Brooklyn Mamas | Brooklyn Guide for Kids and Families

Tinkergarten Nature Classes in Park Slope

Mama — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:55:56 +0000

Given the opportunity, most children would rather run in a field of grass than play on an ipad but in the city, how do you let your child do such a thing safely? A new class in Park Slope called Tinkergarten is the answer and it is wonderful. The premise behind the Tinkergarten class is to allow children to roam and explore nature and natural objects in an undefined but supervised way.

The class begins when owner and Brooklyn Mama, Michelle meets a small group of parents and kids at the entrance to Prospect Park and allows the children to simply run through a patch of tall grass. She asks them to look at the grass and tell her a little bit about it, the texture, size, feel etc. Armed with only a backpack Meghan sits the kids down for a rule overview:

No putting anything in your mouth
You MUST be able to see a guide/ adult at all times
Respond to a whistle when it is blown
No touching glass or metal

Meghan encourages parents to continue these rules outside of class and while exploring other places with your little ones. This beautifully curated experience for children continues through the denser areas of the park and onto a field for running, exploration, games and an organic snack. Among the activities, children learn how to use a basic magnifying glass, and have conversations about what they were seeing.

Among the Spring programming includes tree climbing, fairy house making, and more. On a rainy day, there are activities that Meghan has planned that encourage kids to enjoy and explore the rain. This is not just a class for kids, but one for parents as well where they learn activities to do with their kids on their off time. It is amazing how fun a simple walk in the park can be.

After class, Meghan sends an email to the parents and posts the activity on the company’s blog so that you can enjoy them too. Here is what she writes to us:

What a great class we had today! I continue to be impressed by how eagerly and openly our young explorers use all senses to experience nature!

I was also so pleased to see how easily explorers wonder along with me when I ask them questions. At this age, they don’t often arrive at the formal answers (e.g. they may not be ready to decide why the green string was harder to find than the bright colored string), but they are excellent at noticing and really can start to wonder along with me when I prompt them. So, I will keep asking them open-ended questions like, “What do you notice about that?” “Can you tell me more about that?” “What do you think that is?” “Great idea (when they share an idea or make a statement), what makes you think that?” Even if they are not ready to provide a detailed explanation, they really are ready to build the habit of mind to ask those questions…and this habit will pay dividends later on!

I also so enjoy being outside and allowing kids (especially at this age) as much freedom as possible to wander and explore at will. Kids today rarely enjoy unstructured time in such a stimulating place! So, please know that if/when any of our explorers seem to “abandon” the activity to run, climb, dig, roll, etc. they are doing just what they should do, especially in a Tinkergarten class!

Finally, many of these activities will be repeated in class – and can always be repeated during free time too! For example, as kids play and replay a game like the Bell Game, they catch the bug to make sure the bell does NOT ring (at first, it is far more tempting and nearly effortless to make the bell RING!). Perhaps the game’s greatest benefit is how it develops self control and focus (a very important skill for school readiness and life!). But, as you all know better than anyone, self control is an emerging skill in 3 and 4 year olds! So, we’ll play it again in coming classes, each for short bits of time, and we can see if it’s something your child is excited to keep playing – or maybe could come back to again at a later time. For explorers this age, exposure and repetition are wonderful things!

Thanks so much for sharing your explorers and (for many of you) your own time with us today! We loved it.

Audra Rox now in Bushwick and Bedford Stuyvesant

Mama — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:30:40 +0000

Music for Aardvarcks and Other Mammals, is a musical experience, that incorporates lullabies, drums, shakers, and dancing from birth to five years. With music written by David Weinstone, each class is home to music that celebrates life living in the big city!

As a happy resident of Bushwick, I couldn’t be more excited about this development! Despite Bushwick and Bedstuy being home to tons of little families, there has been little development in the area of children activities. Yes, the public libraries have, and always will be a great source for story time, but the children’s music scene seems to be lagging behind in these specific areas. I myself even tried to create a music class in my home. My attempt was unsuccessful, as the demand was much larger than what I had anticipated. So, thanks Audra!

You can register online for a six week semester of $145 and $35 extra for each sibling. Children under six months accompanied by an older sibling are free. If you do decide to register, and for some reason miss a class, no worries. Audra Rox allows you to make up that class at any of the many locations around Brooklyn on any day of the week with advanced notice! If you can not commit to $145 for a semester, you can also drop in for a $30 fee. Enjoy!

BUSHWICK

Where: Loom Yoga, 1087 Flushing Avenue

When: Mondays, 10am. May 21st- June 25th

Contact: www.audrarox.com

Bedford Stuyvesant/Clinton Hill

Where: Brooklyn Kolache, 520 Dekalb Avenue

When: Mondays, 10am. May 21st – June 25th

Contact: www.audrarox.com

Brooklyn: Things to Do This Weekend with Kids – May 19-20

Mama — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:10:41 +0000

Smorgasburg is up and running in Williamsburg

It’s going to be a beautiful weekend in NYC. The Brooklyn Mamas have rounded up the best outdoor activities, festivals and park events to make the most of your family time together. Check em out!

Red Hook Family Festival

Puppetry Arts comes to the Red Hook waterfront for a fun filled day full of crafts, snacks and games for kids of all ages.

When: May 19, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: PS 15 71 Sullivan St, Red Hook
Visit: Red Hook Family Festival

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8th Annual Block Party at Habana Outpost

Habana Outpost is having their annual block party this Saturday, May 19. Along with being New York’s first eco-eatery and cooking up an award winning cuban sandwich, Habana Outpost will kick off Kids Corner, a free, creative workshop every weekend at the Annual Block Party.

When: Saturday, May 19^th 10:30 – 6:00pm
Where: 757 Fulton Street (corner or South Portland)
Information: Here

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When I Grow Up Weekend

Check out the entire roster of weekend activities for the “When I Grow Up” series at the Museum. Events and activities include the Ready, Set, Grow Playlab Workshop, a Junior Explorer event and much more. Visit the full schedule below.

When: May 19 and May 20
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave, Crown Heights
Visit: When I Grow Up Weekend
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Fleece Festival

Come see the sheep and alpacas get shorn and see weaving, knitting and spinning techniques. Parents and kids will also love the great line-up of musical guests.

When: May 19 & May 20, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Prospect Park Zoo
Visit: Fleece Festival
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Design a Bus

Kids ages 3 and up will use materials provided by the museum to make their own moving bus craft project.

When: May 19 & May 20, 1:30 p.m.
Where: New York Transit Museum
Visit: Design a Bus
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Bay Fest 2012

This annual events will have loads of great activities for kids including an arts and crafts station, bouncers, a Nets basketball unit, costume characters and more.

When: May 20, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Emmons Ave from E 27 Street to Ocean Ave, Sheepshead Bay
Visit : Bay Fest 2012
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Coney Island Strongman Spectacular

Come see some amazing feats of strength at the annual Strongman Spectacular!

When: May 20, 1:00 p.m.
Where: Coney Island, Outside of Sideshows by the Seashore
Visit: Coney Island
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Cinderella

Come experience this classic fairytale with the whole family as the American Family Theater’s award-winning production makes its way to Brooklyn College.

When: May 20, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, Brooklyn College
Visit: Cinderella
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It’s My Park Day

Make keeping the park clean a family event! Pitch in with brooms, shovels and rakes to help keep our parks clean.

When: May 19, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Prospect Park, Bandshell

VIDEO: Preschool Options for Kids in NYC

Mama — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:10:51 +0000

Stressing about preschool admissions in NYC? join the many parents who don”t know the difference between a “zone” and a “district” and learn about your preschool options in New York City. At the Mamas Expo we hosted a panel discussion about Preschool and Kindergarten Alternatives in NYC with Dr. Deborah Gilboa, Douglas Morse, Wendy DeAngelis, Laurie Nicholson, Chinthani Perera-Lunemann and Mary Ann Giordano editor of SchoolBook. Here is what they had to say:

Best Preschool Options in NYC

Special Needs, Gifted and Talented, What do private schools look for in a child? How to lean more about your child’s potential school- Here our panel discusses how to get to know your local school.

Preschool and Kindergarten Zoning in NYC

School Zoning and the “C” Word -Charter School - What is the difference between districts and zones? what to look for in a zoned school.

Preschool Lottery and how to apply

What is a preschool lottery? are there other alternatives to my zoned school?

8th Annual Block Party at Habana Outpost

lindag — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:15:22 +0000

Habana Outpost is having their annual block party this Saturday, May 19. Along with being New York’s first eco-eatery and cooking up an award winning cuban sandwich, Habana Outpost will kick off Kids Corner, a free, creative workshop every weekend at the Annual Block Party.

Here is the Kids Corner Weekend Event at the Annual Block Party. Visit habanaworks.org for the May – September schedule that take place every Saturday and Sunday.

FREE KIDS CONCERT with JON SAMSON at 10:30am. Jon Samson will be kicking off the party. This local music therapist, performer and award-winning producer is known to get entire families dancing. Be sure to pick up your free egg shakers from My Brooklyn Baby so you can play along! www.cocreativemusic.com

APPEARANCE from MISS KINGS COUNTY 2012 - Jelessa Peterkin -at 11:30. Bring your little princess to meet the reining Miss Kings County to receive their very own crown and get their photo taken. www.misskingscounty2012.blogspot.com

KIDS CORNER presented by HABANA WORKS at 10:30 – 3:00pm. Habana Outpost kicks off the 2012 Season of Kids Corner making mobiles out of recycled materials from the restaurant. www.habanaworks.org

PLANT a SUNFLOWER with MY BROOKLYN BABY at 11:30-1pm. Fort Greene’s favorite baby and toddler boutique will provide the materials for your little one to plant a sunflower to take home and watch grow! www.mybrooklynbaby.com

And more: Appearance by ELMO, Bouncy House, Stilt Walker, Face Painting, Clowns, Balloons.

When: Saturday, May 19^th 10:30 – 6:00pm
Where: 757 Fulton Street (corner or South Portland)
Information: www.habanaoutpost.com

Kids Corner – Free Weekend Activities at Habana Outpost

lindag — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:04 +0000

Habana Works is hosting Kids Corner at the popular Habana Outpost eatery in Fort Greene. Kids Corner offers free, creative workshops and fun games that teach environmentalism, wellness and community to neighborhood kids every Saturday and Sunday.

What is cool about the Kids Corner activities is that materials used for lessons are all recycled, reclaimed or found and are held outdoors at the Habana Outpost courtyard. Definitely check it out and of course, enjoy a meal at the restaurant.

2012 Kids Corner Schedule:

May 19th & 20th – Recycled Egg Carton Bugs
May 26th & 27th- Fruit and Vegetable Prints
June 2nd & 3rd- Live Ladybug Release! Join us for this annual event as we release live ladybugs into the courtyard of Habana Outpost and learn why ladybugs are an important part of our habitat.
June 9th & 10th – Recycled Owl Family
June 16th & 17th – Dad Rocks! Make a pet rock for dad to keep on his desk and remind him of you all the time!
June 23rd & 24th – Stick Mobiles
June 30th & July 1st – Nature Collage
July 7th & 8th – Recycled Paper Frames
July 14th & 15th – Solar Powered Art! Using sun sensitive paper, we will create sun collages using objects found in nature
July 21st & 22nd - Glitter Bottle Cap Magnets
July 28th & 29th - Plastic Bottle Vases
August 4th & 5th – Egg Carton Flower Wreath
August 11th & 12th – Toilet paper roll collages
August 18th & 19th – Recycled Shakers and Drums
August 25th & 26th – Magic Wands
September 1st & 2nd – Recycled Bookmarks
Monday, September 3rd - Annual Back to School Bash! Join us for one last party before the new school year. Free games, music, face painting, crafts and school supplies

Where: Habana Outpost, 757 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 858-9500

Custom Family Portraits

Mama — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:17:13 +0000

Bring back the tradition of family portraits by commissioning one of these cool custom made pieces of art. It won’t even involve you having to sit for it….just send in a photo.

Annie Sklaver hand cuts your family likeness out of paper. Made in Brooklyn NY

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Goose Grease makes hand painted wooden families in Brooklyn

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Swedish Made Family Illustrations. So Cool

Little France in Brooklyn

Mama — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:19:50 +0000

My family has spent the past two summers in France and despite it’s sometimes stuffy flaws, I long to be back there every year. The summer fetes (celebrations), nightly games of Boule (french game), local food, and general smell of the air can make anyone fall in love. Why suffer without a piece of France throughout the year? I thought… so I set out to find a little bit of French in Brooklyn…

French Neighborhood

If you are looking to get away from New York and into the French spirit then Carroll Gardens is the neighborhood to visit. Not only is there the highest French population in the city but there are French businesses, shops, patisseries, and more.

French Schools

There are several French immersion schools popping up in Brooklyn. PS 58 The Carroll, Greenpoint’s PS 110, and the International School of Brooklyn to name a few.

French Food

Forget the French restaurants and pastry shops, lets talk about pates, duck confit in a can, and fresh baguette. These morsels are hard to find and we are still on the hunt for a good Brooklyn source for authentic French groceries.

The French NEVER have coffee on the go so if you are feeling like a Parisian then have a seat at one of Le Gamin’s Brooklyn Cafes and sip a hot drink and read a book.

French Sports

Petanque is a classic French pastime that involves hurling heavy metal balls at one another typically while drinking. Also called Boule, you will find courts in parks all over France. The New York Petanque Club has its own court in Brooklyn that hold Summer tournaments in Prospect Park.

Brooklyn Boule also organizes games in Mcarren Park two times per week. Check their facebook page for info

French Books

Idlewild Books has recently opened a store and language school in Brooklyn where you can grab some of the classics for kids.

French Toys and Clothing

Mon Petite Child stocks French labels like Catimini, Monnalisa, Floriane, IKKS, Marie Chantal, Baby Graziella. You can buy French made toys at Nest Egg Kids that stocks the Moulin Roty line and their Les Coquettes plush dolls.

French Blogs in NYC

This post is dedicated to Mei Lai who left Brooklyn for France last year.

Thrift Store Toddler Chic – T Shirt Dress

Mama — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:31:38 +0000

Here at Brooklyn Mamas we like to recycle everything… or at least everything we can.. so here is a great recycled solution to giving an old shirt new life. Make it into a simple t shirt dress for your little girl. It takes about 10 minutes and you can pair it with a cute belt and pair of shoes. Viola! Brooklyn hipster chic here we come. Here is a step by step:

Start with a small t shirt and lay it flat on a table.

Place one of your toddler’s dresses OVER the shirt to measure arm and neck holes.

Trace the dress on top of the t shirt using a crayon. This will be the arm holes and side seam of the dress. You can also decide the dress length by cutting the shirt shorter.

Cut the sleeves off of the t shirt leaving the original neck in tact. Try to assume the circumference of the neck by using the other dress and cut the neck trim down a little.

Turn the shirt inside out and sew together the neck trim. Use whatever stitch you know, it does not need to be fancy.

Then sew up the side seams also using a not so fancy stitch.

Inside out, your dress should have a small side seam and arm hole.

Turn right side out and wear!

Urban Fairy Garden Project

Mama — Sat, 12 May 2012 10:34:01 +0000

Want to get some nature but don’t have a yard? no problem. We made a small fairy garden out of a clear bin and a few leftovers from our pantry such as dry beans, rice, and pasta. This will keep your tot entertained while they scoop up beans, and set their characters into the little setting that they created. If you are lucky enough to have a patch of grass to call your own, use some leaves and clippings from the garden as well.