Brooklyn Parent November 2018 by City Guide NY

Brooklyn rooklyn Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM NOVEMBER 2018

The Problem with Processed Foods

Are they really that bad for you? + the best local health care providers

SensoryFriendly Shows Inclusive performances in NYC for children with special needs

Kids & Politics

How to get your children interested

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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BrooklynParent

contents table of

november 2018

11 16 family health

12 Processed Foods 101 14 Health & Wellness Directory

5 Ways to Instill Gratitude in Children

How to encourage your kids to show their thanks all year long, not just during this season of giving

Sensory-Friendly Theater in NYC

A roundup of inclusive performances in New York City for children with special needs

Speed-Clean Your House

Holiday guests are on the way, so make sure you hit these spots when you tidy up.

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 9 The Quiet Child 11 5 Ways to Instill Gratitude in Children 15 5 Places to Find a Great Babysitter or Nanny 34 Kids & Politics 36 Out and About with Baby 42 Preschool Directory and At-A-Glance Chart 43 Professional Services and Party Central 44 Meet the Doctor 45 Family Resource Guide 45 Advertisers’ Index 46 Quotables

10 String of Stalactites

38 Stay Safe While Shopping Online

16 Sensory-Friendly Theater in NYC

40 Speed-Clean Your House

18 Sensory-Friendly Amusement Parks 20 Family Fun a Ride Away 21 Family Activities Calendar 32 Activities to be Thankful For 33 Clowning Around

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 12 The Problem with Processed Foods 14 The best local health care providers 16 Sensory-Friendly Shows 34 Kids & Politics facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

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raising kids editor’s note

NOVEMBER 2018 • Vol.15 • No.4

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITORS: Anja Webb, Melissa Wickes DIRECTOR OF CONTENT: Deborah Skolnik

Giving Thanks A

hh, fall. The delightfully crisp weather before Old Man Winter rolls in, the start of the NHL season, and pumpkin spice everything (is my millennial showing?) makes it my favorite time of year. Let me take a minute to introduce myself: I’m NYMetroParents’ new editorial director, though you may recognize my name, as I’ve been with Brooklyn Parent for almost seven years now. While Deborah Skolnik will return with her editor’s letter next month, I wanted to take advantage of this season of showing gratitude to share what I’m thankful for. First and foremost, I’m thankful for my health; I’ll bet most of you are as well. While I try to eat a well-balanced diet, I’ll inevitably grab a granola bar as a snack on the go. Usually I end up thinking I should have chosen an apple instead of a processed treat, but Emma Steven’s article “Processed Foods 101” on pg. 12 tempered my food guilt. She spoke to nutrition experts to get the low down on processed foods and how you can cut back the amount of it your family eats. I’m also thankful for my best friend who is more like a sister. She’s planning to come stay with me for Thanksgiving, which I’m very much looking forward to. What I’m not looking forward to? Cleaning my apartment before her arrival. That’s why I’m going to take the advice given in Deborah Skolnik’s “Speed-Clean Your House” (pg. 40), in which professional cleaners give pointers on the areas you should tackle in your home first for minimal effort but maximal results. (As someone who isn’t fond of cleaning, I’m also thankful for these tips.) Family is another thing for which I’m thankful. I have seven nieces and nephews, with one on the way, so I’ll be taking a look at “Out and About with Baby” (pg. 36) for some ideas on what to get the expecting parents in my life. And I know these products are good because local parents recommend their favorite gear to make a day out with the kids as smooth as possible. I learned that I should express my gratitude to those I’m thankful for in Melissa Wickes’s “5 Ways to Instill Gratitude in Children” (pg. 11), so, dear readers, please know that I’m especially thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Who: Lighthouse Family Daycare What’s New: The Bay Ridge location, which opened in September. The day care center guides children ages 2-5 through their early lives so they can thrive in preschool and kindergarten. A typical day consists of fun and educational activities, including free play, singing, morning exercises, arts and crafts, and science study. Every month, there is a simple social studies lesson based on different countries, in which the kids learn greetings or counting in other languages and sometimes cook foods from those countries. This month’s science study consists of short outdoor walks during which students look at the changing leaves and describe what they see. Lighthouse also has its own kitchen where kids learn to make their own sandwiches and pizza. Lighthouse Family Daycare was formerly located in Chinatown for 18 years. Want More Info: 311 90th St., Bay Ridge; lighthouse-familydaycare.com; 212-219-8813

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raising kids voices

The Quiet Child ››

How learning what to listen for helped me hear my daughter’s voice

braced myself for our third grade parent-teacher interview. By this time, I had come to expect the usual comments from teachers and other adults who came into contact with my daughter. “We wish she would speak up more,” or the slightly accusatory, “We’re wondering if there’s a reason she’s so quiet?” or the cheerier, “We want to get to know your daughter better!” Sometimes well-meaning people try to connect with her, (and use the word I’ve come to strongly dislike), “I was shy like you too, when I was young.” Since my daughter has been very little, I’ve been perplexed by the assessment made by many of the (again, wellintentioned) adults she encounters. Though in my gut I’ve always known she was fine just the way she is, there was something about her entering school—her first large group setting—that started making me second-guess everything. My 3am spiral went something like this: Would she actually “grow” out of this? (There was usually an implication that she would, that she should, mature beyond this, that it was at worst some sort of inadequacy, and at best just a phase of growing up.) Maybe she wasn’t comfortable at her current school? Maybe she should be in another environment where the classes were smaller and she received more individual attention, which in turn would make her feel more at ease, which in turn would make her speak out more, which in turn would make her more accepted by her teachers and peers, which in turn would make her life easier? Obviously, this got me nowhere. Then I picked up Susan Cain’s brilliant book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. Although I thought I knew a lot of what the author wrote about already, the way she broke everything down was a

By Rosalind Muggeridge

revelation for me. The gist of the book is so-called quiet people (those with introverted tendencies) have calmly gotten down to the business of accomplishing a lot of the real work done in the world: inventions, scientific breakthroughs, brilliant novels, etc. In other words, introversion isn’t a shortcoming that needs to be overcome; it’s simply a type of personality that lends itself to different pursuits—some really useful ones as it happens. The problem is not with people who fall into that category, but with the world we live in that seems to reward and most value the loudest voices in the room. Now when I’m met with the usual comments about how quiet my daughter is, I try to honor her character without being defensive. I try to emphasize her strengths: She flourishes in very small group settings and loves individual work. I also try to check in now and then to make sure her environment isn’t causing her to withhold at all. Beyond that, I try not to stress. Now that she and I both have the language and tools to better frame her character, we can do our best to ignore any expectations about how outspoken she needs to be. I can get out of her way, and she can get on with whatever contribution she chooses to make to the world. It’s the most important lesson I’ve learned as a parent (and one I evidently need to learn over and over): Following your child’s lead is usually the smoothest and happiest way toward growth and development. Obviously, that doesn’t mean feeding her chocolate cake for breakfast when she asks for it or buying her every random can of slime she wants. For me it means learning to stay quiet for a moment, take a beat, and let my kid not do the talking.

Rosalind Muggeridge lives in Prospect Heights with her husband and two children.

BrooklynParent

things to do

diy corner

String of Stalactites With the kids home from school for a few days at Thanksgiving, why not take the time to do some hands-on learning? Consider making a craft that gives you and your child an opportunity to spend time exploring science and creating together, an experience you’re both sure to be thankful for. Get ready for some parent-child quality time with this DIY experiment from Jonathan Adolph’s “Mason Jar Science!” Grow some underground décor for your kid cave. You think growing bigger takes a long time? Try being a stalactite. Those drippy columns you see in caves grow just a few inches every thousand years! You can observe how they do it by growing your very own string of stalactite crystals. The best part is, it won’t take a thousand years! (More like a week.) Set up your experiment where no one will touch it, check your drip bowl every day, and watch what happens. Materials 2 pint-size mason jars Piece of yarn, about 4 feet long Scissors 2 bendy straws Skewer or pipe cleaner

Hot tap water Baking soda, about ½ cup Spoon or other stirrer Food coloring (optional) Bowl for drips

Instructions 1. F old the yarn in half and twist it together to make a thick strand. Cut the bendable “elbows” from the straws, leaving about an inch of the straight part on each end. Thread the straws on the yarn, using a skewer or pipe cleaner to push the yarn through. 2. Fill the jars about two-thirds full with hot tap water. Spoon in baking soda, a tablespoon at a time, to each jar and stir to dissolve it. Keep adding baking soda and stirring until the powder no longer dissolves and instead starts to gather on the bottom of the jar (it should take 3-5 tablespoons for each jar). You’ve created a saturated solution. Add a few drops of food coloring if you want. 3. S et up the jars up as shown, with the drip bowl between 10

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

them. Remember: The crystals are very delicate and will fall easily if jostled, so set up your experiment in a place where you can leave it for several days. 4. S oak the yarn in the solution, making sure it’s wet all the way through the straws. Hang it between the jars using the elbows to hold it in place as shown. The ends of the yarn must be in the solution and the center of the yarn must be lower than the level of the solution in the jars, forming a drip point. What to Watch For The solution should start dripping into the bowl right away. You’ll begin to see crystals form after a day or so. Over the next few days, observe how much they grow. When the bowl gets full, carefully pour the solution back into the jars. What’s Going On Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a crystal, meaning it forms in a distinctive shape. As the solution of dissolved baking soda moves through the yarn, thanks to capillary action, the water evaporates, forcing the baking soda to form again as a solid, a process called crystallization. Speak Like a Scientist Here’s a handy way to tell your stalactites from your stalagmites: stalaCtites hang down from the C-eiling while stalaGmites rise up from the G-round. Science in Real Life Real stalactites are created through a similar process. In certain caves, water flows through soft rock, such as limestone, and carries away dissolved minerals. As the mineralized water drips from the ceiling it creates an icicle-like column of minerals and crystals. The world’s largest stalactite is more than 25 feet long!

Excerpted from Mason Jar Science © by Jonathan Adolph. Used with permission from Storey Publishing. Photo by © Mars Vilaubi

raising kids in the know

GOT DIAPERS? Has your child been successfully potty-trained and now you have diapers you don’t need? Has your child outgrown certain sizes and now you have some leftover?

5 Ways to Instill Gratitude in Children ››

By Melissa Wickes

ovember is a time when we tend to think about gratitude; your family is likely familiar with the ‘what are you thankful for’ exercise at the Thanksgiving dinner table. But it is vital to instill the importance of gratitude in your children year-round. Alan Daniel Schlechter, M.D., clinical assistant professor at the department of child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Langone Health, director of outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry at Bellevue Hospital, and instructor of the course The Science of Happiness at New York University shares five ways you can instill gratitude in your children.

Model being grateful. As is the case with most traits you want to instill in your children, the best way to do so is by modeling this behavior. Dr. Schlechter, co-author of U Thrive: How to Succeed in College (and Life), emphasizes the importance of taking the time to thank the people around you. “Thank [your] waiter... Write handwritten thank-you notes instead of emails to make sure your kids see you doing it,” he suggests. Play Best, Best, Worst. At Dr. Schlechter’s dinner table, everyone in the family says their two best moments of the day and their one worst. What makes this exercise unique in his house, though, is each family member also states a time someone helped them. “Sometimes the best parts of your day can be when someone else supported you,” Dr. Schlechter says. “If the best part of your child’s day was scoring a goal in soccer, ask ‘who helped you score that goal?’” Write gratitude letters and journals. Jotting down the things you’re grateful for increases your well-being, according to Dr. Schlechter. So try keeping a family gratitude journal in which each member writes down what they are thankful for. Or encourage your kids to write gratitude letters to those they are thankful for (and let them see you do this, too).

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Point out examples of gratitude. When you’re reading, watching TV, or just going about your everyday life, point out people who do a great job of expressing gratitude to those around them, Dr. Schlechter suggests. Ask how it makes them feel. Many people get into the habit of saying thank you because it’s the right thing to do. But expressing gratitude toward someone makes you feel happy, and that should be the reason to do it, Dr. Schlechter says. “What you want to do with all of these exercises is make sure that it makes [your children] feel good and that they know it makes them feel good,” he says. Feeling happy when you’re giving gratitude encourages you to keep doing it. BrooklynParent 11

Experts say it’s okay to eat some processed foods, but the bulk of your diet should consist of whole foods.

Processed Foods 101

››

We spoke to nutrition experts to get the skinny on processed foods and your kids’ health, so you can make smart choices in the grocery store. By Emma Steven

or parents today there is an overwhelming amount of information available on what we should and should not be eating. The everyday job of grocery shopping or planning meals for our families is a maze of choices. One food group we hear a lot about is processed foods, but what exactly are they and why are they bad for us? First, let’s clear things up. Processed foods are defined as any foods that have been changed before they reach the consumer, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Unless you grow and raise all of your own food, this means almost everything. “All foods undergo some level of processing. The level falls on something of a spectrum, from minimally processed to more heavily processed,” says Malina Malkani M.S., R.D., C.D.N., registered dietician nutritionist and spokesperson for AND. “To call all processing unhealthy is a bit of a misnomer.” Processed foods typically fall into 1 of 5 categories: • Minimally processed: prepared fruits and vegetables, bagged salads, nuts, and coffee • Processed to preserve freshness at harvest: canned food, frozen fruits and vegetables, and jarred purees • Packaged foods with added ingredients to improve vitamin content, taste, color, texture, and shelf life: rice, jarred tomato sauce, and boxed pasta and mashed potatoes • Ready-to-eat foods: soda, cereal, snack foods, deli meats, yogurt, and ice cream • Pre-made meals: toaster pastries, microwave meals, and frozen pizza

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

The healthiest foods are whole foods and those on the minimally processed end of the scale. The unhealthiest are the hyper- or ultra-processed foods, which are “foods that really don’t resemble their original state and have a lot of ingredients, a lot of additives,” says Sally Kuzemchak, M.S., R.D., author of The 101 Healthiest Foods for Kids and founder of RealMomNutrition.com.

Low in Nutrients, High in “Bad” Stuff

A high intake of ultra-processed foods has been linked in studies to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer, according to BMJ Open, American Institute for Cancer Research, and National Institutes of Health. “The more heavily processed foods tend to be higher in the nutrients that we want to limit, namely added sugars, sodium, saturated fat, and artificial trans fat,” Malkani explains. “These, when eaten in large qualities over time, do lead to more detrimental health effects.” Yet because these foods are convenient and taste good, we eat a lot of them. A 2016 study published in BMJ Open revealed that ultra-processed foods make up more than half of Americans’ diets. The same study found that as we eat more of them, we consume fewer essential nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals) and more added sugar, salt, carbohydrates, and saturated and trans fats overall. Because they contain very little protein, fiber, and whole grains, ultra-processed foods can be unsatisfying. This means you eat more than you should, and are more likely to go over the recommended daily allowance of salt, sugar, and saturated and trans fats.

The Hidden Additives

In July 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics made a statement warning of the dangers to children of chemicals from additives, colorings, preservatives, and packaging of many processed foods. These include artificial colors in foods, preservative nitrates (found in processed meats), and BPA, phthalates, PFCs, and perchlorate in packaging. “There are critical weaknesses in the current food additives regulatory process, which doesn’t do enough to ensure all chemicals added to foods are safe enough to be part of a family’s diet,” said Leonardo Trasande, M.D., M.P.P., F.A.A.P. “As pediatricians, we’re especially concerned about significant gaps in data about the health effects of many of these chemicals on infants and children.”

Small Steps, Big Impact

Experts suggest doing the following to reduce the amount of processed foods you and your children eat: Choose the products with the fewest ingredients. “The lower the amount of ingredients, usually the better,” says Natalie Monson, R.D.N., C.D., registered dietitian and co-founder of Super Healthy Kids. Anything with a long list of ingredients you cannot pronounce means it’s ultra processed. Pick whole grains. Even if the front of the package says whole grain, check the ingredients for refined or enriched flours. These are white flours stripped of their nutritional value. Read the ingredients list. “Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. If you look at the first three and they are white flour and sugar, then you know that these are going to predominantly make up the food,” Malkani says. Avoid artificial colorings. Studies have linked them to behavioral problems in some children. While the effects aren’t seen in all kids, there are plenty of natural options. Don’t eat processed meats, especially when pregnant. Unless marked nitrate-free, nitrates—a known carcinogen—are used as preservative. Check how much of the recommended 2,300mg of sodium a day a product contains. “The vast majority of our sodium comes from processed foods and restaurant foods, only ten percent comes from the salt shaker,” Kuzemchak says. “A quick tip is to compare grams of sodium and calories,” says Bridget Murphy, R.D.N., registered dietitian at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, NYU Langone. “If a food has more grams of sodium than calories, it’s probably very salty.” Beware trans fats, which are listed as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in 2015 that trans fats were “not recognized as safe,” food companies are being forced to remove them. But it will be several years before all of the foods that contain those oils disappear from circulation. If a product has 0.5g of trans fat or less per serving, manufacturers can round down to zero, so it’s important to look at the ingredient list, not just the nutrition label. Look for added sugar. Government dietary guidelines recommend consuming no more than 10 percent of our daily calories from added sugars. There are many different names for sugar, including natural sounding ingredients such as honey and maple syrup. By 2021 manufacturers will have to list added sugars on labels to make it easier for us to identify them. To keep your daily consumption on track, a trick is to remember that 4 grams equals 1 teaspoon. Children should only be eating 6-11 teaspoons a day, depending on their age. A good rule? Choose processed foods that are higher in fiber and protein, and lower in sodium, sugar, and saturated fat, Malkani says.

Finding a Balance

If cutting out ultra-processed foods seems like a daunting task, don’t panic—it isn’t necessary to avoid them completely. “I don’t

think you should have hard rules surrounding foods. There are different options that are definitely healthier for us. Try to eat the majority of your foods as whole foods, but you really can’t avoid processed foods,” Monson says. A practical tip is to use Murphy’s 70-30 rule. “If seventy percent of our food is high antioxidant food, so high protein, good vegetables, lots of vitamins and minerals, then [it] will be able to take care of the thirty percent of the ‘bad’ diet,” she says. By feeding your family nutrient-dense foods you’ll automatically reduce the amount of processed foods they eat, without having to obsess. “All meals and snacks should have a variety of the main food groups,” Monson suggests. “A grain, a fruit or vegetable, and a protein. If you do that it becomes less of a big deal because they are getting that other nutrition.” Remember: Every day doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s all about creating a healthy food environment at home, not banning foods. “Ultra-processed foods are everywhere and kids need to exist in a world that has them because they’re not going to go away,” Kuzemchak says. “Denying your kids sets them up to want them even more. When they have their own money in their pocket, when they have some freedom, they’re going to seek out those foods. There is research to back up that for certain children, if you deny them certain types of food, when you present them with those foods then they will overeat them. ” As Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Michael Moss said in his book, Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us: “They may have salt, sugar, and fat on their side, but we, ultimately, have the power to make choices. After all, we decide what to buy. We decide how much to eat.” Emma Steven is a British writer living in Manhattan with her husband, two kids, and two cats.

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Brooklyn Family Orthodontics Alexis K. Fermanis, D.D.S., M.S.

142 Joralemon St., 6B, Brooklyn Heights 73 8th Ave., at Union Street, Park Slope 718-395-6582 bkfamilyortho.com Brooklyn Family Orthodontics has two convenient locations in Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope. Dr. Fermanis and her team provide orthodontic care to both children and adults using a variety of methods: removable retainers, Invisalign, metal braces, clear braces, and lingual braces (braces that go behind the teeth). Our goal is to get to know our patients and understand their individual needs so that we can develop a treatment plan that fits their lifestyle and helps them achieve a beautiful smile!

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4801 10th Ave. 718-283-7500 maimonidesmed.org/childrens Maimonides Children’s Hospital is one of New York City’s leading pediatric hospitals, and is recognized by the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI). Our expert team of board-certified pediatric physicians, surgeons, nurses, and nurse practitioners provides compassionate, family-centered care for infants, children, and adolescents. Our extensive range of pediatric services and specialties include allergy and immunology, cardiac care, neurology, orthopedic care, neonatal intensive care, critical care, and a fully accredited pediatric emergency room.

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November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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5 Places to Find a Great Babysitter or Nanny ›› Courtesy Mommybites.com

inding a nanny or babysitter can be very stressful. After all, you are hiring someone to be your child’s caretaker while you’re at work. The most important thing is to find a child care provider you trust. So check out these five places where, through word of mouth or an agency, you’re sure to find the right babysitter or nanny for your child. • Mommybites Nanny Board: This is full of nannies who are recommended by their former employers. • Other parents: The best way to find a babysitter or nanny is to ask a friend you trust, someone who has the same values as you. If you have a friend who is raising a child the way you want to raise yours, ask him or her for recommendations. • Religious groups: These groups often know of good babysitters and nannies from other parents. • Your pediatrician: Parents will often contact their pediatrician when they no longer need a full-time nanny or babysitter and want to share an excellent caretaker with other families. • An agency: Child care agencies typically do extensive background checks on nannies and babysitters before committing to finding them a placement. When hiring a child care provider, you obviously want to be very careful and thorough with your screening. It is important that you meet your potential caretaker with your baby so you can see how he or she acts toward your child. If she is engaged with your infant and shows a sincere interest in your baby, that is a good sign.

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FROZEN: the Musical will perform its sensory-friendly show Sunday, Nov. 4; tickets are currently on sale at tdf.org/autism.

Sensory-Friendly Theater in NYC

››

These inclusive performances feature adaptations to noise and lighting—and offer calming rooms when your child needs a break from the stimuli. By Emma Steven

or families affected by autism or sensory sensitivities, going to see a show or theater production can seem impossible. The good news is many top venues in NYC are now trying to be more accessible and inclusive. We found the best autism- and sensory-friendly shows for the 2018-2019 season at New York City theaters and venues. The list includes Broadway shows, kids’ theater and music, the circus, and those famous blue men! Buy your tickets soon, as these shows tend to sell out.

TDF

This nonprofit aims to bring the performing arts to everyone, regardless of their special needs. Its autism-friendly season of Broadway shows is now in its eighth year. Each show is performed in a fully supportive environment, with adaptions to noise and light where possible. Fully staffed quiet and play areas are provided in the lobby for anyone who needs to leave their seats. Tickets sell out quickly and can only be purchased via tdf.org/autism. Sign up early to get alerts when the tickets go on sale, at a discounted price of $55-$80. These are full-length Broadway shows, so may not be suitable for younger kids. FROZEN: the Musical When: Sunday, Nov. 4, 1pm Where: St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St., Times Square Theater District Ages: 8 and older What: The Broadway version of the Disney movie you know and love.

Aladdin When: Sunday, March 3, 2019, 1pm Where: The New Amsterdam Theatre, 14 W. 42nd St., Times Square Theater District Ages: 6 and older What: The award-winning show about a genie and a magical lamp (and other things).

Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady When: Sunday, May 5, 2019, 1pm Where: The Vivian Beaumont Theater, 50 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side Ages: 8 and older What: A lavish revival of a beloved musical.

Autism Speaks

This nonprofit has partnered with two shows this fall to offer adapted productions. It also has a national calendar of autism-friendly events on its website (autismspeaks.org). Big Apple Circus When: Saturday, Oct. 27, 11am

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Where: Damrosch Park, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side Ages: All What: The famous circus will come back to Lincoln Center! This show will feature modifications to sound and lighting, a calming/break out area, trained staff, fidgets, signage, and earplugs. Information about the show is available before you go. Tickets: $25 and up Blue Man Group When: Saturday, Nov. 3, 2pm Where: Astor Place Theatre, 434 Lafayette St., East Village Ages: 7 and older What: This version of the unique show will be calmer, with less audience interaction, as well as sound and light modifications. Earplugs and a calming zone in the lobby will also be made available. Tickets: $65.50, with $5 going to Autism Speaks

The New Victory Theater

One of the first venues to offer autism-friendly shows every season, this children’s theater offers lots of support to parents and kids. There are break out zones, trained staff, show information, family bathrooms, help with transitions, and fidget toys. Tickets: $25; visit newvictory.org or call 646-223-3010 for more information. 209 W. 42nd St., Times Square Theater District. Beauty and the Beast When: Sunday, Nov. 4, 11am Ages: 6 and older What: A re-telling of the familiar story with a Jazz Age score. Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams When: Friday, Dec. 14, 7pm Ages: 5 and older What: The New Victory’s circus show is always a crowd pleaser. Emily Brown and The Thing When: Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, 3pm Ages: 4-7 What: Musical adventure based on the much-loved book.

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rytelling, choreographed projections, and live-drawn animation. Scurry When: Sundays, April 7 and 14, 2019; 11am Ages: 3-5 What: A group of squirrels must decide what to do when a newcomer wants to join their party. Shh…Bang! When: Sunday, May 5, 2019, 11am Ages: 2-5 What: Gleeful dance theater.

Symphony Space

This popular venue has made all of its productions inclusive. The house lights are turned up, sound levels are lowered, and the atmosphere is inclusive. There is also a break out space for families. Information is available about the shows in advance, and tours before the show are possible. Tickets: $17; visit symphonyspace.org or call 212-864-5400 for more information; 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, Upper West Side.

Justin Roberts and the Not Ajijaak on Turtle Island Ready for Naptime Players When: Saturday, March 2, When: Saturday, Nov. 3, 11am 2019, 7pm and 2pm Ages: 7 and older Ages: All What: Aongs, puppetry, and Saving money on a New York City What: This show is an audience dance tell the tale of a whooping family day is easy! favorite every year. crane facing her first migration.

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There are a few shows on this venue’s schedule that are adapted for neuro-diverse audiences. Adjustments have been made to sensory stimuli, and there are no restrictions to sound, movement, leaving, or re-entering the theater. Tickets: $25; visit lincolncenter. org or call 212-721-6500 for more information; Clark Studio Theater, 165 W. 65th St., 7th Floor, Upper West Side.

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers: The Legend of the Banana Kid When: Saturday, Nov. 10, 11am and 2pm Ages: All What: A wild-west show of puppets, outlaws, and bananas. Moona Luna When: Saturday, Nov. 17, 11am Ages: All What: Fun bilingual music.

Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 11am 9Cityguideny.com has coupons and Ages: All discounts for NYCNov. sightseeing When: Sunday, 4, 11amattractions, What: Music from a bygone era. restaurants, Ages: 6 andstores olderand more. Elizabeth Mitchell What: The York popular Quebecois Great New deals, savings, special When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 11am dance company’s show about you and offers and deep discounts—for Ages: All Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. your family—are yours with just a What: Mitchell covers classic clickand of the You Memouse. and the Space Between folk and rock songs. When: Sunday, March 17, 2pm Emma Steven is a British writer living in Ages: 6-12 Manhattan with her husband, two kids, and What: An adventure using stotwo cats.

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sensory-friendly fun Courtesy Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company

things to do

Hershey Park in Hershey, PA, is open weekends Nov. 16-Jan. 1, 2019 for Christmas Candylane.

Sensory-Friendly Amusement Parks These three inclusive theme parks are all within a few hours’ drive from New York City.

musement parks and other venues are loud, crowded, and full of bright lights and unfamiliar stimuli, which can be triggering and overwhelming to some children. Fortunately, theme parks across the country are beginning to recognize this. Some amusement parks are creating special policies, areas, and even days to accommodate kids with various sensory issues. Though you may think amusement park season has passed, these parks are open during the fall and winter. Here are three great sensory-friendly amusement parks in the New York metro area.

Sesame Place

100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA sesameplace.com Distance from NYC: approximately 1½ hours Sesame Place was the first theme park in the United States to be officially designated by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards as a Certified Autism Center. The theme park offers specialized services to guests with autism and other special needs, including trained staff, quiet rooms, noise cancelling headphones, low sensory areas and parades, dietary exceptions, and a ride accessibility program. On select dates from Nov. 17-Jan. 1, 2019, Sesame Place is open for A Very Furry Christmas, during which guests can meet Santa, enjoy light displays, and see live Christmas musicals.

Sahara Sam’s Oasis Indoor Water Park 535 NJ-73, West Berlin, NJ

››

By Brigitt Earley

saharasams.com Distance from NYC: approximately 2 hours This indoor water park is open year-round, and offers four sensoryfriendly evenings per year called Special Evenings at Sam’s, or S.E.A.S. These events provide fun, judgment-free evenings for kids and adults with special needs and their family and friends. At just $15 per person, a limited amount of steeply discounted tickets are sold to reduce overcrowding and noise. Lights are also dimmed, arcade games are turned off, and a quiet room is available. Special S.E.A.S. birthday parties and packages can also be purchased. The next S.E.A.S. event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 16 from 6-9pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit saharasams.com/specialneeds.

Hersheypark

100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA hersheypark.com Distance from NYC: approximately 3 hours Guests with special needs are encouraged to fill out the amusement park’s ride accessibility questionnaire, which provides specialized ride recommendations and qualifies them to avoid crowds by skipping the line and entering the ride from special entrances. The park also offers several quiet locations throughout the complex to provide relief from sensory stimulation. Special events at Hersheypark include Hersheypark in the Dark on weekends through Sunday, Nov. 4, and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on weekends and select weekdays Nov. 16-Jan. 1, 2019.

Brigitt Earley is a freelance writer and editor based in NJ. She’s a new mom to a baby boy and runs an Instagram account full of the most delicious food she can find (@literallyallthefood).

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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BrooklynParent 19

things to do

outbound

Family Fun a Ride Away

Visit this season’s Enchanted Forest on Saturday, Nov. 3 for educational characters and games.

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge

Courtesy Legoland Discovery Center Westchester

This 300-acre nature preserve is home to diverse wildlife and is open all year. Seven miles of trails allow you to explore the various habitats, forests, ponds, and the beautiful and rare Dwarf Pines in the Pine Barrens. On Saturday, Nov. 3 visit the refuge to meet whimsical and educational characters and play games on the Enchanted Forest Trail. You can dress up too, if you want! Visit it: 3 Old Country Road, Quogue; 631-653-4771; quoguewildliferefuge.org

Courtesy The South Fork Natural History Museum

The South Fork Natural History Museum has beautiful displays of Suffolk’s natural landscape both inside the museum and outside.

The South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center

A Native Butterfly Garden, Wildflower Garden, Educational Pond, Purple Martin nesting gourd site, and more make this museum the perfect destination to get immersed in the natural history of Suffolk County. Your whole family will love the live and recreated natural habitat exhibits and colorful photo murals throughout the museum. Plus, the variety of handson nature experiences and opportunities to observe aim to amplify the need for conservation and preservation of our natural resources. Visit It: 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton; 631-537-9735; sofo.org

o and bey nd!

Courtesy The Nature Place

Courtesy The Quogue Wildlife Refuge

In Suffolk County…

The Legoland Discovery Center Westchester offers Lego themed attractions for all ages.

The Nature Place offers hands-on activities for the whole family to connect with nature year round.

Legoland Discovery Center Westchester

The Nature Place

Home to 12 family friendly attractions, Legoland Westchester is the perfect place to spend the day away when it starts to get a little chilly outside. From the 4-D cinema and Ninjago City Adventure to Miniland and the Duplo Village, there’s something for everyone here, Lego expert or not. This location even has two rides, including the Kingdom Quest laser ride. Visit It: 39 Fitzgerald St., Yonkers; westchester.legolanddiscoverycenter.com

Located on the grounds of the Threefold Education Center, The Nature Place is the “not too far” getaway you’ve been looking for. It’s home to forests, fields, swamps, streams, and various year-round family activities for the public. The Primitive Living Skills program, open to families who want to connect with each other and nature, is offered through January. Visit It: 285 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge; 845-356-1234; thenatureplace.com

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Turn the page for details on F.A.M. (Family Art Magic) (No. 6 on our list).

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NOVEMBER CALENDAR 28

The Great Outdoors, Crafty Kids

Mini Musicians, Holiday Fun

Once Upon a Time, Movers & Shakers

Animal Lovers, Show Time!

Smarty Pants

On Screen, Fun Fairs & Festivals

Editor’s Hot Tickets

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the nine events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

Slime Expo NYC

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 3, 11am-5pm WHERE: Sanders Studios, 525 Waverly Ave., Clinton Hill AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Watch demos and learn slime recipes, take part in a DIY slime workshop, play games, and enter raffles to win special prizes. WHY WE LOVE IT: Slime lovers all over the city will find kindred spirits at this special convention dedicated to slime in all its squishy and sparkly glory. WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 202-718-4950. slimeexponyc.com.

Wafels & Dinges Factory Tour

WHEN: Through Nov. 9: Fridays, 10am WHERE: Wafels & Dinges Headquarters, 264 Butler St., Gowanus AGES: All WHAT: Take a tour inside the Royal Dinges Factory, the commissary, production space, and headquarters. WHY WE LOVE IT: Put your hands in some wafel dough, and cook your own fresh-made wafel in the custom-made irons! WANT TO GO? $25; $12.50 children ages 5-11; free for children younger than 5. 347-903-8687. dinges.nyc.

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Soaring to New Heights: Con Edison Second Saturday Science!

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 10, 12-1pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHAT: Create a hovercraft inspired by Mary Golda Ross, the first Native American female aeronautical engineer, who designed vessels for interplanetary travel and space exploration. WHY WE LOVE IT: Budding scientists will be inspired to reach for the stars in this special class that honors both Native American culture and the incredible history of the U.S. space program. WANT TO GO? $8. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Disney on Ice Presents ‘Mickey’s Search Party’

WHEN: Nov. 7-11, see website for schedule WHERE: Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Join Mickey and his friends for a brand-new adventure filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics, and unexpected stunts! WHY WE LOVE IT: Our favorite characters on ice? Yes, please! WANT TO GO? $18 and up. 212-359-6387. barclayscenter.com.

The 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 22, 9am-12pm WHERE: Central Park West and 77th Street, moving south via Central Park South and Sixth Avenue, to Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Join millions of Americans in witnessing one of the country’s most beloved Thanksgiving traditions, now in its 94th year! WHY WE LOVE IT: Every year, this nearly century-old tradition gets updated to include the most popular elements of kid culture. WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400. macys.com.

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F.A.M. (Family Art Magic)

WHEN: Through Dec. 9: Sundays, 1:30-2:45pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Whether sketching stone creatures in our Sculpture Garden or hunting for ancient materials in our Egyptian galleries, together you and your child will unlock the power of your imagination. WHY WE LOVE IT: Learn about art, architecture, and performance while exploring the unique spaces at the museum, and visit special exhibits that will inspire a site-specific art installation, created by you! WANT TO GO? One session: $30; eight sessions: $218. 718-6385000. brooklynmuseum.org.

World Brooklyn

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: daily, 10am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids take on the roles of shopkeeper, baker, grocer, shopper, designer, performer, and builder as they gain an understanding of the cooperative roles that help communities thrive. WHY WE LOVE IT: This exhibit features material objects and stores that belong to the real-life residents of Brooklyn’s many diverse neighborhoods. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

Harry Potter: A History of Magic

WHEN: Through Jan. 27, 2019: Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: New York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side, Manhattan

AGES: All WHAT: The exhibition features rare books, manuscripts, and magical objects from museums, as well as original material from J.K. Rowling. WHY WE LOVE IT: NYHS will also host several Harry Potter-related events, including trivia and Hogwarts House Badge decorating! WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Donald Zucker and Barbara Hrbek Zucker Ocean Wonders: Sharks!

WHEN: Through June 30, 2019: daily, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Aquarium, 602 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: See the more than 115 species, including sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, and loggerhead sea turtles, that live in this state-ofthe-art exhibit. WHY WE LOVE IT: This awe-inspiring shark exhibit is a great complement to the annual Shark Week on the Discovery Channel! WANT TO GO? $12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-265-3474. nyaquarium.com.

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Family Class with Mark Morris Dance Group FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 3, 3-4pm WHERE: Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Enjoy a free class taught by Mark Morris Dance Group company members and accompanied by live music. WANT TO GO? 718-624-8400. mmdg.org.

Museum Makers: Designing With Data FREE

WHEN: Through Nov. 15: Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 5-8, adult WHAT: Participants can ask questions, collect data, uncover patterns, and design and create their very own exhibit. A light dinner will be provided after each workshop. WANT TO GO? Registration required. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Farmhouse Family Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 11am-3pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Explore NYC’s oldest house with scavenger hunts, artifact investigation, gardening, self-guided exploration, and hands-on activities. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

Winter on a Flatbush Farm FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 25, 1-3pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Learn how to make a candle, watch a spinster spin wool thread, and enjoy Dutch treats. WANT TO GO? 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Ed Center Open Hours FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 16: Tuesday and Thursday, 3-5pm; SaturdaySunday, 1-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 111 Plymouth St., Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: See a 250-gallon aquarium filled with critters from the East River, a 10-foot scale model of Brooklyn Bridge Park, crafts, a reading corner, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-802-0603. brooklynbridgepark.org. ››

BrooklynParent 23

Lavender Blues Music & Movement

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Thursdays, 10:45-11:45am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5 WHAT: During this class, kids develop an understanding of rhythm and music, build awareness of their body, and develop social skills and coordination. WANT TO GO? $33. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

The Buttons Weekend Sing-Along

MINI

MUSICIANS A Concert for Children: A Carnival of Animals

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 3, 2-4pm WHERE: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd St., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: A family-friendly chamber music concert. WANT TO GO? $10-$20. 718-768-3195. theoldstonehouse.org.

Red Storm Drum Circle

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 4, 3-4pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Learn about Native American heritage via an interactive performance. WANT TO GO? $8. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Family Fun with Laura Doherty

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 11, 11am WHERE: Jalopy Theatre and School of Music, 315 Columbia St., Red Hook AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Laura Doherty rocks with breezy folk-pop tunes. WANT TO GO? $5-$25. 718-395-3214. jalopy.biz.

Music with Patrick: Free Fall Concert for Children FREE

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 23, 1:30pm WHERE: Blood Root Valley (Greenbelt), 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Find fun in the forest as we sing about animals, the outdoors, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-351-3450. sigreenbelt.org.

Yo Re Mi Music and Movement

WHEN: Through Dec. 21: daily, 10:45-11:45am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Children explore nature, geography, culture, language, rhythm, dance, songwriting, and playing instruments. WANT TO GO? $36 per child; free for adults. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark/classes.

Little Rock Star Music Class

WHEN: Through Dec. 26: daily, 10:30am and 12pm WHERE: Edamama Cute Cuts & More, 568 Union Ave., Unit B, Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Tkiya Tots fosters the development of social and motor skills while encouraging music appreciation. WANT TO GO? $15. 718-388-3663. edamama.com/classes. 24

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through March 17, 2019: Saturdays, 11-11:45am WHERE: Edamama Cute Cuts & More, 568 Union Ave., Unit B, Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This sing-along features original tunes, classic children’s songs, and oldies rock ‘n’ roll to get both everyone singing and dancing. WANT TO GO? $15; $5 per additional child. 718-388-3663. edamama.com.

HOLIDAY FUN! Diwali Celebration: Special ShopRite Kidz Cook

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 2, 3pm and 4pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the Hindu festival of lights by cooking and tasting a traditional Indian dish. WANT TO GO? $8. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Helicopter Workshop FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 3, 9am-12pm WHERE: Home Depot Gowanus, 550 Hamilton Ave., Gowanus AGES: 3-8 WHAT: You and your child will build a model helicopter and talk to a veteran about fighting fires, moving troops, delivering supplies, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-832-8553. homedepot.com.

Thanksgiving with the Beasts

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 12-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: The zoo will make Thanksgiving meals for the animals. Plus see the Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe in a performance that includes music, songs, dancing, and stories. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 children ages 3-14; free for children 2 and younger. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

Veterans Day Family Programming FREE

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 12, 12-5pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Events include nature education programs at the Audubon Center, old-fashioned games at the Lefferts Historic House, and carousel rides at the Children’s Corner. WANT TO GO? 718-287-3400. prospectpark.org.

‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens

WHEN: Nov. 30-Dec. 16, Friday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday 2pm WHERE: The Heights Players at The John Bourne Theater, 26 Willow Place, Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: Scrooge is visited by four spirits, including his old business partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. WANT TO GO? $20. 718-237-2752. heightsplayers.org/theater.

ONCE UPON A TIME

MOVERS & SHAKERS

‘Take Your Octopus to School Day’ FREE

Tiny Tots Yoga Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 3, 11:30am and 1:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Audrey Vernick and Diana Schoenbrun present their new book Take Your Octopus to School Day. WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

Garden Story Time in the Discovery Garden

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 3, 1-2pm WHERE: Bend + Bloom Yoga, 708 Sackett St., Park Slope AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: This focuses on baby-centered activities, language-building games, and fun! WANT TO GO? $30 per pair, $10 additional parent. 347-987-3162. bendandbloom.com.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 4, 12:30-1:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Read garden-inspired stories alongside volunteers. WANT TO GO? $15; $8 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

CityParks Street Hockey FREE

The Brighton Beach Library Playdate! FREE

Fall Flat 5K Trail Race

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 9, 10:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Brighton Beach, 16 Brighton First Road, Brighton Beach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy fun games and activities that delight young children and encourage early literacy. WANT TO GO? 718-946-2917. bklynlibrary.org.

Zanni Louise Presents ‘Archie and the Bear’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 10, 11:30am and 1:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Zanni Louise presents her newest picture book Archie and the Bear and leads a fun crafting activity. WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

Mara Lecocq & Nathan Archambault Present ‘Rox’s Secret Code’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 11:30am and 1:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Mara and Nathan will read from their book, lead a robot design and coloring activity, and introduce your kids to coding with an app demo. WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 3:30pm and 4:30pm WHERE: St. John’s Recreation Center, 1251 Prospect Place, Crown Heights AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Kids will learn basic hockey skills. WANT TO GO? 718-771-2787. nycgovparks.org. WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 10am WHERE: Willowbrook Park, 1 Eton Place, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: This event helps raise funds for the Greenbelt Conservancy. WANT TO GO? $35. 718-667-2165. sigreenbelt.org.

Annual Day After Thanksgiving Hike FREE

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 23, 10am WHERE: Blood Root Valley (Greenbelt), 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This hike typically lasts for 2½ hours and is moderately paced. WANT TO GO? 718-351-3450. sigreenbelt.org.

TapeScape

WHEN: Through Jan. 6, 2019: daily, 10am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: This universe made from everyday materials will spark the imagination and encourage curiosity, creativity, and gross motor play. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 12 months. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org. ››

Babies and Books FREE

WHEN: Through Nov. 29: daily, 10-10:30am WHERE: Greenpoint YMCA, 99 Meserole Ave., Greenpoint AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Hear delightful stories, learn fun songs and rhymes, play with toys, and meet other families and caregivers in your neighborhood. WANT TO GO? 718-389-3700. ymcanyc.org/greenpoint.

Story Time FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 28: Fridays, 10-10:30am WHERE: Edamama Cute Cuts & More, 568 Union Ave., Unit B, Williamsburg AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Edamama staff reads aloud from two or three stories. WANT TO GO? 718-388-3663. puppetsburg.com.

Staff Story Time FREE

WHEN: Through Oct. 7, 2019: 11:30am WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: Greenlight staff share their favorite stories. WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com. BrooklynParent 25

Pigeonholed Theater Company’s Acting Technique and Scene Study Classes

WHEN: Through Nov. 14: Wednesdays, 4:45-5:45pm WHERE: Chaos Studios, 247 Water St., Suite 202, Dumbo AGES: 10-14 WHAT: This class incorporates improvisation and scene study with a focus on Meisner, movement, and voice and speech. WANT TO GO? $30. 914-341-2959. pigeonholedtheater.org/classes-for-kids.

Prototyping Lab

WHEN: Nov. 3-17, Saturdays, 11am-4pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Test out the new engineering and design activities in the Design Lab area. WANT TO GO? $16 adults; $13 children ages 2-17, students, and seniors. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Adoptive Parents Committee Annual Conference 2018

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 18, 8am-5pm WHERE: St. Francis College, 180 Remsen St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: Adult WHAT: This conference is for those who are considering adoption, have already adopted, or are involved in the adoption and foster care fields. WANT TO GO? $30-$50. 347-598-8408. eventbrite.com.

Con Edison Family Science Saturday for Juniors: ‘Sounds of Science!’ FREE

SMARTY PANTS Kitchen Botany for the Apartment Gardener

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 3, 10am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: The workshop includes a hands-on lab and planting your own kitchen botany window box. WANT TO GO? $49. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

High School Fair

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 4, 11am-1pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Participants will have the chance to talk with representatives from schools who are ready to answer questions about the application process, deadlines, requirements, and school life. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 seniors, students, and children ages 2-17; free before 11am. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Pigeonholed Theater Company’s After-School Acting Classes

WHEN: Through Nov. 14: Wednesdays, 3:45-4:40pm WHERE: Chaos Studios, 247 Water St., Suite 202, Dumbo AGES: 4-9 WHAT: In this class, students will learn theater games, improvisation, listening and communication skills, as well as how to create an original play. WANT TO GO? $30. 914-341-2959. pigeonholedtheater.org/classes-for-kids.

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 24, 11:30am WHERE: Blood Root Valley (Greenbelt), 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island AGES: 5-8 WHAT: This program will connect families with younger children to the wonders of hands-on science. WANT TO GO? 718-351-3450. sigreenbelt.org.

ShopRite Kidz Cook: Native American Heritage Month

WHEN: Nov. 9-30, Fridays, 3 and 4pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Cook Pre-Columbian and Incan cuisine using ingredients that are indigenous to the Americas. WANT TO GO? $8. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Spanish at Spark with Espáñate!

WHEN: Through Dec. 19: Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 9 months to 3 years WHAT: Through game-based interactions children build cognitive, finegross motor, social, and artistic skills, and learn Spanish. WANT TO GO? $36 per child; free for adults. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Baby Sign Language

WHEN: Through Dec. 25: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5 WHAT: In this program, students will learn the basics of sign language, including numbers, colors, greetings, and family terms through a variety of songs and games. WANT TO GO? $36 per child; free for adults. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark/classes.

‘A Century of Honor’ FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Thursday-Sunday, 12-4pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: The display celebrates the centennial anniversary of the Girl Scouts and shows how Girl Scouting has evolved over the last century. WANT TO GO? 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Escher: The Exhibition and Experience

WHEN: Through Feb. 3, 2019: Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, 10am-7pm; Thursday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Industry City, 34 34th St., Building 6, Sunset Park AGES: All WHAT: Experience more than 200 original works of M.C. Escher. WANT TO GO? $20; $13 children ages 12-17; $6 children ages 5-11. eschernyc.com.

Friday/Saturday Drop-In

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Friday-Saturday, 6:30-9:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Game Lab, 310 7th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Drop in for Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games your kids and teens will love. WANT TO GO? $48. 718-7881122. brooklyngamelab.com.

Sensory Room Family Hours

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, 2-4:45pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: The Sensory Room is a welcoming environment for children on the autism spectrum. WANT TO GO? $9; $1 for children 1 and younger. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org. ››

Train Operators Workshop

WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Saturday-Sunday, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Drop by the computer lab to take control of a NYC subway car and operate it over virtual miles of track in an incredibly realistic game. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1792. nytransitmuseum.org.

Waterfront Exhibition

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society Dumbo, 55 Water St., Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: Waterfront is an exhibition and multimedia experience that presents stories of workers, artists, industries, activists, families, neighborhoods, and ecosystems. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 seniors and teachers; free for members and students. 917-775-4636. brooklynhistory.org/dumbo.

Holding History

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Sundays, 11am WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Children will learn about artifacts from the museum’s collection through tactical investigation and relating to their own lives. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-7354400. brooklynkids.org.

6 SHOWS!

NOVEMBER 29 DECEMBER 2

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WWW.KINGSTHEATRE.COM

BrooklynParent 27

Greenbelt Peepers Early Childhood Education Program FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 13: Thursdays, 9:45am and 11am WHERE: Blood Root Valley (Greenbelt), 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Through hands-on activities, observations, games, and stories, children will become familiar with the sights and sounds of the forest. WANT TO GO? 718-351-3450. sigreenbelt.org.

Wild Waterfront

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Discover Gardening

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 3, 10:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Weed garden beds, plant a seed, and learn about what’s growing! WANT TO GO? $15; $8 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

Seasonal Skies: Fall Stars and Nebulae

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 6:30-8:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Learn to identify the bright stars and constellations in the fall sky. WANT TO GO? $35. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

Kids’ Discovery Stations

WHEN: Through Dec. 28: daily, 9:30-10:30am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Take a close look at some plants and animals in Brooklyn. WANT TO GO? $36 per child; free for adults. 917-775-4636. brooklynkids.org/spark/classes.

Nature Exploration FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Thursday-Saturday, 12-4pm; Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy an animal encounter, guided tours, and litter cleaning projects. WANT TO GO? 718-287-3400. prospectpark.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Day-Off-From-School Drop-In Programs

WHEN: Through Nov. 9: Tuesday-Friday, 10:15am-12:15pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Explore plants and use science tools alongside Discovery Docents. WANT TO GO? $15; $8 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 10:30am-3:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy a host of programs during the school holiday. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

The Botanical World of Harry Potter Tour Series: Wands and Brooms

Election Day Art Studio

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 11, 2:30-3:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Visit the trees and shrubs used in Harry Potter’s world. WANT TO GO? $15; $8 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 10am-5pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Create campaign stickers in a special walk-in workshop. WANT TO GO? $8. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

The Longer Subway

Alive at Green-Wood

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 11, 12-2pm WHERE: Green-Wood, 500 25th St., Greenwood Heights AGES: All WHAT: Explore the potential of the cemetery as a public garden and arboretum. WANT TO GO? $20. 718-210-3080. green-wood.com.

WHEN: Nov. 3-11, Saturday-Sunday, 1:30-2:15pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Explore the Triplex, New York’s extra-long subway car from the past! WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

National Take A Hike Day/Leaf Craft Program FREE

Navajo Code Talkers: Art Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 11am WHERE: Blood Root Valley (Greenbelt), 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Hit the trails for an easy hike and make an optional leaf craft. WANT TO GO? 718-351-3450. sigreenbelt.org.

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 12, 11am-4pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Learn about Code Talkers and their role in World War II. WANT TO GO? $8. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Weekend Art Studio: Creating an Inukshuk Sculpture

WHEN: Through Nov. 30: Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Create your own inuksuk, or stone sculpture, which is important for the Inuit people’s survival in the harsh weather of Alaska. WANT TO GO? $8. 718-2732060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Discovery Room

WHEN: Through Dec. 30: daily, 11:30am-12:30pm and 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy popular puzzles, books, toys, and building materials in the museum’s Education Center. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Totally Tots

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4:30pm; Thursday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This pint-sized paradise features nine sensory play areas WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-2245863. brooklynkids.org.

ColorLab

WHEN: Through May 24, 2019: Thursday, 2-5pm; SaturdaySunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Learn about contemporary Afrofuturism. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-7354400. brooklynkids.org. ››

VR Art Studio Class: Create Artwork on a 360° Canvas

WHEN: Through Dec. 10: daily, 4-5:30pm WHERE: YokeyPokey Virtual Reality Club, 537 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Students will learn and explore inside paintings, recreate works of art in the same style, and then create their own unique paintings. WANT TO GO? $44. 732-9653969. yokeypokey.com.

Little Artists

WHEN: Through Dec. 20: Thursdays, 9:30-10:30am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 1-3 WHAT: Explore art in the SPARK studio, experiment with materials, discover hidden objects on scavenger hunt challenges, and create masterworks. WANT TO GO? $36 per child; free for adults. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark/classes.

Tiny Tot Theater

WHEN: Through Dec. 25: Tuesdays, 10:45-11:45 am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 2-5 WHAT: Join the enchanting world of puppets and stories through creative play, movement, and puppet making. WANT TO GO? $36 per child; free for adults. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark/classes.

Maimonides Children’s Hospital The Only Children’s Hospital in Brooklyn

aimonides Children’s Hospital is one of New York’s leading pediatric hospitals, and is proud to be recognized by the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI). Our expert team of board-certified pediatric physicians, surgeons, nurses and nurse practitioners provides compassionate, family-centered care for infants, children and adolescents. Our extensive range of pediatric services and specialties include allergy and immunology, cardiac care, neurology, orthopedic care, neonatal intensive care and critical care.

Maimonides Children’s Hospital is also Brooklyn’s only pediatric trauma center, and provides comprehensive pediatric emergency care in our fully-accredited Pediatric Emergency Room, a division of both Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics.

Children’s Hospital

4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn MaimonidesMed.org 718.283.7500 BrooklynParent 29

Intro to Bird watching FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 29: daily, 12-1pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Join a tour and learn about the array of birds that call the park home. WANT TO GO? 718-287-3400. prospectpark.org.

Touch Tank

ANIMAL LOVERS Stroller Safari: Fall Tuesdays

WHEN: Through Nov. 6: Tuesdays, 9:30-11am WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Discover animals through song, play, animal encounters, and more. WANT TO GO? $25. 800-433-4149. prospectparkzoo.com.

Children’s Petting Farm

WHEN: Through Nov. 9: daily, 11am-4pm WHERE: Green Meadows Farm, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Marine Park AGES: All WHAT: Bring your family for a hands-on farm experience. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-470-0224. greenmeadowsfarmny.com.

Aquarium Mornings with the Animals: Seals and Sea Lions!

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 10, 9-10:30am WHERE: New York Aquarium, Surf Avenue and West Eighth Street, Coney Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Get early access to explore aquarium exhibits, engage in oceanthemed activities, and enjoy a live animal encounter. WANT TO GO? $30. 718-265-3474. nyaquarium.com.

Nature Walk with Brad Klein: Preparing for Winter

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 11, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Examine the survival strategies of trees, birds, mammals, and insects. WANT TO GO? $15; $8 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

Breakfast with the Baboons: Fall Harvest

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 9-10:30am WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy breakfast, meet an animal, and make a treat for primates. WANT TO GO? $25. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

Say Thanks for Wildlife

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 25, 10am-4:30pm WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Join for fun activities honoring wildlife diversity and celebrate conservation successes by Wildlife Conservation Society researchers. WANT TO GO? $9.95; $6.95 children ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com. 30

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 12:30-1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Meet and touch real, live sea creatures like starfish and sea urchins. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

Live Animal Adventure

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 4:15pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Join a museum educator to learn about and touch an animal. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

SHOW TIME! RRPH Presents: The Music of The Grateful Dead for Kids

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 11, 12:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Introduce the young ears in your family to The Grateful Dead, featuring a traveling choir of elementary school students. WANT TO GO? $12. 718-963-3369. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

‘Under the Tree’

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 10am and 11:15am WHERE: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd St., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Told through puppetry, multi-media, and interactive storytelling, this unique performance brings the outdoor world to life on stage. WANT TO GO? $15. 718-768-3195. theoldstonehouse.org.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ - Live On Stage!

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 2pm WHERE: On Stage At Kingsborough, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Brooklyn AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Rediscover the joy of following the yellow brick road. WANT TO GO? $13. 718-368-5596. onstageatkingsborough.org.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

WHEN: Nov. 29-Dec. 2, see website for schedule WHERE: Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: This extravaganza is a Broadway musical and new circus adventure. WANT TO GO? $29.50 and up. 718-856-5464. kingstheatre.com.

‘The Snow Queen’ and ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’

WHEN: Through Dec. 16: Saturday-Sunday, 12:30 and 2:30pm WHERE: Puppetworks, 338 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Enjoy two of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairy tales. WANT TO GO? $11; $10 children. 718-965-3391. puppetworks.org.

ON SCREEN ‘The Muppets Take Manhattan’

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 11, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The Muppets head to the Big Apple in the hopes of making their dreams on Broadway come true. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children ages 12 and younger. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

Classic Mew-vie Night

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 16, 7:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Cat Café, 149 Atlantic Ave., Cobble Hill AGES: All WHAT: Watch a classic movie along with the cats of the Brooklyn Cat Café as they nap soundly in your lap and purr. WANT TO GO? $20. 347-946-2286. catcafebk.com.

‘Mary and the Witch’s Flower’

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 25, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: After following a mysterious cat into a nearby forest, Mary discovers an old broomstick and the strange Fly-by-Night flower. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children ages 12 and younger. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

‘In Saturn’s Rings 2D’

WHEN: Through Jan. 31, 2019: Monday-Friday, 1pm and 3pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12pm and 3pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Seven and a half million images of Saturn and Milky Way time lapses are brought to life in a groundbreaking journey across space. WANT TO GO? $22; $18 seniors, students, and children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

‘Flight of the Butterflies 3D’

WHEN: Through June 30, 2019: daily, 11am and 1pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Follow the monarchs’ perilous journey and join hundreds of real butterflies in the remote mountain peaks of Mexico, with breathtaking cinematography from Peter Parks. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children, students and seniors. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS Farmer’s Market FREE

WHEN: Through Nov. 3: Saturdays, 11am-3pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Grab veggies, fruits, herbs, seeds, and local crafts at affordable prices. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

Twelfth Annual Brooklyn Children’s Book Fair FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 11:30am-4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Featuring author readings, illustrator presentations, and bookrelated art-making opportunities with more than 40 creators. WANT TO GO? 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

Brooklyn Chocolate Festival

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 18, 10am-5pm WHERE: Aviator Sports and Events Center, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Marine Park AGES: All WHAT: With more than 50 chocolate exhibits in the field house, sample and shop from a range of delicacies. WANT TO GO? $7-$10. 718-224-5863. aviatorsports.com.

Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair FREE

WHEN: Nov. 24-25, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Come find special holiday gifts made by local artists and artisans. WANT TO GO? 718-816-4506. aliceausten.org.

Farmer’s Market FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturdays, 8am-4pm WHERE: Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West and Grand Army Plaza, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: View an array of farm fresh products. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8945. prospectpark.org.

Coming up next month: DEC. 1: Get Kinetic! at New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn Heights DEC. 27: Secrets of Shipwrecks at New York Aquarium, Coney Island DEC. 29: Zoo Year Celebrations at Prospect Park Zoo, Prospect Park BrooklynParent 31

Activities things to do

where-to guide

to be Thankful For

Compiled by Anja Webb

While you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, be someone else’s reason to give thanks by volunteering with the kids. And with the leaves finally changing, now is a perfect time to venture into the great outdoors and go leaf peeping with your family. On days when it’s a bit too chilly to hit the trails, round up the kids for an exciting evening of laser tag, an indoor activity that’s sure to beat any cabin fever boredom. However, if you’re on a budget, fear not! Check out our complete guide to finding when to visit the museum for free admission!

LEAF PEEPING Fort Tryon Park Just off Margaret Corbin Circle near 190th Street, Washington Heights, Manhattan 212-795-1388; forttryonparktrust.org Fort Tryon Park is most known for being the home of The Met Cloisters museum. However, during the fall, the 67-acre park, with some of the highest points of elevation in all of Manhattan, offers families spectacular foliage views. The most notable feature of the landscape is the 3-acre Heather Garden that provides panoramic views of the Hudson River. In addition to the vibrant autumn leaves, the garden also offers blooming trees, shrubs, vines, bulbs, and showy fruits. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/leaf-peeping

VOLUNTEERING Citymeals On-Wheels 212-687-1234 citymeals.org Citymeals is an organization that provides food and company to the elderly housebound in New York City. You can volunteer once or sign up for a longer commitment. Volunteers younger than 18, accompanied by an adult, can help hand-deliver meals. All prospective volunteers must submit an application along with two references and attend an orientation/training session prior to beginning their volunteer work. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/volunteer

FREE ADMISSION AT NYC MUSEUMS Brooklyn Children’s Museum 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights 718-735-4400 brooklynkids.org Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, 10am-6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-7pm; closed Mondays. Pay-what-you-wish on Thursdays, 2-6pm. Enjoy educational events, party packages and space rentals, and after-school programs. Exhibits include ColorLab, Sensory Room, and World Brooklyn. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/free-admission

LASER TAG Bowlmor Chelsea Piers Pier 60, Chelsea Piers, Manhattan 212-835-2695; bowlmor.com You may have paid a visit to Bowlmor for its bowling, food, and fun, but did you know it has a 3,000-square-foot laser tag area? The laser tag arena is wonderfully decorated with some of NYC’s famous sights like The Statue of Liberty and the vibrant NYC skyline. Be sure to check out the ropes course above the area, too. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/laser-tag

thanksgiving traditions

Katelin Walling

things to do

Clowning Around ››

A behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a clown in the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. By Katelin Walling

The Nutty-Cracker Ballet Clowns’ captain skipped to center ring as he was introduced to the clown students at the 2017 Clown U.

arly on a Sunday last November, I made my way to the Big Apple Circus’ big top nestled in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. I wasn’t there to see the circus, though I did see a show: Clown U, a daylong crash course for those lucky few who get to be clowns in the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. And a handful of professional clowns, including Mr. Joel from the Big Apple Circus, were there to coach the eager participants on how to act on the big day.

“We do a whole selection process with our bands, and we have to identify which partners we’re going to work with in terms of what groups are going to perform, [and] who we’re going to work with to bring in different floats and balloons,” Tercero said. In the weeks leading up to the parade, Macy’s hosts Balloon Fest, during which new balloons are debuted; Float Camp, during which the float escorts learn what to expect; and Clown U.

A Day at Clown U

While Clown U is intended to teach newbies the ropes, a lot of returning clowns were also in attendance. John Delaney, a Macy’s employee, stepped off in his 10th parade last year as a Corny Copia Clown. “As a kid, I always dreamed of being in the parade,” he said. “It was a family tradition watching it, and now I get to be a part of everybody else’s tradition in watching it.” “It’s just fun to interact with the crowd on Thanksgiving Day,” said Linda McCourt, a former Macy’s employee who was in her fifth year as a clown and part of last year’s Keystone Cops & Robbers troupe. I did speak with one volunteer who participated for the first time. Cara Via, a Corny Copia Clown, was sponsored by Wanda Perez, the group’s captain. Perez celebrated her 15th year marching in the parade last year, and said her favorite part of being in the parade is that she gets to be herself. “Anyone that knows me knows that I’m always clowning around,” she said. “That’s my day that nobody can say ‘Oh, you’re acting crazy. You’re being over-exaggerated.’ I’m being myself and everyone loves it.” Perez and Via met randomly at a bakery in NYC in February 2017 and bonded over a love of dressing up for Halloween (Via was wearing a T-shirt for her children’s book, Halloween Holly). When Perez mentioned she is a clown in the parade, Via knew it was the universe at work. “I’ve always wanted to be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade because, like Wanda, I’m a clown by nature,” Via said. “And thanks to Wanda, I am here today.” Regardless of how many years the returning clowns have been in the parade, all of the volunteers have one thing in common: They love to be in the parade to bring joy to those watching.

When I walked in, nearly 150 clown trainees sat ringside mingling with each other, wearing their red-and-white Clown U scarves, and taking selfies with the professionals (who were…clowning around—sorry!). As training began, nearly 30 clown captains representing the 33 clown groups in the parade marched in, and yes, they were dressed in full clowning regalia. Everyone was asked to raise their right hand for the clown pledge, promising appropriate behavior, full costume and makeup on turkey day, timeliness, and to “have fun and continue to wave and smile, spreading joy and tossing confetti each and every mile.” After a brief warm-up, the Clown U students went with their respective captains and a professional clown to learn the tricks of the trade, choreograph their marching style, and figure out what to do each time the parade stops to keep the crowd entertained. As the morning was winding down, all the clowns came back together to show off what they learned and decided to do during parade pauses: The Turkey Tech Players & Sports Fans decided to re-enact a football play, while the Nutty-Cracker Ballet Clowns performed a mini ballet recital.

How to Become a Clown in the Parade

So you want to be a clown in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? You have two options: Be a Macy’s employee or know a Macy’s employee who will sponsor you. “Actually, this parade started in 1924 by the Macy’s employees, and it continues to this day,” said Susan Tercero, group vice president, Macy’s Parade & Entertainment Group. Typically, Macy’s recruits volunteers from almost 80 stores in the Northeast region who are bussed in for Thanksgiving. There are a little more than 4,000 volunteers who take part in the parade festivities, and nearly 1,000 of them are clowns. Other key volunteer positions are balloon holders and float escorts.

Planning Ahead—Way Ahead

The planning process for the parade starts 18 months in advance.

Fulﬁlling Thanksgiving Day Dreams

The day before Thanksgiving, the parade crews will begin inflating the balloons on the Upper West Side and the floats will be brought in. At around 3-4am on Thanksgiving Day, the crew will start getting the volunteers’ costumes ready for when the volunteers start to trickle in to get dressed and put on makeup. Once they’re dressed and ready, the volunteers will be transported to the start of the parade route, and then, well…you can watch what happens next on TV—or from the sidelines if you decide to brave the crowd. BrooklynParent 33

raising kids teen

Kids & Politics

››

Five ways to encourage tweens and teens to get involved in democracy

hen I was in sixth grade, my middle school held a mock election during the George W. Bush vs. Al Gore election in 2000. Leading up to mock Election Day, social studies teachers taught the student body about the democratic process and educated us on the candidates’ political stances, so we could make well-informed decisions. While I don’t remember which candidate I voted for or who won the mock election, I do remember the anticipation my class buzzed with as we waited for the principal to announce the winner. That was my first experience with politics. And while participating in my school’s mock election didn’t inspire me to pursue a career in politics, it, and the actual election’s hotly contested outcome (ultimately decided by the Supreme Court of the United States), cemented the importance of doing my civic duty. I knew that once I turned 18, I needed to register and vote in elections to make my voice heard. I have since voted in three Presidential elections. The 2016 election cycle was the most contentious (but you don’t need me to tell you that) because how we consumed and shared information had evolved. With the breakneck pace at which media is being shared and the tumultuous political landscape of today, how can we ensure our children will be well-informed, active participants in democracy?

Encourage an Informed Interest

Regardless of where you live, how much money you make, or what your career is, politics impact your day-to-day life whether you know it or not, says Anil R. Beephan, Jr., a town councilman at-large in East Fishkill in Dutchess County; he is a representative for a New York state senator for Dutchess and Putnam counties, and an active county committee member. He knows first-hand how politics and government can affect lives. As a first-generation American, Beephan watched his parents, who are from Trinidad and Tobago, go through a difficult immigration process. “I always thought that one day I’d like to get involved in government and see what it’s like to maybe 34

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

By Katelin Walling

help fix that process,” he says. Participating in government club in high school and the 2012 election solidified his interest in politics. James Kuntz, a junior at the Dalton School in Manhattan, credits the 2016 election for his interest in politics. “There was something about the election cycle that really drew me to it, and I think it was also my age,” he says. “I was 13, 14 years old leading up to the election, so I was beginning to find my own interests and politics happened to be one.” That interest led him to found Teens in Politics, an organization to help teens find political internships in the NYC area. Another reason Kuntz says he founded Teens in Politics? He says he’s noticing a lot of political apathy in his generation, and “it’s a real problem for democracy.” So how can you prevent that political indifference in your tweens and teens? Read with your kids. From an early age you can encourage an interest in civics by reading political- and activism-related books to your children. Try reading Voting with a Porpoise, written by Rock the Vote board member Russell Glass and children’s book author Sean Callahan, which brings the election process to life under the sea. If You’re Going to a March, by Martha Freeman, illustrates what kids can expect if they’re attending a march with their parents. For the elementary school set, Eleanor Roosevelt’s When You Grow Up to Vote explains how the government works for the people—from the police officers in your town all the way through the role of the SCOTUS—and instills the importance of voting in kids. Originally published in 1932, after Franklin D. Roosevelt was first elected as President, this book was updated and re-released in September. Tweens and teens can read denser books, such as biographies about presidents, nonfiction works about history, or any of the number of recently released books about the current political environment. Take them with you, Beephan suggests. If your kids are 18, carpool to the polls on Election Day, and if they’re not yet old enough to vote,

they can still see democracy in action. Considering attending a march or rally for an issue you feel passionately about? Bring your kids along (even if they’re young) and explain what you’re marching for, why you’re marching, and how it makes you feel to participate. After all, modeling a behavior for your children is the best way to instill it. Watch the news together and talk about it. Kuntz and Beephan both suggest you start doing this when your kids are in elementary school. You should “really explain to them why [following current events] is important, what’s going on, and try to inform them at a very early age about the real facts behind each story and what’s going on in the media and government itself,” Beephan advises. You can do the same with newspapers or credible online news sites. After all, encouraging an interest in following the news and current events fosters a curious intellectual mindset in children, Kuntz adds. And if listening is more your family’s style, there are a host of political and current event podcasts available. Encourage your teen to pursue an internship. “If you’re in high school, you’re at an age where you can take internships at the state senate, state assembly, or congressional offices, or even help out at the local town level,” Beephan says. Kuntz, who is a member of his district’s congressional youth cabinet, aims to make finding an internship in politics easy for teens: “I’m very interested in politics myself, and when I was looking for opportunities to get involved in politics—volunteer opportunities and internships specifically—I didn’t find any place where the information was centralized,” he says. “The only way that somebody my age would be able to find those opportunities would be to look at individual members of the city council or state assembly or state senate.” “You can also get involved with the political party when you’re in high school, more so you could even actively participate in campaigns,” Beephan adds. If your teen knows which party she identifies with, encourage her to research internship opportunities with the New York Democratic or Republican national committees. Volunteer for a campaign together. If you’re introducing your younger children to politics or you and your teen agree on a party or candidate, find opportunities to put your boots to the ground. Canvas neighborhoods and knock on doors to talk to other voters or sign up for a shift to make calls for a candidate. In fact, Beephan says high school students have become more and more involved in campaigns. “It actually makes a difference because, when you’re at the door, people notice when a kid takes an interest in an issue, and it kind of makes them think twice. They question: aren’t you a little too young to be at the door?” he says. “But when a kid actually justifies why they’re there, why they’re doing what they’re doing, it kind of reinvigorates the person to pay more attention to what’s going on. I think kids sometimes underestimate the impact they have in the political realm, even if they can’t vote.”

Toe the Line

When encouraging an interest in politics, remember to let your teens form their own opinions. “I think it’s vital for the parent to not force their opinions on their kids,” Beephan says. “Trust that your kids are able to make a conscious decision on which side of the aisle they’d like to sit on certain issues.” Urge your teens to read opposing views of the same issue so they can figure out their own opinions. And if your teen aligns with a different political party than you? “I think it’s actually a good thing because being in an environment where your views are being questioned strengthens your own opinions and forces you to reconsider things with a more critical lens,” Kuntz says—a perfect opportunity to bolster your teen before he heads out into the world on his own.

FITNESS AND FUN FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE • • • • •

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Out and About with Baby ››

You’re a new parent, but that doesn’t mean you should be a shut-in. Read on for everything you need to know about exploring new places with your little one. By Lambeth Hochwald

f you’re hesitant to go on outings now that you’re a new parent, we’re here to tell you that getting out and about with your baby is not only good for your wee one, but it’s especially good for you too. Being in the fresh air, surrounded by sights, sounds, and energy will work wonders to help you adjust to new-parent life. We asked the experts—all New York-area parents—to weigh in and everyone agreed: To have the best exploration experience you need to be ready for every scenario, from sudden hunger to a diaper explosion to a need-a-nap meltdown. Whether they shared their favorite products or just a little bit of advice that worked for them, these parents are enthusiastic about the benefits of exploring, baby in tow. Read on for their tried-and-true tips.

his hat, which he rips off as soon as we get inside. Also the jacket distracts from the fact I sometimes take him out in PJs when we are having one of those mornings!” For Anna Zak, mom of a 5-month-old son, a fully packed bag of ‘what-if’ supplies makes a day outside a win-win. “I always pack a big park blanket folded tightly and placed at the base of my stroller—we opted for the Bugaboo Bee5 because it’s lightweight for the city,” she says. “I make sure to pack my Munchkin Arm & Hammer diaper disposal bags because as long as I have them I have somewhere to put a dirty diaper if I’m out and about and don’t immediately have a trash can to toss it into.”

Take a Fun Walk Outside

Public transportation is not only a quicker way to get from place to place, it offers its own share of amusement for kids of all ages. But being prepared for the journey is ultra-important. Loving the ride is half the fun, says Heath Fradkoff, a Brooklyn dad whose 2-year-old son, Hugh, adores public transportation. “We take buses and subways frequently,” he says. “Hugh has a little wooden MTA bus and subway car. When he plays with them he shouts, ‘Please exit through the rear door’ and ‘Stand clear of the closing doors, please,’ respectively.” As for gear, Fradkoff is a fan of his trusty Maclaren Triumph umbrella stroller. “It’s good on stairs, and it folds up easily so we can quickly get it out of the way of other passengers,” he says. For

With the weather changing and cool mornings on the horizon, you want to dress your baby in clothing that’s versatile and adapts to a chilly morning followed by bright midday sun, says Allison Chiaramonte, a real estate agent at Warburg Realty and mom of two kids, ages 2 and 4. “When I’m out and about with my kids I usually have a long list of errands for myself and them,” she says. “This means we are constantly in and out of houses, offices, and stores. When it’s cold outside this can cause problems, but I have found the best thing ever for my son—a cute winter jacket with a hood. Easy on and off with the hood means I don’t have to keep track of where he left 36

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Ride the Subway—and Bus

ACTIVITIES

walks around town, Fradkoff has another fave method of toting Hugh that might look more at home in the mountains than in the city. “During the spring and fall weather I love taking Hugh around in an Osprey backpack,” he says. “This keeps my hands free to walk the dog or run errands and Hugh likes the higher vantage point on my shoulders.” Marisa Pincas, who lives on the Upper East Side with her 2-yearold son, is also a big fan of taking public transportation for jaunts. “My husband and I travel all over the city with our son, from the museums on the Upper West Side all the way down to Governors Island, across to Long Island City, and many more neighborhoods in between,” she says. The key to a smooth trip: a lightweight, easily foldable stroller. “New York City buses require you to fold up a stroller and, while I find most New Yorkers will help you carry a stroller up and down the stairs, it can be a real challenge if it’s just you and your child!” Pincas says. All the more reason she suggests mapping out your route first. “This way you can make sure you know how you will exit— escalator, stairs, or elevator. I also suggest making sure that the elevators are working before heading out, especially if you have an infant or a larger stroller that you can’t easily fold or carry,” Pincas says. (This information can be found at web.mta.info/ mta/eles.html). “I’ve found myself struggling to carry my son in his infant seat up the stairs while also balancing the stroller and anything else you may have because an elevator was out of order,” she adds. Also, Pincas suggests parents always leave themselves extra time when traveling on the subway. “This way you can account for navigating the corridors in search of those elevators,” she explains. “I’ve forgotten to do this in the past and have missed my train out of Penn!” In the end, the best tip might just be this one: Be sure to take along plenty of hand sanitizer and baby wipes. “Pediatricians advise parents to avoid public transportation until your baby is at least two months,” Zak says. “After the two-month mark, we were happy to take the subway. We just made sure to cover our son’s hands with sanitizer.”

Enjoy a Meal—at Your Favorite Spot

Every parent we spoke to agreed: You’re better off going to dinner early-bird style, say, before 6pm or whenever the dinner rush commences. In addition, distraction is key when taking baby to breakfast, lunch, or dinner at your favorite restaurant. This becomes more and more important the older your little one gets. “Always come prepared with toys or coloring books to keep them occupied,” Pincas says. “When you are waiting for a meal to arrive, having something for my son to focus on has saved me and my fellow patrons from witnessing a meltdown or having him try to squirm away from the table. And having multiple items is definitely needed with short attention spans!” Another way to plan ahead: Make sure the restaurant is actually baby- and/or child-friendly. “For example, some bars don’t let babies in past a certain hour or at all,” Zak says. “As a young mom I often take my son with us when we meet up with family or friends for a drink. We’ve taken him to plenty of bars/rooftops during the day and have had no problem doing so. Recently, however, when some family was in town we attempted to walk into a bar that had a strict ‘no baby’ policy. While at first we were offended on behalf of our baby, after reconsidering it we realized that after a certain hour this is as much for his safety as it is for the convenience of the patrons.” No matter the restaurant you plan to dine in, bringing snacks

EVENTS

will save the day, Chiaramonte adds. “It’s important to make sure you have a baby- or kid-friendly snack ready when you first sit down, something neat and easy like Cheerios or string cheese,” she says. “It may seem counterintuitive to bring food to a restaurant, but this ensures there are no hunger-induced tantrums while waiting for your food!” Keeping your baby’s dining gear on hand is another way to ensure the meal will be a little less messy and reduce the odds that you leave a trail of crumbs on the floor after you pay the bill, Chiaramonte adds. “It’s always good to tote your own baby utensils and placemats,” she says. And believe it or not, it’s never a bad idea to opt for outdoor seating and have an escape route should the meal go south, Zak adds. “Look for tables that are spacious and have easy access to head out the door in case your baby gets cranky,” she says. “Also, at any point, be okay with the fact that you may have to abandon your plans and get your food to go.” No matter what, you’ll have gotten a bit of fresh air—and had an adventure you can laugh about later.

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Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based journalist covering trends, relationships, and life in New York City.

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family life finances

Stay Safe While Shopping Online ›› Hackers and cyber-scams can spoil your holiday. Experts share what you need to know before you click “buy.” By Anja Webb

hen I was in high school, one of my friends bought a prom dress online. She had never heard of the company before, but the dress was hundreds of dollars cheaper than retail value, and the photo in the advertisements looked beautiful. She took her parents’ debit card and bought the discount “designer” gown without telling anyone. When it finally arrived in the mail weeks later in a package from China, she was overjoyed. But once she put on the dress, her excitement quickly turned to disappointment: The fabric was cheap and poorly cut, and the dress fit her like a trash bag despite the precise measurements she had sent the company. The “Swarovski” crystals were nothing more than cheap, poorly adhered rhinestones. My friend had been the victim of an online shopping scam, and her parents had to pay the price. Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. With Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday, which falls on Nov. 26 this year) becoming one of the biggest days for online shopping, it’s important to know how to recognize Internet shopping scams and phishing, or the act of stealing private information through viruses or malicious computer codes. What may seem like the perfect gift for a great price could very easily be a sneaky way to rob you. And the methods of fooling people are getting more and more creative.

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

So how can you avoid these schemes and keep your family safe this holiday season? Here are a few things to look for when shopping online to help you recognize shady sites and keep your information private.

Be Leery of Links

“You should never, ever trust a link in an email,” says Eric Cole, Ph.D., a consultant, author, and former CIA employee with more than 30 years of experience in cyber security. “[People] get an email from a store that says, ‘Hey, we have a seventy-percent-off sale, but it’s only good for the next two hours. Click on the link below to take advantage of it.’ And they’re so excited about the sale they never look at the link very closely.” If you do get an unfamiliar email, “click on the name in the ‘sent from’ box to view the actual email address,” suggests Justin Lavelle, chief communications officer of BeenVerified, an online background check platform. “If you don’t recognize the sender, your best bet is to not open the email, period, and never click on a link, attachment, or file within.” And, as obvious as it sounds, “if it seems to good to be true, it is,” says Alex Krush, a development operations engineer at Royal Bank of Canada. Finding $100 discounts or deals that are significantly below market value is a huge red flag, as are those

2-hour sales. These incredible deals are a means of luring in customers to a shady site. “More than not, an item that has an incredibly low price tag or out-of-the-world features is probably part of a scam,” says Alayna Pehrson, manager of identity theft content for BestCompany.com, a consumer-review data company. You might think you’re saving money, but the potential savings are never worth the risk.

Learn to Spot Suspicious Sites

Of course, this is the season when some legitimate retailers do offer sweet deals. How do you know if the offer (and seller) you’re looking at is on the level? Usually there are a few other factors to be wary of when visiting a potentially sketchy site. “If you think the website lacks some design skills, has a disorganized layout, and/or has several grammar and language mistakes, then you should probably not purchase anything from it,” Pehrson says. It’s important to keep in mind that retailers will care about their aesthetic, but a scam site likely won’t. Wherever you end up shopping, Dr. Cole advises you to “make sure you’re using an up-to-date browser that’s verifying the digital certificate of the site.” Most modern browsers will let you know if something is secure. On Chrome, there will be a green lock next to the URL bar; that’s an indicator that not only is your information going in a secure manner, but it’s also verifying and validating the digital certificate of that site to give a higher level of trust, Dr. Cole says. In other browsers the lock may be yellow or appear as a key. If your Internet browser doesn’t have an icon to indicate security, “Look for ‘https’ in the website address,” says Jacob Lunduski, a financial industry analyst for Credit Card Insider, a site that helps people find the right credit card for their finances. “This means the website is ‘secure’ and provides credibility when purchasing an item off the site.”

Think Twice About Third-Party Sellers

What if you’re shopping from a big company like Amazon? Even though the distributor is trusted, some of the retailers that operate on the site might not always be legitimate. For Amazon purchases, look out for third-party sales that are neither sold nor fulfilled by Amazon. “When you click on an item it will tell you whether you’re buying it directly from Amazon or if it’s going through a third party,” Dr. Cole says. “Anytime you’re buying things from a thirdparty, your credit card is now being charged and sent to that thirdparty, and if they’re not legitimate…they could easily be able to steal your information.” If you’re determined to purchase something from a thirdparty vendor, there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk. “Always read descriptions and reviews when possible,” Krush says. Predominantly bad reviews are a good sign that something is fishy. And occasionally good reviews can be faked, so Will Geddes, author of Parent Alert, recommends you be wary of “a small number of short, generic, and positive reviews all posted within a short period of time and from the same country.” Also try to check how long the retailer has been a vendor on Amazon. “If they’ve been a retailer for Amazon for five years, that’s probably an indicator that they’re somewhat legit,” Dr. Cole says. “If they’ve been selling with Amazon for two months, that’s probably a bigger concern.”

Be Careful with Your Credit

Even if you take all possible precautions, fraud and identity theft are still possibilities. The reason for this is simple: Every day, hackers are getting better and better at what they do. “The number one thing families can do [to protect themselves from fraud] is to utilize a separate credit card just for online purchases that has a small balance,” Dr. Cole advises. “If fraudulent activity occurs or if it gets stolen, now all you have to do is get a new card and you don’t have to worry about if you’re using that card for bills.” There are other good reasons to use a credit card rather than another form of payment for your online shopping. “With credit cards, the liability is with the credit card provider. With debit cards, the liability is with you,” Dr. Cole says. Additionally, it’s important to note that “credit cards offer many purchase and fraud protections where you’ll have time to report and manage the fraud before your bill is due,” Lunduski says. “With a debit card, fraudulent purchases leave your account immediately, causing you to have to work with your bank to get your money back.” When it comes to safety features, you should always “go to your credit card’s website or call them, [and] turn [these features] on,” says Dr. Cole, who personally receives text messages every time his card is used. If somehow your credit card is compromised, he recommends that you activate this feature as well, so that you can stay informed at all times.

Bar Bat Mitzvah Facebook Groups Ask questions, share ideas, and get advice.

Join today! New York City facebook.com/groups/NewYorkCityBarBatMitzvah

Mıtzvah Market Find it. Book it. Celebrate!

mitzvahmarket.com BrooklynParent 39

family life

home

Speed-Clean Your House Holiday guests are on the way! Learn the pros’ secrets for tidying your home in a hurry.

clean house. If you’re a parent, that concept is probably nothing more than a dream, right up there with a year of paid parental leave and children who love lima beans. Even if you were a neat freak before you had a family, chances are these days you struggle to stay ahead of dirty laundry and dishes, strewn-about shoes and toys, and that somehow-always-sticky refrigerator door handle. You’ve probably made peace with a certain level of chaos (mostly because you have no choice). But how about when guests are coming over? Before you hit the panic button—or bolt the door—read on. We asked two cleaning authorities to explain how you can get your house company-ready in a rush. Their easy tips will have you greeting holiday visitors with a bright smile, and a sparkling home.

Pre-Cleaning Plan of Attack

Conceal the clutter. Your first step is to put away all the jumbled-up stuff in any rooms your company might glimpse. “Hide the shoes, hide the coats, and take out any boxes from deliveries,” says Ann Harasim, owner of Ann’s Cleaning Service in New York City. In the kitchen, clear the countertops and put away pots, pans, and shopping bags. Everything will instantly look better. Concentrate on areas where guests will go. “If you’re in a jam and you need to do things quickly, you need to prioritize the most

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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By Deborah Skolnik

important spaces,” says Jennifer Gregory, marketing director of Molly Maid, a cleaning service with branches throughout the New York metropolitan area. Usually, after your initial de-cluttering, that means attacking the foyer, living room, kitchen, and bathrooms, one at a time. “Then you can move down along the line as you go along,” Gregory says.

Foyer and Living Room

Freshen up the furniture. “Take a barely-damp microfiber cloth and wipe it down. It will catch any hair and debris, and does a really good job of removing the dust from intricate carvings,” Gregory says. (She advises against furniture polish: “It tends to grab dirt faster and make it stick to the furniture,” she explains.) Address areas above your eye level. “People tend to look around at where their height is [as they clean]. They forget to look up,” Gregory warns. Using a high duster, skim the place where the walls meet the ceiling, making sure to dust ceiling fans and light fixtures. Fold and fluff. “If you have any blankets in the living room, make sure they’re folded,” Harasim says. Fluff up non-woolen throw pillows and smaller throw rugs by placing them in the dryer along with a clean tennis ball and drying them on low for 5-10 minutes, Gregory recommends.

Shine up mirrors, windows, and glass-framed photos and paintings. Give them a quick once-over with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, Gregory says, or use a microfiber cloth and Molly Maid’s DIY cleaner: 1 gallon of water, ½ cup white vinegar, ½ cup rubbing alcohol, and about 2 squirts of Dawn dish detergent. For photos that aren’t covered in glass, dust them with an unused large paintbrush. Dust the mantle. Use a microfiber cloth to dust the fireplace mantle (if you have one) and any knick-knacks that you keep on it. Clear away any wood debris in front of the fireplace, and if there’s tile in front of the hearth, make sure it’s dusted, mopped, and dried. If you have a gas fireplace, use your microfiber cloth to make sure the outside is cleaned. Don’t forget the floors. Vacuum or sweep them, then mop them with a microfiber mop. “We use a little bit of degreaser—about a quarter-cup of all-purpose cleaner in a gallon of water—as long as the floors are sealed. If not, use plain water,” Gregory says. If an area is carpeted, simply vacuum it, Harasim recommends.

Kitchen

Remove the trash. Put out the garbage and recycling, Harasim says. After that, “remove your stovetop burners, fill your sink with hot water and dish soap, and put your stove burners in that water and let them soak while you start moving around,” Gregory advises.

Work your way around the room. Clean the stovetop with a microfiber cloth and a degreaser, Gregory says. Then, starting to the left of the stove, wipe down the countertops with a microfiber cloth and a solution of half white vinegar and half water, working your way around the room back to the starting point. (If your countertop is granite, simply use water or a cleaner specially formulated for this use.) As you go, put away the salt- and peppershaker and straighten up any utensil holders and cookbooks. Fix up the fridge front. Move any magnets, flyers, and other things attached to your refrigerator’s door or sides and then wipe down the front with your microfiber cloth and the vinegar-water mixture. Make sure you also wipe down any ledges formed by the doors, as well as the handles, Gregory adds. Scrub the stovetop burners. Dry and replace them on the stove. At that point the refrigerator will have dried, so you can (neatly) replace anything usually kept on the door or sides, Gregory says. Mop the floor using a microfiber mop and a ¼ cup of degreaser mixed with a gallon of water, or just plain water for unsealed floors, Gregory recommends.

Bathrooms

Hide any cleaners you won’t be using, Harasim stresses, “especially if you know someone’s coming with their kids,” as they may pose a safety hazard. Tackle the toilet. Spray the lid, seat, rim, and base with the vinegar-water mixture, Gregory says. Add two to three tablespoons of baking soda inside the toilet and swish it around. (If you don’t have baking soda, drop in a denture-cleaning tablet.) Let everything sit for a few minutes as you tackle other areas. Replace the toilet paper and tissues if you’re running low, Harasim says. Set out fresh towels too, she adds. Take out any trash and replace the trash bag. “If your trash can has a lid, wipe it off too,” Gregory says. Shine the mirrors and faucets with Molly Maid’s homemade glass cleaner (see Foyer and Living Room) and use a microfiber cloth and water on the countertops. Once you’re done, wipe down the exterior of the toilet with a microfiber cloth, starting with the lid and working your way down to the base. Scrub the interior with a toilet brush and flush everything away. Focus on the floor. Remove all items from the floor, and shake any throw rugs in the hallway, just hard enough to remove dust and debris, Gregory says. Vacuum or sweep the floor quickly. Next, use a dampened microfiber mop on the floor, starting in the farthest corner from the door and mopping your way out. After the floor has dried a bit, replace the trashcan and rugs and vacuum the hallway.

Extra-Credit Cleaning

Got a little time left over? If you live in a house, go outside and “walk up [to your home] the way your guests would walk, and remove anything your guests would find there,” Gregory suggests. Make sure your pathways are cleared (and salted, if it’s snowy or icy out), children’s toys are put away, and there are no leaves or grass clippings on the walkway. Use an outdoor broom to sweep the walkway and clear away any cobwebs. Clean the storm door and sidelight windows with some glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to make it shine. “If you have time, you’ll want to clean the bedroom along with the rest of the house,” Gregory says. “Worst case, shut the door, but absolutely make the bed.” That way, if anyone stumbles in, they’ll get an overall impression that—kids and all—you keep a tidy home.

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Preschools Stepping Stones Nursery School

245 86th St., Bay Ridge 718-630-1000 Stepping Stones-The Next Step 9321 Ridge Blvd., Bay Ridge 718-630-1001 steppingstones86.com steppingstones86@aol.com Join Stepping Stones to share the joys of early exploration and discovery. The children at Stepping Stones achieve successful social skills and build a wonderful rapport with their peers and teachers. Watch your child grow through hands-on learning and small group instruction based on an independent and creative curriculum. Full- and part-time programs for ages 2-4, as well as an after-school program are offered. Hours of operation are from 7am6:30pm. Come visit us. We look forward to meeting you and your child.

Smart Start Early Childhood Center Inc. smartstartecc.com Stepping Stones steppingstones86.com

Treasure Island World of Wonders Early Childcare Center worldofwondersdaycare.com

347 74th St., corner of 4th Avenue and 74th Street, Bay Ridge 718-238-7676 silbekidz@aol.com Every child deserves a champion who connects with them and helps them to become the best that they can be. At Treasure Island you will find that our staff are champions for all children, helping each child to become a confident, motivated, engaged learner. The program promotes social competencies, active thinking, problem-solving skills, and an awareness of the diversity in our world, building a foundation of respect for differences. We serve children ages 2½-4. Hours are Monday-Friday, 7:15am-6pm. Meals included. Music, Zumba, and UPK are available. Maria Nogueira, director.

World Of Wonders Daycare

7219 New Utrecht Ave., Bensonhurst 6705 13th Ave., Dyker Heights 718-621-4216 worldofwondersdaycare.com wrldofwonders@aol.com World of Wonders Early Childcare Center is a premier program that provides a safe and nurturing environment. Our developmentally appropriate curriculum helps foster each child’s cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development through free play, dramatic play, computers, music and movement, and outdoor play. Our center is dedicated to providing high quality programs for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-5. We strive to create a stimulating environment where every child is encouraged to reach his or her own potential. Watch for the grand opening of our new location at 6705 13th Ave.

STEM

Nature

Foreign Language

Full-Day

Extended Hours

SERVICES & PROGRAMS:

Waldorf

Universal Pre-K

Religious

Reggio Emilia

Play-Based

Lighthouse Group Family Daycare lighthouse-familydaycare.com

Montessori

Preschools at a Glance

Academic / Traditional

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY:

Treasure Island

Dance / Yoga

52 Quentin Road, Bensonhurst 448 Neptune Ave., Brighton Beach 104 West End Ave., Brighton Beacn 4123 Avenue U, Marine Park 718-210-3233 littlescholarsnyc.com littlescholarsnyc@gmail.com At Little Scholars Childcare Center, we provide a carefully crafted curriculum to fit various learning styles. Children are provided opportunities to explore with hands-on learning activities to enrich and inspire creativity and learning. Our philosophy centers on the idea that children should be taught how to think and not what to think. Therefore, our teaching methods are designed to create a learning environment where children have a voice and teachers provide a safe place for children to express their thoughts and develop innovative ideas.

8411 Fort Hamilton Parkway 718-921-1868 smartstart@verizon.net While providing a safe, warm, and nurturing environment, our staff addresses the social, emotional, and physical needs of children. Through thematic units, arts and crafts, and dramatic play, the “whole” child will flourish. Full- and part-time classes for ages 2-3, and free universal pre-K for age 4, with extendedday option. Open year-round; summer program available.

Creative Arts

Little Scholars Learning Center

Smart Start Early Learning Center

Cooking

212-219-8813 lighthouse-familydaycare.com lighthouse11209@yahoo.com Lighthouse Group Family Daycare was originally called Lighthouse Preschool, Inc. and was founded in New York City in 2001. Despite our change of location, our teachers still have the ambitious idea of guiding children through their early years of life in a preschool setting. We welcome children ages 2-5 and provide them with everything they need to succeed and thrive in school: love, encouragement, social interaction with children their age, and a variety of fundamental skills to prepare them for school. Registration is open year-round.

Half-Day

Lighthouse Group Family Daycare

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November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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Professional PartyCentral services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS PEDIATRIC IMMEDIATE CARE

Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources. PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM

Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals.

PARTY PLACES SPECIAL NEEDS LITTLE OPTICS INC.

192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside 718-468-7500; hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants, and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident.

THERAPY & COUNSELORS MR. SPEECH PATHOLOGY

347-399-4836 mrspeechpathology.com info@mrspeechpathology.com Eugene Chuprin is a bilingual (English-Russian) speech-language pathologist conducting evaluations and providing therapy in the New York City area. His specialty is treating pediatrics with language disorders, articulation disorders, and stuttering.

TUTORS & TEST PREP EYE LEVEL BROOKLYN

Eye Level Sheepshead Bay 1605 Voorhees Ave. 718-891-5437, Veronica Verdino Eye Level Park Slope 150 4th Ave. 718-260-8100, Daisy Farrugia myeyelevel.com Eye Level offers math and English programs for ages 3-14. Whether the immediate goal is early learning, remedial education, or academic education, Eye Level is the answer.

SCIENTIA TUTORING

Servicing Brooklyn and Manhattan scientia.brooklyn@gmail.com Experienced, understanding, compassionate, independent school teachers offer support for Spanish, Latin, French, English, essays, literature, physics, biology, chemistry, algebra, and geometry—all levels.

ART FUN STUDIO

547 92nd St. 718-680-0508 artfunstudio.com alla@artfunstudio.com Canvas and ceramic painting art studio in Brooklyn. Plan a child’s budget-friendly birthday party or adult’s Sip and Paint event, check our classes, or just walk in for spontaneous fun! Seventy five-star reviews on Google and Yelp. Fun and creative packages for all ages.

BOUNCEU

6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway (entrance on 67th Street and 9th Avenue), Dyker Heights 347-450-5867 bounceu.com/brooklyn-ny BounceU, the premier birthday party and play experience in all of Brooklyn. We’re a 30,000-square-foot indoor recreational facility with “YUGE” inflatable play equipment.

CHELSEA PIERS SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX

West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park, Manhattan Field House Registration Desk: 212-3366500 x6520 chelseapiers.com/youth Why cross the bridge for your next birthday party? Because Chelsea Piers parties are action-packed, entertaining, and hassle-free, with more sports, activities, and fun than any other party venue in NYC!

INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Manhattan 646-381-5166 intrepidmuseum.org Celebrate your child’s birthday with a one-of-a-kind party! The Intrepid Sea, Air &

Space Museum will captivate groups of all ages and interests. Choose from exciting themes, value packages, and customization options to create a birthday adventure they’ll remember forever!

MAX ADVENTURES PARTY CENTER

2378 Flatbush Ave. 718-676-9577 maxadventuresny.com party@maxadventuresny.com We are unique, we are big, and we are private. Unlike any other party place or entertainment venue. When the lights are off and the special effects are turned on, the whole place will glow.

SKY ZONE TRAMPOLINE PARK-DEER PARK 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park 631-392-2600 skyzone.com/deerpark deerparkinfo@skyzone.com The best birthday parties are at Sky Zone, Deer Park. We customize every birthday party. We have themed parties and super hero parties that include dodgeball, Foam Zone, Sky Slam, and endless jumping opportunities!

URBANGLASS

647 Fulton St. 718-625-3685 urbanglass.org/classes Celebrate your next birthday with UrbanGlass and discover the thrill of glass in all its forms! Located in the heart of Brooklyn, we offer fun-filled party packages that include lessons in glassblowing, beadmaking, neon, and fusing.

WHEEL FUN RENTALS - MARINE PARK

Avenue U and East 33rd Street, Marine Park 917-533-6196 LeFrak Center at Lakeside, 171 East Drive, Prospect Park 718-462-0010 9000 Bay Parkway, Bensonhurst Park 805-650-7770 Flushing Meadows-Corona Park David Dinkins Circle, Meridian Road, Queens 929-343-2366 Flushing Meadows-Corona Park at North Meadow Lake Meadow Lake Road West, Queens 917-231-5519 wheelfunrentals.com Wheel Fun Rentals is the perfect place for birthday parties! Kids and adults can explore the area on one of our specialty bikes, or go on a Surrey Scavenger Hunt!

BrooklynParent 43

Meet the

Health Care Professional

Pediatric Immediate Care 698 Manhattan Ave. 718-389-PEDS (7337) 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com

Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-ofthe-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, as well as baby, camp, school, and sports physicals. Certified urgent care recommended by Urgent Care Association of America. Thirty years of dedication to our patients. The offices are open seven days a week including holidays, 8am-11pm.

Yelena Kogelman, M.D. Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology 4802 10th Ave. 718-283-7500

Dr. Kogelman is a highly respected board-certified pediatric endocrinologist who, as part of a team of experienced pediatric endocrine subspecialists, provides care for children and teens who have problems with growth, puberty, obesity, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and other disorders related to hormones and the glands that produce them. She also has expertise in transgender care. Dr. Kogelman provides the highest level of compassionate, family-centered care in an environment designed just for children.

Juan Kupferman, M.D., M.P.H. Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Nephrology & Hypertension 948 48th St., 3rd floor 6701 Bay Parkway, 4th floor 718-283-7500

Dr. Kupferman is a highly regarded, board-certified pediatric nephrologist and hypertension specialist. He is an accomplished researcher in the areas of hypertension, urinary tract abnormalities, and chronic kidney disease. He offers expertise in the diagnosis and management of children from infancy through late adolescence for disorders affecting the kidney and urinary tract, including hematuria, proteinuria, high blood pressure, urinary tract abnormalities, inherited kidney diseases, kidney stones, as well as clinical complications of chronic kidney disease.

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Park Slope Kids Dental Care 150 4th Ave. 718-488-0200 parkslopekidsdental.com

At Park Slope Kids Dental Care, children who are first seen for a friendly examination and cleaning are able to enjoy the dental experience and build a bond of trust with us. A customized dental plan that includes prevention, growth development, and possible treatment is created to fit your child’s specific dental needs. We are committed to giving children the best possible experiences at our office to help set them up for a lifetime of good oral health.

Dr. Charlot Cascya - Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn 10 Plaza St. E., Suite 1E 311 Saint Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood 347-564-3211 brooklynallergydr.com

Dr. Cascya Charlot is an award-winning, Harvard Medical School-trained physician who is board-certified in pediatric and adult allergy and immunology. She is the chief of pediatric allergy at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn in Park Slope and Williamsburg. She evaluates patients for a wide variety of allergic conditions including asthma, eczema, food allergies, sinusitis, and environmental allergies. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades including the prestigious Patients’ Choice “Most Compassionate Doctor” award in 2012 and 2013.

Brooklyn Family Orthodontics Alexis K. Fermanis, D.D.S., M.S. 142 Joralemon St., 6B, Brooklyn Heights 73 8th Ave., at Union Street, Park Slope 718-395-6582 bkfamilyortho.com

Dr. Alexis Fermanis is an orthodontic specialist who practiced in Brooklyn for 10 years before starting Brooklyn Family Orthodontics in 2014. She is a native New Yorker and enjoys running and traveling in her free time. Dr. Fermanis believes that a beautiful smile makes a great first impression and she is passionate about providing that to her patients. She is active in her alumni societies and local dental organizations, and regularly attends continuing education classes so she can provide the most successful results for her patients.

Prema Ramaswamy, M.D. Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cardiology 948 48th St., 3rd floor 6701 Bay Parkway, 4th floor 718-283-7500

Dr. Prema Ramaswamy is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist and chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Maimonides Children’s Hospital. Dr. Ramaswamy leads a dedicated team of highly trained pediatric cardiologists, providing comprehensive evaluation and management of children, from fetus to adolescent, with congenital heart disease, arrhythmia, and other heart related problems. Maimonides offers state-of-the-art technology and is accredited in Pediatric Transthoracic and Fetal Echocardiography. Dr. Ramaswamy focuses on not only treating the heart ailment, but also combating any fears and concerns the children and their parents might have.

FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES

La Récré De Paris

CBE Kids: Congregation Beth Elohim

Need to plan the perfect party? FIND venues, entertainers, suppliers, and other ideas to create the ideal party in our online Parent Resources Directory.

NYMetroParents.com

274 Garfield Place, Park Slope

Servicing Brooklyn and Manhattan

Ha’Geemnasia is CBE’s Hebrew language and Israeli culture after-school program. All Ha’Geemnasia classes allow children to have fun while engaging in activities with Israeli teachers. Ha’Geemnasia offers after-school pickup from local schools.

The art of teaching children French through recreation is our way of approaching a new language. Come and join us for a creative, loving, and fun experience.

718-768-3814 congregationbethelohim.org • bfinkelstein@cbebk.org

917-436-0477 larecredeparis.com • info@larecredeparis.com

raising kids ad index NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! birthday / party services

developmental

Maimonides Medical Center ....................................29, 44

Max Adventures ...............................................................5

Early Start Inc ................................................................19

Park Slope Kids Dental Care......................................5, 44

Mr. Speech Pathology ...................................................17

Pediatric Immediate Care.........................................19, 44

Little Scholars ..................................................................8

education

home services

Smart Start.......................................................................8

Brienza’s Academic Advantage........................................3

Mr. Speech Pathology ...................................................17

Stepping Stones Preschool ...........................................15

Huntington Learning Center ..........................................17

Treasure Island ..............................................................15

Lighthouse Family Day Care ...........................................3

music

Little Scholars ..................................................................8

Llingsworth Music...........................................................37

camps

child care / day care

Stepping Stones Preschool ...........................................15

Lighthouse Family Day Care ...........................................3

Studio 214 .....................................................................35

retail

Mommybites.....................................................................2

Treasure Island ..............................................................15

Llingsworth Music...........................................................37

Smart Start.......................................................................8

World of Wonder Day Care ...........................................13

Stepping Stones Preschool ...........................................15 Treasure Island ..............................................................15 World of Wonder Day Care ...........................................13

classes

special events family entertainment / events / outings

Kings Theatre at the Ambassador Theatre ....................27

special needs

Llingsworth Music...........................................................37

Early Start Inc ................................................................19 Huntington Learning Center ..........................................17

Brienza’s Academic Advantage........................................3 Lighthouse Family Day Care ...........................................3

financial planning / insurance

Little Scholars ..................................................................8

Affinity Health Plan ........................................................48

Smart Start.......................................................................8

Mr. Speech Pathology ...................................................17

tutors

Studio 214 .....................................................................35

health

Brienza’s Academic Advantage........................................3

World of Wonder Day Care ...........................................13

Affinity Health Plan ........................................................48

Huntington Learning Center ..........................................17

Allergy & Asthma Care of Brooklyn..........................35, 44

dance

Allied Foundation ...........................................................11

theater

Studio 214 .....................................................................35

Brooklyn Family Orthodontics...................................35, 44

Kings Theatre at the Ambassador Theatre ....................27

BrooklynParent 45

raising kids quotables

How to Have a Forgettable Thanksgiving By Deborah Skolnik

If you want to have a turkey of a Thanksgiving, just follow these steps. (And in case you don’t, we have some suggestions for you!) 1. Before everyone arrives, bet out loud that your uncle will tell his same dumb jokes again. (Of course, you also won’t be laughing when your kids ask, “Is he the one who tells bad jokes, mommy?” when he’s standing right in front of them.) Instead: Be tolerant of your family’s flaws—after all, you’ll only be spending a few hours together. And remember that young kids pick up on what you say, but don’t always realize it isn’t nice to repeat it. 2. Apologize to everyone for everything—the state of your house, the size of the table, the overdone green beans… Instead: Relax! Your guests can’t unwind unless you do. Focus on the positive and that will be what they—and you—remember. 3. Spend the entire meal fretting that one of the children will spill cranberry sauce on your best tablecloth. Instead: Use a paper tablecloth and put out some crayons so the kids can color on it. (Then watch as an adult, not a kid, spills the cranberry sauce. Oops.) 4. Discuss politics over pumpkin pie and watch everyone get into a big ole Thanksgiving fight. Instead: Go around the table and have everyone share what they’re most grateful for this year. Even little kids can participate. 5. Get pouty when people want to watch football instead of eating. Instead: Realize that for some guests, football is a highlight of the holiday. Pick the game that matters the most to everyone, and schedule your meal around it. 6. Leave the kids to do their own thing during the football game or adult conversation time, then get upset because they made a mess or broke a vase. Instead: Set up a dedicated play space—away from breakable items—with games, crafts, and other fun stuff for the kiddos to enjoy.

Kids Giving Back “‘I’ve always lived an incredibly fortunate life,’ [Hannah] Taylor says. ‘Always had a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and love and care. I didn’t realize that anybody in Canada had to live a homeless life. It hit me right in the gut. I think that everyone has a moment like that in life. A striking realization that you just cannot let go and forget about. For me, this was it.’” —as told to Julia Hyman in “Making a Difference: Meet 5 Young Adults Who Started Nonprofit Organizations”; read the full article at nymetroparents.com/making-a-difference.

More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: CLOWNING AROUND: Find out what it takes to be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at nymetroparents.com/clowns. GIVING THANKS: 10 Thanksgiving traditions you can start this year (nymetroparents.com/traditions) BEST FALL EVER!: See our list of 50 ways to make the most of the season at nymetroparents.com/fall. DISH UP: Try these new spins on old Thanksgiving favorites (nymetroparents.com/thanksgiving-sides)

7. Let an overtired child throw a monster tantrum. Instead: Make a bedroom, den, or other space available for napping.

POTTERHEADS REJOICE: Read about New-York Historical Society’s new Harry Potter exhibit at nymetroparents.com/harry-potter.

8. Heroically refuse offers to help with cleanup. Instead: Say, “Yes, thanks!” You’ll get your kids (and yourself) to bed sooner.

COLLEGE BOUND: A grade-by-grade timeline for applying to college (nymetroparents.com/college-planning)

November 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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