman explained: “The beautiful cards from the children adorn my walls. This food nourished my body, but the thoughts and love that come my way touched my soul.”

Provide a Gift through Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots Foundation assists the U.S. Marine Corps in providing a sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. The local mission hopes to support 40,000 Long Island families in need. So far, they’re a third of the way to reaching that goal, so any assistance you can provide will be much appreciated.

How to participate:

Find the nearest drop-off location.
Purchase from popular toy categories like sporting equipment, books, backpacks, electronics, radio control cars and trucks, games, science kits, dolls, and hover boards/helmets.
Host a drop-off box at home if you’d like to have friends, family, and coworkers get involved. This is a great project to organize in memory of a loved one who has passed.
Participate in the Suffolk County Collection Drive on December 13^th at 8 am, where a car parade drives from Millers Ale House in Commack, NY to Millers Ale House in Lake Grove NY to raise awareness and charitable donations.
You can also make a financial contribution here. As a top-rated charity, 96 percent of your donation goes directly to providing toys, books, and gifts to children, while the other 4% covers fundraising drives.

If you sell used toys on eBay, you can donate 10 to 100% of your sale price to the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation. Donors receive tax deductions and credit on eBay seller fees.

Host a Zoom Party for the Kids

Children exude resilience, even when they struggle internally to process all that’s happening. Whether they vocalize it or not, your children are likely feeling pangs of loneliness and isolation from school cancellations and paused social lives. Throughout the pandemic, Shine has offered craft bags and online classes to bring kids together. Our fully customizable holiday bags are full of goodies from wreaths to treats you can bake. The Shine team of educators sing, dance, perform live music, and guide the party through activities tailored to your theme. We can also staff a private day camp hosting up to eight kids (ages 4-11) with arts and crafts, science and nature, games and sports, music and educational programming. Contact us for details.

Looking for more ways to give back? You might also like: