Healthy Kids

The Yankees and the Mets aren’t the only ones stepping up to the plate this spring. Thousands of kids across the city will be eagerly dusting off their cleats in anticipation of Little League’s opening day on Saturday, March 31 (although some teams kick off in April).

Joining a Little League team (or any other youth baseball organization) is great fun for the entire family. Parent participation isn't just encouraged, it’s mandatory. Moms and dads volunteer to help manage the leagues, coach the teams, run the concession stands and maintain the grounds. Since it's nonprofit, the registration fees are relatively affordable. Most cost under $200 for the entire season, and that includes those nifty uniforms. If that's still out of your range, some leagues offer financial assistance.

Because of high enrollment, many teams have pretty strict geographic boundaries, so kids need to register based on their home address and proof is required. With opening day coming up, many teams are full, but some are still accepting late registration and most offer wait lists—and unlike other wait lists in this town, I hear that these actually move.

Find out how to join a T-Ball, baseball or softball team in New York City this spring. If your kids would prefer to cheer from the sidelines than get in the game, we've got the scoop on some great Little League opening day bashes, too.

I remember the first time my son saw a backyard swimming pool; he was about three years old and completely befuddled. He was no stranger to swimming pools, but to him, pools belonged indoors or on glass enclosed high rise rooftops, not out in the elements in a backyard. He had already learned at a young age that one of the best things about city living is swimming year round in an indoor pool. If you are lucky enough to have a pool in your gym or building that lets the kiddies in - then you are all set – but if you aren’t then read on for our list of kid-friendly public and private pools in New York City.
 

Do you ever fight with your kids about eating more fruits and vegetables, getting more exercise and going to bed on time (and not waking up at the crack of dawn)? That question's rhetorical, but we're pretty sure the answer is a loud, "Yes!" Well the folks at the Children's Museum of Manhattan hear you, and that's why they've opened a new permanent installation called Eat Sleep Play, which aims to help families lead healthier lives.

The exhibit is part of CMOM's national health initiative, which includes obesity prevention outreach programs and similar installations at museums across the country. Housed in the main hall, Eat Sleep Play is filled with cool games, manipulatives and physical challenges. Yes, the subject matter is heavy—diabetes, eating disorders and obesity are all touched on—but the museum keeps it light and fun for kids, focusing on small life changes.

While CMOM is one of the most popular tot spots on the Upper West Side, take note: Although Eat Sleep Play has attractions to please younger children (tongue slide, anyone?), elementary schoolers are the ones who will get the most out of it. A real change from the Dora and Diego romper room upstairs!

We recently wrote about Exerblast, the new family adventure gym that gets kids (and grown-ups) moving in a whole new way. But sometimes getting to a gym isn't in the cards. I realized my family needed to find ways to integrate movement and exercise into our everyday lives. That's why I decided to check out Sneaky Fitness, a book by Missy Chase Lapine (of The Sneaky Chef fame) and Larysa DiDio, a fitness expert.

Read on to find out what I thought of this book, and a list of 25 easy indoor exercise ideas that you can do with your kids at home.

Everyone knows that if you plan to spend anytime outdoors under the burning sun, you better slather on the sunblock. (Your skin will thank you for it for years to come.) However, infants have extra-special needs when it comes to sun protection, particularly New York City babies, who are invariably out and about all day in strollers or slings on shadeless streets.

So where's an SPF-obsessed parent to start? As a mommy who's currently shuttling around a newborn babe, here are the five sun-care products I won't leave home without.