Earth Day is a great reminder to love and cherish our planet and we can do that through books, reducing plastic wasteand even upcycled crafts! So whether your Earth Day celebrations involve taking to the streets for climate change, attending an Earth Day festival or helping with a beautification or habitat restoration project, let’s remember that every day can be Earth Day.
California State Parks Foundation Celebrate Earth Day the entire month by signing up for an Earth Day Kit or drop by an REI to pick up gloves and a compostable trash bag and get to work on beautifying your community. The foundation is also sponsoring community events at Half Moon Bay (Apr. 9), Angel Island State Park (Apr. 16) and Candlestick Point (Apr. 23), pre-registration required.
Earth Day at Oakland Zoo Join the zoo’s “Regeneration Celebration” for a day of action, fun and exploration combined with their centennial birthday celebration!
We Love Earth Festival Education and family-friendly activities at this festival will all be geared towards learning about creating a climate-friendly home, sustainable eating and energy use as well as climate advocacy.
April 22
March and Rally for Our Earth Take to the streets to rally for a better earth in celebration of Earth Day as we push for a more sustainable future.
Earth Day Walk & Talk Join a guided sunset walk at the Wetlands Edge Park & trail while learning about the environmental and climate changes challenging the wetlands. Hikes leave every half hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. for an easy 1.5 mile flat loop with the last hike leaving at 7 p.m.
Aquarium of the Bay
April 23
Golden Gate Conservancy Volunteers ages eight and up can help out at Crissy Field, Ocean Beach or Stinson Beach through habitat restoration or beach clean ups.
Earth Day SF Build environmental awareness while enjoying neighborhood fun with live music, kid’s activities and vegan chef demos all while celebrating our planet.
Earth Day Clean Up Richmond Unity Park needs you! Beautification, weeding and clean-up projects are all available to help out with.
Oakland Clean up Join the community in the 28th annual clean up at creeks, neighborhood sites and parks all throughout Oakland.
Kelly Sikkema via unsplash
I Heart Oakland-Alameda Garbage Clean Up Clean up teams choose to work “on land” by foot or “on water” through rented kayaks or SUP so that you get some exercise while cleaning up the waterways and surrounding areas.
San Leandro Family Earth Day Festival Casa Peralta is host to this festival with hands-on kids activities and crafts such as a zero-waste bird feeder craft and eco-pledge tote decorating, a story time, sidewalk chalk and more. Be sure to bring a reusable cup for free coffee and have kids bring a toy for the "Buy Nothing" Toy Swap!
Earth Day on the Bay The Marine Science Institute celebrates Earth Day with events on land through a BioBlitz and on water with a discovery boat voyage.
Earth and Arbor Day Festival Hands-on activities, food trucks and live music will bring the community together to learn about environmental issues and solutions in this family-friendly festival.
Earth Day Trail Clean Up Ages 10 and up can join in to give a little love to Guadalupe River Park with beautification projects.
PVPLC
April 24
Spring Into Green After a two year hiatus, Spring into Green is back in Los Gatos! Plant trees, check out the Farmer’s market, live music, family-friendly activities, information booths and a bike safety course will all be back, too!
Muir Woods Earth Day Join in habitat restoration and boardwalk care to celebrate Earth Day at Muir Woods.
Earth Day Napa This year the Earth Day Napa community cleanup features ten different sites so a bring a bucket, gloves and then head to the Napa Earth Day Festival after!
Jarrod L via yelp
At Home If you’d rather celebrate Earth Day at home (and save gas which is also environmentally friendly!), check out the following options:
National Park Service Virtual visit Pick a park. ANY park. Virtual visits means you can get up close and personal with a national park through digital tours or webcams at any time from anywhere. Where do you want to go?
City Nature Challenge The annual City Nature Challenge is set to take place in cities throughout the world in two parts from April 29-May 2 with the picture taking of animals and plants and May 3-8 for identification of what was found. The global event, co-organized by the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County and San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences, calls on current and aspiring community scientists, nature and science fans, and people of all ages and backgrounds to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals, and fungi using the free mobile app iNaturalist.
Disney X National Geographic Three new titles are being released in collaboration by Disney and National Geographic: Disneynature’s Polar Bear, a wildlife nature story about…you guessed it, polar bears; Explorer: The Last Tepui which is National Geographic’s newest “Explorer” series following Alex Honnold from Free Solo to the Amazon jungle and The Biggest Little Farm: The Return, based on an award-winning documentary about a couple who ditch urban Los Angeles life to live on a farm and grow their own food.
Every day should be Earth Day when it comes to caring for our planet and mankind. Even if your family doesn’t travel the planet on a regular basis, there are plenty of ways your kids can change the world. There are plenty of easy ways to foster your kids’ respect, empathy and compassion for cultures that differ from their own. Read on for our favorite ideas below.
This article is sponsored by Wind Riders #1: Rescue on Turtle Beach, HarperCollin’s illustrated chapter book series about two kids’ adventures tackling real-world problems. First up: Rescuing sea turtles. Get your copy today.
1. Become a world traveler in your own town. Expand your kids' horizons by visiting neighborhoods and communities of various cultures in your own hometown––dine on traditional ethnic cuisine, experience the local art and museums. Spend time exploring your city's Chinatown, attend cultural festivals and celebrations, teach your kids about races and ideologies that differ from your family's. Check out our list of places to visit to understand race in America and seek similar learning opportunities where you live.
2. Play in nature daily. Teach your kids that nature is a gift to be treasured and they'll grow up with the desire to protect the planet. Go hiking, chase butterflies, swim in lakes, surf in the ocean, observe ants marching in a line, stargaze, inspire young minds with the awareness that we all need to care for Mother Nature with responsible daily actions.
3. Use maps as home decor. The world is much bigger than your neighborhood, but children may not understand that. Hang a city map and a world map in your home so your kids can think outside their immediate surroundings and become global minded.
4. Join the mission to clean-up your city. Whether you pick up garbage on your walk to school or sign up for your local beach/river/lake clean-up with the Surfrider Foundation, once your kids see firsthand the amount of trash people litter, they'll understand why it's the wrong thing to do. It's a win-win because they're helping beautify the planet and witnessing firsthand the negative impact that humans can have on nature.
5. Ditch the plastic. Teach kids they can make a huge difference in the earth's health by simply not using plastic, which accounts for a massive amount of ocean and land pollution while harming the environment with its production and disposal. Get your kids reusable water bottles and lunch systems and straws. Stop using plastic baggies and opt for reusable snack bags. Tote cloth shopping bags to the grocery store so you don't need to use plastic bags (and save money on the bag fee too!).
6. Avoid products that are harmful to the planet. Educate your kids about avoiding products that are destructive to humans, animals and the planet ie: plastic six-pack rings kill at least 100,000 marine creatures per year! (source) Additionally, you can shop smart together and purchase products from companies that don't do animal testing while also buying organic food, clothing and household goods to support farmers and manufacturers who don't use toxic chemicals.
Beth Shea
7. Spend time with animals. From your family pet to a gorilla across the globe, your kids will learn respect and reverence for all creatures by growing up alongside and/or learning about all of the amazing animals that share the planet. Ways kids can interact with animals daily include walking the elderly neighbor's dog, volunteering at an animal shelter or fostering animals waiting for their forever homes. Discuss endangered species with your little ones and explain how animals are threatened by deforestation, climate change and habitat destruction. Visit a local wildlife conservation center to explore ways humans can save animals from endangerment or extinction. There are also great documentaries like Planet Earth that will leave kids in awe of what's going on in the animal kingdom every day!
8. Volunteer and do good deeds to help the less fortunate. There are countless ways kids can help others, even without leaving the house. A project you can do as a family is to make blessing bags for the homeless. Doing so will help kids learn empathy for people who have no shelter or even basic necessities. Kids can also help end hunger by hosting a bake sale and donating the proceeds to No Kid Hungry or accepting donations to their favorite charity in lieu of birthday gifts. Any act of service that teaches them to think of the well-being of others will make them more global-minded. Share these stories of 8 kids under age 12 who are changing the world right now to inspire them and prove that regardless of being young, they can do great things and make an impact.
This article is sponsored by Wind Riders #1: Rescue on Turtle Beach, HarperCollin’s illustrated chapter book series about two kids’ adventures tackling real-world problems. First up: Rescuing sea turtles. Get your copy today.
9. Read! Reading stories and books about different races and cultures and stories set in various countries is a powerful tool to help your kids learn about the world and humanity. Here are 21 African American history books to read with your kids. Additionally, the subscription box Little Global Citizens takes kids on a new global adventure each month via books, cultural activities, interactive crafts, language, music, toys and a themed dinner party night! Little Passports is another great subscription service where kids can become world explorers by discovering a new country each month.
10. Encourage kids to champion a cause. Whether your kid wants to instill a marker recycling program at his school, help save an endangered species, join a women's march, or fight climate change, the world needs their passion to fuel meaningful causes. No voice or action is too small when it comes to what's right, so be your kid's biggest cheerleader when they seek to make positive changes––and help them along in any way you can!
11. Spend wisely. Learning the basics of being a global citizen most definitely includes a lesson on finance. Whether it's teaching your kiddos the basics of consumerism, or donating fiscally to a cause, littles can learn at a very young age that partnering with large agencies to help those in need is a must for mankind.
12. Go vegan or vegetarian, or do Meatless Mondays. You can save a whopping 20.6 million animals by eating vegetarian food once a week for a decade. Due to an upward trend in alternative diets, it's easier than ever to instill Meatless Mondays in your family's meal rotation or to switch to a vegan or vegetarian diet thanks to a slew of delicious plant-based products that have hit the market. According to the Meatless Mondays website, when you eat sans meat, you save the planet from the "detrimental impact ... (of) increasing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming and depleting our scarce natural resources, including water, land and energy." Check out our favorite plant-based cookbooks to hit the shelves in 2019 so far for plenty of inspiration. Bonus if you prepare vegetarian cuisine from another culture: Thai curry, or Aloo Palak!
13. Learn another language as a family. Among the many benefits of learning a second language, doing so enables kids to connect with another culture and according to one study, "foreign languages foster greater empathy in children" and help them see life through another's perspective more readily. Get started with these kid-friendly apps that teach kids new languages.
iStock
14. Do a Good Deed Every Day Get creative with making the world a better place, one small act at a time. Whether you’ve got toddlers, teens or any age in-between, you can create a kindness calendar that suits their age and goals. Go uber-simple and use a regular wall calendar or mark one up out of poster board. All you really need is a chart of days and space to write out one act per day. Make a chic good deed advent calendar you'd be proud to hang in your house or try out a toddler holiday giving calendar for inspiration. Examples of deeds for younger kids include simple things like asking someone at home if they need help; sharing a toy without being asked first; giving out an extra hug and high-fiving mom. Older kids can get more complex: offer to mow someone's lawn, donate one hour to cleaning up the parks, read to an elder at a local retirement home. The good deed possibilities are endless: do what inspires you!
15. Practice Kindness in Public Inspire your kids by modeling the kind of behavior you’d like to see in the world. While you might not be ready to doll out the Free Hugs with your littles, there are plenty of other simple gestures like holding doors open for strangers, saying excuse-me if you bump into someone in a store, or asking someone sincerely how they are feeling that day. During the hectic holiday season, these little kindnesses can be extra important. Don't just stop at common courtesy, though. Try buying a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line, carrying your neighbors' groceries to their door or buying flowers for a total stranger. Read this mom's story about opportunities to show compassion for some added inspiration.
This article is sponsored by Wind Riders #1: Rescue on Turtle Beach, HarperCollin’s illustrated chapter book series about two kids’ adventures tackling real-world problems. First up: Rescuing sea turtles. Get your copy today.
16. Keep a Bundle of Kindness Cards to Give Out The easiest way to send out spontaneous or heartfelt greetings is to make sure you have a stash of cards on hand. Get the kiddos in on it by making a few cards at a time: this keeps it fun and creative without feeling like a chore. To get a uniform look but still have the kid-crafted vibe, have your kids paint paper with different patterns and then use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Glue these to the front of folded drawing or card stock paper. Alternatively, trace shapes directly onto the paper with cookie cutters and let the kids color them in. When the kids have a little downtime and are feeling inspired, have them do a few original drawings and add them to the mix. Whenever you want to send a little note along to someone, the cards are right there at the ready.
17. Set Up an Inspiration Station Keep their imaginations active by making sure each kid has his or her own mini inspiration station somewhere in the house. It can be a small section of the wall or a bulletin board hung right at their height, or even a spot on the fridge. The idea is to designate a place where kids can have their own mini vision-board: wishlists, dreams, happy thoughts, fave photos, beautiful pictures from magazines or anything that sparks their imagination all belong at their inspiration station. It's a place they can look at that makes them feel happy, calm and creative, and one they can change with a minimum of effort.
— Taylor Clifton, Beth Shea with Amber Guetebier & Karly Wood
Looking for some fun and stimulating things to do with the kids this spring? There’s a lot to explore at the city’s museums as we emerge from quasi-hibernation. We’ve rounded up our favorites here, including shows just for little ones, the return of The Orchid Show, works by Andy Warhol and an immersive, out-of-this world experience at one of NYC’s newest art spaces.
Wobbly World & Paw Patrol: Adventure Play at the Liberty Science Center
Liberty Science Center
There's a new space for kids five and under that all of you are going to love. Wobbly World is a bright, inviting, slightly off-kilter wonderland, where young children are invited to explore balance, motion, and cause and effect. Highlights include a giant Body Mobile: part carousel, part Calder-style mobile, and powered by play. As young guests hop on colorful seats and surfaces that dangle from the 14-foot-tall center column, they balance, spin, and bring the whole structure to life. The Balancescape, a fanciful landscape of hills and ledges helps kids explore balance and agility, and a whimsical collection of oversized blocks invite grabbing, sorting, stacking and more LSC collaborated with renowned toy designer Cas Holman on this new exhibition.
Also on view: Paw Patrol, through May 1.
Tickets: $27.99/adults, $22.99/children 2-12 (these are advanced ticket prices, at the door is $2 more.) Liberty Science Center Liberty State Park 222 Jersey City Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 201- 200-1000 Online: lsc.org
The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope
NYBG/ Marlon Co
Needing a hit of floral beauty to fend off the winter blues? Head to the New York Botanic Garden to see the dazzling floral creations of Jeff Leatham, famed artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and floral designer to the stars. Marking the return of The Orchid Show for the 19th year Leatham's bold and colorful living installations and designs transform the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. See stunning orchid towers of orange, yellow, and green, undulating fields of white, and overhead plumes of purple, together with artistic embellishments and a kaleidoscopic tunnel of lights, will enthrall visitors.
Originally debuted in 2020, The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope was on track to be NYBG’s most popular Orchid Show yet. Now's your chance to catch it!
February 26 -May 1 Tickets: $30/adults; $28/students & seniors; 2-12/$15, 2 and under/free Enid A. Haupt Conservatory The New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx 718-817-8700 Online: nybg.org
In America: An Anthology of Fashion
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met's Costume Institute unveils part two of its show dedicated to American fashion, In America: An Anthology of Fashion in May. (Part one, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion remains on view through September 5.) The new exhibition will feature approximately 100 examples of men’s and women’s dress dating from the 19th to the mid-late 20th century. The garments will be presented in The Met's American Wing period rooms, or historical interiors, which encapsulate a curated survey of more than a century of American domestic life and reveal a variety of stories—from the personal to the political, the stylistic to the cultural, and the aesthetic to the ideological.
As part of the show, eight film directors will create fictional cinematic vignettes, or “freeze frames,” within each room, imparting new perspectives on American fashion and highlighting the directors’ singular aesthetics. Directors participating include Martin Scorsese, Chloé Zhao, Regina King, Tom Ford and Sophia Coppola.
Opens May 2 1000 Fifth Ave. Upper East Side 212-535-7710 Online: metmuseum.org
Tomás Saraceno: Particular Matter(s)
Nicholas Knight
We kind of doubt you've ever seen anything quite like this. Tomás Saraceno: Particular Matter(s) is described as "a large-scale exhibition and sensory experience with spiderwebs, air, and the cosmic web." Staged at the Hudson Yards art and gallery space The Shed, the exhibit features an expansive gallery exhibition as well as a newly commissioned sensory experience, Free the Air: How to hear the universe in a spider/web, a 95-foot-diameter installation in The Shed’s soaring McCourt space. You get to choose which part or parts of the exhibit you'd like to experience, with ticket prices adjusted accordingly. Note that you must be age 8 or older to experience Free the Air, and that it involves walking on a metal web—either 12- or 40-feet in the air, in low light with haze effects. Sound too much? You can get tickets for just the Gallery portion, but note that that can be very low light in places as well. This is the largest exhibition of Saraceno's work in the U.S. to date. Tickets are timed, released in batches, and must be booked in advance.
Feb. 11-April 17 Tickets: Gallery only: $12/adults; free/18 and under; Free the Air: $35/adults; $12/ages 8-18 545 W. 30th Hudson Yards 718-941-1424 Online: theshed.org
Sharks at the American Museum of Natural History
AMNH
See these creatures like you never have before: up close and personal. (And really big!) Sharks features 30 life-size models that range from 33 feet to the size of the palm of your hand. Your kids will learn about their evolutionary history, anatomy, habitats, diets, and how to keep them safe for future generations to study and enjoy.
Through August 14, 2022
Tickets: (includes general admission plus one special exhibit) $28/adults, $16.50/children, $22.50/seniors & students, free/2 and under American Museum of Natural History 200 Central Park West 212-769-5100 Online: amnh.org
Wings Over Water at AMNH
Wings Over Water Crew
On the big (very big) screen at AMNH is Wings Over Water is a new giant-screen film epic that follows the journeys of three amazing bird families. See extraordinary footage of the fascinating behaviors of Sandhill Crane, the Yellow Warbler, and the Mallard Duck as they defy all odds and soar across mountains, deserts, cities, and forests, heading home to raise their young. Award-winning actor Michael Keaton narrates the film.
Tickets: (includes general admission plus one special exhibit) $28/adults, $16.50/children, $22.50/seniors & students, free/2 and under American Museum of Natural History 200 Central Park West Upper West Side 212-769-5100 Online: amnh.org
African/American: Making the Nation’s Table at Museum of Food and Drink
MOFAD
The Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) presents African/American: Making the Nation’s Table. Displayed within the newly-constructed home of partner The Africa Center at Aliko Dangote Hall, this first-of-its-kind exhibition celebrates the countless contributions of Black chefs, farmers, and food and drink producers who have laid the foundation for American food culture. Highlights include the Legacy Quilt, which depicts, a selection of hundreds of stories; those who wish can contribute their own stories via an online interactive component. Also on display is the Ebony Magazine Test Kitchen—saved from wreckage thanks to preservationists Landmarks Illinois and accessible to the public for the first time in history. Described by The Chicago Tribune as “the most distinctive test kitchen ever created,” it was the site where recipes from Ebony food editors created dishes such as oyster gumbo to sweet potato pudding. The multisensory experience features a soundtrack curated by musician, farmer and chef Kelis, and video interviews with former Ebony food editors.
It's a great time to visit The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, as it's celebrating 40 years in 2022. February also brings Kids Week (Feb. 19-26), The Museum’s annual fun-filled festival of daily activities in which kids of all ages can explore space, science, technology and the arts. Also in February: NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Helicopter models are on display in the Space Shuttle Pavilion.
Climb aboard this real aircraft carrier parked on the west side in Midtown and explore its interior, then check out the supersonic airliner Concorde, the space shuttle Enterprise, and Growler, the only American diesel-powered guided missile submarine open to the public. The Museum’s renowned collection also features 28 historic aircraft, such as a Lockheed A-12, the world’s fastest military jet and spy plane; a WWII-era Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber, and a soon to be unveiled Douglas F4D Skyray that flew off of Intrepid.
To get even more out of your visit, use the museum's Interactive Mobile Guide, which allows guests to scan QR codes on exhibits for more info. Entrance is by timed tickets—buy them here—and the museum is now open seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tickets: $33/adults; $31/seniors, $24/ages 5-12 Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Pier 86 West 46th St. & 12th Ave. Midtown Manhattan 212-245-0072 Online: intrepidmuseum.org
The Happiness Experiment at the New York Hall of Science
This exhibit was open for just seven weeks before Hurricane Ida caused serious damage causing NYSCI to close. As of February 19 (after some major cleanup), the museum, and The Happiness Experiment is open again! The exhibit helps children (and grownups) learn how happiness is translated from the external world into their minds and out of their personalities through neuroscience. Visitors will learn good habits on maintaining happiness—and how to interact with others when feeling out of sorts. The show also stresses that happiness is just one emotion that we experience and that it’s ok to not be happy all of the time. What's important is to learn how to verbalize hurt, disappointment or sadness, while also respecting others.
Open Fri., 2-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets: $25/adult. $20/children New York Hall of Science 47-01 111th St., Queens 718-699-0005 Online: nysci.org
Andy Warhol: Revelation
This show presents Andy Warhol in a less familiar light than many are used to, looking at his Byzantine Catholic upbringing, and its profound impact on his life and work. From iconic portraits of celebrities to appropriated Renaissance masterpieces, Warhol played with styles and symbolism from Catholic art history, carefully reframing them within the context of Pop art and culture. Throughout his life, Warhol retained some of his Catholic rituals, while also unapologetically living as an out gay man. Among the more than 100 objects on view are rare source materials and newly discovered items that provide a fresh and intimate look at Warhol's creative process, as well as major paintings from his epic Last Supper series (1986), the experimental film The Chelsea Girls (1966). Advance ticket purchase required for timed entry.
Closed Mon. & Tues. Through June 19 The Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Pkwy Crown Heights 718-638-5000 Online: brooklynmuseum.org
NYPL
The largest branch of the New York Public Library has opened a new and exciting permanent exhibit called, Treasures: The Polonsky Exhibit. Here you will find 250 pieces from historical artifacts to pop culture. Some of the items on display include thousands-year-old Iraqi cuneiform tablets, the stuffed animals owned by the real-life Christopher Robbin that inspired the children’s book, “Winnie the Pooh,” the Declaration of Independence with John Hancock’s famous signature, and so much more. The collection is expansive and includes at least a few things that will blow the kids' (and your) mind! Bring headphones to listen to the Audio Guide!
*Tickets are free, but you must reserve a timed-entry ticket in advance. Masks are required.
Permanent exhibit Tickets: Free, registration required NYPL: Stephen Schwartzman Building 476 Fifth Ave. Midtown 917-275-6975 Online: nypl.org
See It Before It Goes!
Greater New York at MoMA: PS1
PS1 is the contemporary art annex of the famous MoMA and lives inside a former elementary school. Navigating the staircase is sure to be familiar for children and adults alike. Greater New York, focuses specifically on the art history of New York City. Featuring 47 artists whose works reflect their community and what New York means to them, this exhibit reflects the city as it emerges from a shut-down which left institutions with a very uncertain future. With a range of mediums and bright colors, this exhibit is a treat for the eyes.
Through April 18, 2022 Closed Tues. & Wed. 22-25 Jackson Ave. Long Island City Queens 718-784-2084 Online: moma.org
Puppets of New York at the Museum of the City of New York
Asya Gorovits/MCNY
The puppets take Manhattan at the Museum of the City of New York's latest exhibit. This delightful show explores the history of puppetry in New York City which dates back to the 1800s, with a look at the different kinds of puppets, from sock to shadow to rod. Familiar favorites on view include Howdy Doody, Oscar the Grouch and Lambchop & Friends, as well as lesser-known characters like the giant head of salsa legend, Hector Lavoe and the John Cusack string puppet from Being John Malkovich.
On view through April 2022 Tickets: $20/adults, Free/20 and under Museum of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Ave. East Harlem 212-534-1672 Online: mcny.org
This popular kids museum is currently open on weekends, select holidays, and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m., when entry is pay what you wish. (You still need to make a reservation.) Popular longstanding exhibits include World Brooklyn, Neighborhood Nature, Totally Tots, Collections Central and The Nest. Admission includes access to the ColorLab art studio, where families have the opportunity to explore printmaking, collage and sculpture projects inspired by artists such as Elizabeth Catlett, Richard Hunt, Faith Ringgold and Kehinde Wiley, among others. You must make a timed reservation for a three-hour visit. Do that here.
Visiting for a limited time is A-MAZE-D, a maze created from corrugated cardboard boxes that transforms the museum's second-floor Exhibit Gallery into a twisting and turning adventure made up of winding corridors and tunnels. It's a full-body experience for visitors of all ages, with special areas designated for the smallest visitors. A painted cityscape sets the backdrop for the built environment, with visitors seeing NYC landmarks at every turn. The exhibit is created in partnership with artist and puzzlemaker Dave Phillips.
Sat. & Sun. and select holidays.; Thursdays, 2-5 p.m., pay what you wish Tickets: $13 145 Brooklyn Ave. Crown Heights 718-735-4400 Online: brooklynkids.org
Mandala Lab at the Rubin Museum
Rubin Museum
Unlike other museums, this exhibit is meant to turn the focus on the viewer. It guides visitors through meditative practices and encourages them to dig deep and get in touch with their emotions. The exhibit provides activities to teach one how to channel any negative feelings through positive outlets in order to encourage personal growth and wisdom. Mandalas are meant to provide a point of focus so one can free themselves of the thoughts of daily life. There are also meditation rooms and spiritual gongs partly submerged in water to help center the mind. Advance reservation is required.
Tickets: $19/adults; $14/students; free/kids 12 and under, and Fridays, 6-10 p.m. Closed, Mon.-Wed. 150 W. 17th St. Chelsea 212-620-5000 Online: rubinmuseum.org
ONGOING
The Halls of Gems and Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is a favorite of both kids and adults, and one of the museum's most popular and beloved spaces, the Hall of Gems has been completely redesigned and reinstalled, and is now the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals.
The 11,000-square-foot hall showcases one of the greatest collections of its kind. Dazzling gems on view include the legendary 563-carat Star of India sapphire, the 632-carat Patricia Emerald, and the 110-carat diamond Organdie necklace designed by Michelle Ong for Carnet. Plus new specimens including a pair of towering, sparkling amethyst geodes that are among the world’s largest on display, a slice of a 35-million-year-old metasequoia—a petrified dawn redwood from the Cascade Mountains—the 9-pound almandine Subway Garnet discovered under Manhattan’s 35th Street in 1885, and the Tarugo, a 3-foot-tall cranberry-colored elbaite tourmaline that is one of the largest intact mineral crystal clusters ever found. Wow! Maybe the best news of all? It's included in the General Admission price to the museum, and is on permanent view!
American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street Upper West Side 212-769-5100 Online: amnh.org
The New York Transit Museum
New York City Transit Museum
Set in an actual decommissioned train station with a functioning platform, you’ll see trains and turn-styles of bygone eras and unlike other museums, the NYTM encourages their young visitors to not only touch, but also to play. With several vintage train cars and buses, your child can get in the driver’s seat and be the conductor or choose to enjoy the ride through many decades!
New York Transit Museum Tickets: $10/adults, $5/children & seniors 99 Schermerhorn St. 718-694-1600 Online: nytransitmuseum.org
The Jim Henson Exhibition
The Muppets Studio LLC
This incredible retrospective of master puppeteer and creator Jim Henson at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens is open again after a long Covid-19 pause. (The Museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.)
Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35th Ave. Astoria 718-777-6888 Online: movingimage.us
Children's Museum of Manhattan
CMOM
The Children's Museum of Manhattan is open with lots of safety precautions in place to keep everyone healthy, including routine sanitizing, temperature checks, reduced capacity, masks and social distancing.
Visits to the museum are capped at two hours, and must be booked in advance. During that time, your family can explore all the exhibits at the museum, and take part in educator-led activities such as storytime, an art scavenger hunt, themed art projects and music and dance-time.
The museum is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday.
Tickets: $15/kids and adults; $12/seniors, free/infants and members Children’s Museum of Manhattan 212 W. 83rd St. Upper West Side 212-721-1223 Online: www.cmom.org
The Museum of Ice Cream
Museum of Ice Cream NYC
Yes, the Museum of Ice Cream is open! An immersive walk-through experience dedicated to the sweet treat, the MOIC opened a permanent NYC flagship in December of 2019, but shut down in March. It's back, and COVID-19 precautions are in place, and include a new ventilation system, mask and glove requirements, deep cleanings at the beginning and end of every day, cleaning surfaces following any touching by visitors, capacity reduction, etc. You can read all safety measures here.
If you missed your chance to visit this shrine to slime when it opened last year, you have another chance. It's slightly altered (people play with their own slimes, not a collective vat, as was done previously), and you get to take slime home. Expect artisanal, scented slime, interactive activities, a massive DIY slime bar, slime experiments, an immersive ASMR tunnel, a lake of slime to walk on, and more. Advanced tickets are timed, masks are required, staff is in masks and gloves, and capacity is reduced. Dress in your get messy clothes and prepare to open your wallet: it's $39 a ticket. A percentage of sales goes to mental health charities.
Created in Zagreb, Croatia (with additional outposts in Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, and beyond) the museum is both educational and a spot for fun photo ops. Visitors can explore more than 70 elements and experiences that include "illusionistic rooms", optical illusions, and puzzles. Every "piece" in the museum is accompanied by a clear and concise explanation of what is causing or creating the illusion; mathematical, biological, and psychological concepts are all touched upon, as are perception, vision, and how the human brain works. This museum is an outstanding (and very fun) way to engage kids with complex scientific principles, and help them understand through experience. The well-curated gift shop allows you to take home some of the brain-bending fun.
The American Kennel Club celebrates humans' best friend with its Museum of the Dog on Park Avenue. (Previously located in St. Louis, the museum is now housed in the same building as the AKC.) Expect fine art such as paintings and sculptures dedicated to dogs big and small, as well as tributes created using modern technology. Ticketing is by advanced reservation, and masks are required. The museum is closed Mondays.
Tickets: $15/adults; $5/kids 12 and under, $10/seniors 65 and older 101 Park Ave. Upper East Side 212-696-8360 Online: museumofthedog.org
The egg child refuses to eat. His yolk is goopy and unacceptable to him.
I can’t. I break.
Because I am already broken.
I am shattered by this pandemic. By the worry, and the constant change, and the school’s “off and on” button that yanks my life around at a moment’s notice like a little microcosm of the greater uncertainty of life and death staring me in the face daily right now.
I am tired from two births and also climate change.
I am exhausted from too much family and not enough friends.
I am depleted from too much Zoom and too little nature.
I am worried about my older son’s propensity to all things digital.
By his lack of understanding that the last few years are not normal.
They are his normal. I am in grief that they have become mine.
But I also have lived long enough that I have memories.
Wisps from my own childhood of hours and days spent with friends that were screenless.
Wandering through drizzling rain and escapades up back stairwells.
I wonder if these are better or if they are simply older.
I struggle to see the beauty in the green building blocks and the mods of Minecraft, and I feel myself being left behind like some salmon that can’t swim upstream anymore because the drought has changed the landscape.
Old spawning patterns interrupted by new realities.
Will they be ok, my children? Will we all?
These are the thoughts swimming in my brain, searing into my heart as I stand there, soaking in my younger son’s refusal to eat the yolky egg.
I want to yell “Do you know how many things I want to refuse??”
But I can’t.
I am voiceless. My refusal meaningless as the days unfold around me. I am one of many pandemic mothers, invisible in this crisis and yet so deeply affected on so many levels. I simply break down into hot gulping tears that make me feel like a madwoman.
Abigail Wald is a lifeline for spirited kids and their sometimes dispirited parents. Her podcasts have had more than a million downloads, and her mentorship project has shepherded hundreds of families to the other side of struggles that previously seemed insurmountable. Visitmotherflippingawesome.com to learn more.
Everyone has spent more time reading the last year than ever before, so why not update your bookshelf with a few fresh finds? This year brought us plenty of gorgeous picture books, historical tales and feel-good reads for audiences of all ages. Keep reading to see our picks for the best kids’ book of 2021.
Mommy Goes to Work Jossy Lee creates the perfect book for families with working parents. While kids go to school, Mommy goes to work! With adorable illustrations by Nila Aye, kids of all ages will find this story reassuring and a positive take on career-minded parents. Ages: Baby+
Courage Is Courage looks like a superhero or a firefighter, but it also looks like a lot of every day things. Jason and True Kander's new board book explores how everyone can have courage everyday––and be scared, too! Ages: Baby to 3
DC Super Heroes: Diversity Is A Superpower & The Power of Kindness Julie Merberg is back with two new titles in the DC Super Heroes series and they're all about diversity and kindness. The DC Universe is packed with people from all over, with unique traits and qualities that lend a hand to others in need. With bright illustrations and simple narrative, these board books for baby are just as fun to look at for adults. Ages: Baby-3
Little Observers On the Farm & In the Park Claire Beaton's two board books introduce baby to the big world around them. Simple narratives take readers through the farm and park, pointing out the beauty along the way. Each story ends with two pages dedicated to search and find, where everyone can make sure they caught all the details. Ages: Baby+
B is for Bison Greg Paprocki's introduces young readers to 26 National Parks. Each letter of the alphabet shares something that can be found in each park, with beyond adorable illustrations. Ages: Baby+
Trees- A Count & Find Primer Count to 10 and learn all about trees along the way with Greg Paprocki's new primer. This book ends with plenty of fun facts about each tree and a search and find component. Ages: Baby+
Words of the World: Ocean Animals & Birds Beautifully simplistic collages by Motomitsu Maehara come together in these multilingual board books. Each one comes with over a dozen animals, each one translated into seven languages that include English, Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, French, Arabic and Esperanto. Ages: Baby+
Glow The duo from Curls is here with a new board book for baby. Ruth Forman and Geneva Bowers bring Glow, which highlights the beauty of Black Joy and tells the story of a little boy who uses the moon to celebrate his lovely skin. Ages: Baby+
Rise and Shine From legendary children's musician, Raffi comes a new board book with the lyrics of his song, "Rise and Shine." Accompanied by adorable illustrations, your youngest reader will love this addition to the Songs to Read collection that encourages kids to wake up and start the day with a smile. Ages: Baby+
Return of the Underwear Dragon The Underwear Dragon is back! This time, Sir Cole wants to help learn how to read, so he can't wreak havoc ever again. Ages: 3-7
Lila Lou's Little Library Lila Lou has too many books––or is her house just too small? Maybe she can make a library where she can share with her friends! Written by Nikki Berggstresser, this book comes with helpful tips on learning while reading. Ages: 5-7
Home Britta Teckentrap is back with another peek through picture book. Told with stunning illustrations, this story demonstrates how everyone needs a place to call home. Ages: 3-7
What's That? Jax and Meena don't have typical school lunches, thanks to their unique cultures. Karen Chan's poetic story follows the two on a journey told through food and imparts that mealtime is so much more than just eating. Ages: 3+
The Capybaras Alfredo Soderguit's capybara creative story is a tale of acceptance. When the hairy creatures encounter the local hens when they're looking for a place to stay, can they open their hearts to the foreign creatures? Ages: 3-8
Little Narwhal, Not Alone Based on a true story of an unlikely friendship between a narwhal and a beluga whale, this sweet tale from Tiffany Stone is fun for readers of all ages. Adorable illustrations from Ashlyn Anstee accompany the whimsical story. Ages: 4-8
Goodbye, Old House Moving house can be sad and scary, but exciting too! Margaret Wild and Ann James share a sweet story of saying goodbye, but hello at the same time. Ages: 3-7
Cat & Dog: A Tale of Opposites Is there anything more opposite than a cat and a dog? This sweet book of differences from Tullio Corda shares that opposites don't mean enemies. Ages: 3-6
Mister Fairy Fairies are usually smiling and happy, but Mister Fairy just isn't a morning person and has a hard time enjoying his job. When he decides to leave the forest, his adventure takes him on a journey where he learns his role and how amazing it is to bring joy to others. Ages: 4-8
Teatime Around the World Many people enjoy teatime, but did you know it's celebrated differently around the world? Follow along on a trip across the globe and have po cha in Tibet, afternoon tea in England and matcha in Japan in this gorgeous book by Denyse Waissbluth. Ages: 3-7
See the Dog That's not a dog, that's a cat! This silly tale from David LaRochelle follows Baby Cakes, a cat on dog duty. How will this furry pal handle all the duties of a dog? Ages: 4-8
Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up for Change Do you want to be a change maker? Miranda Paul's book shares real kids making a difference, no matter their age. With illustrations by Bea Jackson, learn all about Jazz Jennings, Greta Thunberg and more. Ages: 4-7
ABC of Feelings From Anxious to Zany, feelings are a curious thing! Written and illustrated by Bonnie Lui, this simple book helps kiddos identify their emotions and learn what to do with them. Ages: 3-7
Maybe... Three little monkeys are getting into some mischief! Christ Haughton's bright tale about maaaaaybe pushing boundaries proves a fun and delightful message to young readers. Ages: 3-7
Cat Problems Cat lovers will fully appreciate this hilarious tale from Jory John. With perfectly textured illustrations from Lane Smith, this fun book follows the completely difficult life of a house cat as he navigates his day. Ages: 3-7
Trick or Treat, Crankenstein Crankenstein is back! Samantha Berger and Dan Santant follow the lovable character as he navigates his fave holiday. But will a toothache, pumpkin carving issue and terrible costume nightmare take out all the fun? Ages: 4-8
Archer Otters: Megalodon Outbreak The Archer Otters are out to save the day. When seaweed starts to run low, threatening their food supply, the trio heads to the ocean to find more. Can they battle the evil submarine and scary megalodon and find the seaweed they seek? Ages: 4-8
Sonny Says Mine! The first book in a new series by Caryl Hart and illustrator Zachariah Ohora introduces little readers to Sonny and his friends. When the little fox finds a new toy bunny at the playground, he's thrilled! It's the best toy ever––until his friend Boo tells Sonny it's HER toy. It's up to Sonny to say he's sorry, but can he do it? Ages: 3-6
Stick and Stone Best Friends Forever! Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld are back with the second installment of Stick and Stone. The two have set out to find Stick's family tree, but encounter some scary things along the journey. This sweet tale helps readers see the importance of family, whether its blood or found in friendship. Ages: 3-7
The Perfect Plan Maya is headed to the forest to build her dream fort! Leah Gilbert's beautifully illustrated and written tale shares the adventures of her protagonist as she relies on her forest friends to work together, share creativity and exhibit perseverance. Ages: 3-6
Dozens of Doughnuts LouAnn is prepping for winter by whipping up dozens of doughnuts. But, uh oh! Tons of friends are stopping by and she gives out all her food! In this sweet story by Carrie Finison, kids will learn the basics of counting, sharing and being a good friend. Ages: 3-7
Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter Tiny mouse Dakota is on a mission. Late at night, she scurries through the museum with her treasure map on the hunt for artifacts she can share at later at the Mousehole Museum. Young readers will love the followup activity that has them flipping back through the pages to find their own treasures in Jamie Michalak's book. Ages: 3-7
Paletero Man Latin Grammy winner Lucky Diaz brings a bright and colorful story that follows our young narrator on the hunt for his friend Paletero José. Only the sweet treat will cool everyone off on such a hot day. With Spanish throughout, the story is a celebration of kindness and the Latin culture in Los Angeles. Ages: 4-8
Dozens of Dachshunds Is there a cuter pup than a Dachshund? How about when there's a dozen of them? Stephanie Calmenson explores the whimsical and adorable nature of the famed "wiener dog," with sweet illustrations by Zoe Persico. Count along in this fun poetic tale that will have you woofing and wagging. Ages: 3-6
Wolfboy Andy Harkness’ artistic skills come alive in his second book, Wolfboy. When Wolfboy gets hungry, he gets growly and drooly and just wants rabbits! With unique images that were made by clay and then photographed, this taunting tale is delightful for the whole family. Ages: 2-5
How to Apologize Do you know how to apologize? David LaRochelle takes a rather humorous approach in explaining not only the importance of apologizing, but how to do it sincerely. With whimsical illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka, even adults will learn a thing or two about the art of the apology. Ages: 3-7
That’s Cool, Tallulah! Stella Bella has a special doll and they have a magical friendship. Tallulah causes her share of mischief and one day Stella Bella hears a voice in her head that tells her to do the right thing. Written by the voice of Rugrats Angelica Pickles, Cheryl Chase and illustrated by Giulia Iacopini, this sweet story demonstrates the importance of listening to rules. Ages: 2-5
Wishes Inspired by actual events in the life of author, Muon Thi Van, Wishes is the story of one Vietnamese family’s search for a new home. Victo Ngai’s beautiful illustrations further the gentle approach taken to make a story of fear and the unknown approachable and relatable to the youngest of readers. Ages: 4-8
Send a Girl! Jessica M. Rinker and Meg Hunt join forces in this true story about how women joined the Fire Department of New York. Brenda wanted to become a firefighter more than anything, but the FDNY made it near impossible. When she refused to give up, Brenda ended up changing the course of female firefighters forever. Ages: 3-6
Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion Fluffy McWhiskers can't get any cuter. When her cuteness causes people to explode, she escapes to an island, where she meets an equally cute pup. Ages 4-8.
My Daddy Can Fly! Principal ballet dancer for the American Ballet Theater Thomas Forster shares a sweet story of a little boy talking about his father. With traits that include strength, gentleness and speed, this story shows the wide range of talents that accompany a professional dancer and daddy. Ages 4-8.
Hope at Sea Hope doesn't want her father to leave on his clipper ship. Unless...she can stow away and go too? Told with simple prose and stunning illustrations by Daniel Miyares, this book will inspire young seafarers. Ages 4-8.
a kids book about your microbiome This last year, kids want to know about germs more than ever. But what about all those healthy microbiomes? Follow along in Ara Katz's word-focused book on the goodness living within your body. Ages 6+.
It Fell from the Sky A mysterious object fell from the sky and everyone wants a peek. Told with stunning illustrations from The Fan Brothers, this tale shares the woes of keeping beauty for yourself, when it could be shared with everyone. Ages 4-8.
Make Your Bed with Skipper the Seal Written by former Navy SEAL Howard McWilliam, this sweet story about Skipper the Seal shares his journey in the Navy. Perseverance and courage, along with the ability to overcome obstacles are just a few things Skipper learns as he becomes a SEAL. Ages 4-8.
Goodnight Ganesha Told with stunning illustrations by Pooam Mistry, Nadia Saloman's bedtime story explores the rich beauty of an Indian night. Children will follow along with the rhyming prose as grandparents and grandchildren get ready for bed. Ages 3-7.
Beautifully Me Author Nabela Noor tackles issues of body positivity as readers follow main character Zubi. She's never thought of her size as a bad thing, but when she hears others complaining about their bodies, she begins to question: "is there something wrong with me?" Ages 4-8.
Walter Does His Best: A Frenchie Adventure in Kindness and Muddy Paws Sing Who's a good boy? Walter! Well, kind of. Walter tries to be good but sometimes, he makes a mess of things. Eva Pilgrim's fun tale of a dog's adventure in NYC demonstrates that you don't have to be perfect, so long as you're kind. Ages 4-8.
Make Meatballs Sing, the Life & Art of Corita Kent Matthew Burgess' picture-book biography of Corita Kent shares the story of the famed artist in alluring color and detail. With gorgeous illustrations by Kara Kramer, young and old readers alike will be challenged to notice to the details in everyday life. Ages 6-12.
I Hear You, Forest Head into the forest in Kalle George's newest book. Follow a child into a magical place as she listens to the sounds of the forest. Accompanied by Carmen Mok's illustrations, readers will feel transported into another world as they read along. Ages 3-7.
My Dog Banana Roxane Brouillard's hilarious tale of a boy taking his "dog" for a walk will have you chuckling. When Banana is out and about, no one takes him seriously. With sweet illustrations from Giulia Sagramola, this book will have you questioning whether or not a banana really can bark. Ages 4-8.
Animal Architects The world is a construction zone, and we're just living in it! Amy Cherrix dives deep into the wonderful world of architecture and how our fellow animals and insects are constantly building around us. With beautiful illustrations by Chris Sasaki, you just might be inspiring an architect of the future! Ages 3-8.
The Longest Storm Hitting close to home in the wake of the pandemic, Dan Yaccarino's gorgeous and heartfelt tale of navigating a seemingly never-ending storm provides the perfect narrative for discussing difficulties with children. With simple illustrations and story-telling, parents will find this book perfect for talking loss, family conflict and more. Ages 4-8.
Prehistoric Pets Perhaps the greatest pop-up book on the topic of prehistoric animals, Paleontologist Dr. Sean Lomax takes kids on an adventure exploring seven of the world's favorite pets. Using vibrant pop-ups with the help of illustrator Mike Love, kids will follow fossil clues to unveil ancient animals and fun facts. Ages 5-9.
Indelible Ann Late governor of Texas Ann Richards inspired women everywhere and she's back in Meghan P. Browne's book to encourage young readers. The Carlynn Whitt-illustrated book follows Richards early life and rise to political prowess where she went on to inspire the likes of Hilary Clinton and take on the "boys club" of politics. Ages: 4-8
Except Antarctica Todd Sturgell's debut children's book is hilarious and educational for young and old alike. What would happen if animals didn't like what the narrator had to say? That's where this sweet book kicks off, as Turtle decides he wants a visit to the coldest spot on the planet! Ages: 4-8
Lala's Words Little Lala doesn't like to stay inside––she loves to escape to her garden where her kind words help plants grow! Though her mother doesn't understand her, Lala knows that the power of kindness can cause everything around her to flourish. Ages: 4-8
A Most Clever Girl The ultimate tale of girl power, Jasmine A. Stirling’s A Most Clever Girl is a must for every children’s bookshelf. Beautiful illustrations by Vesper Stemper accompany this inspiring story about how Jane Austen used her love of words to define her life, becoming one of the most celebrated authors of all time. Ages: 5-9
Kindness is a Kite String It’s easy to spread kindness, you just have to try! With illustrations by Claire Laforte, Michelle Schaub pens a lyrical approach to starting the day off with kindness and demonstrates how it ripples throughout the day to everyone around you. Ages: 5-7
Faraway Things They were called faraway things, the things that Lucien would find washed up on the shore below his home with the lighthouse. Written by award-winning novelist Dave Eggers and accompanied by Kelly Murphy's detailed illustrations, this lovely picture book tells the story of a young boy who finds a cutlass after a storm. He takes it home, and for a short time, calls it his own. When he meets the cutlass's owner, he must make a trade for another treasure, and when he does, what he gets in return is even more important. Ages: 5-8
Words to Make a Friend You don't have to speak the same language to be friends! This sweet tale by Donna Jo Napoli and Naoko Stoop shares the story of two little girls, one American and one Japanese who don't let language stop them from friendship. Ages: 9-12
War What is war? This stunning story uses creative illustrations and little verbiage to share the origins and stealthiness of war and how to share the difficult concept with kids. Ages: 9-12
Where Snow Angels Go Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night for no reason? Sylvie awakens one evening to find her very own angel––could it be the same one she made in the snow last winter? Maggie O'Farrell's tale follows the relationship between Sylvie and her protector when she needs him the most. Ages: 7-10
The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection This adorable book by author Ben Brashares is a story about a boy named Chuck, who, while insisting he's bored and his stay-at-home-dad is "boring," comes to learn about his ancestors and their great contributions to the world. Determined to make his own mark, Chuck looks for a mountain to climb, an ocean to explore, bugs to collect. When things don't turn out as he'd hoped, Chuck ends up doing something completely new and cool. A wonderful addition to your kids' book collection. Ages: 4-8
Jenny Mei Is Sad This sweet story by Tracy Subisak just might hit you deep down with its profound yet simplistic exploration of friendship when one friend is sad. It's not our place to always cheer up our friends. Being there is what is important. Ages 4-8.
Dad, the Man, the Myth, the Legend He can wrestle pythons to the ground, he can fly to the hardware store, he's a certified genius: he's dad! Written by Mifflin Lowe with stunning illustrations by Dani Torrent, this all about dad tale praises the amazingness of fathers and even has a special place in the back to brag about your own padre. Ages 4-8.
Sharky McShark Sharky is a bully. All the fish in the sea swim furiously away when she approaches. But when a tiny crab enters her world, all things change. You'll love this story from Alison Murray that delves into themes of bullying, vulnerability and the importance of friendship. Ages 4-8.
Dragonboy Follow along on a day of adventure with Dragonboy in this colorful story by Fabio Napoleoni. You'll love how Dragonboy treasures the differences of his friends and has empathy for their struggles. Ages 4-8.
Jonah's Adventures in the Enchanted Garden You'll love diving into this delicately illustrated story of a boy who spends the summer with his grandparents and discovers a land beyond the confines of their garden. Author Rodica Niculescu penned this lovely story for her grandsons and you'll be immersed in the story from page one. Ages 1-11.
Sharp Eye the Eagle Series If you are looking to impart some lessons into your reading time, this series is perfect for you. Each of the seven stories in the series has Sharp Eye the eagle imparting wisdom like why too much screen time is not a good idea, or why sharing benefits us all.
Make Your Bed with Skipper the Seal This clever story by Admiral William H. McRaven shares the story of how Skipper goes from being a seal to becoming a Navy SEAL (and why making the bed is always important!). Ages 4-8.
Little Messy Marcy Su Author Cherie Fu brings us this lovely tale of a tired mom and her exuberant child who come together to get their house ready for the grandparents' visit. Lovely rhyming with Chinese words interspersed gives us a glimpse into this family's everyday life. Ages 4-8.
I Am an American, the Wong Kim Ark Story This story by Marth Brockenbrough is an important picture book that introduces young readers to the young man who challenged the Supreme Court for his right to be an American citizen and won, confirming birthright citizenship for all Americans. Ages 4-8.
Bravo Anjali Young readers will enjoy the story of Anjali as she struggles with friendship and owning her exceptional talent in the tabla world where she is the only girl. A follow-up story to Always Anjali, this story inspires young readers to never dim their light and to never let anyone make her feel bad for being good at something.
A New Harvest You'll love this sweet tale by Cristina Expósito Escalona (that's available in both English and Spanish). It tells the story of a farmer, devastated by tornados, who bring his field back to life and receives support from homeless people in his community, who are then able to be supported by the land and the work. Bonus: this book is sustainably made using stone paper. Ages 4-8.
The Secret of the Magic Pearl Elisa Sabatinelli and Iacopo Bruno's story will take readers on an adventure. Told in long-form and with stunning illustrations, follow young Hector along as he searches for the illusive magic pearl. Ages 6-10.
Lotería Karla Arenas Valenti's debut middle grade novel is packed with action. Combining Día de los Muertos imagery, Mexican folklore and the game of Lotería, readers will follow Clara on an adventure of fate. Ages 8-12.
The Other Side of Luck Perfect for young fantasy readers, Ginger Johnson's tale explores the relationship between Princess Una and Julien, a pauper in the kingdom. When both enter a contest to find the illusive Silva Flower, can the two find a sense of belonging in their otherwise lonely worlds? Ages 8-11.
The Gumazing Gum Girl! Stick Together! Gum Girl, aka Gabby Gomez, returns in this fifth book of the series. Fresh off a trip meeting her uncle, Gabby must now take on an overgrown hamster alongside friends new and old. Ages 6-10.
Stolen Science Ella Schwartz and illustrator Gaby D'Allessandro are setting the record straight when it comes to inventions, science and who should receive credit. The two explore underrepresented communities, immigrants, women and more who made strides in science but went unnoticed over the last few centuries. Ages 9-11.
The Kids of Cattywampus Street Meet the kids of Cattywampus Street! This delightful 11-chapter book dedicates a story to each of the unique and whimsical children on the block. Perfect for lovers of Sideways Stories from Wayside School, this book also has carefully placed black and white drawings throughout to keep young readers entertained the entire way. Ages 7-10.
Mightier Than the Sword Rochelle Melander's collection is a must for budding writers. With illustrations by Melina Ontiveros, Mightier Than the Sword shares the stories of writers from diverse cultural backgrounds who changed the world with the pen. Not only does this new book details stories like Frederick Douglas and Helen Keller, but it includes robust writing tips and activities, too. Ages 8-13.
Starfish Lisa Fipps debut novel faces off against the world of fat-shaming with her lead character Ellie. Follow along as the young protagonist finds new friendship that will take her from wanting to blend in, to becoming comfortable with who she is––no matter her size. Ages 10-13.
A Total Waste of Space-Time! Book two of the Space-Time series is here! Get back on the potato with Jide and Petra as they travel to the planets of their friends. Jeffrey Brown's graphic novel is the perfect, can't-put-down read for middle graders. Ages 8-12.
How to Win a Slime War Author Mae Respicio is back again with a darling story that middle-grade readers will love. Twelve-year-old Alex Manalo and his dad have recently moved back to Sacramento to help with the family's Filipino market. In his free time, Alex loves to make slime and a friend at his new school encourages him to sell his concoction, sparking a battle with a girl who previously enjoyed a slime-opoly on campus. To make matters worse, Alex's dad thinks Alex should be focused on more traditional "boy" pastimes, like sports, which Alex hates. How to Win a Slime War is filled with heart and hope as it explores the fun and hard work of being an entrepreneur, navigating family and boyhood expectations, and discovering what it means to win. Ages 8-12.
Kitty Quest What happens when two kitties who need cash team up to become monster slayers? They head out on a Kitty Quest! This debut graphic novel by Phil Corbett follows Woolfrick and Perigold as they awaken ghosts and battle monsters––without any experience! Ages: 8-12.
Mellybean & the Giant Monster, Mellybean & the Wicked Wizard Meet Melly, a lovable pup who just wants to play with her feline friends. When a prank goes awry, Melly finds herself falling down a magical hole in the backyard! Join her as she takes on monsters and witches in the first two graphic novels by Mike White which are equally fun for kids and adults. Ages: 8-12.
The Islanders Themes of environmentalism and conservation permeate this debut middle grade novel for author Mary Alice Monroe. When Jake is forced to spend a screen-free summer with his grandmother on an island nature sanctuary, he befriends two other kids and they bond together to save loggerhead turtles from predation. Ages: 9-12.
Unforgotten: The Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Relentless Quest to Save Mountain Gorillas Without any formal training, young Dian Fossey embarks on a journey to Africa to study and protect the few mountain gorillas left on Earth. This book creatively tells Dian's story, inspiring young readers to follow their dreams. Ages: 8-12.
Ways to Grow Love Ryan Hart is back in Renée Watson’s second installment of her series. The young heroine is headed off to sleepaway camp, where she’ll meet a new camper that requires her to share her best friend. Follow along as our leading lady navigates tons of changes, including the birth of her baby sister. Ages: 7-10
EINSTEIN – The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse Through Space and Time You'll love Torben Kuhlmann’s brilliant new picture book that bends time and imagination through the adventures of a clever mouse. When this mouse misses the world's largest cheese festival by only one day, he is determined to travel back in time to experience all the Emmental and Gruyere he desires. He enlists the help of a mouse clockmaker and together they delve into Albert Einstein's notes as they set about on their adventure. Ages: 8-12
The Cardboard Kingdom #2: Roar of the Beast This sequel to the Eisner Award-nominated The Cardboard Kingdom follows the kids as they solve the mystery of a new neighborhood monster. Through a unique collaboration of 10 authors, each character is given an individual and authentic voice that makes this vibrant, profound, and utterly moving children’s graphic novel series truly shine. Ages 9-12
Gamora and Nebula: Sisters in Arms Author Mackenzi Lee is back with the second installment of this highly-popular series that's full of the Marvel Universe characters you love. Find out what happens when Gamora arrives on Torndune―a once-lush planet that has been strip-mined for the power source beneath its surface―with a mission to collect the heart of the planet. Ages: 12+
She Persisted: Sally Ride Award-winning author Atia Abawi brings young readers the story of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. As she broke barriers in space, this amazing woman went on to change the face of NASA and developed engineering programs that would enable women of the future to follow their dreams. Ages: 6-9
The Firebird Song Fans of Shannon Hale will thoroughly enjoy this new novel by Arnée Flores. Travel to the Kingdom of Lyrica, where the Firebird has vanished. Once the protector by its song and feather, its absence is felt strongly as the evil Spectress reigns. Can Young Prewitt and Princess Calliope solve the mysterious message found on the castle wall and bring back the Firebird for good? Ages: 8-11
Dead Wednesday It was anything but a typical school day when Worm Tarnauer hopped out of bed on "Dead Wednesday." It was the day he'd been looking forward to his whole school career, when eighth graders were assigned a teen who had died over the past year, donned their black shirts and became invisible. Worm didn't anticipate that his journey with Becca Finch (age 17, car crash) would take him where it did. This book by Jerry Spinelli will have you thinking about what it means to truly live.
The Wild Ones This one's all about feminist power when a group of teenage girls must band together and use their special powers to save the life of the magical boy who saved them all. This is the second novel from author Nafiza Azad and the deep character development will have you reading well past bedtime. Age 14+.
Daughter of the Deep Fans of Rick Riordan will love this new release that pays homage to Jules Verne in this exciting modern take on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Young readers will be enthralled with the characters as they dive deep into the action and humor that are Riordan signatures.
Paradise on Fire Author Jewell Parker Rhodes is back with her follow-up novel to critically acclaimed book Black Brother, Black Brother. Paradise on Fire is inspired by the devastating Camp Fire that devastated the town of Paradise, CA in 2018. Addy is haunted by the fire that killer her parents and spends the summer at a wilderness camp learning new outdoor skills. But mostly they learn how to rely on each other. This poignant story has themes of environmentalism, racism and activism and is a must-read for teens and parents alike.
Dust & Grim Bestselling author Chuck Wendig comes through again with this charming tale of two rival siblings who must bond together to save their family business, a mortuary for monsters. Ages 8-12.
The Hawthorne Legacy In Book 2 of the Inheritance Games series, you'll find heiress Avery Grambs sorting out the pieces that come after Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to her, a complete stranger. With nonstop action, aspirational jet-setting, Knives Out-like family intrigue, swoonworthy romance, and billions of dollars hanging in the balance, The Hawthorne Legacy will thrill Jennifer Lynn Barnes fans and new readers alike. Ages 12+.
The Land of the Pines In her debut novel, author Summer Pines teaches readers about the gift of empathy and how friendship can help us through trials. Lush illustrations capture the magic found in the Piney Woods of Nilsson’s East Texas hometown and bring the cast of creatures vividly to life.
Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood From seventeen acclaimed Black male and non-binary authors comes a vibrant collection of stories, comics, and poems about the power of joy and the wonders of Black boyhood.
Mermaid Tears Susan L. Read’s debut novel helps young readers understand struggles with their mental health and provide essential resources to help them. Sarah is a hard-working student, a good friend, a kind daughter, and a creative soul. Lately however, maintaining her grades and friendships has become harder than usual, and nothing brings her much joy anymore. With the help of her family, friends, trusted teacher and mental health professionals, Sarah learns that there is a name for what she is dealing with. She develops tools, not only for coping, but for thriving. In learning about her condition and gaining the support she needs for managing it, she begins the long journey back to her life. Ages 8-12.
Rea and the Blood of the Nectar This story by Payal Doshi chronicles the journey of Rea as she goes on a quest with her friend Leela to find her missing twin brother Rohan after a fight on their 12th birthday. Rea must solve clues that lead to Rohan while experiencing many hurdles, challenges and unexpected encounters along the way. Ages 8-12.
Little Jagadish and the Great Experiment This book by Ajali Joshi chronicles the journey of a young boy named Jagadish who sets out to find solutions to unanswered questions using the scientific method. Inspired by the life and work of Indian physicist, botanist, and author Jagadish Chandra Bose, this story encourages young readers to embrace their curiosity and unleash their inner scientist.
The Girl from the Attic When a mysterious black cat leads Maddy Rose into an unknown attic, she meets Clare and his very sick sister Eva. Together Maddy and Clare jump into a money-making scheme in his uncle’s dangerous soap factory to buy a cure for Eva. But an unexpected tragedy befalls them before Maddy is pulled back into her own time to confront the premature birth of her own sister. Will the skills she learned in the past help her solve the problems of the present? Can the strange shape of the house make a difference? Age 11+.
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching Young readers have been eagerly awaiting the third and final book of the Tristan Strong trilogy by author Kwame Mbalia and the time has come! Will Tristan be able to make his way north to his home in Chicago, or will the ghosts and evil spirits of the south, known as the haints, stop him along the way? You'll need to read to find out!
National Geographic Kids World Atlas Where should your family vaycay next? Let this comprehensive atlas help! Packed with maps, facts and tons of photos, inspire the wanderlust in your fam, stat.
Skygazing Two books in one, this exploration of both the night and day sky covers everything from ancient beliefs and spiders, to creatures of the forest.
It Takes Guts What exactly is the science behind barfs and burps? And what about poop? Dr. Jennifer Gardy gives up all the juicy details on the magnificent human body.
Palm Trees at the North Pole Perfect for young environmentalists who want to learn about climate change, Marc ter Horst's book is all about inventors, scientists, activities, volcanoes and more. Alongside Wendy Panders' illustrations, adults will learn just a much as kids in this detailed work of art.
The Ultimate Art Museum Ferren Gipson is ready to take you on adventure. Travel through time and all over the world finding the most famous art of all time in this perfect coffee table book. With over 40,000 years of art, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Wild Child: Adventure Cooking with Kids Sarah Glover, the James Beard Award-nominated author of Wild: Adventure Cooking, brings us this lovely book that will definitely motivate you and your kids to get cooking outdoors. From campfire bananas to food cooked in coconut, this book will definitely up your camping food game.
Guide to the National Parks of the United States, 9th Edition If your family is planning a National Parks visit this year, you need to pick up a copy of this great reference book. It gives you road trip routes, hiking suggestions and lots more.
Birds: Explore Their Extraordinary World Stunning illustrations by Angela Harding abound in this nonfiction compendium by Miranda Krestovnikoff. Young learners will explore the vast world of birds, from the coldest regions and beyond. Perfect for a coffee table or a keepsake, this gorgeous book has something to teach everyone.
Earth Day is Fri. Apr. 22 this year and if you’re looking for easy ways to show our planet some love, you’ve come to the right place. While topics like climate change may seem overwhelming, everyone can do their part by something as simple as recycling.
To make turning trash into treasure as easy as can be, lots of family-friendly companies have partnered with Terracycle, a social enterprise currently in 21 countries that is diverting tons of waste away from landfills. Keep scrolling to see how you can be a part of this movement with brands you already use, not to mention companies that have their own programs in the works.
Mon Coeur New Again Program
Clothing brand Mon Couer wants parents to send their used clothes back to be up or downcycled. The New Again Program offers 40% off your next purchase for sending in used clothing, which will reduce waste and over usage of fabrics and keep items out of landfills.
Once Upon a Farm
All those baby food, smoothies and applesauces pouches an be easily recycled with Terracycle. Clean them out, dry them off and ship off so they can be sorted and pelletized––ready for a new life.
Cerebelly
Food pouches are super convenient, especially for on the go, but they add up quickly. If you're at a loss for what to do with them, head to Terracycle to snag a printable label! Add it to a box of used pouches, ship and repeat.
Hasbro
Tired of storing old games and toys? Recycle them! Hasbro's recycling program takes your kiddos old My Little Pony, Play-Doh, GI Joe and more and transforms them into things like play spaces, park benches and flower pots so they can continue to bring joy.
Honest Drink Pouch
Kiddos love their juice! Rather than tossing in the trash, save up the aluminum and plastic pouches (you can even keep the straws!) for recycling. Make sure the pouches are empty before shipping. When they are received, they'll be melted into hard plastic so they can be reshaped into something new again.
Spin Master
CNW Group/Spin Master
The new Spin Master Recycling Program gives a second life to your toys. All you have to do is sign up on the TerraCycle program page and mail in your old toys. Your old toys will be cleaned and melted into hard plastic so they can have a new lease on life by being made into items like park benches and picnic tables.
Gerber
Gerber
There are tons of Gerber products you can recycle, like baby food packaging (but no glass!), shrink labels, plastic containers, plastic lids, flexible plastic pouches and small and large hook Gerber baby clothing hangers. Once you have a full box of products, just send in with a free label and your products will be recycled free of charge.
L.O.L. Surprise!
L.O.L. Surprise! dolls are super fun, but they come with a ton of wrapping! Now you don't have to wonder what to do with it all. Just pack it up and ship to Terracycle and they'll do the rest.
Colgate
Don't toss those old toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes into the trash! Check out the simple programs from Terracycle where you can drop off in person or mail in so those old products don't end up in a landfill.
Carter's
Carter's has recently partnered with Terracycle to bring you Kidcycle, a way to recycle old baby and kids clothes. Not only can you send them in or drop off for free, but all your packages can even earn you Rewarding Moments points, too!
Target Car Seat Trade In
Target
A few times a year Target's car seat trade-in keeps millions of pounds of plastic from landfills. All you have to do is drop off your old seat at a participating Target location, get a coupon and rest easy that you're saving the planet, one seat at a time.
Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE
iStock
We mamas have tons of products that could end up in the trash––or get recycled! Nordstrom's BEAUTYCYCLE program takes packaging from haircare, skincare, makeup and more so it doesn't head to a landfill. You can help them reach their goal of recycling 100 tons of packaging!
Stasher
Stasher bags already keeps tons of waste out of landfills, but even they don't last forever. When you send them in for recycling, they'll be. cleaned and ground into a crumb-like powder which is used for playground, athletic field or track ground cover.
Teva
Send your beloved Teva sandals on one last adventure through TevaForever. The recycling program turns them into melted hard plastic so they can go on to live in athletic and playground tracks.
VTech & LeapFrog
When your little has outgrown their fave learning or electronic toy, recycle it! The free program will melt down your old toys and transform them into materials used in new playground and park equipment.
Anyone, no matter how young, can help make the world a better place through their thoughtful actions. It’s never too early to set a good example for children by modeling simple acts of kindness. When children are encouraged to see things from another’s point of view and be shown how their actions can help uplift others, they often grow up to be more caring, responsible, and compassionate members of a global community. Books can teach children that they don’t have to perform a heroic act to make the world a better place because even the smallest acts of kindness ripple across the world in ways that no one could imagine.
Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Rulerby Margery Cuyler
Mrs. Ruler is an unconventional teacher who decides to teach her unruly students that kindness is cool. Each kindergartner must perform five acts of kindness, and while most of the kids catch on, there is one student who needs a rescue of the class gerbils to get in a last-minute act of kindness. Parents and teachers will appreciate the list of 100 acts of kindness at the back of the book to inspire kids with ways to put kindness into action.
Stick and Stoneby Beth Ferry
When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?
Written with a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand. New York Times bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld imbues Stick and Stone with energy, emotion, and personality to spare.
Second & Third Grade
The Kindness Quiltby Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
The children in this book are inspired by Aesop’s fable The Lion and the Mouse after their teacher, Mrs. Bloom, reads the story in class. She then instructs each student to perform an act of kindness and present it to the class. Minna cannot choose just one and decides to make a quilt with all of them. Other classmates add theirs to the quilt, and it soon takes over the school. The unique cut-paper illustrations present a variety of ways in which the important lesson of kindness can be shared, and displayed.
Because Amelia Smiledby David Ezra Stein
Amelia smiles as she skips down the street, so her neighbor Mrs. Higgins smiles too, and decides to send a care package of cookies to her grandson Lionel in Mexico. The cookies give Lionel an idea, and his idea inspires a student, who in turn inspires a ballet troupe in England! And so the good feelings that started with Amelia’s smile make their way around the world, from a goodwill recital in Israel to an impromptu rumba concert in Paris, to a long-awaited marriage proposal in Italy, to a knitted scarf for a beloved niece back in New York. Putting a unique spin on “What goes around comes around,” David Ezra Stein’s charmingly illustrated story reminds us that adding even a small dose of kindness into the world is sure to spur more and more kindness, which could eventually make its way back to you!
Fourth & Fifth Grade
El Deafoby Cece Bell
After a serious illness at the age of four, CeCe discovers that she’s no longer able to hear. Hearing aids and lip-reading involve unexpected challenges, and as she goes out into the wider world she realizes how little people understand what it’s like to live with hearing loss. To succeed in school, she gets a bulky device called a Phonic Ear that allows her to hear her teachers—even when they forget she’s listening. This delightful autobiographical graphic novel provides an uplifting and humorous glimpse into the life of a hard-of-hearing child. A great novel for raising awareness and promoting understanding.
New Kidby Jerry Kraft
A wonderful choice by the 2020 Newberry Award committee as the first graphic novel to win the prestigious award. Seventh-grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. Instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds. Jordan is not really fitting into either one. This book allows readers to learn about different sides of the tensions that children and adults face every single day, yet have few opportunities to really discuss.
Middle School
Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Storiesby Amanda Li
From surviving a plane crash in the jungle to striking against climate change, you won’t believe the incredible stories of the challenges these brave kids from around the world have overcome! This book features 29 tales of amazing young girls and boys who have achieved the unimaginable. The stories range from triumphing over illness and injury to overcoming bullying. Entries include Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, whose youth climate activism sparked a global movement, and Pakistan’s Ayesha Farooq, who became Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot at age 25. Each section gives advice on how young people can participate in activities similar to the ones in the accompanying biography.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Editionby Catherine Ryan Hyde
A moving and uplifting novel about Trevor McKinney, a twelve-year-old boy in a small California town who accepts his teacher’s challenge to earn extra credit by coming up with a plan to change the world. Trevor’s idea is simple: do a good deed for three people, and instead of asking them to return the favor, ask them to “pay it forward” to three others who need help. A heart-melting story of a boy who shows how each of us can make a difference. If your family enjoys this book, watch the movie together afterward.
Keira Pride is the Head Librarian at Stratford School, the leading independent private school founded with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional, educational foundation for children. As Stratford's Head Librarian, she manages the library services department across campuses throughout Northern and Southern California.
Beginning eaters can be a picky bunch, but you and your child will love these new and nutritious foods and drinks designed specifically for babies and toddlers. Packed with healthy ingredients (hello, pea protein, grass-fed bison and bok choy) and available in delicious flavor combinations and kid-friendly packaging (puffs! pouches! smoothie melts! teething wafers!), they’re a win-win. Read on for your baby’s new favorites!
We love Cerebelly for their nutrient-rich, organic kid snacks, and the new bone broth pouches have our mouths watering. Available in three flavors (butternut squash chicken broth with thyme; carrot beef bone broth with rosemary; sweet potato pinto bean with cumin), they're packed with kid-friendly flavors and brain-supporting nutrients including lutein, DHA and protein. Created for kids 11 months and up.
This Australian-owned snack brand makes nutritious, wholesome organic foods for babies and toddlers with no artificial flavors, colors or additives. The line is broken down into two ranges: The Baby Bellies range features snacks for kids 7+ months and 10+ months in kid-friendly flavors and age-appropriate shapes. The Little Bellies range is for kids 12+ months and features animal crackers and tomato sticks. The snacks dissolve so they're easy for littles to eat, and the shapes and sizes are developmentally appropriate so kids can grip them and feed themselves.
Looking for a nutritious, delicious and easy way to prepare breakfast foods for your babe? Try the apple, carrot and cinnamon muffin mix from Happy Family Organics, or the pancake & waffle mix. You'll whip these up in five minutes flat, so they're perfect for busy mornings or days you want to focus on family time rather than cooking. Both organic, non-GMO mixes are made with 100% whole grains, iron and no added sugar. You only need to add water to prepare the pancake & waffle mix; add water and your child's favorite puree to the muffin mix.
You may know Holle from the brand's baby formula, but this Swiss company has recently launched nutritious fruit and veggie pouches in six flavors, including Veggie Bunny, made with carrot, sweet potatoes and peas. They're not only made with organic ingredients, the products carry the Demeter seal, which means the products meet the highest international standards for holistic, ecological and ethical practices in organic farming.
Available at holleusa.com, $19.99 for a box of six pouches.
Happy Baby Savory Blends from Happy Family Organics
Get your baby's veggies in with these new pouches from Happy Family Organics. Each flavor contains 1.5 servings of organic vegetables in each pouch, more than other leading brands. The veggies are blended with healthy fats, herbs and spices for delicious combinations that expand your child's palate. Each flavor sounds like it came straight off a restaurant menu: Squash, Chickpeas & Spinach with Avocado Oil + Sage; Broccoli & Carrots with Olive Oil + Garlic; Sweet Potatoes with Olive Oil + Rosemary; Purple Carrot & Cauliflower with Avocado Oil + Oregano.
When a snack attack hits, you'll feel good about giving your child these nutrient-rich puffs. They have a slight crunch and chewy texture that kids like, and you'll like that they contain healthy veggies, as well as bone broth for protein and organic olive oil for healthy fats. The three savory flavors are: Broccoli & Spinach Grain free Puffs with Bone Broth, Carrot & Beet Grain Free Puffs with Olive Oil, and Tomato & Mushroom Grain Free Puffs with Bone Broth. These puffs are non-GMO, USDA Organic certified and Certified Gluten-Free.
Available at myserenitykids.com, $32.95 for a six-pack of 1.5-ounce containers.
Smoothie-Inspired Veggie & Fruit Pouches from Cerebelly
What could be more enticing than a smoothie-inspired puree with Peppa and George Pig on the label? How about the fact that these veggie & fruit pouches are packed with brain-supporting nutrients such as iron, Vitamin B6 and selenium. Available in three mouthwatering flavors (purple carrot blueberry, sweet potato peach, and celery apple kiwi), the Cerebelly x Peppa Pig pouches are sure to be a hit at snack time. The company donates a portion of each product to Baby2Baby to support children in need.
With just four healthy ingredients, these melty puffs from Littlemore Organics are the perfect snack to pop in your diaper bag or serve at home. Available in two savory flavors, sunflower butter and tomato, they contain no added sugar or salt; no corn, rice or gluten; and no peanuts or tree nuts. The line was created by two Boston-based mom friends, one a pediatrician, who set out to develop a packaged snack that was tasty, nutritious and convenient to bring with you. For babies 6 months and up who have started on solids.
Yogurt smoothie melts with no added sugar? Yes, please! These toddler favorites get their sweetness from organic fruits and veggies, contain no preservatives, and come in a shape that makes it easy for kids to grasp and chew. Available in plant-based yogurt (made with coconut milk) and cow's milk yogurt varieties, these melt-in-your-mouth snacks come in three yummy flavors: Beets 'n' Berries, Carrot Raspberry and Mango Carrots. The resealable bag means you can pop them in your bag for outings. They're recommended for kids 8 months to 4 years.
Treat your Gerber baby to delicious, nutritious organic foods delivered right to your door with these subscription box meals created by registered dieticians. The box contents change each month to add variety to your child's diet and respond to their nutritional needs and developmental milestones. Each box is filled with USDA Certified Organic cereals, purees, pouches or snacks.
Available at gerber.com, starting at $69.99 per box/month (under $2 per serving).
Want to feed your baby healthy foods that broaden their palate? Try these bone-broth toddler purees from Serenity Kids. Packed with nutrients that help strengthen bones and support digestion and immunity, these toddler puree pouches come in flavorful varieties with no added sugars or preservatives: Turkey Bolognese, Beef Pot Roast and Turmeric Chicken. All are made with pasture-raised meat from small American regenerative family farms, organic bone broth and Certified USDA Organic vegetables and herbs. They're also free of ingredients that contain antibiotics, added hormones, pesticides, fillers, GMOs or major allergens.
Available at serenitykids.com, $29.95/6 pouches of each flavor; $32.95/6-pouch variety pack. Save 20% with a subscription.
These heat-and-serve toddler meals (designed for kids 1+) come in flavors kids love and are packed full of nutrients. The macaroni & cheese has 8 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, along with 1/4 cup of veggies (pureed butternut squash, sweet potato and cauliflower). The pasta & tomato sauce has 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, along with 1/4 of veggies (carrots, sweet potatoes, red pepper). Both are low in sodium and contain no added sugar, additives or preservatives.
Available at target.com and in the produce section of Target stores, $4.99.
With 3 grams of protein, no added sugar and 10 brain-supporting nutrients, Cerebelly's Smart Bars are the snack you'll feel good about feeding your toddler. Think your child might need convincing to try something new? Two of the new flavors feature kid favorites Peppa Pig and George Pig on the package. Cerebelly was created by a neurosurgeon and mom of three to deliver age-optimized nutrition to children's growing brains. The bars in the Peppa Pig collaboration are carrot raisin and blueberry banana sweet potato. The bars also come in apple kale and strawberry beet. Read more about the Cerebelly X Peppa Pig Smart Bars.
Available at cerebelly.com, from $3.74 for a five-pack.
Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers from Else Nutrition
This nutritional drink is free of dairy, soy, gluten, corn syrup and GMOs. What it's full of is minimally processed plant-based ingredients, whole foods and 20 vitamins and minerals your child needs to support their growth and development after they turn one. The main ingredients are organic almond butter, organic buckwheat flour and organic tapioca maltodextrin.
BabyPops are a puffed corn and oat snack that's sized just right for tiny hands. This quick-dissolving organic snack contains no added sweetener or salt, and the ingredients are non-GMO. It launched with three yummy varieties: peanut, banana raspberry and tomato. All varieties contain peanut; the peanut version includes organic peanut flour, and the other two are flavored with fruits and veggies.
Nutty Blends from Happy Family Organics combine a fruit with a nut in a tasty pouch, for a healthy, filling snack and an easy way to introduce peanuts and tree nuts to your baby. The line, which was developed with the help of pediatric allergists, comes in four flavors you'll be tempted to try yourself: bananas & almond butter, apples & walnut butter, pears & cashew butter, and bananas & peanut butter.
Learn more and find your nearest store carrying this product at happyfamilyorganics.com, $1.99 per pouch.
Organic Plant-Based Meals from Amara Organic Foods
Add breast milk, formula or water to these shelf-stable, organic, single-serve meal packets for a delicious baby puree, packed with nutrients. Great for kids transitioning to solid foods and quick and easy to prepare on the go, these handy packets come in a variety of flavors, from kale potato veggie mash and peas, corn & carrots to tropical mango and pumpkin & pear.
Available at amaraorganicfoods.com and at grocery stores including Whole Foods and Sprouts.
Organic Banana Mango Puree in a Recyclable Pouch from Gerber
Gerber has launched a recyclable baby-food pouch, so you can feel better about buying the pouches your kids love to eat. The first flavor available in this innovative pouch is organic banana mango puree, a sweet treat packed with potassium and vitamin C. The pouch is completely recyclable through Gerber's national recycling program with TerraCycle.
The nutrient-packed pouches from Serenity Kids sound like fancy restaurant meals. The two newest: pasture-raised turkey with organic pumpkin, sweet potato and beets, and grass-fed bison with organic kabocha squash and spinach. These low-sugar, high-fat pouches for babies six months and up are filled with organic vegetables from small family farms and ethically sourced meats from ranches utilizing regenerative agricultural techniques. Choose from meat and veggie combos, or organic veggies only. The company only uses ingredients that don't contain antibiotics, added hormones, pesticides, fillers, GMOs or major allergens.
Here's a smart snack for toddlers: These nutritious pouches support the immune system and digestive health. In addition to fruits and veggies, the pouches contain 35 mg of beta-glucan and 2g of prebiotic fiber for digestive health. They're available at major retailers nationwide and come in three flavors: bananas, spinach & blueberries; bananas, carrots & strawberries; and pears, beets & blackberries.
Why should we care about regenerative farming? It promotes biodiversity and can help to reverse climate change by building healthy soil that captures carbon from the atmosphere. Healthier soil, healthier food. The Happy Baby Regenerative & Organic line of food pouches debuted with three flavor combinations: apples, kale and oats; pears, squash and oats; and apples and carrots.
Available exclusively at Whole Foods, $8.49 for a four-pack. Learn more at happyfamilyorganics.com.
Babies love pouches, and you'll love that these organic, cold-pressed blends are sustainably grown, certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and full of healthy, organic fruits and veggies. The flavors are grouped by ages and stages, so you can easily find the ones right for your child. Purchase individual flavors as 12-packs, try a variety pack, or sign up for a money-saving subscription.
Horizon Organic has introduced Growing Years organic whole milk, developed in partnership with pediatricians to deliver key nutrients for kids age 1-5. The milk contains DHA Omega-3 for brain and eye health, choline to transport DHA throughout the body, prebiotics that feed good bacteria to the gut, and vitamin D, protein and calcium for growing bones. It's certified organic and produced by pasture-raised cows who are fed an organic, non-GMO diet and are never treated with antibiotics or added hormones.
Available nationwide at select stores for $5.99; use the store locator at horizon.com to find your nearest location.
The veggie-packed baby food pouches from Cerebelly are carefully tailored to nourish baby's growing brain and body. Created by a neurosurgeon mom and a team of medical experts, the purees contain tasty ingredient combinations (such as carrot & chickpea; sweet potato & mango) that deliver protein, omega-3 DHA and the specific nutrients your baby needs for their age and developmental stage. Pick up a three-flavor variety pack at Whole Foods or sign up on the Cerebelly website for shipments every two weeks. On the site, you'll enter information about your baby's age and current developmental milestones, and Cerebelly will recommend flavors that can benefit your babe most. You choose what you like and whether you want 1-4 pouches per day.
Available at Whole Foods and cerebelly.com ($2.31-$2.89 per pouch).
Biodynamic, Organic Pouches & Applesauce from White Leaf Provisions
Environmentally conscious parents will love these new fruit and veggie pouches and applesauce flavors (apple + pear, apple + cinnamon) from White Leaf Provisions. The offerings from this family-run business are both biodynamic and organic. You'll feel good about the delicious snacks you're feeding your kids, as well as the recyclable packaging and earth-friendly farming methods.
Available at whiteleafprovisions.com, $17.94 for a six-pack of pouches and $7.59 for a four-pack of applesauce.
Yummy new flavors of baby food and hearty toddler bowls! Happy Baby Clearly Crafted Jars ($1.25), which feature organic ingredients and the name of the farms where ingredients are grown on each jar, now come in six new flavors: carrots; green beans; carrots & peas; pears & prunes; pears, pineapple & avocado; apples, mangos & beets. The company's Happy Tot Bowls ($2.99) are full of nutritious ingredients and contain no added sugar. The new flavors are: turkey bolognese with lentil pasta, mac & cheese with organic lentil pasta & veggie sauce, and cheesy lentils & quinoa with organic cauliflower & parmesan sauce.
Sprout Foods, known for creating nutritious and delicious food that helps kids get their veggies and other nutrients, is debuting new pouches and snacks for both babies and toddlers. The exciting new offerings include organic waffles, quick-dissolving teething wafers, purees made with organic bone broth protein, four toddler smoothies (made with either yogurt or coconut milk) and two pouches of plant-based protein.
This freeze-dried baby food is packed full of nutrients and other magic: It doesn't expire and is super compact and convenient for travel (even in a carry-on!). To serve, mix the powder with water, breastmilk, formula, milk or broth. Or, for older kids, add the powder to prepared meals to up their health factor. Choose from delicious and nutritious options with clever names, including: Smashing Pumpkins (Japanese pumpkins and carrots), Goldilocks Chicken Congee (millet, barley, koshihikari rice, chicken stock, celery, carrot, bok choy and Japanese pumpkin) and Under the Sardinian Sea (wild sole, Italian white beans, tomato, oregon, basil and avocado oil.
New in January 2019 are Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Veggie Yogurt cups in purple carrot and sweet potato flavors, as well as Kids Whole Milk pouches in new flavors apple cinnamon, sweet potato, and blueberry apple carrot. The baby yogurt cups include no added sweeteners and, like all of their products, are certified organic and free from artificial hormones, toxic pesticides and GMOs. Find the new lines at Target, Publix, Hannafords and many more retailers (find a store near you). Looking for something non-dairy? Try the brand's three new non-dairy fruit and veggie smoothie pouches, made with rich coconut cream as well as half a serving of fruit per pouch. The pouches are available at Whole Foods and come in tropical twist, strawbana smash and berry cherry blast flavors.
Bowls & Bites from Yummy Spoonfuls
Yummy Spoonfuls
Calling all toddlers! Even picky eaters will love the flavor combinations in these bowls (veggie beef, sweet potato & chicken, pinto bean & turkey) and bites (turkey & spinach, chicken & sweet potato, chicken & broccoli). And parents will love that they're nutritious, organic and packed with protein, grains and veggies. And, best of all, they're specifically designed for toddlers' developmental and nutritional needs and don't contain added sugars, artificial preservatives, additives or artificial flavors. Launched in November 2018, the line also features bigger bowls designed for kids age 2 and up.
The academic journal, Science, recently published a study that shows children today will live through three times as many climate disasters as their grandparents. With people around the world concerned about the current climate crisis, it’s more important than ever to have talks with your children about what global warming is and how to slow it down.
Helping Kids Understand the Climate Emergency How do we help our children learn that they can take part in helping slow down climate change? We need to emphasize that small actions can lead to big changes.
First, it’s important to explain to them what climate change is and how it can negatively impact the earth, animals, plants, and our daily lives. This isn’t the easiest thing to do, since even as adults, we struggle to understand what climate change and global warming truly means. Conversations about energy sources and carbon dioxide emissions can be overwhelming to children. Instead, we need to talk about concepts and ideas that are familiar and relatable.
For example, you can talk about global warming in relation to how it affects polar bears. The glacial areas where polar bears live are melting away and getting too warm, making it harder for them to thrive. (The temperature has increased 1.9ºF in the past 100 years, according to NASA, and it will be 8.6ºF hotter by 2100.)
Another example is talking about the rise of ocean waters from the melting ice, which can affect coastal areas where people live or go on vacation. Or pollution occuring in the ocean because of people not recycling is another topic that can be talked about. There is so much trash in the oceans that it is making the animals and plants that live in it get sick. If we recycle, it can help with the amount of trash that enters our oceans.
There are lots of books that can help explain climate change and what we all can do to help. For example: Old Enough to Save the Planet or The Story of Climate Change are great options. You can also teach your children about young environmental activists like Greta Thunberg, who started the international movement #fridaysforfuture.
10 Steps Children and Their Parents Can Do to Help the Environment
Modeling behavior is key. Be the example to your children and show them one person can make a big difference with these easy to do examples:
Turn off computers, televisions, and other devices when not in use.
Save water by taking shorter showers and turning off the water when brushing your teeth.
Use reusable food containers and water bottles at school instead of plastic ones that are used once and thrown away. Let your kids pick out their own special containers and bottles to pack for school.
Turn off the lights after leaving a room. Open a window in the morning to let in colder air instead of turning on the a/c. During colder months, wear warmer clothing and pajamas instead of turning up the heater. Power plants emit a lot of air pollution, so cutting back our energy usage is important.
Recycle. Make it a fun activity for kids by having different colored bins for the different items and make it part of their daily activities.
Reuse. Find items in your recycling bins that can be repurposed for crafts or imaginative play.
Walk or ride a bike instead of driving. It’s a great way to save on gas, get exercise and spend time as a family.
Create a vegetable garden together to help everyone be more excited to eat more vegetables and less meat. #meatlessMonday
Teach them to always put their trash in trash cans or recycling bins. Go for a walk in a neighborhood park or beach and pick up any trash you see! Make it a fun competition and see who can collect the most!
Use cold water when washing laundry and hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer to save energy.
Encourage your children to have these conversations with their classmates and teachers. Have them ask their teacher what they can do at school to help make it part of their daily activities. Always emphasize and praise that their small contributions can lead to big changes that are beneficial for our world.
How Can Lingokids Help Your Kids Understand the Climate Catastrophe At Lingokids, we firmly believe that children learn by example. We want to make a difference and help you raise the children of the future. For example: improving upon their critical thinking about important issues like climate change or their creativity when it comes to thinking about how they can help their neighborhoods.
At Lingokids you can find entire in-game lessons that are focused on protecting the earth. Your child can enjoy games, songs, and traceables while learning about recycling and sustainable habits. Throughout the app, they can also learn about animals and ecosystems all over the world, from the North Pole to tropical rainforests.
By expanding children’s awareness of these environments at an early age, we can set the stage for conversations and then actions around protecting endangered animals and nature conservation.
Sara Mateos-Aparicio is the Communications Manager at Lingokids, an early childhood education platform. Sara studied Journalism in Madrid, writing for years for radio stations and print magazines. Sara has worked for a variety of education startups, most recently joining Lingokids in 2019 to lead their communications initiatives.
You’ve seen them marvel at a simple rock and squeal with delight over a dandelion, so the idea that children have a strong connection to nature is no news to parents. Having a family discussion about the human impact on the environment can be a powerful way for children to take the next step in understanding the importance of protecting Earth—especially when we arm them with solutions. Here’s why caring about the Earth matters for your kids and you.
photo: iStock
Mental & Physical Health Benefits
One of the most tangible arguments for becoming stewards of Earth is the positive impact that nature has on our mental and physical well-being. Many children do not get enough time outdoors, which can make it challenging to draw the more obvious parallels between a healthy planet and healthy people. Jennifer Walsh, a nature connector for people and businesses, describes this as a “nature-deficit disorder.”
With distance learning and parents trying to juggle work and life at home during a pandemic, outdoor play can take a backseat, especially if you don’t have a backyard of your own. As Walsh explains, “Unfortunately because of COVID, studies have shown that young children have spent less time outside, and this disconnection, or nature deficit disorder, is showing that children’s white matter in their brains is not developing properly. This causes delays in learning and even the ability to concentrate.”
photo: iStock
Research has been ongoing for years on the positive effects of nature education for children, with terms like forest bathing becoming part of our everyday vernacular. But what does that mean, exactly?
Spending time outside increases mental clarity and eases anxiety—but it’s not just the fresh air. Walsh describes phytoncides, a chemical released by certain trees, especially conifers like pines and cedars, “It’s an invisible aerosol that the trees emit that helps protect them from bacteria. When we are amongst these trees and inhale those aerosols, it releases something within us called our natural killer cells, which in turn help us ward off disease and illness. This has been studied since the early ’80s.”
photo: iStock
An extensive study conducted by a team of research professionals from the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan found that exposure to the phytoncides over seven days increased anti-cancer proteins in their test subjects and that the increased level of those natural killer cells and proteins lasted for seven days after exposure. That means a walk in the woods has lasting benefits beyond the immediate.
photo: iStock
That’s great news because even if you live in a more urban environment, a nature walk once a week can have big benefits. Taking the kids for a walk in the woods, a park, or a nature preserve is great exercise and good for everyone’s brains. While you are in a beautiful place, take the time to discuss the importance of such places and why we should protect them. Bring along an extra plastic bag to clean up litter, never leave your trash behind, and take lots of time to observe the animals and plants around you. And, of course, take some deep breaths while you are there.
Consequences of Actions aka The Life Cycle of a Plastic Bag
Children love animals—real ones, stuffed toy ones, storybook characters, cartoon animals. Making the connection that something like a plastic bag can threaten animal health is a powerful way for children to understand the long-term repercussions of human actions.
For example, a plastic bag that ends up in the ocean can be mistaken for a jellyfish by a sea turtle. Sea turtles love to eat jellyfish, and so they eat plastic bags which wreaks havoc on their digestive systems. According to The Turtle Hospital, a sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center in the Florida Keys, “Turtles are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat just about anything.” This includes plastic bags, plastic gloves, fishing lines and other errant trash.
We can all help sea turtles—and other sea life—with simple, everyday action that involves recycling, reducing and reusing. This is as easy as using cloth bags, buying products with less packaging, shopping local, especially from local farms. The big one? Get a reusable water bottle. “A plastic water bottle is used for five minutes and is around for 500 years,” the Turtle Hospital writes. “A recent study found that on average our oceans are littered with 47,000 pieces of plastic per square mile!”
photo: iStock
Be mindful of scaring your children or causing increased anxiety by offering straightforward solutions to the problem that they can be part of: We don’t use plastic bags because they can be eaten by sea turtles; we bring reusable bags to the store; can you be in charge of remembering the bags today?
While it may not be the most altruistic of reasons to recycle, reduce and reuse, understanding the concept of “waste not, want not” is a pretty quick one for any kid to grasp. If a box of Ziploc bags costs $5, and you rinse and reuse them instead of needing to buy a new box (or better yet, use a more Earth-friendly option like these) you just saved $5. In a month that’s $20, which is a small fortune to a child.
The Turtle Hospital reminds us that being a responsible consumer is key. “Know where your seafood was obtained and how it was caught.” Because unethical fishing and overharvesting can decimate protected species, not to mention add to the pollution in the ocean, be sure your seafood was caught sustainably. You can check out seafoodwatch.org to learn more.
photo: Christine Lai
Making the connection that how we spend money impacts the environment is a critical stage to understanding why conscious consumerism matters. Factories have to produce more products, causing more by-products and waste; vehicles have to ship these products, which uses fuel and contributes pollution to the environment. These concepts are easy to explain and even easier to put into action when you do simple things like considering the source of your food and packaging.
photo: iStock
Be the Change
Remember, as Reena B. Patel, a well-known parenting expert, positive psychologist, and Licensed Educational Board Certified Behavior Analyst, puts it, “Children are also born with an altruistic approach. This helping behavior seems to be innate because it appears so early and before many parents start teaching children the rules of polite behavior. Young children are concrete learners and model what they see. Clean up toys and cleaning up trash from the ground is a concrete and generalized behavior. To them, it is the same thing. ”
Raising a child that is Earth-friendly, aware of the importance of the natural environment and able to make changes every day with their decisions is one of the most powerful tools parents have today in the face of climate change. But, just like brushing your teeth or trying not to cuss at your neighbors, it’s behavior that we need to model first. So put those cloth bags right by your door, ditch the plastic water bottles, and stop throwing away the old to-go containers you were too lazy to rinse, parents. We know you can do it!
