Weekend Events for NJ Kids March 13-14: Snakes, Einstein, Shows and Crafts--Most FREE!

Einstein definitely was NOT Irish, but this weekend is a cause to celebrate both Einstein’s birthday, the number pi, and St. Patrick’s Day!  And with weatherpeople forecasting wind and rain, you may just decide to opt for indoor entertainment like the circus, plenty of fun theatrical performances, a crafts festival, or a reptile and turtle demonstration.  And Easter is just around the corner with the Easter Bunny making early visits to some local malls…

Free and Fun Weekend Events for NYC Kids - March 13 and 14, 2010

It’s the time of year that New Yorkers start to breathe a sigh of relief.  We return to the streets, blinking in the long forgotten sun, happy to have made it through another cold and snowy winter.  It is hard to believe that two weeks ago we were literally buried under a foot of snow but now it seems to have melted into some pretty blissful pre-Spring days.  You won’t need your parka or your snow boots when you go out this weekend (you may need an umbrella though.)

Parks across the city beckon with their offerings of cool, free, family fare like a Native American puppet show, bird watching and live animal encounters. But, if you aren’t ready to spend time outdoors just yet, there are plenty of exciting things going on inside, too. Boogie down at one of the many kiddy concerts, visit Artopia a family arts festival or take in a flick from The New York Kids International Film Festival - tickets are still available. And don’t forget St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner.  Visit the Irish Arts Center during their Annual Open House this Sunday.

St. Patricks Day Fun, Circus Walks, Minerals and more in Long Island this weekend March 12th-14th.

St. Patrick’s Day may be next week, but it’s looking like the luck of the Irish is all around this weekend. Sprinkle in some arts and music, theater performances and what a well-rounded cultural weekend ahead! And just when you thought you had seen everything, go catch some elephants walking down the street. Seriously! Check out eight of the great events happening in and around your neck of the woods this weekend.

Crafty Kid Places in NJ: Beading, Pottery, Glass-Blowing and More!

As Easter and Mother’s Day quickly draw near, you’re facing the age-old “what to give to Grandma/Grandpa/Aunts/Uncles and various other relatives” quandary. But really, how many “#1 Grandma” mugs can a cupboard hold?  You know they truly treasure the handmade gifts from the heart (and little hands) than a trinket from the mall.  But before you pull out the playdough, paints and glitter, consider a trip to one of these Create-Your-Own Studios where kids can make blown glass ornaments, a fused glass dish, a hand painted bowl, silver or beaded jewelry, and more.  Not only will you wow the crowds, but mom doesn’t have to worry about cleaning paint off the furniture or getting glitter out of the rug!

Circus Elephants Walk Across Manhattan March 22, 2010

Update: There is no elephant parade in 2014 due to the circus playing in Brooklyn..

Once again the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus is heading into town and since the circus elephants can’t go up the Penn Station escalators, they need to get off the circus train a stop early in Queens and walk through the Mid-Town Tunnel, and straight across Manhattan to Madison Square Garden.

Posting this event is always controversial because some people feel that watching the circus elephants march across Manhattan is supporting their mistreatment in the circus. On the other hand, I get lots of emails every year asking me when it 's happening. My position is that this is a pretty crazy thing that happens in NYC and I'm letting people know. Do what you like with the information.

 

8 Spring Celebrations for Kids on Long Island

The Vernal Equinox is right around the corner and I’m sure most of us are welcoming spring with open arms. With the warmer weather suddenly upon us, we're just itching to get back outside and enjoy nature. And spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and show children the magical workings of Mother Nature as flowers bloom and plants grow. Check out these events and activities for kids around the Island to celebrate the coming of warmer weather, sprouting flowers and crisp (snow-free) air!

News: Child’s Play at JFK, Life After Kids, Recyclable Nursery, Cool Kids Books, Quick Oscar Recap, More

How good does that warm air feel? Though we were dreaming of springtime fun, we still had time to monitor the news articles you might have missed. Find out more about the air traffic control fiasco at JFK, a cool blog about children's books, a 100% recyclable nursery, and why you shouldn' google your child's symptoms. Also, get a glimpse of life after kids and a quick Oscar roundup.

What's For Dinner: Cooking Classes to Help with Feeding Kids

[UPDATED: July 18, 2012]

We hear a lot about the benefits of cooking and eating healthy meals together as a family, but despite our best intentions, it can be tough to make that happen on a daily basis, whether for lack of time, energy, creativity—or all of the above.
 
You can get a little help in the kitchen and have fun doing it by taking a cooking class to learn easy, healthy recipes and techniques for getting food on the table for your kids. Despite what you might think, cooking classes don't have to be fancy or expensive, there are some casual options here in the city that are a good fit for parents for making family meals.

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