Top 5 Recipes For Cinco de Mayo

Top 5 Recipes For Cinco de Mayo

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International Kid-Friendly Food

Contrary to popular belief, May 5th is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s underhanded victory over the occupying French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 – 41 years after Mexico became a sovereign nation. During the Battle of Puebla, 4,000 Mexican troops defeated twice as many heavily-armed French soldiers, revealing the strength of the Mexican people to the rest of the world. In Mexico, the holiday is lauded as an important symbol of patriotism, commemorated with military reenactments and parades. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a widespread celebration of Mexican-American culture – and a great excuse to explore the joys of muy delicioso Mexican cuisine with your children!

Huevos Rancheros

Here is a popular dish celebrated on “Day of the Child” that would double as a great Cinco de Mayo brunch for the whole family. Charbel Barker cooks this family-passed recipe with her two little boys. “This is a great recipe to teach your kids because there are very few steps,” Barker explains. Made with thick-cut ham, eggs, potatoes, tortillas, cheese, and refried beans – you’ll want for nothing! You can top with store-bought salsa or make your own from this fun four-step NY Post recipe.

Get the recipe.

Guacamole

From Josefina Howard, chef at Rosa Mexicana in Manhattan, courtesy of NY Times Cooking

Avocados are a great plant-based source of protein for kids. The creamy texture is an easy sell to the youngest solid-food-eaters. This recipe calls for ½ teaspoon of Serrano chili, which you’ll want to omit when mixing it up for the kids. If you have a lava stone mortar, all the better! Kids really enjoy the mashing aspect of guacamole making. Some recipes call for garlic, citrus fruit, cheese, cumin, or jalapeño. By comparison, this recipe uses just six simple ingredients and is best served with crunchy tortilla chips.

Get the recipe.

Pasilla-Tamarind Paste

From Aarón Sánchez, Award-Winning Food Network Chef & Former Co-Owner of NYC’s Centrico, courtesy of NBC

“I want my kids to know their culture as they grow up seeing dad cook and speak Spanish at home,” explains Chef Sanchez. He makes simple dishes at home – with a new ingredient thrown in as a twist. “Introducing new and different flavors to them is important,” he adds. “They don’t have to love it, but I want to expose them to it.” In his more recent cookbooks, he strays from the typical format of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Instead, he offers sauces with versatile flavors that can give a Mexican twist to any menu. This paste delights kids with its tart and sweet dichotomy. The pasilla chili is mild and rich, balanced by the flavors of the wonderfully tangy tamarind fruit. Use as a marinade or rub with your red meat of choice. The sauce will stay fresh in a tight-sealed container for up to a week or can be easily frozen for later.

Get the recipe.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

From NY Times Food Writer Amanda Hesser

Made from 10 ingredients, this saucy, kid-friendly casserole combines shredded chicken, corn tortillas, cilantro, and queso añejo, a crumbled sharp white cheese. The tomatillo sauce is mild enough for your little ones, and you can choose to omit the jalapeños if necessary. If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute quinoa and red beans for the chicken. Serve it with a traditional medley of steamed beets, cauliflowers, and carrots or a simple green salad would do just fine. Some people save this recipe’s enchilada sauce for eggs, tortilla chips, rice topping, or sprucing up meats.

Get the recipe.

Creamy Lime Pie

From Chef Enrique Olvera at Cosme in the Flat Iron District, Courtesy of The Latin Kitchen

Chef Enrique Olvera is not only a world-renowned chef. The NY Times has suggested he could be “the king of NY” with authentic Mexican cuisine that extends beyond the stereotypes. Pujol, his Mexico City based restaurant, uses native ingredients like heirloom varieties of corn, wild greens, obscure chilies, even insects. Most of his recipes are highly complex with tricky-to-track-down ingredients, but this dessert is sinfully simple. All you need is condensed milk, fresh lime, cream cheese, frozen yogurt, and a pack of vanilla wafers.

Get the recipe.

Cooking is one of the many ways you can celebrate Mexican-American culture with your children. New York City residents can also visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for Spanish lessons, Talavera tile making, and Papel Picado crafting. The fifth of May is also opening day for the new hand-carved, disability-accessible carousel in the Greenbelt’s Willowbrook Park. Contact Shine to learn about the cooking classes and unique cultural experiences we offer area children.

 

 

Passover Activities For Kids

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Passover Activities For Kids

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

Passover Pretend Play

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

 

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

 

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

Passover Crafts

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

 

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

 

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

Passover Cooking

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

 

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

 

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

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

Additional Children’s Passover Resources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

10 Festive Ways To Keep The Kids Entertained At Your Adult Christmas Party

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You’ve decked the halls and planned your dinner menu. Now all you have to do is figure out how to keep all the children attendees satisfied so the adults can mingle and have a good time. Nothing puts the lid on holiday cheer more than a screaming babe, after all! Here are a few creative and practical suggestions for a truly enjoyable winter get-together with family and friends.

1. Give them space.

When combining kids and adults, the first step to sanity is to give the youngsters their own defined space – either a floor of the house, a room, or even simply a craft table. Have this area safety-proofed and stocked with fun.

2. Hire help.

A babysitter can come in handy when you’re hosting an event or hoping to have time for adult conversation. Having a full-time person assigned to “damage-control” is a wise decision to keep juice cups filled, diapers dry, and minor disagreements settled before they escalate. If you’ve never hired a babysitter before, College Nannies and Tutors and UrbanSitter are good places to start.

3. Set up a food decorating station.

If you don’t mind a little bit of mess, tape your table with brown craft paper or white butcher paper and set up a cupcake or cookie-decorating station. Toppings may include different color frosting, sparkle decorating gel, edible googly eyes, sprinkles, M&Ms, candy canes, and other miniature candies. Another neat idea is to have each child bring a dozen or two of their favorite Christmas cookies. Blindfold each child and feed them a cookie, asking them to guess what type it is.

4. Stock a craft table.

Arts & Crafts can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish. For younger kids, you can put out a few Christmas-themed coloring books and crayons. Play-Doh can be jazzed up for the holidays with glitter, holiday cookie cutters, rolling pins, and accessories like felt or buttons to “build snowmen.” For older kids, you can find inexpensive all-in-one craft kits. For instance, Michaels has foam Christmas houses, ornaments, snow globes, letters to Santa, pop-up cards, banners, wood scene painting, cross-stitch, painting, and beading activities that only cost a few dollars each. We also love these Milk Carton Gingerbread Villages recommended by Happy Hooligans.

5.  Make it musical.

Kids of all ages love music. Setting up an MP3 player with Christmas music can make the difference between child anarchy and a group of happily-singing, merry little elves. Even better, you may consider setting up a few microphones for karaoke. Toddlers will get a hoot out of a Christmas caroling themed party that supplies matching hats and scarves, along with hand-held instruments like jingle bells, tambourines, triangles, and drums. In this scenario, it’s best if you have an adult to guide them through a few of their favorite songs. A Christmas songs board book can provide the playlist if you don’t have a karaoke CD or YouTube playlist ready.

6. Plan for fun.

A few pre-planned activities are exciting for kids earlier in the evening when energy levels are high. Guests as little as two can appreciate a Candy Cane Hunt, which is a wintry version of an Easter Egg Hunt. Simply hide wrapped candy canes around the house before your little guests arrive and see how many they can uncover. Finders keepers! The activities you choose don’t have to cost a lot. For example, this Jingle Bell Toss game from Playground Parkbench is kid-friendly and costs you less than $5 to set up. Whether you have a photo booth or not, a few dress-up props go over well with budding imaginations. Older kids might enjoy this Christmas Saran Wrap game, where they compete to unravel a ball of plastic wrap to get to goodies stored inside until the person next to them rolls doubles with a pair of dice. You can also print these Christmas words, cut them into small slips, and place them in a stocking for a few rounds of Christmas Pictionary, a fantastic game for artists young and old.

7. Stock up on board games.

Games can be fun if there is an older child, babysitter, or adult willing to preside over the festivities. There are tons of holiday-themed board games for older kids. Some of our favorites include:

8. Plan for a visit from Santa.

Surely you know someone who is willing to don a white beard and a suit to make the kids happy. You can ask each parent to bring a little something wrapped for Santa to give their child or buy a few inexpensive gifts yourself – like holiday books or stuffed animals. If you can’t hire or enlist a Santa, consider magicians, balloon artists, face painters, musicians, or puppeteers who can make the night memorable.

9. Schedule down-time.

Parties can be overwhelming for kids. Sometimes all it takes is “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” or “Elf” — with a bowl of popcorn and a few mugs or sippy cups of hot cocoa — to settle everyone back down. You may also gather the kids around the fireplace with a basket of holiday books for story time. If you want to make it really special, plan for your visit from Old St. Nick to include a story reading with the children.

10. Call Shine!

Holiday parties are one of the things we do best at Shine. We’ll come to your event fully stocked with dedicated staff members, craft supplies, and custom-themed activities to delight and entertain your youngest guests. Leave set-up and clean-up to us as we transform your kids’ area into a space of seasonal cheer. If you decide to DIY your party this time around, we hope to speak with you in the New Year to discuss how Shine can add that “special something” to your next event.

RESOURCES:

http://www.toronto4kids.com/December-2012/Tis-the-Season-to-Party/

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/820822/How-to-throw-a-kid-friendly-holiday-party

http://momblogsociety.com/entertain-the-children-as-adult-parties/

https://mom.me/entertainment/5999-what-do-kids-while-you-throw-party/

https://www.modernmom.com/9b2cd05e-1ae3-11e1-9f7f-404062497d7e.html

https://www.thespruce.com/christmas-caroling-party-ideas-4117222

https://www.thespruce.com/christmas-song-party-games-4119766

http://www.parenting.com/food-recipes/holiday/holiday-parties-8-ways-to-keep-kids-entertained-while-adults-mingle

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

6 Highly Entertaining Halloween Party Games

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There’s nothing better than a well-planned Halloween party. Whether your little one has an October birthday or you just love this time of year, organizing a couple games can keep kids old and young entertained. Go beyond the traditional “bobbing for apples” Halloween party game with these fun recommendations.

For Younger Kids:

Witches Brew

What could be easier than tossing bean bag frogs or bats into a witch’s cauldron? Kids as little as two understand a simple directive like: “Throw it in.” Young kids love simply holding bean bags and carrying them around, so the tools you need to play the game could double as party favors, too! Award prizes based on how many bean bags each child gets into the cauldron, but don’t forget about a few consolation prizes just for being a good sport and playing.

Pumpkin Hunt

The Easter Bunny doesn’t have to be the only one who gets to have any fun. You can hide small pumpkins around the yard if the weather is conducive or indoors if the October chill has set in. Variations for older ones include placing colored dots on the bottom of the pumpkins and assigning a color to each kid.

Lair of the Spider Queen

Tape up an obstacle course of toilet paper or streamers that kids have to crawl through to win their prizes. Poke spider rings through the paper that game players must avoid knocking down. We love the way this game gets the imagination going!

For Older Kids:

The Body Parts Game

Looking for a spooky game to get the kids screaming and squirming? For this activity, you’ll read a macabre poem about a man whose dismembered body was found in a field near where you live. The kids will reach into a bag or through a hole in a cardboard box to feel each “body part,” such as: spaghetti or cauliflower (brain), grapes (eyeballs), corn silk (hair), sweet corn (teeth), dried peaches (ears), tomato (heart), sausages (fingers), and chunks of ham or a stuffed glove (hands). Alternatively, you may create a Halloween Touch & Feel box with giant toes, bat teeth, poison bugs, bleeding hearts, stinging worms, and witch bones instead.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Get a free printable Halloween scavenger hunt from Play Party Plan that sends kids to backyard trees, the dining room table, the washing machine, the oven, a bed, and the remote control to find new clues. This game not only encourages exploration, but also enhances confidence as kids delight in their ability to solve the riddles.

Monster Guess Who

This game makes the ideal ice breaker game to encourage mingling and conversation. Each player has the name of a classic monster taped to their back. They need to ask the other players “yes” or “no” questions to figure out who they are.

No time or energy to run the show? Call Shine NYC to bring the fun to your next event!

Additional Resources:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

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

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There are more than 1.5 million Jewish people living in New York City, bringing with them fantastic foods like old-fashioned bagels topped with lox, pastrami deli sandwiches, matzo ball soup, hand-rolled knish, hummus platters, and chocolate-hazelnut filled babka. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins the evening of September 20th so what better time to try something new?

We recommend taking one of the Lower East Side Jewish Food Tours, or checking out the best places for Jewish food in NYC, if you haven’t already. But, by far, the most meaningful way to explore new cuisine with your kids is right at home in your kitchen. Rather than shooing your littles out of the kitchen, invite them in! Roll up your sleeves and get a little messy with these five kid-friendly Jewish recipes.

Potato Kugel

From the NY Times

Itta Werdinger Roth grew up in an Orthodox Jewish community in Australia, but married an American and quickly became a New York City sensation, known just as much for her traditional home-cooking as for her all-woman Hasidic rockband. Jewish food differs vastly around the world, but “everyone knows potato kugel,” she told the NY Times, adding: “There are two kinds: good and bad. It’s like a savory cake; you bake shredded potatoes with eggs and onions, and the inside comes out so creamy you eat it almost like mashed potatoes.” Cooking with kids doesn’t get much easier than this recipe consisting of just potatoes, onion, eggs, salt, pepper, oil, flour, and baking powder. This version is rooted in Lubavitch Women’s Cookbook Publications’ “Spice and Spirit,” which is thee cookbook for traditional Jewish cooking. From there, the recipe has been tweaked with subtle variations to get the perfect crispy-creamy textures.

Get the recipe.

P.S. If your kids really love potatoes, consider taking them to the 9th Annual NYC Latke Festival at the Brooklyn Museum on December 18th!

Soup Dumplings with Minced Brisket

From Kosher Like Me

Liz Rueven is from Connecticut, but enjoys “probing the scene in NYC” for inspiration. Most of her recipes are kosher vegetarian, but this homemade kreplach recipe comes from the Ashkenazic Jewish cuisine her Nanny made. It’s a traditional dish enjoyed for Purim, the holiday commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people under Haman’s persecution in ancient Persia, but you can cook up this savory soup with the kids on any cool weather day for a satisfying treat. It’s a project, to be sure, but older kids enjoy the whole process of mixing and stuffing, so don’t shy away from this memorable experience.

Get the recipe.

Kookoo-e Sabzi

From The Sephardic Heritage Cookbook

The Sephardic Heritage Cookbook doesn’t necessarily have a New York connection, but it is one of the top-selling Jewish cookbooks, after all. The recipe itself just seemed to appeal to kids and adults alike. First, what kid isn’t going to love asking for “kookoo?” Parents will like this egg-based dish because it’s similar to an omelet or frittata, but gives you the chance to sneak in loads of healthy vegetables and herbs. And it’s versatile. You can serve it hot or cold, as an appetizer or a main dish. You can serve it with bread, feta cheese, or plain yogurt. It keeps well in the fridge for several days or you can freeze it in tin foil.

Get the recipe.

Braised Short Ribs with Squash Puree and Roasted Corn Salad

From Nir Mesika

Celebrity Chef Nir Mesika is the founder and executive chef of Timna, a modern Israeli restaurant in the East Village of NYC that was named “the best new restaurant” by USA Today in 2015. Braised short ribs was always his favorite Rosh Hashanah meal growing up, he says, because “the family was waiting for it all day long,” so dipping into the shared pot in the center of the table was so satisfying when the time came. Plan to spend some time on this recipe, but the melt-in-your-mouth textures and cozy flavors are bound to be a hit with everyone in your family.

Get the recipe.

Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Pistachio

From Einat Admony

Einat Admony is the chef and owner of Balaboosta in Manhattan, Bar Bolonat in the West Village, and Taim, as well as a regular consultant to the Jewish Food Society, an organization dedicated to preserving traditional cultural recipes. She recalls this favorite Rosh Hashanah recipe fondly. “When I was a child in Israel,” Admony said, “the high holidays meant peeling two whole cases of pomegranates for our family’s holiday meals. Out of the two cases and the resulting 20 pounds of seeds, we would get only a few small jars of pomegranate preserve. It was tiring, detailed work, and I used to hate it, but it would end up as part of our dinner, so I knew it was all for a good cause.” You can serve four main courses or eight side dishes with this recipe – which, thankfully, only calls for half a cup of pomegranate seeds.

Get the recipe.

We hope you enjoy preparing these healthy, international dishes for your family. Contact us to learn about fun enrichment activities for your child, including cooking classes, our Health Nuts workshops, City Adventures, and more!

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other eclipse viewing parties will be held at:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Resources:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

8 Ways Kids Can Entertain Themselves at Your Fourth of July Party

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The best Fourth-of-July parties are entertaining for kids and adults. Here are some of our favorite open-ended party activities that will entertain and engage kids, while grown-ups enjoy cocktails and conversation.

Top 8 July 4th Activities

 

1.      July 4th Firework Crafts

Firework crafts are easy enough for older kids to do without supervision or for a teenager to oversee the littler ones. Simply cut the end of paper towel rolls into strips for a great firework template that can be dipped into glitter paint. The bounce and twist motion it takes to create “fireworks” encourages hand-eye coordination and fine motor development, while kids use their imagination and combine colors. Another variation of this craft uses shaving cream, liquid water colors, and toothpicks. You can also use forks to make a circular pattern or dab a dish brush onto the paper for a similar effect.

2.      Independence Day Scavenger Hunt

Plan to pair younger kids with older kids, and make a patriotic-themed Scavenger Hunt around the yard or house before guests arrive. There are countless variations, but the basic idea is to write out a riddle leading kids to the next clue. An example might be: “An old fable says that George Washington chopped one of these down” – which, of course, will lead the sleuths to a cherry tree on the property. You could hide the American flags to be collected as part of a patriotic theme, or make printouts of famous patriots, places, and symbols from American history. To add a layer of intrigue, you could attach an activity to each discovered clue, such as “Do five pushups” or “Sing the Star-Spangled Banner.” An easier version can be made for younger kids by simply providing a list of hidden items to find. They can be very specific patriotic items / printouts, or broader items like “something fuzzy” and “something pretty.”

3.      Red, White and Blue Water Balloons

Water balloons are always a hit at any outdoor summer picnic. Of course, there is some liability that adult guests may get a little wet, too. Encourage structured games, rather than all-out warfare. The basic Water Balloon Toss involves two lines of people standing across from one another, tossing and catching small water balloons. Partners who drop and break the balloon are out. If the partners successfully complete the toss without the balloon breaking, they take one step back. Another fun game is Water Ballon Dodgeball where two teams are divided up and take turns hurling water balloons back and forth until one team is left standing. Buy red, white, and blue balloons to make it festive. When the sun goes down, you can bust out these glow-in-the-dark balloons recommended by a camp counselor.

4.      4th of July Bicycle Parade

The Fourth of July naturally lends itself to pageantry. Set up an Americana themed costume box with props and outfits like the Statue of Liberty, Paul Revere, George and Martha Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Colonial soldiers. Or you can ask young guests to come dressed as their favorite patriotic attire to compete for the “best costume” prize. Kids can bring their bikes to decorate for a “parade” around the block (or the driveway). Have streamers, flags, stickers, construction paper, markers, and spoke beads on hand for decorating.

5.      Independent Jewelry Making Station

Older kids can enjoy hours of making red, white, and blue bracelets and necklaces. Supply them with red, white, and blue beads, as well as beads shaped like stars or letter beads that allow them to write messages. Oriental Trading is a cheap place to find patriotic charms and supplies, or you could try Etsy.

6.      Capture the (American) Flag

Divide the team into the red team vs. the blue team, using bandanas to signify who is on which team. For team flags, you could use the American and “Don’t Tread on Me” flags. The object of this classic game is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to their territory. If you’re tagged by an opposing team member, you have to go to the designated “jail.” You can only get out of jail if your team member tags you. Each team typically divvies themselves up into “Guards” who try to tag opponents sneaking into their territory, “Attackers” who are on a mission to find the other team’s hidden flag, and “Scouts” who rescue team members from jail and support the other roles.

7.      July 4th on TV!

Electronic media is never our first pick, but what if it’s raining? What if the kids have been running around for hours and crave that little bit of “down time” to recharge their batteries? Our best educational TV pick for the Fourth of July is Liberty’s Kids, an entertaining-yet-educational series about the American Revolution. Other picks may include movies like: “Johnny Tremain,” “This is America, Charlie Brown,” “All Aboard America,” or “Ben and Me.”

8.       Stand up and Sing, Patriots!

What better time to brush up on everybody’s favorite patriotic songs that embody the very spirit of our independence? For a comprehensive list of all the most classic patriot tunes and lyrics, check out https://www.scoutsongs.com/categories/patriotic-songs.html. Or curate your own list of modern pop hits that celebrate what it means to “R.O.C.K. in the USA”, be an “American Girl”, or remind your favorite kid what a “Firework” he is. Or if you have a Broadway baby, why not host a Hamilton sing along!

Additional Resources: https://www.icanteachmychild.com/shaving-cream-fireworks/

Holidays are an exciting time for the kids, so be sure to put their boundless energy to good use. Have them work on easy table decorations, or inspire their inner “chef” by having them assemble these simple 4th of July snacks. While you are celebrating America’s independence, your little ones will be celebrating their growing sense of independence, too.

Have a sensational party!

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

New Year’s Eve Traditions

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It’s the last week of 2015! When I was a child, a few days before New Year’s Eve, I never quite understood why my parents would be running around more so than usual. My mom always said they were “preparing” for the new year. Growing up we had some quirky yet fun traditions that are now happily being passed onto my nephews. While many are not unique to Filipino culture, some are rooted from my parents’ experiences growing up there and I thank them for instilling them so they will carry on for generations. Ring in 2016 with some of these or create your own!

A10885579_890605027630727_8292622434494028880_nn abundance fresh food – down to filling the salt and pepper containers!
Having the cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer stocked with new groceries signifies having prosperity and good health in the New Year. Make grocery lists together so food shopping with children is more of a scavenger hunt rather than a task.

A bowl of round fruits
In my family it’s considered auspicious to have bright-colored round fruit displayed in bowls around the house to help ring in the New Year. Since you’ll already be stocking the kitchen, raid the fruit department with your children and make some delicious good-luck fruit bowls! Even better, spread some cheer – make one as a gift for a neighbor or relative too!

Clean out, clear out
We clean out everything from kitchen shelves, storage bins, and closets at this time of year. Everything in good, clean condition that is no longer needed gets donated to a local charity. Teach your family that the spirit of giving doesn’t always equate to a perfectly wrapped gift and that there are people who would appreciate something that they aren’t using anymore. Take some time to help them go through their belongings and donate one item for every new gift they’ve received. Take some shopping bags or storage bins and draw fun signs that say “donate” or “recycle / trash” and make it a sorting party! Who knew cleaning could be so entertaining?

Resolution List vs. Gratitude List = Do both! 
While it’s important to focus on goals, what we want to work on and talk about them with children, it’s also important to take time to realize what’s already good and what we’re already succeeding with to propel us in a positive direction during the New Year. My mother continues to remind us all that we need to be grateful for each day.  We can make laundry lists of things we want to “fix” but reminding our little ones to be thankful for the everyday things is just as important.

Jingle, Jingle
We make sure that there is money in our pockets and wallets when it rings midnight to represent good fortune and success. During our gigantic Filipino parties I remember being a little kid and getting dollar bills and quarters from my parents, titas (aunties), and titos (uncles). We’d jingle the coins in our pockets during the countdown!

Float your way to the top! 
My mother grew up cooking these with her Lola (grandmother) and she continues to cook them now that she is one herself! Palitaw is a Filipino sweet dessert made of sticky rice flour that are formed into patties then put in boiling water. You know they’re cooked when the patties float to the top of the water’s surface which signifies rising above the previous year and ascending to a new and fresh chapter.

Open up the windows and make some noise
In the Philippines it is common to open the windows to allow fresh energy to enter your home and life. As an East Coaster, it is always freezing yet I continue to do this even on the coldest of New Year’s Eves. Children are usually given firecrackers to light up but make sure you assist and monitor these!

When it comes down to it, spending time with family and friends is the most important, even if it’s just watching the Times Square countdown on television together! Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and joyful 2016!

By Christina Soriano, Shine Educator

Halloween Tricks and Treats

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Halloween can be a lot of fun for older children – creepy costumes, spooky stories and copious amounts of candy!  But for younger children the holiday can be frightening, over-stimulating and difficult to process.  Toddlers and pre-school aged children are not always capable of differentiating the real from the imaginary and Halloween can blur those lines even further.  We would never think of taking our 2 year-olds to a haunted house.  And how do we explain all the blood, gore and evil the holiday celebrates?

Tricks and TreatsAt Shine, we use the creative angle Halloween provides and really get children involved on a level to which they can relate.  Here are some of my favorite tips to make Halloween fun for young children while reinforcing important skills, family bonding and the joy the season has to offer. Read more

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