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Easy Streets

Monday, July 7th, 2008

programs_playsites_subpic.jpgMondays used to mean packing your tot off to preschool and enjoying a few precious hours of free time. Now that it’s summer, Monday means scrounging to line up another week’s worth of activities to keep him entertained. July 4th just ended, and you’re already at a loss. (Sure, Petland is kind of like an air-conditioned zoo/aquarium, but the cashiers are starting to give you dirty looks.)

Thankfully, this particular Monday brings sweet relief for kiddies spending summer in the city. The Police Athletic League has opened more than 100 safe-play sites throughout the five boroughs, closing off streets to create open spaces where children can enjoy outdoor games, make new friends from the neighborhood, and splash around in the open fire hydrants. There’s also a supervised day camp program, so you can take off for errands or just a little “me” time.

Unlike the water park or the museum, the play sites are free (aside from a nominal sign-up fee), so you can go up to five days a week. An array of classic street games and other activities keep the days from feeling redundant: double-dutch, hopscotch, music and dance, street hockey, basketball, and arts and crafts projects. There’s even a mobile library where kids can borrow books.

Sign up by visiting your local PAL summer play street. And save the next Petland excursion for Saturday.

Visit palnyc.org.

Stroller Derby

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

I Stroll NYJudging by the parade of prams through Carl Schurz and Park Slope, the stroller is a little New Yorker’s transportation of choice. So why not declare your Big Apple babe’s city style with Pluto’s new ”I Stroll NY” tee. It’s a kiddie take on the classic ad campaign – stay tuned for knockoffs on Canal Street.

Available at kitsel.com.