Best Places To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in NYC

March 13, 2019/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Learn, Party/by Shine

Every March 17^th, various locations around the world commemorate the life and death of St. Patrick (385-461 AD) with feasts, parades, parties, and festivities. The Irish have observed this date for more than 1,000 years, but the holiday is also revered in America, Japan, Singapore, Russia, and other countries where Catholics, Protestants, Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutherans are found.

For New York City’s Irish, St. Patrick’s Day is about more than celebrating the man who once explained the Holy Trinity using a shamrock or “expelled the snakes” from Ireland. It’s about recognizing the struggle of Potato Famine immigrants in America and how they overcame stereotypes and racial prejudice to gain acceptance in the New World.

But, as the saying goes, “Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!” The food, music, dancing, and culture have much to offer revelers. Here are some of the more family-friendly events taking place around New York City this weekend.

NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Midtown, Manhattan

When: Saturday, March 16 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Where: Fifth Avenue, from 44^th Street to 79^th Street (ideally the calmer North End, with kids)

Cost: Free

While it’s not technically on St. Patrick’s Day itself, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one of the “10 Best St. Patrick’s Day Events in the Country,” as Country Living calls it. The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Manhattan is not just the oldest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the United States (dating back to 1762); it’s also the first St. Patrick’s Day parade anywhere in the world. Today the NYC procession is still the biggest, with roughly 150,000 marchers and 2 million spectators. If you can’t make it, you can also stream the parade live on nbcnewyork.com.

Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Park Slope, Brooklyn

When: Sunday, March 17^th at 1:00 pm

Where: Prospect Park West and 15^th Street to Seventh Avenue and Garfield Place

Cost: Free

The first Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade was founded by Irish American Parade Committee members whose forefathers fought in the Battle of Brooklyn. Following a Re-dedication Ceremony for the victims of 9/11, the beloved local parade has enough bag-piping, step-dancing, decked-out dogs, and leprechauns for the whole family. Also of note: for the first time in the parade’s 44-year history, LGBTQ marchers will be included in the procession. If you can’t make it to this parade, you can also try Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 24^th.

Family Workshop at the Queens Museum

Flushing, Queens

When: Sunday, March 17^th from 1:30 – 4:30 pm

Where: Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 11368

Cost: Free activity with admission ($8 adults, kids under 18 free)

Chase the rainbow and welcome spring with a gentle, holiday-appropriate activity. Families are invited to create rainbow suncatcher crafts together, while listening to fun stories about the natural spectrum of colors every hour starting at 1:30. All drop-in workshops are free and open to the public, with no need to register in advance.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Upper West Side, Manhattan

When: Sunday, March 17^th from 10:00 am – 4:45 pm

Where: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024

Cost: Included with admission ($14 for adults and children over 1 year of age)

CMOM is hosting a variety of fun events for St. Patrick’s Day, including:

“Green Takeover” (All day) – Kids ages 6+ make art using the color green.
“Clover Green Mural Wall” (12:00 – 12:45 pm) – Kids under 6 finger-paint a clover green mural.
“Lucky Leprechaun Hats” (1:00 – 1:45 pm) – Kids under 6 make hats and learn about traditions.
“Jewelry Design Workshop” (2:00 – 2:45 pm & 3:00 – 3:45 pm) – Kids 6+ make felt and bead jewelry.

Due to limited space, sign-up is required for the jewelry-making class hosted by guest artist Kendra Pariseault. As always, CMOM provides five floors of fun and discovery for kids of all ages.

Sober St. Patrick’s Day

Lower Manhattan

When: Saturday, March 16^th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Where: St. Patrick’s Youth Center, 268 Mulberry Street

Cost: $10-$25

It’s no secret rowdy drinkers love St. Patrick’s Day. If you want to be sure your children aren’t exposed to bad behavior, you can head down to this family-friendly “sober” celebration. Here you’ll enjoy all the same classic Irish entertainment. This year’s attendance includes seven-time All-Ireland champion button accordion player John Whelan, five-time All-Ireland champion fiddler Brian Conway, the Donny Golden School of Irish Dancers, and a number of accomplished singers. Tickets to this popular event always sell-out in advance, so get yours today!

Taste Buds Kitchen

Chelsea, Manhattan

When: Sunday, March 17^th from 9:00 – 10:00 am

Where: Taste Buds Kitchen, 109 W. 27^th Street

Cost: $45 per parent/child pair

Want to bake with your child, but hate the mess in your kitchen? Taste Buds Kitchen is whipping up St. Patty’s Day Rainbow Cupcakes, with a tutorial geared toward little bakers ages five to eight and their parents. Learn the secret of perfect cupcake batter, practice your frosting skills, and enjoy an outing that is as delicious as it is colorful.

Merchant’s House Museum

NoHo, Manhattan

When: Sunday, March 17^th at 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, or 3:30 pm

Where: Merchant’s House Museum, 29 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003

Cost: Included with admission ($15 adults, $10 for students, free for children under 12)

Older kids may appreciate a back-stairs tour of the only fully-preserved 19^th Century family home. Experience the Merchant’s House through the eyes of Irish immigrants who worked as domestic servants for the Tredwell family. The servant’s quarters on the fourth floor are the oldest intact site of Irish habituation in New York City. Tredwell servant Bridget Murphy leads you back through time, treating your family to beautiful singing and celtic harp.

While you’re here, check out our 5 Favorite Irish Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day. You may also contact Shine for more information on events, parties, and festivities; sign up for one of our popular classes or workshops; take a guided field trip with us; or hire us to entertain at your next party.

Special Ways To Honor Your Littlest Valentines in NYC & The East End

February 8, 2019/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Learn, Make, Play/by Shine

Valentine’s Day has different meanings to different people. While some couples relish this excuse to secure a babysitter and indulge in fine dining or other adult pursuits, others couldn’t imagine spending the day without their littlest loves. After all, what could be a better teaching experience? When we show our children love, we show them how to love others. There is no better gift than your time, so consider these unique ways for families to celebrate Valentine’s Day in NYC and the East End.

Children’s Museum of the East End

When: Saturday, February 9^th, 2019 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
Ages: 4-9 for special programming; Babies to age 10 for museum

Beginning in January, Shine began hosting a monthly workshop at CMEE based on our summer camp in the Hamptons material. Our two-hour program features a theme that brings together art, culture, crafts, community, and fun. This month’s theme is the Lunar New Year. Special guests, local artists, and artisans drop for an unforgettable adventure. The cost is $75 per child, which includes all materials. Sibling discounts are available. To register, call 212-414-5427 or email info@shinenyc.net. (If you miss us this month, try our next Second Saturday workshop on March 9^th!) Also happening at the museum this weekend is “Paint by Number,” where toddlers and youngsters are invited to paint a lobby window mural. As always, you can enjoy all the imaginative exhibits at CMEE, including seafaring ships, windmills, sand puppets, food trucks, mini golf, and a kid-sized Main Street.

PuppetWorks

When: Saturday, February 9^th and Sunday, February 10^th at 12:30 pm or 2:30 pm
Where: PuppetWorks, 338 Sixth Avenue (at 4th Street) Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Ages: 3+

What better way to celebrate love and the idea of finding a perfect match than with “Cinderella,” a timeless story which dates back to 1697? Director Nicolas Coppola brings this classic fairy tale to life with wooden puppets, artistic painted scenery from 18^th century France, and the music of Jules Massenet. Admission is $10 for children and $11 for adults. Advance reservations are recommended by calling 718-965-3391 or emailing puppetworks@twcmetrobiz.com.

NYC Candy Shops

Hershey’s Chocolate World – Plan your own visit!

When: Any day, 9:00 am – Midnight
Where: Times Square (701 Seventh Ave. on 47th St. NYC)

Hershey’s Chocolate World just tripled their footprint in NYC. Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to check out their 7,800 square foot store in the heart of Times Square. Scrumptious s’mores are doled out from a vintage camper, which fits in line with their overall vibe: “Unwrap your adventure.” You can mix and match your favorite Hershey products with a floor-to-ceiling candy machine, sure to boggle the mind of children and adults alike. You can personalize a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar wrapper or Hershey Kiss message for your little love, order custom s’mores, or shop the Kitchens Bakery.

Dylan’s Candy Bar – Plan your own visit!

When: Any day, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm OR 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm for special event
Where: 1011 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10065

Dylan’s Candy Bar is another iconic sweet spot in NYC. This shop is a must-stop for celebrity parents like Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, and Julianne Moore. Inspired by Willy Wonka, you’ll find the world’s largest selection of candy and candy-related gifts here. For a special treat, they’ll be hand-dipping chocolate treats like strawberries, Rice Krispy Treats, and pretzel rods before your eyes. You’re invited to dip and decorate your own take-home confections.

Max Brenner’s – Plan your own visit!

When: 9:00 am – 1:00 am
Where: Union Square, 841 Broadway (at 13^th Street), New York, NY

You simply won’t find a better cocoa than Max Brenner’s “Hug in a Mug.” Your liquid heaven comes in an ergonomic mug that’s perfect for little hands. Their breakfast crepes and sugar waffles provide a warm-and-fuzzy way to start your day. Kids love the “chocolate syringe” that injects chocolatey goodness directly into their mouths. The restaurant can be very busy at times, so be sure to make advance reservations on Open Table or by calling 646-467-8803.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

When: 2/9 – 2/14, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm for regular museum hours, Various times for special programming
Where: The Tisch Building, 212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024
Ages: 5+

Drop in and choose your fancy out of the Valentine’s Day craft workshops at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan – all included in the $14 admission fee:

3D Valentine’s Day Cards (2/9 & 2/10, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm)
Stuffed Animal Repair Workshop (2/9, 2/10 & 2/14, 10:00 am – 4:45 pm)
Best Bud Love Bug Making (2/9, 2/10 & 2/14, 12:00 pm)

Tastebuds Kitchen

When: Sunday, February 10^th, 9:30 – 10:30 am
Where: Chelsea, 109 West 27th Street, 10FL New York, NY 10001
Ages: 2-8 (with a caregiver)

We love our partnerships with Tastebuds Kitchen! Their cooking classes are the perfect way to get children interested in baking and the culinary arts. With this seasonal favorite, you’ll create your own “Love Shack” out of gingerbread with pink frosty roofs, heart-shaped window panes, and countless other accoutrements. Enjoy a mug of pink hot cocoa and the sounds of cheerful love songs. The cost is $75 per child, with one caregiver included.

Gurney’s Montauk Igloos

When: Fridays and Saturdays in February
Where: 290 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk NY

Gurney’s Montauk resorts has opened a new winter installation, perfect for the whole family! Even if you’re not staying the night, you can book time in their outdoor heated igloos made from PVC and twinkle lights. Inside, you’ll find a curated selection of games and puzzles. “Order in” from the Gurney’s Little Bites menu of chicken tenders, hot dogs, and other kid favorites for $9. Book complimentary storytelling from 7:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. When you’re done chilling, head outside and warm up around the toasty fire pit. Call 631-668-2345 to book.

Long Island Children’s Museum

When: Thursday, February 14^th 2019, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: 11 Davis Ave. Garden City, NY 11530
Ages: 3-5

Listen to a reading of Mark Sperring’s “The Shape of My Heart” and take home a book-inspired craft. Make a “Love Monster” puppet. Valentine’s Day crafts are included with $14 admission. Your kids will enjoy all the usual exhibits – song-making, giant bubbles, percussion instruments, climbing sculptures, a a toddler-sized town, tools, the animal diner, building blocks, and the Sandy Island beach station.

Whether it’s reading, crafting, baking, sweets, science, the arts, or roughing it in the great outdoors – open a window into your life, inviting your little love(s) to share your passions with you to make this Valentine’s Day truly special.

Celebrate Groundhog Day at the Staten Island Zoo!

January 30, 2019/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Learn/by Shine

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring,” once said essayist and philosopher George Santayana. There’s no better opportunity to celebrate the changing of winter to spring than with Staten Island’s annual Groundhog Day ceremony at the zoo. February 2^nd conveniently falls on a Saturday in 2019, making it a good year to get out with your early risers. If that’s not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate in and around New York City.

Staten Island Hosts THEE Groundhog Day Party of the Year

The Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton will open its gates at 6:00 am on February 2^nd. The groundhog is slated to make his grand entrance around 7:30 am. Admission to the ceremony is FREE. Human weather forecasters are calling for it to be partly cloudy, with sunrise at 7:05 am. Bundle up: it’ll be 25 degrees, with 11 mph winds and a 10% chance of rain.

Guests will be treated to a zoo keeper-led “birds of prey” feeding demonstration with a Kubo, American Kestrel, and Snowy Owl (a delight for your little Harry Potter fans!) in the aviary and fox areas of the zoo from 7:40 to 8:00 am. The “Chuck and Friends Children’s Program,” geared toward Pre-K through sixth grade students, will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Musical entertainment will be provided by The Patrick Raftery Rock-A-Silly Band and the PS 29 Chorus.

If you’ve never taken the kids to the Staten Island Zoo before, there’s also an African savannah, tropical rain forest, reptile room, aquarium, Conservation Carousel, and barnyard. The Staten Island Zoo is home to one of the largest rattlesnake collections in the United States – 1,500 serpents, among 350 different species. Keep your eyes peeled for “Grandpa,” one of the oldest black-handed spider monkeys in captivity at age 46, who successfully predicted the outcome of the U.S. Open and Super Bowl XLV.

Alternate Events

Stay in your PJs & web cast: Can’t make it to the ceremony? You can still watch Chuck’s prediction on Silive.com. Similarly, Punxsutawney Phil will be live-broadcasting his prediction at VisitPA.com.
Go to the movies: The Nitehawk Dine-In Cinema in Prospect Park will be showing the 1993 film “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, at 10:30 am. on February 2^nd. The film is rated PG.
Enjoy a pancake breakfast: Wave Hill is hosting a Groundhog Day breakfast with pancakes, waffles, “other scrumptious breakfast fare,” and a hot chocolate bar ($35 adults; $20 kids 2-12; Free for kids under 2).
Play in your own den: Staten Island’s Greenbelt Nature Center will be hosting a Groundhog Day Hibernation Pajama Party, where kids make and play in a den, search for groundhogs outside, and listen to a story.

Who IS The Staten Island Groundhog?

There is some mystery surrounding the true identity of “Staten Island Chuck,” our resident meteorologist and “the pride and joy” of the Staten Island Zoo. We’ve celebrated Groundhog Day with a formal celebration since 1981, but since groundhogs live about 14 years in captivity, the exact animal you’ll be seeing will inevitably change.

Not every groundhog is well-suited to the fanfare. One of the male Chucks was described as “reclusive,” “focused on his food,” and “not the jolliest fellow,” according to the NY Times. After the feisty 3-year-old animal bit former mayor Michael Bloomberg through his black leather gloves in 2009, the mayor no longer attended the event and this particular “Chuck” was retired from meteorology.
Mayor de Blasio was equally unlucky. In 2014, the zoo trotted out Chuck’s friendlier granddaughter, Charlotte. Somewhat skittish, she leapt six feet out of the mayor’s arms and passed away a week later.
The following year, Charlotte Jr. came out of her designer log cabin hutch, complete with elevator and plexiglass. Mayor de Blasio attended the ceremony from a safe distance away, but hasn’t attended since. Despite the precautions, her handlers knew her as “a very friendly groundhog” who “enjoyed interacting with her keepers, particularly sitting on the keeper’s lap to gobble up some yummy peanuts or yam.” The NY Times referred to her as “a curvy lady” and a “social butterfly” who knew how to high-five. Zoo visitors recalled how she used to sit atop her lodge “like Snoopy” and appeared not only “adorable,” but “smart,” too. Charlotte Jr. passed away from kidney disease last year at the age of six.

There has been no word which “Chuck” will be paraded out this year or whether the mayor plans to attend, but you can expect a decent-sized crowd and fun activities all day long at the very least. The groundhogs are slated to receive a revitalized zoo entrance and new home makeover worth $330,000 in 2021.

How Accurate Is Staten Island Chuck?

While that “spotlight hog” Punxsutawney Phil over in Pennsylvania only has a 30% accuracy rate, our Staten Island groundhog has a whopping 80% accuracy, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Past predictions include:

2008 – Early spring
2009 – Early spring
2010 – Early spring
2013 – Early spring
2014 – Six more weeks of winter
2015 – Early spring
2016 – Early spring
2017 – Early spring
2018 – Early spring

Why Celebrate Groundhog Day?

February 2^nd falls halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The Celts celebrated this celebration of spring as “Imbolc.” Later, the Christians celebrated “Candlemas,” believing that a sunny Candlemas day meant another 40 days of cold and snow. Germans were the first to link the date to badgers and small burrowing creatures seeing their shadow as a harbinger of a long winter. In 1887, newspaper editor Clymer Freas organized the first Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Today, tens of thousands of spectators flood the small town of 6,000 to see the famous “Punxsutawney Phil” predict the weather.

There are many reasons to consider celebrating with your children:

First, it’s an easy annual tradition to create. It could involve crafts, baking, or a trip to the zoo, but you’re not locked into organizing an enormous feast or wrapping presents. Groundhog Day is whatever you want it to be.

Kids naturally love animals. Groundhogs are hopelessly cute, furry creatures we don’t see too often – unless we know where to look. Promoting nature, exploration, and discovery helps your child be more observant and take an interest in science.

For some, it fosters a sense of identity. If you have Celtic, Christian, or German roots, you can express pride in your heritage by celebrating Old World holidays in modern fashion.

For all of us, Groundhog Day provides a sense of hopefulness and anticipation. Groundhog Day is a good way to talk to your kids about weather, changing seasons, hibernation, internal clocks, and the mysteries of Mother Nature. Ultimately, we pin our hopes on the groundhog because we yearn for warmer, sunnier days ahead.

More Groundhog Day Resources:

https://sunshinehouse.com/blog/7-ways-celebrate-groundhog-day-your-family

https://kids.lovetoknow.com/groundhog-day-activities-kids

https://www.jerseyfamilyfun.com/groundhog-day-activities-for-kids/

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

December 19, 2018/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Learn, Make, Play/by Shine

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

Wrestle!

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

Plan a Treasure Hunt.

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

Play with Stuffed Animals.

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

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

Play Balloon Games.

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

Make Cardboard Box Cars.

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

Check Your Local Library

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

Give Them A Job To Do

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

Send Them Outside

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

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

Let Imaginations Run Wild With Clothespin Animal Crafts

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

Bake A New Holiday Tradition

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

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

The Benefits of Pretend Play & Holiday Gifts That Inspire

December 15, 2018/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Learn, Play/by Shine

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

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

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

The Benefits of Pretend Play, According To Science

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

Top Pretend Play Gifts

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

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

How To Encourage Pretend Play

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

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

The Importance of Music in Early Childhood Development

October 18, 2018/in Guide, Learn, Play/by Shine

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

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

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

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

When Should I Focus on Music Development for My Child?

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

Children move through the following stages of music knowledge:

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

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

What Kind of Music Exposure Does My Child Need?

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

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

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

How To Help Your Child Shine

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

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

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

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

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

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

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

August 21, 2018/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Learn, Play/by Shine

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

Color Factory

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

The Color Factory
251 Spring Street
Manhattan, NY 10013

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

Pier 2 Pop Up Pool

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

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

Candytopia

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

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

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

2018 Riverhead Railroad Festival

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

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

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

Harbes Family Farm Watermelon Festival

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

Harbes Farm & Vineyard
715 Sound Avenue
Mattituck NY 11952

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

10 Amazing U.S. Family Vacations To Take Before Your Kids Turn 13

July 22, 2018/in Fun, Learn/by Shine

Material gifts are fun, but their impact is fleeting. Instead, save your pennies for family travel, say child development researchers. The Journal of Commercial Research found that visiting a new place offers mental stimulation and crucial bonding time with family members. “Younger travelers had better grades in school, a better understanding of finances, a deeper sense of identity, and broader perspectives of the world,” reports WKBW Buffalo.

People will say to you travel is wasted on the young – that they won’t remember any of it. But travel is about more than taking photos to look back upon later. Like a good-night story or a trip to the playground, travel encourages children to use their imaginations, stimulates open-mindedness, teaches them to adapt to new situations, and helps bridge the gap across developmental milestones.

So, plan your trips guilt-free. Orchestrating a family vacation requires a bit of work and a lot of patience, but you’ll all be better off for it. If you’re keeping a bucket list, add these 10.

1. Lake Champlain, VT

Ideal For: Babies & Toddlers

Best Time To Visit: The resort is open late May through mid-September, with special rates available in May, June, and September.

Why Go: The Tyler Place Family Resort is a huge draw, offering unique programming for newborns up to 30 months, a kids camp for toddlers, and Parents’ Night Out babysitting whenever you wish. Parents enjoy cocktails by candlelight, while knowing their kids are well attended with one stand-in caregiver for every two children. When you wish to spend time together, you can take advantage of bikes with baby seats, craft activities, water sport outings, and parents’ helpers to come along on your excursions. With a playhouse playground, fishing, water play areas, theme parties, campfires, storytelling, teepees, tree houses, and all-inclusive pricing, what’s not to love?

More To Do: You may never want to leave the resort, but there is plenty to do in the surrounding area if you’d like to taste a little of Vermont. Forty-five minutes from the resort in South Hero, Allenholm Farm is a fun place to cycle, pick apples, visit friendly farm animals, and grab a farm-to-table bite to eat. On a rainy day, the ECHO Science Museum offers hands-on exhibits encouraging play and learning for the 0-6 crowd. Other fun places for little tikes include: Lake Champlain Chocolates, The Shelburne County Store, the Shelburne Museum, and The Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Be sure to visit Ben and Jerry’s! The Jay Peak Resort offers a climbing gym, movie theater, indoor ice arena, and indoor waterpark for older kids, ideal for a rainy day.

2. Disney World – Orlando, FL

Ideal For: Any age, though kids under 5 will have ride height and stamina limitations. Kids under 3 are free! Four-to-eight tend to be the sweet spot. Once your kids hit 44” in height, the World is their oyster.

Best Time To Visit: March to May offers pleasant weather (50s-80s) and the most agreeable prices, especially if you avoid holiday weekends or standard school recesses. September to mid-November is another excellent time to find reasonable rates and comfortable temperatures, although it falls in the June-November hurricane season. The worst times to book are during the November to February rush or the summer humidity.

Why Go: Walt Disney World in Orlando is ranked by Trip Advisor as “the #1 Best Family Vacation in the USA” – and for good reason. There’s no other place in America that celebrates childhood and tugs at the heart strands more than Disney World. Designed to be “the happiest place on Earth,” a Disney vacation is designed to be as stress-free as possible with effortless travel between parks, all-inclusive wristbands, attractions for all ages, and over-the-top friendly staff. The rides are epic journeys through entire films and the realms Disney has created; even the queues are attractions in and of themselves! On top of that, you’ll be treated to character meet-and-greets, parades, firework displays, princess makeovers, and world-class performances. The Disney World park system includes kid-favorite Magic Kingdom, parent-favorite Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and two water parks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. You could feasibly see a different park every day during your trip, though Park Hopper passes let pros navigate between the parks within the same day.

More To Do: In addition to Disney World itself, Orlando offers the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, SeaWorld Orlando, the Kennedy Space Station, the Orlando Science Center, Legoland, Gatorland, a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum, and the Crayola Experience.

3. San Diego, CA

Ideal For: Ages 3-13

Best Time To Visit: September through November is always a terrific time to visit, but particularly October – which offers free child tickets along with the purchase of an adult ticket for most major attractions. You can also find decent rates and low traffic in March and April. May and June tend to have the most overcast days, while the winter months see the most rainfall – so you’ll want to avoid those times if that sort of weather matters to you.

Why Go: San Diego boasts warm weather year-round and loads of family-friendly attractions. The San Diego Zoo is one of the nation’s treasures and one of the places to see giant pandas, Australian koalas, Sumatran tigers, naked mole rats, California condors, and polar bears. Over 4,000 animals from 800+ species are assembled in this one magical place, including many rare and endangered.

More To Do: In addition to the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park is a great place to kick off your trip among beautiful gardens and museums. Kids love The NAT’s animatronic dinosaurs, the kids’ aviation hangar at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, hiking among towering palm trees at the Palm Canyon Trail, hands-on science displays at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the New Children’s Museum, SeaWorld San Diego, the antique carousels at Seaport Village, the “Coney Island” type experience at Belmont Park, and the Cabrillo National Monument’s tide pools. With 70 miles of coastline, you’ll find plenty of sand for a carefree holiday. Seashell-packed Silver Strand, surfer hangout Oceanside, swimming and picnicking at Mission Beach, La Jolla’s sea lion watching, and the quaint Coronado are a few area favorites.

4. Massachusetts

Ideal For: Toddlers & Early Elementary School Age

Best Time To Visit: The weather is warm from late March through October. Tourist traffic tends to be heaviest in the summer months once school lets out. The autumn months represent a particularly scenic (and affordable) time to visit New England in all its splendor.

Why Go: Cape Cod gets all the publicity for being a family-friendly vacation destination, but there’s much to do elsewhere in Massachusetts. Plan your trip around the Iconic Illustrators’ Trail for starters, which includes stops at The Springfield Museum (home of the new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum), the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. Then make your way to Edaville, an amusement park featuring vintage carousels and Ferris Wheels, in addition to a Thomas the Train land and outdoor Dino Land trail with life-sized dino statues. Themed weekends include Superhero & Princess weekend, Curious George Weekend, and seasonal events like the “Not So Spooky Halloween” in October, and our Christmas Festival of Lights.

More To Do: Older kids might enjoy an additional beeline to historic Plymouth Rock, which will supplement what they’ve learned in school. It’s not just about “the rock,” though! Don swashbuckler hats and face-painted mustaches for a Pirate Cruise off 9 Town Wharf. Experience life in olden times at the Plimoth Plantation living museum. Climb aboard the Mayflower II, a life-size replica of the original pilgrim vessel. Listen to paranormal tales on a Dead of Night Ghost Tour. Hike, canoe, and fish at Myles Standish State Forest. See cranberry bogs at Flax Pond Farms. One hour away, you’ll find the New England Aquarium – so famous, a replica of it is featured in the Disney movie “Finding Dory.” More than 1.3 million visitors come each year to see the cylindrical 200,000 gallon tank simulating Caribbean coral reefs that houses sharks, turtles, stingrays, moray eels, barracuda, and colorful reef fish. The massive penguin exhibit is another big draw. See rare sea dragons, piranhas, cuttlefish, horseshoe crabs, and jellyfish. Kids love the exhilarating manta ray touch tank and visiting the Northern fur seals and California sea lions.

5. Gatlinburg, TN

Ideal For: Elementary age children

Best Time To Visit: Summers bring swarms of travelers to the sleepy town of Gatlinburg. September and October are the best off-peak months to visit. Weekends in October tend to remain busy, as the fall foliage crowd arrives. March to May is another low-season time to discover deals – and fields of wildflowers.

Why Go: Trip Advisor ranks Gatlinburg the fourth most-affordable destination in the USA. Great Smoky Mountains National Park in downtown Gatlinburg attracts more than 40,000 visitors a year with miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, camping, historical exhibits, and wildlife viewing areas in Cataloochee and Cades Cove for black bear, elk, white-tailed deer, raccoons, coyotes, box turtles, and turkeys. During the snowy months, you’ll be treated to Winterfest, Winter Magic Tunes & Tales, Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, Trolley Holiday Lights tours through town, and a New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.

More To Do: Get a bird’s eye view of the park from the Gatlinburg Space Needle or the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. Watch a late 19^th century vaudeville performance at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. Walk through an underwater tunnel and touch a ray at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. (There’s also a massive Ripley’s Odditorium to get lost in!) See local craftsmen create everything from pottery and jewelry to brooms and hand-blown glass at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. If you visit during the winter, Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort is a bustling place with skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, mountain coasters, a kiddie park, and a small zoo. For a great selection of toys, peruse The Lollipop Guild.

6. Sanibel Island – Fort Meyers, FL

Ideal For: Toddlers & Preschoolers

Best Time To Visit: The best deals for this year-round vacation destination are in the summer, but that’s also a gamble with hurricane season. As with any snow bird destination, the winter holidays are the busiest time of year. December to April represents peak travel season. Late fall is a good time to secure a room deal if you don’t mind chillier waters. May or early June are decent low-traffic times.

Why Go: Ranked among Trip Advisor’s top 10 “Best Florida Beaches,” “Best Winter Family Vacations,” and “Best Family Beach Vacations in the USA,” Sanibel Island offers the relaxing beach atmosphere you need to decompress, with plenty of exploration opportunities for the kids. The Gulf Coast barrier islands are famous for their abundance of seashells and for wildlife. You can spot dolphins off-shore, scout for ghost crabs digging tunnels on the beach, or visit alligators, river otters, roseatte spoonbills, and manatees at the J.N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Periwinkle Way is Sanibel Island’s main thoroughfare, packed with restaurants, shops, and choice hotels. Captiva’s South Seas Island Resort offers a quiet, laidback vibe with beach villas steps from the shore, on-site restaurants, shops, a water park pool, a Turtle Tots craft center, and large sea mammals hanging out by the docks. Get waist-deep into the water at Bowman’s Beach to dig up some of the more unique shells.

More To Do: While Sanibel Island is known for its shells and art galleries, Captiva Island offers more eclectic dining options and quieter beaches. The gentle waves are perfect for tots who like to swim. Older kids can fish aboard a 25-foot boat sailing out of Tween Waters Marina, where they can catch redfish, tarpon, snook, and snapper, while looking for sharks and dolphins. Sea kayaking through Buck Grove Island offers the opportunity to see manatee and otters up close.

7. The French Quarter – New Orleans, LA

Ideal For: Preschoolers & Early Grade School

Best Time To Visit: February through March offers comfortable temperatures and a celebratory mood when Mardi Gras is in full swing. December and January are quieter months when it’s easier to find accommodations.

Why Go: New Orleans isn’t just for Mardi Gras party animals. There’s a surprising glut of family-friendly festivities in the city all year round. In Jackson Square, jugglers, mimes, and jazz bands play in the streets. Watch the performers from an outdoor table at Café du Monde, where you’ll taste warm French beignet doughnuts covered in powdered sugar. Walk along the Mississippi River to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. The quaint St. Charles streetcar can get you to the Audubon Zoo in the Garden District. The Louisiana Children’s Museum presents more than 30,000 square feet of hands-on, interactive exhibits, such as a Little Port of New Orleans, the opportunity to step inside giant eyeballs to see how other animals view their surroundings, a play café, and an enclosed playspace for babies to safely crawl and climb.

More To Do: Outside NOLA, you can experience the authentic Cajun countryside at Bayou Pierre Alligator Park in Natchitoches. Gators & Friends in Greenwood has a fully stocked petting zoo with lemurs, capybaras, kangaroos, deer, and coatimundi, in addition to the big reptiles. The Baton Rouge Zoo is a popular attraction housing endangered animals like the Black Rhino, Guam Rail bird, Arabian Oryx, and Golden Lion Tamarin, and featuring prominent areas for otters, tigers, and flamingos. Along America’s Wetland Birding Trail, which cuts through 22 Louisiana parishes, there are over 115 bird watching sites with Prothonotary Warblers and Blue Herons at Lake Fausee Pointe State Park, to Great Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills at Cypress Island Preserve. You can fish, camp, and collect shells along the sugar sand beaches of the Cajun Riviera. (Find the best treasures at Mae’s Beach and the Creole Nature Trail!) Travel back to the Victorian Era with older kids at the Spring Street Historical Museum on the Shreveport-Bossier side of the state.

8. Yellowstone National Park – WY, MN, ID

Ideal For: Gradeschoolers

Best Time To Visit: April to May and September to November bring mild weather and fewer crowds. July and August are the most popular months to visit when the kids are off school and the weather is warmest, though temperatures have been known to drop as low as 30 — even in the summer!

Why Go: Trip Advisor ranks Yellowstone #1 in “Best Family Vacations.” America’s first national park has the highest concentrations of geysers in the world – most famously, Old Faithful, which shoots to the sky every 90 minutes. Away from the geyser, you’ll find enough untouched territory to explore that you forget 4 million visitors flock here each year. Multi-colored thermal pools, stinky mud pots, mountains, canyons, lakes, and waterfalls make up the scenery of the 3,472-square-mile park. Notable places to visit include: Yellowstone Lake, Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Lewis River Channel, and Dogshead Loop. Wildlife like bison, elk, grizzly bears, wolves, and bighorn sheep are part of the allure, too.

More To Do: In Wyoming, take a wildlife expedition out of the Teton Science School in Jackson Hole. Grand Teton National Park offers ample wildlife and scenic peaks nearby. Dig for bones at the Wyoming Dinosaur Museum in Thermopolis. See a rodeo in Cody. In Montana, hunt for sapphires at Gem Mountain in Philipsburg. Tour Virginia City by stagecoach. Enjoy a family-friendly show at the Playmill Theatre in West Yellowstone. Stop for a family photo opp at the Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner.

9. The Grand Canyon – AZ

Ideal For: Tweens

Best Time To Visit: The Grand Canyon can get very busy, with six million visitors a year. Memorial Day to Labor Day represents the high season – especially once school lets out in summer. For lower traffic volume and cooler daytime temperatures, try March through May or September through November.

Why Go: CNN Travel called the Grand Canyon one of the “Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life,” adding that it’s a “thrilling glimpse into the inside of the Earth.” Trip Advisor ranks the Grand Canyon as the #1 “Cheap Summer Vacation.” While colonial civilizations in America are relatively young, the rock formations are not! Some of the Grand Canyon rocks are millions of years old. The 277-mile-long, 6,000-foot-deep gorge is one of nature’s most magnificent spectacles, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ranger-led tours will help you make the most of your trip. If you want to explore by mule, you’ll need to book at least a year in advance. You can also take a sunset horse-drawn wagon ride out of Grand Canyon Apache Stables that culminates in a campfire. Test your nerves on the glass-bottom Skywalk observation deck on the West Rim. Grand Canyon Village and the Bright Angel Trail along the South rim are the most popular spots for sightseers and hikers, so it naturally has the most amenities for families. Rent a bike from the Visitor Center to take along the paved five-mile Rim Trail to South Kaibab. The North Rim is more remote for the hardcore hikers.

More To Do: Flagstaff, Arizona is the nearest city to the Grand Canyon area, about 90 minutes south. It’s worth spending a day surrounded by the majestic scenery of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. See the darkest night sky from the Lowell Observatory. See Native American arts and crafts and dinosaur bones at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Explore an ancient pueblo town at the Wupatki National Monument. Float on a whitewater raft down the Colorado River if you have older thrill-seekers in tow. Play cowboys and cowgirls on a trek through Coconino National Forest with Hitchin’ Post Stables. In Williams, get an up-close view of bears at Bearizona Wildlife Park or hop aboard the Grand Canyon Railway.

10. An Alaskan Cruise

Ideal For: Gradeschoolers and Tweens

Best Time To Visit: To get the best prices, sail early in the season in May or late in September, though it could be a gamble. Go too early and it could be chilly. Go too late and it could be dreary with rain. June, July, and August are the peak travel months, when prices are highest. It’s best to book your travel in October or November before the season starts to get the room of your choice at a decent rate.

Why Go: Princess Cruises takes you through the orca playgrounds, glacier pathways, iceberg parks, and frozen landscapes of Alaska with naturalists and park rangers on board offering educational programming. Kids love Movies Under The Stars, swimming pools, and the tween clubs. There are family-oriented shows, carnivals, dance parties, and fitness activities on board. All the dining is top-caliber. On port days, you can visit Gold Rush towns, take a dogsled tour, or go on a guided excursion through Denali National Park.

More To Do: See dinosaur tracks and wildlife in Denali National Park. Raft Alaskan waters like the Chena River with kids 6 and up. See puffins, octopus, and sea lions at the Alaska Sealife Center. Ride the train through the El Dorado Gold Mine and pan for your own treasure. See the ice fields at Kenai Fjords National Park. View Amur tigers, yaks, polar bears, fox, caribou, wolves, and elephants at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. Take a narrated journey from the interior to the Kenai Peninsula on the Alaska Railroad.

Full List of Resources:

https://academic.oup.com/jcr/article-abstract/43/6/913/2632328?redirectedFrom=fulltext

https://www.wkbw.com/news/studies-show-traveling-is-crucial-when-it-comes-to-kids-emotional-growth

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/7-reasons-why-travel-is-never-wasted-on-young-kids_us_5871fec7e4b08052400ee36f

https://www.familyvacationcritic.com/lake-champlain-vermont-family-vacation/dat/

https://www.vermont.org/blog/8-family-friendly-things-to-do-on-a-rainy-day-on-lake-champlain/

https://www.today.com/parents/40-must-see-places-take-your-kids-they-re-grown-t74481

https://travel.usnews.com/rankings/best-family-vacations-in-the-usa/

https://www.budgettravel.com/article/15-places-your-kids-should-see-before-15_7072

https://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/10-best-cities-for-families-to-visit/

https://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/san-diego/

https://www.carlemuseum.org/content/iconic-illustrators-trail-release

https://www.familytravelmagazine.com/edaville-thomas-land/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Aquarium

https://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/10-best-cities-for-families-to-visit/

https://www.today.com/parents/16-best-places-go-vacation-baby-or-toddler-t73466

https://suburbanturmoil.com/30-things-to-do-with-your-family-in-gatlinburg-this-winter/2015/12/03/

https://blog.trekaroo.com/top-10-things-for-families-to-do-in-louisiana/

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/stories/10-must-see-treasures-outside-yellowstone

https://www.flagstaff.com/family-friendly-things-to-do

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Benefits of Early Childhood Chess

June 18, 2018/in Fun, Learn, Play/by Shine

This year, the country of Armenia made chess compulsory in schools for all children over six years of age. American educators may not be as gung-ho about early childhood chess – but they should be. In an era where we’re all reasonably concerned about “screen time,” introducing chess to a young child is a gift beyond measure and a classic bonding activity to share with parents, siblings, and grandparents.

What Are The Benefits of Chess For Kids?

A growing body of research shows that learning chess:

Correlates with higher scores on mathematical and critical reasoning tests.
Improves reading test scores and proficiency among elementary school-aged children.
Increases brain activity in areas associated with calculation, concentration, and recognition.
Boosts IQ scores, overall intelligence, patience, perseverance, intuition, and creative thinking.
Teaches restraint, taking responsibility for one’s actions, and winning or losing graciously.

When To Start Chess For Kids

It’s understandable that any chess-loving parent would want to share their love of the game with a child as soon as possible, but push too hard too soon and you could spoil it. Surprisingly, educators say babies can begin learning the fundamentals of chess in diapers — as young as two – if taught the right way. Instruction should be fun and casual, with focus on identifying the different pieces and talking about how they move or capture. By age five, simply moving the pieces correctly would be a reasonable goal. By seven or eight, your child could be out-maneuvering you on the chess board!

Chess Sets For Beginners

While you can find Mario World and Star Wars themed chess sets, it’s best to start with a more basic looking set to teach the pieces and the moves without so much distraction. There are countless chess sets aimed at beginners, but we like this one from the MoMA. You may also choose a set like No Stress Chess, which includes activity cards to help young kids learn the game. The Chess Teacher is another large set that is easy for smaller hands to maneuver. For the next level, the Kids’ Book of Chess and Chess Set is geared toward ages 8 and up with colorful fantasy illustrations of beginning, middle, and end game offensive and defensive strategies.

Get Started: Chess Camps in NYC (Ages 3-12)

We’re pleased to announce Chess At 3 will be making regular appearances at Shine camps this summer. Their emphasis on teaching through storytelling helps kids win and lose graciously, and weaves history, math, and physical activity into every brain-building session. They’ve been equipping NYC kids as young as three with life skills and learning tools since 2006, so we’re excited to partner up with them to offer your child even more value. Contact us for details.

Why Tennis Lessons Are Great For Kids Under 10 — And How To Get Them Started

June 4, 2018/in Fun, Learn, Play/by Shine

Tennis is the perfect sport for young kids to learn. It’s safer than contact sports, and you can pick up all your supplies for under $10. You can play on a free public court, and you don’t need to assemble a team. Tennis is one of the few multigenerational sports that connects family members of all ages together. Youngsters begin with “Mommy and Me” classes, stay connected with parents through the teenage years, and play with their grandparents. That’s why tennis is “the sport for a lifetime.”

What Are The Benefits of Tennis For Kids?

Compared to other sports, tennis:

Improves grades, concentration, focus, independence, and ability to handle stress.
Boosts tactical thinking that generates nerve connections to promote lifelong brain development.
Develops hand-eye coordination, speed, balance, strength, fine motor control, and flexibility.
Burns more calories than aerobics, rollerblading, or cycling to foster healthy weight management.
Promotes “A” grades in school among 48% of players (compared to 25% of non-athletes.)
Provides a fun, social activity that people tend to stick with throughout the years.
Helps kids learn to win or lose gracefully, manage mistakes, develop perseverance, and recover from stress.
Yields higher scores in vigor, optimism, and self-esteem than other sports (according to SCSU research.)

Over the long-term, renowned epidemiologist Ralph Paffenbarger found that people who played singles tennis at moderate intensity for just two to three hours per week, cut the risk of death from any cause in half. Who wouldn’t want to give their children the gift of longevity if they could?

When To Start Tennis Lessons For Kids

Most experts agree that four is the earliest age you’d want to begin introducing tennis. The key to getting young kids interested in tennis is to keep it playful and fun, rather than competitive. Specialization can take as long as a decade to achieve, so there is much merit in getting kids onto the court with continuous movement and instruction to learn as they go through gameplay, rather than standing in line and doing drills. “You work on coordination games, movement games, and teaching them building blocks of playing the sport,” explains George Garland, director of Go! Tennis in Queens. For kids ages 4-7, 30 minutes of tennis instruction is plenty. Kids ages 8-12 may increase to 45 minutes.

Tennis Equipment For Beginners

The size tennis racquet you need depends upon the age of your child:

Ages 4-5: 21 inches
Ages 6-7: 23 inches
Ages 8-10: 25 inches

Look for red felt or foam balls, which weigh less and have a slower bounce than official regulation tennis balls. These balls may not last as long for the money, but they give children plenty of reaction time and are softer for safety sake.

Get Started: Arts & Tennis Afternoon Camp (Ages 4-12)

Join us at Hampton Racquet this summer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from July 2^nd – August 30^th from 3:45 – 6 p.m. The brand-new “Creative Arts & Tennis Afternoon Camp” introduces children ages 4-12 to the love of learning tennis. We provide masterful instruction from John Graham, racquets, age-appropriate groups, healthy snacks, drinks, and art materials with guided instruction. Inspired by the East End, children are exposed to a variety of creative themes, from local flora and fauna, to architecture and history, explored through a variety of mediums. This unique opportunity engages children in sports, constructive arts, science, nature exploration, games, and books for $99/day, with discounts available for 10+ classes. For more information or to register, email rebecca@shinenyc.net.