ML Interest Tag: chess

Top 4 Tech Tools for Connecting Families during the Holidays

By Britannica For Parents

Photo: © Anchiy—E+/Getty Images

The year 2020 has brought us to a bittersweet holiday season. The global pandemic prevents us from gathering with loved ones, and yet these hardships show us, now more than ever, how important we are to each other.

Fortunately, we have access to technology that allows us to communicate with family and friends when we can’t be together. Here we offer four of the most accessible and versatile tech tools for connecting with others during the winter holidays and beyond. And some of them can be found in your pocket!

1. Shake Up Your Video Calls

You’re probably already experienced with using video tools like Zoom or FaceTime to communicate with family and friends. It’s time to get creative and add a new venue to your calls.

Take it outdoors. Plan a family walk where everyone in your extended family logs into a video call from their favorite park or scenic location. Take a moment to share each of your views and then switch to audio-only as you all take in some fresh air and exercise.

Get in the kitchen. Schedule a family video call during dinner prep or while each of you prepares a special family recipe. If one member of the family is known for their cooking expertise, have them lead the session, just like your favorite Food Network shows.

2. Send Funny Texts

If you own a smartphone, you probably already have some experience sending funny and random texts to friends and family. You can take your texting to the next level by adding some friendly competition. 

Text a family holiday scavenger hunt. Make a shortlist of funny, pretty, or interesting things to look for around the house or in the neighborhood. Send out the list to family members via text and you’re off! First-person or team to text a photo of every item on the list wins. Sample items might include:

  • Lighted candles visible through a window
  • A wreath on a door made with real branches
  • Holiday lights that look like icicles
  • A bigger-than-life inflatable Santa

3. Play Intergenerational Games

Many digital games allow participants to play from any location. Look for intergenerational games that can be enjoyed by children and adults. UNO is a popular card game that can be played online or through an app. Checkers and backgammon are other classic game options.

The game of chess is hot these days, due to the popularity of the Netflix miniseries The Queen’s Gambit. Your family may enjoy playing digital chess via a website or app.

Family members in different locations can visit Britannica.com and take a trivia quiz together. Connect via an audio or video call and then either share a screen or click on the same quiz and read the questions out loud. Take turns picking favorite topics such as sports, travel, or history.

4. Create Personalized eCards

Many popular eCard sites like Hallmark, Blue Mountain, or American Greetings offer the option of uploading a photo to add to the card. Instead of a family photo (or in addition to), you could send an image of your child’s artwork. Invite your child to create a special work of art to share with family, take a digital photo with your phone, and upload the image to the eCard. The novelty of sending a child’s original artwork will please both the little artist and the recipients.

And finally, websites like Jib Jab and Elf Yourself offer fun and silly options for family eCards. These sites allow you to upload images of family members’ faces to create one-of-a-kind animated videos.

Learn More:

20 Affordable Gender-Neutral Gifts for Babies, Kids, and Teens Digital Games That Explore Diversity Grandparents’ Guide to Video Chats Helping Letters: An Educational Activity That Shows You Care

   

This post originally appeared on parents.britannica.com.
Britannica For Parents
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We’re living in a time when it’s nearly impossible to distinguish fact from fiction. Parents need information they trust to help them make good decisions about raising their curious learners. Britannica for Parents provides safe and credible resources to empower all kids and parents and inspire curiosity for generations to come.

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Live, From the Living Room: How Real NYC Kids Are Having Fun at Home

by Mimi O'Connor

Yes, it’s a bit tough to be a New York City parent right now, to say the least. Give yourself a big pat on the back for continuing to keep on, keepin’ on. We’ve come to realize that making sure everybody has a chunk of time to chill out, tune in, get crazy (i.e., “have fun”, whatever that means to them) is essential to staying sane right about now. And that of course, includes kids—especially kids! We asked around to find out what’s keeping NYC kids happy (or distracted, or laughing or engaged) these days, and are passing along our findings, because hey, one of these might be just the thing your kid needs! Read on, and be inspired! (P.S. Here’s what local kids businesses are doing online, and you can find tons more fun on our calendar of virtual events!)

Indoor Soccer, Dog Baths & Activity Books

Vanessa Shuster-Raizberg

“I like doing soccer trick shots and printing coloring/activity books with our new printer.”

—Peter, 6

From Peter's mom: "And doggy bubble baths! He didn’t know poodles could swim!"

DIY Peleton, Drawing & Vicariously Gaming

LaToya Jordan

"Drawing, watching YouTubers play Minecraft and Roblox, and riding my bike inside."

—Billie, 7

Note from Billie's mom: "We set up her bike as a stationary bike [by] putting the training wheels in a pair of my husband's big sneakers, based on a viral Facebook post. We just started doing Peloton classes together or sometimes she'll get on her tablet and ride."

Food Fun, Rock Painting & Planting Seeds

"Making faces or animals out of food. Rock and shell painting, making structures out of paper recycling, planting seeds, looking through old pictures or documents."

—Rosalind, 5 and 1/2

Skateboarding at Night & Rock Painting

Maria Ondova Kocisova

"Going outside when nobody is outside—like a vampire—on his beloved skateboard, painting rocks, going on scooters in the park and finding the place where are people are away and playing frisbee." 

—Gabriel, 9

A Classic with a Twist & Eggs

hannah tasker on unsplash

"Jumping off the couch onto an air mattress...and making scrambled eggs."

—George, 7, Natalie, 6, Kensington

Note from George's mom: "He loves cracking the eggs." 

Paper Bag Puppets

Alyson Vitticore

"Creepy yet funny and fun. Bag puppets of any kind!...We also LOVE Cosmic Kids Yoga!"

Viola, 6 

Arts & Crafts Delivered!

Ilana Haas

"Arts and crafts stuff. We have beads, plaster craft painting from a local store who delivered, coloring pictures."

—Elizabeth, 6, Lyla, 3 and 1/2, Samantha, 2

Editor's note: That's Party Plaster Place on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills! 

A New Identity Every Day

Adam Suerte

"Getting her face painted almost daily."

—Posy, 9

Weekday Gaming

Minecraft

"Getting to play Minecraft and Roblox on weekdays!"

—Benjamin, 8 and 1/2

From Benjamin's Mom: "They are usually only allowed on weekends." 

Putting on a Show!

Mel Wadle Boller

"We act out a book or story—so far PJ Masks and Piggy and Gerald—with costumes, props and scenery and record it weekly."

—JJ, 3 and 1/2 and Mickey, 6

Family & Roblox

Roblox

"Spending time with my family, playing Roblox/Bloxsburg and watching YouTube videos."

—Daphne, 9

Art, Art & More Art

Crayola

"This art kit!" 

—Sabrina, 7

Baking & Concert Promoting

Pixabay

"Baked banana bread. (Mashed bananas!) Also—started a band. Played no instruments but created a logo and made amazing signs for the band and taped them up around the apartment."

—Aaron, Five and 1/2

Paddleball, Simply Piano, Dance Parties & More

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

"Paddle ball with mom in the backyard, Simply Piano app, Storyline Online, dance party in sister's room, Adventure Time." 

—Sofia, 7

Online Chess!

Steve Buissinne via Pixabay

"Impact Coaching Network daily chess tournaments."

—Hunter, 8, Jackson, 6

Forts, Mom-led Kickboxing, Heading Up to the Roof

Drew Tarvin Flickr

Band practice and songwriting sessions over Zoom, making forts, Wii Dance, mommy-led kick boxing workouts, playing Risk over the internet with friends (fun for adults too). Sitting on the fire escape and going up to the roof for the first time!"

—Jack, 10, and Eli, 11

Hanging with Daniel & Elsa

PBS Kids via YouTube

"Watching Daniel Tiger and Frozen!"

—Evelyn, 2 and 1/2

Playroom Physics

Photo by Саша Лазарев from Pexels

"Launching baby dolls [in the air] and trying to catch them."

—Charlotte, 6 and 1/2

Pokemon, Inside & Out

Pixabay

"I'm barely seeing my kid because he's playing some online Pokemon game with his friends, whenever school's out. Sometimes we play Pokemon Go outside, which gives him the chance to lecture me about various Pokemon characters while I sneak in a little exercise."

—Harry, 13

The Frizz

Netflix

Magic Schoolbus Rides Again on Netflix!

—Lucy, 7

Choice Time...at Home

The Craft Factory

 Monster High on YouTube and drawing. And making projects, like 'Choice Time' at school.

—Edith, 8

FaceTime!

iStock

"FaceTiming with friends."

—Caley, 12

Silly Videos, Doodling & Smoothies

Mo Willems via YouTube/Kennedy Center

"Watching funny videos on Youtube, Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems, and making smoothies."

—Zelda, 7

Zelda's mom: "Filling the bird feeder is also a big hit." 

Music & Drawing

Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

"'I'm listening to music while I do my schoolwork and I'm into drawing a lot now."

—Aviva, 10

Slime, New Skills & Failed Rollerskating

Jencu via flickr

"Playing with slime." 

—Alice, 7

From Alice's mom: "We're taking the opportunity to learn some new skills: we're making our own Roblox game and she's learning to play guitar! We tried inline skates but they're too loud in an apt..."

—Mimi O’Connor

RELATED STORIES:

Special Delivery: NYC Pizzas to Order Right Now

We Got You: Online Activities & Classes for Indoor Fun

Reach Out: NYC’s Top Parenting & Support Groups

 

 

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The Most Important Thing to Teach Your Child About Failure

By Amy Webb

Photo: pexels

Are you familiar with the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Remember than song about failure? Here’s a reminder:

Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray, Shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you’ll bumble even less! For up from the ashes, up from the ashes, grow the roses of success!

Well, it turns out that there’s some real research to support this idea of persisting in the face of failure.

If you have a child that is of school age, you have probably encountered issues of how to deal with a situation in which your child has not done as well on a task or event as she/he expected. This situation often rears its head in the form of competition, but it can show up in academic tests or other settings where there is some sort of evaluation made on the child’s performance. In short, your child feels like a failure.

None of us like to feel as though we are not good at a task or skill. We all want to be good at everything we try. For children, however, how we help them understand failure can be crucial to their future understanding of their own intelligence and skill.

Growth or Fixed Mindset

Research has told us for awhile now that it is best for us parents to encourage a “growth mindset” in our children. That is, to help them understand that intelligence is not a fixed trait but one that we can grow with practice and diligence. You can see why this mindset would have a significant impact on a child’s motivation and persistence. If a child feels that intelligence is a fixed trait and that a person is either “smart or not” then they will have little motivation to persist in a task that is difficult. They will simple feel that they are not “smart enough” to accomplish this task. On the other hand, if a child feels that intelligence is a trait that we can grow through hard work, then they will be more likely to persist in a task, knowing that they have a chance of success if they persist.

Okay, that’s great to know, but how do we instill a growth mindset in our children? Further research has shown that parents do not typically pass on their mindsets about intelligence to their children.

Failure is Not all Bad

So how do kids learn either a “growth” or “fixed” mindset about intelligence? It seems they learn it from a much less obvious force in their lives–failure. More specifically, they learn their mindset from how we parents react to their failure.

A recent study showed that if parents view their child’s failure as a negative event, then the child is more likely to adopt a “fixed” mindset of intelligence. Ultimately, the child comes to see that the parents are concerned more with performance than learning.

In contrast, if parents view their child’s failure as an opportunity for learning and understanding how to improve, the child is more likely to adopt a growth mindset.

We All Fail Sometimes

As parents, it is hard to see our kids not succeed at something. I think it hurts us sometimes as much as it hurts them. Helping them see how failure is all part of the learning process, however, is key to them learning to persist in the face of discouragement.

I have faced this issue recently with my 6-year-old son who is learning to play chess. He’s just starting so he is not as good as some of his friends at school. He is very competitive and wants to win so badly. I have actually heard him say things like, “I am just no good at chess” or “I never win at anything.” I knew I had to intervene before that “fixed” mindset took hold in his mind. I started a discussion with him of how we have to persist to learn a new skill, etc. I think some of my words sunk in with him, but now that I know this research, I have a better idea how to address this issue in the future.

As always, our kids learn more by our actions than through our words. This research clearly shows that children pick up and internalize our feelings about failure and its role in our life. With my son, I pointed out several examples in my own life when I failed at something and what I learned from it and was able to move on in a more productive way. I think he understood, but it’s an ongoing process of helping our children respond to the challenges they face in life.

In our ultra-competitive world where status and success seem like the ultimate goal in life, it’s just as important to learn how to fail with grace.

Lyrics credit

Amy is a scholar turned stay-at-home mom of two young boys. When she's not stepping on Legos, she writes at The Thoughtful Parent. With this blog she brings child development research into the lives of parents in the trenches of child-rearing.

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Pepperidge Farm Just Revealed a New Holiday Cookie & You’re Going to Want to Start a Kickline

by Shahrzad Warkentin

What spells holidays better than cookies and the Radio City Rockettes? How about Pepperidge Farm.

For the first time ever Pepperidge Farm has teamed up with the Radio City Rockettes to create a new holiday cookie inspired by the iconic Christmas Spectacular. The new Toy Soldier cookie will have you kicking up your own feet with joy.

The new shortbread cookie features the shape of a toy soldier spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar. The cookie design is based on the Rockettes’ classic “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” number.

The new cookie joins Pepperidge Farm’s collection of holiday cookies making their return for the season all dressed up in a winter wonderland-inspired package. The collection features traditional Pepperidge Farm cookies with a holiday twist, like the Chessmen with holiday images in place of chess pieces and the ever-popular Milano with a Candy Cane-flavored dark chocolate filling.

You can score the entire Pepperidge Farm Holiday Cookie collection, including the new Toy Solider cookie at grocery stores nationwide for a limited time.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Pepperidge Farm

 

RELATED STORIES

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Just Opened: Playday NYC

by Mimi O'Connor

Calling all budding artists, creators, and makers — and the adults who love them! A fresh new space for creativity, play, and fun has debuted in Long Island City, and it’s not your average arts and crafts joint. With a groovy design, anything-goes class options, and flexible scheduling, Playday NYC is gunning to be your new favorite space to learn and get inspired! Read on to learn more!

photo: Playday NYC

A Dad With a Plan
Architect Greg Okshteyn has designed commercial and residential properties around the globe, and boasts an arts-heavy pedigree: the work of his father, an artist, is part of the Whitney Museum of American Art’s collection, and his mother runs the Bushwick gallery Black & White.

He’s also a longtime, enthusiastic Long Island City resident, and father to two kids, Oscar, 10, and Goldie, six. Not long ago (like, less than six months), inspired by the lack of arts education in the local public school, Okshteyn determined he could help fill in the gap of arts programming in the community. He found a space, signed a lease, recruited staff, and Playday NYC opened its doors January 2.

photo: Playday NYC

A Space of Possibilities
The 1,250-square-foot open space eschews the typical primary-color-heavy aesthetic, opting for clean and modern with a vibrant palette instead. Opposing whiteboard and chalkboard walls offer blank canvases for doodles big and small, and modular furniture makes for flexible seating and set-up as needed. With the arrival of warmer weather, a 1,000 square-foot backyard will provide more room for activities ranging from bubble fun to messier artistic pursuits.

photo: Playday NYC

Have Fun. Be Awesome.
Things are already bustling at Playday NYC, which offers classes and programming for kids ages four to 12, as well as parents with kids three-and-a-half and younger. (The recent snow day found the spot, which offered $12/hour drop-in free play such as LEGOs, chess, art activities, and ping pong,  bustling with activity.)

Current offerings include daily, one-hour classes in the fundamentals of art for kids ages four to seven, and eight and older, featuring a wide range of topics and mediums. (You can check out the full schedule here.)  Playday NYC will also hold “mommy & me” sessions in the morning, during which parents and young ones can bond and learn through activities such as stories, painting, collage, and more.

Okshteyn himself is teaching the all-ages Little Architect and Chess Strategy on Saturday mornings.

All classes are one-hour and drop-off; Snow Day Open Play is from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and is drop-off or hang out, if parents want to get in on the creative action.

Rates start at $35 for a single drop-in ($20 if you’re a first-time customer), but bulk packages can be purchased for as many as 30 classes, with increasing discounts the more you buy. Reservations can be made online, and you even get to reserve your seat, a la on an airplane or at the movies. Additionally, all of Playday NYC’s promotional posters include a QR code, which when scanned will take you straight to a registration page.

Haring, Star Wars, Weaving, Oh my!
Okshteyn has recruited some young, bright minds to teach the art classes at Playday NYC, and the sessions are inspired by the expertise and interests of each instructor. The techniques and topics explored range from the work of Keith Haring and shaving cream marbling, to manga/Japanese language, stencil work a la Banksy or to create Star Wars artwork, and much more. (To check out all of the offerings, head to Playday NYC’s Instagram account.)

photo: Playday NYC

Party Arty
Yes, you can host a birthday party at Playday NYC. The two-hour affairs (for kids turning two and up) take place on Saturdays and Sundays and include the host’s choice of art activity, pizza, cake and juice, and 30 minutes of free creative play. Celebrants can also make use of the ping pong table and the backyard.

Themes include mask making, collage, Slime Fun, rock and roll poster making and much more, or a customized activity can be created for your party. Parties include an instructor and party coordinator and start at $550 for 20 people.

Some Nice Extras
Okshteyn’s vision Playday NYC is for it to function as community multicultural, creative activity space where kids are supported in creative endeavors artistic and otherwise. 

He’ll be utilizing his art industry connections to bring working artists to kids, through “Five Minutes of Bragging” Facetime sessions, during which classes can learn about being an artist and ask questions of the featured professional.

Additionally, an area of the space will feature the work of a professional artist—complete with price tags—to show, as Okshteyn explains, that art, ideas, creativity, have real value.

Other nice touches include the aforementioned ping pong table, and nightclub worthy ADA-accessible bathroom with killer wallpaper.

Playday NYC
5-37 51st Ave.
Hunters Point
917-854-3269
Online: playdaynyc.com

What class would you love to see offered at Playday NYC? Chime in in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor

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10 Classic Games Every Kid Should Master

by Emily Myers

The newest and coolest games for kids promise to teach creativity and cooperation, but it’s a rare grandparent who’ll happily sit down to a session of Robot Turtles without asking a dozen questions. That’s where classic games come in. They’re engaging for the whole family but come without long explanations and pages of rules. We found our favorites and shared them below. Talk about winning game night!

photo: Chess4Life

1. Chess
This ancient game of strategy is popular with millions of people around the world. While the individual moves of the chess pieces might be hard for little ones to remember, the goal is simple—to win by trapping your opponent’s king. It’s a two-player game that gets kids thinking deeply and lasts 10 minutes to an hour, depending on experience.

Buy it here.

2. Rummy
Nothing could be simpler than a game of cards, and Rummy involves the fairly easy task of grouping ones that match— something even little ones can do once they’ve mastered actually holding them!  If you’re rusty on the rules it might be because there are dozens of variations, but once the kids have mastered Rummy it’s a quick leap to playing Rummikub which also has a junior version for younger players.

Buy it here.

photo: Emily Meyers

3. Monopoly
Financial ruin is never a good thing, but this game has a popularity that just keeps on growing. Hundreds of cities have their own versions, and it’s printed in at least thirty-seven languages. With a roll of the dice, players hustle to develop properties and charge rent while hoping to be the last to face jail and bankruptcy. Plan on counting up your assets after a certain amount of time or be prepared for the long haul because a game can last for hours!

Buy it here.

4. Pictionary
Thirty years ago, Pictionary brought Charades to the table—with artwork replacing mime. Players of all ages race against the timer to identify what their teammates are drawing. This game is great for big family gatherings as all-age teams can work together to move counters based on the success they have at drawing and guessing.

Buy it here.

photo: Liz West via Flickr

5. Scrabble
This classic word game has players earning points not just for the words created, but where they are placed on the board. For alternative versions, skip scoring and just enjoy watching the words take shape on the board, or team up in pairs to help younger spellers build their vocab. Scrabble’s junior edition involves matching tiles to a pre-written grid, and once the kids outgrow the board, they can flip it over to find the more advanced original grid on the other side.

 

6. Sorry!
Call it Sorry!, Ludo, Pachisi or Coppit, the idea’s the same; players move their pieces around the board trying to be the first to get them all “home.” The name Sorry! comes from the number of times an apology needs to be issued as players trip each other up in the race around the board. Fast and fun, this is a winning game for families.

Buy it here.

photo: Emily Meyers

7. Clue
This compelling murder mystery game is far from scary. Watch the kids turn detective as they try to work out the missing cards and deduce who has done something dastardly in the Clue mansion. Was it Colonel Mustard in the ballroom with the dagger? Younger sleuths might need tips on how to speed up their calculations as the family races to see who will be the first to uncover the details of the crime.

Buy it here.

8. Tiddlywinks
Use your squidger to flip winks and try squopping your opponent in the process (translation: flip plastic coins into a central pot and try to land on your opponents’ coins so they can’t score). Tiddlywinks is at least a hundred years old, and although it might sound confusing (and boasts several Tiddlywinks Associations), it’s easy entertainment for all ages, even if you don’t master the terminology!

Buy it here.

photo: Emily Meyers

9. Connect 4
This 3D Tic Tac Toe on an upright board has been a household favorite for forty years and is still as popular as ever. Two players take turns dropping discs into a grid and try to get four in a row. With instructions this simple it’s no wonder it’s addictive family entertainment.

Buy it here.

10. Checkers
Played on the same board as Chess but with counters instead of pieces, the strategy game of Checkers (or Draughts) is hundreds of years old. Move pieces forward diagonally and capture your opponent’s pieces by leaping over them. Get one of your own counters to the other side of the board and they earn superpowers!

Buy it here.

You’ll Also Love:

11 New Games to Get You Through the Winter

11 Classic Games to Banish the Sick Day Blues

’90s Board Games You Wish Your Kids Played

Which classic board game is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

—Emily Myers

games
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A Letter to My Husband on Father’s Day

By Lizzie Carlile

Photo: Author’s Own

Dear Husband,

We met eight years ago in the most unlikely of places–Las Vegas. I observed this tall, dark, and handsome man talking to my friend, and something happened internally to me. Your face seemed familiar, your Southern accent drew me in, and the way you looked at me slowed down the constant chatter in my mind. You shook my soul in mere minutes, and I hadn’t even spoken a word to you yet. After I found the courage to approach you, we talked and didn’t stop talking until the next morning.

Eight years, a marriage, and two rambunctious boys later, my feelings for you have changed, but not in the way you might think. The excitement and curiosity I had about you that first fateful night has evolved into something else entirely. I supposed it started to change when our first son was born. I had moved away from home in Minneapolis to Atlanta with no close family nearby. You were my family and I needed you to be there through the ups and downs of pregnancy, and all that was to come after. When Nash was born, you were in the room encouraging me through the pain and you felt the same blind exhilaration when he cried out for the first time.

I experienced some effects of postpartum depression, or at the very least mild depression after having Nash. The lack of sleep, complete culture shock of a new baby, and little family support made it hard to be happy those first few months. But you were there. You were there to hold me when I just needed to cry. You were there when I didn’t know how to make the baby stop crying. And you were there through all of his major early life milestones, sharing in the joy of each new achievement. I’ll never forget that.

Time passed and I became pregnant again. We secretly hoped for a girl, but laughed together in the doctor’s office when we found out we were having another boy! We knew how much the boys would love each other, and how much they would fight. Again, you were there to support me through the pregnancy and delivery, and this time following a birth, there was no depression. My family was complete, and we were a team working together to make it through the long nights and the even longer days. DC was a much tougher baby–he didn’t sleep through the night until he was well over two, and his ardent refusal to eat anything healthy had us stumped for a while. Luckily we had each other and love in abundance. DC still drives us crazy, especially when we need to get out the door in the morning, but we still take it all in stride–side by side.

Before meeting you I had been in love with a charming boy I met in college. I thought I knew what love was, and what I wanted in all future relationships after that one had ended. I can honestly say now, that I had no clue what it meant to love and be loved before meeting you. To know that someone has seen you at your most vulnerable, and accepts you fully, is a beautiful rare thing. Your fierce love for me and our children binds us for the rest of our lives and I couldn’t be more grateful.

So on this Father’s Day, and all that follow, know that I see you and appreciate everything you have done and continue to do for me and the boys. They will grow into better men because you are in their lives: teaching them about cars, how to play chess, and obscure facts about mayflies and when they hatch. Our relationship is far from perfect, after all my dad did ask if you were sure when you asked him if you could marry me–but we laugh every single day, and that, in my opinion, makes for a pretty spectacular life.

 

Lizzie Carlile is an Atlanta based mom, wife, and writer. She makes meditation and yoga a priority everyday so that she can bring mindfulness into everything she does and be a role model for her two young boys.

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She’s the Boss: 10 Local Mompreneurs You’ll Want to be Friends With

by Katie Brown

We may aspire to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables, dress our babes in responsibly-sourced organic cotton, and skip that Florida vacay in favor of, say, a local production of King Lear.  But when it’s the dead of winter and your toddler is threatening to peel the paint from the walls if he doesn’t get a bowl of summery strawberries yesterday…you do what you gotta do (thanks for the free coffee, Trader Joe’s).  Here, we profile several D.C.-area business owners who also happen to be parents—so you can reduce your carbon footprint in solidarity with entrepreneurs who, bless their hearts, haven’t slept through the night since 2010.

Kathleen Donahue – Labyrinth Games and Puzzles

Owner Kathleen Donahue has an unpaid expert test most of her store’s new games: her son! Labyrinth sells a wide selection of non-electronic specialty games, puzzles, brainteasers, and mazes. The space boasts hands-on activities and games to be played in-store, hosts game tournaments (think: Chess Club, Friday Night Magic, Pokemon Club) and parties, and partners with local schools and organizations to provide after-school enrichment programs. They train teachers on how to use games in the classroom, and help plan and run fundraisers, family game nights, and childcare during local PTA meetings. If you’re looking for a way to wedge yourself between your kid and the Wii console, this might be it.

Online: labyrinthgameshop.com

Who did we miss? In the comments section below, tell us about your favorite local mompreneur.

—Katie Brown and Hilary Riedemann

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Just Opened! Recess Play & Learning Space

by Mimi O'Connor

It’s hard to believe, but the baby-booming Brooklyn neighborhood of DUMBO is not home to a kids’ indoor play space. Local residents Alexa Englander and Caroline Pardo, moms to four kids collectively, particularly felt the burn of this omission for obvious reasons. Lucky for their neighbors who are parents, they’re also savvy real estate professionals and entrepreneurs who decided to take matters into their own hands. In late June, the pair’s  Recess, a drop-in play space and kids’ class and event venue debuted. Read on to get the full scoop on the new venture!

Welcome to Recess

Located in the bottom floor of a residential building on Washington Street (just a few blocks from the York Street subway stop), Recess offers two spaces for different kinds of fun in its 2,200 square feet. A play space custom-designed by a local architectural and industrial design firm features four slides, rope tunnels, ladders, a fireman’s pole in a neutral palette and natural materials even the chicest of parents will approve of. (If Technicolor plastic is your thing, you won’t find it here.)

The play space at Recess is designed for kids six months to six years of age, and operates on both a membership and drop-in basis.

Drop-in visits are $30 per play, with a sibling fee of $20. Memberships, which start at $175 are offered Monthly, Seasonally and Annually, and include unlimited play, with additional benefits for the latter two. Read more about membership levels here.

Additional fun touches include colorful ship wheels for turning, binoculars and telescopes for spying and two small “walls” made from foam noodles at the base of one structure that are great for crawling through. A separate cubby area with two levels features a ladder and netting for getting in and out, as well as walls painted with bright blue magnetic paint and magnets for decorating. The larger play space also features a giant triangular structure outfitted with handles and netting and a bell to ring when you’ve reached the top! (Sort of rock climbing ultra-lite.)

For Tiny Tots

Recess also has a separate play space for the youngest of patrons. The area for babies and young toddlers includes a shorter climbing structure with slides, as well as a magnetic wall and lots of blocks, books, a bead maze and more for exploring and experimenting.

But Wait There’s More

Recess is more than just a play space; it hosts classes and events, too! The space has partnered with more than a dozen artists, teachers and companies such as Child’s Play, Chess at Three, Musicworks, Music Beans and Karma Kids Yoga to offer classes in yoga, ballet, hip-hop, capoeira, chess, theater, art, Mandarin, French, Spanish and more.

Recess will also be hosting movie nights, drop-off events for members, and other special events, such as performances by popular kids’ comedy sketch troupe The Story Pirates. (The theater group helped Recess celebrate its opening with an event in late June.)

You can even host a birthday party at recess, with packages that range from “Super” to “Super-Duper Supreme”, all of which include two hours of exclusive use of the play space. Additional options include face painting, live music, a magician, balloon twisting and more. Packages start at $650; you can get more information on birthday parties at Recess here.

Detail Work

Aside from providing a great space for your kids to get the wiggles out, Englander and Pardo sweat the details too. Tons of storage space, cubbies, hooks and closets keep everything — such as shoes and strollers out of the way and out of sight. (No shoes allowed in the play space, but please wear socks!)

Two bathrooms are outfitted with changing tables and decorated with cheery Recess-branded illustrations and an adult sitting area with tables and chairs is great for watching the kids play, or taking a snack break. For a limited time, Recess will also be providing light snacks, water and baby wipes to clients.

Recess DUMBO
81 Washington St.
DUMBO
347-987-3509
Online: recessdumbo.com

Have you visited Recess? Tell us about your visit in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor

 

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