Westchester Parent May 2019 by City Guide NY

Westchester

Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM MAY 2019

Nix Teens’ Bad Habits How to help your older children get healthier • Plus, find doctors, dentists, orthodontists, and more

Let’s Get Organized! Tips from the experts to get your home in order

Specialty Camps Dance, art, theater, sports, academic, and more!

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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contents table of

may 2019

Educating Others About Your Child’s Asthma and Allergies

10 21

5 ways to prepare the adults in your child’s life to act in an emergency situation

Family Activities Calendar

Find something fun to do with your family every day of the month!

health 12 Is That Normal? 14 Bye, Bye, Bad Habits! 16 What Parents Need to Know About Life Insurance 18 Health Directory

Let’s Get Organized

From kids’ rooms to bathrooms and the kitchen, easy solutions to keep your home clutter-free.

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 9 A Successful Start with Your New Nanny 10 Educating Others About Your Child’s Asthma and Allergies 32 Camp Directory 36 Camps at-a-Glance Chart 42 Party Central 43 Professional Services 44 Meet the Health Care Professional, Open Houses 45 Advertisers’ Index, Party Planner

19 May Day Heyday

30 Let’s Get Organized

20 Family Fun in Manhattan 21 Family Activities Calendar 46 Moon Sand

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 14 Nix Teens' Bad Habits 30 Let’s Get Organized 32 Specialty Camps facebook.com/nymetroparents

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

At The Little Gym, we complement the traditional school experience with unique classes that revolve around active play. Our students are encouraged to jump, flip, and swing their way towards increased health, focus, knowledge, and happiness. Big Discoveries at The Little Gym. Find your kid's happy place with an Introductory Experience!

The Little Gym of Scarsdale tlgscarsdaleny.com 914-722-0072 The Little Gym of Upper West Side tlgupperwestsideny.com 212-799-1225

NOW

enrolling for Spring Semester!

Parent/Child Classes • Pre-K Gymnastics Grade School Gymnastics • Dance Karate • Sports Skills • Awesome Birthday Bashes Parents’ Survival Nights • Camps WestchesterParent

raising kids editor’s note MAY 2019 • Vol.18 • No.9

Here’s to You!

appy Mother’s Day to all of you lovely readers! Whether your family is planning an elaborate brunch out or a classic, yet cozy breakfast in bed, or your partner is giving you a day of relaxation, we hope you have a day that truly celebrates you. If you’re a brand-new or expecting mom, you’ll want to turn to “Is That Normal?” (p. 12), in which we explore the various changes—physically, hormonally, emotionally—your body will go through postpartum. You’ll find out what’s normal and when you should seek help. If you’re a mom of a teenager or two (are your teens putting you through the paces?), we discuss how you can encourage your child to nix the bad habits he has likely adopted and replace them with healthy ones (p. 14). As summer inches closer, we just seem to always have camp on our minds—and we’re getting more and more excited! If you’re looking for a dance, art, theater, sports, academic enrichment, music, or STEAM camp for your little one, you’ll want to check out our specialty camp descriptions (p. 32) and the at-a-glance comparison chart (p. 36). And to help you with the camp planning process even more, we’re re-issuing The Camp Planner by Westchester Parent, which is full of great articles, descriptions of area camps, camp comparison charts, and open house schedules. So, if you’re looking for a lastminute registration, you won’t want to miss this ultimate, all-in-one, camp resource! You can find it at nymetroparents.com/campguide/westchester beginning April 17! With spring in full force (are you sneezing up a storm too?) and spring cleaning on our minds, what better time to get your home a little organized? From the bathroom to your kids’ rooms, experts share insider tips to keep your living space clutter-free (p. 30). Happy organizing!

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling PRODUCTION EDITOR: Melissa Wickes ASSISTANT EDITORS: Jacqueline Neber, Anja Webb CALENDARS CALENDAR COORDINATOR: Whitney C. Harris EVENT RESEARCHERS: Lisa Fogarty, Kristina Johnson, Shara Levine DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke

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Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, Manager Lauren Alperin Meirowitz, Managing Director Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Lauren Anchin, Colleen Kearney Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro, Gayle Sherman To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents To Submit News: nymetroparents.com/submitnews

STATEN ISLAND PARENT

Katelin Walling Editorial Director

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Roselle Farina-Hecht 718-494-1932

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

MOMMYBITES

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Lauren Alperin Meirowitz 646-736-3609 EDITOR: Jennifer Rojas

Keep in Touch: @nymetroparents nymetroparents.com editor@nymetroparents.com

OPERATIONS

DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Elvins Cruz, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro MARKETING SERVICES MANAGER: Erin Jordan

PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR | PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR | DIGITAL CONTENT: Silvia Balu

Get Your 2019 Summer Camp Guide nymetroparents.com/campguide/westchester

MARKETING

ASSISTANT MARKETING MANAGER: Kristine Pulaski

FINANCE

CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Dan Finnegan

Davler Media Group davlermedia.com

• 20 Lessons from Camp We Use Every Day • Camp Planning Timeline • What Camp Directors Wish Parents Knew • 8 Questions to Ask a Camp Director • Choosing a Camp for a Child with Special Needs • Is Your Child Ready for Sleepaway Camp? • 10 Things Counselors Wish Parents DIDN’T Do • Ready to Be a CIT?

Camp Directory • Open Houses • Camp Charts

CEO: David L. Miller GENERAL MANAGER: Thomas K. Hanlon CFO: David Friedman 213 W. 35th St., Suite 12W, New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN • ROCKLAND PARENT, STATEN ISLAND PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2019, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher.

Where Your Child Comes First

Schedule your camp physical

• Comprehensive Care from Birth to Age 21 • Spacious child-friendly waiting area • Extended evening & weekend office hours • State of the Art Pediatric Office • Most Insurances Accepted • Convenient on-site parking

Susan Meisler, M.D. • Hilary Smith, M.D. Lisa Mandelker, D.O. • Debra Etelson, M.D. 145 Huguenot St., Suite 200 New Rochelle, NY www.pasw4kids.com • 914.235.1400 Ask the Orthodontist! What signs warrant seeing an Orthodontist before all the baby teeth fall out? Some signs include a very deep bite, underbite, or crossbite, and mouth breathing and poor sleep. These signs indicate a craniofacial imbalance or orofacial muscular imbalance (improper tongue posture as an example). Other signs to look for include habits like thumb sucking, speech problems, and inability to pay attention at school. Small airways at a young age can sometimes interfere with proper growth and development.

What are some treatments available in early interceptive orthodontics? There are many treatments in early interceptive orthodontics, but two common ones are: Expanders: Mouth breathing, snoring, and poor sleep are all signs of a small airway. Apart from possibly having to remove the tonsils with an ENT, an orthodontic expander helps open the airway—the roof of the mouth is the ﬂoor of the nose, so expanding the upper jaw can help your little one breathe—and restore good tongue posture. It also promotes proper facial development and restores orofacial muscular balance. Bite plate retainers: If the issue is an overbite that inhibits the lower jaw growth, a simple retainer will help. If not intercepted, this could result in a permanently recessed lower jaw.

What is most rewarding about being an orthodontist? The HUGE smiles on my patients’ faces when we ﬁnish treatment! Sometimes I get happy tears and other times a little dance. It is absolutely amazing to be able to help my patients improve their smiles, their quality of life, boost self-conﬁdence, and, in some cases, restore health. Dr. Merissa Blais received high honors from Columbia University School of Dental Medicine and completed her residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at the University of Pennsylvania, training in both early intervention orthodontics and adult orthodontics. Merissa Blais, DDS

2 Overhill Road, Suite 300 • Scarsdale, NY 10583 blaisortho@gmail.com • www.blaisortho.com

Blais Orthodontics, PC Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics WestchesterParent

raising kids new places, new programs

Who: A-Game Sports What’s New: Several travel softball teams that previously played for another organization will be playing for the Westchester Heat softball tournament program this summer. Plus, a partnership with Energia, which began in late March. There are several age divisions for the Westchester Heat travel softball team: 16 and younger, 14 and younger, and 12 and younger. There are plans to add 23 and younger and 10 and younger teams as well. The softball teams are still holding tryouts on an individual basis. A-Game Sports partnered with Energia, a local fitness and nutrition business, in late March to provide fitness classes to parents of A-Game athletes. Want More Info: 856 Main St., New Rochelle; agamesports.net; 914-278-9477

Courtesy A-Game Sports

Sports Facility in New Rochelle Acquires Travel Softball Team

Tryouts for the Westchester Heat travel softball team are conducted on an individual basis and will continue through the spring.

Who: FunFuzion What’s New: Arizona Sunshine, a free-roam edition of the award-winning virtual reality experience, which was added in April. Unlike older virtual reality games, players don’t need to be connected to a console— they can roam freely as they explore a narrative story that revolves around taking down zombies. The experience offers two distinct realities to explore: ‘Narrative’ and ‘Horde.’ “You’re actually walking through a different place and interacting with a different place—you have to throw switches, you have to move in an elevator, you’ve got to do all these things that you would have to do in a reality environment,” says Michael Getlan, owner of FunFuzion. A new storyline will be swapped into the game every three months. Want More Info: 29 Lecount Place, New Rochelle; 914-637-7575; funfuziononline.com

Courtesy FunFuzion

Indoor Amusement Park in New Rochelle Offers Unique Virtual Reality Experience

Arizona Sunshine is the future of intera ctive gaming at FunFuzion.

Who: Steffi Nossen School of Dance What’s New: Choreography and Hip-Hop camps, slated to begin this summer. Plus, a partnership with Bethany Arts Community to offer a satellite location in Ossining, slated to begin July 29. Choreography Camp will run Aug. 12-16. It aims to teach rising fourth-seventh graders the fundamentals of creating their own solo dances and using their personal dance voices through poetry written at camp. Hip-Hop Camp will run Aug. 19-23 and will teach rising second-fifth graders about hip-hop culture and history through break dancing, graffiti, and disc scratching. Camps that will be offered at the Bethany Arts Community in Ossining include modern, ballet, jazz, theater dance, composition, and dance history for two weeks: July 29-Aug. 2 and Aug. 5-9. Want More Info: 216 N. Central Ave., White Plains; steffinossen.org; 914-328-1900 8

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

graphy Ellen Crane Photo

Dance School in White Plains Adds Two Dance Camps and Satellite Location

dance Hip-Hop to the Top nce. Nossen School of Da

Steffi ny classes offered by class is one of the ma

raising kids child care

A Successful Start with Your New Nanny ››

Courtesy Mommybites.com

ou just hired your new nanny! Everyone is very excited, and you are totally optimistic that she’s going to work out great. A nanny starting with a new family might feel very much like she has just arrived in a new “town.” Suddenly she is working—and oftentimes living—in a new home with a family she knows very little about. She doesn’t know the ins and outs, the routines, or the family dynamic. As a new employer, the most important thing you can do to ensure an easy transition is to act as a family interpreter; you need to teach your new nanny the “language” of your home.

information you can provide to help her adjust will go a long way toward making her feel more capable in her new job. Don’t forget lists of area activities and playdate contacts.

Be Patient

Explain Your Expectations

Describe in detail a typical day with your kids and be very specific about what role you expect her to play. Communicating these details clearly will ensure she understands what you expect of her.

Create a Family Manual

Provide your nanny with a written “guidebook” containing summaries of your family’s schedule, routines, preferences, and medical issues. Any

Your nanny is going to be in charge of the health, safety, and wellbeing of your children, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to facilitate mutually respectful dialogue if you need to raise any issues. It’s going to take time, patience, and effort—but eventually your nanny will be a fully integrated citizen of your “town.” And taking the time to be a helpful “interpreter” throughout the transition period will be the key ingredient to ensuring a happy and healthy relationship with your new nanny.

Mommybites’ nanny boards only feature postings from nannies’ current families. You can rely on their recommendations. If you need a nanny or babysitter, visit Mommybites.com.

Our practice is designed speciﬁcally for your child’s comfort. The open bay treatment areas, child friendly themes, and parent friendly atmosphere are designed to enhance your family’s dental experience. We take pride in caring for our community by providing high quality, conveniently accessible, compassionate oral health care in a nurturing environment. Dr. Benjamin Dancygier is devoted to helping mothers, newborns & infants overcome nursing and feeding challenges. Dr. Ben sees infants for frenectomy procedures to correct abnormal frenum attachments known as tongue-tie or lip-tie.

Common Symptoms of a Tongue or Lip Tie Mama's Symptoms

Dr. Benjamin Dancygier

• Pain & discomfort while nursing • Creased/ﬂat/blanched nipples after feedings • Low milk supply • Plugged ducts / mastitis • Nursing frequently or for long periods of time • Bleeding, abraded or cut nipples

Baby's Symptoms • • • • •

Poor latch Clicking sound while nursing Gassiness Reﬂux or colic Gags on milk or pops oﬀ breast frequently to gasp for air • Poor weight gain • Falls asleep while nursing

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WestchesterParent

raising kids in the know

Educating Others About Your Child’s Asthma and Allergies ›› By Melissa Wickes

aving a child with a life-threatening allergy is constantly scary. As much as you can prepare yourself for the worst, it adds extra comfort to know the other adults in your child’s life are also prepared to act in an emergency situation. Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network, shares what parents of children with a life-threatening allergy should do to ensure their child is safe at all times—even when the child isn’t with the parent.

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Create an action plan. Once it’s determined your child has a life-threatening allergy or asthma, be sure to talk to her physician about constructing an action plan, Dr. Parikh suggests. This should detail what an allergic reaction or asthma attack would look like, as well as what to do at the time, what medicines to administer, and when to call 911. Educate all adults in his life about the allergy or asthma. Everyone who interacts with your child—from coaches and teachers to babysitters and grandparents—should be well informed of the action plan, Dr. Parikh says.

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Encourage your child to speak up when a reaction is occurring. When you’re not around, your child is her own best advocate. With the help of your physician, teach your child to know what feelings indicate she is having a reaction. This can mean itchy skin or rash, difficulty breathing, vomiting, tummy aches, and more, depending on the child. Empower your child to speak up in these situations— and to speak up about any allergies when necessary. Ensure emergency medications are always available. All caregivers should have access to emergency medications. A doctor can generally prescribe EpiPens in bulk, according to Dr. Parikh, so give one to your child’s babysitter, teachers, coaches, and grandparents—and give one to your child to carry. Whomever is given the responsibility of holding the EpiPen should know how to properly use it (there are instructional videos online). If the child suffers from asthma, he must have quick-relief medication on hand and with all caregivers. Teach the child to use medications. While it is important for the adults in your child’s life to know how to administer emergency medications, it is equally, if not more, important for the child with the allergy to know how if she is older than 4, according to Dr. Parikh. This includes asthma pumps and antihistamines.

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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This summer, children ages 5-13 will enjoy exciting, fun filled days at the Iona College camp. Our athletic facilities serve as the setting for an exciting summer. Your child will experience two periods of swimming, sporting events, a variety of dance, arts and crafts and music. Contact us at mreddington@iona.edu 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801 www.iona.edu\summercamp

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WestchesterParent 11

Is That Normal?

››

Medical experts share what new moms can expect—physically and emotionally— when they’re no longer expecting. By Jacqui Neber

omen are taught to expect numerous changes to their bodies during pregnancy; from weight gain to weird cravings to swollen feet, there are just some things we know might happen. However, we don’t talk about the changes that might happen to your body after your baby is born nearly as much, which can lead women to think what they’re experiencing isn’t normal. Since hormonal and emotional changes are common after delivery, it can be difficult to know when what you’re feeling could signify postpartum depression, which can also be frightening. In terms of physical changes, thinning hair, scar itching, breast engorgement, and more are usually completely normal ways your body adjusts to motherhood as hormones swing back to normal. Some changes are very common, especially when you reach six-seven months postpartum. Alyssa Dweck, M.D., a New York OBGYN and assistant clinical professor at Mount Sinai Hospital’s School of Medicine in Manhattan, who has been practicing for more than 20 years, says she sees a multitude of “abnormalities” in patients that are not cause for alarm.

What’s Normal–and How to Know

“[Thinning hair and breast engorgement] are usually normal, although we always check for other problems that could be causing them. It is 12

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

incredibly common for women to have significant hair loss at about six or seven months postpartum,” Dr. Dweck says. “It’s a very common thing to go in the shower and have clumps of hair falling out.” Dr. Dweck says many women also worry about hemorrhoids and weight gain, as well as itchy C-section scars, but these issues are relatively common too. “I don’t want to call [these experiences] normal. I want to call them not abnormal,” she says. “Some people have a C-section and never get a scar. Some people never get hemorrhoids.” Lindsey Scharfman, M.D., echoes that hair loss, engorged breasts, some bleeding, and dependent edema, where the body swells bilaterally, are all normal conditions to experience after having a baby. Her patients at Crystal Run Healthcare in West Nyack experience a spectrum of postpartum issues that wind up being nonissues. Christine Catanzaro, R.N., a mother from Northport, had two children 17 months apart. She noted drastic physical differences in her body between having a boy and a girl. While she did not experience hair loss after her son was born, significant hair fell out after having her daughter. She also gained more weight, experienced more tearing in the labia region, and says her feet were more swollen. She experienced more emotional volatility after having her daughter, but partially attributes that to working nights, sleeping poorly, and having two very young children to parent.

“You don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself,” Catanzaro says. “These extra side effects, I wouldn’t change for the experience of having my kids.”

What’s Not Normal—and What to Do

Doctors agree that certain “normal” symptoms can morph into abnormal ones after birth, and new mothers need to watch their symptoms carefully. Bleeding, for example, is normal, Dr. Scharfman says, but only to an extent. “Bleeding should be like a period or less,” she says. “If you’re going through one pad a day, that’s normal. But if it’s one to two pads every hour, that’s not normal, and you need to go to [the hospital]. It could be a postpartum hemorrhage.” New mothers who experience severe dizziness upon standing, feel weak and cold, or have racing heartbeats could be anemic. And if one leg, for example, is more swollen than the other, that could signify a blood clot. If a woman experiences blurred vision, a headache that doesn’t go away with medication, or upper belly pain, she could have pre-eclampsia. All of these require immediate medical attention. There are also potentially less serious physical abnormalities that Dr. Dweck says need to be discussed with your doctor. “When is it not normal? So, hair loss where it doesn’t seem to stop, or you’re having huge, big bald spots…That needs to be addressed by your physician to make sure it’s not something other than just typical postpartum hair loss,” Dr. Dweck says. “As far as the itchy scar, [you just need to make sure] there’s no infection, that there’s no underlying skin condition…Any questions or concerns about it being ‘right’…It’s worth a check with your OBGYN.” Olga Tusheva, M.D., an OBGYN at Montefiore Nyack Hospital in Nyack, mentioned breast pain as another issue that could become abnormal. “If one breast is significantly bigger than the other, if there is swelling or redness, tenderness, [or if changes are] not proportional to [breast] appearance, then the woman should [see her OBGYN] to make sure everything is normal,” Dr. Tusheva says.

The 411 on Postpartum Volatility

Beyond bodily changes, new mothers should monitor their emotions and understand the signs of postpartum volatility. Dr. Dweck prefers not to call this issue “postpartum depression” because that terminology can be pejorative. She says it is one of the challenges women are most concerned about, after postpartum weight gain. “The emotional volatility that comes about after having a baby, in a good way and in not such a good way, is notable,” she says. “And this is combined with sleep deprivation, which doesn’t help. So, it becomes a concern: How am I going to manage everything?” Certain populations of women, Dr. Dweck says, are more prone to developing postpartum volatility. Among those most vulnerable are first-time mothers, women who are part of underserved populations, and women who have a history of anxiety or depression during pregnancy. If you start feeling down after having your baby, seek help as soon as possible, and try to get some sleep—it’s vital in managing these feelings, Dr. Dweck emphasizes. Dr. Tusheva says “post-baby blues” are very common—mothers are often overwhelmed when they bring the baby home and the responsibilities of motherhood are fully realized. “It can happen to any woman, whether it’s her first time having a baby or third or fourth time being a mom,” she says. “We all can be overwhelmed by other people, the social pressure, [feeling] like we need to be the best mother we can be, and the attention imposed on us by our family—our moms, our husbands, mother-in-law—and other people who care about us.” But when post-baby blues stick around for longer than a short while, they can become more serious. It is imperative to seek medical help. “Once in a while the symptoms can persist and reach postpartum

depression, which can be a very dangerous condition,” Dr. Tusheva says. “If she feels down, overwhelmed, stressed, if there’s any thought of harming herself or baby, all of those symptoms should be discussed with an obstetrician or a primary care physician or a psychiatrist. Someone who can help [her] feel better, as opposed to leaving the condition untreated and having it get worse.” Hospitals conduct postpartum screenings before sending women home with their new babies, but Dr. Tusheva says every woman should be aware of what PPD could potentially look like. Many things contribute to how a woman is feeling after giving birth, such as sleep, the baby’s health, the baby’s sleep patterns, the availability of support at home, socioeconomic status that relates to available support, or a history of anxiety or depression. “If a woman is finding herself feeling helpless, hopeless, if she is catching herself thinking any type of thoughts concerning harming the baby or giving the baby away or how much her life would be easier without the baby, if she finds herself just being sad and upset,” Dr. Tusheva says, “I would say for days in a row as opposed to moments of temporary feelings or temporarily upset, then all of those are the concerning factors for developing PPD.” Treatment for postpartum depression varies on an individual basis. The most important thing to do is seek help so your doctor and psychiatrist can help you feel better, sooner.

The Bottom Line

There are essential steps, Dr. Dweck says, that mothers can take in ensuring they remain healthy and happy after pregnancy. One of the most important things you can do is educate yourself about what to expect in the postpartum space. “Be conscious, be mindful. Women these days, particularly in the communities I practice in, take a lot of care and try to empower themselves with information and education, whether it’s online or with other moms or new moms or family members,” Dr. Dweck says. “But often times you get misinformation out there. So, I think the bottom line is just to always check if something is out of the ordinary with your health care provider.” Dr. Scharfman emphasizes the importance of sharing everything with your doctor—and speaking up if something doesn’t feel right. “Having a new baby is really hard,” she says. “If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. If you think something is wrong, don’t just tell the nurse, tell the doctor. Don’t be afraid to reach out.” When dealing with postpartum blues, Dr. Dweck says, do not be ashamed to talk about what you’re feeling. “And if you feel like you’re spiraling in that direction, please don’t suffer in silence. Get some assistance and talk to your health care provider,” she says. “It’s not a shameful situation. It is what it is, and it really is out of people’s control most of the time. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

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Bye, Bye, Bad Habits!

››

It’s not (only) about nixing your teen’s bad health habits, but replacing them with good ones By Karen Lo

hat’s the most annoying thing your teenager does? Is it that he’s constantly sleeping in and on the verge of being late for school? Maybe it’s that her hygiene habits, or lack thereof, force you to ask probing questions like, “When was the last time you took a shower?” Maybe it’s the fact that when phrases like “healthy habits,” “personal responsibility,” or “we need to talk,” come out of your mouth, the teenager in the room immediately responds by rolling his eyes or vanishing. If you’re currently the parent of a teenager, it’s probably all these things and more. Aside from loading up the car and booking an extended, adults-only getaway until she reaches “I should’ve listened to my parents” age, what can you do to help your teenager reach responsible adulthood without losing your mind? To tackle this big question, family therapists, psychologists, and doctors share easy-to-follow tips. But first, what exactly are these bad habits teens should nix asap? Ana Jovanovic, M.S., a psychologist and life coach from Parenting Pod, an online resource for parents on mental health and well-being, says they include: • Personal hygiene: Not showering often enough, not using deodorant, not flossing or brushing teeth, and not wearing clean clothes • Bedtime and morning routines: Staying up too late or sleeping in, which often leads to being late for school 14

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

• Electronics: Spending too much time playing video games or scrolling through social media • Homework: Forgetting or not tracking assignments, poor time management, turning in assignments late, and procrastination • Fitness: Spending too much time on the couch or sitting • Diet: Avoiding healthy foods, eating unhealthy snacks, eating lots of sugar, eating late, and skipping breakfast

How These Habits Get Formed

“Bad habits are very rewarding,” Jovanovic says. “The rewards, satisfaction, and pleasure that bad habits provide are usually much more tangible and closer in time than the negative consequences. Impulse control, an area of executive functioning, is all about [foregoing] those short-term rewards for the sake of achieving a larger, more valuable reward that comes later on. But impulse control is not a skill that comes naturally.” It will take some time for tweens and teens to understand the consequences that ultimately come from giving in to those impulses, Jovanovic says. But for now, playing video games or scrolling through Instagram beats the danger of not getting into the dream college because of a low GPA and eating a double cheeseburger sounds far more tempting than eating a salad.

Help Your Teen Form Good Habits

If your teen sees no strong reason to stop his bad habits, he will continue with them. “The way these habits get broken down depends on what the habit is like, and what kind of satisfaction it brings to a person. However, the challenge is not only to let go of bad habits, but to build new ones that a teen can really stick to,” Jovanovic says. For example, what might a dermatologist say about your teenager’s skincare routine? Perhaps a lot. Although an estimated 80 percent of teens deal with acne, 90 percent have not seen a dermatologist, according to Yoram Harth, M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist and medical director of MDacne, an app that uses selfies to connect patients with customized treatments. “As a dermatologist, I believe that one of the worst habits teens have is picking on their acne,” Dr. Harth says. “Unfortunately picking on acne can leave lifelong scars that are very difficult to eliminate. Many parents think acne will go away by itself with age, but it won’t.” You could try to convince your teen not to pick at her skin by virtue of the fact that picking is bad for it, but that’s pretty hard to do since, in theory, she’s already well-aware. “The second, easier way is to help them treat and prevent their acne,” Dr. Harth recommends. “A lot can be done with small changes in behavior. If someone is dealing with acne breakouts on their forehead, they should avoid headbands, baseball caps, and hair gels. If the acne is on their body, they should avoid backpacks and too-tight clothing—and always wash their face after sweating, and shower at least once a day.” So, how can we help our teens make behavioral changes, like the ones mentioned above, that eliminate bad habits?

What doesn’t work?

Lecturing (for its own sake): “Teens are opinionated young people who are likely to stick to their own way of seeing things, even if they calmly nod when you’re telling them what they should or shouldn’t do,” Jovanovic says. “Chances are, they feel that you are too old, lame, or naive to really understand what they’re going through.” Impulsive reactions and a lack of reasoning behind your grounding system: “Though sometimes taking their phone away or having them go to their room may encourage them to actually do their homework or get to bed earlier, in most cases, teens will continue doing the same things, just to prove your punishment doesn’t make sense.” Figure out a system that is clear and makes her aware of the consequences—then stick to it. Comparing yourself to them: “Teen years are the years of questioning authorities,” Jovanovic reminds us. “This is a period when it’s psychologically desirable to be rebellious, as teens are starting to uncover who they want to be.” So, when you compare your habits to theirs, you’re implying your way is “the right way.” “One of my clients phrased it nicely: ‘My mom thinks she is living vicariously through me. I am my own person, which is why I intend to do most things differently,’” Jovanovic adds.

What does work?

Listen, understand, discuss, and walk the walk: Do all of these combined; one without the other is likely to be ineffective. “What I often hear from my teen clients is, ‘Parents are willing to listen only if you are saying what they want to hear,’” Jovanovic says. “And in the end, if you’re not doing what you preach, your teen is going to see right through you. My teen clients tell me, ‘My parents are on the phone all the time but call me addicted.’ Likewise, if you preach the importance of eating healthy or exercising, you have to lead by example.” Parents, quite often, can completely miss their own contributions to a bad family trait, notes Jennifer Johnston-Jones, Ph.D., a family therapist based in Los Angeles, CA. “For example, one of the most

common bad habits for teens is negative self-talk, yet how many parents have looked in the mirror and said something negative about their bodies in front of their child?…That’s why the personal growth of parents is the best way to teach good habits in our children,” she says. To that end, “model the good habit in yourself and let your teen know you are also working on it,” Dr. Johnston-Jones advises. If your teen is working on improving her sleep habits, help her by keeping a steady bedtime yourself, away from your phone. And most importantly, replace bad habits with healthy family habits. For Dr. Johnston-Jones, regular family meetings are a big part of the puzzle. Share the importance of creating a solution everyone can agree on. Try it for a week. If it needs revisiting, put it on the agenda again and come back to it. End the family meeting by talking about future plans or playing a game together, like charades, even if it’s just for 15 minutes, she suggests. Reach an agreement and stick to it: “There may be things you are not willing to let slide. Whatever that is—their GPA, exercise, sleeping habits, or personal hygiene—it’s important to let them know,” Jovanovic says. “Set up clear, unambiguous expectations. Let them know whether they can use your support or if they have any resources available.” When both sides come to an agreement, your teenager will have a stronger grasp of trust and accountability. Emphasize freedom of choice and leave them to it: “What I do in coaching is ensure that a teen I work with is familiar with all the choices they can make in a given situation, as well as the benefits and negative consequences. I help them weigh the options and once they make a decision to take ownership of it,” Jovanovic says. “What I see parents do with the intention to prevent bad things from happening is either making the choice for kids or trying to eliminate the consequence. It’s very important that they have the consequence and the opportunity to deal with it. This is a necessary learning experience that builds resilience and problem-solving and coping skills.” Give useful feedback: “By ‘useful,’ I mean concrete, focused on behavior, and timely,” Jovanovic says. Instead of telling your teen to practice better hygiene, tell her to shower every evening and brush her teeth twice a day. Start small and offer praise: In reality, no matter how old you are, “changing a habit is a difficult task, and getting started on a change is usually the hardest step,” Jovanovic says. Start small and leave room to grow. If he hasn’t exercised in a while, don’t sign him up for an intensive three-week program. Start with a daily 30-minute walk around the neighborhood and join him if he’s up for it. “Parents tend to compare their own habits to the habits of their children,” Jovanovic notes. “Put the frustration on hold and focus on helping their behavior translate into a stable habit. Applaud their efforts and help them build up to new goals.” Build your relationship: Lastly, and most importantly, this is the key to shaping your teenagers into the adults you’d like them to be. “If the relationship isn’t good, chances are that your teen will ignore you, or do the opposite of what you suggest,” Jovanovic says. “What a coach (that’s you) does is invest time in listening and understanding the reasons behind the choices teens make. ...Consistency in the coach’s actions and attitude is what builds trust.” Once your teen trusts you and feels like you really know her, she’ll be ready to listen and take what you’re saying into consideration, Jovanovic says. Your teen will also feel less pressure and a lack of judgment, which will help him grow and find out what works for him. Karen Lo is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn.

WestchesterParent 15

What Parents Need to Know About Life Insurance ››

Experts share why taking out a policy is so essential for moms and dads—plus, how to get started. By Madeleine Burry

here are many amazing aspects of parenthood, from sweet snuggles to watching your little one achieve big milestones. Not on that list? Getting life insurance. And yet, this task is incredibly important for every parent. “Life insurance protects a family financially,” says Paul Graham, senior vice president of policy development at American Counsel of Life Insurers. If you’ve put off this task, you’re probably not alone. After all, it’s not pleasant to think about worst-case scenarios, your own mortality, and the addition of yet another expense. But it’s worth noting the cost of a policy may be far lower than you anticipate, says Graham, who notes that according to LIMRA, a market research firm, millennials overestimate the cost of life insurance by five times its actual amount. “The fact is, it is possible to find a life insurance policy to fit within just about anyone’s budget,” Graham says. Here’s what parents need to know, and how to get started procuring life insurance. 16

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Why Parents Need to Prioritize Life Insurance

“Anyone who has somebody else depending on their income needs life insurance,” says financial expert Jean Chatzky, author of Women with Money and host of the weekly podcast HerMoney. “Think about life insurance as income insurance,” Chatzky says. “If you were to die, who’s going to be in trouble because your salary or your income is no longer there?” With life insurance, your beneficiary—most likely, your child’s other parent or guardian—will receive a payout, known as a death benefit, if you die. This money can cover the basic monthly expenses (think: after-school programs, grocery bills, and so on), allowing your family to maintain their standard of living, Graham says, along with paying the mortgage bill or monthly rent at your current home. Plans can also help send kids to college, he notes. But keep in mind what makes sense for one family, might not make sense for yours. “Everyone’s financial situation is unique, and everyone’s life insurance needs are different,” Graham says.

What’s the Right Insurance for You?

As a parent, your best bet is to get life insurance right away—that means before your baby is born, or immediately afterward. “You want to make sure that the need is covered when it exists,” Chatzky says. Plus, this is one task that rewards youth and good health. “Life insurance gets more expensive as you get older,” Chatzky says. And if you develop a health condition, it can be harder—and again, more expensive—to get insurance, she adds. Parents can choose between two categories of life insurance: permanent or term (that’s short for “terminate”). With term insurance, you’ll be covered for a set period of time (between 0 and 30 years, according to ACLI)—the policy will pay only if you die in that set timeframe. After the set time period, there is no payout. Permanent life insurance, by contrast, will give you lifelong protection—as long as you continue to pay the premiums, your beneficiaries will receive the death benefit. There are several versions of this type of insurance available, depending on your particular needs. Generally, Chatzky recommends term insurance, which is far cheaper than permanent. “In order for people to get as much insurance as they need, [term insurance is] often the only affordable way to do it,” she says. Plus, she notes, remember the whole point of getting this insurance: to cover your income. Once your income is no longer essential to your family’s way of life—for instance, 25 years down the road, when your kids are out of college and the mortgage is paid off—you no longer need the coverage of term insurance. That said, some parents will always have a need for insurance, Chatzky says. If there’s someone in your life who will depend on your financial support for your entire lifetime, such as a child or sibling with special needs, permanent insurance makes sense for you, she says. You can also use permanent insurance to leave your kids money in your estate, she notes. What if you want or need permanent insurance, but can’t afford it? “You can start with term insurance and then convert it to permanent insurance in most cases,” Chatzky says—just make sure your insurance policy provides an option to convert.

Avoid Two Common Pitfalls of Procuring Life Insurance

One of the biggest mistakes experts see parents make is only covering the parent who’s in the workforce and receiving a paycheck. Don’t downplay the work stay-at-home parents do— and the expense it would require to cover it. “If you’re the stay-at-home parent and if you were no longer there, someone would have to be hired and paid, then you also need life insurance,” Chatzky advises. Quantifying the amount may be easier for parents in the workforce, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only work that needs to be covered. Take some time to tally up the costs of the many responsibilities covered by a stay-at-home parent. “Cooking, cleaning, caring for children, transporting them to and from school and recreational activities, and the many other tasks performed by a stay-at-home parent cannot be easily replaced,” says Graham, noting that Salary.com estimates the median salary of a stay-at-home mom at a whopping $162,000 per year. “People should think very seriously about ensuring a stay-athome parent has coverage,” Graham urges. Neglecting coverage for nonworking parents isn’t the only pitfall out there. It’s also important to evaluate company-provided life insurance, too, Graham says. Typically, it pays a death benefit that’s

equal to one or two times your annual salary, he says. “However, some experts recommend that people’s life insurance coverage should equal ten times their annual income. Needs could be higher or lower depending on a family’s situation,” Graham says.

How Much Insurance Do You Need?

Figuring this out comes down to doing some math and thinking through both your current and future financial situation—to help, you can search online for life insurance calculators (like the one offered by Nerdwallet). The biggest considerations to keep in mind are: 1. How much debt do you have? From repaying credit card bills to mortgage payments, your survivors will be on the hook to pay them off. 2. What’s your income, salary, or the cost to replace services you provide? As noted above, this math is easier if you make a set salary. Multiply this amount by the years of coverage you’ll want. For stay-at-home parents, consider the annual costs of replacing their work. 3. How long do you need the coverage? Do you want the coverage to extend until your children are through with higher education, or just until they’re 18? Will you feel comfortable timing the coverage to terminate when your mortgage is paid off? These are the kinds of questions you’ll need to think through. 4. Are there other expenses you want to cover? If you want to cover big expenses—such as your child’s college education—factor it into your coverage amount. Feeling overwhelmed? There’s no need to go it alone. You can reach out to friends and family for advice. Professionals can also help you make your decision. “A life insurance agent or financial advisor has the knowledge and expertise to help consumers determine what level of protection is right for them,” Graham says. The most important thing is not to let distaste for thinking about your mortality—or an aversion to doing the thinking and math required to determine the right policy for you—stand in the way of getting covered. As Graham says, “Life insurance is a critical part of a family’s financial wellness.” Madeleine Burry is a freelance writer and editor who has held staff positions at Parents. com, Scholastic, and About.com. Burry lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their cat.

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Dr. Ivis Getz 140 Lockwood Ave., Suite 315, New Rochelle 914-355-2265 caringpediatricdentistry.com caringpediatricdentistry@gmail.com Dr. Ivis Getz, a board-certified pediatric dentist, is committed to providing the highest quality dental care to infants, children, adolescents, and those with special needs. The dental team truly www.facebook.com/nymetroparents enjoys working with kids and will treat your child with warmth and compassion. The practice has convenient after-school and Saturday appointments available.

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1557 Route 82, Hopewell Junction 845-226-8577 3630 Hill Blvd., Suite 101 Jefferson Valley 914-245-7100 valleypediatricdentistry.com Our practice is designed specifically for your child’s comfort. The open bay treatment areas, child-friendly themes, and parent-friendly atmosphere are designed to enhance your family’s dental experience. Dr. Benjamin Dancygier and team specialize in laser treatment of tongue, lip, and buccal ties to help newborns and infants overcome breast-feeding issues.

things to do

where-to guide

MayHeyday Day _

Compiled by Anja Webb

Spring presents so many opportunities for family fun, from stopping to smell the flowers at a local nature center to adventuring outdoors to a scenic day trip location. Both are great ways to get outside and enjoy the weather after months of being cooped up inside. However, for those of you who want to take it easy, you can always pick up some fresh produce at your neighborhood farmers’ market and relax at a kid-friendly museum.

DAY TRIPS

Howe Caverns 255 Discovery Drive, Howes Cave 518-296-8900; howecaverns.com Hours: Friday-Sunday, 10am-3pm Journey more than 150 feet below the Earth’s surface, where you’ll take a tour of an underground cavern 6 million years in the making. You’ll see stalactites and stalagmites, limestone formations, and the underground Lake of Venus. Above ground, Howe High Adventure activities include a four-tower zip line, ropes course, rock wall, air jumper, and gem mine at the Howe Caverns Mining Company. The H2OGO Ball gets visitors rolling down a hill in a 12-foot inflatable ball filled with 5 gallons of water. With a café and motel on premises, visitors can turn their day trip into a weekend getaway. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/day-trips

FARMERS’ MARKETS

John Jay Historic Homestead 400 Jay St., Katonah 914-232-5651; johnjayhomestead.org Hours: May 11-Oct. 26, Saturdays, 10am-2pm Local nonprofits, bakers, farmers, and craftsmen all come together at the John Jay Historic Homestead to sell a variety of handcrafted goods. Featuring live music and kids’ activities, there is something everyone in the family can enjoy while walking and sightseeing through the homestead’s flower and herb gardens.

MUSEUMS

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ZOOS, NATURE CENTERS, AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

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Hudson River Museum and Planetarium 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers 914-963-4550; hrm.org Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-5pm Admission: $7; $5 seniors and students with ID, $4 children ages 3-18; free for children younger than 3. Part of the Fairfield/Westchester Museum Alliance, this museum preserves the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and the industries that developed around it, using this important natural landmark as a lens to view the history, science, and heritage of the region. The museum includes the Glenview Mansion, which features six period rooms decked in turn-of-the-20th-century style, and a planetarium that hosts many family-friendly shows and programs. Planetarium shows: Saturday-Sunday at 12:30pm, 2pm, and 3:30pm ($4; $3 seniors and students with ID; $2 children ages 3-18, plus admission). Free for children younger than 3.

Cranberry Lake Preserve 1609 Old Orchard St., West Harrison 914-428-1005; parks.westchestergov.com/cranberry-lake Hours: Dawn to dusk, daily. Nature lodge and front gate are open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-4pm Admission: Free This 190-acre park includes a variety of habitats, including a 4-acre lake, cliffs and scrubland, mixed hardwood forest, vernal pools, and a pond. Visitors can follow the History Trail to the remains of a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation. The nature center offers free familyoriented nature programs on most weekends and houses a variety of interactive, educational displays. The preserve also offers a summer ecology program for children in first-ninth grades.

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Family Fun in Manhattan

Play:groundNYC returns for its fourth year of unrestricted fun for kids.

Adventures Abound!

Courtesy Dance Parade New York

Opening May 4 for the 2019 summer season, play:groundNYC on Governors Island is New York City’s only adventure playground with loose parts and materials, tools, and space for kids to just be kids. Children can visit this outdoor space to imagine and build in an area made for kids only, no parents allowed (with staff supervision). Get messy, imagine, and dream big—no restrictions! Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm. Ages: 5 and older. Free. 40 Barry Road, Governor’s Island; play-ground.nyc.

More than 100 dance organizations are participating in this year’s Dance Parade.

Dance into Spring!

What better way to celebrate the warm weather finally arriving in NYC than by joining 10,000 dancers, DJs, and live bands at the 13th annual Dance Parade and Festival? This unique display of culture will feature more than 80 styles of dance, including African, tango, salsa, hip-hop, contemporary, Irish, and Chinese! If you want a prime view, you can even purchase a grandstand ticket to watch from Astor Plaza. Saturday, May 18; parade begins at 1pm. Ages: All. Free to attend; $35 and up for grandstand ticket. Parade starts at 21st Street and Broadway; danceparade.org.

Courtesy The Morgan Library

W he hile y re ou , v ’r isit e …

Completed in 1906, Pierce Morgan’s library was built based upon villas of the Italian Renaissance and is home to a collection of rare books and manuscripts.

The Morgan Library

A short walk away from Grand Central and Penn Station, the Morgan Library & Museum is a one-stop shop for all book worms looking to dive deep into the wide variety of literary works from the 20th century. Take an augmented reality tour through the Gilded Age gem, Pierce Morgan’s former library, to explore the rare medieval and Renaissance works or peruse the rare manuscripts, early children’s books, and much more at your own leisure. Visit it: 225 Madison Ave., Murray Hill; 212-685-0008; themorgan.org Can’t-miss event: Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth; through May 12 Directions: Approximately a 50-minute drive or a 50-minute Metro-North and subway ride from White Plains

Ed Lederman

Courtesy play:groundNYC

By Melissa Wickes

A view of The Whitney from Gansevoort Street, which is located in the Meatpacking District off of the Hudson River.

The Whitney

Free for children, The Whitney is home to a variety of unique works of art from artists of various backgrounds and is the perfect place for a peaceful afternoon with your family. Be sure to visit its website to find out more about stroller tours, tours for immigrant families, activities for families with children on the autism spectrum, and more family fun. Visit it: 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District; 212-570-3600; whitney.org Can’t-miss event: Open studio for teens, select Fridays, May 3-June 28, 4-6pm (see website) Directions: Approximately a 50-minute drive or 1-hour, 10-minute Metro-North and subway ride from White Plains

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Turn the page for details on Celebrate Pinkster (No. 5 on our list)

MAY

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CALENDAR 22 Editor’s Hot Tickets

27 Show Time!,

23 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!,

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Movers & Shakers

29 Fun Fairs & Festivals

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

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

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 11am and 1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Explore Wave Hill to hunt for native creatures in their garden habitats. WHY WE LOVE IT: An active and interactive way to learn about insects! WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors; $4 children 6-18; free for members and children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Dog Walk & Pet Fair FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 10am-2pm WHERE: FDR State Park, 2957 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Take a stroll on the scenic 2½-mile path with your pup, then go shopping in the vendor village while enjoying food and refreshments. WHY WE LOVE IT: There will be a puppy kissing booth, kids activities, adorable doggy tattoos, agility demos, and music! WANT TO GO? 914-941-2896. spca914.org/walkathon.

3 22

Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Party

WHEN: May 11-12, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

AGES: All WHAT: The most spectacular spring landscape New York City has to offer is the setting for live music, games, picnicking, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids will flip for backyard fun such as ladder toss and giant chess while moms will appreciate floral demonstrations and food trucks. WANT TO GO? $30; $28 seniors 65 and older and students with valid ID; $18 children ages 2-12. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

The Magic of Adam Trent

WHEN: Friday, May 17, 7pm WHERE: The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy magic, comedy, and music designed to entertain the entire family. WHY WE LOVE IT: Expect a futuristic, high-tech brand of magic! WANT TO GO? $69.50. 203-297-0933. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Celebrate Pinkster

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 10am-5pm WHERE: Historic Hudson Valley, 639 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills AGES: All WHAT: See continuous performances of African drumming, dancing, and storytelling. WHY WE LOVE IT: Join the parade, dance step across

the plank, elect next year’s Pinkster King or Queen, and taste West African pea fritters while learning about the enslaved people of Philipsburg Manor. WANT TO GO? $14; $12 seniors 65 and older and students 18-25; $9 children ages 3-17; free for members and children younger than 3; $2 surcharge for tickets purchased by phone on-site. 914-631-8200. hudsonvalley.org.

Gardiner Cupcake Festival

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 12-5pm WHERE: Wright’s Farm, 699 NY-208, Gardiner AGES: All WHAT: Expect food, live music, local vendors, wine tastings, and activities for children such as bouncy houses and wagon rides. WHY WE LOVE IT: There will be more than 10,000 cupcakes to choose from! WANT TO GO? $5; free for children 6 and younger. 845-255-5300. gardinercupcakefestival.com.

Story Pirates

WHEN: Sunday, May 19, 11am and 1pm WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This show, featuring original stories by local kids, sparks the imaginations of kids and adults and inspires everyone to start telling their own stories. WHY WE LOVE IT: Enjoy a pre-show group writing and storytelling workshop for kids ages 6-10. WANT TO GO? $25. 914-631-3390. tickets. tarrytownmusichall.org.

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the six no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Hike for Hope FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 10am WHERE: FDR State Park, 2957 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Exercise and staying physically fit are contributing factors in maintaining mental well-being. WANT TO GO? 914-906-4629. afsp.org/wchike19.

Gan Shabbat Services FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Bet Torah Nursery School, 60 Smith Ave., Mount Kisco AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Children will get an introduction to Shabbat songs, stories, and prayers. A kid-friendly Kiddush of refreshments follows each service. WANT TO GO? 914-666-7595. bettorah.org.

Sheep Shearing FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 12, 12-3pm WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah AGES: All WHAT: It’s time to give the sheep their yearly haircuts! WANT TO GO? 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org.

Tot Shabbat with Mazel Tots at Scarsdale Synagogue FREE

Kite Festival FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 19, 12-5pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy kite making, art workshops, and music by DJ Delon. WHY WE LOVE IT: Put your skills to the test in a series of contests led by Kites in Motion. WANT TO GO? 914-963-4550. hrm.org.

Memorial Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Monday, May 27, 11am WHERE: Yorktown Community Cultural Center, 1974 Commerce St., Yorktown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Join in the tradition of Memorial Day to actively remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts and in wars. WHY WE LOVE IT: There will be a service, parade, speeches, and a ceremony for the whole family. WANT TO GO? 914-736-1450. yorktownny.org.

WHEN: Friday, May 17, 9:10am WHERE: Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont & Emanu-El, 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Have fun with Shabbat songs and enjoy stories, challah, coffee, and conversation. WANT TO GO? 914-725-5175. sstte.org.

Drop in for Tech Help FREE

WHEN: May 7-28, Tuesdays, 3-4:30pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: All WHAT: Drop in for help with any of your technology devices. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

Trains & Tracks FREE

WHEN: May 7-28, Tuesdays, 11am WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Play with a huge collection of Thomas and friends trains. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com. ››

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Morning Farm Chores

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 8-9am WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn the morning routine at Muscoot, feed cows, and collect eggs. WANT TO GO? $20 for family of four; $6 per person. 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org.

Mommy’s Lil’ Sprouts

WHEN: Sunday, May 12, 1-2pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Hear a story, meet some furry friends, and plant seeds. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 members. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.

ANIMAL LOVERS Story Time with Wolves!

WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 1pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy a nature-themed story, make a craft, and then explore nature! WANT TO GO? $12; $10 toddlers. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.

Throw Mama to the Wolves!

WHEN: Sunday, May 12, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Mom and discover why spring is special for wolf packs. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 children younger than 12. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.

Atka’s Angel Celebration: A Birthday Bash in Honor of Atka

WHEN: Through May 4: select Saturdays, 9:15am WHERE: Friends of Rye Nature Center, 873 Boston Post Road, Rye AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Fathers can drop in with their children for a fun animal adventure. WANT TO GO? $10-$15 per family. 914-967-5150. ryenaturecenter.org.

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Honor Atka’s 16 years of life, and celebrate what would have been the 17th birthday of the WCC’s most popular wolf. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 children younger than 12. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.

Tales for Tails FREE

Feeding Fun

Daddy-and-Me Animal Show

WHEN: May 2-4, Thursday, 6pm; Saturday, 12pm WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children can gain confidence by reading to a specially trained dog. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Insect Command Post

WHEN: Sunday, May 19, 1-2pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: All WHAT: See what’s on the menu and learn how to keep the critters healthy. WANT TO GO? $8; free for members. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 10am-2pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Check out live and preserved insects, cocoons, and chrysalides with entomologists. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65; $4 children ages 6-18; free for members and children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

For Shear Pleasure

Coyote Awareness Day FREE

Wolves of North America on Memorial Day

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 1-3pm WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 NY-100, Katonah AGES: All WHAT: Learn more about the behavior and benefits of the eastern coyote! WANT TO GO? 914-864-7282. nywolf.org.

Animal Embassy FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 1-2pm WHERE: Pound Ridge Library, 271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge AGES: All WHAT: Meet Mandarin and wood ducks, a red-eared slider, a spring peeper, and an alligator snapping turtle! WANT TO GO? 914-764-5085. poundridgelibrary.org. 24

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WHEN: Sunday, May 26, 1-2pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: All WHAT: Touch wool, try carding and hand spinning, and make a craft. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 members. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org. WHEN: Monday, May 27, 11am WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the mythology, biology, and ecology of wolf families. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 children younger than 12. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.

Read to Rover FREE

WHEN: May 2-30, Thursday, 5-6pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children can read to a dog to practice their literacy skills. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS HOLIDAY FUN Lilac Weekend

WHEN: May 4-5, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the lilac clollection with painting, music, talks, and more. WANT TO GO? $30; $28 seniors 65 and older and students with valid ID; $18 children ages 2-12. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

Creatures of Woodfrog Pond

WHEN: Sunday, May 5, 1-2pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: All WHAT: Learn about pond residents then walk to the pond to catch them. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 members. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.

Zero Waste Leadership Summit FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, May 8, 7-9pm WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Student leaders discuss their work with Zero Waste Initiatives. WANT TO GO? 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.

Teatown PlantFest: Main Event FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 9am-2pm WHERE: Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining AGES: All WHAT: PlantFest features abundant plant varieties, expert helpers, more than a dozen vendors, and farm-to-table produce. WANT TO GO? 914-762-2912 x110. teatown.org.

Saw Mill River Audubon Second Saturday Walk at Brinton Brook Sanctuary FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 9-11am WHERE: Brinton Brook Sanctuary, 1339 Albany Post Road, Croton-on-Hudson AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Enjoy a monthly walk at the area’s largest sanctuary. WANT TO GO? 914-666-6503. sawmillriveraudubon.org.

Spring Birding

WHEN: Sunday, May 12, 9:30am WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Explore the gardens on a quest to spot resident and rare birds. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65; $4 children ages 6-18; free for members. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Family Nature Walk

WHEN: Sunday, May 12, 1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join a family-friendly walk through the gardens or woodlands. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65; $4 children ages 6-18; free for members and children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Saw Mill River Audubon Pruyn Sanctuary Spring Walk FREE WHEN: Sunday, May 19, 3:30-5pm WHERE: Pruyn Sanctuary, Woodmill Road, Chappaqua AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Enjoy a seasonal walk at Pruyn Sanctuary. WANT TO GO? 914-666-6503. sawmillriveraudubon.org.

First Saturday Art Workshop: Mother’s Day Polymer Clay Projects

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 11am-1pm WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Learn the basic principles of working with polymer clay and creating polymer clay jewelry. WANT TO GO? $7.50; $6.50 for seniors; free for children younger than 1, members, and active duty military personnel. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

Mother’s Day Craft

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 1:30-2:30pm WHERE: Sheldrake Environmental Center, 685 Weaver St., Larchmont AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn about herbs and spices, then create your own sachets. WANT TO GO? $10; free for members. 914-834-1443. sheldrakecenter.org.

DIY Mother’s Day Handprint Flower Pot FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, May 7, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Make a lovely handprint flower pot. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

Mother’s Day Cards FREE

WHEN: Thursday, May 9, 4pm WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Make a homemade card for your mom. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Mother’s Day Brunch

WHEN: Sunday, May 12, 10:30am and 1:30pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy brunch in Armor Hall or a picnic on the Conifer Slope. WANT TO GO? $60; $55 members; $35 child; $30 member children—excluding tax, parking, and gratuity; free for children younger than 5. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

White Plains Memorial Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Monday, May 27, 10am WHERE: City of White Plains, Church Street, Downtown White Plains AGES: All WHAT: The parade will be followed by services at the Rural Cemetery. WANT TO GO? 914-422-1336.

Elmsford Memorial Day Parade and Service FREE

WHEN: Monday, May 27, 10:30am WHERE: Legion Park, Main Street, Elmsford AGES: All WHAT: The parade ends at Village Hall where a service will be held. WANT TO GO? 914-592-6555. ››

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Babies & Bagels FREE

WHEN: Through May 21: select Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:1510:30am WHERE: Temple Israel Center, 280 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Share breakfast, converse with other parents, and listen to speakers about topics including sleep issues, nutrition, dealing with in-laws, and separation. WANT TO GO? 914-948-2800. templeisraelcenter.org.

Family Studio: Science

WHEN: May 4-25, Saturday, 1-4pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Help populate the museums eco-mural and take home native wildflower seeds. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 veterans, seniors, and students; $4 children ages 3-18; free for children younger than 3. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.

Early Explorers

SMARTY PANTS Engineering Workshop with LEGO Materials

WHEN: Friday, May 3, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Explore concepts in physics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and architecture. WANT TO GO? $32; $29 members. 914-738-2525. pelhamartcenter.org.

STEAM Team FREE

WHEN: Monday, May 13, 4pm WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Flex your brain with some STEAM activities and games! WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

STEAM Team Jr. FREE

WHEN: Friday, May 17, 11am WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Explore shapes and patterns with geometric tiles and build crazy structures with magnetic tiles. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

4-H Science Fun Day FREE

WHEN: May 11-18, Saturday, 1-2:30pm WHERE: White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave., White Plains AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Learn about STEM through hands-on activities and projects. WANT TO GO? 914-422-1476. whiteplainslibrary.org.

Baby Sign Language

WHEN: May 4-18, Saturday, 9:45-10:30am WHERE: Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Learn to communicate using signs from American Sign Language through songs, stories, games, and activities. WANT TO GO? $20. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com. 26

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WHEN: May 4-26, Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Explore, play, and create with a dollhouse, blocks, a puppet theater, and books. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 veterans, seniors, and students; $4 children ages 3-18; free for children younger than 3. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.

Young Discoverers: Discovering the Colors of the Rainbow

WHEN: May 1-29, Wednesdays, 11-11:30am WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Do an experiment with color mixing. WANT TO GO? $7.50; $6.50 for seniors; free for children younger than 1, members, and active duty military personnel. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

Museum Minis

WHEN: May 2-30, Thursdays, 10:30-11am WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Meet up for social play, muscle and brain builders, tumbling and jumping, music and instruments, dancing, and story time. WANT TO GO? $7.50; $6.50 for seniors; free for children younger than 1, members, and active duty military personnel. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

Westchester Children’s Museum Pop Up Shop

WHEN: Through May 31: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye AGES: All WHAT: The museum will offer toys and books. A portion of the proceeds will support educational programs and exhibits. WANT TO GO? $7; $6 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

Tech Tuesdays FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 6: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave., White Plains AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Activities will include coding, computer animation, robotics, video game design, and augmented reality. Sign up for sessions beginning at 4pm. WANT TO GO? 914-422-1476. whiteplainslibrary.org. ››

SHOW TIME!

KINDNESS CRUSADERS

‘Madeline and the Bad Hat’

Annual Runyon 5K

WHEN: Sunday, May 5, 11am and 1:30pm WHERE: Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Madeline and the Bad Hat focuses on the unbreakable bonds of friendship and family. WANT TO GO? $15-$20. 914-698-3045. emelin.org/madeline.

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 9am WHERE: Yankee Stadium, 1 E. 161st St., Bronx AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Run through Yankee Stadium and raise money for cancer research. WANT TO GO? $20-$60. 212-455-0503. runyon5k@damonrunyon.org.

ROCKSPLOSION: Ultimate Rock Star Tribute Show

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 10am-2pm WHERE: FDR State Park, Lot 4, 2957 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights AGES: 3 and older WHAT: The Walkathon will raise funds to provide autism service dogs. WANT TO GO? $30; $20 kids. 845-377-0477. bluepathservicedogs.org/walkathon.

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 8-10pm WHERE: Westchester Community College, Academic Arts Theatre, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla AGES: All WHAT: Experience the ultimate rock star tribute show! WANT TO GO? $24 general admission; $22 non-WCC students, seniors, faculty, and staff; $18 children younger than 13. 914-606-6262. sunywcc.edu.

‘Short Stories by Us’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 12-1:30pm WHERE: Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave., Greenburgh AGES: 9-17 WHAT: A public reading of original stories by 9- to 17-year-olds. WANT TO GO? 914-682-1574. greenburghartsandculture.org.

ACT Presents ‘Lost in Yonkers’

WHEN: May 3-11, see website for show times WHERE: Actors Conservatory Theatre, 20 Buckingham Road, Yonkers AGES: 9 and older WHAT: See this coming-of-age story about two brothers in Yonkers in 1942. WANT TO GO? $18-$22. 914-391-6558. actshows.org.

‘A Bronx Tale’: the Award-Winning Musical

WHEN: May 3-12, Friday-Saturday, 7pm; Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Stepinac High School, 950 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains AGES: 13 and older WHAT: A young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. WANT TO GO? $22; $18 seniors and children younger than 12. 914946-4800. stepinac.org.

Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda The Musical’

BluePath Walkathon

Family Bowling with FFTA

WHEN: Sunday, May 19, 5-6:45pm WHERE: Scarsdale Golf Club, 1 Club Way, Hartsdale AGES: All WHAT: There will be bowling, food, drinks, raffle prizes, and fun! WANT TO GO? $30; $25 if paid by May 15; $15 per child younger than 12. 914-939-1180. foreverfamiliesthroughadoption.org.

Earring Making with Joan Lloyd FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, May 21, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: All WHAT: Make earrings that will be donated to a battered women’s shelter. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Exercise Workshop FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 11-11:30am WHERE: Mount Kisco Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: Adult WHAT: Learn how exercise and nutrition help prevent chronic pain. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

WHEN: May 5-12, Sundays, 2pm and 7pm WHERE: The Play Group Theatre, 1 N. Broadway, Suite 111, White Plains AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This new musical puts imagination, wit, and heart at the forefront of this story. WANT TO GO? $15-$18. 914-946-4433. playgroup.org/shows.

Mindfulness for Teens FREE

‘Newsies’

Mommy Meet Up

WHEN: Through May 26: See website for schedule WHERE: Westchester Broadway Theatre, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford AGES: 9 and older WHAT: See the smash-hit musical based on real events! WANT TO GO? $53 and up. 914-372-6491. broadwaytheatre.com.

WHEN: Through June 24: Mondays, except Memorial Day, 10-11:30am WHERE: Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Meet other caretakers, socialize, have a snack, and let your child play! WANT TO GO? $5. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

‘On Your Feet’

LEGO City: Report For Duty

WHEN: May 30-Aug. 4, see website for schedule WHERE: Westchester Broadway Theatre, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Go behind the music and inside the real story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. WANT TO GO? $53 and up. 914-372-6491. broadwaytheatre.com.

WHEN: Monday, May 20, 4-5pm WHERE: White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave., White Plains AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Join a Reiki practitioner for some fun and relaxation. WANT TO GO? 914-422-1476. whiteplainslibrary.org.

WHEN: May 25-July 7, Sunday, 10am-7:30pm; Monday-Saturday, 10am-9:30pm WHERE: Legoland Discovery Center Westchester, 39 Fitzgerald St., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Build a police badge and super rescue helicopter, watch Lego® City 4D Movie: Officer in Pursuit, and meet the Lego® City Policeman! WANT TO GO? $24.95 and up. 866-243-0770. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester. WestchesterParent 27

Family Art Project: Silky Caterpillar Sustenance

WHEN: May 4-5, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the brilliance of caterpillars and make a cocoon! WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors; $4 children ages 6-18; free for members and children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

DIY Cereal Box Guitar FREE

CRAFTY KIDS

Tween/Teen Club: DIY Flower Crowns and Dirt Pudding FREE WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, 6-7:30pm WHERE: Eastchester Public Library, 11 Oakridge Place, Eastchester AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Celebrate May Day with crafts and snacks! WANT TO GO? 845-793-5055. eastchesterlibrary.org.

DIY May Day Baskets FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Create a simple paper basket for May Day. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

May Day Baskets

WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, 9:45-10:15am WHERE: Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Using floral paper and handcrafted flowers, make a basket to hang from a door knob. WANT TO GO? $20. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

Comic Book Club FREE

WHEN: Friday, May 3, 4-5:30pm WHERE: White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave., White Plains AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Discuss new titles, learn drawing and sketching techniques from a local artist, and enjoy pizza! WANT TO GO? 914-422-1476. whiteplainslibrary.org.

Origami FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 1-3pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: All WHAT: Share origami models and techniques. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

Family Art Class: Fabric Moons

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 1-3pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Turn fabric scraps, shiny beads, and other materials into a hanging moon. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 veterans, seniors, and students; $4 children ages 3-18; free for children younger than 3. 914-963-4550. hrm.org. 28

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WHEN: Monday, May 6, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Design a guitar using recycled household items. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

Decorate a Flower Pot

WHEN: Tuesday, May 7, 9:45-10:15am WHERE: Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Decorate a recycled paper flower pot for a Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day gift. WANT TO GO? $20. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

Lego Club FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, May 8, 4-6pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: 5-12 WHAT: The library provides the Legos, you bring your imagination! WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

Teen Night: Art & Identity FREE

WHEN: Friday, May 10, 5-8pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Try something new such as karaoke, dance workshops, hands-on art activities, and planetarium shows. WANT TO GO? 914-963-4550. hrm.org.

DIY Q-tip Daisy Craft FREE

WHEN: Friday, May 10, 2-3pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Create a daisy out of play dough and other materials. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

Fairy House Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 1-3pm WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Build a fairy house to help entice fairies to your yard. WANT TO GO? $15. 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org.

Family Art Project: Restore and Re-story the Land

WHEN: May 11-12, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Create a mobile of your favorite spot using natural materials. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65; $4 children ages 6-18; free for members and children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Trash to Treasure FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, May 14, 4-5pm WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Go green with a craft using recycled materials. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

DIY Galaxy Butterfly FREE

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Family Art Project: BioBlitz Myths & Imaginary Species for Biodiversity Day

Spring Discovery Fair FREE

WHEN: May 18-19, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Create your own species using upcycled electronic parts. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65; $4 children ages 6-18; free for members and children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 9:30-11am WHERE: New Canaan Country School, 635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Enjoy guided discovery with wind experiments, an exploration of scientific principles, art, an obstacle course, and a sing-along. WANT TO GO? 203-972-0771. countryschool.net.

Alligator Affirmation Box FREE

Undiscovered Realm Comic Con

WHEN: Tuesday, May 14, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Create a galaxy butterfly craft using the blotto painting technique. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

WHEN: May 17-20, Friday, 3:30-4:45pm; Monday, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Design an alligator affirmation box in this two-part series. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

Play Dough Bugs

WHEN: Tuesday, May 21, 4:15-4:45pm WHERE: Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Build fine motor skills by molding play dough bugs. WANT TO GO? $10. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

Mad Art! FREE

WHEN: May 15-22, Wednesdays, 4:30pm WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join a teen volunteer and channel your inner artist. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Family Art Project: In the Flow

WHEN: May 25-26, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Play with textures as you emulate the brackish water of the river. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65; $4 children ages 6-18; free for members and children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Family Studio: Art

WHEN: May 4-26, Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Create portraits of African-American musicians, activists, and authors. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 veterans, seniors, students; $4 children ages 3-18; free for children younger than 3. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.

DIY Giant Paper Bag Stars FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, May 29, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Create and decorate (with paint or glitter) a paper star. WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041. mountkiscolibrary.org.

Citywide School Art Show Reception FREE

WHEN: Friday, May 31, 5-7pm WHERE: White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: Celebrates the art of White Plains City School children. WANT TO GO? 914-422-6947. whiteplainslibrary.org.

WHEN: May 4-5, Sunday, 10am-7pm; Saturday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: A comic, toy, game, and pop culture-themed convention covering all aspects of geek culture. WANT TO GO? $40 for weekend pass; $27 for day pass; $7 children 12 and younger. 914-995-4050. countycenter.biz.

Library Fair FREE

WHEN: May 4-5, Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Keeler Library, 276 Titicus Road, North Salem AGES: All WHAT: There will be books and other items for sale, plus crafts, music, food trucks, and live animals. WANT TO GO? 914-669-5161. ruthkeelermemoriallibrary.org.

Spring Crafts at Lyndhurst

WHEN: May 3-5, Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown AGES: All WHAT: This arts event features 300 modern American artists, designers, and craftspeople. WANT TO GO? $12 weekend pass; $11 seniors; $4 children ages 6-16; free for children younger than 6. 845-331-7900. lyndhurst.org.

Teatown PlantFest: First Pick

WHEN: Friday, May 10, 4-7pm WHERE: Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining AGES: 3 and older WHAT: A plant sale with farmers’ market appeal, including live music, food, and wine. WANT TO GO? $20. 914-762-2912 x110. teatown.org.

Family ArtsBash

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 1-5pm WHERE: ArtsWestchester Gallery, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy children’s art activities, performances, and face painting. WANT TO GO? $10 per family. 914-428-4220. artswestchester.org.

Yonkers Arts Weekend FREE

WHEN: May 18-19, Saturday-Sunday, 12-5pm WHERE: See website for locations, Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: An urban arts festival celebrating Yonkers art, culture, and music featuring local, regional, and international artists as well as children’s workshops. WANT TO GO? yonkersartsweekend.com. WestchesterParent 29

family life home

Let’s Get Organized!

››

From kids’ rooms to bathrooms and the kitchen, experts share easy solutions to keep your home clutter-free. By Lambeth Hochwald

his time of year is not only the ideal time to do a big day (or two) of spring cleaning, it’s also one of the most ideal times to look at each room of the house in a different way, especially if it feels like there’s a little mess in every room. Interestingly, those messes usually take hold because we don’t have any method of staying organized—and this is key to keeping the house tidy. “Often we create messes because we don’t know exactly where to put something or the item itself doesn’t have a home,” says Piper Gore, owner of PS de Resistance, a home organizing company in New York City. “Even a pile of loose papers that need to be looked at some point should have a specific place—and only one place—that it’s kept in the home. The good news is, once you and your family know where things go, you’ll save time, find things faster, and spend less time organizing as you will already be doing it as you go along.” Read on as we guide you around your house, room by room, with some helpful organization tips—and great products—that will forever change the way you stack your towels, keep every last Lego tidy, and transform your kitchen into a place you actually want to cook in. 30

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

All Hail a Tidy Kitchen

No matter how large (or compact) your kitchen is, it’s easier than you think to keep it organized, says Natalie Schrier, owner of Cut the Clutter, an organizing company in New York City. And, since this is the one room that can easily get disorganized—fast—Schrier shares three of her favorite tips for what is often the hub of the house: Double your shelf space. “To do this, shop around for freestanding shelves that will fit in your existing kitchen cabinets,” Schrier says. Swing by the Container Store to shop a variety of shelf options and sizes. Rethink your spice rack. “A tiered spice rack paired with printed labels on bottle tops makes it easy to find seasonings in a snap. To make things even easier, hang your measuring spoons on the door inside the cabinet in which your spices are stored,” Schrier says. Stand frying pans upright. “This will save space and make it easier to retrieve what you need—you won’t have to unstack anymore,” she says. The Iris Chrome Cookware Organizer ($19.99) at the Container Store is a great option to keep pans vertical.

Kids Rooms Can Be Streamlined

If it feels like your kids’ rooms are bursting at the seams—your kids are in a major growth spurt and some clothes fit and some don’t, toys are strewn every which way, and Legos are perpetually under foot—it’s time to sort, dump, or store. Here are four tips to get this room under control: Corral hand-me-downs. “It can be hard to keep kids’ clothes under control since they outgrow them so quickly,” says Lisa Zaslow, owner of the NYC-based Gotham Organizers. “My best tip: Keep a spare shopping bag in the closet to stash too-small clothes and shoes as soon as you realize they don’t fit,” she says. “When it’s full, donate, sell, or give those items away. If you’re saving items for a younger child to grow into, use a zippered clothing storage bin and label it with the size.” Divide—to conquer—drawers. “When it comes to underwear and socks, it’s almost impossible to have kids keep those drawers organized,” says Jennifer Nevins, founder of Savor, a Manhattanbased company that designs and manufactures organizational boxes. “Dividers make it easy to keep like with like and makes it easier to see what you have and stay organized.” Have the right organizational tools. To get your kids’ room looking streamlined, use a label maker to indicate what’s in which storage box, put a cheery laundry hamper in your child’s room to ensure socks don’t end up on the floor, and never underestimate the space below the bed, a perfect place to tuck under-bed storage bags or boxes. Do a regular toy review. “One thing we see people struggle with is the fact that toys usually end up all over the house,” says Ben Soreff, owner of House to Home Organizing in Norwalk, CT. “Step one is gathering all the toys and games for review. Some may be broken or missing pieces and should be recycled. Others have been money aged out of donated Saving onanda should New be York City (preschools make great toy donation spots) and some may be keepsakes that should family day is easy! no longer be considered toys and live with the keepsakes.” As for storage, consider this: “One or two baskets with handles make for good traveling toy carrying bins for when you have company over and need to take the toys out of the living room and kitchen and move them to the kids’ room,” Soreff says. “Often younger kids don’t want to play in their room as they want to be in eyesight of the parent. These bins allow for quick clean up.” The rugged Canvas Storage Cubby Tote ($34.95) from L.L. Bean might be just what you need to keep those toys from scattering.

LOOKING FOR

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Wayfair, you can do one basket per person to keep everything organized—and stylish too. As for keeping your cleaning products neatly stored in their own separate compartments, consider the Bee & Willow™ Home Metal Cleaning Caddy ($12.99) from Bed, Bath and Beyond. A lazy Susan isn’t just for the kitchen. “These spinning trays are heaven-sent when you’re trying to reach things on a shelf,” Gore says. “If you have lots of supplements or lots of bathroom products, these work anywhere there are lots of little jars, bottles, or vials. One tip: Try placing one on a shelf where you haven’t already implemented the basket strategy. I love the ease of reaching my products just by spinning the tray instead of knocking over everything to get to the one item in the back of the shelf.” Keep items low enough for kids to reach. “Hooks are super helpful ways to stay organized, but they have to be hung at the right level,” Nevins says. “Height is important—our bathroom hooks were hung at adult size and that meant our kids couldn’t reach them. Low hanging hooks are key for having kids take responsibility for their stuff.”

Expand Whatever Closets You Have

If your home is closet-challenged and it seems like every time you open a closet door something falls down and hits you in the head, not to worry, say our organization experts. Here are three tips for making your closets seem spacious even if they’re packed with everything from vacuums and ski equipment to winter coats and luggage.

Saving money Think LOOKING vertically. “OneFOR way to maximize your vertical spaceon is by either stacking labeled boxes or using risers on a shelf,” a New Yorksays CityKaty Winter, owner of Katy’s Organized Home in Chappaqua. “Risers family day is easy! make it possible to add a box on top or on the bottom and easily slide them out.”

GREAT

Use the wall. “The easiest and least expensive option to use the space you have is to use peel and stick hooks,” says Jamie Novak, owner of Novak Organizing in Scotch Plains, NJ. “This allows you to hang a variety of items like statement necklaces, belts, Cityguideny.com hasscarves, bags, and jeans by the loop.” coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, Maximize your closet door(s). “Over-the door stores organizers work restaurants, and more. beautifully to give you tons of pockets where you can stash things Great New York deals, and then find them again,” Novak says. “Even if you can’t use it savings, special offers and over the door you can still hang it on a wall or from a hanger.” deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based journalist covering trends, relationships, just a click of the mouse. and life in New York City.

DEALS?

Bathrooms Can Feel Zen-Ready

The bathroom is another room in the house that can easily become a dumping ground for everything from washcloths and oversized bottles of mouthwash to cleaning products and bath towels. Here are has three ways toand transform this room into more of Cityguideny.com coupons spa-serene space: discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions,

restaurants, stores and more. Baskets are everything. “Storage baskets, boxes, and crates Great York savings, specialorganized,” Gore says. “It are keyNew ways to deals, keep the bathroom offers and deep discounts—for and I prefer to use pretty doesn’t matter which you use,you though your family—are yours with just a baskets whenever possible. Remember: Everything that you click of the mouse.just put on a shelf, store in these instead. Then would normally label the basket and keep like items together.” And, with the Sea Grass 3 Piece Wicker/Rattan Basket Set ($41.99) from

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Saving money on a New York City family day is easy!

GREAT DEALS? Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse.

WestchesterParent 31

Camp Directory A-Game Sports

856 Main St., New Rochelle 914-278-9477 agamesports.net info@agamesports.net A-Game Sports offers highly instructional sports training camps for individual sports including baseball, softball, basketball, lacrosse, flag football, and field hockey, as well as recreationally enjoyable multisport camps for kids just looking for active fun in the summer.

Bach To Rock Mamaroneck

130 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck 914-341-1457 mamaroneck.b2rmusic.com mamaroneck@bachtorock.com B2R’s summer camp has a unique approach that makes it possible for students with no previous musical training to be rocking out in a matter of hours. B2R teachers transform music instruction to a joyous and exciting team activity.

Chelsea Piers Connecticut

1 Blachley Road, Stamford, CT 203-989-1004 camps chelseapiersct.com/camp info@chelseapiersct.com Enjoy 11 weeks of a fun summer camp, centered on sports education for children of all ages and experience levels. Campers receive expert instruction and the best sports curriculum available in sports such as gymnastics, swimming, tennis, and parkour.

Curtain Call, Inc.

1349 Newfield Ave., Stamford, CT 203-329-8207 x16 curtaincallinc.com Summer is a time for kids to act out— and what better way than in Curtain Call’s full-day Summerstock Workshop Programs (ages 6-16) and our Summer Youth Theatre (students entering fourth grade to age 21). Our professional facilities and faculty provide the perfect creative environment for students of diverse backgrounds and experience!

Destination Science - The fun science day camp for curious kids ages 5-11!

Multiple locations in Westchester County 888-909-2822 destinationscience.org info@destinationscience.org Destination Science Kids experience “Aha!” moments of understand-

ing, creativity, and curiosity while engineering, building, experimenting, and playing with astonishing gadgets and fantastic gizmos. Our top notch, enthusiastic educators make STEM learning an adventure! 2019 programs: Robot Challengers and Reaction Racers, Young Innovators Science, Rocket Space Science, and Physics Coaster and Science Magic.

Golf Camps at the Mitchell Spearman Golf Academy

Located at the Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook 800-733-1653 spearmanjuniorgolf.com joanna@spearmangolfacademy.com The premier golf experience in Westchester and voted Best Junior Golf Instruction in New York! Camps are designed for juniors ages 4 to older teens, with all skill levels welcome. From putting and short game training to swing development and on-course play, we provide a fun and exciting learning environment.

Green Chimneys

400 Doansburg Road, Brewster 845-279-2995 33 Clearpool Road, Carmel 845-225-8226 greenchimneys.org Green Chimneys’ Extended School Year offers a unique summer experience for students with special needs. Structured, six-week program provides strong academic and social support in the fun atmosphere of summer camp. Set on the spectacular Clearpool Campus (Carmel), students will be fulfilled and ready for school in the fall.

iD Tech Camps

Held at 150 prestigious campus locations 888-709-TECH (8324) idtech.com iD Tech is the world leader in STEM education, with 400,000 alumni since 1999. Summer programs for ages 7-19 are held at 150 prestigious campuses including Stanford, NYU, HKU, and Imperial College London. Students build in-demand skills for futures in coding, game development, robotics, and design. Visit idtech.com.

Kinetic Sports Club

872 Pelham Parkway, Pelham Manor 914-738-4000

kineticsportsclub.com Our camp program is exciting and action-packed. Let our enthusiastic and encouraging staff create an amazing experience filled with great sportsmanship and social skills in a fun and safe environment. We use fun, fitness, and friendships to create great memories. We offer an indoor turf field, basketball court, and waterpark.

The Little Gym

777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-799-1225 tlgupperwestsideny.com Since 1977, The Little Gym has been promoting healthy and successful physical and mental development of children. Its “Anytime Summertime Kids Fun” includes parent and child classes (ages 4 months to 3 years), preschool and kindergarten classes (ages 3-6), and grade school gymnastics (noncompetitive!) for beginner, intermediate, or advanced gymnasts.

Mandarin Discovery School

Classes in White Plains and Yonkers 914-351-6788 mandarindiscov.org shanshanli@mandarindiscov.org Mandarin Discovery Preschool is an immersion program for children. We offer mommy-and-me classes, preschool classes, an afternoon program, and Chinese culture classes. Our goals are creating a fun learning environment for children and helping them learn Mandarin. During the summer we will offer morning and afternoon classes.

Purchase College Learn-to-Swim Program

J. Brian Hansbury, director 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase 914-251-5938 purchasecollegeathletics.com/ sports/2011/6/14/GEN_0614112216.aspx john.hansbury@purchase.edu The Purchase College Aquatics Program runs year-round in our sparkling, six-lane pool and features children’s group lessons, parent and child classes (6 months and older), and specialty programs including adult lessons, private and semi-private lessons, and Pre-Competitive Swimming Group workouts. Summer lessons offered daily with morning and afternoon option.

Purchase College Summer Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase

CAMP MARKETPLACE

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

914-251-6500 purchase.edu/academics/youth-and-precollege-programs youth.pre.college@purchase.edu laura.vuli@purchase.edu For more than 40 years, students are inspired by our scenic campus, learn new skills, and create with others who share their passion. Immersed in a variety of exciting, fun, and enriching learning activities, students gain new skills in acting, architecture, creative writing, digital arts, filmmaking, photography, journalism, and music.

SPORTIME Camps - Westchester

SPORTIME Lake Isle Lake Isle Country Club Tennis Courts, 660 White Plains Road, Eastchester 914-777-5151 sportimecamps.com/lisle campslisle@sportimeny.com SPORTIME Harbor Island Tennis Courts in Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck 914-777-5050 sportimecamps.com/hi campslisle@sportimeny.com sportimeny.com/summercamps camps@sportimeny.com SPORTIME’s tennis and JMTA Tennis Training camps are designed for youngsters who want to focus their camp days on playing and learning tennis. Campers will be taught proper tennis technique and strategies while participating in competitive drills, games, and match play. Camp days include field sports, special events, and swimming.

Sprout Creek Farm Summer Camp

34 Lauer Road, Poughkeepsie 845-485-8438 sproutcreekfarm.org camps@sproutcreekfarm.org Weekly day and sleepover camps for ages 5-14, from June 24–Aug. 16. Our STEAM camps are ‘SEED-to-table’ experiential adventures! Explore a life-changing encounter fostering an appreciation for the earth, its beings, and our responsibility for its care. Located just off the Taconic State Parkway in the scenic Hudson Valley.

Steam Works Studio

700 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale 845-790-8132 steamworksstudio.com/westchester westchester@steamworksstudio.com Steam Works Studio’s summer camp covers a broad spectrum of STEAM topics, ranging from robotics, coding, and 3-D printing to circuits, arts, and animation, for students as young as age 4. Our mission is to spark

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CAMP MARKETPLACE

Ultimate Summer Sports Camp About A-Game Sports A-GAME SPORTS is a 25,000 square foot indoor, airconditioned sports instruction and recreational facility in southern Westchester, and offers various Summer camps for your kids to enjoy their days off in a safe environment!

About our indoor and outdoor camps: • Premiere Outdoor and Indoor Field Space • Multi-Sport Camps: Provide fun activities including soccer, Wiffle ball, relay races, dodgeball, kickball, capture the flag, flag football, tug-o-war, and more! • Sport-Specific Camps: Including Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Flag Football, and Field Hockey • Outstanding Camper to Counselor Ratio • Boys & Girls, Ages 3 – 15 • Half-Day/Full-Day Options Available for Some Camps • T-Shirts and Prizes Given Out Weekly

For more information, visit agamesports.net 856 MAIN ST (JUST OFF EXIT 15 ON I-95), NEW ROCHELLE, NY 10801 (914) 278-9477 | INFO@AGAMESPORTS.NET | AGAMESPORTS.NET

THE #1 TECH CAMP

FOR AGES 7–19

From coding and game dev to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all in a fun, inclusive environment. Choose from 50+ innovative courses and join our community of over 400,000 alumni. Get ready for the best summer ever!

Get a brochure and ﬁnd a camp near you! WestchesterParent 33

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‹‹ continued from pg. 32

creativity and bolster a deep interest in STEAM through hands-on learning by “Making”.

Teatown Lake Reservation

1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining 914-762-2912 teatown.org Teatown’s Natural Science Summer Day Camp is jam-packed with adventure, discovery, and hands-on fun in the outdoors. We’re catching frogs, collecting bugs, climbing rocks, and exploring natural habitats all summer! Teatown Camp brings kids outside to learn about and explore the natural world.

Thornton-Donovan School

Teatown Summer Camp is where kids unplug, disconnect, and have a wild time! We spend our days on our 1,000-acre preserve learning by exploring, discovering new things about ourselves, each other and the earth, and developing friendships and respect for all living things.

100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle 914-632-8836 td.edu Founded in 1969, the Summer Challenge has been a source of joy, entertainment, enlightenment, and playful fun for boys and girls ages 3½-14. Stop by and see our sports field, basketball court, and playground! Swim instruction and recreational swim are major components of the program. Door-to-door transportation and lunch included.

Westchester & Fairfield Swim Camp at Pace University in Pleasantville

July 1—Aug 23, ages 4—14 Register at teatown.org

914-588-2971 westfairswim.com kpalladino@westfairswim.com Westchester and Fairfield Swim Camp offers a progressive swim camp for ages 5-14, operating daily from 9am-3pm. Swimming is taught by certified water safety instructors, and daily intensive swim instruction is geared for all levels. Comprehensive preparation for summer swimming, and a great supplement for summer swim teams.

1600 Spring Valley Rd Ossining, NY 10562 (914) 762-2912

Westchester Community College Extension Centers

Ossining: 914-606-7400 ossining@sunywcc.edu Peekskill: 914-606-7300 peekskill@sunwcc.edu sunywcc.edu/locations/extension-centers-course-schedules The Westchester Community College Center for the Digital Arts offers a STEAM Arts Technology program for youth. This program’s focus is on developing multimodal literacies that give your child an experience that fosters creative critical thinking.

Children's Swimming Progam Upcoming Sessions Summer Session Dates 1.6/10-6/21 2. 6/24-7/5 3. 7/8-7/19 4. 7/22-8/01 5. 8/05-8/16

Lessons will held on Saturdays and Sundays for all upcoming sessions. Levels 1-2-3-4 and Stroke Technique available Saturday Lessons 9:00/10:00/11:00 am Sunday Lessons 10:00/11:00 am

All of our instructors are American Red Cross-trained Water Safety Instructors For more information contact: lorena.peralta@purchase.edu | 914-251www.purchasecollegeathletics.com 34

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Westchester County Parks Sports Camps and Programs

914-231-4500 parks.westchestergov.com Westchester County Parks’ popular summer camps offer something for kids of all ages and interests. Boys and girls can develop their skills in baseball, basketball, golf, or soccer; learn about their natural environment; or grow their musical skills. Complete information can be found at parks.westchestergov.com or 914-231-4500.

The Whale Camp

610-399-1463 whalecamp.com The Whale Camp provides experiential marine biology programs and facilities for learning about the dynamic ecologies of the Bay of Fundy and Grand Manan Island. Our goal is to use handson activities to increase awareness and understanding of natural systems. Campers build confidence, connect with the natural environment, and make lasting friendships.

White Plains Performing Arts Center Summer Theater Academy

11 City Place, White Plains 914-328-1600 wppac.com/education education@wppac.com The WPPAC Summer Theatre Academy combines musical theater training with performance. Students in rising first to 10th grades learn about acting, singing, and dancing while rehearsing their production. Sessions end with performances. Join us this summer for Frozen, The Lion King, and Aladdin. One-, two-, and three-week sessions available.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Zoos and Aquarium

1-800- 433-4149 The Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx Central Park Zoo: 830 Fifth Ave., Manhattan Queens Zoo: 53-51 111th St., Queens Prospect Park Zoo: 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn New York Aquarium: 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn wcs.org wcs.org/camps Summer just got wild! Send your animal lover to summer camp at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium! Campers will enjoy up-close animal experiences, special access to our amazing exhibits, and age-appropriate, hands-on STEM activities.

LEARNING MANDARIN BROADENS THEIR WORLD

Mandarin Discovery School

An immersive Mandarin language school

SUMMER PROGRAMS

A fun environment for children to learn Mandarin and Chinese Culture. • Mommy & Me • Preschool ages 3 - 5 • Programs for children 1st – 5th grade • Tutoring Morning and afternoon classes. Held in White Plains and Yonkers.

MandarinDiscov.org

Shanshanli@mandarindiscov.org • 914-351-6788

CAMP MARKETPLACE

SUMMER CAMP ENROLL ONLINE Weekly Day & Sleep-Over Camps Ages 5-14 June 24 – Aug 16

SPROUTCREEKFARM.org

Baby Goats are Here! Visit 7 days a week 10AM – 5PM Sproutcreekfarm.org | 34 Lauer Road, Poughkeepsie, NY QUESTIONS or GENERAL INFO: 845-485-8438 or camps@sproutcreekfarm.org

SUMMER COLLEGE FOR KIDS 2019

AT WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE, CONNECT TO THE PERFECT SUMMER EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR CHILD OR TEEN!

PEEKSKILL EXTENSION DIGITAL ARTS CENTER, PEEKSKILL EXTENSION • YOUTH ARTS TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM SUMMER 2019

July 8 – July 18 July 22 – August 1 Ages 7 – 17 (914) 606-7300 peekskill@sunywcc.edu

OSSINING EXTENSION SCIENCE ACADEMY

July 29 – August 8 August 12 – August 22 Ages 8 – 17 (914) 606-7400 ossining@sunywcc.edu

A-Game Sports agamesports.net

8 8

Alcott School alcottschool.org

Artistree Performing Arts artistreearts.com

Camp Clio campclio.org Camp Kids ‘N Comedy kidsncomedy.com

8 8

Campus Kids Weekday Sleep-Away Camp campuskids.com

Challenge Camp challengecamps.com

The Chapel School Summer Program thechapelschool.org

Challenge Courses

Fine Arts

Special Needs

Nature & Petting Zoo

Counselor-in-Training

Travel

8 8

Curtain Call Inc. curtaincallinc.com

Destination Science destinationscience.org

Great Play of Scarsdale greatplay.com/scarsdale

8 8

Hudson Country Montessori School hudsoncountry.org

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum intrepidmuseum.org

8 8

Jodi’s Gym jodisgym.com

Kids’ B.A.S.E. & The Little School kbls.org

Kinetic Sports Club kineticsportsclub.com

LinguaKids LLC linguakids.com

8 8

Clay Art Center clayartcenter.org Creative Corner creativecornerlarchmont.com

Mitchell Spearman Golf Academy spearmanjuniorgolf.com

Camp Ramaquois ramaquois.com

Iona College Day Camp iona.edu

8 8

Beth El Day Camp betheldaycamp.org

iD Tech idtech.com

Horseback Riding

Bach to Rock mamaroneck.b2rmusic.com

Future Stars Summer Camps fscamps.com

Competitive Sports

Acres of Adventure Summer Camp annandandychildcare.com

Chelsea Piers Connecticut chelseapiersct.com

Music, Theater, & Dance

STEAM & Academic Enrichment

PROGRAMS: Scholarship

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Lunch

Transportation

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

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8 8 continued on page 38 ››

April 30th -May 22nd Take as many classes as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like!

Boys and girls ages 2-16 Classes available 7 days a week

Call the studio to pick your class day and time!

277 White Plains Road Eastchester, NY 10709

(914) 793-2799 www.studiobdance.com

WestchesterParent 37

Mosholu Day Camp mosholudaycamp.com

Music Conservatory of Westchester musicconservatory.org

Musical Munchkins musicalmunchkins.com New Rochelle Racquet Club nrrc.us Oasis Camp in Dobbs Ferry oasischildren.com The Play Group Theatre playgroup.org

Challenge Courses

Fine Arts

Special Needs

Nature & Petting Zoo

Counselor-in-Training

Travel

Horseback Riding

Competitive Sports

Music, Theater, & Dance

STEAM & Academic Enrichment

PROGRAMS: Scholarship

Flexible Scheduling

Lunch

Transportation

SERVICES: Extended Hours

Camp Guide ‹‹ continued from pg. 36

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The Rock Club at Pine Brook Fitness climbrockclub.com Rye YMCA ryeycamp.org

Purchase College Learn-to-Swim Program purchasecollegeathletics.com Purchase College Summer Youth and Pre-College Programs in the Arts purchase.edu

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CAMP MARKETPLACE

ROCK BAND (7+) ROCK CITY WORLD TOUR (KIDS 4-6)

ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCTION (7+) RECORD A STUDIO DEMO (7+) B2R GLEE CLUB (7+) Private Lessons and Group Classes Available All Summer

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE

COME ON OR EVER

COMEONCE ONCE COME OR OR COME EVERY COME EVERYDAY! DAY! COME

COME ONCE ──── ──── COME ONCE ──── OR Summer Camp OR Jr Summer Camp Jr DAY! COME EVERY Age years COME EVERY Age 3-6 3-6 years DAY!

COME ONCE OR COME EVERY DAY!

SERIOUS FOUNDATION. SERIOUS FUN.

10-12:30

Age 3-6 ye

Summer Camp ──── Summer Jr Jr ────CampTues/Weds/ 3-6 years Age Age 3-6 years Summer Camp 10-12:3 Tues/Weds/Thurs Summer Camp Tues/Weds/Thurs Age 4.5–10 years

────

Continuing Education

SUMMER 2019

Summer Ca

──── Tues/Weds/Thurs Tues/Weds/Thurs ──── 10-12:30

Summer Camp Jr

10-12:30 10-12:30 Age 4.5–10 years Tues/Thurs Tues/Thurs ──── ──── 1:00-3:30 1:00-3:30 ────

SUMMER CAMPS & CAMP PARTIES

Age 3-6 years SUMMER CAMPS & CAMP PARTIES AGES 3-10 YEARS

Tues/Weds/Thurs AGES 3-10 YEARS

────

Summer C Summer Camp ──── Summer Camp Age Age 4.5–10 yearsyears Camp Party Jr. 4.5–10 Age 4.5–10 Summer Camps Each camp includesCAMPS some of the kids’ all-time favoritePARTIES games and Camp Party Jr. AgeTues/Thurs 3-6 years SUMMER & CAMP COME ONCE Tues/Thurs ──── SUMMER CAMPS & CAMP PARTIES Tues/Thu Each camp includes some of the kids’programs all-time games and age activities from our award-winning and parties for their 1:00-3:30 ORfavorite Monday 1-3:30 Age 3-6 years 1:00-3:30 COME EVERY DAY! AGES 3-10 YEARS group. Friday 1:30-4:00 activities from our award-winning and parties for their age ──── Monday 1-3:30 1:00-3:3 AGES programs 3-10 YEARS ──── ──── group. Summer ──── Friday 1:30-4:00 AGESCamp 3-10Summer YEARS Camp Jr Summer Camps ──── Camp Parties Summer Camps Camp Party Jr. Age 3-6 years ──── Age 4.5–10 Summer Camps Tues/Weds/Thurs Each camp includes some ofyears the kids’ favorite games and Camp Party Camp Party Jr. Everyone loves aincludes good party! Three times a week our camps become Age 3-6 years Each camp some ofall-time the kids’ all-time Camp Parties 10-12:30 Each camp includes some Contests, of the kids’ all-time favorite games Age 4.5-10 years ──── activities from Tues/Thurs ourparties. award-winning programs parties for their and age SummerEveryone Camps Monday 1-3:30 Age 3-6 years specially-themed prizes andand giveaways! Camp Party favorite andThree activities our awardloves agames good party! times a from week our camps become Camp Par Wed 1-3:30 group. from our award-winning programs Summer Camp Friday 1:30-4:00 activities and parties their age Monday Age 4.5-10 years 1-3:30 1:00-3:30 winning programs andkids’ parties for their agefor group specially-themed parties. Contests, prizes and giveaways! Age 4.5–10 years Each camp includes some of the all-time favorite games and Age 3-6 ye group. ──── Tues/Thurs WedFriday 1-3:30 1:30-4:00 SUMMER CAMPS & CAMP PARTIES 1:00-3:30 ──── GREAT FUN. GREAT PRICING. Camp Parties AGES 3-10 YEARS activities from our award-winning programs and parties for their age ──── ────Monday 1Camp Parties Camp Party Everyone loves a good party! Three times a week our camps become Summer Camp Camps Parties Summer Camps10-12:30

SUMMER CAMPS & CAMP PARTIES

SUMMER CAMPS & CAMP PARTIES Youth & Precollege Programs in the Arts AGES 3-10 YEARS Grades 3-12 Summer1, Camps 2, & 4 Week Programs

Camp PRICING. Party Jr. GREAT FUN. GREAT group. GREAT PLAY Each camp includes some of the kids’ all-time favorite games and Everyone loves a good party! times a week Age Three 3-6 years

GREAT PLAYyearsFriday Age 4.5-10

specially-themed parties. Contests, and giveaways! Camp Party Jr.prizes Party Mondaya 1-3:30 Everyone loves a good party! Three times week our camps become 969B CentralCamp Park Ave.

1:30

Wed 1-3:30 our camps become specially-themed parties. Friday 1:30-4:00 GREAT PLAY GREAT PLAY Each camp includes some of the kids’ all-time favorite games and group. specially-themed Age 4.5-10 years ──── Age 3-6 years ──── parties. Contests, prizes and giveaways! Scarsdale, NY 10583 prizes giveaways Camp Parties Parties Contests July 1– August 9 Call in advance toand reserve summer camp dates and to save! Camp 969B Central Park 1-3:30 Ave. Wed Camp Party Everyone loves a good party!GREAT Three times a week ourFUN. camps become GREAT PRICING. activities from our award-winning programs and parties for their age Monday 1-3:30 Age 4.5-10 years specially-themed parties. Contests, prizes and giveaways! 914-713-3470 Scarsdale, NY 10583 Camp Pa Wed 1-3:30 Everyone loves good party! Three times a week our camps become Call inaadvance to reserve summer camp dates and to save! group. Friday GREAT 1:30-4:00 PLAY Architecture, Creative Writing, Digital Arts, Filmmaking, GREAT PLAY GREAT FUN. GREAT PRICING. GREAT FUN. GREAT PRICING. specially-themed parties. Contests, prizes and giveaways! 914-713-3470 Age 4.5-10 969B Central Park Ave. Journalism, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts GREAT PLAY──── GREAT PLAY Visit: Wed 1-3: Central Park Ave. GREAT969BPLAY GREAT PLAY Camp Parties activities from our award-winning programs and parties for their age

Scarsdale, NY 10583

969B Central Park Ave. Camp Party 914-713-3470 Everyone loves a good party! Three times a week our camps become Visit: Email: 914-713-3470 Scarsdale, NY 10583 GREAT FUN. GREAT PRICING. Age 4.5-10 years greatplay.com/scarsdale Call in advance to to save! info@scarsdale.greatplay.com Call in advance to reserve summer camp dates and Register by May 10parties. to receive Earlyprizes Registration Discount specially-themed Contests, and giveaways! Email: Wed 1-3:30 reserve summer camp 914-713-3470 Visit: www.purchase.edu/youth GREAT PL info@scarsdale.greatplay.com dates and to save! greatplay.com/scarsdale 969B Central P GREAT FUN. GREAT PRICING. Scarsdale, NY 10583 Call in advance to reserve summer camp dates and to save!

Call in advance to reserve summer camp dates and to save!

greatplay.com/scarsdale

Visit:

GREAT PLAY greatplay.com/scarsdale Email:

info@scarsdale.greatplay.com

Email:

GREAT PLAY Call in advance to reserve summer camp dates and to save!

Visit:

Scarsdale, NY info@scarsdale.greatplay.com Call in advance to reserve summer camp dates and to save! greatplay.com/scarsdale GREAT PLAY Email: 914-713-3 969B Central Park Ave. info@scarsdale.greatplay.com

Scarsdale, NY 10583

Visit:

914-713-3470

greatplay.com/s

Email:

Visit:

info@scarsdale.gr

greatplay.com/scarsdale The fun science day

campEmail: for curious kids!

info@scarsdale.greatplay.com

2019 Camp Themes Physics Coaster & Science Magic Extreme Innovators & Science Makers Full Swing • Short Game • Putting • Course Play Small Groups - All Skill Levels and Abilities Advanced Video Analysis & Stat Tracking

Robot Challengers & Reaction Racers Rocket Space Science

May Savings!

June 3rd to Aug 30th

All Levels Camp Age 6-17 -- PeeWee Camp Age 4-7 Voted Best in Westchester Get Summer Ready – Daily Junior Clinics Year Round Register Online Today!

www.spearmanjuniorgolf.com / (800) 733-1653 Located at Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook, Westchester

Locations

Larchmont, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, White Plains

Save $10/wk! Ends 5/31/19

destinationscience.org/mpw 888-909-2822

WestchesterParent 39

Shattemuc Yacht Club shattemucyc.org

Sportime: Lake Isle and Harbor Island sportimecamps.com

SPORTIME Westchester sportimeny.com

Sprout Creek Farm sproutcreekfarm.org

Squire Camps squirecamps.com

Steam Works Studio steamworksstudio.com Steffi Nossen School of Dance steffinossen.org

Summer Stars at Scarsdale Synagogue sstte.org

Thornton-Donovan Summer Challenge td.edu

Whitby School whitbyschool.org/summer

Wildlife Conservation Society wcs.org

Challenge Courses

8 8

Fine Arts

Special Needs

Nature & Petting Zoo

Counselor-in-Training

8 8

White Plains Performing Arts Center wppac.com/education

Westfair Swim Camp westfairswim.com

Travel

Twin Lakes Farm twinlakesfarm.com

The Whale Camp whalecamp.com

Studio B Dance Center studiobdance.com

Horseback Riding

Competitive Sports

Music, Theater, & Dance

STEAM & Academic Enrichment

PROGRAMS: Scholarship

Flexible Scheduling

Lunch

Transportation

SERVICES: Extended Hours

Camp Guide

‹‹ continued from pg. 38

8 8

8 CAMP MARKETPLACE

LET YOUR CHILD ACT OUT!!!

at Sterling Farms 1349 Newfield Ave. Stamford, CT 06905

Spring class registration NOW OPEN for age 5 to adult! PLUS…Full-day summer programs for age 6 to 16 still available!

203-329-8207 x16 www.curtaincallinc.com

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

in cooperation with The City of Stamford

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Summer Program for Special Learning Needs

Observe whales, porpoises, puffins, seals, and a variety of other marine life up-close in their natural habitat. Explore a unique island ecosystem and make connections that will last a life time! Hands-on programs in marine science, oceanography, and whale research on beautiful Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. College credit program and $40,000 college scholarships available for high school students

For more information & free brochure, please visit: www.whalecamp.com

» SPACES FILL UP QUICKLY. REGISTER TODAY! «

Recreation & Academic Support for Ages 6-21 Discover an exciting summer experience filled with enriched learning, recreation and social support for your special needs child. Full-day schedule Mon - Fri 6-week program starts in July For more information: mbarerra@greenchimneys.org 845.225.8226 x618

clearpool campus

Your Search for the Perfect Summer Camp is over!

Swimming and Lifeguarding

July 1 - August 2, 2019

All certified water safety instructors All levels of daily intensives swim instruction Additional non-swimming activities included

SPORTIME SUMMER CAMPS

UNDER 10 TENNIS CAMP EXCEL TENNIS HIGH PERFORMANCE JMTA SUMMER TENNIS TRAINING

Camp locations in Westchester and NYC, across Long Island, including in the Hamptons, and the Capital Region. We’ve got your summer fun covered!

Visit us online to select the camp for you www.SportimeCamps.com | 914-777-5050 Camp programs vary at each SPORTIME location

Camps start June and run throughout the summer! Register Today!

WestchesterParent 41

PartyCentral PARTY ENTERTAINMENT AMY ROSEN CUPCAKE, COOKING, AND CHOCOLATE-MAKING PARTIES 917-903-1451 amyrosencookingbydesign.com amyrosencookingbydesign@gmail.com

Have a cooking party for your child’s next birthday. From Cupcake Wars, to Chopped-style parties, to Pizza Creations, to chocolate melting, molding, and decorating, your kids will enjoy the fully hands-on experience.

CLOWNS.COM Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com

We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services, including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals.

DAVE’S CAST OF CHARACTERS 914-235-7100 davescast.com

Make your party a special one! Dave’s entertainment services include more than 100 costumed characters. From princesses and superheroes to pirates and tea parties, there’s something for everyone.

K & A HOUSE OF BOUNCE PARTY RENTALS 845-825-6617 kahouseofbounce.com

“We bring the party to you.” We have one of the largest selections of themed bounce houses along with dry and wet slides, obstacle courses, dunk tanks, and other interactive inflatables, as well as cotton candy, popcorn, and additional fun concession foods.

BIRTHDAY GIFTS GIRL AGAIN 4 Martine Ave., White Plains Free parking at the Seasons garage 914-358-1460 girlagain.com girlagain@yesshecaninc.org

Girl AGain is a resale boutique for gently used American Girl dolls and books which make great birthday gifts!

TILLY...A DEER’S TALE 914-764-5564 tillyadeerstale.com

Tilly...A Deer’s Tale is about a real deer that lives in upstate New York and faces challenges after an accident. This powerful story is meant to inspire children living with

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.

physical challenges or limitations. The book makes a great birthday gift!

PARTY PLACES A-GAME SPORTS 856 Main St., New Rochelle 914-278-9477 agamesports.net info@agamesports.net

A-Game Sports offers a variety of birthday party packages for children of all ages. Each 90-minute party includes supervised playtime with two coaches on a private section of turf.

ARTISTREE PERFORMING ARTS 114 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 914-835-2200 artistreearts.com jeanette@artistreearts.com

Artistree Performing Arts creates amazing birthday parties for children ages 1-12. Have your party in our beautifully renovated studio or let us come to you with just the entertainment.

BACH TO ROCK MAMARONECK 130 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck 914-341-1457 mamaroneck.b2rmusic.com mamaroneck@bachtorock.com

Looking for a fun birthday party at a reasonable price? We have three different parties—Rock Star, Karaoke, or Rock City—for an unforgettable experience!

CHELSEA PIERS CONNECTICUT 1 Blachley Road, Stamford, CT 203-989-1100 birthdays chelseapiersct.com/birthday info@chelseapiersct.com

Birthday parties at Chelsea Piers are action-packed! Options include gymnastics, dance, basketball, volleyball, soccer, ice-skating, ninja warrior, and water slides. New to Chelsea Piers is a gymnastics party option for toddlers and a pool party!

CREATIVE CORNER OF LARCHMONT 7 Addison St., Larchmont 914-833-2880 creativecornerlarchmont.com creativecornerlarchmont@gmail.com

Creative Corner is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday! Art party options include wood toys, treasure boxes, canvas bags, ceramic piggy banks, and canvas paintings. We will help every step of the way.

FUNFUZION AT NEW ROC CITY 29 LeCount Place (Exit 16 off I-95), New Rochelle Party Central: 914-637-7575, option 1 funfuziononline.com

Calling all birthday superstars! You and your guests will be dazzled by a unique, interactive party experience!

GREAT PLAY OF SCARSDALE Interactive Gym for Kids 969B Central Park Ave., Scarsdale 914-713-3470 greatplay.com/scarsdale

Our award-winning, high-energy parties are spectacular events in our amazing Interactive Gym™. We customize each party based on your child’s interests, using some of our most popular Great Play games.

HOMMOCKS PARK ICE RINK Boston Post Road and Weaver Street, Larchmont 914-834-1069 hommocksparkicerink.org

Have your birthday party on ice! Host your next special party at the coolest place in town, Mamaroneck’s popular enclosed Hommocks Park Ice Skating Rink.

JODI’S GYM 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 244 E. 84th St., Manhattan 212-772-7633 jodisgym.com

Kids run, jump, climb, tumble, slide, bounce, and giggle to their hearts’ delight at Jodi’s Gym, where action-packed parties and unmatched experience have won children’s hearts for 35 years.

LIL CHAMELEON 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe 914-346-5148 lilchameleon.com

Come party with Lil Chameleon! Book our Silver or Gold package and choose from truly unique experiences in our bright and stylish space.

THE LITTLE GYM 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-799-1225 tlgupperwestsideny.com

A private party at The Little Gym is a perfect way to celebrate your child’s next birthday. Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, trampoline, sports, and music are tailored to your child’s interests!

MUSICAL MUNCHKINS 167 Scarsdale Road, Tuckahoe 914-771-7000 musicalmunchkins.com

Musical Munchkins is the perfect birthday party activity for

Professional WESTCHESTER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 100 Playland Parkway, Rye 914-421-5050 discoverwcm.org; info@discoverwcm.org

babies through age 5! Enjoy group drumming; funny, favorite sing-along songs; and fabulous dancing scarves!

PINE BROOK FITNESS 130 Rhodes St., New Rochelle 914-636-1019 pinebrookfitness.com

Places to build, explore, and discover, the Westchester Children’s Museum is Westchester’s newest, most creative place for birthday parties! Have the museum’s exhibits, MakerSpace, and party room to yourself—our parties offer exclusive use of the museum space when the general public has gone home.

Pine Brook Fitness, awarded as Westchester’s Best Multi-Sport Family Fitness Facility, provides a fitness experience for you and your family and an exciting venue for birthday parties.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY (WCS) ZOOS AND AQUARIUM 1-800- 433-4149 The Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx Central Park Zoo: 830 Fifth Ave., Manhattan Queens Zoo: 53-51 111th St., Queens Prospect Park Zoo: 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn New York Aquarium: 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn wcs.org/birthdays

SPORTIME USA 380 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford 914-592-2111 x2 sportimeusa.com

Birthday parties? That’s our specialty! Celebrate your birthday at Sportime USA, the coolest place to have a party in Westchester.

STUDIO B DANCE CENTER 277 White Plains Road (entrance on Prospect Avenue), Eastchester 914-793-2799 studiobdance.com

LOOKING FOR

Each party at Studio B is uniquely designed to give the birthday child an exciting, personalized experience. Boys and 2 Saving money ongirlsaages New and older enjoy dancing and playing games family day is easy! to their favorite music.

Make your wildlife lover’s birthday an unforgettable experience with a party at our zoos or aquarium! Parties include park admission, a private party room with host, special animal guests, visits York City and hands-on activities to to our exhibits, make your party animal’s birthday a truly unforgettable experience!

GREAT DEALS?

A Lavishly Illustrated Children’s Story of Friendship and Overcoming Obstacles

services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION BERKSHIRE FARM CENTER AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH

Serving all of Westchester County 631-420-4444 berkshirefarm.org Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth helps children find safety and comfort in the homes of foster parents. Become a foster parent and give the gift of family!

LICE LICE CLINICS OF AMERICA - WESTCHESTER

9 Freight Way, Scarsdale 914-996-4315 liceclinicswestchester.com Lice Clinics of America will remove lice in just 1 hour! All lice and eggs—even Super Lice— are eliminated in a single, 1-hour treatment. Affordable treatments, no toxic chemicals.

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Age Appropriate activities including: tween trips, bowling, swimming, golf, drama, sports, water slide, zip-line, climbing wall, train rides, arts & crafts, sports, computers, air castle and more!

Call for a Tour and Appointment! 914-592-3027

Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more.

Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and 2170 Saw Mill River Road, yours Elmsford your family—are with annandandychildcare.com just a click of the mouse.

Tilly... A Deer’s Tale

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(BASED ON A TRUE STORY)

Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, Follow the adventures of a rescued baby deer. restaurants, stores more. Shareand Tilly’s courage and valiant recovery. Great New York deals, savings, special Call 914-764-5564 offers and deeptodiscounts—for schedule a free you Tillyand Event for schools, your family—are yours withlibraries just a & hospitals click of the mouse. Available at Barnes & Noble, Walden Books and at Amazon.com For books preview and sale, visit us at:

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WestchesterParent 43

Meet the

Health Care Professional

EMPLOYERS Moms Make Great Part-Time Staff People LOOKING FOR STAFF? POST YOUR JOB MOMMYBITES.COM/POSTJOB • Admin • Customer Service • Marketing • Sales • Editorial • Other Jobs

Caring for Kids Dr. Ivis Getz 140 Lockwood Ave., Suite 315, New Rochelle 914-355-2265 caringpediatricdentistry.com caringpediatricdentistry@gmail.com

Dr. Ivis Getz, a board-certified pediatric dentist, is committed to providing the highest quality dental care to infants, children, adolescents, and those with special needs. Dr. Getz recognizes that each child is a unique individual who deserves compassion and respect, which is evident in her friendly manner and calm demeanor. The dental team truly enjoys working with kids and will treat your child with warmth and compassion. The practice participates in many dental insurance plans and has convenient after-school and Saturday appointments available.

OPEN HOUSES 2019 Campus Kids Weekday Sleep-Away Camp

973-845-9260 campuskids.com Call or email to schedule your family’s private tour of our camp. Offered Saturdays and Sundays, year-round.

Hudson Country Montessori School

Ms. Neeru Bhambree, director of education 340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle 914-636-6202 hudsoncountry.org Tours are available weekdays. Please call to schedule a visit and see how we inspire a love of learning.

Thornton-Donovan School

100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle 914-632-8836 td.edu Join us for Thornton-Donovan School’s Summer Challenge camp open house on Sunday, April 28 from 2-4pm. Camp is for ages 3-14, coed.

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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

child Care / day care

Fidelis Care New York ................. 48

Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............. 18

Ann & Andy................................... 43 Mommybites................................. 44

Pediatric Assoc. of Southern

birthday / party services A-Game Sports ............................ 33

classes

Bach to Rock - Westchester ........ 38

Alcott Montessori.......................... 18

Great Play - Scarsdale................. 39

Bach to Rock - Westchester ........ 38

Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............. 18

Curtain Call Inc. ........................... 40

Little Gym - Westchester................ 5

Easter Seals Project Explore........ 11

Musical Munchkins ...................... 17

Mandarin Discovery Preschool .... 34

Sportime ...................................... 41

Musical Munchkins ...................... 17

Sportime USA, Inc........................ 11

Purchase College-Youth & Pre-

Steam Works Studio .................... 40

College Program .......................... 39

Westchester Children’s Museum .....11

Sportime ...................................... 41

Westchester Parent Party

Studio B Dance............................. 37

Planner......................................... 45

Westchester Comm College -

Wildlife Conservation Society ...... 10

Extension Pro .............................. 35

camps A-Game Sports ............................ 33 Ann & Andy................................... 43 Bach to Rock - Westchester ........ 38

Westfair Camp @ Pace Aquatics ....................................... 41 White Plains Performing Arts Center .......................................... 32

Chelsea Piers - CT ........................ 3

dance

Curtain Call Inc. ........................... 40

Studio B Dance............................. 37

Destination Science ..................... 39 Great Play - Scarsdale................. 39 Green Chimneys .......................... 41 iD Tech Camps ............................ 33 Iona College Summer Day Camps ......................................... 11 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............. 18 Kinetic Family Sports Club .......... 38 Little Gym - Westchester................ 5 Mandarin Discovery Preschool .... 34 Purchase College - Learn - To Swim ............................................ 34 Purchase College-Youth & PreCollege Program .......................... 39 Spearman Golf Academy.............. 39 Sportime ...................................... 41 Sprout Creek Farm ...................... 35 Studio B Dance............................. 37 Teatown Lake Reservation .......... 34 Thornton Donovan School ............. 2 Westchester Comm College Extension Pro .............................. 35 Westchester County Parks .......... 37 Westfair Camp @ Pace Aquatics ....................................... 41 Whale Camp ................................ 41 White Plains Performing Arts Center .......................................... 32 Wildlife Conservation Society ...... 10

education Alcott Montessori.......................... 18

Westchester ................................... 7 Valley Pediatric Dentistry P.C. ....... 9

music Bach to Rock - Westchester ........ 38 Musical Munchkins ...................... 17 Purchase College-Youth & PreCollege Program .......................... 39

performing arts / acting Bach to Rock - Westchester ........ 38 Curtain Call Inc. ........................... 40 Purchase College-Youth & PreCollege Program .......................... 39 White Plains Performing Arts Center .......................................... 32

play spaces Great Play - Scarsdale................. 39 Westchester Children’s Museum .11

retail Tilly...A Deer’s Tale....................... 43 Westchester Stork Company ....... 13

Green Chimneys .......................... 41 Mandarin Discovery Preschool .... 34 Thornton Donovan School ............. 2

special events Westchester Stork Company ....... 13

Westchester Comm College Extension Pro .............................. 35

special needs Easter Seals Project Explore........ 11

family entertainment / events / outings Chelsea Piers - CT ........................ 3 Inn at East Hill Farm (The) .......... 10 Playland Park .............................. 10 Sportime USA, Inc........................ 11 Westchester Children’s Museum .11 Wildlife Conservation Society ...... 10

CARNIVALS & INFLATABLES CHARACTER SHOWS FAIRYTALE PRINCESS PARTIES THEME PARTIES SHOWS & ATTRACTIONS

COMPLETE CARNIVAL & PARTY PLANNING

914-235-7100

www.davescast.com

Want to know the best activities for families? Subscribe to our family activity email newsletter

Sportime USA, Inc........................ 11

sports A-Game Sports ............................ 33 Chelsea Piers - CT ........................ 3 Kinetic Family Sports Club .......... 38 Purchase College - Learn - To Swim ............................................ 34

Inn at East Hill Farm (The) .......... 10

Spearman Golf Academy.............. 39

Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............. 18 Kinetic Family Sports Club .......... 38 Sportime ...................................... 41 Westfair Camp @ Pace Aquatics .41

100+ CHARACTERS, INTERACTIVE DJ’S FACE PAINTERS & MAGICIANS SUPERHEROES PHOTO BOOTHS NEW! TREASURE ISLAND “ZOOBOTS”

Green Chimneys .......................... 41

family travel

fitness

PARTY PLANNER

Sportime ...................................... 41 Westchester County Parks .......... 37

theater Curtain Call Inc. ........................... 40 White Plains Performing Arts

health

Center .......................................... 32

Blais Orthodontics ......................... 7 Caring for Kids Pediatric Dentistry....................................... 44

tutors Mandarin Discovery Preschool .... 34

NYMETROPARENTS.COM/REGISTER WestchesterParent 45

things to do

diy corner

Moon Sand

With warmer weather on the horizon, you and your little ones may be craving a beach day. Honestly, who doesn’t love building sand castles and getting just a little bit messy? For those days when the weather isn’t quite cooperating (because we all know the temperature can change in a New York minute), this craft brings the beach to you. This moon sand is easy to shape, easy to clean up, and even easier to have fun with! It’s messy to make but easy to clean. It’s part soap after all! It won’t store long. Enjoy it for a day, then throw it away! Maker Checklist • Big bag of baking soda

• Measuring cups

• A couple tins of baking powder

• Mixing bowl and spoon

• Liquid dish soap

• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions 1. Combine 2 parts baking soda and 1 part baking powder in a large mixing bowl. We used 2 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of baking powder, but you can use whatever measurement you have on hand, as long as you’re consistent in ratio! 2. N ow add 1 part (for us, 1 cup) of dish soap and stir well. You can start with a spoon, but as it combines, it’s more fun to use your hands. 3. Color with food coloring (optional) and play!

May 2019 | nymetroparents.com

2019

CAMP GUIDE

• Great Articles • Camp Listings

• Charts • Open Houses

INVALUABLE ADVICE NYMETROPARENTS.COM/CAMPGUIDE/WESTCHESTER Available on Phone, Desktop or Tablet WestchesterParent 47

Happy. Healthy. Loved. These are the dreams we have for our children. So we cherish the moments when little giggles fill the room, imaginations take us on great adventures, and when it seems our hearts could burst with pride and love. Here and now, we’d stop time if we could. Because when kids are being kids, we all feel better.

Let’s get every child covered. If your child needs health insurance, Fidelis Care is just a call, click, or visit away.

Call: 1-888-FIDELIS Click: fideliscare.org Visit: A Fidelis Care community office near you. Search for locations at fideliscare.org/offices

HHHHH Fidelis Care is a top-rated plan in the 2017 New York State Consumer’s Guide to Medicaid and Child Health Plus.

1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)

TTY: 711

To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.