Passover Activities For Kids

March 25, 2018/in Celebrate, Learn, Make, Party, Read, Taste/by Shine

Passover Activities For Kids

Passover is one of the most beloved religious holidays, celebrated by more than 70% of Jewish Americans. The story of Moses provides rich lessons about “standing up for equality, pursuing justice, and standing up for the rights of the marginalized… core Jewish commitments,” as Rabbi Rick Jacobs put it. Children are central to the Passover proceedings as a symbol of the continuity of the Jewish people, but the significance is likely to pass them by if we don’t go out of our way to include them in the family rituals. Incorporate some of these Passover activities to engage the youngest members of the faith.

Passover Pretend Play

The Big Clean – In preparation for Passover, families keeping Kosher kitchens remove all Chametz. Involve kids in the search party with a scavenger hunt to find hidden cookies under the bed, in pockets, closets, drawers, school bags, and toy chests.

Plagues – Scatter squishy green frogs or plastic locusts across the table to represent the plagues. Rite Lite Judaica sells Plague Masks that represent terrors like darkness, boils, wild animals, frogs, and cattle plague – or you could just as easily make your own out of construction paper.

Seder Set – Particularly from ages 3-5, children become fascinated with “playing adult.” KidKraft sells toy versions of the Seder plate, wine goblet, bottle of wine, matzo, afikomen and matzo covers, and a prayer book.

Passover Crafts

A Cup For Elijah – Families put out a cup of wine for the prophet Elijah at the Passover Seder. Toward the end of the dinner, they open the door to symbolically “let Elijah in.” For this craft, take a plastic Dollar Store wine goblet, paint a liberal strip of white craft glue around the top, and wrap a colorful piece of wool or jute string around the cup. Alternate with more glue and different colored strings for a rainbow look. Add sequins or gems.

Red Sea Diorama – The parting of the Red Sea makes for a great mini scene. Upcycle cardboard by cutting it into at least six curvy wave shapes in a variety of sizes, covering them in blue tissue paper. Affix the waves into slits cut into a cardboard base, using glue to secure them. Don’t forget to leave a path down the middle. You can make little people out of corks, dressing them in felt clothes, bottle cap hats, and yarn hair, and drawing faces with black marker.

Matzo Cover – Use a plain white handkerchief or cut a square out of a choice piece of fancy fabric. Just be sure it’s bigger than a piece of matzo. Decorate the cloth with oversized gems, embroidered grapes or spring flowers, and puffy paint border embellishments. Paint the Hebrew word for Passover to make it extra relevant.

Passover Cooking

Shine’s Favorite Jewish Recipes – We’ve rounded up five delicious, easy Jewish recipes to make with kids, including Potato kugel, Soup Dumplings with Minced Brisket, Kookoo-e Sabzi, Braised Short Ribs with Squash Puree and Roasted Corn Salad, Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Pistachio.

Passover Pizzas – What kid doesn’t love pizza? Pre-heat a baking stone at 500 degrees for a half hour. Mix 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose white wheat flour, ½ tsp. sea salt, and 1/3 cup olive oil in a food processor. Add ½ cup of water. Form into 12 dough balls and roll on a floured surface until cracker-thin. Prick holes with a fork to prevent bubbling. Cook for one minute per side. Reduce heat to 250 degrees. Top with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and your favorite toppings or seasonings, cooking for 15 minutes more.

Macaroons – Widely considered thee flourless dessert of Passover, macaroons come in many designs from almond to raspberry, but we like this basic chocolate-dipped coconut recipe. Whisk together 1 large egg white, 2 TBSP honey, ¼ tsp pure vanilla, the grated zest of one lemon, and 1/8 tsp of coarse salt. Stir in 1.5 cups of fine-shredded unsweetened coconut. Make 15 balls with a 1.5” ice cream scoop and bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 12 minutes at 375 degrees, rotating halfway through. Before serving, drizzle with 2 ounces of melted dark chocolate and refrigerate 15 minutes to set.

If you’re looking for more ways to incorporate Jewish culture into the lives of your children, ask us about our Vitamin J Jewish art and cultural class for kids of all ages. We explore basic Judaica in a variety of fun, creative ways.

Additional Children’s Passover Resources:

USA Today – Passover Holiday Explained, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/04/22/passover-jewish-holiday-explained/83387514/

Amazon – KidKraft Passover Set, http://amzn.to/2HBNsce

Tori Avey – Elijah’s Cup Craft, https://toriavey.com/home-garden/family-fun-elijahs-cup-passover-craft

Creative Jewish Mom – Splitting of the Red Sea Diorama, http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/03/kids-crafts-for-pesach-krias-yam-suf-the-splitting-of-the-red-sea-diorama.html

Cooking with my Kid – Mighty No-Sew Matzah Cover, http://cookingwithmykid.com/2011/04/12/mighty-matzah-cover

Martha Stewart – Coconut Chocolate Macaroons, https://www.marthastewart.com/1098219/coconut-chocolate-macaroons

Disgustingly Good – Matzo Pizza, http://disgustinglygood.com/2012/03/31/matzo-pizza/

Constructive Play is the Secret to Cultivating a Creative Mind at Any Age

January 23, 2018/in Guide, Learn, Play/by Shine

Parents are inundated with advertisements for hundreds, if not thousands, of toys claiming to make their children “smarter” or more interested in math and science careers. Yet, the vast majority of these assertions are empty promises, backed by no evidence whatsoever. Today’s children spend an enormous amount of time in front of TVs, computers, and video games – with unknown long-term effects. Early evaluations suggest diminished ability to process information, recall, and concentrate.

Building blocks are a timeless classic, with stones and rocks likely a child’s earliest playthings. In 1693, English Philosopher John Locke referenced alphabet blocks as a way to make learning to read a more enjoyable experience. Numerous scientific studies make the case for block play as a brain-building activity. From mathematics and science, to fine motor skills and literacy, blocks set the foundation for learning. Though oft-overlooked for its simplicity, the building block is a gold mine for skill building in our midst.

How Does Block Play Affect the Developing Mind?

Decades of research show that children who play with blocks:

Excel in math over a decade later, and show a particular interest in STEM careers.
Are better at counting, adding, subtracting, and using spatial language like “above” or “below.”
Developed better spatial intelligence, 3-D modeling, and visualization.
Perform better at divergent problems after playing with chunky foam blocks than with puzzles.
Form stronger social relationships and high-quality friendships by cooperating with others.
Score higher on tests of vocabulary, verbal comprehension, and grammar as toddlers.
Display improved competence in math, spatial reasoning, and executive control in 1^st
Have bigger 1^st grade vocabularies, particularly after playing with town and community blocks.
Are 31-38% better at performing complex mathematical word problems in 6^th
Develop strong spatial language and reasoning by speaking and collaborating with others.
Score above average in language assessments, despite low-income environments.
Show marked brain scan activation in regions associated with motor and spatial processing.

Beyond scientific measurements of achievement, children engaged in block play are flexing their creative muscles, as they dream, build, and express themselves. They gain confidence as they stack the tower higher and overcome small adversities. Children first discover that they can bring their unique ideas to life. They explore the notions of object continuity and permanence. As they work in a group setting, they are studying the work of others, cooperating, taking turns, sharing materials, asserting themselves, and boosting their attention spans.

Stages of Block Play

The National Association for the Education of Young Children notes eight different stages of block building that children advance through:

Discovering blocks – exploring the physical properties of carrying, dropping, and packing.
Stacking blocks – using repetition to create basic structures.
Complex stacking – incorporating dramatic play as rows become train tracks or highways.
Making enclosures – engaging in more pretend play to imagine animal pens and houses.
Creating bridges or arches – exploring trial and error by connecting blocks together.
Combining enclosures and bridges – advancing to more daring and complex combinations.
Building with patterns and symmetry – sorting, seeking equivalency, and tending to details.
Building block structures that represent pretend playobjects – roleplaying and planning.

Make Your Block Play More Constructive

There’s always room for involved parents to join the fun. Experts recommend:

Making time each day for blocks at home.
Supporting the child’s decision making with positive statements.
Prompting (ex: “Let’s build a castle”), but following the child’s lead.
Talking about shapes, sizes, colors, and number of blocks while playing.
Using spatial words like “beside,” “beneath,” “over,” “under,” and “above” to narrate.
Asking open-ended questions about the building process (like “Do you think it’ll balance?”)
Adding in character toys, cars, zoo animals, or other structures to encourage pretend play.
Cutting animal pictures in half and taping them to Mega Blocks to encourage matching.
Saving household materials like boxes, cans, and Popsicle sticks for creative building.
Occasionally changing the scenery, taking blocks to the garden, sandbox, or the park.
Experimenting with Edo Blocks, Jumbo Blocks, or Giant Waffle Blocks (preschool & up).
Using pictures, diagrams, or games to encourage specific construction projects (for older kids).
Combining block play with story time, illustrating parts of the story with blocks and accessories.

Join the Shine Block Party!

Block Party, one of our signature classes and workshops, is the perfect introduction to the constructive arts for the Legos-Lover. Aspiring architects experiment with different building materials, from sugar cubes and marshmallows, to tree blocks and sculpting materials. We also offer custom classes of up to 12 sessions for advanced builders. Parents and kids alike love our hands-on approach that feels like free-spirited fun, but also lays the foundation for math, science, and artistic talents for years to come.

RESOURCES:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Why Your Kids Should Learn a Second Language

January 16, 2018/in Guide, Learn/by Shine

Young children naturally absorb new information like sponges and delight in the process of learning. Language instruction is a beneficial experience for toddlers as young as three years old. Not only does it give you something fun to do with them, but there are many developmental, social, and economic benefits. At Shine, we make second language learning interactive, engaging, and fun.

Key Facts on Learning A Second Language at an Early Age

Children who learn a second language have better:

Tolerance and intercultural awareness
Academic performance on SAT and ACT tests
Risk assessment and analytical decision-making
Creativity, mathematical scores, and basal ganglia function
Maintenance of focus and attention, despite external stimuli.
Vocabularies, working memory, and problem-solving abilities
Ability to gain language fluency due to gray matter increases
Chance at becoming an executive, as two-thirds speak multiple languages, earning 5-20% more
Protection from Alzheimer’s, with onset delayed by as much as five years.

Choosing A Second Language For Your Child

You may consider choosing:

A heritage language that carries cultural and personal significance, like German or Italian.
A profitable language like Mandarin Chinese, which analysts say is ideal for career development.
A popularly spoken language, such as Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, or French.
Kid-friendly languages like Spanish, found in TV (Dora the Explorer) and books (Skippyjon Jones).
An etymological language like Latin, which helps kids understand the root of English words.
Easier languages to learn that are written and pronounced the same, such as Spanish or Italian.

What Does It Take For Children To Learn?

Linguists say the most effective teachers are parents, caregivers, immersion schools, and living abroad. Daily preschool classes can be helpful – but only if backed up by foreign language books and time spent with au pairs or babysitters who speak the language. Toddler programs and once-a-week classes train the ear to help kids get a head-start on learning the language later.

“To really learn a foreign language, children must spend 30 percent of their waking time exposed to it,” Christina Bosemark, founder of the Multilingual Children’s Association, told the NY Times. Children with less exposure will have the capacity to understand the language, but will be hindered in speaking it correctly.

Susan Behrens, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders at Marymount Manhattan College, adds: “If you introduce a language in the spirit of play and being embedded in their daily lives, you’re going to be much more successful than if you say, ‘Okay, you’re going to class now.’”

Parents Love Shine’s Listillos Language Immersion Program

One of our most popular programs is Listillos, a Spanish immersion class that uses storytelling, music, visual arts, games, and dance to give children a better understanding of the language and culture. Children as young as pre-school will spend time learning vocabulary and culture based around a particular theme, while older kids will delve into the culture of Spanish-speaking countries with art activities featuring Dia de los Muertos flowers, luchador masks, Colombian, molas, and Aztec codex. Going one step further, the Listillos Uno-a-Uno program adds in private, one-on-one instruction that includes cooking, field trips and advanced art projects. A native Spanish speaker teaches this bilingual class designed for ages 2-10.

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Fantastically Fun Indoor Activities for NYC Kids When It’s Cold Outside

December 22, 2017/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Learn/by Shine

Baby, it’s cold outside! Probably by now the kids are bouncing off the walls. Let the idle house sit clean for a day while you’re out making family memories. Here are some indoor escapes that will make you forget about sleet and snow, while encouraging the best in your little ones.

The New York Botanical Gardens

The balmy temperature and fresh air of the New York Botanical Gardens is the perfect antidote to the blustery cold winter months. Not only will you enjoy festive seasonal decorations, but they also host a Holiday Train Show from November 22nd – January 15^th. Model G-scale trains zip down half a mile of track, past 150 local landmarks from the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty to the Chrysler Building and the Rockefeller Center. This winter, kids can participate in a sing-a-long performance with Thomas the Train, ride on the Evergreen Express, craft a puppet or evergreen door swag, watch holiday films like “Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas” and “Shrek the Halls,” and tour the outdoor winter wonderland trees.

National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey

This new, immersive experience in Times Square features 60,000 square feet of groundbreaking advances in lighting, audio, and visual animation effects that make your family feel as though you’re exploring an undersea world. Sea turtles, dolphins, and fish swim above, below, and past you in the first exhibit, which shows you a coral reef during the day. Next, you’ll plunge into the coral reef at night to see bioluminescent sponges, coral, and eels, set to a symphony of sound. See Humboldt squids battle, move through a dreamlike kelp forest maze, and play “copycat” with adorable sea lions that look amazingly real, but respond to your every move. Older children will love the 3-D dome with sharks, stingrays, and humpback whales swimming by. More photo opps and learning experiences await in the National Geographic Exploration Hall. This amazing exhibit will enthrall kids and adults of all ages, but as an added bonus, the little ones under two are free!

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Kids ages 6 and under will find something to love about the five-story, 40,000 square-foot institution of learning and culture. From immersive dance studios and a crawl-through version of the digestive system, to Dora the Explorer play areas and collaborative workshops with local artists, there is much to do and see here. Kids are encouraged to consider cultures and traditions from around the world. S.T.E.A.M. learning activities take place daily. This time of year, “Hip-Hop Holidays” performances, Christmas Tree ornament making, and “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” are popular events.

The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater

If you haven’t seen it yet, the long-running production of “The Three Bears Holiday Bash” is on from November through December 30^th in Central Park. Children ages 3-8 will revel in 45 minutes of comedy, song, dance, and puppetry that includes sing-a-longs for “I Have A Little Dreidel” and “Feliz Navidad.” Director Bruce Cannon pulls from the traditions of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and “The Night Before Christmas” to include everyone in the festivities. Critics called the songs “catchy,” the marionette bears “adorable,” and delighted in the surprise appearance from marionette Santa. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be sure to get there early to get your little ones a spot in the front row. Shows generally take place at 10:30 and 11:30 am Monday through Friday, or 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. After being closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, performances are will briefly resume from December 26^th-30^th at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. before wrapping up. That’s not all the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater is up to this holiday season. They’re also hosting craft activities on December 11^th (decorating dreidels); 15^th (making elf stick puppets); and 29^th (making kwanzaa stick puppets).

If you’re still at a loss for how to spend winter break in Manhattan with your children, contact us at Shine. We offer pop-up classes, workshops, city adventures, parties and events, and classes to keep kids (and sometimes parents!) wildly entertained. If you have an undefined yearning for substantial ways to enrich your children’s lives, we have the answer you’re seeking.

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Age-Appropriate Ways to Build Responsibility

October 10, 2017/in Guide, Learn/by Shine

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

Choosing a system

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

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

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

Building responsibility in toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners

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

Reasonable chores for toddlers include:

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

Building responsibility in kids ages 6-12

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

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

Building responsibility in teenagers

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

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

What To Expect

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

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Top 5 Fall Foliage Experiences For NYC Families

October 9, 2017/in Fun, Guide, Learn, Play/by Shine

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

Amtrak’s Great Dome Train Cars

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

Hudson River Cruise to Cold Harbor

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

Day Cruise To Bear Mountain

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

New York Botanical Garden Tram

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

Fort Tryon Park

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

What is the best time for fall foliage in NYC?

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

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

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

Additional NYC Fall Foliage Resources:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

4 Ways To Savor The End of Summer in NYC

August 23, 2017/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Learn, Play/by Shine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Cram in one last getaway.

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

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

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

Clean up local parks or plant in community gardens with NY Cares.
Serve the community’s hungry at the Food Bank for New York City.
Coordinate a food drive for City Harvest.
Donate to Toys For Tots.
Create spirit-lifting greeting cards for seniors with DOROT.
Organize a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Deliver meals and participate in activities at senior centers with Citymeals On Wheels.

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

Additional Resources:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

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

August 16, 2017/in Celebrate, Fun, Guide, Learn, Party, Play/by Shine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other eclipse viewing parties will be held at:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Resources:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

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

July 31, 2017/in Guide, Learn, Taste/by Shine

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

Rainbow Noodle Bowl

From Freshmade NYC

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

Get the recipe.

Chicken and Corn Soup

From RecipeTinEats.com

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

Get the recipe.

Asian Beef Short Ribs for the Crockpot

From The Spruce

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

Get the recipe.

Orange Beef

From Food Gal

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

Get the recipe.

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

From Cookie and Kate

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

Get the recipe.

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

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

5 Best NYC Day Trips For Kids & Parents

July 12, 2017/in Fun, Guide, Learn/by Shine

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

The Hudson River Museum

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

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

Belmont Park & Race Track

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

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

Bear Mountain State Park

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

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

The Franklin Institute

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

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

Field Station: Dinosaurs

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

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

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

By Jenn Fusion for Shine