Spring Into Science: 5 Easy Experiments for Kids to Enjoy at Home

Spring Into Science: 5 Easy Experiments for Kids to Enjoy at Home

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As the weather warms up and flowers start to bloom, it’s the perfect time to engage curious young minds with exciting science experiments inspired by the wonders of Mother Nature. Whether you’re looking for a quality time activity for the weekend or an educational project to do after school, these simple experiments are sure to delight both kids and parents alike. Best of all, you can conduct them using basic household items, making them accessible and affordable for everyone. So, gather your budding scientist and explore the world of spring-themed science with the following experiments.

DIY Bird Feeder

(Ideal For: 2 to 6-year-olds)

Supplies:

  • Large pine cones
  • Peanut butter
  • Birdseed
  • Yarn

Bring feathered friends flocking to your backyard with this fun and functional experiment. Using items like pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed, create homemade bird feeders that are sure to attract a variety of birds to your garden. Simply spread peanut butter onto the pinecone and then roll it in birdseed until fully coated. Attach the bird feeder to a trees or outdoor hook using a piece of yarn and wait for the birds to flock and feast. This experiment not only provides kids with a hands-on activity but also teaches them about the importance of caring for wildlife and the environment. Have your child keep an observation journal, drawing and learning about the different species that come to the feeder.

Rain Cloud in a Jar

(Ideal For: 3 to 5-year-olds)

Supplies:

  • Large, clear jar (3/4 filled with water)
  • Shaving cream
  • Blue food coloring
  • Liquid dropper or pipette

Witness the mesmerizing wonder of precipitation right in your own home. Have your child fluff up the shaving cream on top of the water to resemble clouds. Then, using a dropper, add a few drops of blue food coloring onto the “clouds.” Watch in awe as the color slowly seeps through the clouds and rains down into the water below, simulating a rainstorm. You can also try a similar experiment using a strainer and cotton balls instead of shaving cream for fine motor skills practice. These experiments are visually striking and also teach kids about the water cycle in a hands-on way.

Seed Germination

(Ideal For: 3 to 7-year-olds)

Supplies:

  • Styrofoam Cups or Small Pots
  • Potting Soil
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Bean Seeds
  • Radish Seeds

Get your hands dirty and explore the magic of plant growth with this hands-on experiment. Grab some small pots or cups, potting soil, and a variety of seeds such as sunflowers, beans, or radishes. Have your child plant the seeds in the soil, making sure to water them regularly and place them in a sunny spot. Then, sit back and watch as the seeds sprout and grow into beautiful plants right before your eyes. Observe: Which grows fastest or slowest? How deep should we plant the seeds? Which needs the most water or sun? This experiment not only teaches kids about the life cycle of plants, while instilling a sense of responsibility as they care for their growing seedlings.

Bouncy Egg

(Ideal For: 7 to 10-year-olds)

Supplies:

  • 1 Large Egg, Cooked or Raw
  • A Tall Glass
  • White Vinegar

Measuring six-inches in diameter, an ostrich egg is the world’s largest cell. You don’t need an ostrich to astound your child with an egg’s unique properties: a basic chicken egg will do. By submerging the egg in white vinegar overnight, the calcium carbonate shell dissolves, leaving behind a rubbery substance. Over the course of six days, the egg undergoes a peculiar transformation, losing its shell and gaining a unique texture. This change occurs due to the reaction between the acetic acid in the vinegar and the calcium carbonate in the eggshell, producing carbon dioxide bubbles. The result is a shell-less egg with a semi-permeable membrane, capable of bouncing and bending without breaking. By experimenting with different variables such as egg types, vinegar types, and soaking durations, children can explore the nuances of this chemical reaction and discover its endless possibilities. This experiment sparks curiosity and inquiry into the marvels of science.

Butterfly Life Cycle

(Ideal For: 8 to 12-year-olds)

Supplies:

  • A Butterfly Garden Kit with Live Caterpillars

Alternative Supplies:

  • Large Cardboard Box with Lid
  • Tissue Paper
  • Pipe Cleaners (for chrysalis building)
  • Scissors, Pencil, and Tape
  • Clear Cling Wrap
  • Twigs, Branches, Flowers
  • Sugar Water and Sliced Fruit (food)
  • Small Metal Jar Lid or Plastic Lid — Filled with Water (hydration)

Transform your home into an enchanting butterfly sanctuary and view the mystery of metamorphosis. To begin, you have the option of purchasing a butterfly kit online for convenience, or crafting a DIY habitat from a simple cardboard box. Line the interior with tissue paper and add natural elements to evoke a cozy atmosphere. Create a viewing window by carefully cutting a rectangle into one side of the box and securing see-through cling wrap with tape. Remember to ensure proper ventilation by puncturing small holes in the box. If you opt for the hands-on approach, you can venture into your garden or local park to collect caterpillars or butterfly larvae. Over the following weeks, observe with wonder as the caterpillars undergo the extraordinary process of metamorphosis, transforming into delicate chrysalises before emerging as breathtaking butterflies. This immersive experience offers children a firsthand glimpse into the awe-inspiring journey of the butterfly life cycle, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wonders of nature.

With these spring-themed science experiments, parents and kids can enjoy hours of educational fun right in the comfort of their own home. So, roll up your sleeves, put on your scientist hats, and let the exploration begin!

Igniting Creativity: Celebrate National Inspire Your Heart With Art Day with Kids

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January 31st marks a special day on the calendar: National Inspire Your Heart With Art Day. It’s a celebration of artistic expression and the profound impact it can have on our hearts and minds. For parents, it’s an opportunity to foster creativity in their children and instill a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Here, we’ll explore the significance of this day and provide practical tips to enjoy the day.

Why Celebrate Inspire Your Heart With Art Day?

Art has a unique ability to inspire, uplift, and bring joy. National “Inspire Your Heart With Art” Day encourages individuals, young and old, to explore the world of art in all its forms – from visual arts like painting and drawing, to performing arts like music and dance, to literary arts like poetry and fiction.

Fast Facts: Making the Case for Art Education

For children, engaging in artistic activities is not only fun but also essential for their cognitive development, fostering creativity, imagination, and self-expression. But don’t just take our word for it.

Consider some of the latest research, which found:

Through art, children create mental images, express themselves, make judgments, take risks, and work through frustration by flexing perseverance—all critical life skills.

Practical Tips for Parents to Celebrate with Kids

  • Create an Artistic Space at Home: Designate a corner or table at home as an artistic space where kids can unleash their creativity. Stock various art supplies like paper, paint, markers, colored pencils, how-to drawing books, and various craft materials—and let imaginations run wild.
  • Family Art Session: Pick a theme, and set aside time for a family art session. It could be a collaborative mural, individual paintings, or even a mini family art exhibition.
  • Explore Different Art Forms: Introduce your children to various art forms to broaden their perspective and enhance their appreciation for creativity. You might watch a dance performance online, listen to different genres of music, or discuss illustrations in a book on art history.
  • Visit Virtual Art Exhibitions: Many cultural institutions offer virtual tours, allowing kids to explore famous artworks and discover new artists from the comfort of their homes. Or we recommend visiting one of the many art museums or galleries in the Hamptons.
  • Artistic Games and Challenges: Organize art-related games or challenges like a timed drawing competition, drawing a portrait with your eyes closed, scavenger hunt for art supplies, or a game where your family recreates famous artworks and tries to guess what everybody made.

Shine: Nurturing Creativity Through Art, Music, Sports, Culinary, and Cultural Activities

At Shine, we understand the profound impact of art on a child’s development. Our camps and activities are designed to provide a vibrant and enriching environment where kids can explore their artistic passions. From crafting to music to culinary creations, Shine offers a diverse range of programs that inspire creativity and foster a life-long love of learning.

To celebrate National Inspire Your Heart With Art Day, consider visiting the Shine Studio in New York’s East End to provide your child with opportunities to shine bright through artistic expression and creative exploration. Visit our website to learn more about our upcoming camps and activities – where every day is a celebration of inspiration and creativity.

Fun New Year’s Crafts That Spark Creativity and Joy

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As we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate with kids than to engage in crafty activities together. Crafting not only enhances creativity but also provides an opportunity for children to express themselves and builds lasting memories and traditions.

Here are some fun New Year’s crafts tailored for kids ages 5-12:

1. New Year’s Party Hats

Get the festivities started by crafting personalized party hats. First, make a cone-shaped hat by drawing a half-circle on a piece of paper using a compass or pencil tied to a string, cutting it out, forming a cone, and taping it at the base. Then unleash the imagination with a variety of custom decorations. We recommend colorful markers, stickers, streamers, puff balls, plastic shaped buttons, and glitter.

2. Countdown Clocks

Create anticipation for the stroke of midnight with DIY countdown clocks. Use paper plates or cardboard circles as the base, and have the kids divide them into 12 sections to represent the hours on a clock. Allow them to decorate each section with different colors and patterns. Add moving clock hands using a brad fastener. As the clock approaches midnight, they can turn the hand to count down the hours to the New Year.

3. Confetti Poppers

What’s a New Year’s celebration without confetti? Help your kids make DIY confetti poppers by tying a knot at one end of the balloon, cutting the top off, and stretching/taping the other end over an empty toilet paper roll. Decorate the roll with festive colors and fill with cut pieces of tissue paper or cut metallic paper pieces. Place a piece of tissue paper and a rubber band over the end to wait for the big moment. When the clock strikes midnight, pull the balloon and snap it, releasing a shower of celebratory confetti.

4. Wishing Wands

Encourage positive vibes for the New Year by crafting wishing wands. Provide plain wooden dowels for the kids to decorate with ribbons, glitter, and beads. Attach a small jingle bell or a star cutout to the top and encourage them to write or draw their wishes for the upcoming year on the star. Wave the wands as a symbolic gesture to send their wishes into the universe.

5. Vision Boards

Introduce the concept of vision boards to inspire your kids to visualize their dreams and aspirations for the coming year. Provide poster boards, magazines, scissors, and glue. You might also use a template to help get ideas flowing. Encourage your child to cut out images and words that represent their goals, dreams, and things they look forward to in the New Year. As they arrange and glue these elements onto their boards, discuss the importance of setting positive intentions and keeping visual reminders around. This meaningful exercise can teach children about the power of visualization and positive thinking.

Start the Year Off Inspired!

As the clock ticks down to the New Year, these crafts will not only keep your kids entertained but also foster creativity and a sense of excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead. So, gather the art supplies, set up a crafting station, and let the New Year’s crafting festivities begin! And if you’re in the Hamptons / East End of New York, stop by and visit The Shine Studio for crafting supplies, inspiration, and fun.

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.

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