Shopping: So Emoji-nal

There’s no denying it: Emojis have officially taken over modern communication. Need proof? Just look at any of the text messages, social media posts, or emails your kids have sent you over the last two years or so…notice a trend? Whether you love or hate (or hate-to-love) these now-ubiquitous modern-day hieroglyphics, one thing is for sure: They’re here to stay and they’re pretty darn cute!

So why not make the most of it and have some fun shopping for unique (and totally smile-inducing) emoji-themed and -bedecked items for parents and kids alike?

Emoji Rainbow Tote
Perfect for moms to use as a grocery tote or for kids to use as a beach bag this summer, this Emoji Rainbow Tote from Zara Terez is the ultimate way to show your emoji love to the world--no text messages required. $54, zaraterez.com
BFF Lapel Pin
Do you have a BFF you want give the gift of emoji to? We're loving this enamel pin incarnation of the dancing twins emoji! Recently featured in T Magazine, this fun accessory from Valley Cruise Press is the ultimate cheap and chic thrill! $8, valleycruisepress.com
Congratulations Baby Emoji Card
What better way to tell a loved one that you're excited about the arrival of their new baby than with a handmade card featuring the cutest emojis ever? This Etsy pick, by seller Imprimere Designs, is crafted by hand from matte cardstock. $3.96, etsy.com
Emoji-nal Backpack
School can be stressful! So give your child a way to express a whole range of feelings right on their backpack with Nast Gal's cool canvas pack. This emoji patterned backpack features a zip pocket at front, adjustable shoulder straps, and a zip closure at top. $65, nastygal.com
Gold Embossed Alison Lou Joe Cool Face iPhone 6 Case
For the emoji-hip mom (or teen) who favors the finer things in life, this Alison Lou iPhone 6 case--featuring a sunglass-clad emoji face--is for you! A golden smile sits embossed on a black lizard motif backdrop, making for some very cool calls indeed! $98, alisonlou.com
Heart Eyes Emoji Lip Balm
If your tween loves hitting the mall and shopping at Justice, than treat her to his adorable emjoi lip balm from the middle school-shopper's paradise! Complete with strawberry lip balm inside and a very on-trend heart-eyed smiley face shell, this gift is sure to be a hit! $5.90, shopjustice.com
GoodWood Smirking Emoji Stud Earrings in Natural
If you're a die-hard emoji user but tend to go a bit more subtle with your accessorizing, try these sweet-and-smirking earrings from KarmaLoop. Crafted from wood, the look is more au naturel, rather than stoplight yellow, so these cuties are sure to be a versatile addition to any emojiphile's (of any age) jewelry box. $10, karmaloop.com
Shapeways 3D Emoji
It's official: The 3D-printing craze has met the emoji obsession! And the result is a selection of super-cute emoji smileys made totally from 3D printed materials. These high-tech wonders make for eye-catching desk toppers or toys for older kids...collect them all! $19.99, shapeways.com
Needlepoint Emoji Pillow Kit
Is your youngster obsessed with emojis but needs to commit to less screen time? Try a cool emoji craft! This needlepoint pillow kit from Etsy seller Hermit Crab Stitchery is sure to keep any young crafter occupied and off their phone! The best part? At the end, you're left with a super-fun home decor piece featured four of the very coolest emoji faces! $51.99, etsy.com
White Funny Womens Emoji Crew Neck Pullover Printed Sweatshirt
Keep warm on chilly spring evenings with the warmth of a million smiling emojis! The coolest of the many face emojis--plus a few choice others--come to this cheeky sweatshirt from Melodic Day, making for the ultimate high-tech fashion statement. $18, melodicday.com

Penguin Coding School

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Penguin Coding School believes that <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">anyone can code<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The most compelling motivation for learning to code is that it enables building something kids can call their own. What makes this approach "worth it" for the kids is that at the end of the road, they see that their code actually does things in the real world. Not in some playpen, but in the real Internet where anyone can access it.&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Programs:<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Penguin Coding School <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">provides comprehensive coding education to kids ages 5-18. In-person &amp; Online classes are available in Scratch, Minecraft, Roblox, Python, Javascript, Java, Robotics, and Mobile Apps. Their small class size, award winning teachers and age-appropriate curriculum ensure every child will learn coding with a smile. Penguin Coding has in-person classes and summer camps in Cobble Hill and Park Slope, as well as three Massachusetts locations. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free Trial Classes:&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sign up for our award-winning<a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://penguincodingschool.com/freetrial?utm_campaign=FreeTrials&amp;utm_source=NYF&amp;utm_medium=Directory"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">free trial classes</a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They offer a 60 minute free trial class in Scratch, Python, Roblox, Java, Robotics and much more! Appropriate for absolute beginners as well as those with some experience (trial classes are used to place students in the right level).

The Tutorverse

Join The Tutorverse for the highest quality in academic enrichment and test preparation! Whether your student is gearing up for the&nbsp;state exams, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT, or SAT/ACT, our team of&nbsp;experienced and local professional educators&nbsp;can help. Have your student join a&nbsp;small-group class&nbsp;at our downtown or Upper East Side locations. Or, they can meet with a&nbsp;private tutor when and where it&rsquo;s most convenient for your family. Does your student need help building study skills or improving grades? Whether your middle or high schooler needs help with&nbsp;STEM or humanities, our patient and affirming tutors will teach them how to build&nbsp;confidence and content mastery.&nbsp;<a style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Send us an email</a> or give us a call&mdash;we'd love to hear more about how we can help!

Gaga Madness

Gaga is the hottest new sport in NYC. We've taken the fun of GAGA and pushed it into overdrive. Energetic coaches, pumped up music, sideline commentary, gear giveaways and more. Stay active and keep fit with this new craze that's sweeping the city.