New York Family July, 2013

JUly 2013

established 1986

newyorkfamily.com

The

ULTIMATE GUIDE to

RAISING KIDS in the

CITY2013-2014

Attractions, Kids’ Classes, Birthday Parties, Education, New and Expectant Parents, Camps, Shopping, Health and Wellness More

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contents

JULY newyorkfamily.com

pg.71

pg.16

pg.21

The UlTimaTe GUide To RaisinG Kids in The CiTy 2013-2014 8 | Editor’s Note It’s a keeper

pg.96

pg.41 21 | Classes Whatever a child’s passion or curiosity, there are classes for all interests and all ages

pg. 14

dentists, nutritionists, and other healthcare specialists for children and families

10 | Events & Offers Where to find New York Family in the city, how to follow us, and more

41 | Birthdays Low-key or extravagant, creative or classic, anything’s possible in the city’s countless party spaces

79 | Camps Ten things to consider when choosing a summer camp

12 | Mark Your Calendars!

Twelve can’t-miss family-friendly events in the year ahead

53 | Museums Venues that curate with children in mind

81 | New & Expectant Parents A selective guide for everything bump and baby

14 | What’s Old Is New Again The best kept secrets of NYC’s most famous attractions for families

57 | Theater & Live Performance The most kid-friendly theaters in NYC

85 | Parenting With Multiplicity A leader in the local twins community shares a list of invaluable resources for parents of multiples

16 | City Snapshots The mom behind the blog Momma’s Gone City offers a special testament to the potential of a New York City childhood 96 | The Last Word When presented with the opportunity to move back, one mom discovers some unexpected feelings for the city

diReCToRies & speCial seCTions

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New York Family | July 2013

63 | Attractions Our annual A-Z guide to the city’s most notable family experiences 67 | Shopping & Stores The best places to buy children’s clothes, shoes, toys, furnishings, books, and more 71 | Photographers The city’s most talented family photographers all have their own style, strength, and ways of connecting with children 75 | Health & Wellness Where to find local pediatricians,

87 | Education The winners of the 2013 Blackboard Awards for Teachers offer advice on how parents can help their children reach their full potential at school 93 | Special Needs 20 things to know if your child has special needs, from where to go to what to read to giving yourself a muchdeserved break Cover Illustrations by Ward Jenkins wardjenkins.com www.newyorkfamily.com

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JULY 2013 Editor and co-publishEr Eric Messinger emessinger@ manhattanmedia.com dEputY Editor Whitney C. Harris wharris@ manhattanmedia.com associatE Editor Christine Wei cwei @ manhattanmedia.com art dirEctor George W. Widmer gwidmer@ manhattanmedia.com

contributing photographErs Daniel S. Burnstein, Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden, Michael Jurick contributing WritErs Leah Black, Natalie Diaz, Alissa Katz, Gavriella Mahpour, Chrissy Makris, Nadia Ramlakhan, Amy Renolds, Tali Rosenblatt-Cohen, Pearl Shin, Sothea Shreck, Samantha Simon, Anna Sims, Mia Weber

publishEr John Hurley For inFormation on thE babY shoW 212.268.3086, jhurley@ manhattanmedia.com associatE publishEr Mary Ann Oklesson maoklesson @ manhattanmedia.com spEcial projEcts dirEctor Alex Schweitzer aschweitzer@ manhattanmedia.com

circulation Aaron Pollard apollard @ manhattanmedia.com businEss managEr Shawn Scott sscott@ manhattanmedia.com accounts managEr Kathy Pollyea kpollyea @ manhattanmedia.com

manhattan media cEo Joanne Harras WEb dEvElopEr Christian Pando cpando @ manhattanmedia.com

New York Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of AVENUE magazine, Mitzvah magazine, and The Blackboard Awards. Š 2013 manhattan media, llc | 72 madison avenue, 11th Floor new York, nY 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com

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New York Family | July 2013

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editor’s note

It’s A Keeper New York Family doesn’t have an official motto, but we know our core mission: to help parents raise their children and enjoy life in the city. As a parent attempting to do that myself, I’ve found that my relationship with my kids and my wife—my life, really—often feels like one big reality check for my work. It’s both an endlessly replenishing well of experiences I want to share and an ongoing reminder that the parenting life is rarely easy—and that we should spoon out information and perspective with a healthy regard for parenting’s challenges as well as its joys. My kids are now 9 and 13, but as a father, I still think I’m learning as I go; I try to remember that when I’m editing the magazine.

But I do love to share, and I consider The Ultimate Guide to Raising Kids in the City, published every July, to be the ultimate act of sharing between our editorial team and our readers.

When people ask me the best way to follow New York Family, I have a few answers. You can visit our website (newyorkfamily.com) and sign up for our wonderful (also free) weekly e-newsletters. You can find more on all of this on page 10. And then there’s this special guide you now have in your hands. More than anything, what

Just look at what The Ultimate Guide has done for my kids.

I would like you to know about it is that every bit of it is contemplated and curated—even the listings—reflecting our years of experience discovering local resources that parents can turn to whenever they need it. We think of The Ultimate Guide to Raising Kids in the City as a keeper, the issue you can turn back to time and again in the course of the year as new questions about parenting in the city show themselves, whether you have a new baby or a kid who’s ready for camp.

But before you stick it on the shelf for future reading, give the magazine a quick read right now. I think you may be pleasantly surprised by how much you’ll discover.

Big hugs and best wishes, Eric Messinger, Editor emessinger@manhattanmedia.com

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New York Family | July 2013

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events & offers

Where To Find us If you’re looking to find issues of New York Family, our free monthly magazine, look no further. The publication is conveniently located on street corners, in kids’ enrichment centers, and in retail shops all across the city.

We’ve just uploaded a comprehensive list of locations where you can grab the latest issue.

Visit newyorkfamily.com/where-to-find-us to find the nearest copy!

sign uP For our neWsleTTers The best way to follow New York Family on a daily basis is by signing up for our free weekly e-newsletters at newyorkfamily.com. Covering parent needs from bump to tween, the newsletters include: *Weekly scoop on Wednesdays For parents with children from toddlers to tweens, the Weekly Scoop is a trove of our best ideas and resources for raising kids and enjoying family life in the city, including tips on classes, parties, shopping, education, family fun, hot topics, and parental musings—not to mention weekly giveaways. *Weekend Planner on Thursdays For parents with children of all ages, our Weekend Planner offers a brief but incredibly handy tip sheet of our favorite family events and activities around town over the weekend. *new York Family baby on Fridays For new and expectant parents (with children up to toddler age), our baby newsletter offers a lively mix of pre- and post-natal resources, parenting tips, news, shopping, personal musings, and special giveaways for those beginning their journey into parenthood.

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New York Family | July 2013

New York FamilY BaBY To Publish This Fall The next edition of New York Family Baby will publish this fall. The first edition of the bi-annual magazine was released this spring at the New York Baby Show (newyorkbabyshow.com). If you’re an expectant or new parent, be sure to sign up for the New York Family Baby newsletter (see left) for updates and information on the magazine’s next issue.

Meanwhile, for a sneak peek of what to expect in New York Family Baby, visit our baby blog at newyorkfamilybaby.com.

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Mark your

Calendars

Can’t-miss family-friendly events in the Year ahead

By Lauren Gann We won’t beat you over the head with the perennials that all families already know about—like Boo at the Zoo around Halloween, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the Holiday Train Show in the winter, or the Tribeca Film Festival in the spring. But we do want to point you to some new exhibits and events that may not yet be on your radar, from an interactive larger-than-life Rubik’s Cube to light-up dinosaurs to a celebration of African arts. Don’t miss out!

Red GRooms’ NYC at ChildReN’s museum of maNhattaN Through January 4, 2014 See the city from a truly artistic viewpoint with Grooms’ exhibition, which exposes children to a different and energetic way of seeing the city environment. Grooms’ experience as a painter, sculptor, printmaker, and theater designer is visually stimulating for adults and children alike. spaCe fest at iNtRepid museum July 25-28, 2013 Up, up, and away! The 2nd Annual Space Fest brings families together to celebrate everything from outer space. Kids will get the chance to meet reallife astronauts, enjoy the museum’s displays, watch special demonstrations, and kick back with a free outdoor movie.

QueeNs CouNtY faiR at QueeNs CouNtY faRm September 15, 2013 Go back in time at this traditional county fair, complete with blue ribbon competitions in livestock, produce, home crafts, and arts & crafts. Kids will have fun racing through the Amazing Maize Maze and picking out a compost worm for your new home compost bin. Other treats include pie-eating contests, lumberjack shows, pig racing, hayrides, and more!

WoRld makeR faiRe at NYsCi September 21 & 22, 2013 Be prepared to experience it all at a Faire with everything from rockets and robots to woodworking and live music. Grab artisanal food to snack on as you dance your way over to make, create, learn, invent, build, think, play, and have fun with hundreds of makers and inventors showcasing their creations. haYdeN plaNetaRium NeW spaCe shoW at ameRiCaN museum of NatuRal histoRY Starting October 5, 2013 Gaze into the stars and explore the Milky Way. Young viewers become astronauts as they plunge into Jupiter’s atmosphere with a probe from NASA’s Galileo spacecraft and journey through the mysteries

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New York Family | July 2013

of dark energy, the force that is accelerating the expansion of the universe. motheR afRiCa at NeW ViCtoRY theateR December 6, 2013-January 5, 2014 Step into Africa with a mighty performance that covers African artistry with jugglers from Ethiopia, stilt walkers from Tanzania, and a renowned contortionist from Kenya. As circus arts with traditional African dance and music come to the stage, audiences will be moving out of their seats to the music. “a ChRistmas stoRY” at madisoN sQuaRe GaRdeN December 11-29, 2013 This classic holiday favorite is returning this season with leg lamps, bunny pajamas, and freezing flagpoles. In this legendary comedy directed by Tony Award winner John Rando, a star-studded cast reenacts the story of Ralphie Parker, the child who would do anything if Santa would just bring him a BB gun for Christmas. diNo-liGht at sYmphoNY spaCe January 11, 2014 Forget about Santa—get ready for T-Rex and friends to light up the stage this winter. In a creative blend of puppetry, technology, and dance, Dino-Light brings glow-in-the-dark electroluminescence wire dinosaurs to life. See the dynamic troupe, as featured on “America’s Got Talent,” tell prehistoric tales in a whole new way.

Rubik’s Cube exhibit at libeRtY sCieNCe CeNteR April-October, 2014 Parents and children alike will share in puzzle-solving excitement at Liberty Science Center’s Beyond Rubik’s Cube galore celebrating the cube’s 40th anniversary. The exhibit is co-designed by Google, and audiences won’t want to miss the $2.5 million dollar diamond Rubik’s Cube and the 35-foot-tall Rubik’s Cube that can be triggered and moved by anyone with an internet connection. Kids will love the cube-solving robots, too! “aladdiN” oN bRoadWaY Spring 2014 Take a magic carpet ride to the newest Disney play to hit Broadway. “Aladdin” will feature popular songs including “Proud of Your Boy,” a favorite among the Disney producers that was cut from the movie.

Directed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (of “The Book Of Mormon” fame) and brought to life by award-winning costume, scene, and lighting designers, the musical is bound to be an otherwordly experience. www.newyorkfamily.com

B

5

S

under the radar

What’s OLD Is NEW agaIn The Best Kept Secrets Of NYC’s Most Famous Attractions For Families

By Alissa Katz We know you’ve been to most of these places, but have you been to their best nooks and crannies? One of the joys of NYC is that there’s always something new to discover, so for each of these hotspots, we’ve highlighted some of the attractions and exhibits that are lesser known but equally loved. Here’s to finding something to tickle your family’s fancy!

American Museum of Natural History In a place where kids are dying to get their hands on all of the dinosaur displays, the Discovery Room is the perfect part of the museum to satisfy their cravings. The room offers families, particularly their younger members ages 5-12, an interactive gateway that’s hands-on and behind-the-scenes. Kids can explore artifacts, specimens, puzzles, and challenges.

Big Apple Circus For visually impaired youngsters, the circus’ special Circus of the Senses performance provides a unique opportunity for them and their parents to go into the ring after the show to meet artists and feel a clown’s nose, a juggler’s clubs, or the silky coat of one of the furrier performers. A pre-approved form must be filled out to experience this opportunity.

Bronx Zoo For those who’ve grown tired of the Rockefeller Center rink or the Empire State Building’s red and green lights around the holidays, venture up to the Bronx Zoo for its Holiday Lights Festival exhibit.

Be dazzled by the more than 140 lighted animal sculptures—many of which are animated—as well as special nighttime sea lion feedings, camels, and, of course, reindeer. (What would the holiday season be without them?)

Brooklyn Bridge After walking across the bridge from Manhattan on a breezy summer day, everyone deserves a sweet reward. Dewey’s Candy on Front Street is the perfect

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New York Family | July 2013

Dewey’s Candy

family destination; it has all of the candy you grew up with as a kid (don’t say we didn’t warn you about getting nostalgic), and current favorites like gummy candy, sour candy, chocolate, and international treats.

Central Park We promise we’re not making this up; there’s actually a place within the noisy city that offers families a retreat of nature—North Woods, one of the most secluded parts of Central Park. Gone are the sirens, the honking, and the buildings. The only noises you’ll hear are those of your family and perhaps the calming sounds of the nearby stream. This quiet corner is home to lots of wildlife, so it’s a great area for spotting critters and birds.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan What’s a better summer activity than cooling off, playing, and learning at the same time? All three are applicable to City Splash in the Sussman Environmental Center, an outdoor attraction at the museum from April through October. CMOM educators run programs that explore the power of water to change ecosystems and landscapes, and your child can learn about the wonders of evaporation through painting with water on a slate.

There’s guaranteed fun for all ages!

Coney Island Totonno’s pizzeria has been on Coney Island since 1924, and if its historical charm isn’t enough, the oldfashioned crust, the fresh cheese, and the splash of sauce may lure you onto the line, which usually is out the door on Neptune Avenue.

Empire State Building Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night on the 86th Floor Observatory (weather permitting, of course), the Empire State Building has a live jazz www.newyorkfamily.com

Maybe the kids can ask their grandparents if they remember any of these games from when they were younger!

Mike Thieler

Queens County Farm Museum The summer always welcomes the city’s oldest pow wow, the Annual Thunderbird American Indian Pow Wow, featuring three days of Native American dance competitions, arts, crafts, jewelry, and food—all in a representation of more than 40 nations. The event is held in the farm’s apple orchard.

Big Apple Circus (Circus of the Senses)

saxophonist, strolling the deck for added ambiance above the magnificent 360-degree views. This is your shot to instill some classic jazz into your child’s life, all the while enjoying it yourself.

FAO Schwarz Take a break from dancing on the BIG piano and go upstairs to the Barefoot Books nook to browse through books, CDs, puppets, and puzzles, all of which make children and adults alike happy campers.

Hop onto the storyteller’s throne for a royal reading experience.

Grand Central Located on the dining concourse near the Oyster Bar & Restaurant, the acoustics of the Whispering Gallery’s low ceramic arches provide minutes, maybe hours, of fun conversation your family can exchange.

Stand at opposite corners of the archway and whisper something to your kids—it’ll sound like you’re standing right next to them!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art For all the wanderlustful families in the city, the Met’s Art Trek program is screaming your name. Children ages 5-12 and their parents can take a voyage around the globe within the museum’s walls. On your journey, expect nothing short of a special performance and other fun surprises.

The Museum of Modern Art It’s time to stop talking about art and start making it!

Art Labs, MoMA’s interactive studios, allow kids and their parents to experiment and create as they make connections between their own explorations and the ideas and tools used in the work they just explored throughout the museum. Previous workshop themes include line, shape, and color labs.

New York Historical Society At the Games We Played exhibit, find pastimes like Game of Snap and Game of the District Messenger Boy, which entertained families from the 1840s to the 1920s. This is a perfect way for your family to compare what was considered fun then and now. www.newyorkfamily.com

Rockefeller Center Kids will get heated about all of the fire safety tips they’ll learn at the ongoing FDNY Fire Zone exhibit.

Plus, they’ll have the chance to climb on a real fire truck, try on bunker gear, meet a firefighter, feel a “hot” door, and learn to crawl through a smoke-filled hallway.

Times Square Located just slightly south of the heart of Times Square, the original Midtown Comics store is lined with comics and decorated with displays of everyone’s favorites, including The Hulk and Spiderman. With the comeback of superheroes in pop culture (Iron Man 3, The Avengers), why not introduce your kids to how it all began?

Transit Museum It’s never too early to start teaching your kids the rules of the open road, or at least the city blocks of Manhattan. At the museum, kids get the chance to climb into the driver’s seat, pretend to be a city bus driver, and see what it’s like to be in control.

New York Botanical Garden The Thain Family Forest is another opportunity to escape the pavement and walk through 50 acres of native forest—the largest amount anywhere in the city. The walkways aren’t paved, but there are paths on which your children can run aimlessly. If there were ever a place for a controlled hike, this would be it.

Radio City Music Hall Take a Stage Door Tour and explore the iconic theater, lounges, and corridors at one of the most famous entertainment venues in the world. Plus, little dancers can have a chance to meet a real Radio City Rockette!

Yankee Stadium Inside the New York Yankees Museum is the iconic insider gem known as the Ball Wall, featuring baseballs signed by some of the franchise’s most iconic legends.

There’s even a computer to look up exactly where on the wall your favorite Bronx Bomber has written his John Hancock.

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Waiting for the 6 train below the American Museum of Natural History. Photo by Ali Smith Photography

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New York Family | July 2013

www.newyorkfamily.com

t i y C

s t o s h p a n S

Through Her Words And Photos, The Mom Behind The Blog Momma’s Gone City Offers A Special Testament To The Potential Of A

By Jessica Shyba New York City Childhood www.newyorkfamily.com

July 2013 | New York Family

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A city mom’s stroller is her minivan.

Pit stop to read some quick Archie comics at our local bodega on the way home from school.

Heading to Santaland at Macy’s in Herald Square.

Editor’s Note: The popular blog Momma’s Gone City originally attracted me because I appreciated how its founder, Jessica Shyba, shared a full palette of emotions and thoughts as she recorded what it was like to be a new mom in a city where she never actually expected to live. In the course of Shyba’s four years in New York, I’ve come to appreciate something else about her blog as well: her photography. For me, photos of her three young children, in their apartment or out and about in the city, are a special testament to the vast and complicated potential of an NYC childhood. When I heard Shyba’s family would soon be returning from whence they came (to that other coast), I knew I wanted to share her work with our readers as a chance for us all to see the city anew. Thankfully, she agreed. If you like what you see, you can find more at mommasgonecity.com. –Eric Messinger

F

There is nothing like a New York City bagel. Even a toddler knows that.

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New York Family | July 2013

our years ago, my husband and I uprooted our family and moved on a moment’s notice to Manhattan. I had been comfortable living safely tucked away in the suburban Silicon Valley town that my husband and I grew up in, raising our kids the way we were raised.

To me, New York City represented a lifestyle that was perfect for the Wall Street suits and twentysomethings with big dreams and packed wallets— complete with constant noise, chaos, and pollution.

The concrete jungle was the absolute antithesis of where I wanted to be with my babies.

My oldest was 2, my youngest was 10 months old, and my husband was embarking on his dream of earning a doctorate in dental science at New York University. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling I had when I saw the Manhattan skyline for the first time as we drove in from the airport. I was flooded with hope, excitement, fear, and endless possibility—everything that I still attribute to living here, every single day. www.newyorkfamily.com

Summer Streets means scooter rides down Fifth Avenue.

A little urban shopping always involves some street art.

The city was so intimidating at first glance, yet I still felt peace in knowing it would become my family’s biggest adventure, a classroom for learning about the wider world. Our challenges were steep, but new and interesting. We gave up the relative safety, accessibility, and trunk space of our vehicles in California. Our feet were black by the end of the day and the stroller was almost always packed with groceries, diaper bags, portable potties, and scooters.

We learned to navigate the metropolis by subway, buses, and occasionally the horrifyingly car-seat-less taxi cabs. With my husband at school and my mother on the other side of the country, I was left to my own devices—which I didn’t know I had until I needed to unearth them.

I began to write about our life so that our extended family could see our transformation. My blog, Momma’s Gone City, ended up blossoming into a business that has effectively changed my life forever. But my children have the greatest takeaway from NYC life. Jack is now 6, Zoe is 4, and our newest addition, Beau, is 18 months old, and they’ve been fortunate to grow up around so many different races and nationalities. Their friends speak various languages and bring to school the culture that they practice and celebrate at home. My two sons and daughter have been to Broadway shows and toured the inside of a New York City Fire Department station. Their weekends are spent in some of this country’s greatest institutions: The New York Public Library, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History. Their summers often include soccer on the Great Lawn in Central Park.

But our four-year stint in Manhattan has come to a close, and now I’m facing a brand new challenge of having found a place that I dearly love—and having to leave. www.newyorkfamily.com

An impromptu hero sighting on Halloween.

Mini impressionists at the Met.

Our favorite summer weekend activity: Poet’s Walk, Central Park.

July 2013 | New York Family

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ClASS ACtS Whatever A Child’s Passion Or Curiosity, There Are Classes For All Interests And All Ages

By Celene McDermott

There’s nowhere like New York City when it comes to amazing children’s classes. The city’s possibilities for afterschool, weekend, and camp programs are endless. Some establishments specialize in certain sports or arts or academic subjects, others offer an all-inone variety of choices. But the common factor is that they all know how to engage kids, be it a movement class, language program, or soccer clinic.

14th Street Y This community center located on the East Side in Gramercy offers a number of programs for families with kids of all ages. For babies and toddlers, classes are offered in movement, art, and music. Ages 3-12 can sign up for sports like baseball and soccer or for dance like ballet and capoeira.

There are also children’s swim, tumbling, and gymnastics classes as well as courses for children with special needs.

14streety.org

74th St. MAGIC 74th St. MAGIC offers one of NYC’s most comprehensive enrichment programs, with a wide array of classes in its Mini MAP program (early preschool enrichment), MAP program (preschool alternative classes), and MAGIC program (music, art, gymnastics, and cooking classes). Sharing a building with Epiphany Community Nursery School, children will find state-of-the-art classrooms, a baby- and a fully-equipped gym as well as an outdoor rooftop playground.

74magic.com 92Y This special gem on the Upper East Side offers so much for families and kids of all ages, including a nursery school, Wonderplay early childhood programs, and a parenting center. Afterschool classes in dance, art, music, aquatics, and sports are offered for all ages. There’s also a variety of family performances and holiday celebrations throughout the year, as well as a rooftop playground and an indoor GymMaze. 92Y.org ABC Do-Re-ME! Music and movement classes for infants and children up to 6 years old are offered in several locations throughout continued on page 22

www.newyorkfamily.com

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Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Astoria, Queens. Programs include: the drop-in Musical Playdate with guitar playing and children’s singing teachers; Musical Stories that feature animal songs, children’s stories, and funny instruments like nose flutes; Classical Playdate introducing kids to classical music; and Boogey Baby, a special dance class for moms and their babies in baby carriers. abcdoremenyc.com American Museum of Natural History This iconic museum on the Upper West Side offers classes for kids ages 2 through high school, including special workshops, camps, and institutes. A Science and Nature Program offers weekday morning and afterschool classes that let kids explore artifacts and specimens, live animal habitats, and more. The Early Adventures program, for preschoolers beginning at age 2, offers classes on observing and handling live animals and taking part in science-based art projects. amnh.org Applause NYC The home of Rock ‘n’ Roll Babies, Broadway Babies, and Broadway SuperStars, Applause Theatrical Workshops are designed for kids who love to perform, whether they’re newborns or in 12th grade. Theater games, improvisation, musical theater performance, acting, and dancing are offered. Workshops are located on the Upper East Side. applauseny.com apple seeds apple seeds is an all-in-one play space for families with children newborn to 5 years. Their flagship location is in the Chelsea/Flatiron neighborhood, and a second location on the Upper West Side opened last year. Both locations feature a state-of-the-art indoor playground with museumquality exhibits, 100 different children’s classes per week, unique birthday parties, and an award-winning day camp. appleseedsplay.com

The Art Farm In The City Come enjoy the award-winning petting zoo and a variety of classes and programs. Rocks, Smocks & Animals (adult and me): Meet a new animal each week, sing and dance to the guitar, and do arts and crafts. Animal Care: Spend quality time with live animals while gaining science skills. Mini-Chef: New, yummy recipes every time. M-F drop-ins: Playroom, art, cooking, and animals. Birthday parties: Nine themes ranging from farm animals to mini-chef to mad science. theartfarms.org ArtXplorers Kids 3.5-12 years old can sign up for live tours of more than 25 museums and art galleries in NYC with ArtXplorers at Art Muse, located on the Upper East Side. Special themes offered include Egyptian art, African masks, storytelling, Greek gods, shapes and colors, and more. Each tour includes an art project, props, and objects for kids to touch. Little ones younger than 5 must be accompanied by an adult. artxplorers.com Asphalt Green Active kids can head to this sports center on the Upper East Side for all their swimming, fitness, and sports needs. All ages can sign up for gymnastics, flag football, martial arts,

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BIG TIP: How To Avoid Overscheduling Your Child Adapted from Practical Wisdom for Parents by Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum Children who do too much too soon tend to be stressed, anxious, and susceptible to feelings of low self-esteem. Overscheduling effectively inhibits children from fully participating and getting the most they can from school.

There’s nothing wrong with giving your child an opportunity to explore a range activities outside of school. But what you don’t need to do is cram all these activities into a single week or even a single year. A young child has all the time in the world to learn tennis, guitar, or taekwondo. If your child is mastering these skills at the expense of more basic tasks such as how to put on a coat, go to the toilet, or hold a cup, then you know you’ve overdone it. If you begin to feel like you’re acting as your child’s personal assistant, arranging and facilitating her schedule, as opposed to actually participating in her life, then you’ve overdone it.

Think back to your own childhood and remember the things that enriched your life and made you happy.

Time and again, parents acknowledge that the things they enjoyed most did not come in the form of classes and lessons, nor did they discover their interests and passions in the first five years of life.

If you do decide to enroll your child in one (or at the most two) activities a week, it’s important to keep in mind your own expectations and how these are affecting the selections you make.

• Is the activity interesting to your child or is it more about what you wish you had done as a child?

• Does the activity reflect your interests or your child’s?

• Do you feel your child will enjoy the activity or do you think she “ought” to do it?

• Are you targeting your child’s interests or have a preconceived need to “enhance” her skills?

• Is your child ready physically or emotionally to meet the requirements of the class?

• Does your child have the attention span for a teacher-directed activity such as violin or ballet?

Above all, ask yourself, “Is it fun?”

soccer, baseball, and more. There’s also a Speed, Agility, Quickness (SAQ) Academy for ages 7-14 for improving fitness and core strengthening. asphaltgreen.org Atlantic Acting School Home to famous alumni like Felicity Huffman and Jessica Alba, this acting school gets kids and teens started with a variety of afterschool and summer programs. Kids get an introduction to writing, acting, storytelling, and improvisation. Ages pre-K to 6 years create stories through play and improvisational exercises, while older students learn the Practical Aesthetics technique created by David Mamet and William H. Macy. All classes culminate with a performance. atlanticactingschool.org continued on page 24

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Come join the fun at 74th St. MAGIC GIC MAGIC Classes Mondays at MAGIC

Music, Art, Gymnastics and Cooking

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Under the red canopy at 510 East 74th Street (off York Avenue) NYC 212.737.2989 www.74magic.com

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. e r o l Exp Play.

Grow.

SwimJim, Make Meaning, The Craft Studio

Fall registration now open!

Visit jccmanhattan.org/ infants-youngchildren or call 646.505.5708

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Baby Fingers Based on extensive research, Baby Fingers offers a combination of American Sign Language (ASL) instruction, music, games, stories, and dramatic play to promote family communication. ASL is offered to babies and toddlers, while kids 2-6 can take Creative Play and Sign to improve speech and language and further develop literacy skills.

For all ages, Sign and Stretch combines sign language with yoga. Available at multiple locations throughout Manhattan. mybabyfingers.com

Ballet Academy East The Upper East Side’s Ballet Academy East offers ballet classes for all ages, including mother and child classes for the littlest dancers and pre-ballet for ages 3-6. Tap is offered for ages 3.5-6 to develop musicality, while drama classes for ages 4-6 incorporate group improvisations and theater games. There’s also a modern dance class offered for ages 3-5; primary ballet and enrichment classes for ages 6 and up; and ballet, tap, jazz, and zumba for teens. baenyc.com

The Ballet Club This dance studio on the Upper East Side offers ballet classes and a Children’s Creative Dance Club for all ages. A ballet club class introduces little ones to ballet techniques, classical ballet, and the history of ballet through a special story time. The Creative Dance Club focuses on modern dance, jazz, folk dance, and natural movement. theballetclub.com

Ballet Hispanico This ballet studio on the Upper West Side adds Hispanic culture and dance styles to traditional ballet. A special Adventures in Dance is offered for the 2-5 crowd; the general program for ages 6-18 offers over 25 classes a week www.newyorkfamily.com

in ballet, flamenco, hip hop, and salsa, as well as training in varied Latin American dance traditions. ballethispanico.org Bija Kids Through their yoga classes in Brooklyn, Bija Kids teaches children the basics of physical postures, breathing practices, and age-appropriate meditation techniques. In an energetic and creative setting, groups of children (crawling through tweens) and families can work on improving strength, coordination, and flexibility, while focusing on relaxation through meditation. bijakids.com Bilingual Birdies The foreign language and live music curriculum at Bilingual Birdies features interactive songs, movement, dance, puppetry, and theater-based games. The program is designed to teach children of all ages French, Mandarin, Hebrew, Spanish, and English (ESL) vocabulary alongside respective cultures. Find Bilingual Birdies at community centers, preschools, and indoor playgrounds throughout the city. bilingualbirdies.com Bright Kids NYC The Bright Kids NYC Gifted and Talented Bootcamp is a budget-friendly package of tutoring and books to prepare your child for the NYC gifted exam, offering savings of up to 30% off retail price. Last year, 88% of clients qualified for G&T programs. brightkidsnyc.com Bilingual Buds Programs are offered in Mandarin and Spanish at this immersion school located on the Upper West Side. Classes after school feature science, technology, the arts, and culture, as well as a mommy-and-me bonding for ages 1-3.

Another supplemental program for enrolled preschoolers and summer camps are also available. bilingualbuds.com Broadway Dance Center Young dancers receive elite training from leading dance teachers and choreographers in state-of-the-art studios located in the Theater District. The Children’s and Teen Program (ages 3-18) offers 32 weeks of instruction in creative movement, pre-dance, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, Triple Threat, Latin, jazz, modern, African, contemporary, jumps and turns, and lyrical dancing. Shorter workshops in a variety of styles and levels are also offered. broadwaydancecenter.com

Carousel of Languages Kids 6 months to 12 years can learn one of many foreign languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin, and Russian at The Carousel of Languages, located on both the Upper East and West Sides. An afterschool program for kids to continue their linguistic studies, as well as a summer program that incorporates games, music, and art, is also offered. carousellanguages.com The Chabad Preschool at Beekman Place This preschool offers afterschool enrichment classes as well as a weekly Baby Loves Shabbat! class for babies continued on page 26

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6-18 months and caregivers. The gentle mommy-and-me introduction to Jewish songs is centered around a Shabbat party of music, parachute play, candle lighting, and Challah baking—bringing the joy of Jewish traditions alive while focusing on children’s development. chabadsutton.org Chelsea Piers Sports enthusiasts of all ages love this Chelsea complex, which features classes in every sport imaginable, including golf, baseball, basketball, bowling, boxing, dance, and gymnastics. Also on the menu: ice hockey and ice skating at the Sky Rink, fitness classes, running, soccer, sailing, rock climbing, yoga, swimming, and volleyball. chelseapiers.com Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA) Professional teaching artists leads age-appropriate classes in fine art and media making at CMA in SoHo. Multi-sensory WeeArt classes for babies up to age 5 develop fine and gross motor skills. Kids 5-12 can sign up for afterschool classes like drawing, sculpting, art history, animation, and filmmaking. A more intensive teen program helps students build portfolios. cmany.org Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) CMOM’s popular enrollment classes are offered all year long. Intimate classes, expertly trained teachers, and unique classroom spaces make a combination offered nowhere else in NYC. CMOM’s enrollment classes are designed to support the many ways children learn and to help parents understand and guide their child’s development. cmom.org Children’s Tumbling Starting at 16 months old, children can learn the gymnastics behind tumbling at Children’s Tumbling.

With a non-competitive approach, music, storytelling, and imagination are incorporated into active classes for kids in Lower Manhattan. For kids 6.5 years and older, stilt-walking, trapeze, and circus silk classes are available. childrentumbling.com Child’s Play NY Budding thespians learn the craft of acting by re-interpreting classic and contemporary children’s literature at Child’s Play NY in Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Heights. Afterschool classes for ages 3-5 and 4-6 are offered alongside summer intensives and in-school residencies for both 3-5 and 6-9, in which kids explore storytelling, song, creative movement, theater games, and improvisation. childsplayny.com

The Diller-Quaile School of Music 24 E. 95th St. w New York, NY 10128 w 212-369-1484

Visit www.diller-quaile.org for a complete listing of Early Childhood, Instrumental & Vocal, Adult, and Community Programs for 2013-2014.

Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community & Precollegiate Arts Schools

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Church Street School for Music and Art This non-profit school for the arts in Lower Manhattan focuses on music and art classes for ages 16 months to teens and adults. An Afterschool Arts Academy features classes in comics and illustration, art foundations, hip hop dance, digital photography, CSS choristers, digital animation/sound effects, drawing, painting, sculpture, wellness, and yoga. churchstreetschool.org Citibabes Located in SoHo, this family membership club offers ageappropriate classes for little ones 2 months to 10 years.

Besides its renowned preschool program, CitiSchool, kids www.newyorkfamily.com

The Art Farm in the City, TLB Music, 74th St. MAGIC

can also enroll in enriching classes focusing on science, art, cooking, music, ballet and creative movement, foreign languages (like French and Spanish), American Sign Language, and family yoga. Combination classes for babies and toddlers are also offered. citibabes.com Collina Italiana Italian language and culture programs are offered at this Upper East Side location as well as off-site. Children’s programming, developed for toddlers through teens (2 and above), includes singing, dancing, theater, storytelling, games, and Disney films in Italian. Kids ages 5-12 will even create a play and perform it all in Italian on stage. collinaitaliana.com Columbus Gym Active tots and school-aged children can sign up for classes at Columbus Gym, the largest gym on the Upper West Side. Classes feature age-appropriate activities for ages 6-12 months up to 12 years old. The 3,000-square-foot gymnasium features tumbling mats, a soft jungle gym, a trampoline, beams, rings, and bars, where kids can test their gymnastics, movement, motor skills, balance, and coordination. columbusgymnyc.com Construction Kids ConstructionKids afterschool classes are for both experienced and new builders, grades K-2. Children learn basic tool safety and how to assemble materials in this active, creative class. Children work with drawings (blueprints), learn the history and context of building traditions, and work with a variety of materials.

Vacation camps and homeschool options also offered. constructionkids.com

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Cook With Class Chef Rob Endelman teaches cooking classes for ages 5 and up. All classes use organic, local, and seasonal ingredients.

Kids learn how to make over their favorite junk foods using various cooking techniques. Classes are offered throughout New York City. cookwithclass.net The Craft Studio In The Craft Studio’s crafting classes, let your kids create uninhibitedly with the most fun, creative, and trendy art supplies. Supportive and caring instructors, not to mention fun philosophies, help kids ages 3 and up make neon wrap bracelets, wallets and pocketbooks, multimedia self portraits, and so much more. There’s something for everyone, available in studio, your school, or other spaces. craftstudionyc.com

Creative Play for Kids This music, movement, and play program for babies 3 months old to toddlers 3 years old is offered at several locations throughout Manhattan. Little ones will enjoy singing, dancing, open play, stories, and instrument playing.

Drop-in classes and music-and-art combo classes are also available. creativeplayforkids.com DanceSport Located on West 34th Street, the largest ballroom and Latin dance studio in New York offers a Made4Kids music and dance education program. Little Learners, for ages 3-5, encourages individual expression and communication, free style and partner dance, and sign language fundamentals.

Preschool alternative music and dance classes are also offered. Children 6-12 learn dances from different cultures, including salsa, merengue, swing, ballroom, and hip hop. dancesport.com Dean Street This Brooklyn restaurant’s weekly children’s events include everything from arts and crafts to story time to singalongs with kid-favorite musicians and bands. All programs begin at 10:30am—so stick around after for a family lunch! deanstreetbrooklyn.com The Diller-Quaile School of Music Since 1920, Diller-Quaile has been developing the innate musicality in each individual, inspiring participation for a lifetime. The School is comprised of early childhood, instrumental and vocal, adult, teacher training, and outreach departments. Rug Concerts, master classes, and faculty concerts occur throughout the year. diller-quaile.org

Discovery Programs This early childhood institution on the Upper West Side hosts year-round special events, classes, camps, and programs for ages 6 months to 14 years. At each age, kids have a variety of activities to choose from. Classes include Art for Tots, ballet and jazz, gymnastics (including Baby Gym and Gym for Tots), Sumo Samurai, soccer, a Musical Theater Club, and more. There’s also an open gym and art studio. discoveryprograms.com

BIG TIP: Getting Creative With Your Class Search

By Eric Messinger

New York City offers a deep well of enriching activities for children—and they’re not just for the affluent.

In fact, more than anything, a parent seeking to find kids classes and programs needs to be resourceful and creative in their research, keeping in mind that, chances are, what you are looking for is out there. You just need to find it. Did you know, for example, that there are children’s classes in archery (bigapplearchery.com), computer programming (digitalmediaacademy.org, internaldrive.com, iventgenuityworkshops.org), and building stuff (constructionkids.com), just to name a few?

When looking for kids classes, the place to start is with class directories like this one, but after that, go to Google. Then think about who might offer what your looking for. Think about parks, museums, Ys, schools (including colleges)—a lot places offer programming for children. Another tip: If you see a school, either public or private, that has afterschool programming that you’re interested in, don’t assume that it’s just for their own students; if there are spaces available, they’ll sometimes make the program available to kids who don’t go to school there. Also, if you find a class that you like, but the cost is prohibitive, ask about scholarships or discounts. People like to help parents who are trying to help their kids.

program designed to introduce musical concepts to young children. Classes are grouped by age (4-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, and 4-5 years) and range from singalongs to musical instrument introductions. The classes are designed to help students decide what they want to study for private lessons. Located throughout the Upper East and West Sides. theearlyear.com East Side Tae Kwon Do At this Upper East Side gym, kids ages 2-12 learn martial arts training in Tae Kwon Do and yoga. Cardio kickboxing, warrior yoga classes, parent/child Tae Kwon Do, and bully self-defense workshops (for ages 5-7 and 8-12) are also offered. eastsidetaekwondo.com Eastside Westside Music Together This internationally recognized music program for babies, toddlers and children up to age seven is located on both the Upper East and West Sides. Baby and mixed age groups encourage each child to move, chant, sing, and explore musical instruments with lots of parent participation. Older kids ages 5-7 will learn basic music literacy combined with play, laying the foundation for school or private instruction. eswsmusictogether.com East Side Yoga Designed to build body awareness in a non-competitive environment, this kids’ yoga school on the Upper East Side offers age-appropriate classes that teach proper form, poses, and even meditation. Classes are available for kids 3-12. eastsideyoganyc.com

The Early Ear A variety of music classes are offered at The Early Ear, a

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EBL Coaching EBL Coaching offers afterschool and weekend courses for students in grades preK-12 in reading, writing, math, and study skills. They use research-based, multi-sensory methods that are individualized according to the needs of each student. Specialized programs for students with learning disabilities and ADHD are also available. eblcoaching.com Education Light: School of Chess After years of teaching chess at schools like Princeton Day and Mandell, Light Buggiani has opened a chess school at two locations on the Upper East Side. Classes are based on age and experience, with only ten students per class. Plus, each student gets a free hour of private lessons to ensure mastery. educationallight.com ExerBlast ExerBlast’s family gym has everything from a rotating rock wall to a light-sensored jungle gym to an obstacle course. To make it personal, training sessions are available for kids of all ages and abilities to meet individual needs. exerblast.com Fastbreak Kids Fastbreak is opening a brand new facility this fall, offering a variety of sports developmental programming for all levels from 1.5 to 18 years. The 7,000-square-foot indoor facility on the Upper East Side will include a state-of-the-art basketball court, private training area, parent viewing area, and party room. With basketball, baseball, flag football, soccer, and more, there’s something for every active city kid. fastbreakkids.com French Institute Alliance Française FIAF, located on the Upper East Side, offers education and arts classes for exploring French culture. Classes are designed for toddlers, kids, and teens to learn the French language. Kids and family events and story hours are held in the library, and other performing arts events are held during the year. fiaf.org Freshmade NYC This cooking school for kids 2-9 emphasizes math, science, literacy skills, and fine motor development while teaching fun, age-appropriate ways to make tasty and healthy dishes.

Located in Greenwich Village, it also offers birthday parties, catering, and courses for parents like What to Eat When You’re Expecting and Navigating the Grocery Store with a Toddler. freshmadenyc.com The Gaga Center This is the first space in Manhattan dedicated to the kidfavorite game of gaga. Played in an octagonal pit with a soft foam ball, gaga combines the skills of running, striking, dodging, and jumping. Grades K-6 get a serious workout in the fun and easy game. One-hour classes begin with a warmup, followed by a quick strategy lesson. gagacenter.com German-American School Since 1892, teachers have been educating children of all races and cultures in German at the German-American School. Meeting once weekly, classes prepare students for

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a variety of tests up to college level. german-americanschool.org Gymboree Play & Music At several locations throughout Manhattan, kids can sign up for music, art, sports, family fun, and school skills classes for up to age 5. Gymboree Play & Learn, one of the most popular classes, encourages development through play, from sensory stimulation to problem-solving games and storytelling. The class is offered in a variety of age groups. gymboreeclasses.com Gymtime Rhythm & Glues There’s so much for kids to get involved in at this Upper East Side facility, from early enrichment and preschool alternative classes to creative art and cooking to gymnastics and sports. Classes are broken up into age groups for ages 6 months to 12 years. While babies and toddlers learn to play, move, and explore using gross motor and early language skills, older kids can create crafts or learn about nutrition in a class like Fabulous Foodies. gymtime.net Hands On! Using a special instrument-based curriculum, this music studio (in three Manhattan locations) introduces infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to popular folk tunes, nursery rhymes, and lullabies in the Hands On Musical Experience.

Classes feature stories narrated by hand puppets, music, instrument exploration, and movement. An introductory keyboard class is also offered for budding pianists. handson4music.com

HiArt! This art studio in Chelsea features a variety of classes that inspire kids. Ages 2 -12 can sign up for Opera ‘N Art, which incorporates visits to New York City museums, art galleries, and operas with mixed media art projects. Other classes for older kids include writing, painting, and collage making.

Holiday camps and mini-camps are also offered. hiartkids.com ¡HOLA! A Playgroup in Spanish Available in multiple locations throughout Manhattan, kids are taught Spanish using original and traditional music, movement, art, games, and props. Classes are offered for ages 12 months to 9 years. Besides reinforcing vocabulary in the language classes, kids can also take culture and movement classes in yoga, ballet, and flamenco classes taught entirely in Spanish. holaplaygroup.com Jazz at Lincoln Center Kids and families can participate in the family concert series, Jazz for Young People, in which they go behind the scenes and learn about famous jazz performers and jazz styles at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side. WeBop, an early childhood jazz education program for ages 8 months to five years and their parents, teaches improvisation and lets kids jam with a live quartet, swing to nursery rhymes, and more. jalc.org

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30 Years of Experience

Awesome Birthday Parties

Amazing Classes

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For new members.

Expires July 31, 2013.

(212) 724-3400 Lincoln Center

22 West 66th Street LC@mygym.com

Harlem www.mygymisfun.com

258 Saint Nicholas Ave harlem@mygym.com July 2013 | New York Family 31

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JCC in Manhattan This 14-story community center on the Upper West Side serves families with a variety of classes and programs for members of all ages and abilities. The health club offers swimming lessons as well as sports and wellness classes.

Other classes cover art, science, cooking, gymnastics, Russian language, dance, music, acting, and performing arts. Programming is also available for children with special needs. jccmanhattan.org Jodi’s Gym Jodi’s Gym has been providing NYC kids ages 9 months to 12 years with the highest level of fun and fitness for 30 years. Their step-by-step, positive approach ensures that every child feels a sense of accomplishment, improves his or her skills, and has tons of fun! For the tiniest tumblers to the more advanced gymnasts, class offerings include gymnastics (mommy and me, preschool, K-6th grade), gym and music combos, dance, fitness, science, holiday camps, open play, private lessons, and the best birthdays ever. jodisgym.com Joffrey Ballet School Kids who sign up for ballet at Joffrey Ballet School in the West Village are trained in classical and contemporary ballet as well as other forms of dance, including modern, jazz, hip hop, and character dance. A Children’s Program (ages 2-9) also offers Dance with Me (where parents or caregivers are the dance partner). A Young Dancer’s Program is offered for ages 10 and up. joffreyballetschool.com Karma Kids Yoga Karma Kids Yoga offers a fun and creative approach for infants through teenagers. Magical yoga adventures with puppets, songs, stories, and games keep young kids engaged; classes for older kids include simple and challenging poses for increasing strength, coordination, balance, focus, and confidence. Included are kid-friendly music, fun yoga games, and relaxation time with foot rubs.

Glow-in-the-dark, pajama, and circus yoga are also available alongside birthday parties. karmakidsyoga.com Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy (KTUGA) Founded by Kate Tempesta—deemed a Top Young Instructor by Golf Digest—KTUGA helps kids ages 4 and up learn proper technique, etiquette, and skill in both indoor and outdoor settings. The curriculum uses imagination, play, and age-appropriate methods in combining a mixture of putting, driving, pitching and chipping to help children learn four basic shots. ktuga.com Kick & Play Introduce your toddler 12-24 months to the basics of soccer and fun-filled movement. From the creators of Super Soccer Stars, this pre-soccer program engages toddlers’ natural development with the help of puppet friends. Parents and children stretch to a song, enjoy a soccer warm-up and upper body activity, learn soccer skills, and play educational games. Offered at several locations. kickandplay.com

Jodi’s Gym, Karma Kids Yoga

songs, movement, rhythmic rhymes, and instrument play to babies and kindergarteners with their Music Together class. The center’s My Mini School offers a “preschool in 90 minutes” concept with circle time, art, music, dance, games, free play, and snack time. Dance classes incorporate ballet, hip hop, and Latin rhythms; foreign language classes introduce kids to Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. kidberrynyc.com Kids at Art Kids at Art is the premiere Art Studio for Children in NYC. They focus on the basics of visual arts, with age-appropriate projects for each group from 2-12 years of age in painting, drawing, collage, and much more, all in a nurturing environment. Now at a new studio at 1412 Second Avenue between 73rd and 74th Streets. kidsatartnyc.com Kids at Work A variety of drop-off classes are offered for babies and tots up to age 4 at this center in Chelsea, focusing on educational policies from Bank Street and Montessori systems. Try a sensory music or art class, learn how to play soccer with Super Soccer Stars, whip up some goodies with Taste Buds Kitchen, or toddle around a toddler ballet class.

Sun Sessions at a local park incorporates music, movement, stories, and songs. kidsatworknyc.com Kids In Sports Kids can sign up for this specialized sports program located throughout Manhattan for ages 12 months through 12 years old. Learn the fundamentals of baseball, basketball, flag football, floor hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and volleyball through multi-sport or sport-specific classes. Kids In Sports offers camps for two different age groups, both indoors, for 2.5-3 years and 4-6 years. kisnyc.com Kidville Child development specialists design a variety of creative classes to stimulate, engage, and entertain babies up to age 6 at this favorite kid center, located throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Choose from cooking, gym, art, enrichment, and music and dance classes like Rockin’ Railroad. Not sure if your child is ready for preschool? The Kidville University program offers an alternative. kidville.com Language Workshop for Children Stimulating language lessons are offered for babies,

Kidberry This music and education center in South Harlem introduces

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It’s Fall Y’all

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toddlers, and elementary school children. Original music, action games, visual aids, and vocabulary-building songs help students learn Spanish, French, Chinese, and Italian.

The program is internationally recognized, using The Thibaut Technique, a whole language approach using both sides of the brain. Locations are on the Upper East and West sides. languageworkshopforchildren.com

Launch Math Achievement Center This center on the Upper West Side teaches basic math concepts to young children, using objects and themes they encounter every day. Through small group activities, little ones 3-5 years old will learn counting, geometric designs, math vocabulary, measuring, estimation, patterns, time, and more. Kids in grades K-8 learn using fun computer-based instruction, hands-on tools, and problemsolving. launchmath.com Lil Yogi’s NYC The fundamentals of yoga are introduced to kids ages 12 months through the teen years in this playful, non-competitive program. Held at studios throughout the Upper West Side and in Central Park in late spring and summer, classes are designed to help kids feel stronger and more relaxed, engaging their imaginations with pictures, music, stories, interactive games, and traditional poses. lilyogisnyc.com

instruction to composition to advanced music theory. kaufman-center.org/lms Mad Science Mad Science sparks imaginative learning for ages 3-8 with STEM-focused topics like Color Lab, Wacky Waves, Dry Ice Capades, Mysterious Magnets, and more. Offerings include preschool, elementary, and afterschool workshops as well as vacation camps, private home classes, birthday parties, and special events. madscience.com/manhattan Make Meaning Make Meaning is a first-of-its-kind destination for kids and adults to have fun with creativity. They offer more than 50 activities like cake decorating, jewelry making, and more, featuring mediums like candles, soap, glass, ceramics, paper, jewelry. You can also get creative with your crew in one of our stunningly designed private party spaces for all ages. Located on the Upper East and West Sides. makemeaning.com Mathnasium Located on the Upper East and West Sides and in Brooklyn, this learning center helps increase your child’s math skills, understanding of concepts, and overall school performance.

Kids attend two or three times a week for about an hour. mathnasium.com

The Little Gym The Little Gym’s gymnastics program for preschoolers and kindergarteners has been specially designed to help children reach developmental milestones in a structured environment that combines gymnastics with fun. Five co-ed classes are offered: Funny Bugs (3-4 years), Giggle Worms (4-5), Good Friends, (5-6), Mini Flips (3-4, advanced), and Mini Jets (5-6, advanced). thelittlegym.com

Moey’s Music Party This award-winning Off Broadway songwriter/mom-rocker and her band perform children’s concerts throughout NYC playgrounds and birthday parties in the New York Metro area. Summer classes are offered in Central Park, featuring songs, dances, instruments, musical fairy tales, weekly themes, and lessons in counting and phonics for infants through preschoolers. moeysmusicparty.com

Little Maestros This award-winning infant and toddler music program, available in several Manhattan locations, offers little ones an introduction to music with instruments, age-appropriate movement exercises, pretend play and interactive activities, original music performances, bubbles, musical storytime, puppet shows, and more. littlemaestros.com

Moonsoup Babies 2-12 months, toddlers, and elementary schoolers up to age 8 can get a feel for sensory play, including music, art, and American Sign Language at this early childhood learning center in multiple Manhattan and Astoria locations. Classes incorporate messy art projects, dress up costumes, puppets, drumming, dancing, and more, as children work on taking turns and sharing. moonsoup.net

Loop of the Loom This hand-weaving studio on the Upper East Side offers afterschool classes for ages 8-14. Using the award-winning SAORI weaving program from Japan, kids of different levels produce their own projects with semi-private instruction.

They’ll learn spinning and felting from natural fiber, dyeing, sewing, knitting, and crochet to create belts, hats, ponchos, bags, dresses and more. A homeschooler family class is also available. loopoftheloom.com Lucy Moses School This Hebrew arts school located at the Kaufman Center on the Upper West Side offers dance, music, and theater classes for preschoolers through teens. Preschoolers develop dance techniques through ballet, creative dance, rhythmic games, songs, and stories, while older kids learn modern dance and jazz combinations, Broadway music, and children’s theater. Music classes range from instrument

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Musical Kids International Interested in teaching your child another language? Musical Kids International on the Upper East Side teaches kids Spanish through interactive activities that incorporate music, dance, art, and movement. Professional educators who are native speakers work with imported materials and with their own award-winning products, including reading rugs and play areas. imbilingual.com Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals Children 6 months to 5 years will enjoy singing, dancing, musical story telling, instrument jam sessions, and puppet play at this music class featuring original music that reflects growing up in an urban environment. Classes are held at multiple locations. musicforaardvarks.com

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My Gym UES At My Gym on the Upper East Side, little ones ages 6 weeks to 13 years learn sports skills, gain fine and gross motor proficiency, and strengthen manipulative skills. In all age groups, teaching physical skills is a top priority, but children also develop social skills as they become good listeners, follow directions, and cooperate. my-gym.com/manhattan.aspx My Gym UWS My Gym on the Upper West Side has spent 30 years building children’s self-esteem and nurturing a love of fitness and activity through fun. Gym, yoga, and martial arts classes are offered in a clean, safe, and fun environment for children 6 weeks to 6 years. Member benefits include unlimited summer classes and free plays as well as exclusive savings on parents’ night out, summer camp, and birthday parties.

Now also at a new location in Harlem. mygym.com/uws National Academy Museum & School The Academy’s art classes for young students incorporate drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media in a learning environment that encourages creativity and self-expression. With classes taught indoors and out, young students explore Museum Mile and Central Park as well as the newly redesigned Academy. nationalacademy.org New York Jazz Academy This fast-growing music school offers an introduction to jazz curriculum in locations throughout Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island. Ages 9-13 can audition for a Junior Jazz Workshop, which introduces improvisation and styles while teaching note reading, music theory, instrument technique, ensemble performance, and more. Even infants and preschoolers get an introduction to jazz with Jelly Jamz in Jackson Heights. nyjazzacademy.com New York Theatre Ballet Ballet School NY in Murray Hill is the official training school of New York Theatre Ballet, offering graded classes like pre-ballet (ages 4-7), Ballet I and Ballet II (ages 8-11), and advanced Ballet III and Young Artists Program (ages 11 and up). The Children’s Division, by audition only, performs its “Once Upon a Ballet” series at Florence Gould Hall. Ballet is taught as an art form, with strong technical skill and discipline. nytb.org NYChessKids One of the largest youth chess programs, NYChessKids spreads its love for the game through organizing tournaments, afterschool programs, and chess camps.

Instructors also host classes at the New York Public Library and offer private lessons. nychesskids.com NY City Explorers This team of educators and artists offers enrichment classes, preschool programs, and adventure camps for kids of all ages. Five-hour walking adventures to each of the five boroughs are available for 2- to 16-year-olds to explore parks, museums, and attractions with the Daytrippers program. nycityexplorers.com NY Kids Club Sign your child up for classes at one of these six children’s www.newyorkfamily.com

BIG TIP: The Case For Boredom

By Gabriella Rowe As parents, “getting it right” for our children is often our most important objective. For a New York City family, that can mean fast-paced days that are packed with non-stop activities. These activities (to say nothing of plain old school!) range from soccer practice to piano lessons to tutoring, swim lessons, and birthday parties...and the list goes on and on.

With all this busyness, we hope to enhance our children’s growth and cultivate well-rounded individuals, but are we really succeeding? Are we really “getting it right”? Unfortunately, I believe we are missing several key ingredients—ingredients that, ironically, we probably had considerably more of in our own childhoods: self-reflection and, dare I say, old-fashioned boredom.

Every now and then, we need to hit the pause button in our children’s lives. When was the last time you and your children had a clear schedule to spend unscripted time together or even to spend alone?

Stimulating activities are important, but so is time for reflection and simply being still. How else can we find the mental space to understand the significance and value of these many activities and the whirlwind of doing? Fortunately, self-reflection and being still are skills that we can both model for our children and consciously provide for in our daily lives.

At home, small adjustments can have great impact.

A few simple solutions can include a rule that no electronics are allowed during dinner, forcing every member of the family to be fully present. We can designate regular family time for a walk around the neighborhood, during which we chat with each other or simply take some personal time to think. Or, we can pick a day where everyone cooks a meal together or works on a puzzle—or maybe find one evening every week or month to have a board game night (also without electronics).

The point is: we need to establish some time in all the running from activity to activity to do what many of us did as children—sit on the front steps, porch, or park bench and watch the world go by. One of my favorite expressions to use with my boys when they complain about being bored is that you cannot possibly be bored with a brain between your ears. After all, boredom breeds creativity!

It’s during those moments when the mind and body are allowed to relax that our children can reflect on their day, their week, their neighborhood, and their world. Everything we do has meaning, but we need to do a better job of carving out space to explore and reflect on what that meaning is. And what could be closer to getting it right than to help our children to develop into thoughtful adults whose doing has purpose and whose lives have meaning?

enrichment centers, located throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. There are baby fitness and music classes for infants 2-5 months old plus a variety of classes for preschoolers and school-age children. Choose from art, music, dance, gymnastics, fitness, cooking, preschool learning, or combo classes. nykidsclub.com Peridance Capezio Center The renowned School at Peridance has been recognized as a pioneer in dance education. The PeriChild Program continued on page 36 July 2013 | New York Family 35

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for students 18 months to 18 years features a progressive interdisciplinary approach to dance training, emphasizing a thorough understanding of various dance techniques while promoting self-expression and creativity. Classes include ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theater, salsa, and African. peridance.com Physique Swim School Physique Swimming offers classes year-round at all skill levels, starting at 6 months. In addition to swim lessons, Physique Swimming offers a summer camp in Battery Park City with swim instructions, an educational art program, and exciting sports activities every day. Seven locations throughout Manhattan. Register online and receive 10% off. physiqueswimming.com Planet Han At Planet Han, it’s Mandarin for all with learning, fun, and confidence! Kids and adults can learn Mandarin through group classes, afterschool programs, and private tutoring.

They’ll send you MP3 files after each class to recap what the children have learned. planethanchinese.com Playgarden Offering classes in ballet, hip hop, sports, karate, music, and more, Playgarden enriches growing minds and bodies in the early years. This indoor playground and activity center located in Tribeca is geared toward children ages 0-5. playgardennyc.com Poppyseed Pre-Nursery Meeting two or three times a week, tots and twos with adults enjoy frequent contact and a daily routine of singing and dancing, playing with toys, arts and crafts, mini-gym, and snack and story time. Poppyseed is the perfect bridge between home and nursery school. poppyseedprenursery. com Prenatal Yoga Center The first yoga center of its kind in NYC, the Prenatal Yoga Center’s schedule includes Pre- and Postnatal Yoga, New Mother’s Support Groups, Childbirth Education and a Breastfeeding Support Circle, all conducted in a calm, peaceful environment. Locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. prenatalyogacenter.com Private Picassos Kids ages 18 months and up can learn all about fine art with this group of weekly classes at a variety of locations around New York City. Customized, in-home art lessons or arranged museum and gallery tours also let kids explore legendary artists. Kids get involved with interactive projects that increase fine motor skills such as crafting their own jewelry or making their own books. privatepicassos.com Reebok Sports Club/NY & Sports Club/LA Programs here are created with a developmental approach to learning. Offerings include a 2s separation program, classes in which 2s and 3s can explore project play, plus other programs focused on tennis, zumba, and other sports. Both camps and afterschool options are available. reeboksportsclubny.com; thesportsclubla.com

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Riverside Piano Studios Musically inclined kids can get jazzed over individual classes at Riverside Piano, which moved into a new Columbus Circle location last fall. Six teachers instruct in classical, jazz, and pop piano lessons and songwriting. The new location offers afterschool, evening, and weekend openings to new students. riversidepiano.com Riverside Music Studios One of the Upper West Side’s most beloved piano teachers has opened a small school in Columbus Circle where little musicians will find rooms and varied lessons in individual violin, cello, guitar, flute, voice instruction, and more. Traditional piano instruction will remain a focus while The Piano Games program, suitable for 3 and up, includes activities to inspire piano-technique building. riversidemusicstudios.com The School at Steps The School at Steps is a training ground for students ages 2-18, offering year-round programs with classes in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, theater dance, hip hop, and Pilates.

Beginning with the Young Dancers Program and continuing through technique classes and the pre-professional Program, young dancers learn and experiment with technique and enrich their appreciation for the various forms of the art. stepsnyc.com/the-school-at-steps SciTech Kids Working alongside real scientists, children ages 3-15 engage in experiments and building projects that teach them to think and problem solve like the pros. The program offers age-based classes with a curriculum integrating numerous branches of science and invention-based activities like robot building and CSI forensic studies. Summer camp, preschool and afterschool programs, and special events are also available. sci-techkids.com Simply Sports This athletic program in Manhattan for ages 3-13 offers a range of age-appropriate sports that are scheduled after school, on weekends, and on school holidays at various locations. Kids can choose baseball, basketball, flag football, or soccer in clinics, leagues, and competitions. Fun sports events like capture the flag and miniature golf are also organized throughout the year. simplysports.net Soccer by Coach Fher The well-known and much-respected Coach Fher offers a specialized development program to bring out the best soccer skills in kids ages 2.5-10. Classes are offered yearround throughout New York’s boroughs in both indoor and outdoor settings with a low coach to child radio. coachfher.com socialsklz:-) Fun, interactive workshops teach children more than basic manners; this organization on the Upper West Side also teaches fundamental social skills and etiquette. Lessons include making good first impressions, introducing oneself, continued on page 39

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TADA! Youth Theater Sing, dance, and act! TADA! Youth Theater runs weekly musical theater classes—and whenever school is out, TADA! is in with one-day and week-long camps. Toddlers through 8th graders build performing skills with original TADA! music. tadatheater.com

Super Soccer Stars, Joffery Ballet School

starting conversations, dining and phone skills, making a toast at a party, and safe Internet use. Classes are divided into age groups (4-7, 8-12, 13-17). socialsklz.com SocRoc A former soccer professional and certified strength and conditioning specialist teaches soccer and fitness classes year-round throughout Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.

Kids ages 2-14 will develop core, upper body, and lower body strength, as well as learn soccer basics and enhance flexibility and endurance. jcsocroc.com SPORTIME Randall’s Island This impressive facility includes 20 indoor/outdoor hard courts, a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse, and a fitness and training center. SPORTIME’s Junior Tennis program and John McEnroe Tennis Academy for Elite Players are designed to excite kids about the world of tennis and nurture young players into world class athletes. Summer camp sessions are also offered. sportimeny.com StageCoach Theatre Arts Singing, drama/acting and dance classes are offered for budding thespians (ages 4-18) at this Upper East Side parttime performing arts school. Kids learn vocal articulation and modulation, acting techniques, characterization, and advanced choreography. stagecoachschools.com Super Soccer Stars & Super Soccer Stars Premier Super Soccer Stars teaches soccer skills in a fun, noncompetitive and educational environment. Though their age-specific curriculum, they use soccer to nurture, build self-confidence, and develop teamwork. Kick & Play, the parent/child pre-soccer program, is perfect for tots ages 12-24 months. Advanced young soccer stars can check out Super Soccer Stars Premier development classes and the NY Stars Premier competitive travel teams. Classes at 250+ locations throughout the tri-state area. supersoccerstars.com; starspremier.com SwimJim SwimJim classes are a fun way to learn swimming and water safety year-round. They believe children learn best in a friendly, loving environment where they feel safe and at ease, which enables young swimmers to learn basic and advanced skills while helping parents feel reassured. With five NYC locations and classes ranging from infants to adult, SwimJim has a class for everyone. swimjim.com

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Take Two Film Academy Aspiring movie makers ages 8-15 will love this filmmaking and film-acting program, available afterschool, on weekends, and over the summer. The Upper West Side facility invites students to write, act, shoot, and edit their own film and submit to the New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Cameras, audio and editing software and other equipment are provided. taketwofilmacademy.com Taste Buds Kitchen Kids ages 2 through teens can sign up for weekly cooking classes and have a new culinary adventure each week at Taste Buds Kitchen, located in the Fashion District. They’ll learn to make everything from cupcakes to mac and cheese to special cuisine from around the world. Sign up to learn how to cook with the whole family. Special summer camps and day-long or week-long camps are also available during school holidays. tastebudskitchen.com TLB Music TLB Music is a music studio and playspace located on the Upper East Side. Group classes for ages 4 months to 6 years are designed to enhance development while introducing children to all genres of music and classical and folk instruments. Its eco-friendly playroom for children ages 6 months to 6 years is perfect for playdates and birthday parties. tlbmusic.com West Side Taekwondo This martial arts center on the Upper West Side offers Tae Kwon Do training for kids of all ages. Age-appropriate classes include Pee Pods (ages 3-4), Pee Wee (ages 4-5), children’s program for beginners, intermediate and advanced (ages 6-11), teens and adults. westsidetkd.com YMCA Located throughout New York City, local branches of the Y offer a variety of programs for kids of all ages, from pre-K through teen. There are traditional sport clinics, parent/ child and group swimming lessons, fitness, art, music, dance, performing arts and visual art classes, and, for older kids, martial arts training and academic enrichment classes. ymcanyc.org Yogi Beans This Upper East Side yoga studio for kids offers flexible drop-in classes for babies, toddlers, children and teens yearround. Age-appropriate classes help kids with breathing exercises and proper poses, while props like storybooks, songs, and games will keep them entertained. yogibeans.com

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BEST

BIRTHDAY

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Low-Key Or Extravagant, Creative Or Classic, Anything’s Possible In The City’s Countless Party Spaces

By Cynthia Darling, Robin Saks Frankel, Maria Riley, And Jessica Roblin

Whether you plan a small family gathering or a big birthday blow-out, New York City puts the best of the best right at your fingertips when it comes to venues, entertainment, and birthday cakes for your child’s celebration. Want a sporty soirée? We’ve got you covered with birthday parties offered by world-renowned athletes. Is your child more the dramatic type? Don’t worry. From acting to art, there are creative celebrations galore. So before you begin planning, check out our guide to throwing the best kind of bash.

VENUES 14th Street Y Rent out this wide-open space for your child’s next birthday bash. Located in the East Village, this vibrant community center offers private rooms and a rooftop playground.

14streety.org 74th St. MAGIC 74th St. MAGIC’s popular party themes are jam-packed with fun activities in their gym, baby gym, and party room!

The outdoor rooftop playground is available, too, weather permitting. The caring, experienced staff makes sure everyone is engaged and having fun. 74magic.com 92Y Celebrate good times uptown at 92Y. Choose from gymnastics, sports, splish-splash, or Little Fishes Pool and PartyArty! Age-appropriate packages available. 92Y www.newyorkfamily.com

New York Kids Club (Photo by Heidi Green)

provides staff, sports equipment, art supplies, party favors, and more. You bring the food, decorations, and, of course, the birthday boy or girl! 92y.org American Museum of Natural History Party with a night, or day, at the museum! Choose from five adventure-themed parties offered throughout the week or plan a group sleepover beneath a 94-foot-long blue whale.

Membership required. amnh.org continued on page 42

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Applause NYC Give your regards to Broadway with an Applause NYC birthday party for kids 1-12. Whether they bring the party to you or provide their Upper East Side space, your party’s a guaranteed smash hit with 14 theme selections. applauseny.com apple seeds With convenient locations in Chelsea and the Upper West Side, apple seeds offers customized birthday parties for children up to 5. The Ultimate Party includes room to roam with the entire playground reserved for your guests. appleseedsplay.com The Art Farm in the City Book your party at The Art Farm in The City, the only indoor petting zoo in NYC, featuring chinchillas, rabbits, lizards, and birds. Kick it off with disco dancing or circle time, create amazing art projects, mingle with the critters, then end the party with food and cake. Themes include Mad Science, Farm Animals, Princess/Pirates, and more. Appropriate for ages 2-8 years. theartfarms.org Asphalt Green Get physical with a party at this Upper East Side premier athletic complex. Asphalt Green hosts active parties for children ages 3-12. From gymnastics to martial arts to pool parties, kids can get their fit on. asphaltgreen.org Ballet Academy East At Ballet Academy East, the birthday child and her posse bask in a decorated studio and personalized ballet class according to a theme of the child’s choice. Following the lesson, guests dance a ballet story recited by the teacher. balletacademyeast.com Bowlmor Lanes Bowl the kids over with fun at Bowlmor Lanes. The Times Square location showcases 50 lanes and exclusive New York City history. Book your upcoming party and let the event team get the ball rolling. bowlmor.com Broadway Birthday Bashes At The PIT (The Peoples Improv Theater) Broadway Birthday Bashes, the official birthday party division of The Peoples Improv Theater, creates musicals inspired by your birthday boy or girl. Packages can include backstage passes to meet the performers, snow cones, and face painting. broadwaybirthdaybashes.com Bronx Zoo Go wild with a Bronx Zoo birthday party celebration.

Available for ages 2-12, parties include a private room, exhibit tour, and up-close interaction with some of the most beloved zoo residents. Parties are held from October to early June on select Saturdays and Sundays. bronxzoo.com Central Park Zoo It’s a jungle out there, and your child can celebrate as king or queen for a day at the Central Park Zoo. From meeting zookeepers to feeding sea lions, party packages are sure to keep guests roaring with excitement. centralparkzoo.com

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New York Family | July 2013

The Craft Studio, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, ExerBlast

Chelsea Piers Chelsea Piers at Pier 61 delivers endless party possibilities.

With the Field House, Golf Club, Sky Rink, and 300 New York, parents can choose from rock climbing, golf, ice skating, bowling, and more. chelseapiers.com Children’s Museum of Manhattan Whether your child is turning 1 or 8 years old, CMOM will create a memorable extravaganza just for you! Enthusiastic educators, musicians and artists lead the fun with fantastic art projects, music, and adventure. All birthday parties include: invitations, decorations, a personalized cake from Magnolia Bakery, pizza, party favors, and museum admission. cmom.org Children’s Museum of the Arts The art of celebration comes alive for birthdays at Children’s Museum of the Arts in the South Village. Party times are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for children ages 1-14.

Select a package or rent out the entire museum. cmany.org Citibabes Build it and they will come! Citibabes Soho allows parents to build their perfect party—and the staff takes care of the rest.

From 90 minutes to two hours, kids can enjoy live music and fun in a 1,500-square-foot playroom. citibabes.com Color Me Mine Tap into your child’s artistic side with a birthday party at Color Me Mine in Tribeca. With more than 100 items to choose from, partygoers design and paint their own masterpieces, creating a lasting memory for years to come. tribeca.colormemine.com continued on page 43

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Columbus Gym You’ll tumble for an energetic party at Columbus Gym on the Upper West Side. The 90-minute parties cater to children ages 1-12. Supervised by USGF certified staff, gym time includes bars, beams, rings, and trampoline. columbusgymnyc.com Cozy’s Cuts for Kids Girls just want to have fun at Cozy’s Cuts for Kids with two convenient Manhattan locations. Glam it up with one of four birthday packages featuring manicures and makeup, or get the Glam-To-Go. cozyscutsforkids.com The Craft Studio The Craft Studio is famous for its magical birthday parties, toy and candy shop, classes, workshops, afterschool programs, parties to go, and special events. All of the programs and events are run with TLC and a wonderful touch that is uniquely The Craft Studio. craftstudionyc.com

BIG TIP: 5 PARTY FAvORS UNDER $10

By Ginger McKnight With a touch of imagination, a bit of assembly, and just a little cash, you’ll be able to send guests home with plenty of unique goodies that won’t end up in the garbage bin.

FOR YOUNGER KIDS Pop & Go: Pick up some popcorn kernels at the supermarket or off Fresh Direct and set up your own popcorn bar featuring toppings from your spice rack, like cinnamon sugar or seasoned salt. Send guests home with customized flavor combinations in homemade cones made from scrapbook paper (from $0.59 at Michael’s).

Pirate Booty: Create your own pirate kits for mini Jack Sparrows. Log onto pearlriver.com for drawstring bags ($2.50), stencil skulls and crossbones onto them, and fill them with bandanas and foam eye patches from Target ($12.99 for a six-pack; $2 for four).

Dave & Buster’s It’s Game Day every day at Dave and Buster’s Times Square.

Birthday packages are available for groups of 10 or more with special menus, game cards, and unlimited video game upgrades. Plus, your child scores with a D&B gift. daveandbusters.com

Green Goodies: For eco-friendly goodie bags, check out stubbypencilstudio.com, launched by a mom who had trouble finding green art and stationery supplies at local stores. Fun finds include: wooden tops for $1.50, fish-shaped wooden castanets for $5.50, and various packs of stationery.

Discovery Programs An integral part of New York for more than three decades, Discovery Programs offers eight interactive party themes for children ages 1-14. Reserve the gym, ballroom, or classroom for a Friday or Sunday celebration. discoveryprograms.com

Musical Marvels: Enlist your burgeoning DJ to create his or her own playlist and burn it onto CDs as takehome favors. The cases, which you can buy in bulk along with blank CDs, can be personalized for the party.

Try Staples, which offers a 10-pack of blank CDs and standard cases for $10.99.

Dylan’s Candy Bar You’ll feel like you’ve won the Golden Ticket with a birthday party celebration at Dylan’s Candy Bar in Midtown. Build your own or choose from Sugar Babies or Sweetie Pie Parties. dylanscandybar.com

Graphic Galore: Rather than pay a premium for merchandise featuring favorite characters from movies and books, give kids authentic comic books ($2.99 for the latest Avengers and Captain America) or manga titles. The twist: Throw in a $0.95 pad from CVS so that they can sketch their own superheroes.

East Side Tae Kwon Do At East Side Tae Kwon Do, children learn techniques to break boards, kick, and punch—then cut a birthday cake using a real Samurai sword. Kids can chop their way through the big day! eastsidetaekwondo.com East Side Yoga Eat, play, and love with a yoga birthday party at East Side Yoga. Zen party packages for 12 guests can include jewelry making, cupcake decorating, and age-appropriate yoga classes. eastsideyoganyc.com ExerBlast In this video game inspired space, old-fashioned fun and fitness get a tech savvy twist, mixing state of the art technology with creative play and adventure. Whether kids are scaling NYC’s only rotating rock wall or performing balancing acts on the slack line, these and other highenergy obstacle course challenges keep kids’ hearts pounding. exerblast.com

FOR OLDER KIDS

Fantasma Magic Abracadabra! An award-winning Fantasma Magic birthday party will amaze family and friends. The birthday child becomes the magician’s assistant, and party guests get to participate in a 45-minute magic show. Four unique options fit every budget. Located in Midtown. fantasmamagic.com FAO Schwarz Start spreading the news about your FAO Schwarz celebration at the Fifth Ave flagship store. The FAO Toy soldier greets guests, guiding them to the second floor private party room. Event planners ensure big fun, like piano dancing! fao.com The Gaga Center Your kids will go gaga on the Upper East Side for a 90-minute birthday party filled with high energy, plenty of room to roam, music, and the game of gaga. Packages can include food, a live DJ, and photographer. gagacenter.com continued on page 44

www.newyorkfamily.com

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Galli Theater A birthday extravaganza! In the heart of the Midtown, Galli Theater puts on two-hour shows for all ages. Choose from four package deals or ask them to take the show on road and come to you. gallitheaterny.com

are at Kids at Art, where there are a variety of art projects to choose from in a private art studio, which is all yours for an hour and a half. Projects can be tailor-made for your child, or you can choose from a variety of others. kidsatartnyc.com

Get Coiffed These stylists make house calls, transforming your average birthday party into a hair-raising event! Choose from a Rocker Girl or Giggles and Girlfriends party, with the option to create professional photographs and music videos. getcoiffed.com

Kids at Work Twenty or so 1- to 5-year-olds can enjoy an all-inclusive party in the lofty, 1,000-square-foot facility. Basic packages start at 90 minutes with art, pizza, balloons, and a party planner. Add extras such as a 40-minute Jam Session as part of a two-hour celebration. kidsatworknyc.com

Gymtime Rhythm & Glues What time is it? Gym time! Featuring exciting party themes and activities like Tae Kwon Do, guests are sure to get a kick out of your birthday boy or girl’s special day. Parties are 1.5 hours long on the Upper East Side. gymtime.net

Kids In Sports Coaches instruct groups up to 45 boys and girls ages 2 and up at many different locations (Kids in Sports class locations or one of your own, indoor or outdoor). Choose from baseball, football, soccer, volleyball, floor hockey, or basketball and ramp up the excitement with various other group games. kisnyc.com

Hi Art! Want an authentic New York experience? Host a Hi Art! Arty Party at this 2,500-square-foot Chelsea studio and gallery.

Kids build candy sculptures or improvise to live music with artistic flair. An artisanal catering option is also available. hiartkids.com Home Cooking New York What’s cooking in Greenwich Village and Chelsea? Your next birthday party with Home Cooking New York! Rent a fully equipped culinary studio or cook up a storm in your own kitchen. homecookingny.com The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum If you feel the need for speed, book an action-packed birthday party at The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum at Pier 86. Select from five party themes and Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages. intrepidmuseum.org The JCC in Manhattan Party space is available ranging from 425 to 6,000 square feet at The JCC in Manhattan. Sports birthday parties are also available for children ages 2-12 Fridays and Sundays.

Located on the Upper West Side. jccmanhattan.org Jodi’s Gym Encourage your child to flex his birthday muscles at Jodi’s Gym on the Upper East Side. Private parties with an attentive staff allow you the opportunity to relax and mingle with guests. Extras range from piñatas to art to healthy snacks. jodisgym.com Karma Kids Yoga Karma Kids Yoga birthday parties include basic and challenging poses, creative breathing techniques, fun yoga games, and relaxation time with hand and foot massages.

Choose a basic party package or go with one of the signature specialties: Pajama Yoga, Circus Yoga, Butterfly Yoga, Yoga Spa Party, Downward Doll Yoga, and Yoga Mat Painting. karmakidsyoga.com

Kidville Whether it’s a Rockin’ Railroad Birthday Bash or a Fairy Princess Party, Kidville’s got your little ones covered.

Birthday children choose from 18 themes to bring 10 friends to enjoy. Satisfy kids’ hunger for food and fun at one of seven New York locations. kidville.com Let’s Dress Up! Let’s Dress Up offers five party choices on the Upper East Side, such as a Red Carpet Party or a Mermaid Tea Party (a 2013 summer special). Costumes, favors, and birthday banners delight children. letsdressupct.com Liberty Science Center Birthday guests enjoy all-day admission to exhibit floors, cake, and parking vouchers. With hide-and-seek, the Touch Tunnel maze, digital graffiti, and more, kids ages 1-12 can enjoy an activity-packed weekend party. lsc.org Little Maestros Boogie to original Little Maestros music, story time, and puppet shows. Talented teachers lead the birthday bashes at various Manhattan locations and use top-of-the-line instruments. littlemaestros.com Loop of the Loom Six to 12 weavers can take designs home after a Loop of the Loom birthday on the Upper East Side. Suggested for ages 6 and up, children make homemade weaves or felt creations under the guidance of an instructor. loopoftheloom.com Madame Tussauds Madame Tussauds spans 85,000 square feet and houses more than 200 wax figures. The Times Square venue houses a 4D theater and SCREAM! experience.

Packages for 4-year-olds and up can include Wax Hands, a personal photographer, and concession voucher. madametussauds.com

Kids at Art The most creative, fun, and personalized birthday parties

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New York Family | July 2013

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Mad Science Kids ages 3-12 can interact for about an hour making cotton candy, bubble potions, or launching rockets. Mad Science provides goody bags and accepts groups up to 20 children. madscience.org Make Meaning Celebrate creativity at Make Meaning with a party focused on making glassware, cakes, ceramics, and more on the Upper East or West Sides. The private events space features two Creative Experiences, a main event and a side show, with a custom cake, decorations, and a VIP pass to return. makemeaning.com Manhattan Movement & Arts Center Choose from The Amazing Magic Party or The Freckletaining Party at the Upper West Side’s Manhattan Movement & Arts Center. Enjoy a private party run by staff with meetand-greets, ticket discounts, Freckleface posters, and silly bands. manhattanmovement.com McBurney YMCA Book a Saturday or Sunday birthday party room at McBurney YMCA for up to 20 guests. One package for 16 guests offers a one-hour activity such as gym sports, swimming, crafts, face painting, or playing in the indoor playground. ymcanyc.org MoonSoup Take an hour and a half to two hours at MoonSoup to get artsy and musical. Pizza and juice fills about 15 kids’ bellies as a party leader entertains at the midtown location.

Party invites, tableware, setup, and cleanup are provided. moonsoup.net

Moving to the Beat Batman, drama, music and movement, and puppets characterize a birthday at Moving to the Beat. Play games and interact with the animated singer Robert the Guitar Guy. Parties for 3-year-olds and under are available, as well. movingtothebeat.net Museum of the City of New York Piece of Cake Parties and the museum team up to present four customized celebrations, each 90 minutes long for up to 20 children. Invites, balloons, pizza, cake, and more come standard. Themes include Taxis & Trains Adventure and Super Skyscraper Caper. mcny.org My Gym UWS My Gym UWS custom designs each party to incorporate your child’s favorite age-appropriate games, activities, rides, songs, puppets, and more. They deliver an unmatched level of energy and excitement with the right combination of structured activities and free play. Several packages are available, including more than 30 themes, food, and party favors. my-gym.com Mystery & Mayhem Mystery & Mayhem offers incredible improvisational and age-appropriate dress up mystery parties where guests ages 7-18 become suspects in a horrendous crime! “Like Clue, but better!” is the way one youngster described the event, with five riveting and hilarious dramas to choose from. Guests receive gifts of crystals or semi-precious stones in pouches. mysteryandmayhem.com New York Hall of Science Boasting New York’s largest Science Playground as well as other activities like mini golf and magic, the Super Science Birthday party at the New York Hall of Science is fun for all. A party includes exhibit tours, interactive activities, and demonstrations. Favors and food included. nysci.org New York Kids Club With locations on the east and west sides as well as in Brooklyn, you’re never far from a party at New York Kids Club. Choose from a basic or an all-inclusive package with themes like Hip Hop Happening, Spectacular Science Party, Adventures in Storyland, Broadway Birthday, and X-treme Birthday. nykidsclub.com

Kidville photo by Heidi Green

New York Transit Museum Enjoy a peek at New York’s transit past with a birthday party at the New York Transit Museum. Vintage cars, a birthday turnstile, and even a bus driver’s seat for guests to sit in accompany party activities like Design a Vehicle, Make a Mosaic, and Scavenger Hunt. mta.info/mta/museum/#birthday Peridance Capezio Center Birthday parties are offered on Sunday from 11am-1pm. Guests arrive and are treated to a 45-minute dance class in styles including ballet, African, hip hop, salsa, and many more. You provide the decorations and food; the center provides props, dance games, and fun activities. peridance.com The Art Farm in the City, 74th St. MAGIC, Kidville

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Pop Star Parties With celebrations hosted at DeeTown Studios (near Union Square), partygoers get to sing to their heart’s content, analyze lyrics, and find out what goes on behind the scenes at a studio where stars like Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers have recorded. The party includes a two-song recording session, download link for the music produced, and pizza, drinks, and more for up to 15 pop stars. popstarparties.com Poppyseed Pre-Nursery At Poppyseed Pre-Nursery, throw the perfect birthday party for your baby, toddler, or 2-year-old and friends. In a warm and nurturing environment, with a space that feels like a large living room, the partygoers will sing, dance, and do arts and crafts. poppyseedprenursery.com Queens County Farm Museum For a farm birthday party, look no further than the Queens County Farm, offering children’s birthday parties from April to October for little ones ages 1-12. A full service party incorporates tractor drawn hayrides, animal feeding, and a farmyard tour. Pizza, cake, and favors included. queensfarm.org Red Carpet Kids Butlers wait hand-and-foot, makeup artists powder little noses, and paparazzi snap photos of your child walking the red carpet with friends. Partygoers get to act in mini movies (that they can take home) before viewing the footage at an after-party bash with pizza, soda, candy, popcorn stands, and cake. redcarpetkidsnyc.com Reebok Sports Club/NY Boasting one of the largest party spaces in Manhattan, this venue will send out invitations for your child’s party and provide food and decorations. Entertainment and activities provided at extra charge. Set up and clean up provided. reeboksportsclubny.com The Scholastic Store With 15 custom birthday party packages ranging from Space Shindig to Pajama Party to Clifford’s Big Birthday Bash, the Scholastic Store in Soho has it all. Looking to create a more personalized party? The store’s party planning service, will work with you to make your child’s dream party a reality. store.scholastic.com Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids Throw a glam birthday party for your daughter at Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids. Parties take place in the Glamour Girl dressing room where partygoers get a new hairstyle, makeup application, and mini-cure. Pizza and juice/soda provided. sharkeyscutsforkids.com/parties Slate Slate’s two-floor, spacious lounge environment holds pool tables and foosball tables galore. From dancing to games to magicians, a party at Slate is complete with food, goody bags, and invitations. slate-ny.com

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Soccer by Coach Fher The best kind of party is when the kids come home exhausted! Coach Fher ensures this will happen at his oneand two-hour soccer parties. Providing a coach for every six children, Coach Fher takes care of every detail. The party ends with a family or children’s game. coachfher.com SPiN New York For a ping pong party like no other, SPiN New York’s private event room includes a ping pong table, bar (for soda and juice!), disco ball, dance floor, DJ booth, and lounge area. newyork.spingalactic.com SPORTIME Randall’s Island Randall’s Island’s state-of-the-art tennis facility will host a party for your little tennis pro, providing instruction, equipment and tennis courts complete with a party room for enjoying cake afterward. Activities include energetic tennis games and a round robin tournament. sportimeny.com Sports Club/LA For Kids Only at Reebok Sports Club/NY & The Sports Club/ LA-Upper East Side is a club within a club for children.

FKO hosts birthday parties customized to match your child’s interests. Choose from a variety of exciting activities including sports, rock climbing, toddler gym, dance, movement, art, music, and more. thesportsclubla.com StoryTime By Design Offering 15 different theme birthday parties, StoryTime

by Design provides a unique story hour experience. The facilitators will lead your child and guests through a continued on page 48

BIG TIP: HOT PARTY THEMES THIS YEAR

By Christine Wei Birthday parties once meant streamer decorations, simple games at home, plus cake and presents. These days, it’s a whole different ballgame, with themes and goodies galore. Whether you organize your own party or leave the details up to the pros, here are some ideas that keep it fresh and engaging.

Get Cooking: Even the pickiest eaters have fun getting messy in the kitchen (not to mention they’re more likely to enjoy tasting something they were a part of making).

Cooking parties can either be a group effort, or you can kick things up a notch by turning it into a competition.

Recipes we love include cookies, pizza, pie pops, and more—see our online food blog for more.

Get Active: With all the birthday treats consumed at the party, it’s always a good idea to get moving and burn off some of that extra energy. Beyond the usual gym and gymnastics fun, kids are also getting into golf, Tae Kwon Do, and ping pong. Everyone has a competitive side, so sportsy celebrations are always a win.

Get Crafty: What’s better than making something with your friends that you can take home with you? You can either get materials from the crafts store or hit up the city’s many studios to decorate glassware and ceramics, learn to weave, do some good old tie dye, or even make your own books.

July 2013 | New York Family

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storytelling that makes use of art, music, puppetry, and dramatic play. storytimebydesign.com

planner will also work with you to plan a custom party that fits your child’s interests. ymcanyc.org

Super Soccer Stars Party packages include 60 minutes of soccer and 30 minutes for food, cake, and party festivities. Customize your party with Super Soccer Stars balls as favors, t-shirts, catering, personalized evites, balloons, a surprise visit from Kick the Mascot, and more. Parties are available at one of our many locations, in the park, in your home. supersoccerstars.com

Victorian Gardens At Central Park’s Victorian Gardens Amusement Park, party guests receive day-long unlimited ride passes! Partygoers will celebrate amidst more than 30,000 feet of rides, games, and attractions, before chowing down on treats like chicken tenders, turkey sandwiches, hot dogs, cookies, and fruit. victoriangardensnyc.com

TADA! Youth Theater Celebrate like a star! Choose from three different packages for your child’s birthday where they come to you for an interactive song and dance soiree, or you can go to them for a show or even a command performance. tadatheater.com

West Side Taekwondo Available for parties after 3:30pm Saturdays and after 1pm on Sundays, West Side Taekwondo will offer a two-hour party complete with introductory lesson, children’s games, and demonstration of forms, sparring, and board breaks. westsidetkd.com

Taste Buds Get your child into the kitchen with one of Taste Buds’ perfectly planned parties. Taste Buds has designed age appropriate parties for children ages 2-7 or 8-14. Picture your child and friends all suited up in aprons ready to cook dishes such as Cupcake Challenge, Iron Chef Mac Attack, or Brunch Bonanza. tastebudskitchen.com

West Side YMCA Experts in giving your child a special day, the West Side YMCA has created a range of party packages including roof top parties, pool parties, drama parties, sports parties, and dance parties. Teens can also have a party in the teen center, and there is space for parties in the Early Child Exploration Center for ages 1-6. ymcanyc.org

TLB Music With a playroom boasting a clubhouse, rock climbing mountain, play kitchen, and a transportation corner, TLB Music offers music parties and free play parties. Themes include Jungle Boogie, Barnyard Bash, and Rock and Roll, or you can tailor the party to your child’s favorite songs and musical tastes. tlbmusic.com

Yogi Beans For a yoga party that will have all of your child’s friends in knots, head to Yogi Beans’ new Upper East Side studio for one of the fabulous birthday party packages including the “Spa-tacular” and “Paint Your Face Off” Yogi Beans Birthday Bashes. Each package allows for yoga activities followed by pizza and drinks. yogibeans.com

Tie Dye Town Host a groovy party at Tie Dye Town, where guests will make t-shirts, artwork, or bracelets with themes like World’s Greatest Super Hero Tie Dye party, World’s Greatest Princess Tie Dye party, and World’s Greatest Tie Dye Slime party. Tie Dye cupcakes and cake, as well as tattoos, round out the list of unique party amenities. tiedyetown.com

CLOWNS Each child who attends Looney Lenny’s hilarious, interactive magic show (with juggling!) receives their own clown-o-rific name and balloon animal. looneyluckylennyland.com

Tiger Schulmann’s Karate Tiger Schulmann’s Karate will have your child’s party guests punching, kicking, and blocking their way through a fun-filled birthday. Guests receive introductory course certificates to show their accomplishments. It’s a healthy way to celebrate! tsk.com

Sammie and Tudie’s clowning philosophy: life is better when you’re laughing. This comedic, magic circus show is ideal for ages 3 and up. imaginationplayhouse.com

Twinkle Party The ultimate ballerina party takes place at Twinkle Party, where guests dress up in tutus and take a ballet class. An interactive classical ballet story as well as a tiara for the birthday girl will all be included. Parties are held for up to 20 participating ballerinas. twinklepartyfun.com Vanderbilt YMCA At the Vanderbilt YMCA, conveniently located in Midtown East, parents can choose from pre-planned sports, fitness, and pool parties. Parents supply food, beverages and decorations. Looking for a different twist? The Y’s party

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Juliet Schaefer Jeske’s talents include face painting, balloon twisting, stilts, silly magic, and playing the ukulele and accordion. rednosesnewyork.com

FACE PAINTING Not your typical face painting experience, the awardwinning Faces by Derrick will make your kids, ages 3 and up, wish to never wash their faces again. facesbyderrick.com Girls especially love the signature unicorn design of Face Art

by Melissa. This mother of two does fabulous face art and gorgeous glitter tattoos. faceartbymelissa.com The owner of Hearts Face Painting & Balloon Art, “Hearts,” brings both creative art forms to birthday environments. facepaintingballoontwisting.com

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Mario the Magician’s 45-minute set is aimed at kids ages 4-10 who are sure to go nuts for his silly antics and age-old slapstick humor. You can even add on a magic lesson to the end of his act. mariothemagician.com Kids ages 3-8 (and their parents) will adore Silly Billy.

This self-proclaimed “comedian for children” uses magic, balloon twisting, and lots of jokes to drum up laughter. sillybillymagic.com MUSICIANS Led by Audra Tsanos, Audra Rox’s family-friendly band is just right for Big Apple birthdays. Audra arrives at your party location ready to sing songs made for the city, incorporates the birthday child in the music and will have every guest jamming along on percussion props. audrarox.com Brett Band is the brainchild of early childhood music educator Brett Rothenhaus, formerly of Little Maestros. His original music, along with kiddie classics, makes for a playlist that gets everybody on their feet. brettband.com Looking for a royal way to celebrate your little girl’s birthday? Moey’s Music Party brings the pompoms, maracas, and parachute for 45 minutes of fun. Try the Princess Party Package filled with boas, bling, and boogieing. moeysmusicparty.com Meredith LeVande, perhaps better known as Monkey Monkey Music, specializes in upbeat, original tunes for little ones.

Her parachute-, instrument- and bubble-infused party shows instantly get all ages grooving. monkeymonkeymusic.com Make Meaning, Karma Kids Yoga, Super Soccer Stars

Kiki’s Faces and Balloons is an all-encompassing entertainment company offering face painting, balloon sculpting, “silly people,” and princesses. kikisfacesandballoons.com Party Faces By Rachel’s namesake has a background that’s practically a Ph.D. in paint. Her ability to charm the little ones while she works helps to keep them comfortable with the painting process. partyfacesbyrachel.com MAGICIANS The Amazing Max is so beloved; he even has his own Off-Broadway show for mega-magic families. His highenergy, interactive show blends comedy and juggling. maxdarwinmagic.com Cardone The Ultimate Vaudeville Magician’s act includes escape artistry, ventriloquism, and classic scarf, coin, and card tricks. cardonethemagician.com Children ages 3-7 will fold into fits of laughter at Gary the Great’s comedic magic act. He adapts his show based on audience response, so no two performances are alike. ahrealmagic.com Magic Al’s sleight of hand tricks will stupefy even grown-ups and his goofy antics keep kids in stitches throughout every performance. magic-al.com www.newyorkfamily.com

mr. RAY takes a mix-it-up approach to birthday gigs.

Beginning with a concert and transitioning into a dance party, the festivities end with kids stepping up to sing solos on the mic. His music is a mix of originals, kids classics, and some classic rock for the parents. mrray.com A one-man band, Rockin’ With Andy makes kids and their parents want to shake their groove things. Mom and Dad love Andy’s acoustic guitar versions of grown-up hits, and the little ones go bananas for his kids classics. Andy also brings shakers, bells, scarves, and animal puppets for maximum rocking. rockinwithandy.com SPECIALTY If you can dream it, Nick the Balloonatic can make it. For the last 20 years, Nick’s handiwork has included flower bouquets, superheroes, monkeys on palm trees, top hats, and much more. nicktheballoonatic.com Wendy The Pipe Cleaner Lady is a category unto herself.

Girls adore her tiaras, boys covet her spider creations, and even celebrities like Martha Stewart want her pipe cleaner flower rings. thepipecleanerlady.com

For MorE bIrThdAY PLANNING TIPS, vISIT NEwYorKFAMILY.CoM

July 2013 | New York Family

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NEW YORK FAMILY PARTNER

A DREAM BUILDING Between Its Wonderful Amenities And Ideal Location, The Strathmore Is One Of The Upper East Side’s Most Popular Luxury Rentals Among Families

M

uch like nearby Carl Schurz Park, The Strathmore is its own special oasis, especially for families.

A popular staple of the luxury rental market, the 43-story residential complex offers the finer advantages of high-rise living, with spacious and well-appointed apartments in a building that includes a squash court, fitness center, and a 24-hour concierge service, among other conveniences and services.

“What’s really great is not just the amenities that are in the building, but also its location,” says Daria Salusbury, senior vice president of The Related Companies, which developed the for-rental-only apartments.

“There are many great schools in the area, both public and private, and a ton of activity and enrichment programs for kids, like those at 92Y.” When the residents’ children aren’t busy enjoying themselves in the neighborhood, there’s the option of The Strathmore’s wonderful playroom, full of books, toys, and games for kids of all ages. In October, the playroom is the site of a Halloween party for families; in December, Santa and his elves

gather there with small gift packages for every child in the building. The Strathmore also has a separate birthday party space, which works for adult gatherings as well.

For more physical activities, the building has not only a fitness center but also a year-round indoor pool with a lifeguard who offers swim instruction. For kicking back and relaxing, there’s a newly constructed lawn and barbeque outdoor lounge on the building’s east side. If residents wish to have a more private experience with a few friends, they can reserve part of the area.

The Strathmore offers two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments, all with washers and dryers in unit, and most have oversized kitchens large enough to fit a sizeable table and chairs. Residents can also use the building’s bike storage and parking garage.

A special building is more than the sum of its amenities, of course—and The Strathmore is as family-friendly in spirit as it is in special features. Salusbury sums it up nicely: “The staff is interactive with the families and children; it’s really nice to see how much they care about the residents.” —Alissa Katz

THE STRATHMORE Address: 400 East 84th Street Prices: Two bedrooms start at $7,000; three bedrooms start at $11,500; four bedrooms start at $18,000; penthouses start between $15,000 and $20,000 Developer: The Related Companies Sales office: (212)650-1600 Website: www.thestrathmore.com

Aoommiephotography.com The Children’s Museum of Manhattan

VeNues THAT CurATe WiTH CHildreN iN MiNd

From The Traditional Arts And Culture Offerings To Newer Science And Technology Exhibits, The City’s Museums Are Increasingly Gearing Their Programs Toward Families

By Tali Rosenblatt-Cohen What’s more quintessentially New York than spending the afternoon at a history museum, walking through an art gallery, or exploring an interactive science exhibit? The metropolitan area’s myriad museums are increasingly focusing on family-friendly programming and events, taking our appetite for art and culture to new levels.

American Museum of Natural History More than just home to the giant T-Rex dinosaur bones, AMNH boasts a range of programs and exhibits, from rainforest tours to huge IMAX presentations about space and wildlife. Be sure to check out its newest exhibit, Frogs: A Chorus of Colors. amnh.org www.newyorkfamily.com

Brooklyn Children’s Museum At BCM, the original children’s museum and the first LEED certified green museum, children experience the world at exactly their level. BCM offers kids a myriad of things to do, whether it’s crawling inside a pond aquarium or learning about their neighbors in World Brooklyn. Kids with special needs should also check out the Sensory Room, which offers activities that stimulate different senses. brooklynkids.org Brooklyn Museum Introduce your child to the rich heritage of world cultures at one of the largest art museums in the continued on page 54 July 2013 | New York Family 53

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intended to engage children ages 3-10. Or go anytime and borrow their family activity pack with suggested activities and games. For those who enjoy abstract lights, colors, and spaces, be sure to check out James Turrell’s exhibit. guggenheim.org Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Come aboard one of the most successful ships in US history. The Exploreum exhibit is designed for children of all ages to learn about water, space, air, and life at sea. Future pilots can blast off in flight simulators, and daredevils will love the all-new 4D Motion Ride Theater. intrepidmuseum.org

Liberty Science Center

country. It offers something for everyone: Meet the Museum is a program for toddlers, Arty Facts caters to kids 4-7, and the Gallery/Studio Program has clases for older kids (and their parents). brooklynmuseum. org Children’s Museum of the Arts With its state-of-the-art Media Lab & Sound Booth, Clay Bar, and Fine Art Studio, CMA is dedicated to extending the benefits of art to all children. The museum has exhibits meant to delight and inspire kids and offers a wide range of classes—including one for physically disabled children and their siblings. cmany.org Children’s Museum of Manhattan CMOM is committed to healthy living by presenting interactive exhibits that let kids learn and play at the same time. Explore its Monkey King exhibit to learn about Chinese culture, the EatPlaySleep exhibit for improving everyday health, and the new Red Grooms’ exhibit to celebrate urban living. cmom.org DiMenna Children’s History Museum at the New York Historical Society At the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, your budding historian can learn about the history of the city and the people in it. Check out the new Swing Time exhibit to learn about life in the 1930s or visit the Portraits of the City exhibit for breathtaking views of local monuments and skyscrapers. nyhistory.org/ childrens-museum El Museo Del Barrio Visit New York’s leading Latino cultural institution and see the exhibit El Museo’s Bienal, which features paintings from local artists—all of whom live in the NYC metropolitan area. Bring the kids for a day of culture, art, and family programs geared toward community awareness and growth. elmuseo.org Guggenheim Internationally renowned for modern and contemporary art, the Guggenheim offers Family Sundays with tours led by museum educators,

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Japan Society Dedicated to deepening mutual understanding between the US and Japan, family programming is organized around some of Japan’s annual festivities and allows children to learn about Japanese history and culture through storytelling, crafts, and celebrations. japansociety.org The Jewish Museum Children will experience Jewish art and culture through projects, tours, classes, and the archeology zone, where they gain hands-on experience with ancient artifacts. Be sure to visit the Jack Goldstein exhibit and learn about the history of film art and sound. thejewishmuseum.org Liberty Science Center Worth the trip to New Jersey, the Liberty Science Center is home to the nation’s largest IMAX dome theater, tornado- and hurricane-force wind simulators, a pitch-black crawl-through Touch Tunnel, and the BASF Kids’ Lab (where ages 6-12 can get their hands dirty with science experiments). If you decide to make the trip, don’t miss the new Grossology exhibit where kids can learn about their own anatomy. lsc.org The Metropolitan Museum of Art Storytime in Nolen Library, Sunday Studio, and Start with Art at the Met are just a few of this museum’s kidfriendly programs. It also offers a program for families with children who are blind or partially sighted, plus one for children over 6 who have learning or developmental disabilities. metmuseum.org The Morgan Library & Museum Originally the private library of Pierpont Morgan, the Morgan Library & Museum now houses all forms of manuscripts, early books, and prints. Keep an eye out for family-friendly events like the Spring Family Fair or Mr. Morgan’s sensory workshop. themorgan.org Museum of Arts & Design MAD explores the intersection of art, design, and craft. Kids will be especially interested in the Studio Sunday programs and the Sarah and Seth Glickenhaus Education Center—an open studio where visitors of all ages can watch artists at work and participate in the creative process. madmuseum.org www.newyorkfamily.com

Museum of Chinese in America MOCA is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history and culture of Chinese Americans. Take your mini divas and fashion followers to the Front Row exhibit, which showcases famous Chinese American fashion designers. While there, check out the many performances, book readings, and games that are meant to entertain multi-generational families. mocanyc.org

BIG TIP: Magnificent Museum Shops For Kids

Museum of the City of New York Showcasing the city’s unique past and diverse heritage, the Frederick A.O. Schwarz Children’s Center offers programs that teach children about NYC. Permanent collections at the museum include Activist New York—which teaches children and adults about social activism in the city. mcny.org

The Met This gift shop offers children more than a dozen types of art kits, ten different kid-friendly instruments, interactive picture books, and even a LEGO Empire State Building model kit. With a wide variety of crafts, books, and toys, this shop is great for children of all ages, from tots to teens.

Museum of Math MoMath is brand new to the museum scene and offers kids great opportunities to learn about the world from a mathematical perspective. With interactive exhibits and programs, kids can banish their fear of numbers and shapes and embrace math and its many mysteries. momath.org Museum of the Moving Image Kids love all things digital, so check out a weekend screening of family-friendly films. Workshops in which kids can learn about and create moving images make this museum a rainy day hit. Be sure to check out DVD Dead Drop and bring a piece of the museum home to your TV. movingimage.us Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) We all know that MoMA has interactive workshops (like MoMA Labs) and gallery talks for families, but you may be surprised to discover that the museum also offers free screenings of new and classic family films, complete with a discussion led by MoMA educators. moma.org National Museum of the American Indian Learn about the original inhabitants of New York at this museum in Bowling Green. Available by appointment, tours of the Haudenosaunee Discovery Room teach kids about traditional and modern American Indian life through hands-on activities. nmai.si.edu New Museum As New York’s only museum dedicated to contemporary art, the New Museum offers First Saturdays with Families—a chance for families to explore the exhibits and learn about contemporary art. The museum also hosts a Block Party in the summer that features live performances and fun activities. newmuseum.org New York City Fire Museum Aspiring firefighters will enjoy seeing truck and squad gear of the past and present. The museum features five permanent exhibits, including Tools and Uniforms, www.newyorkfamily.com

By Amy Reynolds Half the fun of visiting a museum in NYC is perusing the gift shop before heading home. Here are six great museum shops where kids can find awesome toys, books, gifts, and more.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan The museum shop at CMOM is home to six spectacularly chunky puzzles (perfect for tots ages 2 and older), pretend food for mini chefs, and even a Decorate Your Own Pirate Chest art kit. Toys found here are mostly geared toward younger kids, but there are some options that tweens will enjoy as well.

Guggenheim Build your own Guggenheim Museum with the LEGO kit found at this gift shop or take your pick of six different Cubebot toys to play with on the ride home. Be sure to check out the store’s rotating featured item. A recent highlight: ShapeScapes, a “sculpture in a box” that allows kids to create over 90 unique shapes in a range of colors.

The Morgan Library & Museum This quaint shop offers children themed jigsaw puzzles, a Beatrix Potter tea set, and playful pop-up books that kids love. The selection at this gift shop isn’t quite as plentiful as the others, but each and every item they sell is sure to be a hit with young museumgoers.

Museum of the City of New York At this NYC-specific store, kids can find toy NYPD helicopters and cars, a Staten Island Ferry set, and an Empire State Building cardboard pop-out. Best of all, discounts are offered to museum members.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) This gift shop offers six varieties of fun animal masks, a Crazy Face Magnetibook, and adorable art-while-youeat placemats. But be warned: This gift shop has a huge selection of children’s toys and games, so you may be tempted to purchase everything you see!

Romance of Firefighting, and a tribute to the 343 members of New York City’s Bravest who lost their lives on 9/11. nycfiremuseum.org New York City Police Museum The Junior Officers Discovery Zone allows children 3-10 to learn all about Police men and women in a fun setting. With activities for younger kids, including opportunities to wash a real Police car, as well as for older kids (crime scene observation continued on page 56 July 2013 | New York Family 55

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activities), children will walk away with greater appreciation for New York City’s defenders of the peace. nycpolicemuseum.org New York Hall of Science This hotspot located in Queens satisfies both children’s and adults’ curious streaks. Family workshops allow the whole family to experiment together while Preschool Place is an exciting, multisensory destination for little ones. While you’re there be sure to check out its touring exhibit, Wild Minds— What Animals Really Think. nysci.org New York Transit Museum Subway and train fans will learn how New York’s great transportation was created and enjoy weekend programs that incorporate science, art, and books.

With a regular story hour for tots and an afterschool program for kids on the autism spectrum, this Brooklyn Heights museum is a must for all city children. mta.info Queens County Farm Museum New York City’s only maintained farm is both historical and a museum that’s open year-round. With events such as the Annual Queens County Fair in September, a pumpkin patch in October, and Wildlife Weekends in November, there’s always something exciting going on at the farm. queensfarm.org Rubin Museum of Art Art from the Himalayas may not be what first comes to mind when thinking about kids, but the Rubin Museum makes family programming a priority. Dropin workshops, family art labs, and family days and festivals will introduce your kid to the joys of art, yaks, and yurts! rmanyc.org Scandinavian Museum Dedicated to preserving the history of Scandinavians who settled on the East Coast, this museum hosts a variety of programming, from an annual essay contest for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders to the Danish Mardi Gras in February to a Viking Fest in May. scandinavianmuseum.org Skyscraper Museum Celebrate our vertical city with a trip to the Skyscraper Museum. Educators engage kids on topics like urbanism, architecture, and engineering through family programs such as Sidewalk Art, Skyscraper Physics, and Trash Factory. Be sure to check out its World Trade Center Dossier exhibit to learn about the events of 9/11. skyscraper.org South Street Seaport Museum As an extension of the Museum of the City of New York, the South Street Seaport Museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the city, the sea, and the seaport neighborhood. Families can participate in various activities—from making and decorating model boats, to knot-tying workshops. Come take an

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interactive look at NYC maps. seany.org Staten Island Children’s Museum Whether you enjoy playing chess with life-sized pieces or watching the birth of butterflies, the exhibits in the Staten Island Children’s Museum are sure to amaze. On weekends, families can participate in the Up4Art series, create holiday crafts, or assist museum staff as they feed and care for bugs, fish, guinea pigs, and other fine-feathered friends. statenislandkids.org Tenement Museum Home to more than 7,000 working class immigrants in 1863, the Tenement Museum provides visitors a unique way to appreciate the Lower East Side’s great history. With walking tours of the neighborhood and themed tours within the building (including one from an impersonated 14-year-old past resident), your family will get a good dose of exercise and knowledge. tenement.org The Toy Museum of NY After attending an interactive show at Queen Marlene’s Toy Theatre, tour the museum’s collection of dolls and toys of the past. Queen Marlene’s Birthday Party show invites little ones to come in costume, join the party, and, of course, have cake afterward. Come hungry! toymuseumny.org The Whitney Museum of American Art “Crying babies welcome!” is the tagline of Stroller Tours at the Whitney, offered for new moms and dads on select Fridays when the museum is closed to the public. Workshops geared toward children of various ages are also available to engage your little ones in the artistic process. whitney.org

FoR MoRe MuSeuM ReCoMMeNdATIoNS, vISIT NeWYoRkFAMIlY.CoM www.newyorkfamily.com

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StorieS Come to Life on Stage The New Victory Theater

A Guide To The Most KidFriendly Theaters In NYC

By Sarah Albert New York City is known for fabulous theater and performing arts. From student showcases to Broadway musicals, our city is a hotspot for all kinds of talent. So whether you want to see an adaptation of a favorite Disney movie or an original spin on your kids’ favorite book, this list of local theaters has something the whole family can enjoy together.

CHILDREN’S THEATER 13th Street Repertory This theater offers many exciting shows for kids ages 3 and up. From well-known fairytales to interactive shows, there’s something for everyone.

You can even have a birthday party or take acting classes. 13thstreetrep.org Children’s Theatre Company Kids take center stage at this company where all shows include child performers. The goal is to show children that they can be the voice of positive change. childrenstheatrecompany.org DR2 Theatre The DR2 Theatre in Union Square is an intimate 99-seat venue that has hosted many theatrical www.newyorkfamily.com

productions geared toward kids, including the most recent “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “Bunnicula.” dr2theatre.com Galli Theater For more than 25 years, the Galli Theater has been bringing fairytales to life for children of all ages.

Actors encourage the audience to interact and get on stage. For multilingual families, plays are offered in English, French, and German. gallitheaterny.com Kidz Theater Kidz Theater doesn’t just put on productions for kids by kids. It also serves as a children’s acting studio where young aspiring actors learn fundamental stage acting techniques. From July 5-14, see the Kidz Theater troupe in “Sweeney Todd.” kidztheater.org Literally Alive Children’s Theatre Literally Alive takes children’s books and turns them into original musicals. Get there an hour early for the pre-show arts workshop that helps children better understand theater. literallyalive.com Manhattan Children’s Theatre This theater produces adaptations of both classical and contemporary books. The shows are for all ages, but the Little Tales series is specifically for preschoolaged children. mctny.org Making Books Sing This theater is all about education using music, continued on page 59

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puppetry, and physical comedy. This summer, Making Books Sing will team up with The New York Public Library for a touring production entitled “My City Park,” a 45-minute show for ages 3-10 about the important role that parks play in urban neighborhoods. makingbookssing.org The New Victory Theater This theater selects programs that help educate and inspire the audience. They put on shows for children as young as 2, but check the website often because each production has its own ideal age range. newvictory.org The Paper Bag Players The Paper Bag Players perform original musicals geared for children ages 4-9, based on a child’s everyday life. thepaperbagplayers.org Puppetworks These puppet adaptations of children’s favorite tales are whimsical, fun, and fascinating for children ages 3 and up. This summer, don’t miss their production of everyone’s favorite marionette adventure, “Pinocchio.” puppetworks.org Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre This puppet theater produces fairytales for children ages 3-9. Catch this summer’s performance of “Pippi,” adapted from the beloved children’s novel Pippi Longstocking, by Astrid Lindgren. cityparksfoundation.org/arts/swedishcottage-marionette-theatre TADA! Youth Theater These shows are performed by kids for all audiences.

You can get your own children involved or simply enjoy the show as a family. Their next production, “Sleepover,” features favorite TADA! skits like “Sleepwalker” and “When You Live in the City.” tadatheater.com Tribeca Performing Arts Center & TheatreWorks USA Tribeca Performing Arts Center offers an array of performances geared for children and families all year round. From puppets to plays, there’s something for everyone. Plus, many of the family shows at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts are Theatreworks productions. tribecapac.org; theatreworksusa.org

BIG TIP: ADVICE FOR TAkING YOUNG CHIlDREN TO A SHOW

By Nadia Ramlakhan Theater is a fantastic way to introduce children to live performance. You can travel to another time and place through storytelling, sing along with the actors during musical numbers, or explore a world of new emotions with your child. As Diana Byer, founder and artistic director of New York Theatre Ballet, describes it, kids should feel that “it’s a special activity that touches their soul.” But no matter how excited you are to share this experience with your family, live performances can be a bit overwhelming for kids. We spoke with some local experts for some advice on your child’s first night at the theater.

Parents shouldn’t worry about waiting until the kids are “old enough” to enjoy a performance. In fact, the sooner you bring them to a show, the more likely they’ll develop a love for it! You know your kids best, but one way to determine whether they’re ready is to see how they act in a restaurant environment. According to Literally Alive Children’s Theatre Artistic Director Brenda Bell, if children can sit still and manage not to throw any food, they’re probably ready for the theater. Starting with a smaller production before spending the big bucks at Broadway is a good idea for young children, suggests Amy Fiore, managing director of TADA! Youth Theater.

Another tip: The better prepared your child is, the better the experience. So make sure to tell your son or daughter everything you know ahead of time—the lights will turn down, the set will change, the actors wear costumes, particulars about the size of the room or audience, and so on. Don’t forget to discuss the differences between the stage and the TV screen, especially the fact that actors can hear the audience (and potentially be distracted) if you talk. If you have any concerns before the show, call the theater beforehand.

At the theater, have your kids direct any questions to the ushers and let them present their own ticket so they can feel like a part of the experience. Plus, many theaters offer pre- or post-show programs to enhance the experience. Kids can meet the actors, write reviews, or even learn dance moves. Finally, Courtney Boddie, the director of education at the New Victory Theater, also recommends family activities at home before the production to help build excitement. Try researching the play, reading the book (if the show is based off of literature), listening to the music, and watching related videos. But it’s also a fine idea to show up without any preconceptions and simply enjoy it as a family!

Vital Children’s Theatre Vital Children’s Theatre puts on engaging hour-long performances for children ages 2-10. The company also has weekly summer camps for kids ages 4-6. vitaltheatre.org

BROADWAY AND OFF-BROADWAY THEATER “Aladdin” We’re so excited about “Aladdin” coming to Broadway next year that we wanted to give you a www.newyorkfamily.com

heads up! Disney’s mega-hit animated movie will make its Broadway musical debut in the spring of 2014. Details are being kept under wraps, but you can get a sneak peek by reading up on the pre-run in Toronto this winter. aladdinbroadway.com continued on page 60

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Gazillion Bubble Show This interactive show for all ages combines lasers, lights, and bubbles of all shapes and sizes. Audience members can even take a picture in a bubble before and after the show. gazillionbubbleshow.com “The Lion King” This Disney movie has been a Broadway hit since it opened in 1997. Between the elaborate costumes, colorful makeup, comedy, and heartwarming story, people of all ages will find something to love about “The Lion King.” broadway.com/shows/the-lion-king “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” This adaptation of this C.S. Lewis book takes the audience to magical Narnia, where it’s always winter but never Christmas thanks to a spell cast on the land.

The show runs for 45 minutes and is recommended for ages 5 and up. narniaoffbroadway.com “Mamma Mia!” “Mamma Mia!” centers on a bride-to-be searching for her dad so he can walk her down the aisle. Set to the tune of ABBA’s greatest hits, this high-energy show will have everyone trying to resist the urge to jump up and dance. ppc.broadway.com/shows/mamma-mia

Paper Bag Players

“Annie” When the sun comes out tomorrow, head over to the Palace Theatre and see “Annie.” This Broadway musical favorite has received rave reviews, most notably for its lead actress and rising star, Lilla Crawford. broadway.com/shows/annie-bway “The Berenstain Bears LIVE!” The classic children’s series comes to life in “The Berenstain Bears LIVE! Family Matters: The Musical.”

No matter what this bear family goes through, they’re in it together. This show is all about laughs, songs and the importance of family. broadway.com/shows/ berenstain-bears-live-family-matters-musical Blue Man Group This literally blue trio combines theater, art, and technology into a fascinatingly original performance that’s hard to describe. It’s recommended for ages 8 and up, and no one under the age of 5 is allowed into the theater. blueman.com/tickets/new-york “Cinderella” Originally produced for television in 1957 and starring an up-and-coming Julie Andrews, this Rodgers & Hammerstein musical made its Broadway debut this past March. Starring Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana, “Cinderella” features songs like “In My Own Little Corner,” “Ten Minutes Ago,” “A Lovely Night,” and more. broadway.com/shows/cinderella

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“Matilda The Musical” Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, Matilda, has arrived on Broadway in an all-new musical. “Matilda” is the story of a lively, highly imaginative girl and her adventures in which she uses her superpowers for good. This musical adaptation is presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company and features music and lyrics by comedian Tim Minchin. Tickets start at $37. broadway.com/shows/matilda “Newsies The Musical” Based on the Disney movie and the real-life newsboy strike, this show focuses on a group of newsboys who fight back at Pulitzer and Hearst’s newspaper price hike. Good for the whole family, it has fast music, intense choreography, and even a romantic plotline. broadway.com/shows/newsies “The Phantom of the Opera” Broadway’s longest-running show, based on the horror novel in which a deformed composer haunts an opera house, still delivers romance, fear, and excitement night after night. broadway.com/shows/ the-phantom-of-the-opera “Piggy Nation The Musical” Perfect for ages 3 and up, this hour-long OffBroadway show about one little pig’s summer vacation teaches the importance of selflessness and family.

Adapted from Richard Rosser’s children’s book, Piggy Nation: A Day At Work With Dad, this heartwarming musical features an original score of rap, rock, and blues-inspired tunes. piggynationnyc.com

www.newyorkfamily.com

are one-hour versions of operas, performed in English, and the director helps explain the plot and the genre of opera. dicapo.com Jazz at Lincoln Center Children are welcome at all shows, but families can look to the interactive Jazz for Young People Concerts series to introduce their young ones to the rhythms and history of jazz. jalc.org

Vital Children’s Theatre

“Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark” With intense aerial stunts, projections, and a score penned by U2 musicians Bono and The Edge, this show is great for energetic fams. Just keep in mind that younger children might be scared by the evil villains. broadway.com/shows/spider-man-turn-offthe-dark “Stomp” This eight-person ensemble creates music with everyday items; no real instruments allowed. It’s all about dance, rhythm, and creativity. Children over the age of 5 will enjoy it. broadway.com/shows/stomp “Wicked” The prequel to The Wizard of Oz, this popular show focuses on the history of the Wicked Witch of the West. Highly theatrical with stunning sets and elaborate costumes, this play is ideal for ages 8 and up. broadway.com/shows/wicked

MUSIC, DANCE AND LIVE PERFORMANCE Barclays Center Brooklyn’s new multi-million dollar entertainment mega-complex is much more than just the Brooklyn Nets’ home arena. Throughout the year, the biggest acts in music and the entertainment industry perform for thousands of spectators. In July, Cirque du Soleil’s “Quidam” will amaze all ages. barclayscenter.com Big Apple Circus You and your kids will be dazzled by the acts and animals which come together under the big tent during the Big Apple Circus. The show rotates through Queens, Rhode Island, and Lake George, NY. bigapplecircus.org Carnegie Hall The iconic theater brings world-renowned musicians to perform in their three halls throughout the year.

The Family Concert Series on weekends is interactive and educational, with free pre-concert activities before each show. carnegiehall.org DiCapo Opera Theatre This opera house is continuing its Opera for Kids series on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The shows www.newyorkfamily.com

Lincoln Center The iconic theater offers every type of arts event under the sun. There are ballets, exhibits, and plays for your whole family to enjoy. lincolncenter.org Little Orchestra Society This company is devoted to putting on familyfriendly shows. Ages 3-5 should check out the Lolli-Pops shows, where they can learn about music while hanging out with characters like Buzz the Bee. For ages 6-12, look into the Happy Concerts series. littleorchestra.org Manhattan Movement & Arts Center The Manhattan Movement & Arts Center (MMAC) is home to the Manhattan Youth Ballet as well as the MMAC Theater which currently hosts the OffBroadway family hit, “The Berenstain Bears LIVE” (see above). manhattanmovement.com The Metropolitan Opera Although The Metropolitan Opera’s season is over, you can still see The American Ballet Theatre’s production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Sleeping Beauty” at Lincoln Center during the week of July 1. And be sure to watch for Julie Taymor’s production of “The Magic Flute” beginning December 16. metoperafamily.org New York Theatre Ballet Specifically for kids, the New York Theatre Ballet offers “Once Upon A Ballet”—engaging hour-long performances that won’t break the bank. Children can see some of their favorite stories, like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, come to life on stage. nytb.org Symphony Space Symphony Space’s Just Kidding series is just for families. Children will love the book readings, concerts, and plays this company puts on. symphonyspace.org The Theater at Madison Square Garden The biggest names in pop culture come to perform at MSG. Check the website early and often to make sure you don’t miss out when your family’s favorite acts come to town! theateratmsg.com

FOR TIPS ON SHOWS TO SEE WITH YOUR KIDS, VISIT OUR FAMILY CALENDAR AT NEWYORKFAMILY.COM/EVENTS July 2013 | New York Family

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BIG CITY FUN Our Annual A-Z Guide To The City’s Most Notable Family Experiences

By Gavriella Mahpour NYC families have the benefit of living in one of the most exciting metropolises in the world. Packed with kid-friendly places like zoos, parks, historic landmarks, and national treasures, New York is home to a multitude of attractions that families travel from across the world to come and see. Here are some of our suggestions for amazing sights and experiences that your kids shouldn’t miss!

Broadway/Times Square Times Square and Broadway’s theater district may seem daunting to navigate with children, but Manhattan’s epicenter is home to the M&M store, Toys“R”Us, and Hard Rock Café. Plus, there’s the New Victory Theater, a full-time performing arts theater for kids. timessquarenyc.org Brooklyn Botanic Garden The Brooklyn Botanic Garden houses The Cranford Rose Garden, Shakespeare Garden, Discovery Garden, and Children’s Garden. Kids can grow their own crops and flowers, discover different habitats, and enjoy free family workshops. bbg.org

Coney Island

Bronx Zoo The Bronx Zoo is a must for youngsters who are animal lovers. The zoo is home to thousands of creatures such as gorillas, polar bears, and lions. Be sure to check out the sea lion pool, the bug carousel, the exquisite butterfly garden, and the Children’s Zoo, where kids can climb up a spider web, hop like a wallaby, and feed a goat. bronxzoo.com Brooklyn Bridge & Brooklyn Bridge Park A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge provides breathtaking views of the East River. At the end of the overpass lies Brooklyn Bridge Park, where families can enjoy fishing, boating, biking, and even free outdoor movie screenings. brooklynbridgepark.org Carousels Carousels are a familiar feature in parks throughout NYC. Take a spin on Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Le Carrousel in Bryant Park, the Bug Carousel at the Bronx Zoo, the Forest Park and Flushing Meadows Carousels in Queens, and, of course, the beloved Central Park Carousel. nycgovparks.org Central Park Central Park features 21 playgrounds, a boathouse with rowboat rentals, a children’s glade where kids can participate in crafts, theater programs, and more.

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yet thoroughly enjoyable, menagerie of wild animals.

Plus, Victorian Gardens hosts amusement rides and a bevy of entertainers during the warm months. centralparknyc.org; centralparkzoo.com Chinatown Manhattan boasts one of the largest Chinatown districts in the nation. Stop by Pearl River Mart for traditional Chinese lanterns and toys, then head to the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for samples of unique flavors. explorechinatown.com City Island Located off of the Long Island Sound, City Island is the perfect day trip destination for families. Accessible via subway and bus, the island hosts the educational City Island Nautical Museum. cityisland.com The Cloisters Within Fort Tryon Park is the Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. The museum and gardens offer tours and family programs throughout the year as well as free family story times and painting classes. metmuseum.org Coney Island Coney Island was hit hard last fall by Superstorm Sandy. Though many businesses are still rebuilding, the iconic boardwalk plus new attractions, like the Scream Zone 2, the Boardwalk Flyer, and a go-cart track, are open for family fun. coneyislandfunguide.com Dave & Buster’s Dave & Buster’s is a great option for families who are looking for indoor fun. With locations throughout the tri-state area, this restaurant/indoor arcade offers up a sports bar menu (think nachos and wings) and hours of play with favorites like Dance Dance Revolution and billiards. daveandbusters.com Dylan’s Candy Bar Dylan Lauren, daughter of iconic designer Ralph Lauren, opened her Willy Wonka-esque candy emporium in 2001. Since then, it has become the world’s largest candy store, carrying more than 5,000 kinds of sweets. dylanscandybar.com The Empire State Building Tourists and locals alike should visit this National Historic Landmark at least once. There is nothing quite like viewing the city from the 102nd floor observatory, a mere 1,250 feet above ground! esbnyc.com Field Station: Dinosaurs More than 30 life-sized dinosaurs—including a 90foot Argentinosaurus—come to life at this park just a short trip outside of New York. Explore the park with a flashlight after the sun goes down at Dinosaurs After Dark. fieldstationdinosaurs.com

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Flushing Meadows Corona Park Kayak, fish, play in the spray showers, or hit some balls on the tennis court in this Queens park, home to the Queens Zoo and the World’s Fair Marina. nycgovparks.org/parks/fmcp Governors Island Open every weekend during the summer season, Governors Island has become the go-to destination for locals looking for art exhibitions, concerts, and fairs. Families can tour the national monument on foot or see the island by bike. govisland.com Grand Central Terminal With the terminal celebrating its 100th birthday this year, there’s never been a better time to visit the legendary station. Check out the station’s fine dining restaurants, designer clothing stores, and its very own market. Visit their website to learn about special centennial activities through November 2013. grandcentralterminal.com Greenmarkets Located in all five boroughs, these farmers’ markets are a perfect way to introduce kids to locally grown produce, baked goods, and specialty food items.

Start at the Union Square Greenmarket for a taste of what our local growers have to offer. grownyc.org Hersheypark Hershey offers a fun-filled family getaway with more than 65 rides and attractions at Hersheypark. Stay over at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, or Hershey Highmeadow Campground and enjoy chocolatethemed fun from morning until night! hersheypa.com Historic Richmond Town Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island is NYC’s living history village and museum. Visitors can take a walking tour of the grounds, view more than 30 original historic homes, and watch reenactments. historicrichmondtown.org Hudson River Park Another great day trip option, the Hudson River Park has been brought back to life in the last few months after damages from Superstorm Sandy. The park

www.newyorkfamily.com

offers a variety of outdoor activities, including mini golf, sailing, tennis, skateboarding, and acting classes.

Plus, kids can play on the park’s beloved Pier 25 playground. hudsonriverpark.org; hudsonriver.com Ice Skating Rinks Winter wouldn’t be complete without skating in the city. Bring your own blades or rent a pair from the rink at Rockefeller Center, and then glide across the ice while admiring the center’s Christmas tree. Central Park’s Trump Rink opens every winter to the delight of city children, offering lessons for skaters of all abilities at its Skating School. therinkatrockcenter. com; wollmanskatingrink.com Imagination Playground Flagship This innovative playground park in the South Street Seaport lets kids use foam blocks, fabric, and mats to create their own play place. They’ll exercise their bodies and minds while they build. imaginationplayground.com

BIG TIP: ATTRACTIvE APPS FOR FAMILIES By Alissa Katz Some of the most popular attractions in the city now have really great apps to enhance your visit. Here are a bunch we especially like, but keep in mind that so many other places on our big list have them, as well.

Bronx Zoo Explorer ($.99): This app provides users with an interactive map and a hassle-free way to navigate the animal kingdom. Select the GPS button and pinpoint your exact location, or just start walking and monitor your movement within the map. Looking for the lions, tigers, or bears? You can search for particular buildings, exhibits, and animals or find a place to eat within the zoo. Available for iPhone Central Park App (free): It’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed in an area that spans 778 acres.

Fortunately, this nifty guide gives parents the ability to search sites within the green oasis (think arches and bridges, fountains and monuments) and provides alerts to fun goings on for families. Available for iPhone & Android Chinatown Chow Down (free): There are way too many options for where to eat in Chinatown (more than 115!), so this app helps food-minded families decide where to go based on prices, categories, and insider tips. Who’s in the mood for dim sum? Available for iPhone Farm Fresh NYC ($2.99): This app is any eco-minded family’s guide to locally harvested fruits, veggies, fish, and more. There’s information for the more than 50 farmers’ markets across NYC, all of which the app will direct you to through Google Maps. Not sure what you should be buying right now? The app also tells you what’s in season. Available for iPhone NYBG in Bloom (free): Useful either when you’re at the garden with children or if you simply want to explore the natural beauty from your couch, the app includes ideas for walking tours, an interactive map, special exhibition highlights, photos, and even audio commentary. Available for iPhone

www.newyorkfamily.com

Jamaica Bay This Queens hotspot is teeming with fantastic places for kids. The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is filled with more than 330 bird species and offers hikes and sunset tours. Alley Pond Park’s Adventure Course will also please outdoor enthusiasts. nyharborparks.org Legoland Discovery Center Westchester Travel outside of the city and take your creative kids to a budding builder’s paradise. Learn how the plastic pieces are made in a guided Lego Factory tour, create your own Lego cars at Racers: Build & Test, and watch Lego characters come to life in the 4D cinema. legolanddiscoverycenter.com Madame Tussauds The infamous wax museum adds new figures frequently, making this house of wax a great place to revisit (or visit for the first time). Starting July 19, the One Direction Wax World Tour will be stopping in NYC, so don’t miss the chance to meet Louis, Liam, Harry, Zayn, and Niall—or at least their wax replicas. madametussauds.com New York Aquarium Newly reopened after severe damage from Superstorm Sandy, Brooklyn’s New York Aquarium makes learning about the sea and its creatures fascinating with its Sea Cliffs, where otters, seals, and penguins play. nyaquarium.com New York Botanical Garden Alongside the wondrous plants and flowers of its numerous ongoing exhibitions is the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, where kids can explore mazes and learn the secrets of plant growth. At its new exhibit, Healing Plants Around the World, kids can enjoy Renaissance music, dance performances, and hands-on science adventures while learning how people in different cultures use plants. nybg.org The New York Public Library The NYPL has a multitude of branches across the city; however, the Stephen A. Schwarzman building at 42nd Street houses the Children’s Center. The center’s circulating children’s books collection makes for hours of reading delight. nypl.org Nintendo World Store At Nintendo World, families can enjoy two floors of interactive gaming. In addition to trying out the newest systems, kids can meet characters like Mario or Luigi and also take the fun home by shopping for souvenirs and special game guides. nintendoworldstore.com Pelham Bay Park/Orchard Beach The largest of New York City’s public parks, the Bronx’s Pelham Bay Park has miles of hiking trails, baseball fields, and basketball courts for athletic youngsters. continued on page 66

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Snug Harbor Staten Island’s Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden is a regional arts center where theater, music, dance, architecture, and more thrive.

Be sure a trip to the Harbor includes the Staten Island Children’s Museum. snug-harbor.org Sony Wonder Technology Lab Every exhibit at this free entertainment and tech museum is a completely immersive and hands-on experience. Kids will enjoy programming their own robots in the Robot Zone and learning how to make an animated film or video game in the Animation Ramp. sonywondertechlab.com

Chinatown

Beach bums will love Orchard Beach, a sandy paradise located within the park. nycgovparks.org Piper Theater Productions Piper Theater Productions will be performing outdoor shows at the Old Stone House and Washington Park in Brooklyn throughout the summer. This season’s shows include “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and “Xanadu.” pipertheatre.org Prospect Park Aside from playgrounds, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park includes a zoo, horse stables, nature trails, and tennis courts. Scavenger hunts for kids 8 and up turn exploring the park into an adventure. prospectpark.org Radio City Music Hall The largest indoor theater in the world, Radio City Music Hall hosts concerts and shows all year round for your family to enjoy. The hall also offers daily backstage tours. radiocity.com Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! The Times Square Odditorium is known for its collection of all things strange and surprising, but only insiders—and now you—know about Ripley’s Impossible LaseRace, where participants must dodge lasers as they navigate a twisty maze. ripleysnewyork.com Sports Stadiums Formerly New Meadowlands Stadium, the newly crowned MetLife Stadium has become the joint home of the NFL’s Giants and Jets. During baseball season, catch a game at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field.

Madison Square Garden is the place to be for Knicks and Rangers games, while tennis devotees can watch matches at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. metlifestadium.com; newyork.yankees. mlb.com; newyork.mets.mlb.com; thegarden. com; usta.com

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The South Street Seaport The eclectic shops, restaurants, and outdoor food market at the new Pier 17 at The South Street Seaport have helped revitalize this historic area that was badly damaged by Superstorm Sandy. Though many of the Seaport’s stores remain closed, Seaport North and the Historic Front Street shops are open for business. southstreetseaport.com Staten Island Ferry Traveling to and from Staten Island can be an adventure in itself when you take the Staten Island Ferry. The free 25-minute ride takes the stress out of the schlep and mesmerizes little ones with views of New York Harbor. siferry.com The Statue of Liberty Recently reopened on America’s birthday, the Statue of Liberty offers National Park Rangers-guided tours of this national icon. Those not afraid of a few stairs (154 of them, to be exact) can visit Lady Liberty’s crown to see the original torch display, the Liberty Island Museum, and gorgeous views of the city. nps.gov Top Of The Rock The Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center provides truly breathtaking views of Central Park and the Hudson River. Don’t forget to bring quarters for the coin-operated binoculars and a camera to capture it all. topoftherocknyc.com The United Nations Although guided tours of the UN are not permitted for children under the age of 5, kids of all ages will get a kick out of creating stamps from photos of themselves in the Personalized Stamp Shop. visit.un.org Wave Hill This picturesque 28-acre public park and cultural center in the Bronx hosts family art projects every Saturday and Sunday morning alongside family yoga classes on Fridays. wavehill.org

FOR MORe INFORMaTION ON aTTRaCTIONS, vISIT NeWyORkFaMILy.COM

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Family Shopper Sarah Torretta Klock

A Guide To The City’s Best Places To Buy Children’s Clothes, Shoes, Toys, Furnishings, Books & More

By Robin Saks Frankel And Allison Wimer

Dinosaur Hill

Manhattan is known for top-of-the-line retail stores and boutiques, even when it comes to toy stores and children’s clothing. So whether you’re window shopping for the day or going on a weekend-long shopping spree, prepare yourself with this directory of places to visit for the city’s best stores.

Caramel Baby & Child Originally London-based, this children’s clothing line has made its way to the Upper East Side. The line is inspired by classic looks—rompers, jumpers, and plaid trousers—updated with a modern, urban feel. caramel-shop.co.uk

CLOTHING STORES & BOUTIQUES

Catimini The Upper East Side flagship of this high-end designer children’s clothing line from France is chockfull of signature colorful embroidery and appliqués for infants, girls up to size 12, and boys up to size 10. catiminica.com

Babesta Trendsetters-in-training and the parents who shop for them stock up at these twin Tribeca spots (Babesta Cribz and Babesta Threads) for funky furniture, unique toys, and hip clothes for babies. babesta.com Berkley Girl Your tween fashionista will say “OMG!” faster than she can text when you take to her to this Upper West Side clothing and accessories boutique.

This shop is spot on with what preteen girls want, thanks to regular focus groups with their customers. berkleygirl.com Bonpoint The Madison Avenue outpost of the famed French children’s wear couture line is exactly what you would expect: full of beautiful, elegant, and upscale clothing for the younger set. bonpoint-boutique.com Bundle Stylish apparel and accessories for boys and girls ages newborn to six can be found at Soho’s Bundle.

Be sure to check out their gender-neutral suggestions for “wait-and-see” babies. bundlenyc.com

The Children’s Place There’s a reason this national chain has ten Manhattan locations: They sell well-made, reasonably-priced clothing and accessories for newborns through kids size 14. childrensplace.com Estella Offering upscale and eponymous designer duds for little darlings, this Greenwich Village shop is a favorite of stylists and celebrities. estella-nyc.com Granny-Made Best known for their handmade sweaters and ABC wall hangings, the inviting Upper West Side haberdashery also carries kids’ clothing, furniture, and toys. grannymade.com Greenstones & Naturino The wide selection of European branded basics, hats, continued on page 68

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and accessories has cemented this children’s clothing shop as a favorite among the preschool set. Plus, Naturino children’s shoes is right next door to their uptown locations. naturino.com Harry’s Shoes For Kids This offshoot of the popular Harry’s Shoes is a chip off the old block. The Upper West Side store has a huge selection of infants’ and children’s shoes to keep your tyke shod. harrys-shoes.com Ibiza Kidz Located in an area known for catering to the college crowd, this Union Square kids’ clothing, shoe, and toy shop attracts a cult following via the knowledgeable salespeople who expertly fit children’s feet to the right-sized shoes. ibizakidz.com Julian and Sara Downtown parents go gaga for this Soho children’s store’s chic selection of pint-sized dresses and dress shirts. Stylish little shoes, gifts, and items for Mom round out the selection. julianandsara.com Lester’s The Yorkville outpost of this tri-state area chainlet is where parents of infants through preteens shop the latest trends in apparel, accessories, and footwear. A huge selection of seasonal summer camp merchandise will have your tween begging for an airbrushed BFF pillow. lesters.com Magic Windows Classic, traditional, and formal clothing for infants through teens, plus custom-made party dresses, make this shop a stand-out at this Upper East Side fixture. magicwindowskids.com My Little Sunshine Multitasking supermoms love that they can shop for kiddie clothes and toys at the same time as their little one gets a haircut at these Chelsea and Tribeca stores. mylittlesunshinenyc.com

Polarn O. Pyret This Swedish clothing line for children has two Manhattan locations: Tribeca and the Upper West Side. Parents seeking clothing with European flair (think bright colors and stripes) can snatch up their well-made basics. polarnopyretusa.com Ralph Lauren Children’s There’s no better place to dress your prepster-intraining than this Upper East Side store. Stock up on little oxfords, polo shirts, and brightly colored threads for boys and girls of all ages. stores.ralphlauren.com Shoofly Shoofly specializes in quality European shoes and accessories for toddlers through teens. One-of-akind clothing, toys, and baby gifts make this Tribeca boutique a standout. shooflynyc.com

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Sprout San Francisco The Upper East Side outpost of this popular natural and organic children’s clothing, toy, and furniture shop is more than just a clothing store. They also offer weekly classes, such as postpartum fitness and music, and an indoor play space. sproutsanfrancisco.com Stoopher & Boots Eclectic and seemingly all-encompassing, this Upper West Side boutique has everything from kids’ clothing and toys to unique finds for grownups. stoopher.bigcartel.com Tip Top Shoes The fit specialists here will help your little walker find his or her first pair while older kids will love the vast selection of comfort, dress, and sport shoes. tiptopshoes.com Yoya A super-modern boutique for kids ages 4-14 on the edge of the MePa district, this shop is known for its futuristic clothing, nursery furniture, and playthings. yoyanyc.com

TOY STORES A Time For Children Don’t let the size fool you—this Upper West Side store stocks a wide variety of merchandise, from stuffed Paddington Bears to cards to vintage onesies, and gives 100% of the profits to The Children’s Aid Society. atimeforchildren.org Dinosaur Hill This charming East Village variety store stocks both classics and one-of-a-kind items like wooden blocks in 16 languages, batik crib quilts, and a wide variety of handmade puppets and marionettes. dinosaurhill.com Norman & Jules This whimsical shop in Brooklyn’s Park Slope is brimming with toys that are both durable and precious.

From wooden Cubebots perched on the counters to the menagerie of multi-hued stuffed animals and dolls lining the shelves, it’s a holy grail for parents who want something their little ones can play with that won’t break, fall out of fashion, or clutter the apartment with garish plastic parts. normanandjules.com

BOOKSTORES Bank Street Bookstore Located on the upper reaches of the Upper West Side, this bookstore caters exclusively to young readers. If you can’t make the trip, its extensive website offers the same carefully chosen selection of books, games, toys, and CDs as its bricks and mortar counterpart. bankstreetbooks.com

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Books of Wonder The oldest independent children’s bookstore in the city is well-known for its collection of both old and new tomes for tots. Twice a week, kids and their caregivers can enjoy story time at this iconic Chelsea spot. booksofwonder.com

BIG BOX DESTINATION STORES American Girl Place Spend an entire day with your doll lover at this giant concept store picking out a new doll, accessories, and matching daughter and doll outfits. Enjoy the doll hair salon and doll hospital or have a meal at the café. americangirl.com Disney Store The revamped Times Square flagship store is almost as good as visiting the House of Mouse. Disney fans of any age will love the Magical Escalator Experience, the Pixie Dust Path, and the Magic Trees. disneystore.com FAO Schwarz This iconic midtown toy emporium is home to a newborn nursery, stuffed animal extravaganza, and a dozen other stores within its walls. All city kids need to dance on the famed giant piano keyboard at least once in their lifetime. fao.com Toys“R”Us Come for the toys and stay for the 60-foot Ferris wheel, the 4,000-square-foot Barbie dollhouse, and the life-sized T-Rex. The Times Square flagship store is a toy heaven for children of all ages. toysrus.com

NURSERY & KID FURNISHINGS ABC Carpet & Home All of ABC’s artisanal goods have cultural origins, sourced from all over the globe with a mind toward reducing carbon footprint. Its dedicated Home & Planet line particularly delights design- and sustainability-conscious families alike. abchome.com Allyn Howard If your walls need a little whimsy and cheer, look no further than the Allyn Howard’s Brooklyn studio, where she’s been painting customized murals and artworks for both nurseries and children’s rooms since 2003. allynhoward.com Argington With backgrounds in architecture and fine art, it’s no wonder that furniture from designers Jenny Argie and Andrew Thorton are tastefully clean and simple.

Check out their organic bedding options for worryfree sleep. argington.com BasicGrey If cookie-cutter nursery rooms bore you out of your mind, hop on over to BasicGrey, which revels in all things quirky. Their children’s wall art, storage www.newyorkfamily.com

BIG TIP: Seven Quirky And Unusual City Shops

By Savannah Birnbaum For Curious Adventurers Skip the museum and creep up your day at The Evolution Store, where those with a taste for adventure can get a glimpse of prehistoric specimens and exotic insects. Take home a mammoth hair sample or a scorpion lollipop—or fall in love with a taxidermied friend. theevolutionstore.com For The Coven Of Witches And Warlocks You’ll find candles, charm books, incense, oils, and, yes, cauldrons among the “magickal” items offered at Enchantments. Kids will have fun trying to attract the attention of the resident cats, and adults can stock up or simply peruse the fragrant goods. enchantmentsincnyc.com For Crafty Children Casey Rubber Stamps is a charming hideaway for artsy types big and small. The walls are covered in little wooden stamps crowded on shelves stacked to the ceiling, each shape printed with old-fashioned charm. If you need something specific, simply provide an image and the shop will convert it from jpeg to rubber. caseyrubberstamps.com For The Undercover Super Fam Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. is devoted to the pursuit of justice and goodwill. All proceeds go to 826NYC, a non-profit organization that runs an afterschool tutoring program for kids. Visiting supers should be prepared to announce their full superhero name upon making a purchase and will be expected to recite the superhero oath. superherosupplies.com For Royal Sweet Teeth Fancy something sugary? Trot on over to the London Candy Company on Lex for a sweet selection of UK treats. Union Jack-adorned walls inspire customers to keep calm and carry on while loading up on English bonbons as they peruse the wide array of confections. thelondoncandycompany.com For The Wand-Wielding Troupe Childhood boredom will vanish into thin air with a visit to Tannen’s Magic. While they carry the biggest names in tricks, this brand has been in the business since 1925 and manufactures its own tools of the trade. tannens.com For The Old Fashioned Gang The Red Caboose is a local hobby shop that’s an ideal source for model trains, planes, buses, ships, and other miniscule transportation devices. Hidden down a few flights of stairs, the shop is a bit of a challenge to find, but its obscurity adds to its one-of-a-kind appeal. theredcaboose.com

barrels, and swaddling arts are practically modern art. basicgrey.com Behr’s Superstore With over 30,000 square feet of baby and children’s continued on page 70 July 2013 | New York Family 69

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furniture, this Long Island megastore offers one of the largest selections in the Tri-State area—and the friendly and well-informed staff is always ready to come to your navigational rescue. behrsfurniture.com Bellini Bellini’s award-winning furnishings combine modern day features with old world craftsmanship to create furniture that is both practical and beautiful. Best of all, their convertible products grow with the kids to last the family a lifetime. bellini.com Bograd Kids Along with offering luxury furnishings and designer bedding, this premium retail store provides customers with design consultations and floor plans at no extra charge. The pre-curated designer rooms offer busy parents everything they need. bogradkids.com Casa Kids Proudly made in Brooklyn, Casa Kids’s contemporary furniture collections are designed for utility and durability so they last through the years. Better yet, everything is designed with small spaces in mind— perfect for urban apartments. casakids.com California Closets The design consultants at California Closets are miracle workers. Their adjustable set-ups make transforming age-appropriate furnishings a breeze. californiaclosets.com DwellStudio This wholesale designer, most loved for its bold patterns and rich textiles, recently opened a store in Soho. Head on in for bedding, rugs, and more with their very own personality. dwellstudio.com Kid’s Supply Company Lauded by the likes of The New York Times, this store serves up a range of baby, kid, and adult furniture collections featuring green, eco-friendly products. kidssupply.com

Mini Jake This modern children’s store in Williamsburg offers a vast selection of nursery and playroom furniture, décor, and toys that are sophisticated yet playful. minijake.com Netto Collection Amongst the first to delve into stylish design in kids furniture, David Netto prides himself on using only sustainably harvested wood and non-toxic finishes to create safe furnishings that aren’t restricted to a pinkand-blue palette. davidnettodesign.com Oeuf Launched by a dynamic French/American duo, this brand offers sustainability-minded European furniture at a low price—without sacrificing its key principles of quality, practicality, and function. oeufnyc.com Posh Baby & Teen Selling only the safest children’s furniture for a wide range of ages, this Staten Island store even offers delivery and assembly service for outer borough families. poshbabyusa.com Raymour & Flanigan Furniture This popular furniture chain boasts a variety of styles from classic to contemporary (but never outdated) with a quick three-day delivery turnaround. raymourflanigan.com Resource Furniture Resource is about form as well as hybrid function— beds with fold-out desks, expandable tables, and sofas with secret storage all boast chic, contemporary looks. resourcefurniture.com Restoration Hardware Baby & Child One of the fastest-growing brands in children’s furnishings, Restoration Hardware produces classy designs for dreamy nurseries, timeless bedrooms, and more. rhbabyandchild.com

Iglooplay Inspired by the idea that play is essential in development, this company’s products feature a rich variety of sculptural shapes, materials, and colors. iglooplay.com

Spoiled Rotten Too Forget the mundane at Spoiled Rotten Too, a whimsical Long Island boutique that hand picks designer furniture for babies and kids. The in-house painters make their heirloom offerings truly one-of-akind. spoiledrottentoo.com

IKEA Need a bed on a budget? Not a problem in nearby Red Hook, Brooklyn, where the well-known Swedish IKEA offers modern furniture at a low price. Tip: you can reward patient little shoppers with scrumptious Swedish meatballs. ikea.com

Target Going on 50 years, this popular retailer continues to offer attractive furniture at even more attractive prices. If you don’t want to wait for shipping, make a visit to the three-year-old store on 116th Street. target.com

Lucky Duck & Friends English Artist Pippa Scott uses a big splash of colors to create a unique collection of cheery, whimsical animal paintings that capture the joys of being a child. luckyduckandfriends.com

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FOR MORE LOCAL STORE LISTINGS, VISIT NEWYORKFAMILY.COM

www.newyorkfamily.com

Oh, Snap!

Michael Jurick Photography

The City’s Most Talented Family Photographers All Have Their Own Style, Strength, And Ways Of Connecting With Children

By Sarah Greene, Maggie McNamara, Gavriella Mahpour, And Amy Reynolds Childhood is fleeting, and one of the best ways to freeze happy moments in time is through gorgeous photography. Smartphones and editing apps make it easy for parents to transform snapshots of little ones into art these days, but letting the pros do it lets you jump in and be a part of the picture, too.

Aoommie Photography Specializing in natural light photography, Aoommie depicts the simple beauty of children and families by highlighting precious details, such as loving glances between siblings and extra folds behind newborns’ knees. aoommiephotography.com Bentley Waters Waters maximizes comfort by using natural lighting and working in your preferred location. She integrates scenery into each photo, even using paved sidewalks or bathtubs as props. bentleywaters.com Big Apple Portraits Big Apple Portraits’ photographers are trained to photograph any age—from newborns to adults—and also offer maternity and group shoots. Sessions are half an hour long, and there’s no sitting fee. bigappleportraits.com Classic Kids Photography, UES Classic Kids is known for its trained consortium of photographers and its highly praised fiber-based prints. Photographs are manually developed in the company’s darkrooms and only printed in black and white. classickidsphotography.com Cynthia L. Ever Photos Cynthia L. Ever uses Nikon cameras to create www.newyorkfamily.com

balanced mixtures of posed and candid photos.

She offers a professional setup with studio lighting and backdrops but will shoot anywhere in the city. cleverphotos.com Daniel S. Burnstein Photography Burnstein has taken arresting photographs for Manhattan Media, Liberty Science Center, New York Press, and more. Adept at capturing kids and families in outdoor settings, he also offers photo restoration and photography tutorials. danielsburnstein.com Donna Padowitz Photos range from intimate close-ups of toothless grins to action shots of crawling tots. Padowitz’s photos reveal her unrehearsed, candid style, with subjects appearing in natural environments and simple clothing. donnapadowitz.com Heidi Green A former preschool teacher, Green connects with each child she photographs and captures stunning candid moments at private shoots and birthday parties. Her personality and style are genuine and refreshing. heidigreen.com James & Canno Photography Janette James and Lauren Canno are experienced pregnancy, newborn, and baby photographers continued on page 72

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who create one-of-kind images that capture special moments in a baby’s life. They provide in-home, on location, or in-studio sessions. jamesandcannophotography.com They provide in-home, on location, or in-studio sessions. jamesandcannophotography.com Jeffrey Shaw Shaw creates a wholesome look for families while also ensuring that portraits can be framed without glass.

Plus, you can enjoy your photos wherever you go with his free client gallery iPhone app! jeffreyshaw.com JellyBean Pictures Jennifer Tonetti-Spellman of JellyBean Pictures avoids unnatural props when depicting your young ones. A fan of natural light and colors, she captures the innocent beauty of each little “bean” she photographs. jellybeanpics.com Jennifer Lee Lee’s use of old-fashioned film makes even subtle details vibrantly pop. She offers both color and black and white photographs, in addition to designer photo bags, jewelry, and more. jenniferleephotography.com Jennifer Loomis Over the course of nearly twenty years, Jennifer Loomis has photographed more than 2,000 pregnant women and families. She specializes in maternity photography and captures the heartfelt and transformative journey of becoming a mother. jenniferloomis.com Jessica Leigh Leigh is willing to shoot indoors, outdoors, or in her studio with color backdrops. One of her newest services is creating personal family photo galleries in clients’ homes. jessicaleighfoto.com Jordan Elyse In addition to standard portraiture, Elyse offers a new spin on play-dates that your kids—and you—will love.

Gather six or more friends and Elyse will photograph the fun! jordanelyse.com Karen Haberberg Haberberg’s photography focuses on natural moments that capture the spirit of her clients. Her personal approach places subjects at ease, leading to more authentic portraits. karenhaberberg.com Leshem Loft Leshem Loft produces traditional portraits of families, couples, and children. It also specializes in capturing the beauty of a pregnant woman’s body through tasteful and elegant photography. leshemloft.com Le Studio NYC Client-centered Le Studio NYC emphasizes the artistic vision of the client, whether it be black and white, sepia, or bold colors. lestudionyc.com

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ToP 5 SPoTS FoR FAMiLY PoRTRAiTS iN CENTRAL PARK

By Michael Jurick Through the years, I’ve scouted some wonderful locations for my clients based on the changing seasons.

Here a few of my favorites: The Ramble: Behind the Boathouse, there’s a wonderful path called The Ramble that leads to a peninsula overlooking Bethesda Fountain and Bow Bridge from across the lake. Amazing views and fun photo adventure for the kids.

Cedar Hill: At the top of Cedar Hill on the East side, near the 76th Street entrance, is a collection of rocks which leads to a hidden mini-forest. Kids love climbing the rocks and roaming among the trees. Plus, the sunset creates a beautiful and unique halo of light under the canopy of trees.

Belvedere Castle: Always a great spot for photos, but especially scenic in the winter.

West Side Bridal Path: Located between 86th and 90th Streets along the reservoir, this stretch offers the most stunning cherry blossom photos in late April.

Gapstow Bridge Area: At the northeast end of The Pond, across the simple stone bridge, is a fenced-in, wooded promontory that juts into the water. This is Hallett Nature Sanctuary and a beautiful off-the-beaten path background for photos. The spot beneath Gapstow Bridge is a gem in early morning, as the sun reflects off the water and back up to the underside of the bridge.

Lindsey Gray With bold colors and patterns and natural settings, Gray’s photography emphasizes simplicity. Her specialty is newborn portraits, but she also excels in family, child, and maternity. lindseygrayphotography.com Lucile Khornak Khornak creates elegant portraits through her use of soft black and white format and natural lighting.

Her eye for unpredictable moments ensures that her portraits are unique and highly personalized. theportraitspecialist.com Mac Hartshorn Hartshorn brings editorial styling to family photography through digital enhancement. His photography focuses on movement, emotion, and relationships—three areas that help capture the unique personalities of his subjects. hartshornportraiture.com Mary Jane Photography Mary Jane’s photography emphasizes fun and surprise, capturing artfully posed portraits that are relaxed and unexpected. Her eye for simplicity ensures that her subjects are the feature of every photograph. maryjanephotography.com

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michael Jurick Natural environments and the changing light of the sun help Jurick produce effortless and vibrant portraits of families and children. jurick.net michael kormos With the help of his wife, Kormos creates unique family portraits through dramatic lighting, interesting angles, and vibrant colors. They emphasize spontaneity to capture the individual personality of each family. michaelkormos.com michael scott Combining photography and digital artwork, Scott creates unique portraits that position subjects in unexpected environments. He also specializes in natural prints and children’s fashion photography. michaelscottstudio.com nina drapacz Drapacz uses high-end digital cameras to capture great detail in her photographs. She has a special talent for capturing the fleeting expressions of her clients that display their personalities. ninadrapaczphotography.com phoebe lee photography Lee specializes in capturing small details and freshness in her photographs of little ones. She also loves capturing relationships, whether it be the relationship between parent and child or the bond between siblings. phoebeleephotography.com photo op Photo Op operates in a studio with several options for backdrops and wardrobe. This team of professional photographers excels in everything from traditional, posed portraits to contemporary fashion shots. photoopnyc.com redhead photography llc Specializing in exclusively newborn, baby, and child, Redhead Photography’s vintage style features soft, earthy tones and organic backdrops. redheadphotography.net sarah merians Merians specializes in event photography and family portraits. She is committed to producing not only great photographs, but also works of art that are passed down through generations. sarahmerians.com sarah sloboda Bringing traditional photography to the digital world, Sloboda excels in documentary film. She offers both photo shoots and event photography to capture spontaneous moments. sarahsloboda.com shutter sisters images Shutter Sisters is a collaborative photo blog made up of female photogs, each with her own business and expertise. Their interests range from graphic design to natural www.newyorkfamily.com

lighting and color. shuttersistersimages@gmail.com sofia lynn photography Michele Fetherolf was an educator for 13 years before beginning a career in photography. Inspired by her own daughter, Sofia Lynn, she specializes in capturing everyday moments on the streets of NYC, in your living room, or in your backyard. sofialynnphotography. com sprout and the Bean Sprout and the Bean caters to NYC/New Jersey families with newborns, toddlers, elementary schoolage children, and teens. Fancy a shoot on location?

The studio offers sessions in Central Park upon request. sproutandthebean.com stomping ground photo Stomping Ground Photo is a school picture company that creates modern portraits that will be adored for years. They specialize in photographs that truly accentuate your child’s individuality. stompinggroundphoto.com suzanne cohen Inspired by New York City, Cohen utilizes the metropolis as the backdrop to her photography.

Her photo shoots can occur anywhere in NYC and surrounding areas. suzannecohenphotography.com thaddeus harden From maternity portraits to dynamic family photos, Harden captures each subject’s unique personality and perspective with artistic flair. thaddeushardenphotography.com tiny portraits Tiny Portraits specializes in capturing pregnancy, from maternity photos to ultrasounds to newborn portraits. Its Before and After packages feature an ultrasound placed adjacent to a newborn shot. tinyportraits3dimaging.com venture photography Venture combines photography with digital artwork to ensure that your family portraits are unique and inspiring. They also frame and mount each photograph for the finishing touch. venturephotography.com wonderland photo Karilyn Sanders of Wonderland Photo specializes in photos of newborns, but she also photographs babies up to 12 months. For maternity and baby photo shoots, she’s available to travel to wherever you are. wonderland-photo.com Another greAt wAy to discover locAl photogrAphers we love is to check out our covers Archive At newyorkfAmily.com July 2013 | New York Family

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The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine

Trying to have a baby?

Zev Rosenwaks, M.D. Director Owen Davis, M.D. Ina Cholst, M.D. Pak Chung, M.D. Rony T. Elias, M.D. Dan Goldschlag, M.D. Hey-Joo Kang, M.D. Isaac Kligman, M.D. Glenn Schattman, M.D. Steven Spandorfer, M.D. Psychologists Linda Applegarth, Ed.D. Elizabeth Grill, Psy.D. Laura Josephs, Ph.D.

Weill Cornell Medical College 1305 York Avenue New York, NY 10021 (646) 962-2764 Weill Cornell Medical College 2315 Broadway, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10024 (646) 962-3767 Northern Westchester 657 Main Street Mount Kisco, NY 10549 (914) 242-3700 Garden City, Long Island 1300 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 742-4100 Flushing Hospital Medical Center 146 -01 45th Avenue Flushing, NY 11355 (646) 962-5626

www.ivf.org

We can help.

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Zev Rosenwaks and his outstanding team of physicians offer couples the most advanced and effective treatments for infertility. With multiple offices located conveniently for patients in the tri-state area, we provide comprehensive and compassionate care.

For more than two decades we have made your desire to build a family our main priority. If you or someone you know is experiencing infertility, contact us at (646) 962-CRMI or visit us on the web at www.ivf.org.

We accept UnitedHealthcare, Oxford Health and Cigna insurance plans for most fertility treatments.

Turning Patients into Parents

The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine

HOSPITALS Beth Israel Medical Center First Avenue at 16th Street wehealny.org Hospital for Special Surgery 535 East 70th Street hss.edu Lenox Hill 100 East 77th Street lenoxhillhospital.org Maimonides Medical Center 4802 Tenth Avenue maimonidesmed.org Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) 1275 York Avenue mskcc.org Montefiore Medical Center 111 East 210th Street montefiore.org

THE

DOCTOrS ArE IN Where To Find Local Pediatricians, Dentists, Nutritionists, And Other Healthcare Specialists For Children And Families

No matter where you live, nothing is more important than your family’s health and wellness. Thankfully, NYC has some of the best resources when it comes to healthcare. From the country’s top hospitals and doctors, to nutritionists and pediatric dentists using cutting-edge techniques, the health experts in our city are always on call.

Mount Sinai Hospital One Gustave L. Levy Place mountsinai.org New York Downtown Hospital 170 William Street downtownhospital.org New York Eye and Ear Infirmary 310 East 14th Street nyee.edu New York Methodist 506 6th Street nym.org NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital 3959 Broadway childrensnyp.org/mschony NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center 525 East 68th Street med.cornell.edu NYU Langone Medical Center 333 East 29th Street med.nyu.edu

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St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center 1111 Amsterdam Avenue (St. Luke’s Hospital) 1000 Tenth Avenue (Roosevelt Hospital) wehealny.org

NUTRITIONISTS Elisa Zied A one-stop shop for all things food-related! This is a great site that focuses on explaining exactly what is in the foods we eat. Elisa Zied, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., has written three books on family nutrition and healthyeating. nutritionatyourfingertips.com Food Trainers Food Trainers, created by Lauren Slayton, M.S., R.D., aims to provide inspiration and motivation for families to actually start eating healthy. The website also offers resources and tools for recipes, calorie counting and fitness. foodtrainers.net Tanya Zuckerbrot of F-Factor The goal of F-Factor is to educate and promote the benefits of a high-fiber diet. Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D., created this unique diet in 1999 and offers highfiber menu picks for dining out. ffactor.com Tracy Gary of Intuition Nutrition Gary provides quick and easy recipes and advice, focusing on all-natural fare. Her goal is to “de-junk” the pantries of American households, much in the same way that she transformed her very own home into a healthy and unprocessed food household. intuition-nutrition.com

PEDIATRIC DENTISTS Gramercy Pediatric Dentistry 195 Third Avenue gramercykidsdental.com Manhattan Pediatric Dental Group 192 East 75th Street smiles4kids.com New York Pediatric Dentistry 5 West 71st Street citykidsdentist.com

BIG TIP: HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT PEDIATRICIAN FOR YOUR FAMILY

By Jessica Roblin To find a new restaurant, almost any search engine does the trick—and the same goes for many other goods and services, from shopping stores to hairdressers. Unfortunately, that’s not how finding a pediatrician works.

“The internet is not the best place to get information because it’s anonymous and a lot of people share grievances [more than the] positives,” says Dr. Liza Natale of Pediatric Associates of NYC. So what’s a new parent to do?

The first step is to get some recommendations.

Natale suggests checking with fellow parents who have already chosen a pediatrician or getting a list of personally approved doctors from your own physician. If you’re consulting friends, Dr. Michel Cohen of Tribeca Pediatrics recommends asking about their doctors’ availability. “How fast do you get answers when you visit, and, in an emergency, will you really be able to reach your pediatrician?”

To that point, Dr. Judith Goldstein of Global Pediatrics notes the increasing presence of “group practices.” This means that doctors share on-call shifts at night, on weekends, and during holidays— so taking more than 30 minutes to call back for an emergency isn’t acceptable.

Once you have one doctor (or a few) in mind, set up a first visit. At the office, you assess fit factors as simple as the look and feel of the space. While cleanliness and organization are musts, a welcoming set-up can help relax anxious children. For facilities, look for an office equipped to perform simple lab work and multiple tests—that’ll mean less running around, Goldstein points out.

Patience is key. A doctor should be open to questions without making parents feel silly, Natale says. Cohen, however, notes that some parents do find it reassuring to have a more authoritative sounding board.

The one thing to get a second opinion on, Cohen cautions, is medication. “It gets tricky if you ask their approach and they say that they try to be very hands off—when in reality they’ll prescribe medication every visit.”

At the end of the day, Goldstein says, “Assure yourself that this is someone you can really work with—someone warm and flexible.” After all the basics check out, it’s like all other important choices in life: It comes down to intuition.

PEDIATRIC OFFICES Open Sesame Dentistry 315 West 70th Street, #1J opensesamekids.com

Beth Israel Pediatric Associates 10 Union Square East (Suites 2J and 2H) bethisraelpediatrics.yourmd.com

Park View Pediatric Dentistry 800A Fifth Avenue, #303 parkavepd.com

Big Apple Pediatrics 315 West 70th Street, #1K bigapplepediatrics.com

Pediatric Dentistry 305 East 55th Street pediatricdentistnyc.com

Downtown Pediatrics 36 North Moore Street downtown-pediatrics.com

Pediatric Dentistry & Westside Orthodontics 327 Central Park West, Suite 1C robertperacchia.com

Carnegie Hill Pediatrics 1125 Park Avenue carnegiehillpediatrics.com

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Global Pediatrics 1559 York Avenue globalpediatrics.com LaGuardia Place Pediatrics 505 Laguardia Place laguardiaplacepediatrics.com Manhattan Pediatrics 217 Grand Street, 5th floor manhattan-pediatrics.com

URGENT CARE CENTERS Urgent Care Manhattan 199 Amsterdam Avenue urgentcaremanhattan.com CityMD Various locations citymd.net MedRite Urgent Care 919 Second Avenue medriteurgentcare.com

Manhattan Physicians Group Various Locations mpgcares.com

New York Hotel Urgent Medical Services travelmd.com

Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine 390 West End Avenue, #1E pedsny.com

Manhattan Physician Group Various locations mpgcares.com

Pediatric Associates of NYC 317 East 34th Street pediatricassociatesnyc.com

DR Walk-in Various locations drwalkin.com

Pediatrics of New York 11 East 86th Street, #1B pediatricsofny.com

The Urgent Care Center of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 1275 York Avenue mskcc.org

Premier Pediatrics 51 East 25th Street, #301 premierpediatricsny.com Tribeca Pediatrics Locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens tribecapediatrics.com Village Pediatrics 24 East 12th Street, Suite 403 villagepediatric.com Weill Cornell Medical Associates Various Locations (Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Tribeca) weillcornell.org/wcma West Eleventh St Pediatric Associates 46 West 11th Street west11thstreetpediatrics.com West End Pediatrics 450 West End Avenue, #1E 2 Fifth Avenue, #8 westendpedsnyc.com

PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOMS Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYorkPresbyterian childrensnyp.org NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center for Emergency Medicine nypemergency.org www.newyorkfamily.com

Mount Sinai Urgent Care Upper West Side 638 Columbus Avenue mountsinaifpa.org One Medical Group Various locations onemedical.com/nyc/doctors New York Doctors Urgent Care Various locations nydoctorsurgentcare.com Emergency Dentist NYC 8 Gramercy Park South emergencydentistnyc.com

BIG TIP: FAMILY COOKBOOKS WE LOVE Alice’s Tea Cup by Haley Fox and Lauren Fox Batali Brothers Cookbook by Benno and Leo Batali Easy-Peasy Recipes: Snacks & Treats to Make & Eat

by Karen Berman and Doreen M. Marts Funny Food: 365 Fun, Healthy, Silly Creative Breakfasts by Bill and Claire Wurtzel Homemade With Love by Jennifer Perillo The Naptime Chef by Kelsey Banfield Parents Need To Eat Too by Debbie Koenig Sage Spoonfuls by Liza Huber The Toddler Cookbook by Annabel Karmel Weelicious: One Family, One Meal by Catherine McCord The Yummy Mummy Kitchen by Marina Delio July 2013 | New York Family

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Making a

Match 10 Things To Consider When Choosing A Summer Camp

By Jess Michaels

You’ve made the decision to send your child to camp, but what should you be looking for in a camp program?

There are many options and considerations, but finding a camp that’s a good match for your child is worth all the research. Here are some key issues to focus on: Mission And Philosophy: Look beyond the pretty pictures to consider the camp’s mission statement and philosophy, to make sure they’re in sync with your family’s values. If the camp’s website doesn’t fully address these matters, ask the camp director about them with a mind toward finding out the type of child who’s a successful participant in their program. “Each camp has its own philosophy, and the camp you select should be consistent with your own parenting style,” says Doug Volan, owner and director of Mount Tom Day Camp in New Rochelle, NY. “For example, is the camp highly competitive or is the focus on personal best? Does the camp concentrate on building life skills along with providing fun? Is there a focus on values such as compassion and integrity?” Questions like these will give families a better understanding of the camp’s goals and culture.

General Or Specialty: Beyond the camp’s overriding philosophy and goals for its campers, it’s helpful to think about a more tangible aspect: Are you looking for a traditional, well-rounded experience or a more specialized program for your child? Think about what activities are must-haves for your child, then make sure the camp offers these programs. Ask how long each activity lasts and how many electives children have in their schedule. Finally, keep in mind that most specialty camps weave in a lot of traditional activities as well—so for those interested in a focus on certain www.newyorkfamily.com

activities, the question really comes down to what kind of balance you’re looking for.

Camp Director: Find out about the camp director’s background and whether he or she is a year-round camp professional or a seasonal employee. “Yearround camp professionals spend all their time making camp the best possible experience for children,” says Volan. “They realize camp is about more than just recreation; it’s about youth development as well.”

That said, don’t automatically dismiss the strengths and abilities of a director who might be, for example, a teacher during the off-season (while the year-round administration is tended to by the camp owner).

That’s why it’s always worth speaking with the camp director to learn about the camp and get a feel for his or her personality.

Directors know these kinds of conversations are part of the process, and the good ones welcome the discussions because they want a good match, too.

Generally, you can connect with the camp director through phone calls, written correspondence, and in-office visits, but some camp directors will also visit you at your home or meet you on a camp tour.

Ultimately, follow your instincts. If you don’t really care for the leader, then the camp is probably not right for your child. You must feel comfortable entrusting your child’s care to this person.

Your Child’s Involvement: Make sure your child takes part in the process of choosing a camp.

Liza Wittenberg, director of Berkshire Soccer Academy for Girls, a specialty soccer camp set in continued on page 80

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a traditional camp environment in Otis, MA, says, “Allowing your child to have a voice in searching for and selecting camps is extremely important. Parents should have a conversation with their kids about what they hope to get out of [the experience].”

Search camps online with your child and tour camps together. The more involved children are in the process, the more ownership they feel, which will helps ease concerns about camp and increase the odds of a truly good match.

Safety Procedures: Reputable camps—and certainly ones that are part of the American Camp Association—have very high standards for camper safety. You might be impressed with what they have to say about medical personnel on property, emergency plans, staff screening procedures, and instructor qualifications.

Sensitivity To Camper Needs: If your child has a special requirement, whether it’s in regard to food allergies or medical needs or behavioral challenges like ADD, ask how the camp approaches these situations. Parents need to be honest and upfront about their child’s special needs to be sure that the camp has not only the ability but also the desire to handle them. Don’t worry about losing an opportunity for your child; if a camp seems reluctant to accommodate, better to go somewhere that welcomes and understands children like yours.

Enrollment Options: Ask about the length of the program and how much flexibility there is in the schedule. For day camp, ask about the length of the day, whether there’s before and after care, and whether transportation is provided. These types of logistical considerations will help narrow down your search by which camps will fit your family’s daily, weekly, and seasonal schedules.

BiG TiP: ESSENTial RESOURCES FOR SElECTiNG a CaMP New York Family has several wonderful resources for helping parents find the right day camp or sleepaway camp for their child.

The Ultimate Guide To Summer Camp Every February we publish our annual camp guide, offering a menu of stories on researching camps and the camp experience. The 2013 Guide covers everything from how to make the most of a camp visit to whether a child should go to camp with a buddy to the lessons a lifelong camp lover learned as a camper and counselor.

TheRightCamp.com Last year we also launched the popular website therightcamp.com, which allows families to do a detailed online search for camps that are a good match for their child. Simply check off your preferences (which range from camp type to dietary restrictions) and then explore the camps that meet your criteria— each with a page full of essential info, photos, and videos.

Camp Fairs From early winter to early spring, New York Family joins forces with The American Camp Association, NY/NJ to produce the city’s largest camp fair series. Informative, fun. and free, the fairs allow parents and children to explore a big variety of camps and meet with many of their directors, all in one convenient session. Check newyorkfamilycamps.com for a full calendar and to register for a camp fair.

overnight experiences to date, and whether they’ve been pleasant and successful in such situations.

If you’re leaning towards sleepaway, your child should be independent enough to go away for an extended period of time with the ability to take care of themselves to some degree, including showering, getting dressed, and brushing his or her teeth without supervision. It boils down to this: Does the child think he or she is ready, and does he or she want to go?

Staff: Inquire about the age of the staff, their experience, pre-season and ongoing staff trainings, background checks, the interview process, camperto-staff ratios, and supervision in cabins and various activities. “An important factor in developing trust in a camp program is for parents to understand how staff members are selected and trained,” says Wittenberg. “Parents should be looking for camps that employ rigorous interview processes, including background checks and professional references.” At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures, communication, behavior management techniques, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific procedures for supervision. Additionally, look for camps with large numbers of alumni on staff—one great barometer of a camp’s popularity is if many of its current counselors were once campers there themselves.

Outside Review: Make sure the camp is inspected by the local Department of Health and find out if the program is a member of the American Camp Association (ACA), which is the only camp accreditation program in the country, based upon 300 health, safety, and program standards. The ACA goes well beyond what is required by departments of health and addresses specific areas of programming, personnel, health care, emergency response, management practices, and youth development. Of course, there are great camps that choose not to participate in the ACA, but it’s a good idea to ask them why and find out how they maintain their standards.

Day Or Overnight: The big question. When deciding between day and sleepaway camp, parents should consider a child’s age and maturity, that child’s

JESS MiChaElS is the director of communications for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey.

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Scenes from the New York Baby Show

For expectant and new parents (with children up to toddler age), New York Family has four very special and helpful resources.

There’s our grand annual event, The New York Baby Show, which takes place one weekend every May. The expo attracts thousands of new and expectant families from the metropolitan area who come to discover hundreds of leading vendors and services for new families, while also enjoying seminars and lectures by parenting and family experts and sharing all sorts of fun activities with their infants and toddlers. This year, new parent guru Rosie Pope gave the show’s main address both days, joined by a panel of some of her favorite experts.

For more info about the 2014 New York Baby Show next May, visit newyorkbabyshow.com. And don’t forget to email info@newyorkbabyshow.com to receive early bird ticket specials and other information. continued on page 82 www.newyorkfamily.com

A Selective Guide To Everything For Bump And Baby

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On a more regular basis, we also offer expectant and new parents a wonderful and free weekly newsletter filled with tips on pre- and post-natal resources, shopping, news, and musings—not to mention wonderful giveaways. The newsletter is mostly based on our popular New York Family Baby blog at newyorkfamily.com, which is where you can sign up for the newsletter.

In the fall, we plan to publish the second edition of New York Family Baby, a bi-annual magazine focused solely on needs and interests of expectant and new parents. The first edition of the magazine published this spring and included the program guide to the New York Baby Show.

Finally, the following directory should help you address many of your needs as new parents as well.

BABY & BREASTFEEDING GEAR Albee Baby albeebaby.com ANB Baby anbbaby.com Babesta babesta.com Babies“R”Us babiesrus.com Bellini Baby & Teen bellini.com Boing Boing boingboingmaternity.com Brooklyn Baby World brooklynbabyworld.com buybuyBABY buybuybaby.com Caribou Baby cariboubaby.com Giggle giggle.com Goodnight Room NYC goodnightroomnyc.com J&R Jr. jr.com/jr Metro Minis metrominis.com NessaLee Baby nessaleebaby.com New York Baby Shop newyorkbabyshop.com Planet Kids planetkidsny.com Posh Baby poshbabyusa.com Pottery Barn Kids potterybarnkids.com Schneider’s schneidersbaby.com Sprout San Francisco sproutsanfrancisco.com Upper Breast Side upperbreastside.com Yummy Mummy yummymummystore.com BABY PLANNERS AND CONCIERGE SERVICES The Baby Guy babyguygearguide.com The Baby Sleep Whisperer babysleepwhisperer.com Sissy & Marley sissyandmarley.com BABY PROOFING All-Star Baby Safety allstarbabysafety.com A Plus Child Proofing apluschildproofing.com Baby Proofers Plus babyproofersplus.com Baby-Safe Inc. babysafeamerica.com CHILD CARE Absolute Best Care absolutebestcare.com Au Pair Care aupaircare.com Au Pair In America aupairinamerica.com Barnard Babysitting barnardbabysitting.com Bright Horizons brighthorizons.com Care care.com College & Nanny Tutors collegenannies.com Craigslist craigslist.com (for their listings) EurAupair euraupair.com The House of Little People thehouseoflittlepeople.org

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Irish Echo irishecho.com (for their listings) The Learning Experience thelearningexperience.com Lucky Lil’ Darlings luckylildarlings.com Mom To Moms Advisor momtomomsadvisor.com Mommybites mommybites.com (for their nanny board) Nannies Of New York nanniesofnewyork.com The Nanny League thenannyleague.com Penelope’s People penelopespeople.com Pinch Sitters Agency nypinchsitters.com Preschool of America preschoolofamerica.us Sensible Sitters sensiblesitters.com Sitter City sittercity.com Tutor Time tutortime.com Upper Westside Playgroup upperwestsideplaygroup.org Urban Baby urbanbaby.com (for their listings) Urban Sitter urbansitter.com Wee Care weecarellc.com DIAPER SERVICES Diaper Kind diaperkind.com FERTILITY CLINICS The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility ivf.org New Hope Fertility newhopefertility.com NYU Fertility Center nyufertilitycenter.org Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York rmany.com continued on page 84

BIG TIP: OB/GYNS, MIDWIVES, DOULAS & LACTATION ExPERTS If you’re searching for an OB/GYN, midwife, doula, or lactation consultant, there’s no shortage of qualified people in the NYC area. Start by asking trusted friends for recommendations, but don’t take their advice as the last word. Follow your instincts.

Use Google or one of your childbirth reference books to really understand the role of each provider, taking note of questions to ask when interviewing the kind of health care provider you’re interested in working with.

For OB/GYNs: The major local hospitals have referral services. We also recommend trying the search engine at castleconnolly.com, which gathers Best Doctors lists using peer referrals.

For doulas: Try DONA International (dona.org), NYC Doula Service (nycdoulaservice.com), The Metropolitan Doula Group (metrodoula.com), and Mama Views (mamaviews.com) for its Rate My Baby Nurse directory. You can also speak to your OB/GYN. For baby nurses: Try Mama Views (mamaviews.com) for its Rate My Baby Nurse directory.

For midwives: Try the American College of NurseMidwives (midwife.org) and Choices in Childbirth (choicesinchildbirth.org).

For lactation experts: Try the New York Lactation Consultant Association (nylca.org).

www.newyorkfamily.com

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HOSPITALS AND BIRTHING CENTERS The Brooklyn Birthing Center brooklynbirthingcenter.com Also see our listings for local hospitals in the Health & Wellness section. Plus, a number of hospitals now have birthing centers on their premises, where low-risk pregnancies can be delivered by a midwife.

INFANT CPR Baby Be Safe babybesafe.com Little Hearts littleheartscpr.com Also see the list of hospitals in the Health & Wellness section, many of which offer infant CPR classes; ditto for the list of venues for Post-Natal Education Classes in this section.

MATERNITY CLOTHES A Pea in the Pod apeainthepod.com Belly Dance Maternity bellydancematernity.com Bump bumpbrooklyn.com Clementine Consignment clementineconsignment.com Destination Maternity destinationmaternity.com Encore Maternity encorematernity.com Madison Rose madisonrosematernity.com Motherhood Maternity motherhood.com Rosie Pope Maternity rosiepopematernity.com Veronique Maternity veroniquematernity.com

PEDIATRICIANS See our section on neighborhood pediatricians in Health & Wellness.

PRE- AND POST-NATAL EDUCATION, FITNESS, AND SUPPORT 92Y 92y.org AquaMom aquamom.com Birth Day Presence birthdaypresence.net BklynBirth bklynbirth.com Caribou Baby cariboubaby.com Chic City Mom chiccitymom.com Choices in Childbirth choicesinchildbirth.org Destination Maternity destinationmaternity.com (for their classes) Diastasis Rehab diastasisrehab.com Fern Drillings ferndrillings.com Fit4Mom fit4mom.com Fitnotic fitnotic.com JCC jccmanhattan.org Karma Kids Yoga karmakidsyoga.com Mama Glow mamaglow.com Manhattan Twins Club manhattantwinsclub.org Metro Minis metrominis.com Mind Over Matter Health & Fitness (MOM) mindovermatternyc.com Mommybites mommybites.com Mom Prep rosiepope.com Mom Support momsupport.org Newborn Notions: newbornnotions.com Northeast Doulas northeastdoulas.com NYC Dads Group/New Dad Boot Camps nycdadsgroup.com Prenatal Yoga Center prenatalyogacenter.com Stork and Cradle storkandcradle.com

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BIG TIP: BEST IN SHOW The 2013 New York Baby Show introduced new and expectant parents to lots of great products and services. Here are the five Best In Show winners, with some praises from the judges.

ParentLab’s journeyBee, a portable crib: “They’re attractive, they collapse and carry ridiculously easily, and they’re built in such a way that they can multitask as travel crib, playard, and outdoor play tent.”

Quinny’s Yezz, a lightweight stroller: “Super lightweight, cute, and innovative! This will be a fun new addition to a category of umbrella strollers that has been desperate for innovation for the last couple of years.”

Innobaby’s Teether & Rattle, a long-stemmed teetherrattle combo: “This lightweight and flexible teether has a fun design that babies love and is easy for them to grasp.”

Nuna’s Leaf, a motor-free baby rocker: “This nifty little rocker from Dutch company Nuna is perfect for moms looking for a greener way to get baby to go to sleep.

Designed to simulate the motion of a floating leaf, the rocker is propelled by the baby’s weight—no batteries or electricity required. And with a weight limit of 130 pounds, the Leaf will last long past the infant years.”

Bitybean, a compact child carrier: “A child carrier that you can tuck easily into a diaper bag? I desperately wish that I had one of these when my children were babies—would have been a lifesaver. This is one of those products that causes you to think: Why did no one think of that sooner?”

Strollercize strollercize.com Tribeca Parenting tribecaparenting.com Twiniversity twiniversity.com Yummy Mummy yummymummystore.com SLEEP CONSULTANTS Deborah Pedrick familysleep.com Dream Team Baby dreamteambaby.com Mommywise mommywise.com NYC Sleep Doctor nycsleepdoctor.com Sleepy On Hudson sleepyonhudson.com Smooth Parenting smoothparenting.com SLEEP-EEZ KIDZ sleepeezkidz.com Soho Parenting sohoparenting.com Swellbeing swellbeing.com

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR NEW PARENTS iKidNY ikidny.com Mommy Nearest mommynearest.com pingMD pingmd.com weeSpring weespring.com STROLLER CLEANING AND REPAIR CleanBeeBaby cleanbeebaby.com Stroller Spa strollerspa.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEW YORK BABY SHOW, VISIT NEWYORKBABYSHOW.COM

www.newyorkfamily.com

Parenting With MultiPlicity A Leader In The Local Twins Community Shares A List Of Invaluable Resources For Parents Of Multiples

By Natalie Diaz Think you’re seeing double everywhere you look?

Well, you’re right! Did you know that New York City has a higher rate of twin births than the national average? But parents of twins often feel like the city was built for one, not two. Just look at the aisle of your local drugstore. Imagine pushing a double stroller down that narrow channel. For parents of twins, the world doesn’t double when two are born— so we need the help of some amazing assets right in our own backyard. And that’s what I’m here for: to tell you about a few gems in our fair city that seem like they were made just for us. the Manhattan twins club When I first found out I was expecting with my duo, I was nine weeks pregnant. Being the typical Type A New Yorker, I immediately started searching for resources, and it was mere moments before I came across the Manhattan Twins Club. This group of over 800 families is in the trenches here in NYC. With monthly gatherings, this should be your first stop when you find out you have two buns in the oven.

The 25-year-old organization has helped hundreds of thousands of people. I’m proud to call the group my home and serve as its director. With an amazing classified section filled with nanny recommendations, gently used equipment and clothing, and a jampacked forum group, this is a one-stop shop for all things twinnie. manhattantwinsclub.org Sheri Bayles rn BSn lcce iBclc Bayles is a trusted lactation expert, and, as a twin mom herself (can we say street cred?!), she’ll gladly show you the ropes on how to do it right the first time. She’s seen it all, from inverted nipples to clogged ducts. You can reach her at SlBinstructor@ aol.com.

www.newyorkfamily.com

little Folks on 23rd Street When you visit Little Folks, you’ll find a shopping haven made just for your little bundles of joy.

The store is run by a twin dad himself, Saul, who knows just what you need for your crew. Little Folks carries the largest Diaz and her very own set of twins. selection of double strollers on site and will deliver and set everything up for free. littlefolksnyc.com Mta With so many train stations recently upgraded, the subway system can be a twin parent’s best friend. You can schlep your double stroller all across town thanks to the dozens of elevators the MTA has installed.

Before you leave the house, check the website to make sure that the elevators you intend to take are actually working. mta.info/mta/eles.html appy Days Apps like Mommy Nearest will give you the scoop on where to find kid-friendly restaurants or the closest public restrooms. Plus, if you’re like me, you’ve forgotten to plan in advance for birthdays, anniversaries, and more since your kids have arrived.

One great app in that area is Yiftee. With the touch of a few buttons on my smartphone, I’ve sent birthday cupcakes and celebratory ice cream cones to folks who are on my mind. mommynearest.com; yiftee.com twiniversity A series of classes that I created just for parents of multiples, Twiniversity covers topics like coswaddling, sleep training, and breastfeeding two at a time. These courses have been selling out since we appeared on “Pregnant in Heels” with maternity guru Rosie Pope. Taught by a world-renowned twin expert, classes teach parents exactly what to do, how to do it, what to buy, and how much you need. No stone is left unturned. twiniversity.com natalie DiaZ is the founder of Twiniversity and the director of The Manhattan Twins Club. This mom of 8-year-old twins is a native New Yorker and is currently working on her upcoming book, What To Do When You Are Having Two. Email her at Natalie@ Twiniversity.com FOr MOre inFOrMatiOn On hOW tO raiSe tWinS in the city, ViSit neWyOrKFaMily.cOM July 2013 | New York Family

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Congratulations to all of our Honorees

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Beyond The Classroom The City’s Best Teachers Share Their Thoughts On How Parents Can Help Raise Great Learners One of New York Family’s community-minded events is the annual Blackboard Awards, which is the longest-running and most prestigious celebration of excellence in local education, honoring schools, principals, and teachers from all education sectors (public, private, charter, and parochial) and grade levels (nursery through high school). In addition to being a celebration of everyday educational heroes, the Blackboard Awards are also intended as a resource for parents. In that spirit, we asked the honorees of the 2013 Blackboard Awards For Teachers about how parents can help their children reach their full potential in school. Here’s what some of them had to say.

Elisha Ann, PS 158: “When parents model what they believe about school, children respond. For example, helping a child go to sleep early every day so he or she is not late for school shows that the parent cares about being on time for school. Second, if parents take an interest in the child’s work and ask questions like ‘How did you solve this?’ or ‘Can you tell me about this problem?’ rather than saying, ‘This is wrong. Let me help you fix it,’ it shows a child that their parents care about their thinking and not simply if it’s right or wrong.”

Donivan Barton, MS 54: “Encourage mistakes.”

Suzanne Budesa, The Earth School: “Encourage children to problem solve, engage them in thoughtful conversations, and learn alongside them. I am not a parent myself, but I grew up with two amazing parents.

They taught my brother and me to persevere and to find our own ways. They did not always give us the answers or do things for us, but rather gave us the tools to help ourselves. When we wanted to know more about something, they took us to the library to research and look up books so we could teach ourselves.” www.newyorkfamily.com

Stomping Ground Photography

Edited by Chrissy Makris

Sabrina Charles, PS 3: “Maintain a consistent line of communication with your child’s teacher to discuss the child’s progress and struggles not only in the academic arena but in the social and emotional one as well. With any progress of the child, parents are to show some acknowledgment and praise and support their children’s growth. With any struggle of the child, parents are to likewise acknowledge their child’s difficulties and ask the teacher, ‘What can I do at home to further assist my child?’”

Frank Hatsis, The Speyer Legacy School: “I was hoping they would have some advice for me. They have lived and been around the block more than I have. I bow my head to them.”

Christina Jenkins, NYC iSchool: “I know that the young people I work with are constantly trying to figure out who they are and who they want to become, and I think that’s sometimes at odds with who we (as the adults in their lives) think they are or want them to be. I do my best to be aware of that gap, encourage experimentation, and forgive their mistakes within reasonable parameters. I learned that one from my mom.”

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Doreen Kinley, Kipp Infinity Elementary School: “Get involved as much as possible. Ask your child’s teacher questions and find out what they are learning so that you can continue those learning experiences at home. Volunteer in the classroom, go on field trips, attend school events, and do whatever you can to be a part of your child’s education. Parent involvement is a critical part of a child’s education, and children are more invested in something they know is also important to their parents.”

Know Your Resources To ensure that a child growing up in the city gets a good education, parents really do have to turn themselves into educated consumers—to learn their options and learn how to best assess them. We have four thriving educational sectors—public, private, charter, and parochial—and they all have their pros and cons, rules and regulations. And New York Family has several wonderful resources to help city parents address their children’s educational needs as they grow up.

Ultimate Guide To Education: We publish our annual Ultimate Guide To Education in October, which is not only the season of transitions and adjustments in schools, it’s also the time for admissions applications.

The Ultimate Guide covers all of it, helping parents understand local admissions (in all sectors), while also offering stories about news and trends in learning and development, and a parent’s role in their child’s education.

The Blackboard Awards: The prestigious Blackboard Awards honor excellence in education throughout the city and in every educational sector, calling upon parents and educators to help select and celebrate wonderful schools, principals, and teachers. By dint of their mission, the Awards are also a resource for parents as they seek out the best education for their children.

You can find out more about the Blackboard Awards and read about past winners at blackboardawards.com.

When you visit the site, please be sure to tell us about the schools, principals, and teachers of excellence in your family’s life. You can submit your nominations throughout the year.

Newyorkfamily.com: If you define education as learning that takes place both in the classroom and outside the classroom, then it’s just a huge part of what we do almost every day on our website, by pointing parents to good info and resourses for helping them raise their children. In fact, since there’s such a big difference in the day-to-day lives of families once their kids begin kindergarten and are in school all day, we try to pay as much attention to the particular needs and interests of parents with children ages 5 and up as we do for families with babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. And for the former group, it’s often about education-related activities and enriching extracurriculars.

OTHER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES For Nursery School and Pre-K The Parents League Of New York parentsleague.org The Independent School Admission Association Of Greater New York (ISAAGNY) isaagny.org The New York City Department Of Education (DOE) schools.nyc.gov

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Miranda Lau, Hunter College Elementary School: “Allow them unscheduled time to invent, dream, reflect, and create what they want. [And] read, read, read to your child and make sure they have access to a variety of reading materials.”

Perri Lawrie, Kipp Infinity Elementary School: “In my experience, academic success comes from being well continued on page 90

Victoria Goldman’s The Manhattan Directory Of Private Nursery Schools victoriagoldman.net Also note: Many “preschool alternative” programs are offered by neighborhood education and enrichment centers. See our Classes Directory on page 21.

For Public School Clara Hemphill’s various guides to NYC public schools clarahemphill.net Class Size Matters classsizematters.org DOE (see above) Gotham Schools gothamschools.org Insideschools insideschools.org NYC Public School Parents nycpublicschoolparents. blogspot.com For Private School (Independent) ISAAGNY (see above) NYC Private Schools Blog nycprivateschoolsblog.com The NYC Private School Admissions Handbook nypeas. com The Parents League Of New York (see above) Victoria Goldman’s The Manhattan Family Guide To Private Schools And Selective Public Schools victoriagoldman.net For Charter School DOE (see above) New York City Charter School Center nyccharterschools.org For Parochial School Archdiocese Of New York archny.org Also note: For other faith-based schools in the New York City area, we recommend contacting local organizations affiliated with your religion. They should be able to direct you to schools of interest.

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS CONSULTANTS Education First nycedu1st.com Private Education Advisory Service (PEAS) nypeas. com School Choice International schoolchoiceintl.com School Search NYC schoolsearchnyc.com Smart City Kids smartcitykids.com TUTORS Big City Tutoring bigcitytutoring.com Bright Kids NYC brightkidsnyc.com Brownstone Tutors brownstonetutors.com EBL Coaching eblcoaching.com Launch Math Achievement Centers launchmath.com Kumon kumon.com Mathnasium mathnasium.com Next Level Learning nyclearn.com The Princeton Review princetonreview.com

www.newyorkfamily.com

At Teachers College, Columbia University, we understand your desire to make a difference — in both your own life and the lives of those you teach.

For 125 years, we have cultivated and trained some of the greatest leaders in education. Our professors encourage students to realize their leadership potential, whether in teaching, shaping policy, conducting research or launching a unique enterprise. With more than 90 cutting-edge degree programs, discover what Teachers College can do for you.

Apply Today www.tc.edu/admissions

photos by Andrew Schwartz

continued from page 88

out what your child is learning in class and talk to him or her about it. Make school a priority at home by reading with your child, and checking his or her homework. Celebrate successes, even the small ones!

Hang quizzes on the fridge. If education is important at home, kids are more likely to excel.”

rested and prepared for school, being read to each night, spoken to and engaged in questions about the world around them, and, above all, loved! Hugs and quality time go a long way toward a child’s selfconcept and translate to self-confidence and success at school.”

Yeon Ji Park, Queens School of Inquiry: “Parents should encourage and support their children’s interests inside and outside of school. But that doesn’t mean forcing them into extracurricular activities, or believing discipline is not necessary because your child has innate talent. The school setting is a practice microcosm of the real world.

There are so many obstacles to hurdle and puzzle pieces to fit together. If you do not help them practice skills taught in classes at home, your child will struggle and you are depriving your child of opportunities for success now and in the future.”

Leslie Rossello, Our World Neighborhood Charter School: “The biggest thing a parent can do is to be involved. Keep in touch with your child’s teacher. Find

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Ben Rubenstein, Bard High School: “I think both parents and students should know that learning is not static. You must accept that you will make mistakes and that those are beneficial. That reflection must be built into that process so that you can learn from the mistakes… In general, students and parents should engage in school as though this was an endeavor to figure out how to learn, not what to learn.”

Steven Schwartz, St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s School: “Parents should do their best to support teachers of all subjects, being careful to avoid imprinting their own prejudices onto their kids. What messages do children take away when parents tell them that they were never good at math or that they did not like chemistry or you will not need Latin? In addition, a parent should remain vigilant about their child’s progress and be proactive in getting help if difficulties in one subject or another arise. I think it is as much the parent’s responsibility to be aware of developing problems as it is the teacher’s to make them aware of them. No parent should be truly surprised to learn that his or her child is doing poorly in a particular class.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT BLACKBOARDAWARDS.COM www.newyorkfamily.com

The United Federation of Teachers Salutes

The exemplary New York City Teachers who are honored with this year’s

2013 Blackboard Awards

Michael Mulgrew, President 52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 www.uft.org

The New York City Charter School Center congratulates the winners of The Blackboard Awards!

We thank these and all excellent teachers for their commitment to providing a high-quality education for our children.

Sarah Birnbaum Special Needs Consultant

- Special education placement - School consulting, application support - NYC therapy and services advice - Early Intervention and preschool help Initial phone consultations are free 212-666-7299 sarah@nyspecialneeds.com

www.nyspecialneeds.com

20 Things To

Know if Your Child has speCial needs A Mom Of Two Shares Her Wisdom About Raising Children With Developmental Challenges

By Joanna Dreifus New York City is an exhilarating place to raise a family, but I think most parents would agree that it can be stressful, too. What’s more, if your child has special needs, navigating the metropolis can seem especially daunting and difficult. To help, here are 20 tips I’ve gleaned from my experience as a mother of two children who experienced developmental delays. I hope these bits of philosophical and practical advice will help as you embark on this journey with your family.

1. First things first: If you suspect that your infant or child may have developmental delays, don’t be shy about broaching the subject with your pediatrician.

Another great resource is YAI Network (yai.org), which can help you schedule an evaluation or find referrals for services your child may need.

2. Take a deep breath. If your child does have delays and requires services such as speech, physical, or occupational therapy, repeat to yourself, “It will be okay”—even if you don’t believe it. New York City has some of the best programs to help children with developmental delays.

3. Remember that your child is more than a diagnosis and don’t obsess over labels. You may hear an alphabet of terms, from ADHD to PDD-NOS to SPD. Your child is still the same person he or she was the day before; nothing has changed the essence of who your child is.

4. You are more than your child’s diagnosis, too.

If your child’s delays or special needs require many www.newyorkfamily.com

therapies, it’s easy to let these take over your own life. Carve out time for yourself—even if it’s only 10 minutes a day. And, of course, remember to make time for the rest of your family.

5. Accept help. It takes a village to raise any child, and it may take a large and experienced village to raise yours. Accept offers of help from grandparents, friends, and neighbors. Some moms of special needs children panic about leaving their child with anyone else, so their lives become very restricted.

6. Get organized. You’ll have a lot of information to keep track of, including your child’s evaluations, reports, and insurance claims. Start with a big looseleaf binder and jot down everything, even records and details of phone calls.

7. Minimize the “schlep factor.” Try to schedule appointments at convenient times and locations, taking your child’s nap times and other routines into consideration. Write out a weekly schedule and keep therapists’ phone numbers and addresses handy.

8. Respect your child’s therapists. As busy as you are, they are even busier, so respect their time and give ample notice if you need to cancel. Remember to show appreciation for how much these professionals are helping your child. Year after year, therapists tell me how much they appreciate parents who appreciate their work.

9. Do your online research, but be careful. There’s a lot of misinformation online, particularly about more serious conditions such as autism. Tempers flare and discussions get heated. Be conscious of what you say to others and respect others’ opinions.

10. Read a book or two. One guide I highly recommend is The Elephant in the Playroom: Ordinary Parents Write Intimately and Honestly About the Extraordinary Highs and Heartbreaking Lows of Raising Kids with Special Needs. And for a good laugh on even the toughest days, read Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children. continued on page 94

July 2013 | New York Family

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11. Find the best resources for your family.

Ordinary activities like haircuts can be traumatic for children with sensory issues. Christina Reinwald (rockinlocksforhair@yahoo.com), a former Cozy’s stylist, is a hero to many families; she’s loving and patient and helps even the most terrified tots, mine included, tolerate haircuts over time.

12. Another common trouble spot is dental visits.

We’ve found an excellent special needs dentist, Dr. Jed Best (drjedbest.com), who has years of experience treating children with all kinds of special needs.

13. Know your child’s limits. The city is full of exciting activities for kids, but sometimes crowded, loud events aren’t the best for children with special needs. The good news is that more special needsfriendly events crop up in the city all the time: AMC Theaters holds a monthly sensory-friendly film showing on the Upper West Side (amctheatres.com/ SFF); Music for Autism (musicforautism.org) hosts free, interactive, special needs-friendly concerts every other month. Plus, tons of museums now cater to children with special needs. The Jewish Museum (thejewishmuseum.org) holds frequent art workshops, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (brooklynkids.org) boasts a new Sensory Room for exploration or relaxation, and the Children’s Museum of the Arts (cmany.org) hosts a monthly Stripes program for children with autism.

14. Jump in. Over the past couple of years, several new play spaces in the city have opened that cater both to children with special needs as well as typically

BiG TiP: sPeCiAl neeDs evAluATion CenTeRs ADvoCACy GRouPs

&

In addition to contacting the following providers, parents can call 311 and ask for Early Intervention.

Parents can also view a list of city-approved evaluation providers by borough at nyc.gov.

ABC Early Intervention Program a-b-c.org Advocates For Children advocatesforchildren.org Bank Street Family Center bnkst.edu/fc Child Mind Institute childmind.org Early Childhood Associates earlychildhoodassociates.org Important Steps importantsteps.com Los Ninos Services losninos.com NYU Child Study Center aboutourkids.org TheraCare theracare.com YAI/NYL yai.org oTHeR ResouRCes Ask Stefanie askstefanie.com Dana’s Kids danaskids.com Gigi’s Playhouse gigisplayhouse.org (search New York) New York Child Development newyorkchilddevelopment.com New York Special Needs Support nyspecialneeds.com The Rymac Group rymacgroup.com Special Kids NYC specialkidsnyc.com

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developing children. Some of our favorites are Sensory City (sensorycityot.com) in Long Island City, Space #1 in Clinton Hill (extremekidsandcrew.org), and Gigi’s Playhouse in Manhattan (gigisplayhouse.org).

15. Dive in. Many kids with special needs find water soothing. A few places around town that your child may enjoy: the Hall of Ocean Life at the American Museum of Natural History (amnh.org); City Treehouse in Chelsea for indoor water play (citytreehouse.com); and Greenacre Park, a small urban oasis with a waterfall in Midtown East.

16. Reach out. Raising a child with special needs can feel isolating, and it helps to meet other parents who are doing the same. The JCC in Manhattan (jccmanhattan.org) runs wonderful support groups for parents and events for the entire family. The Child Mind Institute (childmind.org) offers free workshops on everything from ADHD to OCD to pharmacological management of kids’ mental health disorders.

And UrbanBaby.com and YouBeMom.com both have helpful message boards for the special needs community.

17. Decide what you’ll share. Not everyone needs to know every physical, psychological, and neurological detail about your child. If you feel like sharing, a simple “my child has some delays” suffices. Keep the specific details to yourself and friends and family, especially as your child gets older and privacy becomes more important to him or her.

18. Brace yourself for unsolicited advice: “My friend’s cousin’s nephew had a speech delay and drank fish oil all day long—have you tried that?” Simply smile and say, “Thanks, I’ll look into that.” There’s a lot of chatter among NYC parents about everything from infant development to preschool admissions. These comments can be unintentionally hurtful, so try to take them with a grain of salt and remember that most parents don’t understand what you’re going through and don’t mean to offend you.

19. Give people a break. Let’s say that your child has a temper tantrum on the bus. Of course, all children do this, but a child with special needs may be “triggered” more easily or often. People stare, roll their eyes, and make comments. Again, they don’t get it; they haven’t walked in your shoes. Try to be the bigger person and ignore it.

20. Remember to give yourself a break, too. Parenting is the toughest job in the world, and parenting a child with special needs is even tougher. The highs are higher, and the lows are lower. Have faith in your child and in yourself. You are your child’s best resource!

JoAnnA DReiFus is a Manhattan mother of two and the founder of Special Kids NYC (specialkidsnyc.com). She also writes the blog MyMomShops (mymomshops.com). www.newyorkfamily.com

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the last word

THE SECOND TIME Around When Presented With The Opportunity To Move Back, One Mom Discovers Some Unexpected Feelings For The City

MY HUSBAND LIKES TO TELL people that when we had our first child while living on the Upper West Side, we could still consider ourselves relatively hip Manhattanites; with the birth of our second, we conceded the borough and moved to Brooklyn; when our third baby came along, we emigrated to Canada.

Like many before us, we had moved to NYC when we were carefree and kid-free. I would spend my days staking out coffee houses in which to prepare for my graduate seminars. On bad hair days, I would traipse to the Meatpacking District and line up for fancy, experimental haircuts at Bumble and Bumble’s training salon. Book readings! Wine tastings!

SummerStage! The city was at my leisure.

Ten years and three kids later, bad hair seemed permanently affixed to the top of my head. My social life, like my hair, was largely unkempt. Often, as I was schlepping the double stroller and an uncooperative kindergartner up the four-story walk-up in our Brooklyn brownstone, I would nurse a suburban fantasy or two, mostly the kind involving a garage. A breaking point came one Saturday when we had rented a minivan to head upstate for the weekend. We had just crossed over the Hudson when our 3-year-old shouted out, “WE ARE IN THE COUNTRY!” We crushed his excitement by assuring him that no, we were most certainly not in the country; we were in Hackensack.

And so, when a career opportunity presented itself in Ontario a couple of years ago, my husband and I didn’t hesitate to start packing. Look, kids! We’re Canadian! We drove north toward our new life and dove right in. Ice skating on the canal, barbecue in the backyard, neighbors with kids who would drop by with baked goods and beer, culture, diversity, interesting, talented, and multilingual people, beautiful architecture. Long story short, we loved living there.

Now, here’s the part of the story that made me realize I was a true New Yorker: A mere six months into our Canadian revelry, we were offered an opportunity

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New York Family | July 2013

to move back to New York, and we took it. I hadn’t felt like there was all that much we were missing out on and yet...

There was an evening in Ontario when I found myself walking home alone. The streets were quiet, there wasn’t a person or a car in sight, and many of the houses had darkened windows. My heart started to race and I could taste adrenaline in my mouth. I wasn’t afraid necessarily, but the emptiness of the street was overwhelming, and I sprinted home.

I missed the crowd, or, more precisely, “the certainty of others,” to borrow a line from the great Walt Whitman. It was a phrase he used to articulate being a part of masses of people bound to each other by virtue of existing together in a common space across time. “The certainty of others” gets at the kind of clarity of consciousness that comes readily to me in New York, waiting on the subway platform or wading through dense, peopled streets—how extraordinary, I think, that we are all here, together.

I missed riding a busy train during rush hour. I missed people watching on our stoop and joking with my kids about the secret lives of the strangers that passed us by—a spy dressed in all black, a circus clown late for the show. I missed going from point A to point B with the possibility of encountering a dozen impromptu mini-adventures along the route. The whole city, I realized, was a story that I missed.

Looking back, I think I had to leave so that I could return and begin again, on my own terms. Moving to Canada was a way for me to choose New York City once more, this time as an adult and as a mother, rather than have it be something that I fell into unwittingly.

In the end, I had to leave so that I could come home. And, let’s face it, my kids were never going to be great on hockey skates.

Sarah TorreTTa KlocK is a writer and photographer who lives in Brooklyn with her husband, three kids, a cat, and two turtles. www.newyorkfamily.com

Illustration by Justin Winslow

By Sarah Torretta Klock

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