BrooklynParent OCTOBER 2016
NYMETROPARENTS.COM
Scheduling Woes
Time for a Cellphone?
How to solve common birthday party dilemmas
Knowing when kids are ready for independence
Haunted Fun Find Halloween events near you WHERE TO PICK PUMPKINS
•
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NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
Contents
October 2016 ››
14
Features
14 When Can They...? A guide to when your kids are old enough to do certain activities on their own
40
18 Happy Birthday, Unhappy Timing Tips for handling common birthday party scheduling dilemmas 40 So Your Teen Wants a Job... What adolescents need to know to earn their first paycheck 42 20-Minute Meals Three healthy recipes that can each be made in 20 minutes 44 Family First, Even From Afar How one NYC couple makes it work when the father travels with the Texas Rangers for much of the year
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42
46 Where Everyone Is an Artist How to spend the day at Crayola Experience in Easton, PA
Connections
6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 13 NYMP Q&A: Ron Leiber, the “Your Money” columnist for the New York Times, talks kids and money
Fun & Activities
Family Activities CALENDAR ››
12 Media Matters: New on DVD & Streaming 12 DIY Corner: Pumpkin Animals 22 Outing: Historic Village at Alliare 25 Family Activities Calendar 36 Where-To Guide: Pick Your Own Pumpkins 38 Where-To Guide: Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes, and Pumpkin Activities
25
Directories 20 48 49 50
Birthday Party Directory Meet the Health Care Professional Party Planner and Family Resource Guide Advertisers’ Index
Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)
››
ON THE COVER ›› 14 Time for a Cellphone? 18 Scheduling Woes 40 Best Jobs for Teens facebook.com/nymetroparents
@NYMetroParents
36 Where to Pick Pumpkins
38 Haunted Fun
Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
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BrooklynParent
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OCTOBER 2016 • Vol.13 • No.3
NYMetroParents Publications
EDITOR’S NOTE
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress DEPUTY EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva
Birthdays & Milestones
I
t feels like Adira, my 9-year-old daughter, has been agitating for more independence since the moment she came into this world. Like most parents, we’ve gradually given her more freedom, but letting her walk the streets on her own was a scary idea to us—until, one day, that changed rather spontaneously. I was home with our sleeping toddler while my wife took our two older kids on an errand. When we realized that Adira wouldn’t be home in time to catch her ride to play rehearsal, my wife and I decided that Adira would walk the several blocks home by herself. I waited for her outside, peering down the block until her smiling, proud-of-herself face came into view. Since then, we’ve talked a lot about when she might be allowed to do even more on her own. It can be hard to know when it’s appropriate and safe to give kids independence. To help guide you in making these decisions, we’ve gathered expert advice on when kids may be ready for specific milestones of independence, including getting a cellphone, going to the mall, and walking to school on their own (p. 14). Of course, no matter how old and mature our kids get, birthdays always loom large in their lives. We all want to give them the party they’re hoping for, but sometimes reality collides with those plans. In our case, we’ve got one kid born on Thanksgiving weekend and another on New Year’s Day, making party scheduling a challenge. We’ve also had the experience of calling a party venue weeks in advance only to find it’s booked for the weekend we’d like— and often for weeks before and after. Such problems are not uncommon, so we’re offering a useful guide to dealing with party scheduling dilemmas (p. 18). As kids get older, something else tends to grow in importance to them as well: money. Once they hit their teenage years, getting a part-time job is a realistic option and one that can provide important life lessons in addition to cash. Katelin Walling tells us everything we need to know for teens to get started in the work world, including the top jobs they might pursue (p. 40). If it’s October, it means baseball playoffs are upon us, and Halloween is just around the corner. To mark the former, Bethany Braun-Silva profiles a New York City family for whom Dad’s dream job—as a coach for the Texas Rangers—keeps him away from home for long stretches. The couple tells us how they make it work and how he stays involved in his kids’ lives even from a distance (p. 44). And as Halloween spirit ramps up, check out our guides to pumpkin-picking farms (p. 36) and haunted houses and other Halloween activities (p. 38). Or learn how to go beyond the standard jack-o’-lantern and make cool pumpkin animals (p. 12). Happy fall and happy Halloween to all! Michael Kress Editorial Director
Got a Story to Tell? Get Published! Brooklyn Parent and NYMetroParents.com are seeking great stories from local moms and dads. We are looking for personal essays that capture the joys, challenges, and deep emotions that come along with being a parent—writing that makes us smile and nod in recognition, laugh out loud at the absurdity of it all, or maybe even shed a tear of empathy. We’ll publish our favorites on nymetroparents.com or in a future edition of the magazine. Submissions should be 600-800 words and written from your personal perspective. Send essays for consideration to dmgEDIT@davlermedia.com with the subject line “Voices Submission.” 6
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS: Karen Demeter (Fairfield, Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Jonathan Perry, Kathryn Sheridan
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October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
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UOTABLES
Posts from
Halloweens Past
When the big day finally arrived, Captain America was highly annoyed with the layers that his mama stuffed underneath his costume. Thankfully, the first trick or treat experience of the year seemed to cure the crank-factor. A single piece of candy tossed into a bag can work wonders! —NYC mom Monica Marino in a post entitled “Trick or Treat” on her blog marinobambinos.com
in an instagram Growing up NYC >> The brownstones in our neighborhood go all out for Halloween and #lilStrange kept sneaking candy out of her pumpkin. (Posted by @kristrange, aka Kris Strange, a NYC mom of two who blogs at mystrange.family)
REAL-LIFE GHOST
HUNTING
“The most common complaints are unexplained noises or a disembodied voice, the feeling of being watched or touched, occasional shadows or mists, and the unexplained moving or relocation of objects. The complaints often start with children reporting these things to their parents.” —Victor Furman, a NY-based “paranormal
in an instagram (Posted by @cuddlesandchaos, aka Jennifer Garry, a Westchester mom who blogs at cuddlesandchaos.com).
“We’ve made it a tradition each year to visit a senior citizen home before we head out to trick-or-treat. The elderly folks get such a kick out of the kids’ costumes and they usually put on quite the production.” —Brianne Manz, an NYC mom, in a post entitled “Halloween of ‘14” on her blog strollerinthecity.com
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October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
investigator,” in an interview with NYMetroParents entitled “My Husband is a Ghostbuster.” Read it all at nymetroparents.com/ghostbuster
MORE NYMetroParents HALLOWEEN HIGHLIGHTS: COSTUME PLANNING: What should your child be this Halloween? (nymetroparents.com/costume) GET CRAFTY: Find spooky art projects at nymetroparents.com/ halloween-diy TODDLER FUN: How to trick-or-treat with your little one (nymetroparents.com/toddler-halloween) HALLOWEEN TREATS: Eyeball cake pops, monster ‘toes,’ and more at nymetroparents.com/halloween-treats
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Media Matters: MOVIES X-Men: Apocalypse H H H H
New on DVD & Streaming
(PG-13) Release Date: Oct. 4 Recommended Age: 13+ You’ll find superhero-size violence and fab effects in
Ice Age 5: Collision Course H HH (PG) Rele
this ‘80s-set threequel.
ase Date: Oct. 11 Recommended Age: 6+ The fifth installment in this franchis e is fine but not-so-fresh prehistoric
Alice Through the Looking Glass
HHH
fun.
(PG) Release Date: Oct. 18 Recommended Age: 9+ This uneven, less-violent sequel has a girl-empowerment theme.
In Theaters Nov. 4: Trolls
Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices. Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org
Parents need to know that Trolls—a digitally animated musical comedy from DreamWorks—is inspired by the tall-haired troll dolls, but with more funky adventures than ‘60s nostalgia. The story follows an unlikely pair of troll heroes, the overly optimistic Princess Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) and her grumpy opposite, Branch (Justin Timberlake), who journey beyond their world and face the ugly, troll-eating Bergens. The voice cast also includes the likes of Zooey Deschanel, John Cleese, and James Corden. Some jokes might rely on potty humor or else go over kids’ head entirely, but overall, Trolls looks like a quirky, family-friendly movie.
See more at NYMetroParents.com/media
DIY CORNER HALLOWEEN CRAFT
Pumpkin Animals
There’s no need to stop at carving pumpkins when it comes to Halloween. Experiment by making all sorts of creatures from pumpkins, squash, and other vegetables to add fun to your Halloween party. And when you have finished you can still cook and eat everything you have used! You Will Need • Pumpkins and squash in any shape, size, and color • Selection of other vegetables—carrots, Brussels sprouts, eggplants (aubergine), and zucchini (courgette) are all great • Pumpkin and sunflower seeds, fresh ginger root, bay leaves • Sharp knife • Chopping board • Toothpicks (cocktail sticks) • Wooden skewers 1. Lay all your vegetables out on the table so you can see what you have. Start thinking about which animals you would like to make and play around with different arrangements to create some crazy creatures! 2. Push one end of a toothpick (cocktail stick) into the vegetable you would like to use, such as a carrot, and then push the other end into your pumpkin. 3. Push seeds into pumpkins to make eyebrows, teeth, nose, etc.
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October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
4. Seeds make great spikes for hedgehogs. Push them into a squash, using the pointed top of the squash as a nose. 5. Use a sharp knife and chopping board to cut slices of vegetables. (Remember to keep your fingers out of the way or ask an adult to help you.) The slices make great eyes when held in place with toothpicks. 6. Push half of one of the wooden skewers into a squash to join one onto the other. 7. Push another squash onto the rest of the skewer to join two together. 8. Make antlers, ears, arms, and eyes by attaching vegetables to the squash with toothpicks—Brussels sprouts make great ears! 9. Bay leaves are a good shape to use as hair or headdresses and decoration on your creatures. It is easy to push toothpicks through them, which can then be pushed into the pumpkins. Excerpted from My First Gardening Book, Ryland Peters & Small, $14.95; rylandpeters.com
NYMP Q&A Kids and Money Matters ›› By Bethany Braun
Ron Lieber is the “Your Money” columnist for The New York Times and an awardwinning journalist. He recently published The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money.
When your little angel thinks he’s a daredevil...
Any tips on how parents can start conversations about money with their kids? Well I think the first thing you need to stop and do is remind yourself to be open to the questions in the first place because it’s so tempting to shoo our kids away or shush them or shame them when they ask money questions. The fact of the matter is that money is a source of enormous power in our world but also a source of mystery for kids, precisely because grown-ups don’t talk about it enough. We need to be prepared to give our kids honest answers to the questions and don’t make them feel bad for asking. Should kids start earning their own money early on? When I think about jobs, I think about work that you do for somebody that you’re not related to for which you get paid—not household chores. I think every child should have at least one job, preferably a full-time job that they take on in the summer sometime during high school, and preferably every summer. I think every child should contribute, hopefully substantially, to the cost of their undergraduate education, and I think there’s something developmentally profound about having to show up someplace every day, where a team of other people or customers are relying on you and learning what it means to perform that task or a set of tasks for a wage where there’s a possibility that you’ll be kicked out by a boss if you’re not doing the things that you’re supposed to do. What’s your view on giving kids an allowance? Allowance is for practice, and money is something we want our kids to get good at. We should think about it in the same way that we should think about a musical instrument, or art supplies, or athletic equipment, and as with those things, or books, these are not things that we take away generally if our kids have not done their chores. I think the allowance should be given out without any conditions except that the money gets used responsibly, that you don’t lose it or burn it, and that you don’t buy anything or do anything with the money that is on the family’s banned-items list. As long as you follow all those rules, the allowance is yours. For parents who are tired of being nagged all the time for stuff, the quickest way to nip that in the bud is to actually double your child’s allowance if you can afford it, which may seem like a counterintuitive approach. But once it’s clear to them that they have this sum of money—but that until further notice, every single thing that they want as opposed to things that they need is going to have to come out of the allowance—then there’s no reason to bug you anymore because they know that the answer is going to be, “No, that’s what the allowance money is for.” Whatever that allowance is, they have to make that last and parcel it out and make tradeoffs around the things that they want the most.
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AffinityPlan.org/CHP BrooklynParent 13
When Can They….?
››
Riding the bus, walking to school, going to sleepaway camp, and more milestones of growing up: a guide to when your kids are old enough to do activities on their own By Laurie Sue Brockway
A
fter years of knowing your child’s exact whereabouts, who he is with, and what she is eating, it can be daunting, even scary, to ease your child into independent activities. But there will come a time when you will have to give your little one wings to fly—or at least, money to take a train somewhere. “A parent’s confidence in a child’s age-appropriate abilities to make good choices and be responsible goes a long way to instilling confidence in the child and provides a much-needed inner resource that would benefit any kid,” says Jody Ripplinger, MA, LMHC, a psychotherapist at Manhattan’s Citron Hennessey Private Therapy and a Brooklyn mom of three. “I think the real test is whether we as parents feel able to let our children out of our sight for periods of time, without letting our anxiety get the better of us.” We rounded up some of the big firsts and offer advice on when you might expect your child to be ready for them. Of course, you know your child best and every person and situation will be different, but we hope this helps you figure out when it’s okay for your child to take some big steps on his own.
Getting a Cellphone
It may seem like your child has been begging for her own phone for as long as she’s known how to talk. Most experts agree that kids should have phones once they start going out and about on their own, whenever that may be. Pre-paid, no-frills, functional phones just for calling in to the mothership, and vice-versa, are 14
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
fine. “We gave our kids cellphones once they started traveling alone, so it was around the age of 9,” says Alina Adams, a mother of three and author of Getting Into NYC Kindergarten. “But these phones are for announcing that they’ve arrived at their destination only. And the very, very cheap phones we got them can’t even download apps.”
Attending Sleepaway Camp
Experts we spoke with suggested 7 years old as the minimum age for sleepaway camp. Before you enroll, take into consideration your child’s prior response to separations, if he’s already successfully experienced a few nights away, whether friends are attending the same camp, and what the child’s expectation is, says clinical psychologist Joe Taravella, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor at New York University School of Medicine. “The average age for a first trip to sleepaway camp ranges from 7 to 9 years old, but it really depends on your child’s maturity and ability to separate from parents.” Some kids will dive in and others may beg to come home, so find out how the camp handles homesickness. “Sleepaway camp presents a wonderful opportunity for your child’s growth,” Dr. Taravella says. “Children feel part of a community and develop self-respect, maturity, self-esteem, independence, and responsibility.” They can also learn new coping skills and strengths, become more resilient and resourceful, and cultivate life-long friendships.
Going for a Bike Ride
Developmentally, children ages 8 and older should be able to take a bicycle out for a spin around the block by themselves if they are familiar with the neighborhood. A 10-year-old should be able to go out on longer rides accompanied by a friend, as long as they practice safety rules, Ripplinger says. There is a lot to pay attention to, so a child must be able to keep track of the environment around her while moving quickly on a bike. “Make sure he knows how to stay safe,” Ripplinger says. “Tell him to always wear a helmet, always stop at corners and wait for the green light, and be on the lookout for turning cars on the green when it is time to cross.” In New York City, kids can legally bike on the sidewalk until they are 12, and she recommends that they do. A cellphone, and assuring the child that she has your trust, helps.
Riding the Bus or Subway
Some parents are comfortable starting kids young, yet some transportation systems have established minimum age requirements for unaccompanied minors. Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road require kids to be at least 8, while Amtrak’s minimum is 12. “Additional factors to consider could include your child’s desire to ride alone, history of demonstrating responsibility and good judgment, and ability to follow directions as well as the length of the trip and/or the safety of the route,” says Amy DiBernardo, LMSW, clinical assistant professor in the department of child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Child Study Center. In preparation, go for a trial run, review subway and bus maps, and walk the route to the train or bus to point out places the child can go for help if needed along the way. Discuss safety concerns and how to identify police officers and security guards. DiBernardo says to send them with, an “emergency kit” that includes contact information, a cellphone if they have one, and additional money ($5-$15) in case a their pass, MetroCard, or ticket gets lost and your child needs to use another form of transportation.
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Crossing the Street
National Highway Traffic Safe Administration says children are not ready to cross a street alone until 10 years of age, according to Dr. Taravella. Your child’s readiness depends on the ability to shift attention and also concentrate. “Children who tend to be impulsive and easily distracted can engage in unsafe crossing choices and other unsafe behavior,” he says. “Parents can reinforce judgment skills by walking with their children and always modeling safe pedestrian behavior for their children, such as not crossing the street when you don’t have the right of way or stopping at the curb and looking in all directions when crossing the street.”
ResouRces ARticles
Walking to School
Once children reach fifth or sixth grade, they might be ready to take the leap with their friends or by themselves, Dr. Taravella says. Some children initiate the conversation by asking their parents if they can walk alone or with their friends. “Parents should evaluate the distance to the school, how many streets to cross, the availability of crossing guards, and their child’s ability to navigate the streets safely to and from school,” he says. They’ll need coaching on continuously taking the safest route between school and home, and they should demonstrate for their parents that they have excellent traffic-safety skills.
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‹‹ continued from previous page
Not every child is anxious to go it alone. “My middle child was uncomfortable with the idea of going to school by himself,” Adams says. He was accustomed to traveling with his older brother, who moved on to a new school, but Adams had to take her younger daughter to school in a different direction, so she started him walking alone at 10 years old. “He was anxious, but he did it anyway, and has had no problems since,” she says. “He did not feel he was ready, but I did.”
Going to the Mall
“Dropping a child off anywhere alone definitely depends on the maturity level of the child, but I would say age 11 or sixth grade should be fine for any child with a friend, as long as the parent knows and trusts the friend,” says parenting coach Elisabeth Stitt, author of Parenting as a Second Language. Parents may be more concerned about kids being loud and disrespectful than being harassed, so avoid letting them go in large groups or trios. Pairs make for a better buddy system and less chance of fighting. Give kids a primer on safety and strangers. Limit money to just what they need, and outline your no-go zones. “Video arcades are good places to avoid until kids are a little older,” Stitt says. “They tend to be dark, and kid-to-adult ratio favors kids, which allows for more room for kids to behave obnoxiously and for peer mentality to develop. Places such as skating rinks, on the other hand, although kid-heavy, invite less trouble.”
Studying at the Library
You can start dropping them off at the library by themselves around ages 11 or 12, according to Danielle Lindner, children’s book author and founder and CEO of the London Day School in Florham Park, NJ. Start by accompanying your child but spending time in separate areas so that he knows where to find you if needed. This offers freedom without you being right on top of him. “As they get older and become more comfortable, demonstrating that they can be responsible, you can slowly give them more and more freedom to walk places with a friend or spend time with friends without adult supervision,” Lindner says. The other factor is library location, she adds. “If visiting the library means walking through an area that would generally be thought of as unsafe, I don’t think there is any age that a child should be able to walk alone in that case.”
Staying Home Alone
Opinions on when kids can stay home by themselves are wide ranging. “Trusting your child to stay home alone, especially the first time, is daunting for any parent,” DiBernardo says. “While concerns are warranted, allowing your child to stay home alone can have real benefits. It fosters a sense of responsibility and independence in your child and may help strengthen your work and life balance.” The decision depends on your child’s maturity and the situation: Is it a safe neighborhood, is there an alarm system, are there friends and family nearby? “Generally speaking, between the ages of 10 and 12 is an acceptable age range to leave your child home alone for a short period of time (an hour or so), provided that your child is not scared and you believe they are mature enough to handle the situation,” DiBernardo says.
Visiting the Doctor’s Office
Going solo to the doctor can encourage self-care as well as more 16
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
TIPS TO DETERMINE YOUR CHILD’S READINESS Start in small increments, do trial runs, and try role-playing. Additionally, ask yourself whether your child has: Exercised good judgment in the past and/or demonstrated responsibility. Examples may include finishing homework without being asked, completing chores, or watching a sibling. Shown that she can follow basic directions, such as locking the door or not opening the door for strangers. Demonstrated problem-solving skills. For examples, has he called you or family members in the past when he needed help? Has she demonstrated that she is capable of coping in stressful situations?
honesty with the physician. “Children can come into the office at 13 years old by themselves,” says Mary Ellen Renna, M.D., a pediatrician in practice in Jericho and author of 10 Steps to Almost Perfect Parenting. Even if you are there, stay out of the exam room. “It is always better to see a teenager without the parent present,” Dr. Renna says. “They are more likely to be forthcoming about sexual behavior or drug use if the parent is not in the room.” It’s different when a child is sick, because it is always better to have someone with you when you are ill. “Sick visits and emergencies should be accompanied by a parent as often as possible,” she says—unless the child is older than 17, drives, and is physically able to drive to the office.
Signing Up for an Email Account
Let school be the lead and find out if there is an age or grade in which they require students to have their own email, or if the school assigns email addresses to everyone. “Kids don’t really need one,” says Richard Rende, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist and co-author of Raising Can-Do Kids: Giving Children the Tools to Thrive in a Fast-Changing World. “Keep in mind that all kids— including and especially teens—can be impulsive and emotional and that plays out socially. So think about an age when you feel they are mature enough to use it responsibly—early teens—and teach them the rules of the game.” This applies also to texting, which kids probably do more frequently, he adds.
Getting on Social Media
Early teens is probably the right time for most kids to start entering the social media world, but this may require a long period of monitoring, Dr. Rende says. “It will be a learning curve for kids because now they have a device that permits instantaneous expression of moods, kids will say things about other kids, misinterpretations can happen.” There are many different kinds of social media kids may delve into, so parents should take a proactive stance in learning about them and teaching safety tips. Parents should also be aware of the different minimum ages set by the individual networks for membership. “Practice transparent monitoring—not constant surveillance or lurking,” Dr. Rende says. While teaching good online protocol, hang on until you think they are ready to truly go solo. “You will need to practice good communication skills with your child and partner with them.” Laurie Sue Brockway is a journalist and author who has written extensively on love, romance, marriage, parenting, well-being, and emotional health. Her work has appeared in hundreds of print and online publications, including Woman’s Day, Everyday Health, and The Huffington Post.
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Happy Birthday, Unhappy Timing
››
Tips for handling common birthday party scheduling dilemmas. By Bethany Braun-Silva
P
lanning your child’s birthday party can be lots of fun, but let’s face it, it can be really stressful, too. That’s especially true if your child has her heart set on a certain type of party or a particular venue, but for whatever reason, it’s just not feasible. Here we’ve listed some common birthday party planning scheduling dilemmas and what to do to make sure the day is still a success for your child.
Same Friends, Same Birthday
Dilemma: The invites have all been sent and the venue has been booked. You drop your child off at school a few days later only to find out that another child in his class has scheduled a birthday party for the same day. Solution: Ask the parents if they are absolutely set on that date. If so, suggest a change in time, and if they still won’t budge, see if your venue will offer a change in time. After all, two parties in one day is a dream for kids, even if it’s a nightmare for most parents.
The Venue Has No Openings Dilemma: You thought you were being a good parent by trying to book your child’s birthday party venue of choice months in advance. Or maybe you’re a lastminute person, and despite the best intentions, are calling just a little too late to schedule it. Whatever the reason, it turns out the place is all booked up and so are similar venues in the area.
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October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
Solution: Try holding the party a few weeks earlier or later, or look at venues just a little further away. Your child might be disappointed at first, but ultimately, she’ll get on board, because after all, a party is still a party, no matter when it’s held. Alternatively, you can plan to hold the party at home. Your first step is to get on Pinterest ASAP and give it your best DIY try. Or get an assist from a party entertainer—think clown, face painter, or costumed character—who makes house calls. If a spa party is what she had in mind, recruit family and friends to act as estheticians for the day. If she had her sights set on something more elaborate, such as a club-themed party, turn the lights down and pump up the jams, or hire a musician or DJ to handle the tunes. You can pretty much MacGyver your way to a successful birthday party with a little planning.
Birthday On or Near a Holiday
Dilemma: If your child’s birthday is a week before Christmas, falls on Leap Day, or is July 4 or Jan. 1, fear not. You’ve probably already heard the stories of slighted kids who share their big day with a national holiday, but that doesn’t mean it has to be lacking in fun or that your kid won’t get all the birthday attention he deserves. Solution: Try moving your kid’s party a few days after the big holiday; that way the holiday is in the past and everyone can be completely focused on the birthday boy or girl. If that won’t work, try incorporating the holiday into your child’s party to make it all about her. Vicky’s Valentine’s Birthday Bash or Steven’s 7th St. Patty’s Day might be a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday without ignoring the big holiday elephant in the room. And families that have lateafternoon or evening get-togethers—such as Thanksgiving dinners or Memorial Day barbecues—might appreciate a morning activity that gets the kids out of the house and allows them some fun.
Need a staycation?
ResouRces ARticles
Siblings Who Have the Same Birthday
Dilemma: Your children have the same birthday or their birthdays are only a few days apart. While it may be convenient for you (no need to remember multiple dates!), your kids aren’t too keen on sharing a party. Solution: You can get really crafty here and try to convince your kids of all the great reasons to have a shared party. Or you can choose to split the parties, which means more work for you. If you choose to split them up, try to keep each party small and ask each child for one special thing she would like to include. If two parties are just not in the budget or schedule, try to arrange for separate events at the combined party. Perhaps have each child open presents in separate rooms, or split off for certain games. Each child can choose a favorite food, and you can have separate, smaller cakes for each, so no one feels slighted or has to compromise on his favorite flavor or decoration. Everyone can come together for cake and playtime—just make sure each kid has her moment in the spotlight.
Find everything you need, faster at
BrooklynParent 19
BIRTHDAY PARTIES 2016 Your Local Guide to party places, resources and activities for kids! BounceU
6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway (entrance on 67th Street and 9th Avenue), Dyker Heights 347-450-5867 bounceu.com/brooklyn BounceU is the ultimate and largest party and play experience in all of Brooklyn. BounceU is an indoor recreational facility with huge inflatable play equipment in a 10,000-square-foot space. We host private birthday parties, day camps, summer camps, athletic team parties, group functions, field trips, fundraisers, and corporate events. Parties at BounceU are safe and secure, held in our clean and comfortable indoor stadium. We coordinate, set up, facilitate, clean up, and pack up. For once, spend the party with the guest of honor, and make memories that last a lifetime.
Kids ‘N Action
1149 McDonald Ave. 718-377-1818 kidsnaction.com steven@kidsnaction.com Fun and thrills are what your kids will have at Kids ‘N Action. Kids never get bored enjoying our thrilling indoor roller coaster, amusing winding train, exciting go-karts, and action-filled arcade games. Younger children enjoy a unique soft play structure and a toddler section. Our birthday party packages include a personal hostess, private party room, pizza, drinks, coffee for the adults, personalized birthday cake, unlimited soft play, and rides. For more information, please call or visit our website.
New Party Land
7624 5th Ave. 718-765-1555 Coming soon: partyshop.nyc nypartyland@aol.com New Party Land is your favorite party store and has been in business for 15 years. From everyday party items to supplying local schools, organizations, and churches, it is your favorite party supplier! Supplying birthday parties, character themes, baby showers, weddings, and more. It is a huge Halloween costume supplier with favors, decorations, and tableware. New York Party Land has been proud to serve every season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations. Known as the largest balloon supplier to every party and restaurant in the area. Stop by your favorite party store: New Party Land! Website coming soon: partyshop.nyc.
Rab’s Country Lanes
1600 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island 718-979-1600 bowlatrabs.com; fran@bowlatrabs.com Named the Best Spot for Children’s Birthday Parties, by the Staten Island Advance, Rab’s prides itself in providing a great destination to celebrate. Rab’s throws the best party in town making it easy on parents, exciting for the birthday child, and a blast for guests! Best of all, Rab’s does all the work! Parties aren’t just for kids! Remember how much fun you had bowling as a kid? Why not have a ball celebrating that special occasion at Rab’s? Perfect for milestone birthdays, company gatherings, anniversaries, engagements, graduations, and reunions!
Sugar Vines
7404 4th Ave. 718-734-2700 sugarvinesflowers.com sugarvinesflowers@gmail.com Sugar Vines sets itself apart from the traditional flower shop by bringing a fresh and unique twist to an old-fashioned practice. With our passion for creation and innovation, we know what it takes to create lasting first impressions and lifelong memories. In addition to floral decor we also offer balloons and plush animals to help make any child’s birthday a little more special. With our dedication to perfecting our craft we hope to make any event delightfully unique through creative vision, beautiful artistry, and exquisite blossoms.
Ume Ume Music + Arts
319 4th Ave. (between 2nd and 3rd streets), Park Slope 718-768-0800 umeumearts.com; info@umeumearts.com Is your child’s next birthday quickly approaching? Here at Ume Ume Music + Arts, we are more than happy to host your child’s special day. From music with live instruments and Zumba dance to art and craft options, Ume Ume is your premier Park Slope birthday destination. In our pristine and inviting studio, let Ume Ume do all of the legwork, as you relax and enjoy an affordable Ume Ume birthday party with your friends and family! For package options and prices, feel free to contact us at any time.
Explore. Create. Engage. Music and creative movement | Rooftop playground and school gardens | Bilingual staff, full-day &full-year Park Slope North Child Development Center ACS & Private Slots 71 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718) 638-4100 psnhoc@universitysettlement.org
Children’s Corner Early Childhood Center
ACS & Head Start Slots 565 Livonia Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11207 (718) 346-3470 childrenscorner@universitysettlement.org
Enrollment for 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds available! 20
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
At Brooklyn Friends School, we have all the makings of an outstanding education.
Tutoring Club of Bay Ridge 7811 3rd Ave. Ground Fl. Brooklyn, NY 11209
Featuring Tutoring for: • Math
- NY State Math Tests (All grades)
• Algebra
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• Geometry
- Regents Exams (All Tests)
• Trigonometry
- SHSAT, TACHS, HSPT, & ISEE Tests
• Beginning Reading
Preschool through Grade 12 Quaker independent school inspiring minds and hearts since 1867 375 Pearl Street • Brooklyn NY 11201 718-852-1029 brooklynfriends.org
• Reading
- SAT Tests
• Writing • Chemistry
- K, 1st, and 5th Grade Gifted and Talented Tests
• Biology
- GED
• Earth Science
- Nursing and EMT Test Prep
• Homework Help
- Armed Forces Test Prep
Packages of Classes Available in either single subject or multi-subject groups Contact John or Bruni McCauley - See contact list below
Phone: (718) 748-8867
Fax: (718)748-8868
Email: BayRidgeNY@TutoringClub.com
Does Your Kid need a haircut? ResouRces ARticles
YOUR ACTION PARTY INCLUDES!
PRICES AND SCHEDULES WEEKDAYS - (Mon-Fri) 10 Children minimum Each additional child
$199.00 $17.95
SAT. NIGHTS, SUNDAY & HOLIDAYS
Find everything you need, faster at
10 Children minimum Each additional child
$299.00 $26.95
Personal Hostess! Invitations! 4 Game Tokens per Child! Private Party Room! Pizza and Soda for Children! Birthday Cake! Party Bag for each Child! Helium Balloon for Each Child! Coffee for Adults! Special Gift for Birthday Child! Unlimited use of Soft Play! Unlimited Use of Rides!
PLUS ALL THE ACTION AT KIDS ‘N ACTION!
Book your party now! Call: (718) 377-1818 • 1149 McDonald Ave. (Btwn. Ave. I & J) Open Sun. - Thurs. 10-7 Fri. 10:00 - 2 hrs. before sundown
Sat. night; Open 1 hr. after sundown On or about November 1, 2016
BrooklynParent 21
OUTINGS: Historic Village at Allaire
nymetroparents.com/outings
Explore Early Industrial American Life 1
2
4
Courtesy Historic Village at Allaire
The Historic Village at Allaire is a living history museum offering historic re-enactments, craft demos, hearth cooking, and more, open to the public April through December. ›› By Melissa A. Kay
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1 Children get into the industrial spirit. 2 Laundry is hung out to dry, the old fashioned way at Allaire Village. 3 Halloween is a spooky time at Allaire. 4 Watch a blacksmith demonstration during your visit. 5 Fall fun includes pumpkin picking and hayrides.
The Historic Village at Allaire in Farmingdale, NJ, engages visitors and teaches the public what everyday life was like during early Industrial America by offering families historic re-enactments, craft demonstrations, carpentry, tinsmithing, hearth cooking, and much more.
Year-Round Fun
This museum with 13 original buildings offers a variety of educational tours, living history interpretations, gardens, exhibits, and special programs for all ages. Allaire’s historic interpreters and guides will give you an inside look into a different time and way of life, and the many challenges and triumphs of an early 19th century industrial community. Explore Allaire State Park with more than 3,000 acres of walking trails, picnic areas, and biking trails. Be sure to stop by the fresh bakery and do some shopping at the old-fashioned General Store and Enameling Building shop.
Annual Events
Group tours are offered year-round and 22
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
are a great way to experience industrial history. Tours can be scheduled at any time for any type of group. Allaire’s monthly calendar offers many great events including An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe, which includes a chilling performance of some of the poet’s favorite tales, and James P. Allaire’s Birthday every July 16, which includes numerous craft demonstrations and sweet treats. The Annual Ducky Derby, which is typically held in July, is a great event to raise money for the village. Children enter their rubber ducks into a race and are awarded prizes. Also be sure to check out the numerous flea markets and craft shows, the Annual Rolling Iron Antique Show in August, the Allaire 5K Run in October, and the Allaire Auxiliary Stocking Stuffer Sale in November.
October Highlights
Allaire dares you to brave the village and forest at nighttime when all the “monsters” come out. Join the Haunted Allaire hayrides, have your fortune told,
dance with Zombie Zumba, listen to haunted ghost stories around the campfire, and explore Hogwarts at Allaire. Preregistration is suggested. Oct. 14, 15, 21, and 22; 6-9:30pm. Adults: $15; children younger than 12: $10. Another favorite is the 19th Century All Hollow’s Eve celebration on Oct. 30. This is a fun event for all ages featuring spooky storytellers. Take a ride on the tractor and hay wagon to explore the park. Take part in historic demonstrations as villagers prepare for fall. Pick a pumpkin (limited supply) and decorate it! Costume contest and parade at 3pm. Adults: $5; children ages 5-12: $3. Wagon and tractor rides extra.
Details
Address: 4263 Atlantic Ave., Farmingdale, NJ Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 45-minute drive from Brooklyn Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm Admission: Free; special events cost extra. For more information: 732-919-3500 or allairevillage.org
SMART START Early Childhood Center, Inc.
8411 Fort Hamilton Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11209 Phone 718-921-1868 Fax 718-921-6713
• Group Music + Arts Enrichment Classes (6 months - 7 years)
• Drop-in Classes Open Play, Story Time, Sign-a-Long, Art Classes & Baby Rhythm-Makers
• Seasonal Music + Arts Day Camps (3 - 8 years)
• Birthday Parties (1 - 12 years)
PARK SLOPE’S ULTIMATE MUSIC AND ARTS EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN NEWBORN TO 12 YEARS OLD
• Private Piano & Violin Lessons (Beginners 4 years and up) Our name “ume ume” reflects the focus of our program and the importance of bringing children together (ume=u+me) as we create and learn about our world through music and the arts.
319 4th Avenue @ 3rd Street • Brooklyn • 718-768-0800 www.umeumearts.com • info@umeumearts.com
REGISTER FOR FALL 2016!
Full /School Day Sessions Available
FREE Full Day D.O.E. Pre-K For All! Our curriculum helps children understand and develop skills which will enable them to succeed and make sense of the world through:
Dramatic Play, Free Play, Outdoor Play, Arts, Crafts, Music, and Movement while incorporating: Literacy, Math, Science, and Social Studies Child Centered, Certified Teachers, Extended Hours, Year Round Care
HELP WANTED!
Celebrations, Baby Showers, Corporate Events, Birthdays,Weddings, Funerals & Everything in Between!
NYMetroParents is looking for experienced temporary help in our midtown Manhattan office.
Projects Include: • Data Entry
Floral & Event Design @sugarvines sugarvinesflowers.com sugarvinesflowers@gmail.com
7404 13th Ave. Brooklyn N.Y. 11228 718-734-2700 Please call us for all your special occasions!
• Customer Service • Operations/Ad Hoc Projects
Halloween Party Headquarters!
• Magazine/Flyer Distribution
Flexible Schedules & Earn Extra Income! Please email resume or work history to:
projectwork@davlermedia.com
7624 5th Ave Brooklyn, NY Phone: 718-765-1555 Email: NYpartyland@aol.com • Balloon Arrangements • Birthday & Holiday Decorations • Character Themes • Weddings • Baby Showers • Party Supplies & Decorations
PartyShop.NYC Monday - Saturday Sundays
9:30am - 8:00pm 9:30am - 6:00pm
BrooklynParent 23
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Turn the page for details on Ghouls and Gourds (No. 6 on our list).
y-day day-b : r u o t ou line ar Check alendar on alend c ood, hborh cost. g i e n h by and Searc type, age, t n eve ily! ted da a d p U
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ents. ropar
OCTOBER CALENDAR
26 Editor’s Hot Tickets 28 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Smarty Pants
WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?
nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: ROSALIND MUGGERIDGE bkcal@davlermedia.com
32 The Great Outdoors, Crafty Kids 33 Show Time!
29 Seasonal Parades
34 Holiday Fun
30 On Screen, Once Upon a Time
35 Fun Fairs & Festivals
31 Mini Musicians, Special Needs
1
EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS
Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 10 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!
1
Chili Pepper Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 10am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: One of Brooklyn’s favorite fall events returns with food, hot music, workshops, fire jugglers, and more in this grand celebration of the almighty chili pepper. WHY WE LOVE IT: The longest-running event of its kind on the East Coast, this fiery fest features musical performers from around the world. WANT TO GO? $20; $15 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.
DUMBO Dance Festival FREE
2
WHEN: Through Oct. 2: Thursday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Gelsey Kirkland Arts Center, 29 Jay St., DUMBO AGES: All WHAT: For four nights and three days, dance lovers will experience a veritable cornucopia of the best of contemporary dance. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s a chance to see the most innovative dance makers. WANT TO GO? whitewavedance.com.
Events for Youth and Families: Mexican Folk Traditional with Calpulli Youth Dance FREE WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, 1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All
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October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
3
WHAT: Join youth members of the Calpulli Mexican Dance group. Outfitted in traditional costumes, the talented dancers will perform selections from different regions of Mexico-Jalisco, set to the world famous music of the Mariachi. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s always fun to learn about other cultures. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.
4
Open House New York FREE
WHEN: Oct. 15-16, Saturday-Sunday, see website WHERE: Venues across the five boroughs AGES: All WHAT: Every year, Open House New York flings open the doors of interesting buildings across the five boroughs, making it possible for the public to see inside for the first time. The list of places is revealed on Oct. 5. Sign up early as some venues get booked quickly. WHY WE LOVE IT: Last year’s venues include the inside of Google Inc., Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility, The Ukrainian Institute of America, and Umbrella House Rooftop Garden, there is a huge range of places to see. WANT TO GO? ohny.org.
The Great American Harvest Fest
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WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 23, 10am-5pm WHERE: Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Experience all the fun old-fashioned American crafts from the 19th century in town, then take the free shuttle to the Decker Farm and enjoy the fresh air fun of pumpkin picking and hayrides.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Trolley up to the farm and pick pumpkins, get lost in the corn maze, take a hayride, and get your face (and pumpkin) painted. WANT TO GO? See website for ticket prices. 718-351-1611. historicrichmondtown.org.
Ghouls and Gourds
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Shake a tail feather, show off your costume, and carouse with colossal puppets and zany stilt-dancers at Brooklyn’s wackiest costume parade. WHY WE LOVE IT: Against the dramatic backdrop of the garden’s fall foliage on Cherry Esplanade, Ghouls and Gourds is a whimsical and wonderful celebration of autumn and all that comes with it. WANT TO GO? See website for ticket prices. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.
6
Celebrating 23 Years!
April’s Dance-N-Feet Tap • Ballet • Jazz • Pointe • Gymnastics Majorette • Karate • Praise • Step Salsa • African • Caribbean • Hip-Hop Competition Classes • Lyrical
Classes for Ages 2 – Adult / Boys Classes Available! Private Lessons
CALL FOR REGISTRATION
Harvest Festival FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 11am-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6, Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Come celebrate the fall season! This year will be bigger than ever, with fun activities for the whole family. Enjoy pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, puppetry, games, and musical performances. WHY WE LOVE IT: This is a chance to explore new parkland with the opening of Pier 6! WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.
7
9409 Ave L.
9411 Ave L.
(bet. E94th & E95th St.) (bet. E94th & E95th St.)
718-272-1813
718-272-1813
4626 Flatlands Ave. (bet. Schenectady & E46th St.)
718-692-4809
** Sibling Discounts And Multiple Class Discounts **
Take 2 Classes Get 3rd Half Price!
Luna Park’s Halloween Harvest
WHEN: Through Oct. 30: Saturday-Sunday, 12-8pm WHERE: Luna Park, 1000 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Luna Park’s Halloween Harvest features pumpkin picking and painting and free activities such as trick-or-treating, daily entertainment, costumed characters, caricature artists, balloon benders and twisters, magicians, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Check out one of NYC’s largest pumpkins! WANT TO GO? Free admission with some ticketed events. 718-3735862. lunaparknyc.com.
8
Monster Mash
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 30, 10am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Calling all ghosts and goblins! Come dressed to impress as the museum celebrates Halloween. WHY WE LOVE IT: This event packs loads of Halloween-inspired crafts and workshops into one spooky good time. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.
9
Joyful Jewish education program for kids ages 3 – 11 After-school and weekend classes throughout Brooklyn!
www.figtreeprogram.com Hebrew School. Reimagined.
The Annual Park Slope Halloween Parade FREE
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 31, 6:30pm WHERE: Washington Park, parade starts at 7th Avenue and 14th Street and ends at 5th Avenue and 3rd Street, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Possibly the largest children’s Halloween march in the nation, the Park Slope Civic Council’s Halloween Parade has been a part of neighborhood life since 1986. WHY WE LOVE IT: March with your little trick-or-treaters or just grab a spot and check out the super imaginative costumes. WANT TO GO? parkslopeciviccouncil.org. ››
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BrooklynParent 27
Nantucket Lightship Public Tours FREE
WHEN: Through Oct. 30: Sundays, 1:30-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Step aboard the historic Nantucket Lightship, a floating lighthouse docked at Pier 6, for free public tours. Known as the “Guardian Angel of the North Atlantic”, the Nantucket Lightship was the last lightship in service to the United States Coast Guard and was decommissioned in 1985. WANT TO GO? 718-624-4719. brooklynbridgepark.org.
WE CAN’T SMARTY PANTS BELIEVE IT’S FREE
Children’s Literacy Workshop with Barefoot Books
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. 5th Annual King’s County Fiber Festival FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, 10am-6pm WHERE: The Old Stone House, Washington Park, Third Street and 5th Avenue, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Spend the day with natural fiber artists, crocheters, dyers, felters, knitters, quilters, spinners, and weavers in the second annual fiber fair. The full day event will include a marketplace for independent fiber artists from the tri-state area, demonstrations, and an art exhibit. WANT TO GO? 718 768 3195. oldstonehouse.org.
North Flatbush BID Fall Festival FREE
WHEN: Oct. 8-15, Saturdays, 12-4pm WHERE: St. Mark’s and Flatbush 6th Avenue Triangle, 76 St. Mark’s Ave., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Come out to this annual community event to see some flatfooting, learn about the history of this distinctly American dance, and even learn some steps so you can join in the fun. WANT TO GO? nyc.gov/html/dot/weekendwalks.
Space Exploration and Star Trek Anniversary Celebration FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Join this fun afternoon of learning about astronomy, space travel, and Star Trek. Special guests will be on hand from the Intrepid Museum, the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York, and Fleet 31. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.
Free Family Day at Wyckoff Farmhouse FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 12-3pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, Canarsie AGES: All WHAT: The house offers engaging, kid-friendly tours, hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, and more on select Saturdays. If the weather’s nice, bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds before or after your visit to the house. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org. 28
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 9, 12-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join Alison DuBois-Eker, New York City public elementary school language teacher, and an independent Ambassador for children’s publishing house Barefoot Books, for an interactive early literacy workshop. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.
Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Sunday-Thursday, 10am-8pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, New York Harbor, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Find out if you’ve got what it takes to be the next James T. Kirk or Spock at this immersive exhibition. Experience life as a Starfleet Academy cadet with interactive activities and many props and costumes from the TV show. WANT TO GO? $25; $23 seniors; $18 children; free for children 4 and younger. 212-245-0072. intrepidmuseum.org.
Library Lab FREE
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: See website for schedule WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts with fun activities that spark curiosity through hands-on experimentation. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.
Chess Classes with Chess at Three
WHEN: Through Dec. 7: Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30pm WHERE: Stories Bookshop + Storytelling Lab, 458 Bergen St., Park Slope AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Join this six-week session to learn the stories behind why all those chess pieces move the way they do and more. WANT TO GO? $40 per class. 718-369-1167. storiesbk.com.
Totally Tots Studio Program: Meet the Artist
WHEN: Through Dec. 28: Wednesdays, 10am-1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Each week, children are introduced to an artist and an activity inspired by their techniques, materials, and ideas. Activities invite
young artists to build and refine their fine motor skills; engage in sensory exploration of materials; and learn how to share with others in this open art studio. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.
Fantastic Tunnels
WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 1:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: 5-12 WHAT: What do engineers discover as they dig deep underground to build New York’s newest train tunnels? Find out, and then create and illustrate your own fantastic book about what you might find beneath New York City’s ancient rock. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1792. nytransitmuseum.org.
Train Operators School
WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 1:30pm and 3:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Boerum Hill AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Drop by the Computer Lab to take control of a subway car and operate it over virtual miles of track in this realistic game. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-694-1792. nytransitmuseum.org.
Charlotte Brontë: An Independent Will
WHEN: Through Jan. 2, 2017: Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30am-5pm; Fridays, 10:30am-9pm; Saturdays, 10am-6pm; Sundays, 11am-6pm WHERE: The Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Ave., Murray Hill, Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A new exhibition all about the English novelist, on the 200th anniversary of her birth, will appeal to Jane Eyre fans. It traces her creative path from reluctant governess to published poet to commanding novelist, including actual manuscripts from Jane Eyre. WANT TO GO? $20; $13 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 212-685-0008. themorgan.org.
SEASONAL PARADES Ragamuffin Parade FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 1pm WHERE: 3rd Avenue, between 76th and 92nd streets, Bay Ridge AGES: All WHAT: The annual Ragamuffin Parade held every fall, has been a Bay Ridge tradition since 1967 and is the only parade focused primarily on children marching for miles with smiles in costume. Every child who registers and marches receives a free gift. WANT TO GO? 718-307-7855. raggamuffinparadeny.com.
Brooklyn Columbus Parade FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, see website for schedule WHERE: Parade starts on 60th Street and 18th Avenue and continues to 84th Street and 18th Avenue, Borough Park AGES: All WHAT: Join the Federation of Italian-American Organizations at its annual parade. WANT TO GO? 718-259-2828. fiaobrooklyn.org.
The Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 12-3pm WHERE: Tompkins Square Park, Avenue A and 10th Street, East Village, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Come and see the best pooch costumes in Manhattan at this famous dog parade. Watch bulldogs and poodles compete for cash prizes with fabulous costumes. WANT TO GO? $5 suggested donation for taking part. nycgovparks.org.
Greenpoint Children’s Halloween Parade & Party
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 3-5pm WHERE: Polish and Slavic Center, 176 Java St., Greenpoint AGES: All WHAT: March down Manhattan Avenue to Norman Avenue, and loop back to Java for a spooktacular party. The party includes arts and crafts, music, games, contests, a bouncy house for little ones, and Nerf Gun battles for older kids. WANT TO GO? $10 party admission; $15 at the door. 347-987-2765. townsquareinc.com.
NYC’s 43rd Annual Village Halloween Parade FREE
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 31, 7pm WHERE: Sixth Avenue from Spring to West 16th streets, Soho/West Village, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: One of the most famous Halloween parades in the U.S. is on your doorstep! Arrive early to secure a spot and watch as the scariest creatures in town parade up through the West Village. WANT TO GO? halloween-nyc.com. ››
BrooklynParent 29
‘Wonders of the Arctic’
WHEN: Through March 2, 2017: daily, 10:30am-4:30pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Set in the frozen wilderness at the top of the world, Wonders of the Arctic tells the story of survival in one of the most unforgiving environments on earth dominated by a single element: ice. WANT TO GO? $27; $22 students and seniors; $16 children. 212-7695100. amnh.org.
ON SCREEN BAMkids Movie Matinees: ‘Popeye’
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 9, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Robert Altman brought his typically offbeat vision to this liveaction take on the iconic comic strip, featuring spot-on performances by Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall and songs by Harry Nilsson. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 for children 12 and younger. 718-636-4100. bam.org.
BAMkids Movie Matinees: ‘The Cameraman’
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 16, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Buster Keaton plays an imaginary game of baseball in an empty Yankee Stadium and gets mixed up with a monkey in this delightful silent classic bursting with ingenious sight gags. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 for children 12 and younger. 718-636-4100. bam.org.
Silent Film Series: ‘Harold Lloyd in The Freshman’ FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 23, 12:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Lloyd plays Harold Lamb, an innocent but well-meaning young man who enters college with overly optimistic dreams of becoming a football hero and popular with the in-crowd. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.
Movie Night
WHEN: Through Oct. 30: Sundays, 8pm WHERE: Habana Outpost, 757 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Habana Outpost restaurant presents Movies Under the Stars series. See website for schedule. WANT TO GO? Free with food or drink order. 718-858-9500. habanaoutpost.com.
BAMkids Movie Matinees: ‘My Neighbor Totoro’
WHEN: Oct. 28-30, Friday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This enchantingly simple paean to childhood is about two sisters who receive visits from a bevy of spirits and contains some of Miyazaki’s most iconic imagery. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 for children 12 and younger. 718-636-4100. bam.org.
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ONCE UPON A TIME Scary Stories with Tammy Hall
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 2-4pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard, Flatbush AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Storyteller Tammy Hall keeps the tradition of scary stories alive with tales told in the village of Flatbush 200 years ago. While you’re there, make a spooky Halloween cut-out based on a Lefferts family design. WANT TO GO? $3 suggested donation. 718-789-2822. nycgovparks.org.
Garden Story Time in the Discovery Garden
WHEN: Through Oct. 30: Sundays, 12-1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 990 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Read garden-inspired stories alongside volunteers. Drop in anytime during program hours to join in. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.
Drop-In Art-Making and Storytelling
WHEN: Through Dec. 20: Tuesdays, 11am-12pm WHERE: Stories Bookshop + Storytelling Lab, 458 Bergen St., Park Slope AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Join this drop-in for art-making and storytelling activities. WANT TO GO? $10 materials fee. 718-369-1167. storiesbk.com.
Tots Time Plus
WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11am WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Preschoolers will create artwork, sing-along, and listen to stories. WANT TO GO? $5 per child plus admission: $8, free for children younger than 1. 718-273-2060. statenislandkids.org.
Transit Tots
WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Thursdays, 10:15am WHERE: New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Downtown Brooklyn AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Stories, games, and surprises for the youngest transportation fans. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.
MINI
MUSICIANS Stomp, Clap, and Sing with RockNLolo FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 11am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: RockNLolo is full of singing and dancing, while learning Spanish, and most importantly, having fun. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.
Stomp, Clap, and Sing with 123 Andrés FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 18, 11am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: A native of Bogotá, Colombia, Andrés brings to audiences joyful sounds, passion for bilingualism, and a high-energy love of music that gets kids dancing and singing in Spanish and English. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.
Deedle Deedle Dees Sing-Along History Concert
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 3pm WHERE: Jalopy, 315 Columbia St., Red Hook AGES: 3-8 WHAT: These indie rockers will celebrate the release of their second Sing-along History album at this concert. The Deedle Deedle Dees’ music consistently wins raves from teachers, parents, and radio DJs alike. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 for children younger than 12. 718-3953214. jalopy.biz.
Family Concert: The Knights
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 23, 2pm WHERE: BRIC Media House, 647 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The October program of Spanish and Spanish-influenced composers is anchored by Master Peter’s Puppet Show, a work written in the 1920s by Manuel de Falla. However, instead of traditional puppets, The Knights’ performance will be accompanied by live drawings created by Bushwick-based Syrian-Armenian visual artist Kevork Mourad. WANT TO GO? $12: $10 in advance. 718-683-5600. bricartsmedia.org.
Dia de los Muertos Cultural Connections
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 23, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Explore folk art from Mexico from BCM’s touchable collection, and listen to traditional Mexican music as you create your own Dia de los Muertos decorations in this fun art workshop. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.
Black Violin
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 8pm WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, 2900 Campus Road, Midwood
AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Combining classical music training with hip-hop and R&B influences, Black Violin has created a distinctive multi-genre sound that is quickly becoming an international phenomenon. WANT TO GO? $25. 718-951-4500. brooklyncenter.org.
Rock and Roll for Kids
WHEN: Oct. 2–Dec. 18, Sundays, 11am WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: The Rock and Roll Playhouse workshops are unique, interactive, and educational live music experiences for children set in the remarkable Brooklyn Bowl venue. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-963-3369. brooklynbowl.com.
SPECIAL NEEDS Autism Awareness Day
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 10, 9am-12pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: The day will allow people with autism to enjoy the great offerings provided by the zoo, in addition to animal presentations, sensory exploration activities, and a scavenger hunt. A quiet area will also be available for familes who would like to take a break from the activities. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.
HappyFest Obstacle Course and Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 9am-1pm WHERE: Long Island Sports Park, 149 Edwards Ave., Calverton, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: HappyFest is designed so that every member of every family and their friends can do the longer-than-1-mile obstacle course and cross the finish line together. Each obstacle has a wheelchair accessible alternative for all who choose. WANT TO GO? $29. 888-593-0087. happyfestusa.com.
Inclusive Sundays: ReMixing Media Arts FREE
WHEN: Oct. 2–Dec. 18, Sundays, 12:30-2:30pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., West Village, Manhattan AGES: 9-17 WHAT: This weekly drop-off course provides opportunities to create with skills gained in media arts. Students are given the space to be independent from their parents, while activities are adapted to accommodate the specific abilities of each child. WANT TO GO? 212-274-0986. cmany.org. ››
BrooklynParent 31
Pumpkin Picking
WHEN: Oct. 1-30, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Historic Richmond Town-Decker Farm, 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Visit the historic 1800s Decker Farm and bring home a pumpkin. Enjoy the farmhouse tour, hayride, face painting, arts and crafts, and corn stalk maze. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-351-1611. historicrichmondtown.org.
New York Road Runners Open Run FREE
THE GREAT OUTDOORS Coastal Clean Up FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2-4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park-Pier 1, Pier 1, Fulton Ferry Landing, DUMBO AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Team up with thousands of volunteers worldwide to combat pollution in our waterways and along our coastlines. Volunteers will care for the park’s unique coastal environment by cleaning up the park’s beaches, shorelines, and salt marsh. WANT TO GO? 212-348-1400. brooklynbridgepark.org.
First Discoveries for Toddlers
WHEN: Through Oct. 25: Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30am WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 990 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Plant a seed, touch a wriggly worm, nestle into the garden to read a story, or create a unique nature craft at special Discovery Garden activity stations designed for toddlers. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.
Spirited Strolls
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 1-3pm WHERE: Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th Street and 5th Avenue, Greenwood Heights AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This fall walking tour, an annual favorite, features tales of murder, mayhem, spirits, and the utterly bizarre. Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman will lead this spirited stroll through this National Historic Landmark amid the beautiful fall foliage. WANT TO GO? $25. 718-210-3080. green-wood.com/toursevents.
Family Discovery Weekends
WHEN: Through Oct. 29: Saturdays, 10:30am-12:30pm; Sundays, 1-3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 990 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Hands-on stations throughout the garden’s meadow, woodland, and marsh habitats, and in the vegetable garden encourage families to explore nature together. Create a nature-based craft, artwork, or invention with Discovery Garden docents. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org. 32
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WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Tuesdays, 7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6, Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Open Run is a community-based initiative that empowers local volunteers to bring free weekly runs to local neighborhood parks all over NYC. All runs are directed by volunteers, and courses are usually between 2½-3 miles. WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.
CRAFTY KIDS Creativity Lab
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 2, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: In this drop-in workshop, take inspiration from the galleries and get messy, experiment with materials, and learn artistic techniques with a new project each month. WANT TO GO? $10 up to four participants; $5 family members. 718638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.
FamJam: Family Journals
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 11am WHERE: BRIC Media House, 647 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: A hands-on workshop for families to work together on a creative art project. From silent movies to mosaic plaque creations, these projects will celebrate the notion of home and more. WANT TO GO? Free with RSVP. 718-683-5600. bricartsmedia.org.
Pumpkin Prints
WHEN: Oct. 29-30, Saturday, 2pm; Sunday, 3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Explore the icky squishy innards of pumpkins and make your own printed art using pumpkins, paint, and other fall harvest vegetables. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.
Clay Day
WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: A workshop in which kids get the chance to create something out of air-dry clay. WANT TO GO? $2 material fees with admission: $8; free for children younger than 1. 718-273-2060. statenislandkids.org.
SHOW TIME! ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’
WHEN: Through Oct. 10: See website for show times WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Theater District, Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The New Victory Theater opens its season with a new production of the Jules Verne science fiction tale, bringing together multimedia, projections, and technology to make the audience feel like they are under the sea, too. WANT TO GO? $16-$38. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.
Gustafer Yellowgold’s Show
Events for Youth and Families: ‘La Cucarachita Martina’ FREE
Events for Youth and Families: ‘Jigsaw Jones and the Case of the Class Clown’ FREE
‘Mr. Poppers Penguins’
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 16, 11:30am WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side, Manhattan AGES: 3-12 WHAT: An absurdly funny and touching multi-media concert of live songs, stories, and animation, performed by award-winning illustrator and songwriter Morgan Taylor. WANT TO GO? $16. 212-423-3200. thejewishmuseum.org.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Brimming with music, charm, and humor, ArtsPower’s production will make audiences laugh and think as they learn the secret codes that Jigsaw must decipher to solve the mystery. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.
BAMkids Music Series: ‘Zahhak: Legend of the Serpent King’
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 10:30am and 3pm WHERE: BAM Fisher Hillman Studio, 321 Ashland Place, Fort Greene AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This short show features intricate shadow puppetry, live musical accompaniment, and a post-show hands-on workshop for kids to create their own shadow puppets inspired by characters from Shahnameh. WANT TO GO? $15. 718-636-4100. bam.org.
LC Kids: ‘This World Made Itself’
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: A Latin rock ‘n’ roll musical based on a popular Cuban and Puerto Rican children’s tale of a little roach who learns many lessons on her journey to find true love. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org. WHEN: Oct. 15-30, Saturday-Sunday, 11am, 3pm, and 7pm WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Times Square Theater District, Manhattan AGES: 3-8 WHAT: A feel-good musical based on the popular book by Richard and Florence Atwater. One day, a package of penguins arrive on the doorstep of Mr. and Mrs. Popper, and what happens next is hilarious fun. WANT TO GO? $25. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.
CityParks Puppetmobile: ‘Puss In Boots’ FREE
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: See website for schedule WHERE: Various NYC parks throughout Brooklyn and Staten Island, see website for locations AGES: All WHAT: The puppeteers from the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater hit the road again with this summer’s show, a production of Puss in Boots. WANT TO GO? cityparksfoundation.org.
Magic at Coney
WHEN: Oct. 22-23, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: David Rubenstein Atrium, 61 W. 62nd St., Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Follow Miwa Matreyek on a rich journey of the senses through the history of the Earth. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-875-5456. kids.lincolncenter.org.
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Sundays, 12pm WHERE: Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Check out this magical variety show highlighting a vast array of magicians and featuring illusionists, escape artists, mentalists, and close-up magicians from around the world. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 for children 12 and younger. 516-721-8641. coneyisland.com.
‘DOT’
‘Hansel & Gretel’s Halloween Adventure’
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 2pm WHERE: On Stage at Kingsborough, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Manhattan Beach AGES: All WHAT: Laia takes great care to erase any stains that appear on her big white wall but she could never imagine what would happen when Dot arrives. With a little bit of magic and a lot of imagination, Dot and Laia begin a journey across music and colors, turning a simple wall into the perfect setting to make their dreams come true. WANT TO GO? $12. 718-368-5596. onstageatkingsborough.org.
WHEN: Oct. 13-31, daily, 10:30am-1pm WHERE: Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, 81st Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: The brother-and-sister team once again embark on an adventure in which beautiful mermaids, adorable monsters, swashbuckling pirates, charming vampires, and a fabulous witch all intertwine for one unforgettable Halloween night in New York City. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children ages 1-12; free for children younger than 1. 212-988-9093. cityparksfoundation.org. ›› BrooklynParent 33
Subway Shindig for Families: Hocus Pocus Night
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 27, 6-8pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the magic of the subway and Halloween with special evening hours at the museum for families. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.
Creepy Crawly Halloween FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 1-4:30pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Flatbush AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Take a second look at the creatures that give you the creeps, you may find you like them. Participate in fun activities and experiments that will make your spine tingle. WANT TO GO? 718-287-3400. prospectpark.org.
HOLIDAY FUN Rosh Hashanah in Prospect Park FREE
WHEN: Oct. 3-4, Monday-Tuesday, 12-5pm WHERE: Prospect Park, Brooklyn AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Join the Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly activities at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, Lefferts Historic House, and the 1912 Carousel. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8954. prospectpark.org.
Yom Kippur in Prospect Park FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 12-5pm WHERE: Prospect Park, Brooklyn AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Join the Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly activities at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, Lefferts Historic House, and the 1912 Carousel. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8954. prospectpark.org.
Spooktacular
WHEN: Oct. 15-16, Saturday-Sunday, 5-8:30pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Families spook out to an enchanted forest, attend to that sweet tooth in a Candy Land Path, witness a Superhero show, visit the Creepy Dollhouse and haunted Ghost Town, and join the costume contest. WANT TO GO? $22; free for children younger than 2. 718-815-0412. statenislandzoo.org.
Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 10am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the origins of this holiday and its traditions through art and animal programs with live music with Sonia De Los Santos of Dan Zanes and Friends WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.
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Haunted Carousel
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12-5pm WHERE: Prospect Park Carousel, Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Don’t be scared when you see the haunted carousel! Take a spin on the spooky ride to your favorite Halloween jams. WANT TO GO? $2. 718-965-8951. prospectpark.org.
Dia de Muertos!
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 1-4pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Join this walk-in workshop to make traditional Mexican Day of the Dead decorations. WANT TO GO? $8, free for children younger than 1. 718-273-2060. statenislandkids.org.
RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns
WHEN: Oct. 7-30, see website for dates, 6-10:30pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: You’ll see classic fan-favorites such as life-sized dinosaurs, dragons, and safari animals, as well as a number of new structures featuring time-honored characters from some favorite movies, including one that will make you feel like you’re in a galaxy far, far, away. WANT TO GO? $26; $22 children ages 3-12 and seniors; free for children 2 and younger. 818-639-8981. therise.org/njny.
Halloween Activities at the Museum
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 30, 1-4pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Head to the museum for a fun-filled day of Halloween activities including a glow-in-the-dark ooblek workshop, spooky story time, a chance to meet the “scariest” critters at animal time, a Monster Mash dance party, and a costume parade. Don’t forget your costume! WANT TO GO? $8, free for children younger than 1. 718-273-2060. statenislandkids.org.
FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS Schoolfest 2016
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 12-4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble St., Greenpoint AGES: All WHAT: Now in its 9th year, Schoolfest is a one-of-a-kind school fair for North Brooklyn students and parents. All public schools, charter schools, private schools, early childhood centers, and extracurricular activity providers are invited to share new information and projects. WANT TO GO? $20 at the door; $15 online. 347-987-2765. eventbrite.com.
Conference House October Celebration FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2-6pm WHERE: Conference House Park, Hylan Boulevard and Satterlee Street, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: The Conference House Association will host its October Festival on the Great Lawn. Local bands will perform live music throughout the afternoon on a stage in front of our National Historic Landmark. WANT TO GO? 718-869-6327. conferencehouse.org.
Brooklyn Babyfest 2016
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 2, 12-4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble St., Greenpoint AGES: All WHAT: The event features 100 exhibitors and partners with presentations and demos on the most common prenatal to preschool questions and concerns. WANT TO GO? $20 at the door; $15 online. 347-987-2765. eventbrite.com.
Pumpkin Day 2016
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, 12-3pm WHERE: McCarren Park, 900 Lorimer St., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: Each year, hundreds of kids and parents come to enjoy this popular event featuring a pick-your-pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, face painting, concessions, activities presented by local businesses and organizations, and live music and dance performances. WANT TO GO? $20; $15 in advance. 347-987-2765. townsquareinc.com.
Roam Through Richmond Town FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, 12-5pm WHERE: Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Explore the experience of Italian immigrants and their impact on history in America. WANT TO GO? 718-351-1611. historicrichmondtown.org.
Greenbelt Pumpkin Festival FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, 12-4pm WHERE: Willowbrook Park, Eaton Place and Victory Boulevard, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Visit face-painting and craft booths and walk around the lake. Pumpkins and refereshments will be for sale, plus ride the carousel ride. WANT TO GO? sigreenbelt.org.
Annual Narrows Botanical Harvest Festival FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 9, 12-5pm WHERE: Narrows Botanical Garden, Shore Road between Bay Ridge Avenue and 72nd Street, Bay Ridge AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Features the Canine Costume Contest, Sean Casey Animal Rescue Mobile Adoption Unit, crafters and artisans, and Great Pumpkin Patch. WANT TO GO? narrowsbg.org.
Haunted Halloween Carnival
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 11am-3pm WHERE: 1st Street Recreation Center of PS 372, 512 Carroll St., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: This festival features crafts, games, and activities for kids of all ages as well as performances, free giveaways, and a costume contest. WANT TO GO? $3-$5 activities. 718-768-3703. tuffytiger.org.
Halloween Haunted Walk and Fair FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12-3pm WHERE: Prospect park Lookout Hill/Nethermeade, 16th Street and Prospect Park South West, Windsor Terrace AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Deep in the Park lies Lookout Hill, home of the Prospect Park Alliance’s Annual Halloween Haunted Walk. After some chills and thrills at the walk, enjoy more Halloween fun at the carnival. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8960. prospectpark.org.
Children’s Fall Festival
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 30, 11am-4pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Families should wear their favorite costume and join in all the fun, featuring children’s games and bounces, character look-alikes, pig races, pony rides, food, live country music, and more. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.
Coming up next month: NOV. 5: Celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage with Flaco Navaja at BAM NOV. 13: Disney on Ice Presents Follow Your Heart, at Barclays Center NOV. 19: Thanksgiving with the Beasts at the Staten Island Zoo BrooklynParent 35
WHERE-TO GUIDE
nymetroparents.com/where-to
Pick Your Own Pumpkins ››
Research by Lauren Diaz
You can paint them, carve them, bake with them, and decorate with them! This fall, get out and pick your own pumpkins, then playfully master them into crafts or treats. Many pumpkin patches offer fun autumn activities, such as hayrides, corn mazes, and farm stands with fresh fruits, vegetables, and delicious pastries. Spooky or silly, picking your own pumpkin is definitely one thing: fun for the whole family. As always, confirm details ahead of time. 4:30pm. Bakery and Appleseed Gift Shop on-site, plus a Farm Market with pre-picked farm produce, snacks, apple cider, and more.
Rockland County
New York City Decker Farm 435 Richmond Hill Road, Staten Island 718-351-1611 historicrichmondtown.org/ decker-farm Pumpkin picking through October (weekends only starting Oct. 1, 11am-4pm; closed Oct. 8, but open the following Sunday and Monday). Self-guided tours and hayrides offered. Cornfield on-site. Free shuttle bus service available from the Historic Richmond Town parking lot to the farm. Admission: $6 per person or $20 for a family of four. Additional cost for pumpkins. Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens 718-347-3276; queensfarm.org Pick your own pumpkins on weekends, 11am-4:30pm, throughout October. Hayrides
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and a 3-acre interactive corn maze on-site.
apples through mid-October, 9am-5pm daily.
Westchester County
Stuart’s Fruit Farm 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs 914-245-2784 stuartsfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins and apples through November, 10am-5pm daily. School tours available weekdays in October. Group tours available through the barn, cider mill, and cold storage, ending with a chance to pick apples or pumpkins. Cash and check only. Bakery open daily with pies, apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, muffins, scones, and other treats for sale.
Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights 914-962-2368 hilltophanoverfarm.org U-pick pumpkins and vegetables through the fall, 10am-4pm Saturdays only. Organic practice. Three hiking trails on-site. Guided tours available. Free parking. Farm stand with farm-grown produce, seasonal vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, honey, grains, and maple syrup; open 1-6pm Fridays and 10am-4pm Saturdays. Bring your own bags. Outhouse Orchards 139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem 914-277-3188 outhouseorchardsny.com Pick your own pumpkins and
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm 1335 Whitehill Road, Yorktown Heights 914-245-5111 wilkensfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins in October, Friday-Sunday, 10am-
Dr. Davies Farm 306 Route 304, Congers 845-268-7020 drdaviesfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins and apples through the first weekend in November, 10am-4pm daily. Hayrides to the pumpkin fields offered on weekends (weekdays by appointment); $5 per person. Farmers market with homegrown and local produce open daily. Large field with picnic areas.
Long Island Albert H. Schmitt Family Farms 6 Bagatelle Road, Dix Hills 631-549-1159 schmittsfamilyfarms.com Pick your own pumpkins through October, 8am-6pm daily. Fall festival featuring hayrides and a haunted maze on weekends, as well as a train ride, John Deere trike play area, duck races, and fire truck slides. Fall decorations for sale, as well as roasted corn, fresh baked pies, candy apples, mums, and ornamental kale. Benner’s Farm 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket 631-689-8172; bennersfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins through October, 12-4pm weekends only. Hayrides
(including a haunted hayride), Big Swing, and farm animals. Select Saturdays and Sundays feature special guests and Sundays feature live music. Admission: $8; $6 children (includes corn and hayrides). Harvest Festival: Oct. 9, 12-4pm. Borellas Farm Stand 485 Edgewood Ave., Saint James 631-862-7330 borellasfarmstand.com U-pick pumpkins in October, 11am-5pm weekends only. Hayrides, snacks, corn maze, live music, and other activities. Farm stand with homegrown fruits and vegetables. Free parking. Free admission for children younger than 3. Live music and tasting room available on weekends (12-7pm on Saturday; 12-6pm Sunday).
haunted mansion FridaySunday through October. Fairview Farm 69 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton (GPS: 69 Horsemill Road, Watermill) 631-537-6154 fairviewfarmatmecox.com Pick your own pumpkins, gourds, and squash through the second week of November, 10am-6pm, Thursday-Sunday, plus Monday holidays. Eightacre corn maze. Admission:
$10; $8 children ages 4-11; free for children younger than 4. Greenland Family Farms 17155 County Road 48, Cutchogue 631-734-5791 greenlandfamilyfarms.com Pumpkin picking throughout October, 9am-5pm daily. Hayrides by appointment only. Fall decorations, kites, statues, trees, bushes, and perennials for sale.
Harbes Family Farm 715 Sound Ave. Mattituck 631-298-0800 harbesfamilyfarm.com U-pick pumpkins through Nov. 1, 9am-6pm. Apple picking on weekends (and Columbus Day), 9am-6pm. Hayrides weekends only, corn maze, pony rides, farm animals, and snacks available. Fall decorations for sale. Restrooms on-site.
Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/pumpkins
Brightwaters Farms & Nursery 1624 Manatuck Blvd., Bay Shore 631-665-5411 brightwatersfarms.com U-pick pumpkins through Oct. 30, 9am-5pm daily. Hayrides, inflatable rides, and a farm store with novelty decorations, apples, candy apples, and full concession stand on weekends only. Admission is charged on weekends and Columbus Day, and includes face painting, clown entertainment, animal viewing, and unlimited hay rides. The Fall Festival starts Sept. 24 with pumpkin fields, a beer festival, and live music. F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm 26 Pinelawn Road, Melville 631-271-3276 schmittfarms.com Pick your own pumpkins through October, 9am-5pm daily. Free hayrides. Seven-acre corn maze with admission. Country store on premises. Weekend and Columbus Day activities include inflatable rides and food concessions. Haunted corn maze and BrooklynParent 37
WHERE-TO GUIDE
nymetroparents.com/where-to
Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes, and Pumpkin Activities ›› Research by Jonathan Perry
Whether you’re looking for something spooky or just outdoor fall fun this Halloween season, these haunted houses, corn mazes, pumpkin blazes, and autumn activities in New York are sure to make this Halloween one to remember.
718-347-3276; queensfarm.org This ‘maize’ maze is produced by the American Maze Company—its first three corn mazes made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Arrive early for the ‘stalk talk,’ which features puzzlesolving tips to prepare you and your kids for the challenge of navigating the 3-acre labyrinth. Halloween Harvest Festival 32-01 Sculpture Park at Broadway, Long Island City 718-956-1819; socratessculpturepark.org At this free event, make your own Halloween costume, dance to live music, get crafty with art projects, ghoul up with some spooky face paint, and enjoy locally harvested treats! Got a cute canine that loves to dress up in costume? Enter them in the Annual Juried Canine Costume Contest. Gravesend Inn Haunted Hotel 186 Jay St., DUMBO 718-260-5588; gravesendinn.org Produced by City Tech’s theatrical troupe, Theatreworks, as its annual fall production, this visually stunning haunted house is high-tech as well; sensors react to visitors’ movements. Luna Park Halloween Harvest 1000 Surf Ave., Coney Island 718-373-5862; lunaparknyc.com Not only can you see one of NYC’s largest pumpkins here (and win up to $1,000 if you guess its weight!), you can pick and paint a (smaller) pumpkin of your own to take home, or enter a carving competition. Other offerings include a dog costume parade and free trick-or-treating. Ghouls and Gourds Brooklyn Botanic Garden 150 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights 718-623-7200; bbg.org While pumpkin-related crafts are involved, 38
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
there’s so much to do at this annual 6-hour celebration you might end up skipping them. Enjoy book signings from renowned authors and illustrators, waltz with woodland creatures, and witness a flying flea circus. Costumes are essential: You’ll want to wear them to the day’s closing parade. Puppetry Arts 12th Annual Haunted Halloween Carnival 1st Street Recreation Center, 1st Street at 4th Avenue, Park Slope puppetryarts.org The first 200 children to attend this Halloween-day carnival receive a free trick-or-treat bag! Expect Star Wars characters roaming around, puppet crafts, live music, and games. The carnival helps to give Halloween costumes to families in need through partnerships with local shelters and foster care programs.
Queens Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park
Rockaway Fall Festival Bay 32nd Street and Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway 718-318-4000 Now in its 10th year, this (free!) festival offers a pumpkin patch, pony and hayrides, and other seasonal entertainment.
Manhattan
Museum of Natural History 21st Annual Halloween Celebration Central Park West at 79th St., Upper West Side 212-769-5100; amnh.org Technically this isn’t a haunted house, but we’ll let that slide: It’s a chance to experience the Halloween version of one of NYC’s most iconic buildings. Magic, zombie shows, origami, and trick-ortreating are some of the top attractions; be sure to say hello to Clifford and Curious George if you see them roaming the halls!
Central Park Conservancy Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail 14 E. 60th St., Upper East Side 212-310-6600 centralparknyc.org After pre-registering for your ‘flotilla,’ bring your pre-carved pumpkin or jack-o’-lantern for a sunset journey across the Harlem Meer (Note: Arrive early before it reaches capacity!). Other festive activities include spooky mask making and live carving demonstrations, as well as arts and crafts.
Pumpkin Park at Adventureland 2245 Broad Hollow Road (Route 110), Farmingdale 631-694-6868; adventureland.us Visit Pumpkin Park for haunted train rides: one for children of all ages, and a scarier version for teens and adults. Bonus: Your kids can enjoy free trick-or-treating in the park, and unlimited admission bracelets to use on other rides during the day.
Bayville Scream Park 8 Bayville Ave., Bayville 516-624-7433 bayvillescreampark.com Amusement park enthusiasts will want to take advantage of unlimited one- and twoday passes to the scream park, featuring tamer versions of the park’s nighttime haunted houses. Other fun activities include storytelling, and Halloween crafts.
Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/haunted-houses
FOR EVERYONE AGES 8+
Haunted High Line Halloween West 14th Street to West 17th Street, Chelsea 212-206-9922 thehighline.org The haunted house at this event is actually a haunted train tunnel, created by puppet master Ralph Lee (Fun fact: Lee is responsible for turning the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade from a community event to the festival of today). Other memorable events include meeting ghosts from the West Side’s industrial past, and creating kites out of fears to be set free.
BEST FOR AGES 4-7
Sept 30 – Oct 10
October 14 – 30 Autism-Friendly Performance October 29 at 7pm
Kenny Wax Family Entertainment & TC Beech Kidoons/WYRD Productions in association with The 20K Collective
BASED ON THE BOOK BY RICHARD AND FLORENCE ATWATER
“The special effects are so compelling... you can’t take your eyes off the stage.”
Nassau County
“Outstanding puppetry... this musical hits all the right child-friendly notes.”The Stage
Toronto Star
PHOTOS: CRAIG FRANCIS, CLAUS ANDERSON
RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury 516-252-3392; therise.org With five locations (Old Westbury; Secaucus, NJ; Boston, MA; Los Angeles, CA; and Pomona, CA), this event features more than 5,000 hand-carved glowing pumpkins and live celebrity carving artists. Follow the 1/3-mile-long jack-o’lantern walking trail made extra festive with an original Halloween-themed musical score. Look out for a 50-foot dragon comprised entirely of pumpkins, plus safari-themed creations at this year’s event.
Wantagh Halloween Haunted House 1632 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh 516-804-9047 In lieu of admission, this haunted house accepts food, personal care items, and/or pet food donations to Long Island Cares. Come in costume for the haunted house; stay for the Halloween party and spook walk on haunted trails.
THE NEW VICTORY THEATER ®
®
A NEW 42ND STREET PROJECT
#LoveOfTheater starts here NewVictory.org 646.223.3010
209 W 42ND STREET just west of Broadway
BrooklynParent 39
So Your Teen Wants a Job… ››
What kids need to know to earn their first paycheck. By Katelin Walling
G
rowing up, if I wanted something that wasn’t necessary (makeup, UGG boots, CDs, my pet rat and all the proper accouterments), I had to buy it with my own money. I also knew from an early age that I would be responsible for paying for my college education while my parents would pay for room and board. (Mom and Dad decided this as a way to guarantee all of their kids would attend classes and do well in school—they figured that if my brothers and I were paying for our own education, we wouldn’t waste it.) Since my brothers and I didn’t get a weekly allowance to buy the unnecessary items we wanted, I took a job the first chance I could. My first job was delivering newspapers when I was in fourth or fifth grade, and I began babysitting when I turned 12 (only on the weekends!). Other positions I held were as a janitor at the church my family attended, a housekeeper for an inn during the summer, a newspaper carrier (again), a waitress in a retirement community’s dining room, and a waitress at a Mexican-Irish restaurant. And that was all before earning my high school diploma. So I know a thing or two about working as a teenager. There are a lot of options available, but also a lot of rules and regulations specific to teens younger than 18 in the workplace. If your teen wants to start earning his own money, where to start? Here is our best advice.
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October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
First Job Options
There are a variety of options available to those ages 16 and older (some are even available for tweens and younger teens)—just make sure to check the state’s child labor laws to see what jobs minors can legally hold and whether they need working papers, as well as how many hours per week and what times of day they can work. Our top choices for first jobs for teens include: Babysitting: There are a plethora of sources for teens to find families who need sitters, first and foremost family connections and word-of-mouth. The two families I primarily sat for in middle school were my first-grade teacher and one of my dad’s coworkers. Other sources available now for finding families are sites such as UrbanSitter.com, HelloSitter.com, Sitter.me, and SitterCity.com. An option for younger kids is being a mother or father’s helper— someone who is there to occupy the kids while Mom or Dad is trying to get work done in the house. One thing I did to ensure my preparedness for caring for children was to take an American Red Cross Babysitter Training course, which teaches 11- to 15-year-olds basic child care and first aid skills, as well as how to keep everyone safe and help children behave.
Camp counselor: For those teens who went to summer camp as a kid and wish they could go back after they age out, being a counselor at a sleepaway or day camp is the perfect option. According to a 2012 Economic Impact Report conducted on behalf of the American Camp Association, 7,000 camp programs in the Northeast employed a total of 190,000 people, with the majority of those seasonal jobs being held by 16- to 24-year-olds. Bonus: Teens will learn valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, responsibility, time management, and problem-solving. Dog walker: Whether a neighbor needs someone to walk Fido occasionally for a few extra bucks, or your teen wants to make dog-walking a full-fledged part-time job (heck, some people in NYC are able to make a living by walking dogs), this task gets your kids active outside. Plus, if you’re thinking of getting a family pooch, this is good practice for a tween to see what goes into the care of a dog. Food service: There are a variety of jobs in the food service industry, from scooping ice cream at the local shop to making cappuccinos and lattes in the neighborhood café to any of the jobs in a restaurant, including busser, dishwasher, host or hostess, server, or bartender. Note: The minimum age to serve alcohol in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut is 18. Landscaping: From mowing lawns to raking leaves to shoveling driveways and sidewalks in the neighborhood, this is a sure-fire way for tweens and teens to earn some cash. Kids: Just make sure you ask your parents for permission before you push their mower around the neighborhood! Lifeguard: Another (mainly) summer option, teens as young as 15 (some facilities require teens to be at least 16) can take the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course to learn to recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and provide care until EMS personnel arrive. Lifeguarding locations include local pools, beaches, amusement parks, and water parks. Paper routes: I had paper routes a couple of times when I was growing up, my first in elementary school in a nearby neighborhood and my second in eighth grade in a neighborhood near school so I could walk there after school. I earned a small fee each week, but the real money was in weekly or monthly tips from subscribers—and especially during the holidays. Check with your town’s paper to see if it has any opportunities available. Retail: From stocking the shelves at the grocery store to folding clothes at Gap to staffing a register at Target, there are a number of opportunities at local and big-box retail stores for teens. Bonus: Some stores offer discounts for employees—teens just need to make sure they don’t spend their whole paycheck before it gets to their savings account!
Obtaining Working Papers
Child Labor Laws may vary from state to state, but for the most part, they all limit the number of hours minors can work daily and weekly, and during what time of day they can work. Some laws even limit what types of jobs minors can hold. In order to uphold these laws, minors who wish to work
must obtain working papers to document where they are working—and to make sure the minors and employers know the limits of the laws. In New York, a minor first needs to get an application from her local public high school or school district office. (NYC residents need to visit their local public high school.) After the minor fills out the form, a parent or guardian must sign it. In addition, the minor needs proof of age (birth certificate) and a written statement from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant saying he is physically fit to work. Once the minor has all the necessary documentation, she needs to bring the application back to the high school, and working papers can be issued on the spot, according to the New York State Department of Labor (labor.ny.gov). I credit my strong work ethic as an adult to my early entry into the workforce—yes, even though it was only a paper route. It taught me responsibility, reliability, time management, and following through with a commitment. It also taught me the value of a dollar at an early age. Yes, I may have wanted the expensive Levi’s, but I didn’t need them when the much-cheaper jeans from Old Navy worked just as well. When I did want something (like those aforementioned UGG boots), I saved my hard-earned money to pay for them myself—and I wore those ruby-colored slipper-like shoes until they had holes in the soles to get my money’s worth. For some, their first job sparks an interest that leads to their future career. I delivered papers, which got me interested in journalism and led me to publishing; a friend mowed lawns and now owns a landscaping company. But for many, the first job was a way to earn money on their way to success. If you follow #FirstSevenJobs, you know that Tony Goldwyn (President Fitzgerald Grant on Scandal) was a farm hand; LinManuel Miranda (creator of Broadway’s Hamilton) worked the slushee machine at his aunt’s store; Stephen Colbert worked in construction; and astronaut Buzz Aldrin was a dish washer. Even First Daughters aren’t off the hook: the Boston Herald reported that Sasha Obama worked at a restaurant in Martha’s Vineyard over the summer. So… What’s your teen’s first job going to be?
Open year-round, Rolling admission Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
ABC Infant & Toddler Center ABC’s goal is to provide safe, age-appropriate and stimulating programs for children up to five years old, while fulfilling their need to laugh, learn, play, make new friends and discover new things. Providing quality child care since 1993. Child Care for Infants & Toddlers, ages 3 - 24 months
ABC Child Center
Child Care and Preschool for children ages 2 - 5 years
Full Day, Half Day Programs & Drop-off Care Available 109 Nassau Avenue, Greenpoint - Brooklyn, NY (718) 389-9004 • www.abcchildcenter.com For more information or to schedule a tour email us at info@abcchildcenter.com
BrooklynParent 41
FOOD & NUTRITION
20-Minute Meals
››
Bright and colorful, this fresh recipe makes a delicious light supper. It’s a good weekend brunch dish, too, which you could serve topped with a poached egg for each person. Serves 4 Ingredients 3 eggs ¾ cup plain/all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder ½ cup crème fraîche 1 cup canned sweetcorn 1 bunch of coriander/cilantro, chopped A small bunch of spring onions/scallions, sliced 1 tbsp. canola oil, for frying Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper Lime wedges, to serve
For the Salsa 4 tomatoes, diced 1 red onion, diced 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed Juice of 1 lime 2 tbsp. olive oil NOTE: If you’re following glutenfree diet, simply replace the flour with a gluten-free blend, which will work just as well.
Directions 1. Start off by making the pancake batter. Place the eggs, flour, baking powder, crème fraîche, and two-thirds of the sweetcorn in a blender. Blend for approximately 30 seconds until smooth. Tip the batter into a bowl and then stir in the remaining sweetcorn, half of the coriander/cilantro, the spring onions/scallions, and a
Cod, Green Bean, and Cherry Tomato Parcels Baked in a parcel, this delicate fish retains all of its moisture while taking on plenty of flavor from the other ingredients. Serve with tender new, salad potatoes, which will soak up all of the cooking juices when crushed with the back of your fork. Serves 4 Ingredients 7oz French beans 4 cod fillets (each approximately 4-5 oz.) 4 small bunches of cherry tomatoes (each with approximately 5-6 tomatoes)
Olive oil, for drizzling ½ lemon 1 tbsp. pine nuts 16 basil leaves ¾ cup white wine Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper
Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 2. Cut four pieces of baking parchment large enough to form a parcel for each piece of cod. 3. Place the green beans in equal piles in the middle of each piece of paper. 42
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
pinch of salt. Leave to one side while you make the salsa. 2. To make the salsa, combine the tomatoes, onion, avocado, chili, and garlic in a bowl. Add the lime juice, olive oil, and some salt and pepper. Stir well and then add most of the remaining chopped coriander/cilantro. (If you have any extra sweetcorn left you can add this to the salsa, too.) 3. To cook the pancakes, heat 1 tbsp. canola oil in a frying pan and when sizzling, drop in 2–3 large tablespoons of batter at a time, letting each spread out to form small round pancakes. Cook for approximately 2 minutes, then flip over to cook for a further 2 minutes, until nicely golden brown. Keep the pancakes warm while you cook the rest of the batter. 4. Once all of the pancakes are cooked, top with the salsa and the remaining coriander/cilantro. Serve with wedges of lime to squeeze over.
4. Lay the cod fillets on top of each pile, followed by a bunch of cherry tomatoes. Drizzle each with a little olive oil, followed by a squeeze of lemon juice, and a few pine nuts. Tear each basil leaf in half before placing them on top. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Partially seal the parcels by twisting the edges of the paper together at both ends so that when you add the white wine it won’t leak out. Pour the wine into the parcels, then finish sealing the edges and top of the parcels and place them on a baking sheet. 6. Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes until the fish is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. When you’re ready to serve, lift the whole parcels onto the plates, open the edges and dive in.
From ‘Healthy Speedy Suppers’ by Katriona MacGregor © Nourish Books 2016, photography by Heathcliff O’Malley.
Sweetcorn Pancakes with Avocado Salsa
From ‘Healthy Speedy Suppers’ by Katriona MacGregor © Nourish Books 2016, photography by Andrew Crowley.
As the school-year schedule kicks into high gear, cooking balanced meals can seem too time-consuming. Here are three healthy recipes that can each be made in 20 minutes. By Katriona MacGrego
From ‘Healthy Speedy Suppers’ by Katriona MacGregor © Nourish Books 2016, photography by Andrew Crowley.
Beef Stir-Fry with Green Peppers
ACTIVITIES
Taking a minute or two to make your own stir-fry sauce is really worth it. Not only will the result be fresher and tastier than anything you squeeze out of a packet, you can play around with the ingredients and adjust the seasonings to suit your own tastes. To this quite basic recipe, you could also add black-eyed beans, mangetout/snow peas, mushrooms, or pak choi/bok choy in place of, or as well as, the vegetables listed. Don’t worry if you don’t have a wok, just use a large frying pan; the key is to cook quickly over a high heat without the ingredients being crowded.
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YOUNG DANCERS IN REPERTORY, INC. CENTER FOR DANCE STUDIES
Serves 4 Ingredients 1 heaped tsp. cornflour/ cornstarch 3 tbsp. soy sauce 3 tbsp. mirin (rice wine) Canola oil, for cooking 1 bunch of spring onions/ scallions, sliced 2 green peppers, deseeded and sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed
EVENTS
1lb 9oz rump steak, sliced into strips 2/ cup stock 3 5 tbsp. oyster sauce 3 tbsp. sweet chili sauce 2 tsp. sesame seeds, toasted, to serve (optional) Steamed rice or noodles, to serve
Directions 1. Place the cornflour/cornstarch in a small bowl and stir in the soy sauce and mirin until you have a smooth paste. 2. Heat 2 tbsp. of oil over a high heat and, when very hot, add the spring onions/scallions, peppers, and garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender and slightly golden at the edges, but still have a bit of bite. Tip out of the pan and leave to one side. 3. Add a little more oil to the pan and, when hot, add the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring all of the time until the meat is cooked and has taken on some color. 4. Take the pan off the heat and add the cornflour/cornstarch mixture, followed by the stock, oyster sauce, and sweet chili sauce. Return to the heat and bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add a little more stock if the sauce is too thick. Return the vegetables to the pan and stir to heat everything through. 5. Serve with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, if you like, and some steamed rice or noodles.
Extracted from Healthy Speedy Suppers by Katriona MacGregor © Katriona MacGregor 2016 published by Nourish Books, London, Hardback, $24.95
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NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices. www.facebook.com/nymetroparents BrooklynParent 43 ACTIVITIES
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Family First, Even From Afar
››
For one NYC father, the job of his dreams means living apart from his wife and kids for much of the year. The couple tells us how they make it work. By Bethany Braun-Silva
B
aseball season is coming to an end, and that means it’s time for Queens native Anthony Iapoce, hitting coach for the Texas Rangers, to finally return home to his family here in New York. Anthony fulfilled his lifelong dream of working in Major League Baseball when he was hired by the Rangers last fall. However, the job requires him to be with his team for long stretches of time. His wife, Suzanne, was accustomed to him traveling for work—including stints in the Chicago Cubs and Florida Marlins organizations—but this was the first time they faced a long-term separation. Somehow over the past year, the Iapoces were still able to buy a home, have a second baby—and there’s a third on the way now, too—and look completely unfazed (at least on the outside) by these major life events. I know the family personally—our kids went to school together, and I am friends with Suzanne—and I can attest to the fact that the Iapoces make living apart look easy, although it obviously is not. I talked to them about how they keep it all together and manage work and family time while one spouse lives away from home.
Making It Work
Suzanne and Anthony Iapoce met as kids growing up in Queens. Their mothers were very good friends, so they found themselves drifting in and out of each other’s lives as they got older. Anthony made a career for himself in baseball and traveled quite a bit as a result, and it was through the help of Facebook that he and Suzanne were finally able to make a romantic connection. Cut to a few years later, and they are now married with two beautiful daughters, 4-year-old Lily and Abby, who turns 1 this month, and a baby due in the spring. Anthony says even though he’s achieved his personal goal of working in the Major Leagues, what’s more important to him is being a great dad—and that balance takes a bit of figuring out. The key to making it all work is “great family and friends,” he says, and for the Iapoces, that includes Suzanne’s parents, who took Lily to and from school every day last year. When Anthony is away, the family uses FaceTime frequently, allowing Lily to connect with her dad by talking to him and showing him artwork and pictures from school. Since welcoming Abby in the fall, the family has been faced with the expected challenges that come along with having a new baby 44
October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
The Iapoce family visits Dad at his workplace.
and being a family of four. This put extra pressure on Suzanne, who also worked full-time as teacher. “I remember being worried about my girls, thinking, How am I going to pick up the slack?,” she says. “Anthony is such a hands-on, active dad, even when he’s not there. He’s so engaged with them and so present with them, and his presence is extremely powerful, so I was worried about picking up the slack of him being absent.” For Suzanne, taking on double duty as a parent meant letting other chores go, at least temporarily. For one thing, the selfproclaimed “neat freak” chose to let dishes pile up in the sink in exchange for some quality time with her girls, which she says was well worth it.
Hometown Home Base
One of the biggest decisions the Iapoce’s faced upon receiving the news of Anthony’s new job was where to live. After some back and forth, they made the decision to keep their home in New York and not move to Texas. Anthony has been with four organizations during the past 10 years, so the family would be faced with potentially frequent moves if they relocated every time he took a new position. Plus, he travels with the Rangers, so the couple figured it would be best to keep the girls and Suzanne near their family in New York. “We decided to stay with our support system,” Suzanne says. “My parents are here and they are so active in our daughter’s lives, and it was important for us to be near them.” Even with Anthony being away, the couple managed to purchase their first home this summer. With some creative scheduling, Anthony was able to make it to the closing, and the Iapoces were
able to check off another important milestone for their family. Suzanne and the girls spent the rest of the summer traveling to Anthony’s games. “Taking the opportunity to travel to him as much as possible is what we are going to be doing to make it work, we are learning as we go with this baseball life,” she says.
Setting Great Examples
Anthony is a testament to what working hard and never giving up will get you. As a kid in Queens, he never stopped playing baseball, which included teams at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Astoria and St. Joseph’s Catholic Youth Organization, and then in high school at Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School. He continued in college and transitioned to the Minor League, but the goal was always the Big League, Anthony says. When the Rangers came calling, Anthony and the family were excited, but he knew he was going to have to be away more than before and that was always in the back of his mind. “It’s tough because as far as a personal goal, like where I’ve wanted to be my whole life, this is it, but now it’s also that I want to be a great dad,” he says. “So I’m trying to figure out how to balance that.” Anthony hopes that this fulfillment of a lifelong dream will inspire his girls to pursue their own passions. “The thing with Lily and Abby is trying to show them that you can get to where you want to get, you just got to keep going and believe in yourself,” he says. When it comes to his girls he wants them to “believe that anything is possible.” With the Rangers holding a comfortable lead in their division as of our press time and widely expected to go deep into the playoffs, Anthony’s return home is likely to be delayed a bit this year—albeit for all the right reasons. Still, he, along with Suzanne and the children, look forward to spending some time living in the same place for a while, until it’s time for Anthony to head back to work for next season.
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BrooklynParent 45
Where Everyone Is an Artist ››
A visit to Crayola Experience offers a day of colorful fun for kids—and adults—of all ages. By Shara Yolku
T
here’s a reason the Crayola brand has been around for more than 100 years: It is simple yet innovative, and gives kids the tools for unleashing their wondrous artistic creativity. The same can be said about the company’s attraction in Easton, PA, Crayola Experience. Formerly the site of a Crayola crayon factory, it was redesigned in 2013 as a family activity destination that will delight young artists and non-artists alike, especially those ages 2-10. With 26 interactive exhibits and more than 60,000 feet of creative adventures, plan to spend the day there expressing your own inner artistry along with your little scribblers.
The Nuts and Bolts
Only a 90-minute drive from Park Slope, Crayola Experience is the perfect day-trip distance for families with young kids. Parking is easy, with either street meters ($1 per hour, maximum 2 hours) or the lot right behind the Crayola building ($3 per hour). The fun starts before you even enter the building, where children can play on and pose with the enormous marker and crayon sculptures in front of the building. Inside, there’s a coatroom to dump your stuff (jackets, snacks, etc.) before you
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get started. Regular tickets are $19.99 per person ($16.99 if you buy online in advance), and it’s free for kids younger than 2. Each ticket gets you one goodie bag containing two tokens that you’ll need for two of the activities, and the bag will hold all the cool stuff the kids make. Additional tokens are available for purchase at vending machines near the activities.
Highlights to Hit
It’s smart to have a plan as you head in, because during peak times or seasons it can get crowded, which makes it harder to move quickly between all of the exhibits. Plus, the exhibits vary by wait time, energy level, and cool-factor. So while you might be tempted to do each activity in order on every floor, here are some attractions to prioritize in order to get the best out of your visit: The Crayola Factory on the second floor is a good place to start to get the kids excited, and it offers a bit of a Crayola education. Crayola keeps the factory-visit spirit alive with a cute theatrical show featuring two animated crayons and a live Crayonologist who teach the kids how crayons are made with fun facts and demonstrations.
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Right outside the theater is Wrap It Up, where they can “buy” a crayon with a token, name it with a custom label, and then wrap it with a special tool. On the third floor there’s a large space for non-structured art and play. Kids can cut, color, paint, and glue at the Activity Studio and Paint Palette, at which staff regularly rotates the projects, and then switch to the Color Playground in the center of the room to burn off some energy climbing and sliding. (The younger set can play safely at Toddler Town on the second floor.) Kids can use the provided chalk to draw on the floor of the playground, or use dry-erase markers to decorate the whiteboard-material animal figures. Next door, the dimmed lighting at Doodle In The Dark will help bring their energy level back to normal as they experiment with light, color, and interactive media. Kids can doodle on light boards with neon markers, dance in front of a special screen that displays an animated crayon guy mimicking their every move, or play on the floor screen on which projected objects move when stomped on. At this point, you’ll probably be ready for a lunch break! Cafe Crayola on the first floor is quick and easy, as long as you’re OK Frida with typical kid-friendly fare. There’s also the option to bring y a d s rs u Th lunch and picnic on-site, or if you’d like to venture6out to one day s e n d e 5 of W the restaurants nearby, make sure you get your hands stamped for 4 re-entry. After re-fueling, the second floor has high-tech activities to satisfy your post-millennial Picassos. Your older ones will love 13 own creating a computerized 4-D animated adventure of their drawing at Color Magic, and12you can bring the little ones to Be A Star, at which they can make a coloring page using their own 11 image. Down the hall they can get their sensory groove on at Modeling Madness, which features Crayola’s unique foam-like version of play-dough. Token and cash vending machines 20sell the Model Magic in almost every color, 19 and kids can sculpt away at tables set up with tools. 18
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Shara Yolkut is a former music business executive who can now be found gallivanting in and around NYC with her three young kids who share her adventurous spirit and insatiable need for variety.
Be featured on the largest family activities Calendar in the metropolitan New York area.
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If You Have Extra Time
The highlights explored above usually have little or no wait 27 time involved. But if your kids have the patience to wait on line, the 6 2 fourth-floor activities are fun, too. At Melt & Mold they can 25 turn a crayon into a keepsake (a ring, dinosaur, or crayon guy), and the Drip Art station is good ole’ spin-art using melted crayon wax. The third activity on the floor generally has less of a line, so if you have another adult with you, it might be worthwhile to split up and have one wait on one of those lines while the other goes to Meltdown with the kids, at which they can paint with melted crayon wax. Submit entries to thought of bringing If you stillyour have some steamonline left, and the your kidseldParent.com/submitevent to a store doesn’t make your head explode, visit the Fairfi Crayola Store on the first floor. Along withreview its ubiquitous All entries subject to editor’s branded products, it sells cool Crayola souvenirs unique to the and acceptance. site, customizable crayon and marker sets, and T-shirts and puzzles made from creations you colored earlier. At the end of your Announce Crayola Experience, goodie than bags are filled it tothemore with projects100,000 and keepsakes, you’ve all majorly scratched your parents who are visiting coloring itch, and you can still make it home in time for dinner.
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Meet the Health Care
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To be in this section, call 212-315-0800 or email nympads@davlermedia.com
Lois Jackson, D.D.S., P.C. and Associates 16 Court St., Suite 2211 718-855-8833 505 LaGuardia Place, Suite L4, Greenwich Village near Washington Square Park 212-995-8888; lajacksondds@aol.com
Dr. Lois Jackson is very experienced in pediatric dental care for children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. She is the president of the New York State Association of Pediatric Dentists. To give back to the community, Dr. Jackson volunteers and supports numerous civic and cultural organizations. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Camp Brooklyn (sending children to camp), Flatbush Development Corporation, East Midwood Jewish Center, and Fisk Terrace Neighborhood Association. Dr. Jackson was a Nickelodeon Parents’ Pick for Best Dentist for two years running!
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-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kidfriendly; 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.
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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. Cascya Charlot - Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn 10 Plaza St. E., Suite #1E 347-564-3211 311 Saint Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood 347-564-3211; brooklynallergydr.com
Dr. Cascya Charlot is an award-winning, Harvard Medical School-trained physician who is boardcertified 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.
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ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS
DANCE
Allergy & Asthma Care of Brooklyn......................... 45, 48
April’s Dance - N - Feet................................................. 27
April’s Dance - N - Feet................................................. 27
Fidelis Care New York................................................... 52
Young Dancers in Repertory......................................... 43
Jackson, Lois Dr........................................................ 9, 48
BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES
Park Slope Kids Dental Care................................... 37, 48
BounceU.......................................................................... 7
DEVELOPMENTAL
Brooklyn Parent Party Planner...................................... 49
Wetherby-Pembridge School........................................... 5
Pediatric Immediate Care........................................ 15, 48
MUSIC
Kids N Action................................................................. 21 New York Party Land..................................................... 23
EDUCATION
Brooklyn College Prep Center......................................... 9
Sugar Vines................................................................... 23
A+ Academy.................................................................... 5
Juguemos a Cantar......................................................... 2
Ume Ume Music & Arts................................................. 23
ABC Child Center.......................................................... 41
Llingsworth Music.......................................................... 27
Brienza’s Academic Advantage....................................... 7 CAMPS Rab’s Country Lanes....................................................... 3 Smart Start.................................................................... 23
CHILD CARE / DAY CARE ABC Child Center.......................................................... 41 Smart Start.................................................................... 23 Williamsburg Neighborhood School.............................. 45
Brooklyn Friends School................................................ 21 FasTracKids Brooklyn / Staten Island............................. 8 Fig Tree......................................................................... 27
PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING Brooklyn College Prep Center......................................... 9 New 42nd Street............................................................ 39
Juguemos a Cantar......................................................... 2
PLAY SPACES
Park Slope North / Helen Owen Carey.......................... 20
BounceU.......................................................................... 7
St. Saviours Catholic Academy..................................... 19
Kids N Action................................................................. 21
Tutoring Club of Bayridge.............................................. 21 Wetherby-Pembridge School........................................... 5
RELIGIOUS
Williamsburg Neighborhood School.............................. 45
Fig Tree......................................................................... 27
CLASSES
Williamsburg Northside Schools.................................... 43
St. Saviours Catholic Academy..................................... 19
A+ Academy.................................................................... 5
Young Dancers in Repertory......................................... 43
Williamsburg Northside Schools.................................... 43
RETAIL
Brienza’s Academic Advantage....................................... 7 Brooklyn College Prep Center......................................... 9 Brooklyn Friends School................................................ 21 FasTracKids Brooklyn / Staten Island............................. 8
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS
New York Party Land..................................................... 23 Sugar Vines................................................................... 23
BounceU.......................................................................... 7 Kids N Action................................................................. 21
SPECIAL EVENTS
Llingsworth Music.......................................................... 27
New York Party Land..................................................... 23
Rab’s Country Lanes....................................................... 3
Sugar Vines................................................................... 23
Rab’s Country Lanes....................................................... 3
FITNESS
TUTORS
Smart Start.................................................................... 23
April’s Dance - N - Feet................................................. 27
A+ Academy.................................................................... 5
Fig Tree......................................................................... 27 Juguemos a Cantar......................................................... 2 New 42nd Street............................................................ 39
Brienza’s Academic Advantage....................................... 7
Tutoring Club of Bayridge.............................................. 21 Ume Ume Music & Arts................................................. 23
HEALTH
FasTracKids Brooklyn / Staten Island............................. 8
Young Dancers in Repertory......................................... 43
Affinity Health Plan........................................................ 13
Tutoring Club of Bayridge.............................................. 21
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October 2016 | nymetroparents.com
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Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins
How to Manage Kids’ Schedules
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Where-To Guide: Berry Picking
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Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science
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Helping Parents Make Better Decisions BrooklynParent 51
WE KNOW THE MOMENTS… The ones that define us and give meaning to our lives. The moments that make us breathe deeply and then take our breath away… the ones when having our health makes everything possible.
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1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) TTY: 1-800-421-1220
fideliscare.org To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.