Submitted by Pam Hegner on
The true meaning of the holiday season is to give to those in need. Nothing warms your heart more than seeing a child open a doll or fire truck they have been dreaming about. Here are some events happening across Connecticut that will help teach your children about the importance of charity.
Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on
With Christmas a mere three weeks away, it is hard to keep the greed in check. My children, who tend to be fairly reasonable beings eleven months of the year, are suddenly adding to their Christmas Wish Lists on a daily basis. “Maybe” and “We’ll see” have become my stock responses. Of course, our family talks about the spirit of the season, giving as opposed to receiving and thinking about those who are hungry or otherwise in need, but after a while, even these sentiments seem trite.
Time to re-set and make parenting about presence. A perfect place to start is in the Magic Forest, at its workshop on Mindful Parenting. Now that your parenting is centered, celebrate at SoCal Moms holiday party on the Pier, or check out our Holiday Fun Guide for other ways to enjoy the season.
Submitted by Teri on
Sandwiched between the über-family-friendly enclaves of BoCoCa and Park Slope, Gowanus was a longtime industrial holdout thanks in large part to its infamously polluted namesake canal. But now that the neighborhood's got a Whole Foods, an artisanal ice cream parlor, a slew of small artsy businesses and the promise of a $500 million Superfund cleanup of its odoriferous waterway, Gowanus is undergoing a similar transformation as nearby Red Hook.
Construction sites are everywhere you look as mixed-use developments go up (yes, even along the 1.8-mile-long Gowanus Canal), and many of the old warehouses that are still standing now house art galleries, trendy bars and funky boutiques. Of course, while Gowanus is a haven for artists and entrepreneurs, family-centric attractions are still relatively limited, and there's only one park: the Thomas Greene Playground. But there are many cool, not-just-for-kids things to see and experience in this quickly changing Brooklyn nabe, which is bordered by Baltic Street to the north and the Gowanus Expressway to the south, Fourth Avenue to the east, and Smith and Hoyt Streets to the west. We kick off our series of posts about the area with our list of the top 20 things to do with kids in Gowanus, Brooklyn.
Submitted by Roberta B on
The holiday season is upon us, and you may be wondering how you'll be able to afford to fulfill everyone's wishes. Our generous sponsors can help, with deals on everything from karate to cooking to swimming with an Olympian. We've even got discounts on classes for new and soon-to-be parents. Read on for all the bargain details; but don't delay, because when the holidays are gone, most of these discounts are, too!
Submitted by Jody Mercier on
The holiday season is upon us and you may be wondering how you'll be able to afford to fulfill everyone's wishes. Our generous sponsors can help with deals on everything from live theater to indoor entertainment so your brood can beat the winter blues in NYC and beyond. We've also got discounts on birthday parties and babysitting for when you're ready to take a break from it all. Read on for all the bargains, but don't delay as they may disappear faster than your holiday budget.
Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on
I have a confession to make: I suffer from art anxiety. Although I've managed a few Wee Work projects with my kids (I highly recommend the Sharpie tie dye t-shirts), when it's time for serious crafting, I look for resources out of the home. Luckily, this holiday season in Fairfield County, there are all kinds of crafting workshops that suit all ages and price points. Here are some of my favorites:
Submitted by Phylicia Q on
California is home to several historical and architectural gifts, in the form of the Spanish Missions of California. Built in a period ranging from the mid 1700s through the mid 1800s, the Missions are a part of local history we can claim as our own and share with our children. Though the Missions host events throughout the year, Christmas offerings at these historic sites are sure to take your family's SoCal holiday activities to the next level; as nice as your neighborhood's holiday lights and nativity scenes are, it's tough to beat a 200 year-old setting.
Submitted by Raven Snook on
It's beginning to look a lot like... well, you know. Over the past week, my daughter and I have been rushing around playing tourist, seeing all of NYC's iconic holiday sights like the spectacular department store holiday windows, various Santas and the illuminated tree at Rockefeller Center. We experienced that last one from the comfort of an MTA bus—we're not crazy enough to try to get close!
Since it's a new month, all of our sites have brand-new GOLists highlighting the absolute best things to do with kids throughout December in NYC, Westchester, New Jersey, Long Island and beyond. The sheer number of activities during the holidays can be overwhelming and we hope these carefully curated GOLists help your family plan your season so you don't miss the really special stuff.
Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:
