How To Enjoy Christmas in July

How To Enjoy Christmas in July

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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.

Passover and Easter Fun in New York

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This year, Passover and Easter festivities overlap with most of the fun taking place April 16th and 17th. New York State is a great place to play, whether you’re sticking close to home on the East End or taking a regional road trip for break week. If you haven’t planned anything yet, it’s not to late to hit the road for a quick family getaway.

Thousand Islands: Easter Brunch

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 7 hours

Snag a reservation for Easter Brunch at Bonnie Castle Resort and Marina (10 am to 3 pm) or Riveredge Resort (9 am to 2 pm). Both resorts have indoor pools overlooking Alexandria Bay. Nearby Boldt Castle is not only one of New York’s most beautiful residences, but there’s also a children’s playhouse and bowling alley. Mini golf, go-karts, zoos, farms, aquariums, and drive-in theatres are among the family-friendly area attractions.

Adirondacks: Easter Weekend Retreat

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 6 hours

Treat yourself to a relaxing holiday stay at The Sagamore Resort where you’ll be welcomed with an Easter egg hunt overlooking Lake George, a guest appearance from the Easter Bunny, a build-a-bear activity, movie nights with popcorn, and bonfires with s’mores. The onsite Rec Center will amaze the kids with everything from ping pong, indoor wiffle ball, and rock climbing, to basketball, tennis, and video games. Did we mention there’s an indoor pool? The brunch at their signature Italian restaurant, La Bella Vita, is a culinary experience the adults won’t forget.

Capital Region: Liberty Ridge Farm Easter Egg Hunt

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 5 hours

Liberty Ridge Farm is hosting their 10th Annual Easter Eggs-perience on Saturday, April 16 from 8:30 am to 3 pm. Equidistant between Albany and Saratoga Springs, the farm offers sweeping country hillside views that make the perfect backdrop to a visit from the Easter Bunny. Kids will love the baby farm animals and pop-up play zone, while parents can shop the Market Barn & Bakery for goodies.

The Catskills: Easter Bunny Express

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 4 hours

Tickets are still available for Adirondack Railroad’s Easter Bunny Express, which takes a 90-minute climate-controlled chug from the base of the mountains to the historic Remsen Depot for an Easter egg hunt, goodie bag, and photo shoot with the bunny of honor. Stay at the new, all-inclusive Melour Resort in the village of Tannersville near Hunter Mountain for Kosher dining and family-friendly activities.

New York City: Easter Parade

Estimated Travel Time from the East End: 2 hours

Or if you prefer to stay closer to home, there’s always the annual Easter Parade & Bonnet Festival in New York City—a tradition dating back until the 1870s. The route moves from St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 10 am on Easter Sunday, continuing down Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Street until 4 pm.

If you’re staying in the East End, stop by our new Shine Studio for springtime fun! We offer a variety of classes, workshops, and activities for ages 0-12.

Apple Recipes To Make the Most of Your Fall Harvest

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Apple picking is an autumn rite-of-passage for many families in the East End. New York State is blessed with more than 55,000 apple orchards to choose from, including our top four East End apple farms for families.

If you’re looking for a fantastic apple this year, you’re in luck! While the growing season started cold and dry, the recent heat built up the sugar content of the apples, while the rainfall increased sizing and the cool nights enhanced the ruby red coloration.

The harvest is abundant, no matter what type of apple you prefer, with 29 to 30 million bushels available in total, on par with the five-year average. Popular Gala and Mcintosh are already available, with Honeycrisp and Fuji starting to appear. Champlain and Hudson Valley exclusives like SnapDragon and RubyFrost may not debut until mid-October.

Once you and the kids have enjoyed a day at the apple farm, you’ll have fresh-picked apples to enjoy for a good six to eight weeks if you store them in the refrigerator. If you have leftovers or like to get creative in the kitchen, we recommend the following apple-inspired recipes to whip up with your little chefs. After all, cooking together has been shown to increase math, science, and literacy skills, while fostering both independence and cooperation in children. 

Easy Apple Pie Bites

If you’re looking for a quick, easy after-school snack, look no further! Upgrade your apple slices by tucking them inside crescent rolls and topping with butter, cinnamon, and sugar. The job is easy enough for kid hands to pull off and cooled down, ready to eat, in less than 30 minutes – what more could you ask for? Get the recipe.

Apfelpfannkuchen

You may prefer calling this a “giant German apple pancake” or a “Dutch Baby,” which sounds just as cute as it is fulfilling. Some serve this as a weekend breakfast or you could prepare it on a Sunday for a quick Monday dinner paired with a hearty salad. You may consider doubling the apples, while cutting the butter and sugar rations in half, for a healthier alternative that still tastes great. Get the recipe.

Apple Crisp

You’ll need five cups of thin-sliced firm, crisp apples to make this delicious treat. The heavenly scent emanates from your oven for 50 minutes as it’s cooking is worth the effort alone! Kids will love shaking up all the ingredients in a plastic bag before dumping it into a pie pan. Don’t forget to buy French vanilla ice cream to dollop on top. Get the recipe.

Apple Bread

You may want to do the apple peeling and coring before you call the kids in to help mix the batter. The end result is a kid-pleaser that isn’t overly sweet, but makes a great breakfast — especially when warmed slightly in the microwave or toaster and spread with a thin layer of butter as you would garnish a banana bread. Get the recipe.

Apple Cheddar Tart

Midwesterners know a thing or two about gussying up their apples with complementary pairings. Few bites are more satisfying than the sticky sweetness of caramelized apple alongside salty, sharp cheddar. This recipe hails from French pastry chef Thomas Raquel who works at La Bernardin, an elite restaurant on West 51st Street, steps from MoMA. The steps are more complex than the previous recipes and involve a bit of dough rolling for an older chef’s apprentice, but we included it for the creativity and local flavor nevertheless. Get the recipe.

Hungry for More?

You can also try our Fresh Cinnamon Cranberry Apple Sauce, dice or grate apples to mix with cabbage coleslaw, grill on a skewer alongside pears and pineapples, or toss with crunchy granola, yogurt, and nuts for a quick apple parfait. If you love the idea of your child cooking, but want someone else to clean up the mess, consider adding one of Shine’s “Kitchen Stars” signature cooking classes to the mix.

Happy Summersgiving!

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Thanksgiving conjures up warm, cozy memories of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, family, friends, and gratefulness. But who says this day has to come just once a year in chilly November? After all, many families now regularly celebrate “Christmas in July.”

Attorney Robert Solomon of Norwood, New Jersey came up with the idea of “Summersgiving” in 2009 to share his favorite holiday traditions with friends on the first Saturday after the summer solstice. “This is a celebration without obligation,” he told a local news outlet. “There’s no need to get anybody presents. There’s no obligation to attend. And you’re not obligated to have your uncle. This is about celebrating with your best friends, and eating your favorite food.”

The first Summersgiving included 15 guests. Word spread like wildfire and Solomon expects upwards of 75 guests these days. Summersgiving is now listed on the National Day Calendar website and has received mentions from at least 200 families on social media. People love summer weather, pools, and backyard parties — and they love the Thanksgiving feast. Lydia Korff of Miami, mother of a teenage son, explained, “For kids today, where there’s so much chaos going on in the world, it’s good to get together with family and friends and trach them the meaning of gratitude.”

It’s not too late to call a few friends for a potluck. Kick off your inaugural Summersgiving with these ideas…

What To Serve

Unlike Thanksgiving, there are no hard-and-fast rules for Summersgiving. The idea is – you’re not shackled to traditions, but feel free to incorporate what you love most. Many hosts opt to make the event a potluck, where everyone brings a dish, to reduce stress. Robert Solomon came from a family of chefs, so he was excited to introduce guests to culinary wonders such as: sweet potato mousse with marshmallow, Broccoli Supreme casserole, cornbread stuffing with Andouille sausage, and turkey roasted over charcoal on a rotisserie spit.

Turkey: What would Thanksgiving be without the turkey? You may opt to “give your turkey a tan” by grilling, deep-frying, or roasting it under a brand new galvanized garbage can. (Truly! Trash can turkey yields a smoky, moist, melt-in-your mouth bird in just two hours!)

Veggies: Roasted Brussels Sprouts are easy to throw on the grill with minimal effort. Adding blue cheese and bacon gives them a heavenly flavor. Corn on the cob is another easy option the kids will surely enjoy. Add cilantro, lime, and paprika if you want to jazz it up. For a healthy appetizer, give the kids avocado toasts with roasted red peppers on top. Here is the official recipe for Robert’s famous Broccoli Supreme.

Carbs: Cornbread stuffing offers a slightly different version for your summer feast. Potatoes are a very “Thanksgiving” side. Try grilled potato skewers that can be mashed plate-side or a sweet potato salad. Biscuits and gravy are a no-fuss accompaniment.

Desserts: Try pumpkin pie with a tropical twist and apple pie for tradition lovers. Luscious lemon bars are a light-tasting dessert catering to adult palates. Kids will enjoy grab-and-go chocolate chip cookie sticks and strawberry shortcakes. Grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream are another option if you’re barbecuing anyway.

Beverages: A few bottles of white wine like chardonnay or sauvignon blanc will pair nicely with turkey. Adults may also enjoy a festive, refreshing cranberry cocktail, while kids can enjoy their own alcohol-free cranberry spritzer.  Bring in summer vibes with pineapple punch. Be sure to have plenty of bottled water on hand.

How To Decorate

There’s no shortage of decorations available at Party City and Oriental Trading Post, but you don’t have to go crazy to make your yard look festive. Often, a party tent with a few fairy lights and paper lanterns changes the entire vibe and creates a definitive sense of “place.” You can’t go wrong with elegant white table covers and beautiful fresh-cut flowers centerpieces, creatively displayed in watering cans or hollowed-out pineapples.

Why do it all yourself? Spend a day preparing with the kids, while teaching them how to plan a special party. Here are some traditional Thanksgiving place-setting crafts for the kids to make – or you may want to try one of these summery crafts that double as party favors.

If you like dressing festive, you can order a Summersgiving shirt for next year or make your own design.

What To Do

Now that your family is no longer confined indoors, there’s a wealth of possibility for backyard fun:

  • Setup a game of cornhole, horseshoes, croquet, or carnival games for the kids.
  • Turn on the sprinkler, fill water balloons, or hop in the pool to get wet and wild.
  • Kids love messy and outdoors is the perfect place for Play Doh, paint, tie-dye, bubbles, and sand art.
  • Set up a summer scavenger hunt or a treasure hunt with a chest of Dollar Store toys at the end.
  • Build an obstacle course with cones, hula hoops, stepping stones, and balls.
  • Hang a pinata filled with goodies to hit blindfolded with a bat.
  • Have the kids put together this easy palm tree craft, adding note of gratitude for each leaf.

If you live in the East End of NYC, contact Shine to bring the fun. We’ll entertain all the little ones at your backyard party with a full, engaging program of music, art, sports, culinary, crafting, nature exploration, and more. We bring all the supplies and clean up afterward. Contact us for pricing and scheduling details.  

How To Remember It

As the saying goes, “The days drag, but the years fly by!” Don’t forget to capture the memories.

  • Take lots of pictures! Create a Google Photos Album for Summersgiving to share and look back on.
  • Get at least one big group photo of all your guests assembled together.
  • If you can, take a few short videos to record the sights and sounds. Interview people about their day.
  • Jot down your most precious memories in a Summersgiving journal.

Perfect Picnic Hacks for Parents

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“A picnic is more than eating a meal,” said cookbook author DeeDee Stovel. “It is a pleasurable state of mind.” The weather is warming up and quarantine fatigue is setting in hard. We’re all looking for ways to reconnect with our kids and make our weekends count. A picnic in the park is the perfect way to make a weekend afternoon feel more festive. Friday, April 23rd is National Picnic Day – so what better excuse? All it takes is a little planning and a little patience. Here are our best picnic hacks to ensure a smooth day trip.

Kid-Friendly Picnic Foods

  • Pre-grilled foods – try seasoned ribs, chicken skewers, eggplant, corn, and zucchini.
  • Side salads – skip mayo for Asian dressed coleslaw or mustard German potato salad.
  • Veggies – satisfy with mini carrots, sliced peppers, cherry tomato, and olives.
  • Snacks – grab hummus and crackers, tortilla chips, PB crackers, Goldfish, or pretzels.
  • Trail mix – fuel up with yogurt raisins, dried banana, cashews, cranberries, and seeds.
  • Meats – for carnivores, pack sliced or string cheese, pepperoni, and cocktail weenies.
  • Popsicles – but don’t forget to bring cupcake liners to serve as drip trays. Genius!
  • Watermelon/fruit kebabs – pre-chop and skewer to make it neater and more accessible.
  • Dessert – keep it simple with cherries, strawberries, brownie bites, and butter cookies.
  • Dirt cups – crush Oreos on the bottom, adding chocolate pudding and gummy worms.

Picnic Sandwich Secrets

Hate a soggy sandwich? So do we! Here are a few tips:

  • Make your sandwich as late as possible for optimal freshness.
  • Once the sandwich hits room temperature, eat within two hours.
  • Use ice packs and an insulated cooler to add a few hours of shelf life.
  • Pack watery ingredients like cucumber, tomato, and onion slices separate.
  • Avoid sandwich bags, which increase condensation. Wrap in foil.
  • Choose a robust bread, like rye, tortilla, pita, a hard roll, or baguette.

Want an easy, hassle-free experience? Central Park offers a baguettini sandwich, apple, bag of chips, cookie, and bottled water – a picnic basket to-go for $12.

Best NYC Picnic Spots

Not sure where to go? The options are vast, but consider:

Central Park’s “East Green” offers shady trees and ample room for fun. The East 72nd Street Playground is located nearby, with water features in the summer. The Conservatory Water offers model boat sailing, concessions, and restrooms. A short walk south to the Central Park Zoo rounds out the afternoon. 

It’s a busy spot, but Empire Fulton Ferry Park offer stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. Arrive early to grab a picnic table with an umbrella. Nearby you’ll find Jane’s Carousel, the nautical-themed Main Street Playground, and restrooms.

In Long Island City, Queens, Socrates Sculpture Garden is a waterfront park hosting oversized sculptures to gaze upon, as well as ample shade and enclosed spaces for inquisitive youngsters to explore. Hallets Cove just north of the park offers free kayak rentals.

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park provides beautiful, well-kept grounds showcasing nature’s beauty with greenhouses and gardens. Hands-on programming for children and mansion tours offer optional entertainment.

Wading River’s Wildwood State Park overlooks Long Island Sound. Have a picnic within the park in the shady picnic table grove or down on the sand. There are showers, camping sites, fishing, hiking, and a playground for the kids. 

Themes for Picnics with Kids

Want to change it up from the humdrum old picnic of yesteryear? Try these creative twists:

  • Teddy bear picnic – Invite your child’s favorite stuffed animals along.
  • Puzzle picnic – Melissa & Doug offer wooden jigsaw puzzles to enjoy in the fresh air.
  • Dress-up picnic – Dress in costume for a a princess and/or super hero party.
  • Water party – bring water balloons, squirt guns, and bathing suits.

Picnic Games & Activities

  • Active games include cornhole, KanJam, ring toss, bocce, football, frisbee, or soccer.
  • Spend the afternoon painting rocks and hide them around the park for people to find.
  • Surely we all remember playing Tic Tac Toe, blowing bubbles, and chalk drawings.
  • Go through the alphabet with the “I’m going on a picnic” memory game.
  • UPicnic entertains up to five kids with bubbles, music, puppets, and games for a fee.

Picnic Reads

There’s magic in the air, reading outdoors. Bring a few picnic books along:

Must-Have Picnic Supplies

Sometimes one or two items make all the difference in the world:

  • Picnic basket – or up your picnic game with an oversized insulated bag.
  • Picnic blanket – or a tablecloth if you’ve got a table nearby.
  • Sunblock – or an umbrella to save you from the UV.
  • Baby wipes – for inevitably messy hands!
  • Music speaker – play Amazon’s Portable Sunshine, Grill & Chill, or Kids Birthday Party.
  • Frozen water bottles – as a space saving way to keep food cold and guests hydrated.
  • Talcum powder – sprinkle a border around your blanket to keep ants and bugs away.
  • Mesh food screens or a portable fan – to keep flying insects out of the food.
  • Waterproof shower curtain – if you’ve had bad luck in the past with soggy swamp grass.
  • A change of clothes – a backpack with an extra set of clothes can save much complaint.
  • Trash bag – leave no trace!

Looking for more ways to entertain the kids? Contact SHINE to learn about our classes, workshops, parties, and day camps in New York City and the Hamptons.

5 Summer Recipes for Kids (And a Few Bonuses!)

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No matter what phase of reopening we’re in, the summer weather invites New Yorkers outdoors to family picnics and backyard barbecues, if not the grand cookouts and larger parties of years past. When school is out of session and you’ve put your foot down about screen time, it doesn’t take long for “I’m bored!” to come out of your child’s mouth. Turning a dull, typical meal into a picnic, barbecue, or garden tea party is an easy way to lighten the mood and add a bit of fun to your day. The following recipes are not only kid-approved and presentable enough for party fare, but they’re so easy to assemble your “big” will love helping make them too. If “food is love,” then preparing it is family bonding at its finest.  

1. Amazing App: Chorizo Bites

This appetizer will blow minds at the next party with its perfect fiesta in every bite. Imagine this: the crispiness of an oven-roasted tortilla shell, combined with the creaminess of refried beans, the savoriness of cheese, the tang of chorizo, the freshness of tomato and cilantro, and the coolness of sour cream. Pack a punch of jalapeno for the adult half of the tray for extra flavor. You’ll need a 3-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter and a standard 24-cup muffin tray. It’s a labor of love putting this together, but kids as young as four make the perfect assistant chefs.

Get the recipe. 

2. Mindblowing Main: Sweet & Sour Pork and Pineapple Kebabs

Most kebabs recommend spicy barbecue sauce that isn’t friendly for every kid’s palate. Simply omit the crushed red pepper flakes for a kid-friendly kebab that combines piquant soy, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and soy flavors with decidedly sweet sugar, ketchup, and pineapple. Add sweet peppers for added antioxidant power. Baby bella mushrooms are an excellent choice too. Look for wooden skewers with rounded tips for easy serving.

Get the recipe.

3. Scrumptious Side: Zucchini Picnic Muffins

Adults love casseroles and summer salads, but kids don’t have the patience to sit down with a fork and a knife. Grab-and-go finger foods work best – the stealthier-healthier the better! Zucchini picnic muffins offer a full meal in one bite with zucchini, rice, cheese, onion, bacon, and egg.

Get the recipe.

Looking for even quicker, easier suggestions? Grill halved ears of corn and “campfire potatoes” (aluminum foil packets of mini spuds with salt and butter) for easy sides kids will actually eat.

4. Super Snack Food: Homemade Soft Pretzels

Kids can’t resist those giant soft pretzels at Renaissance Festivals and German Oktoberfests. It’s surprisingly easy to make your own. Aside from rapid rising yeast, you likely have all the ingredients in your pantry already. Children will be hard-pressed to choose a favorite step: Is it squishing the dough in a plastic bag? Rolling out “snakes”? Forming cute heart shapes? Or painting on the salt? This recipe makes a dozen, so there’s plenty to share.

Get the recipe here.

5. Delightful Dessert: S’mores Crispy Bars

We’ve all had the classic Rice Krispy Treat, but nothing shouts “summer” more than s’mores. Adding marshmallow crème frosting, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate makes this treat even more scrumptious for the season. All it’s missing is the backyard tent, the lantern, and the spooky ghost stories!

Get the recipe here.

Bonus #1: Kid-Friendly Summer Spritzer

What kid doesn’t love watermelon? Combine the fresh cubes with squeezed lime juice, sugar, kosher salt, and sparkling water to make a fancy, fresh kiddie mocktail. Mint sprigs are optional.

Get the recipe here.

Bonus #2: Easy Arrangements and Perfect-Looking Party Foods

You don’t need a recipe to create a fun-filled rainbow fruit parfait…

Black olive penguins…

A patriotic eagle cheeseball…

Backyard Bug Snacks…

Donut-shaped apple slices…

or Firecracker Dogs!

Don’t overlook the beauty of an easy picnic snack board with cut cheese, meat roll-ups, pretzels, nuts, and fruits either! The kids are more likely to experience a variety of foods, rather than filling up on one choice item all day.

Bonus #3: Entertainment Add-Ons For Your Party, Event, or Family Night!

If you’re planning a small gathering, birthday party, or family picnic this summer, consider how Shine’s offerings can make it even better! Our signature craft bags, customizable themed party boxes, and interactive Zoom cooking classes provide everything you need for a truly momentous occasion. We also host private parties at your location of choice for up to eight children.

Contact us to learn more.

Fun Ways To Observe Presidents Day With Kids in NYC

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Monday, February 17th is a federal holiday established in 1885 to celebrate the birth of first U.S. president George Washington. His birthday was February 22nd, but the holiday can range from the 17th through the 21st, depending on where the third Monday of the month falls. This arrangement was part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. Observance of 16th President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (which falls on February 12th) was also included as one of the provisions in the new act. Other February birthdays include Ronald Reagan (6th) and William Henry Harrison (9th). Nowadays, we typically celebrate ALL presidents on this civic holiday, but you can observe it however you wish. 

Do not tell a lie – and bake a cherry pie. 

One of the most famous stories of George Washington’s life dates back to his childhood. As the story goes, George was six years old when his father bought him his first hatchet. He loved it so much, he cut down everything in his path. He hacked away at the bark of an English cherry tree in his mother’s garden until it died. When his father confronted him wondering what had happened to the tree, George confessed: “I cannot tell a lie, you know, I cannot tell a lie; I did it, I cut it with my hatchet.” This story was first chronicled in a biography by Mason Weems, but it has been passed down generation after generation as the sort of honesty and respect for one’s parents we hope will stick with our own children.

Given the story, a popular Presidents Day tradition around the country involves the symbolic baking of cherry pie. This basic recipe calls for little more than Crisco, flour, egg, sugar, and a can of pie filling to whip up something spectacular with your child in the kitchen. Oh, and don’t forget the vanilla ice cream! If you’re looking for a more five-star recipe that doesn’t sacrifice some measure of taste for simplicity, you can try Food Network’s “Best Cherry Pie” recipe, which uses tart cherries, lemon juice, and almond extract for extra flavor. Strangely, there is no record of cherry pie in Martha Washington’s cookbook, but we did unearth her recipe for Cherry Bread and Butter Pudding you might try for something more authentic!

Take an historic trip.

Just over four hours south of here — in Alexandria, Virginia – you’ll find a month-long tribute to George Washington himself, not to mention one of the best family-friendly vacation destinations. The nation’s largest and longest-running George Washington Birthday Parade dates back to 1976 and snakes one-mile through the streets of historic Old Town Alexandria. 

Other events include:

  • The 12th Annual Cherry Challenge 
  • George Washington’s Alexandria Walking Tours
  • Chocolate with General Washington for Kids
  • George Washington’s 18th Century Evening Banquet and Ball
  • A Family-Friendly Scavenger Hunt for Washington
  • Free Concert at Market Square

Visit Washingtonbirthday.com for more details. 

In addition to these special events, Alexandria has more than 140 locations with ties to America’s first president. George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, is a must for families with a live blacksmith, interactive exhibits, farm animals, gardens, and pet-friendly walking trails. Be sure to grab a bite at Gadsby’s Tavern, which served as a central hub for founding father social life with distinguished patrons such as George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. 

Of course, history is not the only reason to cart the whole family down to Virginia. While you’re visiting, be sure to blow off steam at Scramble, a café and colorful indoor play space geared toward kids 0-8. Bundle up to stroll the independent boutiques down King Street, or ice skate in the winter village at Cameron Run. Alexandria is home to a world-class archaeology museum, the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame, art galleries, and an African-American History Museum – enough family-friendly attractions to keep you busy the whole break week long. And remember, you’re just a hop, skip, and a DC Metro jump from the Smithsonian Museums and other delights of our nation’s capital. 

If you’re looking for something warmer, you might consider heading to GeorgeFest in Eustis, Florida – a lakeside community north of Orlando. This celebration of Washington’s birthday dates back to 1902 and features parades, carnivals, chili cookoffs, races, character breakfasts, and concerts.

Ponder the presidency with an activity book, story, or video. 

Presidential trivia doesn’t have to be boring. Consider these fun ways to explore history together: 

If you’re crafty, consider making these adorable mini president figures out of wood, pipe-cleaners, acrylic paint, and cloth. Or create a George Washington wig and Abe Lincoln hat out of construction paper for a Presidents Day photoshoot with your little one.  

  • For elementary-aged kids: Who doesn’t love the catchy songs, adorable animations, and guest star cameos of The Storybots? They’ve got a free downloadable Presidents Day activity book with coin quizzes, mazes, illustration prompts, word search, spot the difference game, and instructions how to make an Abraham Lincoln mask out of a paper plate to keep the kids busy for a while. 

Grades 2-6 can learn more about the presidency with the Constitution Center’s 22-minute newsy rundown of the Executive Branch. Next, embark upon The Smithsonian’s virtual tour of The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden, an exhibit featuring Lady Bird Johnson’s dessert plates, Lincoln’s split rail fence, and a collection of First Lady inaugural gowns, among other items. 

If your child is a budding reader, What Presidents Are Made Of is a unique combination of mixed-media art and small vignettes from the lives of our chief executives for grades 1-5. Kids just getting into chapter books can be inspired by NY Times best-selling “Who HQ” series, where you’ll find kid-friendly accounts detailing the lives of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, in addition to so many others.  

Be sure to check out Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America’s Presidents — a neat read for adults and nine to 12-year-olds alike.

Presidents vs. Aliens is a cool downloadable app for Apple and Android devices, which teaches presidential facts, quotes, historical events, and nicknames mixed with a chance to fling president heads at aliens in a bowling-style game.

For a more sophisticated problem-solving game, try iCivic’s Executive Command game for PCs, which allows kids the opportunity to try their hand at the presidency for a term. They’ll propose an agenda, build a cabinet, sign bills into laws, and delegate tasks to federal agencies. Even adults find it’s a fun, interactive way to brush up on the powers of the presidency. 

Check out local NYC Presidents Day events taking place all week long.

There’s no shortage of presidential activities in NYC:

When: February 21, 10:30 am

For Kids ages 6 and under: Hear humorous stories about Washington and Lincoln, dig through a trunk of historic clothes, and make a finger puppet in a historic setting. 

When: February 15, 16, and 17th, 12–4 pm

For all ages: Meet and mingle with costumed characters resembling George Washington, James Madison, and others. They’re happy to tell stories of how they made their mark on history before you enter the new Meet the Presidents exhibit at the New York Historical Society.

When: February 17th-21st, 12:00 – 4:00 pm

For all ages: Prospect Park Alliance hosts family-friendly programming at Lefferts Historic House and the Prospect Park Audubon Center all week long:

  • Wild in Winter: See what the birds are doing this winter.
  • Discovery Pack: Pick up a ready-to-go nature kit with activities for families.
  • Migration Games: Play floor games replicating the stages of bird migration.
  • Animal Encounter: Learn about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection.
  • Great Backyard Bird Count: Submit checklists to help researchers assess bird health.
  • President’s Day Trivia: Enjoy trivia and birthday cake for George and Abe.
  • Coming in from the Cold: Create a small jar of scented salve for a healthy home.

When: February 16th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

For all ages: Sample historic recipes, take a museum scavenger hunt, and learn 19th century dances with costumed characters. Adults 21+ are invited to toast to George Washington.

When: February 15-16th, guided tours 1-2 pm 

For ages 8+: Visit the Scott Gallery, where you’ll see a new exhibit — A Stoic Countenance: Portraits of George Washington exhibition. Then see a lock of Washington’s hair and a fragment of his tooth in the McEntee Gallery! If you arrive for the special guided tour included with your $1 museum admission, you’ll hear all about President Washington’s connections to NYC, from his early years as a militia colonel, to his greatest military defeat, to his ascension to the presidency.

If you’re looking for more enrichment, consider programming offered by Shine, TriState New York’s leading provider of pop-up classes and parties for kids.

Cultural Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Jewish Recipes for Hanukkah

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For many Jewish families, Hanukkah is synonymous with home-cooking. It’s a time where our mothers toil in the kitchen to embrace their love of feeding us, and our fathers pause from work for a moment to enjoy connection with the family around the table. Food is a language of love, so it makes perfect sense to share your love of culture, cooking, and family with your children. What follows are some of our favorite recipes for a Hanukkah feast that are easy enough for kids to share in the making and tasty enough for the plates to hit the sink empty.    

1. Latkes

(Recipe From Chef Eli Sussman of Mile End, Courtesy of AM New York)

Potato pancakes known as latkes are the most well-known Hanukkah food – and a symbolic one at that. The oil these crispy flats are fried in reminds us of the rededication of the Holy Temple, where one day’s worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days. If you’re not planning on visiting one of New York City’s best latke hotspots this month, try this recipe (from Chef Eli Sussman of the famous Mile End restaurant) with your kids at home. For a basic latke, you’ll need Idaho potatoes, white onions, eggs, Matzo Meal, vegetable oil, and a slotted fish spatula for flipping. Fancier recipes may throw in scallions, butter, and baking powder or corn starch. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here, but the Chicago Tribune has an interesting take – with eight latke recipes for the eight days of Hanukkah. Different toppings include sour cream, applesauce, or smoked salmon. Freeze leftovers and reheat for 2-3 minutes at 350 in the oven. 

Get a traditional NYC latke recipe.

2. Matzo Ball Soup 

(Recipe From Joan Nathan, courtesy of NY Times Cooking)

Soup is something most kids look forward to as much as a warm scarf and hot cocoa in the winter. This recipe comes from “the Queen of American Jewish Cooking” Joan Nathan, a James Beard Foundation award-winning cookbook author and NYC culinary class instructor. You get the basic idea of eggs, schmaltz, Matzo Meal, ginger, and nutmeg, but you can exercise creativity in choosing chicken or vegetable stock, and either dill, cilantro, or parsley as a garnish. If you’re not serving the soup immediately, you can freeze the Matzo balls on a baking sheet, transfer to a freezer bag, and thaw a few hours before heating in broth to serve. 

Get a soul-warming Matzo Ball soup recipe.

3. Challah

(Recipe From Upper East Side Pastry Chef Adam Levin, courtesy of Haaretz)

Challah is a staple of the holiday table, whether it’s braided for Shabbat, served round for Jewish New Year, or however you prefer it for Hanukkah. This braided egg-washed bread is supple like brioche and full of flavor. You can eat it as a side with chopped liver pate or bake it into French Toast come morning. Check out the many variations here. We like this recipe because it gets into the nitty-gritty of technique and answers crucial questions that arise while baking – like: What kind of yeast should I use? What if I don’t have a standing mixer? Is the dough too wet? Should I add more flour? How long should the braid be? And how much honey should I add to the wash? Recipe author Adam Levin found his love of baking with his grandmother whose recipe he’s immortalized here — with a few helpful tweaks he picked up before graduating from the Culinary Institute of America at the top of his class. 

Get a detailed recipe that shares the secrets of great Challah.

4. Herb-and-Lemon Roasted Chicken

(Recipe From NYC based food writer Gail Simmons, Courtesy of Food & Wine Magazine)

Brisket is the most popular meat main course, as it’s a hearty, welcoming winter dish capable of feeding a crowd. However, many families enjoy roasted, spiced chicken as an alternate choice. This foolproof roasted chicken recipe uses a whole chicken seasoned with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest, but you can also opt to roast chicken pieces if you prefer. More than 2,500 five-star reviewers can’t be wrong, can they? A few tricks you may find helpful: brown the chicken in a skillet for a crispy golden crust, and roast the thighs and breasts in separate dishes, so each cooks to perfect readiness. Serve the chicken over top roasted potatoes, fennel, carrots, or another root vegetable of your choice.  

Get a versatile roasted chicken recipe beloved by all.

5. Sufganiyot

(Recipe From Breads Bakery’s Uri Scheft, courtesy of Bon Appetit Magazine)

Uri Scheft of Breads Bakery in Chelsea knows a thing or two about sufganiyot (pronounced soof-gone-YOT). In just one day of Hanukkah, they sell three months’ worth of the warm, ball-sized, golden, jam-filled, sugar-dusted donuts. You can use any kind of neutral oil, be it vegetable or safflower, but don’t skimp on the whole milk. You can whisk chunky jam in a food processor for pro piping. If you don’t have a piping bag, a toothpick and plastic bag with a hole cut in it will suffice. Adding orange zest and juice will ensure your recipe is bursting with fresh fruit flavor. The options for sufganiyot preserves, pastry creams, and sugar coatings are endless once you’ve gotten the basics down. Chocolate cream and cinnamon sugar is a recommended variation. 

Get your sweet, kid-favorite sufganiyot dessert recipe.

About Shine

Founded by Aaron Goldschmidt in 2004, Shine is a creative, modern child enrichment program that accepts children of all faiths and cultures. If your child loves helping in the kitchen, you’ll find more Jewish recipes for the New Year here, or you can try one of Shine’s cooking classes.  We also offer “Vitamin J,” a Jewish art and culture classes geared toward ages 5-10. We hope to see you in 2020! 

International Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Jamaican Recipes for Marcus Garvey Day

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Six years ago, the Government of Jamaica declared August 17th “Marcus Garvey Day” in honor of the nation’s first National Hero. Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), a Jamaican-born nationalist, civil rights activist, and Pan-Africanism movement leader, sought to unify and connect people of African descent worldwide.

“Garvey has influenced the world through so many different people, I don’t think the world and even some Jamaicans recognize the worth and impact of his influence – and, just through his sayings, how many freedom fighters and world leaders have brought their messages of confidence to masses of people,” said Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna.

His vision was one of prosperity for African people at home and abroad, and his legacy has caused others to view Jamaicans as equals “in every sphere of life… on the great human stage of activity,” she explained, adding: “As Jamaicans, we ought to be proud of our ancestry; we ought to be proud of our heroes…He was clearly ahead of his time.”  

Close to 600 Jamaicans live here — in New York City neighborhoods like Queens Village, Jamaica, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Wakefield, and Tremont. Perhaps that is why we have a Marcus Garvey Park (which is hosting Black Woodstock on Marcus Garvey Day this year).

What a great opportunity we have, now, to teach our children about Jamaica’s contributions on the world stage, including their many culinary delights. We love cooking with our children as a way of teaching life skills, while sharing valuable time and bonding closely with our kin. Here are five Jamaican recipes in honor of Marcus Garvey Day you’ll love making together.

Jamaican Rice & Peas

Recipe by Schnelle “Nellie” Acevedo, a.k.a. “Brooklyn Active Mama”

Nellie quit her cushy job in the high tech financial industry to bring this recipe to you. “My cousins and I (all 5,200 of us) got together and realized that we will NEED to continue this amazing authentic Jamaican cooking for our own children, or the culture will die with us,” she said in her blog. Flavored with creamy coconut milk, thyme, all-spice, and scotch bonnet pepper, this side tastes distinctively Caribbean. If you need help finding the pepper, try Trade Fair on Ditmars Blvd in Astoria, or Stop & Shop in Queens. In a pinch, you could substitute with a habanero, but you might want to portion out the kids’ servings before adding that spice!

Get the recipe here.

Miss Lily’s Jerk Chicken

Recipe by Chef Adam Schop (NYC) and Chef Andre Fowles (Jamaica) of Miss Lily’s in SoHo

According to Sam Slaughter, writer for The Manual, this is “the best Jerk Chicken recipe you’ll ever try.” It requires its fair share of work – brining, marinating, and grilling. Yet, the end result has just the right amount of spice and sweet. You’ll need to locate a few exotic ingredients – whole allspice berries, scotch bonnet chilies, tamarind puree, and liquid smoke – but most kids enjoy a trip to the food bazaar supermarket. If you’re more into the idea of tasting than cooking, you can always head to the cozy retro diner, Miss Lily’s at 132 Houston Street (at Thompson).

Get the recipe here.

Jamaican Beef Patty

Recipe by Imma at Immaculate Bites

The Jamaican Beef Patty has made its way out of family kitchens and into retail establishments like Walmart and Costco, as well as the New York City school system (which serves over three million a year!) With its flaky, delicate, golden crust and beef seasoned with Scotch bonnet, onion, garlic, and black pepper, the Jamaican Beef Patty is on its way to achieving a fanbase the way pizza and tacos have – at least in New York City. While NY Times offers a similar recipe, people who have made Imma’s particular recipe have been called “goddesses” at the school bake sale, were so excited they wanted to buy the author’s cookbook if she had one, and said they’ll never make another recipe again.  

Get the recipe here.

Vegan Jerk Tacos

Recipe by Chef Troy

Chef Troy grew up in the countryside of Glengoffe St. Catherine, Jamaica before serving as chef at BB King’s in Times Square and the Highline Ballroom in Chelsea. You’ll need some of Chef Troy’s special jerk seasoning wet rub for these kid-friendly tacos, but you can make a similar concoction from scratch if you prefer. The vegan protein is portabello mushroom, with tomatoes and peppers helping to fill out your tortilla. The magic is in the combination of flavorful sauces!

Get the recipe here.

Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding

Recipe Courtesy of The Food Network

Sweet potato pudding used to be a real labor of love with all that hand-grating, but thanks to food processors, it’s easy enough for a child to do. Filled with raisins, coconut, and vanilla milk, it’s a sweet the kids are sure to love for a Sunday treat or a holiday staple.

Get the recipe here.

Enjoy this little taste of international culture and cooking? Try one of Shine’s classes for more! Contact us to inquire about our cultural classes, monthly workshops (which may include cooking), and about our partnerships with local youth culinary schools. 

Cultural Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Puerto Rican Recipes for National Puerto Rican Day

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June 9th marks New York City’s 62nd annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade. An estimated 2 million are expected to attend this enormous celebration, complete with marchers in colorful costumes and decorative floats. This year’s theme is “Un Pueblo, Muchas Voces” – One Nation, Many Voices – and will feature prominent Puerto Ricans like baseball legend Edgar Martinez, musician Jose Feliciano, and pop star (and this year’s grand marshal) Ricky Martin.

The parade kicks off at 11:00 am at the southern end of Fifth Avenue, traveling north between 42nd and 79th streets, to the Upper East Side. The official city festivities go until 5:00 pm, but you may also enjoy cooking an ethnic dish at home with your children as part of the celebration. Cooking can help preschoolers with mathematical concepts and language development, and leads to better nutrition a decade later, so what better gift to give your children?   

Arroz con Gandules

Recipe by The Freakin’ Rican

Anyone who has tasted Puerto Rican cuisine knows that rice is most assuredly NOT a “side dish.” Puerto Rican rice is one of those things you dream about at night, weeks after you’ve been to The Freakin’ Rican Restaurant in Astoria. You might have to visit the Lower East Side’s Essex Street Market to find some of the unique ingredients – like banana leaves; frozen gandules, which are also sometimes called pigeon peas; Sofrito, a powerful base sauce made of garlic, onions, different color bell peppers, tomatoes, annatto (achiote) seeds, cilantro, and Mexican oregano or parsley; and Sazon, a distinctly Spanish seasoning made of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, ground coriander, cumin, oregano, and annatto seed. There are enough ingredients in this recipe to keep the kids busy tossing items into the pot as it simmers.

Get the recipe here.

Shrimp Mofongo

Recipe by Manolo Lopez, proprietor of the MofonGO Smorgasburg stall, courtesy of NY Times Cooking

“Mofongo is the unofficial dish of the islands,” according to Old San Juan native Chef Manolo Lopez, who has earned a passionate following since offering his interpretation of the comfort food made from mashed plantains, pork rinds, and garlic. Manolo makes his own pork rinds, but you can buy yours. The plantain leaves and adobo seasoning (made from garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and dried citrus) add a distinctly Puerto Rican touch to this seafood dish. You’ll notice there is white wine in this recipe, but the alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a slight taste, without the intoxicating quality.

Get the recipe here.

Tembleque with Mango-Kumquat Relish

Recipe by Carmen Gonzalez, Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Carmen Gonzalez is a New York Restaurant School graduate who is celebrated for combining contemporary cuisine with mouth-watering flavors of her Puerto Rican homeland. This simple-yet-sumptuous creamy custard is made from coconut milk, sugar, salt, mint leaves, cornstarch, and orange blossom water. The base is good enough to eat on its own, but most people love adding a tropical relish topping featuring kumquats, mangoes, anise, cinnamon, and cloves. If you’re worried about the one cup of orange rum, you may substitute orange juice to make it a more kid-friendly topper. 

Get the recipe here.

Garlicky Roasted Pernil

Recipe by Chef Jose Enrique, Courtesy of Food & Wine Magazine

Chef Jose Enrique was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico and graduated from New York’s Culinary Institute of America before opening a restaurant back home, where he gained a following for his “pared down cooking style” and “dedication to fresh, local ingredients.” After marinating a pork shoulder in orange and lime juices and seasonings, you’ll simply roast the meat in the oven four hours for a feast little foodies will love. Pair with black beans and rice for a full meal.

Get the recipe here.

Sorullitos de Maiz

Recipe Courtesy of AllRecipes

Sorullitos win kids over with their exterior crisp and interior buttery goodness. In the homeland, these Puerto Rican cornmeal fingers (similar to polenta or hushpuppies) are traditionally served as breakfast, but they can easily be converted into party appetizers or a side dish. This dish is fun to form and easy to fry up. Traditionally, they’re dipped in a mayo / ketchup / garlic salt sauce. 

Get the recipe here.

Whether your family simply enjoys learning about different cultures, or your kids are chefs-in-the-making, Shine has a program for you! Contact us  to inquire about our monthly workshops (which may include cooking) and about our partnerships with local youth culinary schools. 

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