Ways to Have a Meaningful Mother’s Day at Home

Ways to Have a Meaningful Mother’s Day at Home

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Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach $23.1 Billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation. The average person will be spending an average of $180 to lavish mom with attention with everything from flowers, jewelry, and brunch, to electronics, spa services, and day trips.

Yet, most moms admit what they really want on Mother’s Day are the simple things – a morning in bed, a cup of tea, family snuggles, a roast cooked for them, homemade cards, and a nature walk. Mothers of young children, in particular, long for a little peace and quiet – or just a calm day with no meltdowns.

NYC is a flurry of Mother’s Day events, but if the simple pleasures are more your speed, try one of these meaningful Mother’s Day activities at home.

Brunch outside

After a miserable April, forecasters are calling for temperatures up in the 70s. It may be cloudy and slightly damp from Saturday rain, but still a decent day for dining al fresco.

  • Outdoor brunch – Make fresh-squeezed juices, quiche, and fruit salad to enjoy lunch outside on the patio.
  • Picnic – It’s not too early for sandwiches, watermelons, chips, pasta salad, and lemonade in a wicker basket.
  • BBQ – Dads aren’t the only ones who like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, barbecue drumsticks, and corn on the cob.
  • Tea Party – Make the afternoon special with homemade scones, tea, a mini honey pot, and fancy finger food.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, there’s always the classic option of breakfast in bed. Older kids may enjoy whipping up an omelet with dad, while younger ones are perfectly capable of stirring up waffles with a side of strawberries. Don’t forget the coffee in mom’s favorite mug!

Get crafty

Crafts are a calming way of spending quality time together, whether the kids are big or small. You don’t need to have any particular craft in mind. Freeform is sometimes the most fun way to go, with the right supplies on hand. Consider:

  • Rock salts, glue, and watercolor paints
  • Clay flower pots, craft paint, rubber stamps, rhinestones, and mini fairy or gnome figurines
  • Pom-poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, glue, magnetic tape
  • Felt, buttons, scissors, glue, ribbon, glitter
  • Paint-by-Number kits
  • Perler Beads or Aquabeads kits

On a nice day, get outside with sidewalk chalk. Keep the kids occupied drawing a pretend town or other fantastical setting. Draw classic Hopscotch, bulls-eye beanbag toss, Tic-Tac-Toe, or obstacle courses for hours of fun.

Take a trip down Memory Lane

What better opportunity to reflect upon the sweet morsels of motherhood past and present than Mother’s Day?

  • Break out the oldies. Kids love looking through albums of old photographs and watching home movies.
  • Create a comic strip. Older kids can illustrate an event, celebration, or humorous incident from the year.
  • Preserve history. To honor a deceased mother, order signature jewelry or handwritten recipe pottery.
  • Check out Ancestry.com. Older children may enjoy looking at the family tree, historic documents, and photos.
  • Sit down for family scrapbook making. Begin a tradition of creating a beautiful annual keepsake, chronicling the past year. Print out your photos using a service like Snapfish or Shutterfly. Stop by the craft store to get scrapbook paper, stickers, hole punchers, and stamps for adorning. To make your scrapbook even more meaningful for next year, keep a running list of funny quotes from the kids to add.

Garden together

If you’re not one to “relax,” special day or not, visit the local nursery to pick out new flowers or vegetables for the garden a few days in advance. Then spend Mother’s Day weeding, planting, and sharing stories with those you love.

  • Make it more fun for the wee ones. Kids love having their own watering cans and pint-sized tools.
  • Adorn it. Paint and decorate rocks to add to your garden.
  • Choose long-lasting cut flower varieties. Shop for daisies, dahlias, mini sunflowers, asters, scabiosa, coneflowers, or larkspur to make beautiful arrangements all summer long.

Snuggle up to a Mother’s Day movie

Kids are only so little for so long. When the sun goes down, pop the popcorn, line the couch with blankets, and enjoy one of these movies suitable for Mother’s Day:

  • Dumbo – A circus elephant with big ears finds himself on his own once his mother is locked away for sticking up for him. In the end, Dumbo realizes the source of his ridicule is actually his strength and reunites with his mom.
  • The Boss Baby – New moms will empathize with the hilarious take on bringing a new baby into the house. If you haven’t seen it yet, this Pixar film uses a mix of beautiful animation styles, while inserting a few much-appreciated adult jokes and “30 Rock” style humor. Yet, it’s also captivating enough for a 2-year-old.
  • Brave – It can be difficult for adolescents to reconcile their mothers’ dreams for them with the aspirations they have for themselves. Princess Meridia lands her mother and herself into trouble with a witch in this Disney flick.
  • The Incredibles – Elastigirl is not just the wife of Mr. Incredible. She’s a fantastic superhero mom, too!
  • Freaky Friday – Tess Coleman and her daughter Anna wake up in each other’s bodies for a day, which helps them learn to get along better.

Best Enrichment Activities for Autistic Children

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About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder in the United States – a rate that has doubled over the last 15 years. Researchers estimate that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism can be as high as $2.4 million. But even harder than the financial burden, is the emotional toll it takes as parents try to help their children through behavioral issues, social stigmas, and a world that, at times, doesn’t seem to fit their needs.

For Autism Awareness Month, we’d like to shine the spotlight on a few local programs, events, and groups taking great strides to create safe, accepting spaces where kids and parent can take a break, relax, and enjoy what all children should have access to – stories, songs, sensory activities, and socializing.

Upcoming Autism-Friendly Events in NYC

  • Air Play – Watch in amazement as colorful umbrellas, balloons, and acrobats take flight in New Victory Theater. The accessible 11:30 am, April 14th performance offers special features like lowered sound, dim-not-dark lighting, a calming corner with fidget toys and bean bag chairs, gender neutral restrooms, and autism specialists available to lend a hand.
  • Autism-Friendly Program for Ages 6-18 – Visit Queens County Farm Museum on Wednesday, July 25th from 9-11 am to observe livestock such as goats, sheep, alpacas, pigs, hens, and steer. Take a tractor-drawn hayride. Tour the growing fields, sensory gardens, and historic farm houses. Families will receive a site-specific social story and trip preparation sheet prior to the visit.
  • Big Umbrella Festival – For the month of April, Lincoln Center is hosting its first-ever theatre festival geared toward young audiences on the spectrum. Kids can explore jazz instruments, the world of chamber music, ballet movements, storytelling, short films, puppetry, and sensory-filled performances that are warm and welcoming. Don’t miss the hugely popular Light Show or Up and Away.

Autism-Friendly Programs in NYC

  • Adaptive Climbing – With centers in Brooklyn and Queens, Brooklyn Boulders invites children ages 4-17 to try out rock climbing for a discounted price, geared specifically toward individuals with disabilities and their siblings. If your child loves the affordable and accessible clinics, there are opportunities to climb outdoors, travel, and engage in friendly competitions.
  • Sensory Friendly Films – Participating AMC locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens invite families with children 2+ to special engagements on Tuesday evenings, as well as the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, where the sound is turned down and the lights are turned up. Kids can sing, dance, get up out of their seats, and express themselves without reprimand. The latest screenings include Ready Player One and Rampage for older kids, as well as Sherlock Gnomes and SGT Stubby for the younger squad.
  • The Discovery Squad – The American Museum of Natural History is one of our favorite field outings. Who doesn’t love giant sea mammal, dioramas, and real dinosaur bones? On select Saturday mornings, you can take a 9 a.m. guided tour customized to kids ages 5-14 on the spectrum, developed in collaboration with the Seaver Autism Center. Spots are selling out, so be sure to advance register for an upcoming tour on July 14th, August 4th, or September 1st.

Come Join Our Shine Family!

We all want the best for all kids – for them to reach their true potential. Research shows that art therapy, storytelling, and inclusive classrooms offer some of the greatest benefits for kids who fall within the spectrum. Shine camps, classes, workshops, and parties provide inclusive settings, where all kids can explore multiple modes of learning. We also offer on-location activities and support for birthday parties, as well as Family Coaching.

Contact us with any questions on our offerings to see how we might be the missing piece of the puzzle you’ve been looking for to help with your family dynamic.

Additional Resources:

Science Daily – Art Therapy Best Practices For Children With Autism, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170720103604.htm

Autism Parenting Magazine – Ways Storytelling Can Benefit Autism Kids, https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/ways-storytelling-can-benefit-autism-kids/

Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry Longitudinal follow-up of academic achievement in children with autism from age 2 to 18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28949003

Creative Twists on the Traditional Easter Egg Hunt

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The traditional egg hunt game may use dyed hardboiled eggs, plastic eggs filled with coins or candy, or foil-wrapped egg-shaped chocolates hidden around the yard for kids to find. The game may also be played indoors, with or without additional prizes awarded for finding the most eggs, the largest egg, eggs of specific colors, or the prize egg. The treasures are placed at varying levels with different degrees of concealment to accommodate kids of all ages. As parents and educators, we’re always striving to present new twists on tired old themes to spark the thrill of discovery. Try these Easter Egg Hunt ideas to spark young imaginations.

For Indoors: Balloon Egg Hunt

Floating obstacles make everything more fun! Hide all the Easter eggs in a small room of the house, filling it with colorful balloons for an exciting challenge. Clever variations for toddlers include putting balloons in a tent outside or tying balloons to each egg to make them easier to discover. Playing in the “balloon ball pit” is half the entertainment.

For A Brain Boost: Puzzle Pieces Egg Hunt

Hide a puzzle piece in each egg. The 36-piece Beatrix Potter jigsaw puzzles work nicely for an Easter theme or you could customize a blank puzzle with a special message. Once everyone assembles the puzzle together, kids can dip into their Easter baskets for a reward. If you have more than one older child with stamina, you can do multiple puzzles, separating the puzzles into different colored eggs to keep them straight. Another variation involves writing letters on the eggs so they spell out the alphabet (for younger children) or an Easter-related word (for older children) when they’re all assembled together.

For the Active: Obstacle Course Egg Hunt

Kindergartners with limitless energy will love overcoming physical feats to find their eggs. One tricky mom hid plastic eggs and balls inside a lady bug tunnel, tied balloons to hula hoops with eggs hidden beneath, and eggs obscured by Easter grass in a baby pool. Additional obstacles include sawhorses to climb under, construction cones to weave through, two shoeboxes to step into and shuffle along, a wood plank balance beam to walk across, slides, tumbling mats, wooden stumps or pails to step across, chairs to crawl under, and ladders to climb.

For the Problem Solver: Scavenger Hunt

As your kids get older, you’ll notice what used to take them a good half hour is now over in all of five minutes. A scavenger hunt is a great way to get growing minds engaged and to make the hunt seem less “babyish.” Start by handing each child an egg with a written clue as to the hiding spot of the next egg. The final clue should lead to the Easter basket or some other big prize like a book or chocolate bunny. Darling Doodles has a great set of clues or blank stationery you can use. Another twist on the Scavenger Hunt idea is to make it pirate-themed as a Treasure Hunt of sorts. If you’re stumped for clues and hiding spots, The Spruce has a good run-down. A Mom’s Take created a simple printable checklist of hidden items to find – different colored eggs, bunny tracks, flowers to smell, critters, and baskets. These activities encourage kids to slow down and enjoy the search.

For the Novelty: Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Hunt

Who says Easter Egg Hunts have to be in the morning? Place a glow bracelet and your favorite filler inside a plastic egg and tape it shut. The eggs are easy to find, but many little ones delight in carrying flashlights. Put your kids in reflective clothing or a glow necklace to keep track of them easily, and be sure to scout the area for potential hazards while it’s still light out. For older kids, hide the eggs under rocks and leaves, inside flower pots, and in other places where they’re slightly hidden from plain view.

One Final Word

Remember, your eggs don’t have to be packed full of candy. Some people use Monopoly Money that can be “cashed-in” for a special prize like a coloring book, stuffed animal, or gardening tool kit. You can put Legos, Mr. Potato Head pieces, miniature cars, coins, dollar bills, stickers, tattoos, Barbie accessories, or Safari Ltd animals. Gift young kids magnetic easels and hide the magnetic numbers and letters inside the eggs. Have the kids hunt for pieces of their lunch like sandwiches, goldfish crackers and grapes hidden in eggs. Some parents write up “Privilege Eggs,” where children receive handwritten tickets they can redeem for special allowances like an extra cookie, fifteen more minutes of play time before bed, or a special outing with mom and dad. For more ideas on creating an unforgettable Easter morning, contact the educators at Shine.

Additional Easter Egg Hunt Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_hunt

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/easter-ideas/g4151/easter-egg-hunt-ideas/

https://www.thedailymeal.com/holidays/10-best-easter-egg-hunts-all-ages

http://mommyuniversitynj.com/2015/03/23/10-brain-boosting-easter-egg-hunt-ideas-without-the-candy/

http://makethebestofeverything.com/2013/02/puzzle-easter-egg-hunt.html

https://surnamejames.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/easter-scavenger-hunt/

https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/backyard-fun-games/make-backyard-obstacle-course-kids1.htm

Top 5 Irish Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day

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International Kid-Friendly Food:

Top 5 Irish Recipes For St. Patrick’s Day

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held, not in Ireland, but here in New York City in 1762. Corned beef and cabbage is a culinary tradition started by Irish-American immigrants who were able to purchase expensive kosher meats from their Jewish neighbors. They threw the flavorful salted meat into a pot with beloved potatoes and affordable cabbage – and the rest is history. Contemporary St. Patrick’s Day menus in the homeland include dishes like fried lamb belly fingers, slow-poached organic chicken with tarragon, colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale), roasted carrots, and herbed Irish cheddar croquette.

Whether you’re in New York or Ireland, cooking a meal together as a family is a beautiful tradition. Your menu doesn’t have to be fancy. We’ve dug up five good old-fashioned Irish recipes to enjoy cooking and eating with your children this St. Paddy’s Day. Before you get started in the kitchen, take the kids down to The Butcher Block in Sunnyside, Queens for authentic Irish provisions, including back bacon, rashers, black pudding, Irish teas, Kerrygold cheese, sweets, sauces, spreads, and breads.

Irish Soda Bread

From Chef Darina Allen, courtesy of National Geographic

Homemade soda bread is a staple in any Irish pantry. White soda bread is made with white flour, while brown soda bread is made with buttermilk and whole-wheat flour. It’s traditionally fashioned into a round loaf with a cross etched in the middle – to keep out the fairies, naturally! Allen’s basic recipe takes just two minutes to put together and 40 minutes to bake. “Your soda bread is not a soda bread we would recognize,” she explains. Americans “gussy up” their soda breads with raisins and caraway seeds – which appeals to our youngsters, no doubt — but over in Ireland, they call that type of bread a “spotted dog.”

Get Chef Allen’s recipe or, if you prefer adding goodies, try this third-generation recipe from NYC Chef John Mooney.

The Full Irish Breakfast

From Chef Joe Mallol from the Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog in Manhattan

Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog won countless awards for their cocktails and was ranked “The World’s Best Bar” in 2016. Drinks aside, the restaurant’s weekend brunch became so popular, they offer it all week long to keep up with demand. The Irish Breakfast is designed to be comforting and filling. Chef Mallol’s take on the classic formula involves a few extra herbs and spices, but remains pretty true to what you would find in Ireland. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something to devour on this plate of eggs, Irish sausages (Bangers), back bacon (Rashers), blood and oatmeal sausages (Black and White Pudding), toast, sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and baked beans. Adults can pair this meal equally well with Guinness or Irish coffee, while kids can enjoy a craft apple juice blended with strawberry, raspberry, or black currant.

Get the recipe.

A Proper Stew for St. Patrick’s Day

By David Tanis, NY food writer, former Chez Panisse chef, current chef at the Monkey Bar in Midtown

Rich, hearty Irish stew contains a handful of ingredients like mutton or young lamb, onions, and potatoes. The further south you go, the more vegetables you’ll see – like carrots or even turnips. Irish stews can be a broth served in a bowl or thickened with flour and served over mashed potatoes. Adorned with just a sprig of thyme, the natural food flavors take center stage in this recipe that is simple enough to cook with kids.

Get the recipe.

Smoky Cheese & Potato Soup with Pesto Shamrock Toast

From Better Homes and Gardens

You’ll need a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter for this fun-looking dish that combines the smokiness of gouda cheese and paprika with the creaminess of mashed potatoes and carrots. It’s an easy 25-minute dish that warms the heart in less than 400 calories. We’ve seen similar recipes with the addition of four ounces of finely chopped ham for added protein. The floating green pesto-topped shamrock toast will be the showstopper for the kids who may get a little messy figuring out how to best eat it. You can try Orwasher’s Bakery or Amy’s Bread for a great artisanal Irish sourdough worthy of your soup.

Get the recipe.

Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

From Irish American Mom, Adapted by Kailey at The Kitchen McCabe

Finding an Irish dessert that doesn’t use Guinness, Bailey’s, or Irish whiskey can be a challenge, but the crunchy sugary crust and Grandma’s creamy custard sauce provide plenty of sweetness to this apple cake recipe — without the booze. You’ll need a round 8″ or 9″ pan, ideally a springform. You can use Golden Delicious apples if you find Granny Smiths too tart. While most cakes are spiced with cinnamon, this version borrows cloves and nutmeg for a European twist.

Get the recipe.

Additional Irish Recipe Resources:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-st-patricks-day-parade

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/is-corned-beef-really-irish-2839144/

http://www.thebutchersblock.com/

http://dish.allrecipes.com/irish-recipes-for-st-patricks-day/

https://www.deadrabbitnyc.com/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-06/the-dead-rabbit-grocery-grog-is-named-the-world-s-best-bar

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/ireland-food-and-drink/

http://www.grubstreet.com/2018/02/david-tanis-new-monkey-bar-chef.html

https://www.orwashers.com/

http://www.amysbread.com

 

8 Ways To Escape Your Winter Blues in NYC

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Whether you’ve been taking Vitamin D supplements or not, the extended cold, gray, blustery days gets to the best of us. Instead of sitting through another mind-numbing day of dishes, laundry, and toy pickup, grab your little besties and see what NYC has to offer in February.

1. Ice Skating – Four is about the best age to begin ice skating with your child. Grab a cup of hot cocoa after a free skate at Midtown West’s Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. Go on a weekend morning or before 5 pm on weekdays to beat the rush. Lasker Rink in Harlem is never terribly crowded. Central Park’s Wollman Rink has the most fabulous view of Midtown, especially by moonlight. Rockefeller Center is one of the pricier places to go, but it appeals with a charming setting in the heart of the city. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers offers lessons and indoor skating.

2. Tubing – If you’re up for 90 minutes of driving, Mount Peter in Warwick offers adventure for kids big and small. Kids 42 inches and up can ride the conveyer up and tube down an exhilarating 600-foot hill. Smaller guests are treated to the Little Tikes tubing hill and a kids’ play area for $20. Tandem tubing is allowed for guests 36-48 inches, but prepared to supervise. Skiing and snowboarding are available on the mountain if you’re up for the exercise.

3. Hot Chocolate Date – Manhattan’s best cocoas are experiences in a cup. MarieBelle in Soho serves up batter-thick South American cacao blended with banana in Tea Party worthy china. Max Brenner is a whimsical place full of whirring machines spinning the chocolate alongside your table before it goes into a ceremonial mug alongside dessert pizza, sugar waffles, crepes, chocolate fondue, or whatever you fancy. The City Bakery in Flatiron is the home of an annual Hot Chocolate Festival and offers a new flavor each day, with 4-ounce shots and mini marshmallows available for the littlest cocoa lovers. Dylan’s Candy Bar is not only the sweets emporium of the celebrities, but a hotspot of mouth-watering chocolate.

4. Play Cafes – Indulge in a delicious espresso with your adult friends while the kids explore the play market, various vehicles, and walk-in dress-up closet of City Owlets in Long Island City. The Coop in Brooklyn is the perfect place to grab lunch and leave the mess in the gated kids’ play area, which includes a kitchen, soft blocks, bins of clean baby and toddler toys, rocking horses, shopping carts, and interactive playthings. Or you may sip on adult beverages at the classy Lark Café in Flatbush, which offers a spacious, bright playroom with drop-in hours and classes.

5. Indoor Water Park – Coco Key Water Resort in Mount Laurel, New Jersey is just under two hours from Manhattan, but it’s well worth the trip. If you’re zonked from all that swimming, you can always stay the night in the hotel. Facilities include a lazy river, aquatic jungle gym, activity pools, baby wading pools and slides, and 1,000 feet of water slides.

6. Butterfly Conservatory – The butterflies are on display on the second floor of the American Museum of Natural History from the beginning of October through the end of May. Mingle with over 500 majestic winged creatures, including Monarchs, Swallowtails, Blue Morphos, and Large Owls. In the wonderful 1,200-square-foot, 80-degree vivarium, surrounded by tropical flowers and lush vegetation, it’s easy to lose yourself and forget it’s still winter in New York.

Looking for more suggestions? Let Shine bring the party to you! Our creative custom programming includes holiday workshops, art classes, themed play dates, parties, and day trips. Contact us for details.

Resources for Winter Activities Near NYC:
• http://iceskatingworld.com/how-old-should-my-child-be-to-start-ice-skating-2/
• https://mommypoppins.com/kids/ice-skating-in-nyc-10-outdoor-ice-rinks-most-open-this-month
• https://mommypoppins.com/newyorkcitykids/ultimate-nyc-hot-chocolate-crawl
• https://mommypoppins.com/kids/snow-tubing-for-kids-near-nyc-best-tubing-spots-less-than-two-hours-from-new-york-city
• https://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/things-to-do/best-indoor-water-parks-near-nyc
• https://mommypoppins.com/new-york-city-kids/play-gyms-sports-centers/city-owlets-lics-newest-play-space-for-tots-and
• https://mommypoppins.com/new-york-city-kids/indoor-activities/the-coop-toddler-friendly-cafe-opens-in-bay-ridge
• https://www.amnh.org/calendar/the-butterfly-conservatory

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

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

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

How Does Block Play Affect the Developing Mind?

Decades of research show that children who play with blocks:

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

Stages of Block Play

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

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

Make Your Block Play More Constructive

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

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

Join the Shine Block Party!

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

RESOURCES:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

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.

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.

Top 5 Fall Foliage Experiences For NYC Families

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

Amtrak’s Great Dome Train Cars

 

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

Hudson River Cruise to Cold Harbor

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

Day Cruise To Bear Mountain

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

New York Botanical Garden Tram

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

Fort Tryon Park

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

What is the best time for fall foliage in NYC?

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

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

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

Additional NYC Fall Foliage Resources:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

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 Choose Extracurricular Activities for Your Child

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The right extracurricular activity provides enjoyable socialization time outside the school environment. Furthermore, recreational fun gives a child the opportunity to demonstrate the competence and mastery – important building blocks for self-esteem and identity development. Kids tend to function best when they have schedules and structure in their lives. Middle and high schoolers with busy after-school calendars are far less likely to engage in risky behaviors like substance abuse. Taking an interest in the selection process will increase the odds that your child finds the right fit – and sticks with it. Here are a few tips from experts in child development to steer you in the right direction.

Consider your child’s age.

For kids in kindergarten or first grade, one or two days a week are plenty. Transitioning to a full day of school is a big adjustment in itself! Dance, art, and non-competitive sports are fun stress-busters for this age group. By second or third grade, music lessons, language classes, computer programming, and competitive sports are popular choices.

Introduce your child to a wide range of experiences.

Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code, says the common thread among many childhood phenoms with skills in tennis, singing, and skiing is that they have had a wide range of experiences and family activities over the years. “When a child sees someone else who has a particular talent and decides that she wants to be like her someday, it can be a lightning bolt that lights up the brain,” he explains. Attend sports, theatrical, and orchestral performances as a family. Spend time out in nature. Take your child to drop-in art classes. Visit every local museum you can. Sign your child up for a variety of short summer camps and workshops. Check out NY Parent’s “50 Things Every NYC Kid Should Experience,” and start running down the list.

Promote natural gifts, talents, and interests.

Experts caution parents against blindly pushing kids to follow in their footsteps. Each child arrives with individual abilities and interests that may vary from your own. In choosing activities for her family, home school mom Rebecca Capuano says she considers each child’s natural strengths and interests. Based on family history – the fact that she and her husband both have musical abilities – they concluded that music lessons might be a good start. One daughter had the perfect physique for sports, but was more apt to “pick daisies on the field than kick the ball,” so they ruled out soccer and signed her up for sewing lessons instead – which she is really thriving at.

Cultivate interest in volunteerism and acts of kindness.

Animal shelters, nursing homes, and non-profit organizations offer excellent opportunities for kids to learn compassion and selflessness. Clubs like 4-H, Kiwanis, or the Boys and Girls Clubs of America provide children with a deep sense of community and promote practical skill-building in everything from cooking and pitching a tent, to sewing and sports.

Once you’ve narrowed down the choices, visit the activities while in session.

The only way to truly get a feel for the environment of a program is to stop by while a session is underway. Ideally, you’ll be greeted by friendly, enthusiastic staff who speak effortlessly about their expertise. Look to see that the space is clean, safe, and spacious, with ample resources for all participating students. Does the activity appear organized and supervised by no less than 12 adults for every child? Ask about hidden costs, such as uniforms, costumes, and equipment. Do the kids seem happy to be there? Can you imagine your child joining in the fun? Go with your gut.

Keep after-school activities down to no more than 20 hours per week.

Denise Pope, a researcher from the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, found that “If you do over 20 hours a week of extracurriculars – after-school sports or music – that’s where we start to see some health issues.” Students doing more slept less, suffered higher stress levels, and were treated for more emotional problems than their less-scheduled peers. Pope adds that kids need ample “PDF” every day – Play-time, Down-time, and Family-time – which can be just as valuable as a structured activity.

 

Want a helping hand discovering your child’s passion? Shine offers workshops, pop-up classes, camps, and structured party activities to take some of the stress of planning off your shoulders. We simply show up with a ready-made experience your child is bound to love! If the light bulb goes off and your child finds something in our curriculum he or she loves, we are happy to point you in the right direction to foster that interest.

 

Resources:

https://childmind.org/article/finding-the-balance-with-after-school-activities/

https://qz.com/503560/this-is-how-long-your-kids-should-be-spending-on-extra-curricular-activities/

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/16/how-to-help-your-kids-choose-the-best-extra-curricular-activities/

http://www.parents.com/kids/development/thrive-in-2025/positive-ways-to-encourage-extracurricular-activities/

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/extracurricular-activities/best-bets-after-school

https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/how-to-choose-extra-curricular-activities-for-kids/

https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-clubs-kids-and-youth-2087395

http://sengifted.org/mining-for-gold-helping-your-child-discover-their-passion/

 

 

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.

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