Archive for April, 2011

See
Dumbo’s Royal Wedding Viewing Party
The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton — in spirit, anyway. Early risers can don a fancy hat and watch BBC America’s live coverage of Will and Kate’s royal wedding with festive Brooklyn Brits. The celebration continues after the ceremony, with costume contests for kids and adults.
When: Fri. 4/29, 5:30am; Free.
Where: The Archway Dumbo under the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn, dumbonyc.org.

Go
Tribeca Family Festival
In honor of the Tribeca Film Festival, this annual family street fair takes over downtown, with kid-friendly concerts, dancers, Broadway performances, face painters and other activities. Hear tunes from The Fuzzy Lemons, compete in the hula hoop contest, and stop by the nearby ESPN Sports Day. Check the schedule to time your visit with a special screening of films like NIKO, a lively animation flick.
When: Sat. 4/30, 10am-6pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Greenwich St. from Humbert to Chambers St., tribecafilmfestival.org.

Visit
Hippo Playground Spring Fair
Help raise funds for this favorite UWS destination at its 28th annual fair. Kids can spend a lazy Sunday at the jumping castle, pony rides, petting zoo, maze or face painting stations.
When: Sun. 5/1, 10am-4pm.
Where: Riverside Park at 91st St., riversideparkfund.org.

Shop
Teens for the Cure
Kids store Lester’s of Manhattan is offering 10-percent off much of its merch in a “Tickled Pink” shopping extravaganza. Stop by for special in-store customization like airbrush designs on clothing, painted personalization on rain boots and rocker-chic studding. Part of the day’s proceeds will benefit Teens for the Cure, part of Susan G. Komen for the Cure of NYC.
When: Sun. 5/1, 12-5pm.
Where: Lester’s of Manhattan, 1534 Second Ave. at 80th St., 212-734-9292, komennyc.org.

Williamsburg: It’s not just for hipsters anymore. Cool parents have been moving to the nabe (sorry, Park Slopers and Upper East Siders), and like families in any other up-and-coming area, they need a cozy little gathering place to shop.

Luckily Caribou Baby recently opened in Greenpoint, with a focus on simple and healthy gear, vintage clothing and toys that work well for urban families and small apartments. Stock up on good-for-you supplies like a cloth diapering kit, woven baby wrap, wooden toy set or baby-friendly beauty products — even the store itself is centered around sustainable design, featuring VOC-free paint and secondhand decor. The Brooklyn boutique (named after a strong, majestic creature) also teams up with local experts to offer educational classes on childbirth, breastfeeding, infant CPR and yoga, plus a treatment room for clients to meet with pre and post-natal practitioners. (Hint: If you’ve got little ones in tow, stop by the nearby McCarren Park Playground after the shopping trip.)

Welcome to the neighborhood.

272 Driggs Ave. (bet. Eckford & Leonard St.), Brooklyn, 347-460-BABY, cariboubaby.com.

See
Tribeca Film Festival Drive-In Movie
Cars aren’t actually invited, but grab a seat on the plaza for an outdoor screening of The Muppets Take Manhattan. Family-friendly pre-show activities include face painting, Muppet trivia, sing-alongs and surprise guests.
When: Sat. 4/23, 6pm (activities start at 6:30pm, film screening at about 8:15pm) Free.
Where: World Financial Center Plaza, tribecafilm.com.

Do
PCVST Family Easter Event
Head to Stuy Town for a holiday celebration including a petting zoo, crafts, a live musical performance, an egg hunt and maybe even the Easter Bunny.
When: Sun. 4/24, 10am-2pm; Free.
Where: Stuyvesant Town Oval, enter at 16th St. & First Ave., pcvst.com.

Go
A Clearing in the Forest
Celebrate spring with San Francisco-based Capacitor Dance Company’s interpretive performance of “The Perfect Flower,” and learn about the park’s nearby blooms.
When: Sun. 4/24, 1pm; All ages; Free.
Where: On the Great Hill and in The Peter Jay Sharp Children’s Glade, Central Park (near West 106th St.), centralpark.org.

Visit
Matzah Ball Soup to Maira’s Max
Honor Passover at a drop-in art workshop where kids can create their own handmade book, inspired by Maira Kalman’s quirky illustrations.
When: Thurs. & Fri., 1-4pm; Ages 4+; Free with museum admission.
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave. at 92nd St., thejewishmuseum.org.

Play
Brooklyn Bridge Park Spring Fling
Kick off the season with this 6th annual family event in the green grass. Join an egg toss or a duck race, spot birds with a local Brooklyn birdwatcher, practice yoga with Karma Kids and make solar power bead necklaces. Plus enjoy performances by AudraRox and Wildlife Theater Company’s Butterfly Boogie.
When: Sat. 4/23, 10:30am-1pm; Free.
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1, brooklynbridgepark.org.

It may be the city that never sleeps, but you’d like at least a nap. Whether your baby is on his own unique schedule, or your kids are going through a phase where they either don’t sleep through night or wake up at the crack of dawn, help is on the way.

The Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center, which opened earlier this year, is dedicated to treating all types of sleep conditions. The center, led by Dr. David Volpi and Dr. Eric Cohen, specializes in mostly adult problems from snoring to sinusitis. When it comes to kids, issues like allergies or tonsilitis may be keeping them (and you!) awake, but in most cases, it’s all about establishing a routine. Below, Dr. B. Thuy Le, who treats many of the center’s pediatric patients, offers tips on how to set up what the center calls “good sleep hygiene”:

1. Establish the bedroom as a place that’s just for sleeping. Remove distracting activities like lots of toys, a TV or computer so kids aren’t tempted to play right before bedtime.

2. Bathe before bedtime: The effect of cooling down after a warm bath helps little ones become sleepy.

3. Make sure your child’s room is dark enough to entice them to sleep, and try a noise machine for white noise if you live on a block where there are distracting street sounds coming in. Install a humidifier if the apartment tends to get dry.

4. Stick to the same routine. If you do a bath, bedtime story then lights out, stay consistent around the same time every night. This way, kids will be better able to adhere to their sleep routine and won’t get attached to one parent over the other at bedtime, or will be able to adjust if a babysitter takes over for the night.

20 East 60th St., 212-873-6036, nycsnoringsleepapneacenter.com.

See
Thunderbird Native American Dancers
Enjoy the beautiful traditional regalia, storytelling and tribal dances of this renowned group that showcases the diverse cultures of American Indians. Presented with descriptive narration, young viewers will get a compelling and colorful introduction to Native American traditions.
When: Sat. 4/16, 11am; $11-20.
Where: Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia, 2537 Broadway at 95th St., symphonyspace.org.

Go
Moey’s Music Party Easter Bash
Hop over to Carl Schurz Park for an Easter-themed concert, featuring holiday tunes like “Little Bunny Foo-Foo,” “Hop, Hop, Hop” and “Lotsa Matza.” The concert happens at 3pm, but stop by early for Easter arts and crafts at 1pm, and an Easter egg hunt and face painting at 2pm.
When: Sat. 4/16, 1-3pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Carl Schurz Park, enter at 86th St. & East End Ave., moeysmusicparty.com.

Hear
The Fuzzy Lemons
Rock out with the kiddie band that has been taking Williamsburg by storm, and make friends with fellow Lemons-loving families.
When: Sun. 4/17, 3pm; $10.
Where: Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn, bk.knittingfactory.com.

Shop
Boutique Week
Celebrate your favorite local shops by picking up something special — much of the merch at participating NYC boutiques (like Sabon, Sohung Designs and Satya Jewelry) is 25-percent off, and a portion of proceeds goes to non-profit org Dress for Success.
When: Sun. 4/17, through 4/24.
Where: List of participating stores available at boutiqueweek.net.

If you spend more time in business class than music class, you’ve probably experienced the guilt when work travel pulls you away from quality, NYC family time.

Celebrity chef and mom Cat Cora addresses the mom-on-the-road syndrome in her new children’s book, A Suitcase Surprise for Mommy. When his mom has to travel to New York for work, little Zoran isn’t happy — until they have the great idea that he lend her something of his own that she can take with her as a reminder of their special bond. As he debates whether his robot or truck would be most appropriate, young readers may get a few ideas of their own to ease the strain of separation before your next flight leaves from JFK. After all, Mom or Dad is always only a call, email or text away.

And soon, these travelers-to-be can start racking up frequent flier miles of their own.

Available at amazon.com.

Go
Clothing Drive at Prenatal Yoga Center
Donate new or nearly new infant and toddler clothing, pajamas (up to size 4T), socks and infant shoes (up to size 12) in excellent condition to Room to Grow, an organization that gives one-on-one support to families raising their children in poverty. All donations are tax-deductible — leave your name and address with your donation.
When: Fri. 4/8, 9-10am and Sat. 4/9, 1-3pm.
Where: Prenatal Yoga Center, 251 West 72nd St. #2F, 212-362-2985, roomtogrow.org.

See
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Discover the strange and wondrous land of Narnia in Theatreworks USA’s condensed, 60-minute version of the full-length musical based on the classic children’s book.
When: Sun. 4/10, 2pm; Ages 5+; $7.
Where: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College, 718-951-4500, brooklyncenteronline.org.

Visit
Earth Day Celebration
Celebrate the planet at this outdoor event featuring interactive games, crafts, live music, eco-friendly artists and street performers. This annual festival teaches families about recycling and other environmental issues; show kids how care for Mother Earth and build a more sustainable future.
When: Sun. 4/10, 3pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, on the plaza in front of the Whitman Theatre’s main entrance, brooklyncenter.com.

Hear
Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could
The infectious, Grammy-nominated family music will appeal to rockers of all ages. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, songs from the latest album Love Me For Who I Am celebrates kids of all abilities (proceeds go to Autism Speaks).
When: Sat. 4/9, 11am (doors open at 10:30am); All ages; $15.
Where: Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St., boweryballroom.com.

Do
Power to the Parents
Apply online to run for an open seat on your Community Education Council. Parents of public school students in grades K-8 are eligible to serve on the CEC for the Community School District in which their child attends school.
When: Apply through Sat. 4/9.
Where: powertotheparents.org.

Sleep training went successfully…well, at least it went. But lately, a good night’s rest has been hard to find.

Whether your kids claim to have monsters in the closet or consistently climb into bed with you at 3am, find a little peace at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s latest exhibit, Night Journeys. The bilingual family installation takes kids through bedtime preparation with hands-on activities to show it’s not so scary. In a whimsical setting called Bedroomland, visitors can try out headrests from different cultures, climb into an oversized bed to find charms that ward of nighttime evils, submit their nightmares to the mythic Japanese dream eater Baku, and re-enact bedtime rituals. Then it’s on to Sleepland, where an arch of clouds and stars lead to a world of sleep and dreams.

What could be more comforting than that?

When: Through 5/1.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.