Editor’s Note
On a gorgeous Saturday, my six-year-old son and I, along with his best buddy, played catch in Central Park for well over an hour. So naturally on Sunday, he insisted on more of the same in his grandparent’s backyard on Long Island. But you know what I love even more than his passion? It’s his patient interest in getting better at something! I’ve spent too much of Adam’s early childhood worried about what he wasn’t doing. But it’s the same with speaking, sharing, reading, trying new foods, or having a catch for more than three minutes: when they’re ready, they’re ready.
–Eric Messinger ([email protected])—
New York Family Events
Special Invitation: Our big wonderful fun and free Halloween Party is looking great, and we hope you and your children will join us! Please take a minute to read about it and pre-register now to guarantee your family’s spot, and qualify for all the great raffles and a goody bag. The party will feature not one but three of our favorite kids bands–Mr. Ray, Moey’s Music Party, and The Brett Band. There will also be a pumpkin patch and pumpkin carver! Face painters! Balloonists! Magicians! Arts and crafts! And free family portraits by Heidi Green Photography! What’s more, the prizes include a free family getaway weekend in the Berkshires, a Jason Wu digital camera, gift baskets from Paul Frank and Scholastic, and much more. Click here for more details and to register.
Parenting Tips
As wonderful as the city parks are in the spring and summer, many families find that the best time of year to visit them is the fall, and we don’t disagree. In Central Park alone, families can go on a bat walk, set pumpkins a sail, see a "Monster Musical" and more–in fact, check out this list of 6 Things To Do In Central Park this fall! Want to know about autumnal goings-on at your local park? The NYC Parks website is a great resource, listing events and features at parks throughout the five boroughs. What’s more, our guides to the city’s best parks (including Hudson River Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Riverside Park and Prospect Park) highlight can’t-miss features and offer simple plans for fun, no-fuss family time in the park. Finally, we recommend a visit to the new Imagination Playground at the South Street Seaport–with its abundance of movable objects and manipulable elements like sand and water, the interactive play space seems to be anchoring a revival in family interest in the whole seaport.
Whether you plan to make or buy your kids’ Halloween costumes this year, all parents want to make sure their kids are happy and comfortable in their threads for all their Halloween parties, and especially for trick-or-treating. For some inspiration, check out our guide to Halloween costuming, complete with adorable DIY ideas from seasoned stylist Emma Hardy, the author of "Cute And Easy Costumes For Kids"; plus our list of great costume shops all over the city. We also have a story compiling this season’s costume trends–yes, vampires are included–and ways to stay under budget this witching season, plus great costume ideas from other sites and blogs, synthesizing your costume shopping to a few quick clicks! (Plus, stay tuned for 13 days of Halloween treats and treasures at www.newyorkfamily.com!)
In the category of kid-friendly craft places, the new Make Meaning may well be a true game-changer, offering a wonderfully varied menu of hands-on crafts in a setting that’s so vibrant and colorful kids are going think they’re walking into a candy store! Chances are, though, they’ll be just as pleased to get their hands on the creative and age-appropriate (tots through teens) projects in Make’s core areas: soap, glass, ceramics, jewelry, candles, and paper. Located on the Upper West Side on Columbus Avenue between 75th and 76th Streets, Make Meaning offers "walk-in" and class options, fresh new birthday alternatives, and a credible gift emporium. Great for the neighborhood, Make is also ample and varied enough to be a destination spot for craft-loving families throughout the city, especially if you combine it with visits to other nearby attractions like Central Park, the Museum of Natural History, or CMOM. For more info, check out makemeaning.com.
Joy Of Shopping
Adding a big splash of style to its reliable and affordable city strollers, Maclaren has introduced a new buggy based on the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine animated film, complete with some of the famous psychedelic prints.
Simply Vera by Vera Wang’s Ruffled Coin Purse is a versatile accessory for a great cause; it can be used as a change purse or mini clutch, and 100% of the net profits help to support the fight against breast cancer.
Glamourmom has designed a starter nursing bra, perfect for the first few weeks after the baby’s birth. The bra comes in nude and black and will be available on October 15.
For more treats, tips, sales and finds, sign up here to follow our family shopping blog, Joy of Shopping.
This Week At Newyorkfamily.com
Last week we introduced our new series, Style School For Moms, in which we matched up witty mom blogger and NYF contributor Heather Chaet with Beckie Klein and Martina Gordon, NYC moms, former models, fashion industry veterans and now professional "re-stylists." Click here for our first installment (filled with great styling and closet-conquering tips) or here for this week’s story, How To Shop Like A Pro.
Don’t miss the Annual Fall Kids Fest at Madison Square Park this Saturday, where kids can enjoy music, pumpkin-picking and a costume parade, while parents peruse the nearby upscale outdoor market, Mad. Sq. Mark’t.
If You Give A Kid A Cookie…Kelsey Banfield of The Naptime Chef shares an easy, everyday recipe for delicious chocolate chip cookies over at our food blog, Yummy Delicious.
Whether ballet, modern, tap or jazz, dance classes do more than teach children new moves–they develop important life skills. Check out our interviews with some of the field’s experts, as well as our list of some of the city’s best dance programs and classes.
