Fall Fun: East End’s Pumpkin Patches and Crafty Ideas

Fall Fun: East End’s Pumpkin Patches and Crafty Ideas

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No October is complete without a trip to a pumpkin patch. Fortunately, the East End has some of the best pumpkin patches around, offering the perfect setting for fall family adventures.

Where To Go

Acres of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes await eager pickers at Hank’s PumpkinTown in Water Mill. Beyond pumpkins, the farm offers a corn maze, gem mining, apple picking, giant slides, train rides, and a playground for little ones. Be sure to savor a fresh cider donut and take a bag of roasted corn to go.

At Lewin Farms in Calverton, families can hop on a scenic hayride through the rolling farmland to select the perfect pumpkin. After you’ve found the perfect one, see if you can find your way through the 5-acre corn maze. Wrap up the afternoon with fruit ice cream, pies, roast corn, and craft beer from the market.

Fink’s Country Farm in Wading River offers ample fun for little ones with unlimited hayrides, a corn maze, an apple cannon, bounce pillow, animatronic chicken shows, kiddie train, pony rides, live music, and character appearances. Outside food is permitted in the picnic area. 

With locations in Jamesport, Mattituck, and Riverhead, PumpkinLand and Barnyard Adventure Park at Harbes Family Farm offer plenty to do after you’ve gotten your gourd. Choose from gnome, Wizard of Oz, Robin Hood, or Halloween themed mazes. Sample award-winning wine, take a musical hayride tour, or watch the pig races.

Get Crafty

Once you have your fresh-picked pumpkin, crafting is a fantastic way to engage kids in creative and hands-on activities during the fall season. Here are some fun and easy ideas to get started:

  • Pumpkin Painting: Let your kids’ imaginations run wild by providing paints and brushes for them to transform pumpkins into colorful works of art. They can paint faces, abstract designs, or even their favorite characters.
  • Pumpkin Carving: For older children with adult supervision, pumpkin carving is a classic fall activity. It’s an opportunity to teach them basic carving skills while creating spooky or whimsical jack-o’-lanterns.
  • Pumpkin Decorating with Nature: Gather leaves, acorns, pinecones, and other natural materials to decorate your pumpkins. Kids can use colored glue to create beautiful designs.
  • Pumpkin Seeds: Not exactly a craft, but it’s worth mentioning you can rinse the scooped-out seeds, salt them, roast them in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes, and eat them.
  • Pumpkin Planters: Hollow out a small pumpkin, adding soil and seeds, to create a mini planter. Kids can watch their own little garden grow.
  • Pumpkin Bird Feeder: Cut out a portion of the pumpkin and fill it with birdseed. Hang it from a tree branch and observe the local wildlife enjoying their autumn feast.
  • Pumpkin Candle Holders: Carefully carve out the top of the pumpkin, creating a hollow space. Place a tea light candle inside for a warm and cozy fall ambiance.
  • Pumpkin Masks: Cut eye and mouth holes in a pumpkin and let kids decorate it as a fun and festive mask for dress-up play.

Benefits of Crafting With Real Pumpkins

Crafting with pumpkins isn’t just a fun fall activity; it also offers numerous educational benefits for kids.

  • Fine motor skill building: While painting, carving, and decorating pumpkins, children enhance their fine motor skills as they carefully handle brushes, carving tools, and craft materials.
  • Self-expression: Pumpkin crafting activities encourage creativity and self-expression, allowing kids to explore their artistic talents and enjoy the season.
  • Education: Pumpkin seed art and planters introduce kids to basic principles of biology as they observe seed germination and plant growth.
  • Confidence building: Foster a sense of pride, self-esteem and accomplishment as your child showcases a pumpkin creation.

Want more ways to enjoy the season? Stop by The Shine Studio for classes, camps, and crafternoons.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Family-Friendly Activities

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As the leaves begin to change color and the air carries a crisp autumn breeze, September marks the start of a vibrant and culturally significant time of the year: Hispanic Heritage Month.

This celebration, spanning from September 15 to October 15, invites people across the United States to recognize, appreciate, and honor the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Spanish-speaking Americans.

Families in Long Island’s East End can partake in a variety of activities that not only celebrate this heritage but also provide an opportunity to learn, savor delicious cuisine, and connect with the local Hispanic community.

Long Island Hispanic Celebrations and Festivals

Hispanic Heritage Month in the East End kicks off with a series of lively celebrations, festivals, and events that showcase the vibrancy of Hispanic culture. To celebrate, you might consider attending:

  • Parades – Main Street in Patchogue Village comes to life with a bilingual mix of music and brilliantly festooned Hispanic dancers in the second-annual Hispanic Heritage parade, taking place at noon on September 24th. The parade is a colorful, energetic, and fantastic opportunity for kids to witness the pageantry of Hispanic culture.
  • Cultural Performances – Visit the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on September 16th from 6-10 pm for live music, dance performances, and a delicious Latin buffet. This type of event provides a captivating way for families to experience artistic expressions of Hispanic heritage.
  • Art Exhibits – Explore art exhibitions that showcase the perspectives of Hispanic and Latino artists. From September 14th through December 17th, the Long Island Museum presents “SOMOS/WE ARE,” a presentation of works from over 80 Long Island Latinx artists, spanning a variety of creative styles—from classic to contemporary.

Savoring Hispanic Cuisine

Food is a universal language that brings people together, and Hispanic Heritage Month provides an excellent opportunity for families to savor the flavors of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South and Central American, or Spanish cuisine. As a family, you might:

  • Cook Together: Consider preparing a Hispanic-inspired meal at home and letting your kids participate in the process. Try these kid-approved Top 5 Puerto Rican Recipes or Top 5 Recipes for Cinco de Mayo. Discuss the cultural significance of the dishes you’re making and put on a mariachi band to make the occasion special.
  • Visit Local Hispanic Restaurants: Seek out Hispanic-owned restaurants and eateries—like Maria’s Mexican, a kid-friendly establishment in Nesconset, voted “the Best Latin American Restaurant on Long Island.” Another great place to try is El Rincon Criollo in Riverhead, where children can sink their teeth into their first Cubano sandwich, empanada, and plantain in a vibrant, artistic setting. Sampling the authentic tastes of Latin American and Hispanic cuisine offers a delightful dining experience for the entire family.
  • Embrace Food Festival Flavors – Local food festivals treat the palate to a variety of flavors in one place. Encourage your children to try empanadas, tamales, or arroz con pollo. The Famous Food Festival “Taste the World” Long Island will return to Tanger Outlets in Deer Park for Columbus Day Weekend (October 6th to 9th). While not exclusive to Hispanic cuisine, the festival features at least one vendor from Cuba, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, and Peru, as well as four from Mexico and five from Spain. In addition, kids are treated to live music, cooking demos, mini golf, face painting, henna tattoos, virtual reality, rock climbing, and a haunted house.

Connecting with the Hispanic Community

Hispanic Heritage Month is also an ideal time to connect with the local Hispanic community, fostering understanding and friendship. To help your child along, you might consider:

  • Spanish immersion classes – Shine offers a theme-based Spanish immersion class for kids ages 2-10. Through visual arts, music, movement, storytelling, and games, participants engage in the richness of the Spanish language and gain a better understanding of the culture. From constructing Mexican luchador masks and Colombian molas, children will have enriching experiences and take-home items that remind them that it’s great to celebrate diversity.
  • Volunteering – Engaging your family in volunteer opportunities is another way to support the Hispanic community while promoting empathy. A few local organizations include: Maureen’s Haven in Riverhead (where they offer Spanish classes and roughly a third of those benefited are Hispanic); the Hispanic Counseling Center in Hempstead (which offers mental health counseling, substance abuse, and educational programs); and Long Island Cares (which serves food to predominantly Hispanic and African-American communities).

Stronger Together

Hispanic Heritage Month offers East End families a unique opportunity to celebrate, learn, and connect. By participating in local celebrations, savoring Hispanic cuisine, and engaging with the Hispanic community, families create meaningful experiences that promote cultural understanding and appreciation. Whether through dance, food, or art, this month invites everyone to embrace the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic heritage and its enduring impact on American culture.

Come celebrate with us at The Shine Studio in Bridgehampton.

DIY Memorial Day Gifts: Fun Crafts for Kids and Adults

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Memorial Day is a day of remembrance to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country. Crafting DIY gifts can be a fun and creative way to celebrate with your kids and help them understand the significance of the holiday. Whether you use these crafts to decorate your home or gift to friends and family, Memorial Day crafts encourage quality time together, inspire reflection, and teach reverence.

Here are a few easy Memorial Day crafts to get you started…

Patriotic Wreaths

Show your support for the country and those who have served with a wire or woven branch wreath wrapped in red, white, and blue ribbon, with decorative elements such as miniature flags or patriotic-themed ornaments. You could also add a personalized touch by weaving in photos of loved ones who have served.

Flag Painted Rocks

Painted rocks have become a popular DIY craft, and for Memorial Day, you can find smooth, flat rocks in a rectangular American flag shape and apply red, white, and blue acrylic paint with a paintbrush. First, paint the entire rock white, then paint a blue rectangle in the upper left corner. Once the blue paint has dried, use a thin brush to paint red stripes across the rest of the rock. The paint dries quickly and provides a simple, affordable project that can be completed in just a few hours. Put your rocks in the garden, hand them out, or leave them on nature trails for others to discover.

Memorial Day Mason Jars

Mason jars are a versatile craft supply that can be used to make patriotic lanterns. For this project, you’ll need acrylic paint, as it adheres well to glass surfaces and dries quickly. First, paint the outside of the jar blue and let it dry. Then, using painter’s tape, create stripes around the jar and paint the exposed areas red. Once the paint has dried, remove the tape to reveal the stripes. Finally, you can add a white star using either a stencil or a sticker. Don’t forget to place a battery-powered tealight candle inside for a glorious glow.

Handprint Flags

Ideal for younger children, all you need is white paper, red and blue paint, and a paintbrush. First, have your child paint their hand completely with blue paint and press it onto the paper to create the blue field of the flag. Once the blue paint has dried, use a paintbrush to help your child paint red and white stripes onto the paper. This creates a handprint flag that is unique to your child, making it a wonderful keepsake to cherish in the years to come.

American Flag Popsicle Stick Craft

Teach the history and significance of the American flag using popsicle sticks; red, white, and blue paint; and a glue gun. First, paint the popsicle sticks white and let them dry. Then, use a hot glue gun to glue three sticks together to create a base for the flag. Glue one vertical stick on the lefthand side to form a pole your child can hold or you can stick into a planter. Once the glue has dried, paint a blue square in the top corner and add white stars. Older kids may be able to paint tiny stars, but stickers work best for younger children. You may also paint the handle of the flag white, brown, or gold, depending on your preference. Finally, paint the top stick red, leave the next one white, paint the following stick red, and so on to create a mini American flag that can be displayed or used as a decoration.

Drop Into The Shine Studio For More Seasonal Crafts and Activities

Whether it’s making patriotic wreaths, painted rocks, or American flag crafts, DIY crafts bring families and friends together with projects that both kids and adults enjoy. These DIY gifts not only serve as a tribute to those who have served, but also create meaningful memories and traditions for years to come.

If you love making crafts but not all the shopping or the mess, stop by our creative arts space in Bridgehampton, NY. In addition to our popular summer camps, we offer classes, workshops, party planning, and special events all year round.

8 Fun Easter Traditions from Around the World

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Easter is a holiday celebrated around the world, whether for religious reasons or simply to welcome the spring season. While you may be familiar with hiding baskets filled with chocolate and eggs or a visit from the Easter Bunny, you may not have heard about all the kite-flying, mystery-reading, and water-sprinkling happening elsewhere. Read on to learn about unique Easter traditions and consider adding a lively new activity to this year’s festivities.

1. Kite Flying

The sky over Horseshoe Bay Beach is awash with color in Bermuda, as local residents fly kites handmade at the annual Kite Festival on Good Friday. Legend has it, a local Sunday school teacher used a kite to symbolize the ascension of Jesus Christ — and it’s been a hit ever since. Today, festivalgoers participate in kite competitions, races, Easter egg hunts, and fishcake contests.  

2. French Omelets

From hunts and rolling contests to dyes and breakfast, eggs are a quintessential symbol of Easter. But they take on special significance in France, where 15,000 eggs and over 300 pounds of bacon, garlic, onions, and crawfish tails go into the world’s largest omelet enjoyed by some 10,000 people. The modern tradition began in 1973, but was inspired by Napoleon’s overnight stay in the tiny southern town of Bessières where he enjoyed an omelet so much he ordered the locals to fetch every egg in the village to prepare a gigantic omelet for his entire army the next day. Today, the food is prepared by the The Giant Omelette Brotherhood of Bessières.

3. Murder Mystery Reading

There’s nothing like curling up with a good book during the chilly winter months—and don’t they know it in Norway, where there’s just six hours of daylight and average temperatures well below freezing. Crime stories, detective thrillers, and murder mysteries are their books of choice—a tradition known as Påskekrime. The tradition began in 1923, when a snippet of a murder mystery was printed on the front page of the newspaper and mistaken for fact. Today the stories are so pervasive you can even find them printed on milk cartons.

4. Costumes

Witches may be best associated with Halloween, but in Sweden and Finland, children dress up as “Easter witches” with old clothes, broomsticks, and copper kettles, going door to door and trading decorated willow branches and drawings for chocolate eggs. The tradition stems from the belief that witches head off to Blåkulla to party with the devil before Easter, so the children recite a blessing and their parents burn Easter bonfires to keep the evil away.

5. Italian Fireworks

You may think of fireworks for Independence Day or New Year’s, but Florence, Italy celebrates Scoppio del Carro, meaning “explosion of the cart,”an Easter firework display dates back to the First Crusade. In the modern-day celebration, the Archbishop of Florence lights a small coal lantern using flints once gifted to Pazzino, a crusade hero who climbed the walls of Jerusalem to raise the Christian flag. A pair of festooned oxen then travel the town pulling a three-story wagon built in 1622 loaded with fireworks. Drummers, flag throwers, and people wearing ornate 15th century costumes parade alongside the cart. Once the procession reaches the cathedral, the Archbishop of Florence sends out a little dove rocket attached to a string mechanism to set off the grand fireworks display.

6. Luxembourg Pretzels

The third Sunday in Lent marks Bretzelsonnden, or Pretzel Sunday, where the people of Luxembourg once showed their affection with sweet puff pastries decorated in icing and almonds. Dating back to the 18th century, a gentleman would offer the lady he fancied a pretzel on this day—and if she accepted, he visited on Easter Sunday to see if she found him sweet. If so, he received an egg in return. If not, he received an empty basket. On leap years, the girls offered pretzels to the guys. While the spring flirtation ritual has become antiquated, locals old and young still enjoy simply buying and eating their sweet frosted pretzels this time of year.

7. Bonfires

The tradition of lighting fire to chase away cold, dark winter and welcome the warmth of spring dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians. Osterfeurer has been incorporated into Easter Sunday and Monday traditions as the first major community gathering after months of Northwestern European winter — and about half the town attends! As you might expect, there’s beer and sausages, and locals also roast balls of dough over the open flames. Soon to follow are the communal fires on April 30th, a holiday known as Walpurgisnacht in Germany, Valborg in Sweden, or Čarodejnice in the Czech Republic—which purges the land of darkness and welcomes in the new growing season.

8. Dyngus Day

After weeks of fasting and praying, Easter brings a collective sigh of relief in Polish diaspora communities across Europe and the United States (particularly the rust belt cities of Buffalo, Chicago, and Cleveland). Groups gather for food and drink, parades, live music, and polka dancing the following day on Easter Monday — also known as Śmigus-dyngus, or Dyngus Day. As per tradition, boys chase girls with branches and water guns, and girls who get soaked are believed to marry within the year. These days, pussy willows and water guns are used by everyone who partakes in the festivities.

Love learning about cultural traditions? If you live in New York City, The Hamptons, or the Tristate Area, sign up for Shine’s Globe Trekkers class to visit a new country each week to enjoy the art, music, flavors, and games.

How To Throw a Spring Color Party

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Color parties are trending hot for spring and summer birthdays and events. In fact, posts labeled #colorparty have garnered over 48 million views on TikTok. If you’ve never been to one but are looking for a unique theme for your child’s birthday, continue reading for ideas and inspiration.

Why a Color Party?

There’s nothing more refreshing than the assembly of colors after a long winter! Color parties have roots in Holi, the Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. The main rituals involve flinging colored water and powders onto friends, family, and festivalgoers as a reenactment of a game Hindu god Lord Krishna played with his consort, goddess Radha. Borrowing a similar spirit, Color Run 5Ks are celebrated around the world, including New York’s Citi Field.

Psychologically, colors can symbolize many different ideas emotions — red for love, orange for sociability, yellow for happiness, green for money, blue for tranquility, or purple for opulence. Taken as a whole, the rainbow is the sum of its parts —a celebration of diversity, inclusivity, hope, and friendship. In some circles, rainbow colors represent God’s covenant with Noah after the Great Flood destroyed much of the world — and in others, a rainbow signifies LGBTQ+ identity and pride.

Studies show children are naturally drawn to bright, saturated colors — and that these colors can affect their moods. So for your next event, consider the crowd-pleasing color party to create memories for years to come.

How To Prepare for a Color Party

  • Buy the supplies. One of the easiest ways to set up your color party is to buy packets of loose, dry powder and put them into Dixie cups. Skip squeeze bottles or squirt guns, which tend to jam up. Another fun option is to use color powder cannons, which use compressed air to blast partygoers up to 20 feet away.
  • Put safety first. The powder itself is non-toxic, typically made of food dye and cornstarch, but it’s best if you don’t directly inhale it or get it in your eyes. So, no matter which option you choose, we recommend passing out colored bandanas and sunglasses to serve as protective gear and keep everybody safe.
  • Secure the venue. The ideal location for a color party is in your own backyard or on private country land with the expressed permission of the property owner. Color parties might not be welcome in public spaces due to cleanup considerations.
  • Have cleanup supplies on hand. If you’re doing the cleanup, you’ll want brooms and dustpans or leaf blowers to move dry powder from your sidewalk or driveway. A sprinkler, hose, or pressure washer will clean up the grass if necessary. A soapy water bucket and sponge can clean your tables and chairs. A vacuum cleaner will pick up any stray colors tracked into the house.
  • Send the invitations. There are several approaches to a color party. Some events have each person pick one color — and they dress from head to toe in that color and bring a matching dish to share. For the main color-tossing event, we recommend handing out white t-shirts as practical party favor keepsakes. Even though the color powders typically wash out of clothing, it’s best to forewarn guests on the invitation that the party could get messy.
  • Decorate. To add vibrancy, you can hang rainbow garlands in trees, hang colorful leis on each chair, tie up helium-filled balloons, set out colorful plastic tablecloths, add LED lights to mason jars as centerpieces, freeze water balloons and place them into a cooler with bottled water.

All that’s left now? Have fun!

Color Party Games and Activities

For the main event, divide your group into two teams (each with their own color), put on the high-energy tunes, and let them run wild with the goal of coating the opposing team while evading their retaliation. If you prefer, each person can have a different color and the game can be played warrior-style.

While the color war is the main event, there are many other activities:

  • Art: Art naturally lends itself to a rainbow of colors, so you might consider setting up a painting station or place colored confetti, construction paper, and glue on the table to see what the kids come up with — or even just simple sidewalk chalk can add to the party décor.
  • Color Powder Alternatives: Instead of “war,” you might set up obstacle courses the kids have to run through while others try to hit them with powder. Or you might divide into two teams, fill black balloons with two different colored powders, and play a roulette-style game where you pop a balloon over a player’s head. If it’s their team’s color, the team gets a point. If it’s the other team’s color, the team loses a point. If it’s the magic gold powder, they earn their team five points.
  • Wet and Wild: Bust out the sprinklers and slip-and-slides to make those colors even more saturated! And remember those frozen water balloons? Once they’ve thawed out in the hot sun and all the water’s been consumed, they’re fair game for another fun round of friendly competition. Or perhaps you organize a calmer tossing event for the chance to win a colorful prize.
  • Hula Hoop Contest: Hula hoops come in bright colors, so they make the perfect contest.
  • Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of colorful items hidden around the yard kids need to find to win a prize.
  • Dessert Station: A vanilla cupcake decoration station with colored sprinkles is always a hit.

Plan Your Next Event

Want help orchestrating your next party in New York City, the Hamptons, or the tristate area? Shine educators travel to your location of choice, bring themed supplies, set up decorations, entertain the kids with guided activities, and cleanup when the event’s done. No fuss, no muss — only fun! We also offer creative programming that includes summer camps, classes, field trips, and more. Contact us for details.

When dodgeball had run its course, we handed out cheap goggles to act as protective eye gear and got the color fight under way.

Black History Month: 3 Inventors and Crafts

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Crafting is a creative way to get the gears turning in young minds. As children use their hands and put forth a deal of time and effort into making these projects, they can reflect upon some of the incredible inventions Blacks have introduced to the world.

Benjamin Banneker’s Clock

Benjamin Banneker grew up on a 100-acre farm outside Baltimore, where he studied the skies and borrowed textbooks about advanced mathematics. In 1752, he built the first clock in America entirely out of wood, which kept precise time for decades. His ability to forecast solar eclipse and other celestial events impressed Thomas Jefferson and helped dispel racial prejudices. Watch this video to learn more.

To create this craft, you’ll need:

  • White, brown, black construction paper or cardstock
  • Liquid glue or a glue stick
  • Number stickers
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Clock template
  • Optional: googly eye and black marker
  • Optional: brass paper fastener

After you download, print, and cut out the clock template, trace the template onto brown construction paper and cut. Trace a circle onto the white paper using an appropriately-sized bowl. (Have your kids find it—they love this part!) Cut out the circle and glue it onto the brown paper, adding the number stickers and two different size strips of black paper for the hands of the clock. Here you have two options: you can either glue the hands of the clock in a fixed position, coloring a googly eye with a black marker, or you can poke a brass paper fastener through the middle, so the hands can rotate.

Kate Speck and George Crum’s Potato Chips

What party would be complete without potato chips? In 1853, Kate Speck accidentally dropped a sliver of potato into the fryer while working at a resort in the Adirondacks that catered to wealthy elites like the Vanderbilts. Her brother, George Crum, fished out the chip, let it cool, and tasted it, remarking that it was in fact fantastic. Originally pitched as “fried potato shavings” and later known as “Saratoga chips,” word traveled fast and patrons came from as far as Boston and New York City for a taste. When Crum opened a restaurant, every table received a basket of chips. Herman Lay brought the chips down south to introduce them to a wider audience—and, as they say, the rest is history. Watch the video to learn more.

To create this craft, you’ll need:

  • A paper bag
  • Light blue tempra paint
  • Yellow, red, and cream construction paper
  • Paint brush
  • Scissors
  • A black marker

First, paint the front of your bag blue. As it dries, cut out 15 imperfect oval “chips.” Fold each oval back and forth like an accordion. Cut out a large yellow construction paper circle and an irregularly-shaped red rectangle. Glue your potato chip logo to the blue painted bag, write “potato chips” on the red paper, and add your chips. Kids ages 3-8 can pretend to enjoy them like George Crum’s customers and play math counting games.

Philip Downing’s Mailbox

In 1891, anyone interested in mailing a letter would have to make a long trek down to the post office—often on foot. Philip B. Downing of Rhode Island filed five patents on his iconic design of a four-legged metal box with an easy-loading front hinge that protected paper envelopes from rain or snow. This is the same type of letter box you see outside of businesses and on residential sidewalks today. Downing didn’t stop there. He also patented an electrical railroad switch, which later inspired innovators to implement similar switches in the home. Watch this video to learn more.

For this craft, you’ll need:

  • A cardboard Box
  • Exacto knife / boxcutter
  • Hot glue gun
  • 1” wooden blocks
  • Paintbrush
  • Dark blue tempra paint
  • USPS logo
  • Printer
  • Gluestick

First, draw a semi-circle on the two opposite top flaps of the box, making it as wide as the flap (to form the curved top of the mailbox). Next, use the exacto blade to cut along the semi-circular lines and hot glue the cut pieces inside to reinforce the semi-circle flaps and keep them standing straight up. Choose a front for your mailbox, draw a rectangle and cut along three sides (leaving one tall side uncut) to create your door, bending it slightly to open. Find or cut a flat piece of cardboard that is equal in width to the distance between your two semi-circle flaps to form the top of the mailbox. Using a ruler and exacto, lightly cut parallel lines into the back side of the cardboard spaced 1” apart and fold it into a curve. Cut the scored rectangle to length, then measure and cut a slot for the mail to go into in the middle of your topper. Finally, use hot glue to attach. Add four 1” wooden blocks to the corners as feet, attaching with hot glue. Once the glue dries, you’ll need two or three coats of mailbox blue paint. You can print out the logos and glue them on with the gluestick. In less than two hours, you’ll have taught your kids about a Black inventor and given them something fun to play with for under $5.

For more about Black inventors, check out “Gary and the Great Inventors” by Akura Marshall.

As always, keep shining!

References:

Happy Lunar New Year!

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Xīnnián hǎo! From China and Korea to Vietnam and Malaysia, East Asian cultures are celebrating the most significant holiday of the year as they usher in the 2023 Lunar New Year from January 22nd through February 1st. Goodbye, action-oriented Year of the Tiger! Hello Year of the Rabbit’s quiet contemplation and confidence! As a water year, it’s also time to go with the flow. Whether you’re Asian-American or you’d like to raise a child with cultural awareness and appreciation, Lunar New Year is a great opportunity to educate and partake in rich traditions.

What To Do for Lunar New Year

  • Decorate! Red is considered a lucky color to ward off evil spirits and bring positive energy into your life at the start of the New Year. Deck out your front door with red lanterns, couplets, and calligraphy.
  • Eat! Like any festival, Lunar New Year has its all-star lineup of signature dishes, including fish (to symbolize abundance), dumplings shaped like silver ingots (to symbolize family prosperity), glutinous rice cakes (to symbolize career advancement), sweet rice balls (to symbolize family togetherness), good fortune fruit (to symbolize fullness), spring rolls (to symbolize wealth), and longevity noodles (to symbolize happiness into old age). For tasty, easy dishes you can make at home, check out our top 5 kid-friendly Asian recipes.
  • Gift! Red envelopes containing money are often gifted to children and retired seniors to wish them a safe and fortunate year. According to legend, there was a demon named Sui who came out New Year’s Eve to terrorize children at night, so parents would light candles and keep the children up all night. One boy’s parents decided to wrap and re-wrap eight coins to entertain him. After the boy fell asleep, his parents placed the coins under his pillow. When Sui came near, a magical light frightened him away, as the eight coins were actually eight fairies. Parents have been gifting red envelopes of money ever since. Other popular gifts include tea, fruits, and candies.

Slightly older kids can see real-life celebrations in this Scholastic video. You may also consider reading one of these popular Lunar New Year books. We Teach NYC put together this comprehensive guide of activities and resources for teaching elementary-aged children about Asian culture and Lunar New Year traditions. Similarly, the Panda Express Club offers 8 free interactive lessons that explore Lunar New Year traditions through trivia, language instruction, and more. Or you can take a virtual trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art to learn meditation, painting, mask crafting, and art interpretation. 

  • Celebrate! Firecrackers are a popular and customary way to drive away darkness and welcome light into your life. It’s not too late to order sparklers online for the kids. Festivities may also include a nighttime lantern parade and dragon dance through the streets.

Lunar New Year 2023 Events in the East End of Long Island

While NYC’s Chinatown comes to life with dragon parades and lantern festivals, Lunar New Year celebrations can be difficult to find in these parts. But you are always welcome to bring the kids to the Shine Studio, where we combine art, storytelling, song, culinary, dance, and education in fun, engaging, age-appropriate ways. Contact us for details.

8 Thanksgiving Crafts for a Memorable Holiday

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There are so many blessings to celebrate at Thanksgiving time. With vibrant autumn colors just starting to fade, plucky turkeys waddling through farms and fields, and guests arriving at the house armed with pumpkin pies and side dish stuffing, what better time to celebrate your child’s creativity with a themed craft? Here are five of our favorite ideas to get you started.

Thanksgiving Table Turkeys – KiwiCo

If you’re expecting company, treat your guests to a special party favor: an adorable hand-sculpted turkey place setting. The body’s made of clay, with a pom-pom head, sticker beak, googly eyes, and felt toothpick feathers. Have your child write down the honored guests’ names or a special message of gratitude onto each placard.

Fall Colors Foam Weaving Placemat – Oriental Trading

Weaving is a timeless activity that’s easy enough for preschool children to learn. Simply guide the colorful foam pieces over-and-under through the pre-cut slits to create a beautiful and practical place setting for your holiday table. 

Beaded Pipe Cleaner Corn – One Little Project

All you need are a few pipe cleaners and pony beads from the Dollar Store to keep little hands busy, building manual dexterity and customizing their own corncob of color. It doesn’t get much easier than this! A four-year-old can easily spend 20 minutes just picking out colors, buying you time to get your turkey in the oven.  

Turkey Suncatcher Kits – Etsy

A tissue paper suncatcher always looks dazzling in the window when those first morning rays peak into the home. Your child will feel pride and joy upon gazing at the color combination he or she put together. This kit comes with sturdy black turkey cutouts, so your kids need only cut and add tissue paper with a glue stick. Help your child trim the edges for a polished finish. 

Thankful Pie – Country Living

Cut a red construction paper circle as the foundation of your pie, using the inside of a paper plate as your guide. Cut half-inch tan pieces of construction paper to glue into a lattice pattern that looks like the top of the pie. Cut out a slice and have each child at the party write down someone or something they are thankful for this year. Along the top of a paper plate, write “I’m thankful for…” and secure the pie with a brass fastener, so the empty slice can rotate to reveal different messages. 

Mason Jar Luminary – Create Craft Love

This craft requires a trip to the craft store for a mason jar, acrylic paint, twine, a votive candle, and a small piece of vinyl. First you’ll cut a leaf shape out of the vinyl—either by using a Cricut Explore or by tracing around an outdoor leaf—then you’ll stick it to the side of the mason jar. Paint over top of it in a festive color (like persimmon, for instance!) and wait for the acrylic to dry. Once it’s settled, peel off your vinyl leaf to leave an imprint behind. Add dried corn kernels to the bottom of the jar, wrap twine around the top, and enjoy the flickering light show. 

Creatology 3D Thanksgiving Truck – Michaels

This craft kit comes with 37 wood shapes, 56 felt stickers, 52 glitter foam stickers, 16 printed felt stickers, acetate sheets, craft blue, printed paper card shapes, bamboo sticks, shredded tissue paper, adhesive gems, a brush, and double-sided tape. What more could you want? The end result is a cute centerpiece that children have as much fun playing with as they do building it.

Personalized Craft Bags – Shine

Looking for something that can keep the kids busy at your Thanksgiving party, with minimal supervision required? Shine’s customized craft bags can holiday-themed or suited to your child’s unique preferences. We’ve gotten fantastic feedback on these fabulous little bags. Check out our highlight reel here and contact us to learn more about our all-in-one fun party boxes.

Q&A with Shine Founder Aaron Goldschmidt: All You Need To Know About the New Creative Arts Space for Children in The Hamptons

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Shine has been the Tri-State’s leading provider of workshops, camps, pop-up classes, and events since 2004. Programming involves a unique blend of visual arts, science and nature, cooking, cultural immersion, music, and movement, geared toward ages 6 months to 12 years.

Over the years, meetings have taken place at some of the East End’s most iconic locations, like the LongHouse Reserve, Bridge Gardens, or CMEE, but Shine never really had a place to call “home base” – that is, until now!

The Shine Studio debuted to the public earlier this month. Inside, you’ll find three large studios and a café. Outside, you’ll find another café, garden space, an outdoor classroom, a stage, and direct access to the Long Pond Greenbelt trails. It’s an exciting space, designed to inspire creativity and learning.

East End parents are always looking for fun places to go. Whether you’ve experienced our programming before or this is all new to you, company founder Aaron Goldschmidt answers all your questions in this exclusive Q&A about the brand-new Shine Studio, located at 977 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, NY 11932.

Q: How did you arrive at the decision to create a physical space for Shine?

Aaron Goldschmidt, Shine Founder & Director: Shine has always been a mobile, pop-up business. That was the original idea, it has served us very well, and we will continue to offer those services.  But with our popular summer camp and growing business on the East End of Long Island, it felt like the right move at the right time. Also, I am a firm believer that things happen when they are supposed to — and I found the most amazing space that just felt like home the minute I walked in. I had to take this place, even without a plan.

Q: What seasonal events are you planning for The Shine Studio that you hope people will want to come back to, year after year?

A: We are hoping to have at least one seasonal or holiday-specific event per month. We’ve only had a small Halloween party this year and are gearing up for a Family Holiday Party on Saturday, December 18th from 1-4pm. The excitement is in creating and developing events this first year that will hopefully become tradition as we continue to grow and expand!

Q: Is anything exciting coming up over winter break?

A: We will be offering Winter Break Camp at The Shine Studio from Monday, December 20th through Friday, December 31st for kids 2-11 years old.  We want families to enjoy all the innovative and creative activities they love from our popular summer camp. Activities may include: music and movement, signature Shine craft projects, visits from performing and visual artists, outdoor play, and more! Families can choose from a full day session, or morning or afternoon sessions with the option to stay for lunch. And our Grand Opening Events will be mid-January.

Q: What paint palette, materials, and design aesthetic did you choose, and why?

A: I wanted to go with a clean, beach vibe.  Most of our materials are wood, glass, and natural elements with a slight nod to ‘old-school meets modern.’ We also took a lot of inspiration from our new website, as you can see on our graffiti wall. The Shine Studio offers outdoor and indoor spaces for a wide range of our signature activities. The space was renovated by a team of craftsmen from Benenaula Construction, a local Hamptons construction company, who worked with us on every detail to make our space inviting, functional, beautiful, and modern. We wanted the space to act as a canvas for all the art and energy we are going to create here. It is truly a dream come true.

Q: Which is your personal favorite part of the space and why?

A: That is a hard question! It’s all so new, and I’m discovering things I love each day! The outdoor stage/classroom and The Shine Studio graffiti street art behind it are really special to me. But I also love the Craft Studio. I could spend all day in there.

Q: Give us a virtual tour: Tell us how the different rooms function at the studio.

A: Currently, Studio 1 is our multi-use room: perfect for classes, parties, and a variety of our programming. Studio 2 is our Arts & Crafts Studio that has been custom-designed for the sole purpose of making art!  Studio 3 is currently being used by Our Fabulous Variety Show, the first artists-in-residence as a part of our @Shine program. Their state-of-the-art dance studio will provide a permanent space for classes, rehearsals, and boundless creativity. We are excited to partner with them on joint programming and help to foster their mission of bringing accessible and inclusive arts programming to the East End.

Q: Tell us how you started working with Our Fabulous Variety Show and why we should sign up for a class.

A: I met Anita Boyer, co-founder of OFVS, a little over a year ago when I hired her to teach some dance classes for Shine. I knew immediately if I were able to open a space out here, I wanted her to be involved. Our missions really go hand-in-hand. Kids should sign up for her classes because there is no better program for kids’ dance and theater around! She has an infectious energy and undeniable talent.

Q: Can parents rent out the space for private events? What can you offer hosts and their guests?

A: Absolutely.  The Studio lends itself to being a fabulous event space for gatherings of all ages. With our outdoor space, multiple indoor venues, 1.5 kitchens, lovely bathrooms, the possibilities are really endless. While we could organize an adult craft night, we encourage grown-ups to rent the space and bring in any kind of entertainment or food they desire.

Q: Are all classes, camps, and workshops being held exclusively at the studio now, or will you continue area partnerships with places like the LongHouse Reserve?

A: That’s a very good question.  The short answer is ‘no’. Part of what we do so well is show up in the most unlikely places and run our programming.  We’re hoping that by having a permanent space we can actually attract more local artists, artisans, and specialists to come and run exciting programming year-round! In terms of summer camp, we would never give up a day at LongHouse, so we are planning on offering MWF here at The Studio, Tuesdays at LongHouse, and Thursdays as our pop-up field trip day!

Q: Do you have any drop-in times or classes available for people who have no experience with Shine to check out the space?

A: As an introductory offer, we are allowing one-offs and small class packs that can be used to try a variety of our current programs running. Anyone interested should contact krissy@shinenyc.net to inquire.

Q: How does the new studio better help Shine deliver on its mission?

A: Our mission has always been to help all children shine the light they have inside.  We have been fortunate enough not to need a permanent space for that – and, in many ways, being mobile has afforded us the opportunity to inspire even more children. But setting down roots on the East End and having a space to create, collaborate, and congregate helps to solidify us as a brand and a part of the community. We can now be a destination for anyone who wants to shine their light!

Q: What’s next?

A: If only I knew. If you would have told me, four months ago, I would be sitting in my own process and creative arts studio in the Hamptons, I never would have believed you. I love the adventure that life provides if you follow your passion, work hard, and trust your instincts. We are hoping to begin filming more videos out of The Studio, so kids all over the country can have access to our content. We are also interested in showing local artists in our gallery space, developing branded curricula for a variety of programs, and throwing some pretty awesome parties!

Well, there you have it! All are welcome to check out our new space, we’ve got a few exciting events coming up, and everything you loved about Shine is still available. Contact us at info@shinenyc.net or 212.414.5427 to plan your next visit. 

10 Ways for Families to Practice Gratitude

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Thanksgiving comes but once a year, reminding families that it’s healthy, practical, and helpful to take a moment to be thankful for all the blessings in life. As parents, it’s easy to get lost in dirty diapers, toddler meltdowns, pre-teen attitudes, and the stress of juggling work/home life, but gratitude gives us the ability to slow down, absorb some good from each day, and invite more positivity our way.

Best-selling author Melody Beattie explains, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates vision for tomorrow.” This mental organization is not only helpful for us, but vital to growing young minds, too. Finding fun ways to incorporate gratitude into every day – not just once a year – can help create resilience, positivity, humility, and kindness in our children, which are all powerful forces for inner growth and adaptability.

The Appreciation Chair

Designate a chair at the dinner table as “the appreciation chair” and take turns sitting in it. Go around the table and have everyone say something they admire or appreciate about that person. Share praise and encouragement to lift that person up.

Nature Walks

Make a morning, after-school, or evening walk around the block or local park part of your daily ritual. Kids love scavenger hunts! Before departing, explain that you want everyone to find something they are thankful for on the walk.

Thankful Rocks

You can choose to paint your own rocks or buy polished special rocks. Children can carry these special tokens with them in a pocket for a visual reminder to be thankful that someone loves them. Younger children can read “Being Thankful” by Mercer Mayer, where Little Critter is perpetually unhappy until he spends a day on his grandparents’ farm and receives his own gratitude rock.

Bedtime Rituals

Whether you are religious or not, it’s easy to reflect on the day at bed time and think about the silver linings. Kids often find it challenging to come up with ideas, so you might prompt your child: “Name someone who helped you today.” “Who taught you something today?” “Who supported you today?” “Who challenged you today?” “Who showed they cared about you today?” “Who cheered for you today?”    

Alphabet Memory Game

Like the “I’m Going on a Picnic” game, try going around the table and taking turns listing something you can be grateful for that starts with every letter of the alphabet. Maybe you are grateful for Apple pie, Bedtime stories, and Cozy sweaters, for example!

Send a Card

Instead of connecting with family and friends by sending out hundreds of Christmas cards all at once, choose someone from your list each week to mail a random “thank you” card to. Have everyone share their thoughts on why they’re grateful to know this person. Kids can add drawings that will be forever cherished or you might add your favorite photo memory of the year.

Workbooks

Doing one page from a workbook can be a fun activity to do with a child (ages 8-12), either daily or on the weekends when there’s no homework. The Growth Mindset Workbook for Kids contains inspirational stories, writing prompts, exercises, and activities that not only help with gratitude, but with creative problem-solving and developing a positive attitude, too. You can also try the simple Three Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids, which reminds kids to focus on the good they experience each day.

Paper Chain Craft

Perhaps you remember making paper chains in school as a child. Every day someone in the family can write down a daily blessing on a piece of paper that looped and glued to the next one into an interlocking chain. This home decoration then serves as a visual reminder of all we have to be thankful for.

Service Projects

Subscribe to Doing Good Together, a fantastic resource to help you find family-friendly volunteer service projects in the NYC area. From fighting racism and poverty, to saving the Earth and providing comfort, choosing one or two projects to focus on each month can strengthen your family’s bond, remind the kids that not everyone has such abundance, and provide a way to share good fortune with others. 

Going Without

Lastly, this isn’t exactly “fun,” but it can be useful: try choosing something each month that your family goes without. Maybe it’s foregoing weekly pizza night or desserts, opting for board games instead of tablets, or walking places that are less than two miles away instead of driving. We live in a culture of plenty and it can be easy to take the things we have for granted. Going without reminds us of all that we have.

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