8 Thanksgiving Crafts for a Memorable Holiday

8 Thanksgiving Crafts for a Memorable Holiday

/in , , , , , , , /by

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

Thanksgiving Table Turkeys – KiwiCo

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

Fall Colors Foam Weaving Placemat – Oriental Trading

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

Beaded Pipe Cleaner Corn – One Little Project

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

Turkey Suncatcher Kits – Etsy

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

Thankful Pie – Country Living

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

Mason Jar Luminary – Create Craft Love

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

Creatology 3D Thanksgiving Truck – Michaels

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

Personalized Craft Bags – Shine

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

Food-Free Halloween Treats the Classroom Will Love To Death

/in , , , , , /by

When we were children, our parents sent us to school with bags of Reese’s Cups, Skittles, and M&Ms. But now that more and more teal pumpkins are cropping up and 1 in 13 children has a food allergy, many schools are kindly asking that parents send in food-free holiday treats.

Move beyond party favor knick-knacks destined for the trash with these food-free Halloween treats your child’s class will find frightfully delightful:

  • Mini Flashlights – a useful gift that’ll come in handy trick or treating and telling spooky stories around the campfire. These even come with lanyards and batteries.
20 for under $30 here

  • Halloween Stationary Set: Each child receives a treat bag containing a pencil, eraser, stamp, ruler bookmark, and sticker.
24 pack for $16.99 here

  • Halloween Sensory Squishies: Filled with non-toxic water beads, these characters are more cute than scary, but squeezing them is strangely relaxing.
20 for $40 here

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Picture4.jpg

  • Halloweek Rubber Duckies: All dressed up for the holidays, the class will love this twist on the classic bath and pool toy.
24 for $21 here

  • 24-Piece Halloween Jigsaw Puzzles: Encourage patience and focus with 12 different styles of Halloween puzzle. It’s affordable enough you can throw it into a goodie bag with other treats if you please.
Get 20 for $20 here

  • Halloween Wreath Craft Kits: It’s always nice when your child has fun creating, then that fun adorns the house for a month, and goes away until next year!
Get 24 for $38 here

  • Halloween Monster Mini Plush: There’s nothing more endearing than a child toting around a beloved character. For a 10-year window of time, the house can never have too many plushies.
Get 15 for $25 here

  • Glowing LED Ghosts: Glowing ghosts are not only fun toys to play with, but they make cute table or window decorations once the children have outgrown them.
Get 24 for $30 here

  • Super Hero Cape Costumes: Dress up is highly popular for the under 10 crowd. Role playing is good for language development, emotional regulation, and self-esteem.
Get 24 for under $50 here

If you’re a teacher looking for a unique in-class activity, ask us about our custom craft bags.

Bonus Read:

Parents, be sure to check out our Guide to a Perfectly Haunting Halloween Day from Dawn ‘til Dusk for games, snacks, movies, and activities to make this holiday extra-special for your children.

How To Enjoy Christmas in July

/in , , , , , , /by

July kicks off with a bang, as Independence Day fireworks explode in the night sky. Yet, if you live for celebration, it can feel like a long, uneventful stretch until Labor Day. If you missed Friendsgiving, no worries: there are still a few more weekends this month to slap together a Christmas in July.  

Food

The perfect dish varies from family to family, but a potluck makes planning easy.

Frills

The details bring the concept of Christmas in July to life:

Fun

There are countless ways to spice up a summer Christmas party:

  • Too early for Christmas music? Never! A microphone with a built-in speaker and YouTube is all you need for a Christmas karaoke party.
  • If you have a sandbox, you might have the kids build and decorate a “sandman” instead. Or you could fill red, white, and green water balloons for a fight. Christmas themed pinatas are always a hit with the kids, too!
  • Organize a “white elephant” gift exchange. Everyone picks a number out of a hat to choose a gift, with an option to steal. For a simple-yet-silly twist, have everyone wrap up a re-gift or something from their home they want to get rid of! Pick up a few items from the dollar store for the kids like a wiffle ball toss game, excavation eggs, chalk, glow-in-the-dark necklaces, or plush toys.
  • Play a game like Santa Cookie Elf Snowman or the 12 Games of Christmas.
  • Put on your favorite Christmas movie. Since the weather is much better than December, you might consider an outdoor movie experience with a projector and inflatable screen.

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Why wait until December to make memories that’ll last a lifetime? For more ideas on summer entertaining, contact The Shine Studio. We can bring games, crafts, and activities to entertain the kids at your next party or you can drop in for classes, workshops, and camps all summer long.

Why & How To Celebrate National Children’s Day June 12th

/in , , , /by

“The days drag, but the years fly by,” according to a common parenting adage. Amid the hustle and bustle of a busy week of work, school, sports practices, dinners, and bedtime routines, it’s all too easy to lose track of how we spend our daily minutes.

In fact, 6 in 10 parents worry they aren’t spending enough “quality time” with their children, and 1 in 3 children say their parents “work too much.” While parents report feeling happiest playing games with their kids, watching tv together is the most common activity.

National Children’s Day, celebrated this year on June 12th, reminds us to slow down our fast-paced lives, turn off technology, and focus on togetherness. 

The History of National Children’s Day

Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard of Chelsea, Massachusetts first set aside this day in 1856 to hold a special baptism service and addressing problems affecting the child welfare.

Formally, different administrations have chosen different days to celebrate — the second Sunday of October (1989-2000), the first Sunday of June (2001-2016), and November 20th (2016-present).

Because of all these changes, people choose when they want to celebrate. The second Sunday in June is truest to the original proposed date — and also the nicest weather-wise, so why not take a moment the weekend before Father’s Day to celebrate the “future changemaker” in your life?

How To Celebrate National Children’s Day

Sometimes it can be difficult to come up with a mutually satisfying activity, as kids often prefer imaginative play which adults may find boring. Here are a few ideas to get the gears turning:

  • Go to a park — preferably one with a playground (and pack a picnic!)
  • Dine out — show your child to your favorite restaurant (bonus for an outdoor patio!)
  • Road trip — check out one of these nearby locations within a few hours of the East End
  • Play board games — consider some of these expert and parent-tested classics
  • Make a craft — stop by the Shine studio to pick up a custom-themed craft bag
  • Play Hide & Go Seek, catch with a ball and frisbee, or croquet in the yard
  • Visit a family activity center — try roller skating, go karts, bowling, and mini golf
  • Organize a dance party — all you need is music, but add balloons to make it more fun!
  • Paint — create a family mural to make a lasting memento of your memories
  • Hike, bike, or swim — fresh air and activity is a nice change of pace to work and school
  • Stop by the Shine studio — drop in for a class, workshop, or dance session

Consider this opportunity to break from routine, explore the outdoors, share family stories, ask your child about life, and start new traditions. If you want to connect with the larger parenting community, you can share your adventures using the social media hashtag #NationalChildrensDay.

How to Help Your Kids Benefit from Boredom

/in , , , /by

With summer break a little over a month away, you can almost hear it now: “I’m BORED.” 

While the slumpy complaining and morose attitude can be frustrating to witness, all boredom is not created equal—and most types are actually good for child development.

Researchers have identified five types of tedium:

  • Indifferent boredom – relaxed, withdrawn, indifferent
  • Calibrating boredom – uncertain, receptive to change or distraction
  • Searching boredom – restless, active pursuit of change or distraction
  • Reactant boredom – motivated to leave a situation for specific alternatives
  • Apathetic boredom – the unpleasant feeling of helplessness or depression

Researchers say living in this Age of Information overloads our minds with information that produces a scarcity of attention and the ability to engage in productive activities. Allowing boredom provides the mind with a relaxing break that alleviates stress. Allowing the mind to wander and daydream can trigger self-reflection, development of goals, and heightened creativity. Boredom motivates the search for novelty, improved self-control, and fulfillment. 

You can interpret your child’s boredom as an emotional signal that something in life needs adjusting. We’ve all been there when unstructured time that doesn’t involve screens results in squabbles, meltdowns, and wrestle fights. To attain household harmony, your child’s life needs a healthy balance between structured activity and idle time.

Here are a few ways to tweak the summer routine ever so slightly to allow boredom:

  • Plan together time. Sometimes “I’m bored” is really your child’s way of saying, “I need to spend more quality time with you.” Proactively schedule small chunks of together time into your day. Maybe it’s a quick post-breakfast talk and walk around the block or a half hour of board games after you finish work or Friday family movie night. A little goes a long way.
  • Set up surprises. After your child goes to bed, set out toys for your child to “discover” in the morning. There are probably many toys your child has forgotten about—be it a Lego set, MagnaTiles, paper dolls, puppets, puzzles, or craft supplies. Arrange a plastic animal scene, a stuffed animal tea party, or a blanket fort. Set out a bin of random open-ended play items like pipe cleaners, colored scarves, cookie cutters, costumes, or paper rolls for your child to find and consider. Buy supplies and invite your child to dig, plant, and decorate their own garden. Rotating your child’s environment with new playthings every few days keeps the days fresh and inspiring without requiring immediate oversight from you.
  • Make a list of boredom busters. Have your child help you brainstorm a list of what to do when the doldrums inevitably strike. Keep the list in a handy place for your child’s reference.
  • Make a snuggle up and snack spot. Create a quiet corner of the house with a beanbag chair, reading light, snacks, books, stuffed animals, and blankets. Let your child know whenever that feeling of boredom rises, this special spot is always waiting to take the mind on an adventure. You might consider using a sticker chart or punch card with a reward for 10 uses of this space as a way of incentivizing constructive use of boredom.
  • Help your child set goals. Sometimes we feel aimless when we have no hopes or dreams. Help your child pinpoint a goal to work on this summer, whether it’s achieving a new development milestone like riding a bike or tying laces, taking instrument or sports lessons, finishing a Summer Learning workbook, or learning how to draw. Setting aside time each day to work on improving a life skill can be empowering and productive.

Yes, summer boredom can be fun! If you find these steps aren’t cutting the mustard, remember you can always stop into the new Shine studio in the Hamptons for fun workshops and classes geared toward children 0-12. Contact us for schedules and details. 

4 Reasons to Say “Yes” To Spring Break Camp

/in , , , /by

Kids need certain ingredients to thrive—quiet time for reading and learning; structured tasks to build esteem and learn responsibility; fun activities to make new memories; exercise to keep mind and body sharp; and alone time to develop independence. Public school break week is fast approaching: April 11th to 22nd. If you haven’t made plans yet, consider sending your kids to Spring Break Camp to keep them off the computer and thriving during their days away from school.

Benefits of Spring Break Camp

  1. It provides structure. Kids who grow up with predictable daily routines are less likely to have attention deficits, self-control challenges, and time management issues as adults, according to University at Albany psychologist Jennifer Weil Malatras. Spring break camp provides a structured routine that keeps kids engaged with learning and off screens. 
  • Make new friends. Socialization is an important aspect of child development. Laurie Kramer, professor of applied family studies at the University of Illinois, noticed that children grow up with different social competencies if they have close relationships with a sibling or peers. “Growing up just with parents is a different environment for young people,” Kramer says. She recommends that parents of only children seek ways to help their child “have social experiences with other children, whether that’s through childcare, preschool, or play dates.” Social interactions with kids the same age fosters cooperation, personality development, respect, communication competence, and problem-solving abilities. At least one study found a direct correlation between camp and improved ability to read social-emotional cues.
  • Build your child’s memory. Researchers have found that camps are educational, and not just “recreational.” One study found that children at a four-day zoo camp performed 35 to 64 percent higher on test scores about animal classification that kids who hadn’t attended the real-world experience. The findings “highlight the enriching potential of real-world programs like summer camps,” explained Layla Unger, a postdoctoral researcher at Ohio State University. “This suggests organization of knowledge doesn’t require years to happen; it can occur with a short, naturalistic learning experience.”
  • Help your child discover new hobbies and skills. It can be difficult to find a sport, activity, or hobby for your child, but camps provide exposure to a number of different opportunities to see what sticks. A spring break camp might include arts and crafts activities, nature and science, music and culinary skill building, theater and physical activity. 

American Camp Association surveys highlight the impact camp can have on how children view themselves and how they perform in school: 

“I was more confident; I wanted to know everything.” 

“I learned a lot about how to control my anger.”

“I feel like I am accomplishing something by being here.” 

 “I feel that I am better at interacting with friends and family.”

“When I’m at camp I feel that I can be more open with others and myself.”

“I learned to listen… and cooperate with people who have different opinions.”

“I can do more and be proud with myself.”

“I learned to have fun, be a leader, discipline, and most of all – respect.”

“My experience helped me look at challenging situations differently instead of giving up.” 

“At camp, I am totally at ease because of the constant fun, activities, and emphasis on self-discovery.”

Need a Little Extra Sunshine This Spring?

Come see us at the new Shine studio! We offer half-day and full-day spring break camps for children ages 3-12, as well as flexible on-demand workshops and at-home or park classes. If you have an open day, we can fill it with creative programming based on a memorable theme. Contact us at info@shinenyc.net for details.

National Puzzle Day Reminds Us to Make Time for Play

/in , , , /by

January 29th was National Puzzle Day – a reminder to stop and enjoy brain teasers of all sizes, shapes, and forms. From Crosswords and Sudokus to Jigsaws and Tetris, puzzles encourage the brain to think in different ways that can foster growth and development – especially in young minds. Researchers have discovered that certain types of puzzles accelerate growth in spatial abilities, math, science, and focus. Consider adding some of these fun games into your weekly routine to grow your children’s brains and set them up for success.  

Jigsaw Puzzles

Children who play puzzles between ages 2 and 4 develop better spatial skills by 4.5, according to University of Chicago researchers. The ability to mentally transform shapes lays the groundwork for excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The study findings were consistent across all income and education levels and unaffected by the amount of parental input. Other research found that children as young as 3 use trial-and-error, while 4-year-olds are able to use clues from the picture to solve jigsaw puzzles.

Q-Bitz

Rhodes College psychologists studied how spatial puzzle play could boost academic performance. When kids practice puzzles that help them reason about space, they are learning life skills – how to navigate a busy street, how to assemble a piece of furniture, or how to best load the dishwasher. Children ages 4-7 who engaged in this type of high-level thinking — by playing with puzzles, blocks, and board games — six or more times per week had higher WPPSI block design scores, which is used as a measure of general intelligence. Other types of play studied included teaching shapes, number skills, playing math games, musical instruments, riding bikes and scooters, and telling stories; none of these activities were associated with improvements in spatial ability. If you’re looking for a fun game that mimics the WPPSI block design test, try Q-Bitz, which challenges memory, visual agility, pattern identification, and hand-eye coordination in children ages 4-8.

Tower of Hanoi

Four to six-year-olds who complete puzzles on tablets are able to transfer these skills to similar physical puzzles, says Joanne Tarasuik, of the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. The study used the “Tower of Hanoi” disc-stacking puzzle invented by French mathematician Édouard Lucas in 1883. Scientists use this game to assess frontal lobe deficits, while teachers introduce the game in basic programming studies. Children were able to improve their speed with the physical puzzle after practicing online.

Cut the Rope

Researchers from Nanyang Technology University in Singapore found that adults who played the kid-friendly physics-based puzzle computer game “Cut the Rope” for an hour a day had “significant improvement” in their executive functions. After 20 hours of complex puzzle play, players were able to switch tasks 33% faster, adapt to new situations 30% faster, and block out distractions 60% better. Other study participants played non-puzzle games like Fruit Ninja (arcade), Modern Combat (first person shooter), and StarFront Collision (real-time strategy), but showed no improvement in executive function. 

Love to play? So do we! Contact Shine to learn what classes, workshops, and activities we have planned.

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

/in , , , , , , , /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q: Is anything exciting coming up over winter break?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q: What’s next?

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

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

Experience East End Gardens and Farms

/in , , , , /by

Shine’s “Pop-up Field Trip Thursdays” invite you and your child to take a trip to the best gardens and farms the East End has to offer to enjoy our local bounty. This has been one of our favorite pastimes for years now, as we cultivate deeper community relationships with the good people who produce our food. We believe gardening and farming experiences enrich the mind, body, and soul of children and adults alike. There are still spaces available if you’d like to join us.   

Gardening and Farming are Ideal Summer Activities for Children

Young children can practice a number of developing skills – from locomotion and muscle management as they ambulate around the dirt rows, to fine motor control as they grasp trowels and pick up seeds.

Research tells us children are more likely to eat healthy when they see how food is grown and prepared. Kids are also less likely to suffer from asthma and more likely to have healthy immune systems when they interact with farm microbiota.

The fresh air, moderate-to-high exercise, and sensory stimulation intrigue both mind and body. Learning the different names of foods and animals on the farm helps develop burgeoning literacy skills. For kids with attention deficits or hyperactivity disorders, regular green time has been shown to reduce adverse symptoms.

Kids love making mud pies, building stick forts, and having outdoor adventures, but all too often they’re glued to a screen. Engaging in nature play improves fitness, learning capacity, and social-emotional development. Free playing at a farm or garden setting promotes imagination, cooperation, and resilience.

New York’s East End is Blessed with Beautiful Gardens and Farms

A few of our favorite Thursday field trips include:

Amber Waves Farm

Kids enjoy participating in farm chores, walking through the chicken barn, taking a foraging hike, picnicking, story time, and puppet theater shows. They learn about composting, seed planting, natural crafting, and cooking. The farm itself grows over 350 vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, and grains.

Bridge Gardens

The Peconic Land Trust runs a great farm-to-table program at Bridge Gardens in the summer that teaches children about the plant life cycle and sustainable gardening through song, story, and fun take-home projects. This five-acre gem offers beautiful landscapes to walk through, complete with community gardens and art sculptures as well.

Madoo Conservancy

Madoo is about discovery and adventure. Children enjoy painting, crafting, storytelling, art exhibitions, music lessons, and picnicking in the gardens. The atmosphere is far from stuffy. Children are encouraged to run around until their hearts’ content. 

Longhouse Reserve

The Longhouse Reserve specializes in art and music programs for children. From the Yoko Ono chess board and the red garden, to dry woodlands and playful second lawn — the whimsical sculptures and well-cultivated spaces spark the imagination.

Ready To Get Out Into Nature?

Gather with like-minded friends for a Shine field trip. We work closely with each venue to create fun, age-appropriate activities that leave a lasting impact. Our enriching combination of art, culture, music, culinary, and fitness activities are beloved by families across the East End. Contact us for details on our next Thursday adventure.

Benefits of Block Play – and How to Inspire a Lifelong Love of Construction

/in , , , /by

From rudimentary wooden squares and rectangles to complex interlocking plastic Lego sets, block play is serious business for growing young minds. One of the great things about blocks is that they are a timeless toy that transcends all ages. In the words of playwright George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” We invite you to consider the many benefits of block play and to get involved with your child.   

A Few Benefits of Block Play

There are countless advantages to block play, but spatial reasoning, math skills, and improved cognitive flexibility are among them.

  • Spatial Reasoning is vital to investigating and solving problems. Spatial intelligence is used heavily in architecture, art, astronomy, construction, engineering, plumbing, technology, science, and surgery. A study of 51 preschoolers found that those most interested in block construction and built more sophisticated structures also performed best on a standardized test of spatial intelligence.
  • Math skills improve when a child plays with blocks of different shapes, sizes, colors, and types. Researchers found that young children who were better at copying block structures performed better in early mathematics all the way through middle and high school. This is great news, whether your child is an aspiring financial analyst, computer programmer, medical scientist, actuary, data scientist, or math teacher.
  • Cognitive flexibility is the ability to switch between two different concepts or to consider multiple concepts at once – in other words, “multi-task.” The chance of being successful in life greatly increase with the amount of cognitive flexibility a person has. One study found that cognitive flexibility greatly improved among preschoolers subjected to structured and unstructured daily block play activities, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Beyond these perks, educators use blocks in the classroom to improve social emotional skills, cooperation, sharing, problem-solving and empathy.  

Ideas for Block Play at Any Age

Babies – Aim for soft blocks at this age, as everything goes into the mouth for exploration! These interactive Baby Einstein blocks feature different textures, a vibration effect, a mirror, and a variety of colorful pictures. Soft stacking blocks can provide endless hours of fun – even if you’re the one stacking and your baby’s the one toppling it down. 

Toddlers – At this age, anything goes! Simply provide a variety of blocks – wood, foam, plastic, or whatever you have. They love shape and color sorting, carrying and dumping the blocks, stacking up towers and knocking them down. By preschool, most kids will start to experiment with building bridges, castles, roadways, and more complicated structures, while developing elaborate storylines involving their toys as characters. Magna-Tiles are an investment that will grow with your child. We’ve also gotten years of use out of Bristle Blocks. Magnetic “Tangram” pattern blocks can be a fun way to explore how different shapes come together to form larger structures.

1st Grade – 2nd Grade – Use food to create edible structures. Marshmallows, apples, cheese, crackers, and gum drops all work great — with toothpicks to hold it all together. The JELL-O “Play and Eat” kits are another fun way to play with your food, while honing those construction skills. For the summer months, take the fun outdoors by collecting loose items in a tote and setting up a building zone; use mirrors, crates, tree stumps, boulders, knitting spools, pom poms, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, felt pieces, kitchen utensils, pots, recycled containers, plastic pipes, and more. Use PVC pipes to construct a simple playhouse for dolls, a pulley system for action figures, or a more elaborate structure the kids can actually play inside themselves.

3rd Grade – 4th Grade – At this time, kids are able to put together more elaborate LEGO sets matched to their interests, though some kids just prefer creating their own structures using open-ended Classic bricks. More time is spent in planning, arranging for symmetry, and adding detail work. Dramatic play involving an assortment of toys is still prevalent. Video games like Minecraft allow children the opportunity to explore block-like figures in a virtual environment they can control. Marble runs and erector sets can take block building to the next level. Circuit Cubes appeals to older kids, inviting them to build tanks, mechs, robots, and other vehicles using more sophisticated materials.

Block Play for NYC Kids

Shine invites you to join Block Party, a constructive arts class geared to ages 4-10. Over multiple sessions, little architects will expand on traditional designs using a variety of materials, including sugar cubes, marshmallows, toothpicks, tree blocks, and more. Sculptural art projects translate block play into creative applications of all we’ve learned. Contact us for details.

Additional Resources:

https://www.parentingscience.com/toy-blocks.html

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/mar2015/ten-things-children-learn-block-play

https://babyyumyum.co.za/7-benefits-of-block-play/

https://blog.schoolspecialty.com/steam-challenges-for-block-play-in-early-childhood/

https://docs.msl.mt.gov/librariesweb/documents/Ready2Read/PlaySpace/pg_rrps_stagesinblockplay.pdf

https://www.theempowerededucatoronline.com/2017/08/block-play-ideas.html/

https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/best-structure-building-activities-kids/

 

ServicesEventsAboutBlogContact

212-414-5427
info@shinenyc.net
For Media Inquiries, Contact media@shinenyc.net
Location New York, NY 10036
Location Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Follow Us
FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagramYoutube

Site Map | Copyright ©2025 Shine Creative, Inc.

Website and SEO by RazorRank