Submitted by Melanie on
Eat outside with your family, but let someone else take care of the food, and the dishes. Outdoor dining brings you and yours great views, excellent food and none of the work. We’ve got some great Long Island outdoor dining spots listed here that offer something for everyone.
Submitted by Mary Beth Lawlor on
There are a bunch of fantastic outdoor events this weekend. Lots of sunflowers and weekend festivals. You'll find our best bets listed below. Interested in going on a family kayaking expedition? Check out our post about where to go and what to do. We also posted about Fairfield County's best beaches on a budget. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, have fun and enjoy the lazy days of summer. And remember, you can always find additional seasonal fun in our Events Calendar.
Submitted by Raven Snook on
To say I'm a fan of Oz is putting it mildly. I have an entire collection of Wizard of Oz dolls, trinkets and merchandise. (It's currently in my daughter's room... but she knows it's all mine.)
Over the years there have been many new takes on L. Frank Baum's fantastical world and characters, and I've tried to see them all. Some are amazing (Wicked on Broadway), some not so much (the miniseries Tin Man, ugh). So when I heard Theatreworks USA was mounting a Latin-themed kids' musical based on Oz, I was cautiously excited. Would my daughter and I be enchanted by our journey down The Yellow Brick Road or would we end up wishing we were home, just like Dorothy?
The verdict: The Yellow Brick Road is smart and sassy, with wonderful salsa- and meringue-infused pop songs. And, unlike The Wiz, the multiculturalism presented here is progressive and positive. Bonus: The hour-long show is absolutely free. We've got the scoop on the show and how to snag tickets.
Submitted by heather on
It was so hot last weekend—insert your best, “How hot was it?” joke here—it was hard to talk or think about anything else. Rant about climate change, curse Mother Nature or stomp your flip-flopped feet, there's nothing we can do. At least we have some relief from the heat... for a few days, anyway.
Of course, even 100-degree temperatures can't stop the city that never sleeps, and we've got lots of news to share, including controversial new teacher evaluations, restaurants that ban kids, a children's museum in the Bronx and a new floating pool. So turn up your AC and enjoy.
Submitted by Mary Beth Lawlor on
Ms. Scott has dedicated her entire working life to helping people create healthier, more stress-free lives. She has had a private practice as a health consultant and educator for over 30 years, designing effective stress management workshops for families and corporations. Leigh has two grown children and lives in Westport, CT. LeighScottParenting.com
Who Gets the Oxygen Mask First?
In case of an emergency, airline stewards always remind us to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first and then our child but instinct tells us to put the oxygen mask on our child first. Our brains are wired to protect our children, even if we die in the process. No wonder it is so hard to put ourselves first as a parent. Self-care is a concept that has to be forged into our brain to override that protective instinct.
Submitted by Dena on
I don’t know about some of you, but summer can be a very stressful time for me, when my days are dedicated to trying to figure out what to do with my boys from morning to night. My number one priority? Keeping them cool and happy. My number two priority? Keeping myself sane enough to keep them cool and happy. Anyone with a child on the Autism spectrum who can say that summer is 100% fun, please tell me your secret!
Submitted by Raven Snook on
Editor's note: The Rubin Museum will close its doors on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
As New York City museums go, the Rubin Museum of Art is just a baby, but it's definitely growing fast. The only museum in the Western Hemisphere dedicated to the art of the Himalayas (Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, China and many other Far East countries and cultures), its collection is varied and vast—there are countless figures of deities, shrines, instruments, textiles and more—and the institution as a whole is surprisingly family-friendly.
We wrote about the Rubin back in 2004, but so much has changed since then, we revisited the museum as well as this post. Not only is there an impressive slate of programming for kids, including drop-in workshops and festivals, the Rubin opened an education center in the summer of 2011, which accommodates children and adults.
Next door to the museum, the two-floor center features circular stairs that mirror the main space's dramatic spiral staircase. It's a lovely addition with large classrooms and a performance area, cute cubbyholes for backpacks, and colorful kid-made art interspersed with items from the museum's collection.
The Rubin is a wonderful destination on any day: The artifacts are stunning and easy for kids to digest (a solid gold statue of a deity doesn't need to be put in context; it's just cool), and there's a cafe with delicious eats. Happily though, there are kids' activities almost every day. Here's what's going on at the Rubin for families this season.
Submitted by Jay on
With the weather we've been having, perhaps the last thing you want to do is pick up a book about the hottest season.
But you'll be pining for summer fun soon enough: longer days, summer Fridays, family vacations, and afternoons spent in the sprinklers and at the beach.
Even though summer isn't even half over, I catch myself feeling nostalgic for it. It's the season we always seem to measure by how close it is to being done. These ten children's books capture its big and little pleasures: the magic of keepsakes, awesome (and not-so-great) photos and the making of memories. Every one is a must for your summer reading list.
