If your kid’s idea of a good time includes hurtling toward concrete at 81 miles per hour, slurping frozen lemonade, and the occasional long line, skip the local playground and schlep the family out to one of these seven nearby theme parks. Whether they have a soft spot for Big Bird, a sweet tooth, or a need for speed, we’ve rounded up a list of amusement wonderlands that will kick start summer with screams of delight (plus insider tips to help you plan your next adventure).
Editor’s Note: To learn more about the accessibility programs at each of these parks, check out this guide.
Hersheypark More than “just” chocolate, the city of Hershey, PA also draws visitors for its famed amusement park with more than 70 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, the largest water-play structure in the world, live entertainment, games, food, shops, and even a simulated tropical rainforest where visitors learn how cocoa beans grow and are harvested. Ticket purchases include admission to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-through zoo that includes more than 200 animals from five regions of North America. New this year is the Jolly Rancher Remix, an illuminated coaster that randomizes its rides so each experience is unique. Hop onboard and loop through this track six times going forward and backward to different tunes and light shows. You never know which direction it will take! Located about two hours north of the Washington, DC area, the park has three resorts to choose from if you want to make a weekend of it!
Insider Tip: Take a break from park food and make a reservation at The Chocolatier, a family-style restaurant that offers hints of Hershey in lots of its dishes. You’ll find everything from chocolate drizzled potato chips to flatbreads with Hershey’s chocolate balsamic glaze and epic entrees like a Heath Bar crusted salmon and a burger topped with a Reece’s cup!
Six Flags America Boasting more than 100 rides, shows, and the largest water park in the DMV (included in the main park ticket price, no less!), Six Flags America does not disappoint. If you want to hop on one of the park’s epic coasters, like Wild One, Joker’s Jinx, Superman Ride of Steel, Batwing Coaster or Firebird, head there first (lines tend to grow as the day wears on). For a low-key thrills, younger kids will enjoy the classic Looney Tunes Prop Warehouse, a totally enclosed soft play space where they can climb, slide, and meet Bugs Bunny.
Insider Tip: Score 50% off the price of admission by purchasing your tickets online. Use promo code: COKE. Speaking of the classic soft drink, there is a Coca-Cola pavilion for those that want to cool off for free. Grab a sample of soda while your little ones rock out to the onsite DJ.
13710 Central Ave.
Upper Marlboro, MD Online: sixflags.com
King’s Dominion With 400 acres jam-packed with more than 60 rides, 15 roller coasters, live family entertainment—including fun performances by the Peanuts gang and a host of live music shows—AND a 20-acre water park, it just might be worth looking into one of the season pass options at King’s Dominion. The 43 life-size animatronic dinosaurs (including several you can control yourself) at the Dinosaurs Alive! Exhibit is alone worth the visit.
Insider’s Tip: Stay at one of the park’s hotels and you can enjoy a free shuttle to the parks. It will save you $!5 in parking!
Adventure Park USA Saddle up, pardner, for this Western-themed park near Frederick, Maryland—about 40 miles outside of DC. Open year-round, rain or shine, you don’t have to pay admission to enter the park itself. Instead, you purchase a Fun Pass with credits that works like a debit card (you can even add credits to your account online for return visits). With roller coasters, midway games, miniature golf, a classic tilt-a-whirl, go-karts, and a hands-on “mining” experience, you’ll be lucky if your kiddos have enough energy for all of the indoor fun. Yes, there’s more: a virtual reality game, soft playroom, ropes course, laser tag, arcade, bumper cars, and rock wall. We’re tired just typing that.
Insider Tip: If your crew has a wide gap in age, this is the park to hit. With the largest entertainment park in Maryland, the indoor games and arcades will keep the teens entertained for hours letting you help the youngest visitors board low-thrill rides like the carousel.
Dutch Wonderland If you’re on the hunt for the perfect first amusement park for young children, look no further. The park is tailored for children age 7 and younger, and at least seven of the rides are specifically geared toward 1-3 year-olds. Though the park is mostly flat and accommodating to strollers, it is relatively small—which means tiny legs (and short attention spans) can handle it. The Duke’s Lagoon splash area is just enough water excitement for the preschool set, and even the live entertainment strikes the not-too-loud and not-too-scary balance well. Rent a cabana for the day so your tribe has its own private spot in the shade to take a breather!
Insider Tip: Get three extra hours for free! All admission park tickets come with “preview” hours the day before your full-day admission. Between the hours of 3-6 p.m. get to know the park, map out your next day and hop on a few rides before the full day of fun begins!
Sesame Place We’re not gonna lie: nostalgia is half the draw for parents at Sesame Place. Enjoy a buffet meal with Elmo and friends, watch a show or parade, or take a spin on one of the 16 kid-friendly rides (or nine water rides) for a full day of fun with all your favorite neighborhood characters. There’s a soft play room for wee ones, a kid-powered railroad, a carousel, and the all-new Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Roller Coaster. We love and appreciate that Sesame Place has become the first theme park in the world designated as a Certified Autism Center—and, since it’ll require a trek to Philly, you can plan to enjoy the weekend there, too!
Insider Tip: Wake up early and have breakfast with the cast of Sesame Street! Early-bird reservations mean you have access to the park before it officially opens. Bonus: kids under 2 eat free.
Busch Gardens The beautiful landscaping and music playing throughout the park set the tone: this amusement park checks all the boxes. Roller coasters, a virtual reality adventure, bumper cars, kid-friendly rides (plus the Sesame Street Forest of Fun), a skyride, a train, and a huge range of music, animal, and theatrical live shows are just the beginning. Visit Wolf Valley, Lorikeet Glen, Highland Stables, or Eagle Ridge for some up close and personal animal encounters. And bring your appetite—there are restaurants throughout the park and 15 snack locations. You had us at churros!
Insider Tip: Sign up for a VIP Tour of the Verbolten and get early access to the park. Other tours include close encounters with the Clydesdales, a tour of a railroad steam engine, a meet and greet with the Busch Gardens animal specialist and more.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) which is a time to spotlight the AAPI culture and bring awareness to issues that the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities face. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many AAPI businesses have had a drop in sales and many have experienced an increase in racism and hate crimes. Supporting these businesses is a step in the right direction toward combatting systemic racism toward AAPI people, and it helps non-AAPI people understand the communities and their incredible contributions to our society today.
There are many thriving AAPI businesses in your community and online, and we’ve chosen to spotlight a few that we know families will love as much as we do.
Jennifer Tsay is the co-founder and CEO of Shoott, a start-up company that matches you to a photographer in your area. Available in over 50+ cities around the country, simply pick the day that works for you, the location you desire, and a professional photographer will meet you there. Shoott stands out in the crowd when it comes to taking family photos because it’s an uber-affordable option. There’s no session fee; you only pay for what you like ($15 a photo). You’ll get your images within a week, which means you’ll have plenty of time to decide what type of card you want to order.
Founded by Takahiro Kawahara, a father of two based in San Francisco, and taught by his brother in NYC, Artuta is an online art program for kids ages four and up. Kawahara has lived in many different countries with his family and understands the importance of cultural immersion, which is why Artuta teaches kids from all over the world. There are creative drawing classes for kids ages four to six (taught in English and Japanese!), creative drawing and sound art classes for kids seven and up, and even a sound art class for adults! You can buy a class back or individual classes, depending on your preference.
Founder Alex Zagami Ng comes from a long line of business owners. When she opened her shop in Little Italy, it quickly became a favorite for NYC locals and visitors alike. Ng curated a wonderful selection of toys, clothing and books, as well as designed her own line. While she was forced to close her brick-and-mortar location due to COVID, her resilience and determination, not to mention her loyal customers, helped Ng pivot her business angle. Now you’ll find Piccoliny gear online, or if you live in NYC, from these select retailers as well as Saks Fith Avenue in midtown Manhattan.
This family-owned and operated kids’ clothing line is known for its modern and thoughtfully crafted designs. Inspired by their own kids, the owners have over 18 years of experience in the fashion industry; they’re passionate about creating lasting, neutral unisex pieces that can be handed down again and again.
Anyday is the first-of-its-kind cookware line specifically designed to create sophisticated, time-saving, and nutritious meals entirely in the microwave. Founded by Bay Area resident Steph Chen and launched with Momofuku Restaurant Group founder and Ugly Delicious creator David Chang as a Partner, Anyday is on a mission to save people time in the kitchen by demystifying microwave cooking and bringing greater awareness to this misunderstood and underutilized kitchen appliance, which has been championed by notable chefs, award-winning journalists, and health researchers for decades.
Native New Yorker Cynthia Koo is the “founder, designer, and Chief Dimsum Eater” of Wonton in a Million. Cynthia built the company of her dreams by combining her design skills, her love of stationery, and dimsum. The designs are adorable and have resulted in even sweeter collaborations, like this Dimsum Steam Team Life Planner with the brand Erin Condren. Cynthia hopes to inspire people to learn more about the richness of Chinese food and culture.
You know Annie Chun from her iconic line of sauces, noodles, and soups. When she sold the company, it was hard for the entrepreneur to stay away from the food industry. Having grown up near the west coast of central Seoul, Chun was raised eating fresh food from the sea, and gimMe was a way to bring her childhood snacks to a broader market. Chun’s seaweed snacks are the first organic version to be available in the United States, and her efforts have even changed the way Korean farmers harvest their products. You can find gimMe online or in most major retailers including Target. Oh, and did we mention they are delicious?
Happy Masks has always been a family affair. Founder and owner Melinda Hwang’s father was a co-inventor of a powerful nanofiber membrane filter, which, when the SARS outbreak hit in 2003, was used to create a mask with this technology. When COVID hit, Hwang’s mother sent her some of the masks, and the rest is history. Kids love the beak-like shape because it’s easier to talk and even laugh. Other parents and friends started asking for some, and Happy Masks was born!
Born out of a quest to re-focus on self-care, founder Joanna Linton turned to the knowledge passed down from her grandmother to her mother to her; she turned to Chinese herbs called adaptogens, which are known to nourish and restore the body. Her line of teas for moms has something for everyone. There’s one for lactation, one for soothing the belly, one for expecting mamas, and of course, a calming tea, too!
Little Moony is a designer daughter and master tailor mother team. The idea to launch a children’s clothing line was born out of an afternoon watching their niece/granddaughter play in a cute but comfortable dress (which mom had made!). From there, Little Moony has become known for comfortable, well-designed clothes that range from bright and colorful to calm and cool. There’s a brick-and-mortar store in the SOHO neighborhood of NYC, but you can purchase everything from onesies to dress and jogger pants from the website too.
Founders and partners Stephanie and Dennis were on the lookout for high-quality electric products back in 2016, and when they couldn’t find exactly what they wanted, they started their own company! Known for their popular MELLA clock and sleep trainer, they’ve also got WISPI, which is a 3-in-1 humidifier, diffuser and night light!
Founder and CEO Eram Siddiqui launched Hudson and Bleecker when she couldn’t find stylish travel accessories. What started as a single shoe bag has expanded into a line of multi-functional, well-crafted travel accessories. Take a peek at the website, and you’ll find garment bags, cosmetic bags, packing cubes and more.
Ashi Jelinek founded the Luving Company in 2018, when, as a mother of three, she felt the market for healthy, innovative products for kids was sorely lacking. Her zero-sugar enhanced vitamin water has nine essential vitamins and minerals and comes in three different flavors: Flying Fla-Mango, Starstruck Coconut and Peach Me, I’m Orange. It’s a vegan drink, tastes great, and you can order it fromAmazon!
Founders Dayna and Traci love to read, and they love cats! They teamed up to create The Librarian Box, which is carefully curated each month and includes a book with other unique items from small businesses. Past boxes have included fun things like tank tops, jewelry, coffee mugs and candles.
Owners Christina and Stephen are first-generation Vietnamese Americans, who, when they were kids, and even now with two kids of their own, had a hard time finding toys and books that recognize and appreciate other cultures. Ellie & Becks is their response to this void, a personal mission to provide a thoughtfully curated collection of toys and books that connect kids to the world around them. With home goods and toys crafted by global artisans, you will appreciate the attention to detail offered in their online collection.
If you like wine, then you need to check out Guildford Green. Inspired by the village market concept, their wine selection rotates with the seasons. They focus on family-owned wineries, natural wines and wines you can’t find anywhere else. They hope to bring small businesses and small vineyards to a larger audience.
Imagine this: two first-year teachers ended up being roommates, then friends, and then, when life takes them on different paths to becoming moms, they re-connect and create a really cool company that puts the spotlight on Asian American culture with adorable bilingual board books and gear for kids.
This baby gear company is owned and run by twin sisters! Their silicone teethers were an instant hit with the parenting community when they launched in 2015, and since then, they’ve added other chic products made with high-quality materials like pajamas, swaddles, bibs, and more.
CEO and co-founder Christopher Wu wants his customers to find joy not only in the colors, designs and quality of the photo books, cards and announcements created at Paper Culture but in the mission behind them too. The company believes that fight against the climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our generation, and from products made from 100% recycled and eco-friendly materials to green office practices, Paper Culture completely offsets their production carbon footprint And, with every purchase, a tree is planted—to date, the company has planted over one million trees!
Known for her hand-lettering skills and bright color palettes, designer Lauren Hom has nabbed clients like Target, Vans, and Google. You can find her iconic style on everything from gift cards to planners (like this one in collaboration with Erin Condren) to album covers. She even has a book based on her blog, Daily Dishonesty. There are lots of reasons to love Lauren Hom but one of our favorites is that she offers courses both on business strategy and art including mural painting and hand-lettering.
When Lin Chen, a second-generation Asian American, launched Pink Moon, an online beauty site in mid-2020, her focus was on curating exclusively female-founded, sustainable self-care, well-being and lifestyle brands. “Practicing self-care/love has positively changed my life and this is why I want to offer other women the opportunity to experience this, too,” she says. These days Chen runs her business from her office in Midtown East, with hopes of opening a flagship well-care and community site for women through every phase of life.
Rooted may have started out of Ryan Lee and Kay Kim’s apartment in Williamsburg in 2018, but it’s soaring now with a greenhouse in Florida, a Brooklyn team, and a commitment to doing everything through a lens of sustainability. “We’re adamant about doing things as green as possible, even if it’s much harder, for the sake of our environment,” Kim says. The online nursery offers plant subscriptions, as well as one-off orders.
Nothing can bring back a loved one lost in an accident, but a first-of-its-kind Tennessee bill regarding a drunk driving law is one step closer to helping ease the burden.
Passed unanimously in February by Tennessee’s House, Ethan, Haile, and Bentley’s Law (aka HB 1834), “requires a sentencing court to order a defendant who has been convicted of vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide due to intoxication and in which the victim of the offense was the parent of a minor child to pay restitution in the form of child maintenance to each of the victim’s children until each child reaches 18 years of age and has graduated from high school.”
Now, the bill has been signed by the Tennessee Senate and has to just clear the signature of Gov. Bill Lee in order to be law.
Bentley’s Law is a result of mother and grandmother, Cecilia Williams, worst nightmare. In a terrible drunk driving accident, she lost her son Cordell Williams, his girlfriend Lacey Newton and their four-month-old son Cordell II back in April 2021.
The couple left behind two children, Bentley and Lacey Williams when they were rear-ended by a drunk driver with twice the legal limit. Cecilia tells News Channel 9, “They will always remember, this is what I did to the family, you know, and it will sink into them. I can’t do this again. You know, I’m supporting children that aren’t mine.”
State Representative Mark Hall, who sponsored the bill, told The Black Wall Street Times that “It definitely sends a message that drunk driving in the state of Tennessee is no longer tolerated.”
“Those that [drink and drive] will be held accountable.”#Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation that would require a person to pay child support if they are convicted of vehicular homicide of a parent with minor children while drunk driving. https://t.co/fqOIDSLhPe
If the convicted driver can’t pay while incarcerated, they will have one year after prison release to start making child support payments. If they aren’t up to date by the time the children turn 18 they will have to continue to make payments until the full amount has been paid.
According to CBS News, payment amounts will be determined by the financial needs and resources of the child and their surviving parent or guardian. Additionally, the child’s accustomed standard of living will also play a role in configuring the payment amounts.
Now that the law has passed in the House and the Senate, it will go to the Tennessee Governor as the final step. The high-profile drunk driving law has already gained momentum and other states have started considering passing a similar version as well.
When it’s time to hit the road, just say “no” to bland accommodations. These resorts have so much to offer families that you won’t have to plan a ton of off-property excursions. You’ll find stargazing parties, encounters with rescued dolphins, over-the-top themed rooms and so much more. Your family adventure awaits!
Hyatt Regency Maui
Be a Mermaid Hyatt Regency Maui Resort - Maui, Hawaii
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort has something for everyone. Adventurous families can feed the resort’s resident African Black-Footed Penguins in the only habitat in the Hawaiian Islands of its kind. Older kids who want to explore Hawaii's natural beauty can get a closer glimpse at the stunning creatures that surround the resort on a wildlife tour. At night, kids will love the Drums of the Pacific Lu’au. For a unique experience, families can participate in a Tour of the Stars activity led by a NASA Solar System Ambassador. This program earned the resort the title of World’s Top Hotel for Stargazing. Then check out the Hawaii Mermaid Adventure that comes complete with insta-ready GoPro photos.
Whether your child is going through a serious LEGO phase or is more of a casual fan, a visit to the LEGOLAND California Resort is a must-do. Visit the LEGO theme park and splash your way through the water park. Then, head to the LEGOLAND Hotel for even more fun with bricks. Every room features a LEGO theme and kids can choose from Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO NINJAGO or LEGO Friends. Bonus: each has a separate sleeping area for kids. There are even more LEGO activities throughout the hotel as well as nightly kids' entertainment. Similar LEGOLAND resorts are in Orlando, Florida; Goshen, New York and elsewhere around the world.
Give kids the ultimate glamping experience by going Under Canvas. Sleep in a safari-inspired tent in one of several national parks. By day families can enjoy guided hikes, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and a variety of outdoor games. By night, watch outdoor movies and enjoy live music and fireside chats. Another option is always to just kick back and gaze at the stars. Kids will be having so much fun getting back to nature that they may not even miss their screens.
Be Grand at Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun, Mexico
Moon Palace The Grand believes that more is more! Start your day at the immense water park with simulated surfing, a lazy river, a wave pool and elaborate water slides. Then, kids can try their hand at one of the several rooms dedicated to play that include neon mini-golf, a 3-floor labyrinth, arcade, bumper cars, laser maze, a bowling alley, interactive sports, sky trail, mirror maze and more. There is so much to do that you could never leave the resort and still not do it all, but staff can arrange tours of nearby attractions.
Unleash Your Inner Phoenix and the Phoenician - Scottsdale, Arizona
The Phoenician Arizona is the perfect family escape in the Southwest. With multiple pools and a huge, twisty waterslide it's a great way to get in quality time in the lap of luxury. Once kids are ready to get out of the pool, head to The Kids Zone with a treehouse complete with swaying bridge and a splash pad with spray guns, falling buckets of water and shooting water spouts. There is also an indoor Funicians Kids Club with plenty of activities and a full game room.
The Four Seasons Hualali resort in Hawaii has so much to offer that you may never set foot off the hotel's expansive grounds. Go snorkeling with a marine biologist, swim in a 1.8-million-gallon aquarium or watch sea turtles on the beach. If you must see more of Hawaii, the resort can arrange a variety of experiences from tours of nearby farms to a helicopter ride with majestic views of the island's volcanos.
Lots of Laughs at the Cartoon Network Hotel - Lancaster, PA
Fulfill your child's greatest dream and become immersed in the Cartoon Network universe. From Ben-10 and Adventure Time-themed rooms to Powder-Puff Girls water slides, this resort has it all. Of course, lodgings include big-screen TVs with custom Cartoon Network showings, but there is so much to do you won't find yourself spending much time in your room. Enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, outdoor movies, firepits perfect for making s'mores and more. The on-site Cartoon Kitchen features dishes from favorite shows like Total Drama Pizza and Steven Universe's Together Breakfast. If you want to venture out, Dutch Wonderland full of rides of the pint-sized crowd is just down the street.
Graduate Hotels embrace local culture and capture the fun of being in college. These boutique hotels feature game rooms with a billiards table, video games, board games and more. Family suites with bunk beds are a fun way to spend the night and have plenty of space for the entire family to spread out. Some locations have other amenities, like a rooftop pool and bicycle rentals, for even more family fun.
Great Wolf Lodge resorts were designed with kids in mind. From an enormous waterpark to bowling alleys, laser tag, climbing walls, MagiQuest and nightly dance parties there is non-stop action all day long. It's impossible to wander around the lodge without running into a Great Wolf Lodge character meet-and-greet, storytime, yoga or craft. In the summer, head outside to enjoy a large outdoor pool. When it's time to hit the hay, head to a cozy themed room with bunk beds.
Just because you are visiting the big city doesn't mean you can't have fun glamping in your room. Book the Urban Camping package at the Canopy located just outside of the nation's capital for a bug-free glamping experience. Kids will catch some shut-eye in sleeping bags in their very own tent. Set up the star machine and make your own treats with an electric s'mores maker. Once the young campers are snoozing away, parents can retreat to their own king-size bed in the suite to enjoy the included bottle of wine. The only problem is that the kids may not want to leave the room!
Kimptons are stunning, quirky hotels that go the extra mile to welcome families. Each location has its own twist. You will find a fun Little Explorers package at the Kimpton Palomar in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania complete with "kid currency" that can be used to buy warm chocolate chip cookies and milk, insta-print camera to capture a kids'-eye view of the city, a scavenger hunt and coloring book. They even throw in a bottle of wine for the parents! The Kimpton Cardinal in Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a huge recreation room complete with a multi-story twisty slide and bowling alley. It's always worth exploring what a Kimpton Hotel at your destination has to offer.
Beaches Turks & Caicos truly has something for everyone. Kids who are part fish will love the watersports including snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking and more. Other kid favorites are Pirates Island, the resort's expansive waterpark including gigantic waterslides, a long lazy river, kid-friendly pools and swim-up soda bars. Need more? Daredevils can try the water cannons, whirlpools and one-of-a-kind Surf Simulator. Land lovers can choose from activities including beach volleyball, soccer, board games and more. Kids who need a break from their parents can head to Beaches' Kids' Club and hang out with their favorite characters from Sesame Street.
There are, quite possibly, a thousand great reasons why visiting Disney Aulani with kids should be on your bucket list. For starters, there is a man-made reef, filled with fish, on the premises, that was built solely for your snorkeling pleasure. Kids under 11 must be accompanied by an adult but feel free to swim for however long you want to snorkel to and fro. We also love the Painted Sky Studio where your little keiki (Hawaiian for kids) can get made over into a luau boy and girl. If they want to channel a more Disney-like character, they have Ariel from the Little Mermaid, Moana and more traditional Minnie Mouse Buns they can choose as well.
Of course, no visit to a Disney resort would be complete without QT with the big guy himself, so be sure to make reservations for the Disney Character Breakfast. Before sitting at your table, you’ll be able to grab a photo-op with Mickey himself who personally greets each and every guest before they head to their table and take their first bite. Get more info about the Disney Aulani Resort & Spa by checking out our Insider's Guide here.
For many families, visiting Orlando is all about theme parks. But, the themes shouldn't end when you head back to your hotel. Loews Portofino Bay and Loews Royal Pacific has a variety of kids' suites meaning you can be fully immersed in the magic throughout your trip. Whether your kids love Minions or the dinosaurs from Jurassic World, they will be thrilled with their unique vacation digs. After a hard day at the parks, enjoy the resort's beach pool complete with a Roman aqueduct-themed water slide and sandy beach. Look for regular poolside activities including a water balloon toss, hula-hoop contests and arts and crafts.
Swim With the Dolphins at Atlantis Paradise Island - Bahamas
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas is best known for Aquaventure, the resort's iconic water park. With 141 acres of high-speed water slides, a mile-long river ride and 11 swimming pools, everyone will find something they love. But the water activities don't end there. Younger children can participate in Atlantis’ Sea Squirts program where they can hand-feed baby stingrays. Children eight and up can "Snuba"-dive and participate in a safe, modified form of scuba-diving. Families can head to Dolphin Cay where they can swim with dolphins and learn about dolphin conservation, including learning about the dolphins rescued from Hurricane Katrina. For any kid who needs a break from the water, the resort offers tons of other activities, including games, cooking lessons and jewelry making.
Spend the Night in Eloise's Suite at the Plaza Hotel - New York City, New York
In the Eloise Suite, named for The Plaza's famous resident in Kay Thompson's Eloise books, your capricious kiddo will love the outrageous and fun décor by Betsey Johnson. The suite is decorated with an Eloise-approved palette of pink black with her name in big neon lights. Fans will be delighted to find the room stocked with themed books, dolls, and clothing as well as a letter from Eloise, treats and pink lemonade. A night in this one-of-a-kind room includes an Eloise-themed tea, gift bag robe, and other fun Eloise gifts. Just be sure to check the Eloise calendar so you don't miss any opportunity!
Join the Circus at Club Med Punta Cana – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Club Med has been doing the family all-inclusive experience for years, and they've perfected the equation. Possibly the most unique offering is Club Med Circus School, an acrobatic playground for adults and children alike. Trained performers safely challenge, support, and entertain guests as they test the limits of their comfort zones through acrobatic trapeze, suspended bungee and trampoline. More comfortable with your feet on the ground? Club Med Circus School also engages participants in the circus arts, including face painting, choreography and music.
Are your kiddos too little to participate? No worries. The resort offers Baby Club Med, where babes ages four months to 24 months are cuddled, fed and put down for naps (their kind of vacay!). For tots three to four years old there’s Petit Club Med with caretaker-led outdoor play including golf and tennis. Mini Club Med is designed for kids ages four to 10, with sports and activities (a fave is kiddie Zumba).
Enjoy the Ultimate Kids' Club at Iberostar Paraíso Complex—Playa Paraíso, Mexico
Iberostar has completely re-invented what it means to go to a kids' club. Star Camp is inspired by the Scout movement and incorporates the theory of multiple intelligences. The new program combines fun with core values and includes a range of activities (over 140, based on age!) that utilize and cater to the different ways kids learn: linguistic, musical, interpersonal, mathematical, naturalistic and more. There are 12 different categories including team sports, group challenges, science and cooking activities, board games, arts, crafts, physical leisure and even tech!
Star Camp is cheerfully designed, with many sustainable features, including the outdoor playground made of recycled plastic. There’s an indoor climbing/play structure, puzzles, crafts, Imagination Playground blocks for little kids and a mini trampoline park, climbing wall, lounge chairs and video games for the older crew. Find out more by checking out our insider's guide here.
Hotel perks have reached new heights at the Limelight Hotel, located in the Snowmass Base Village Plaza. The plaza is home to an open-air community space where families ice skate (in the winter only), enjoy fire pits, pop-up activities, and casual dining. But even cooler, kids of all ages can also try their skills on the rock climbing wall that adorns the front of the hotel all year long. Six stories up, it's a great way to hang around when not on the slopes or hiking.
Bonus: There's also a kid's room for younger guests inside the Limelight: you'll find toys, books and maybe a new friend or two.
Hang with the Birds at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino in Palm Beach, Aruba
When you visit the Hilton Aruba in Palm Beach, Aruba, you'll have access to a long list of kid-friendly amenities, including the daily bird interaction, where guests can have an encounter with the resort’s 11 macaws, and the snorkeling instruction that’s perfect even for beginners. There’s a waterproof library for pool lounging opportunities, a family movie night on the South Pool deck, s’mores and campfire night and even stargazing! If you’re still looking for more, check out their endless list of wellness activities including ping pong, bocce ball and paddleboarding for the older set (16 & up).
If there’s one thing we can’t stop talking about, it’s Bruno. Despite Encanto‘s direction to not talk about him, the catchy song has wormed its way into our hearts and our ears.
On a recent appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show, Lin-Manuel reflects on his surprise that “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is the hit taking the world by storm. “Group numbers never are the hit. The group number is the thing theatre kids like, but no one else likes, because they get to sing it at their cast party. And now we have this group karaoke number.”
Much to the dismay of parents across the globe, no one can get enough of any of the Encanto songs––but now there’s a solution. Say hello to Encantix.
“Head of Research at Bruno Pharmaceuticals,” Miranda shares about the new and “only prescription medication to curb your craving for the Encanto soundtrack,” Encantix. From the makers of Frozac comes the first of its kind pill that doesn’t go in your mouth!
Just insert one in each ear and take a break from the “sonic delights of National Treasure Lin-Manuel Miranda.”
Don’t miss the special warning that “Encantix is not intended for use to curb Hamilton, Moana or any other Disney musical,” and be sure to give your doctor a call if you keep talking about Bruno for more than four hours.
While the commercial is most definitely a spoof, there’s a reason we can’t get the colorful musical out of our heads! Encanto is making major waves in the film industry, already taking home a BAFTA award, Art Director’s Guild award, a Golden Globe, Hollywoods Critics Association award for Stephanie Beatriz, an NAACP Image award and several more.
There’s sure to be more to come, with the film already being nominated for several Academy Awards, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, Satellite Awards and a Producers Guild of America Award.
One things for certain, there will be plenty of talk about Bruno until award season is over.
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
Looking for ways to celebrate Black History Month in NYC? We compiled the following list of NYC museums, cultural institutions, monuments and more that celebrate and honor the history, culture and talents of Black Americans year-round, as well as special events and exhibits taking place to celebrate 2022’s Black History Month. (Many are free to visit, see and attend.) Read on for ideas of places in NYC to see with kids during Black History Month—or any month!
Black History Month 2022
Bronx
Black History Month at the New York Botanical Garden
All month long NYBG is hosting events in-person and online for kids and adults. Children's programming includes storytelling at the Everett Children's Adventure Garden and activity time to discover the cultural influences of the African Diaspora and reinforce the importance of green space and caring for the natural world.
Black Future Festival at Brooklyn Children's Museum
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Join BCM for a week of reflection and future-forward fun inspired by the national celebration of peoples of the African Diaspora and Black History Month. With the help of a curator from Àṣẹ Dance Theatre Collective, the museum will present interactive dance performances and a Genea-Djali workshop, plus storytelling inspired by Crown Heights, quilting and genealogy workshops, local eats and much more. Tickets must be reserved in advance.
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.
Opens February 23, Wed-Sun., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 1280 5th Ave. East Harlem 201-371-3550 Online: mofad.org
The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure
The National Jazz Museum in Harlem
Coinciding with Black History Month, Walt Disney’s regional jazz exhibit, “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure,” will open at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem on Feb. 10. Kids will recognize Joe Gardner – the musician, mentor and teacher from Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” – on a tour as they discover the rich and surprising history of jazz. The exhibit was Introduced at The American Adventure inside EPCOT at Walt Disney World, and illustrates the many different cultures and creators who influenced this evolving genre. While in Harlem, the exhibit will include a unique collection of artifacts curated by The National Jazz Museum, including a player piano, a working 78rpm Victrola and Duke Ellington’s white grand piano. Additionally, there will be maquettes of characters Joe Gardner and Dorothea Williams, and virtual experiences via the Play Disney Parks app.
Tickets: Free. Tickets must be reserved in advance. Feb. 10-Aug. 31, 2022 Thurs.-Sat., Noon-5 p.m. National Jazz Museum in Harlem 58 W. 129th St. Online: jmih.org
It's an amazing thing that you can visit legend Louis Armstrong's house in Queens, and in honor of Black History Month the museum is offering a special tour highlighting Armstrong’s relationship to civil rights in America from February 10 26. The Armstrong Archival Collections, which are among the most significant Black archival collections in the world and the largest single jazz archives in the world, document Armstrong’s life as a seminal figure in the histories of civil rights, social justice, African-American culture, music, and film. Get tickets for that tour ($12-15/person) here.
Open Thurs. - Sat. Tickets: $12-15/person; free/kids five and under Louis Armstrong House Museum 34-56 107th St. Corona 718-478-8274 Online: louisarmstronghouse.org
Founded in 1914, the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem has been a major cultural force and venue for American music and artists, showcasing genres such as jazz, R & B, gospel, soul and hip-hop. Its world-famous amateur night began in 1934, with many future legends taking the stage early in their career. Other giants of music and entertainment who have performed here include Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Sarah Vaughn and Billie Holiday.
Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling
Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling
Located in the neighborhood that served as the heart of the Harlem Renaissance, the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling works to provide children with the opportunity to see and talk about art, as well as make art from their own stories. The museum seeks to support kids challenged by poverty by fostering creative and cognitive skills that prepare children for social and academic success.
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is dedicated to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. The research library also hosts public programs and exhibitions, as well as events such as the popular Black Comic Book Festival. Check out the Center’s Black Liberation List for Young Readers.
515 Malcolm X Blvd. (135th St and Malcolm X Blvd.) Harlem 917-275-6975 Online: nypl.org/locations
Founded in 1968, The Studio Museum Harlem is the nexus for artists of African descent locally, nationally, and internationally and for work that has been inspired and influenced by Black culture. While it is currently closed, you can see more about its educational and community engagement programs here.
The Shabazz Center facilitates thought exchange around racial equity, justice, and cultural production in the spirit of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, his wife. The building was previously known as the Audubon Ballroom, and is where Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965. (The current center opened in 2005 after significant renovation and restoration.)
Founded by trailblazer Alvin Ailey in 1958 with the goal of celebrating black culture through dance, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues that tradition today. In addition to performances by its repertory companies, the theater offers workshops and classes for kids as young as two years old.
405 W. 55th St. Midtown 212-405-9000 Online: alvinailey.org
The largest and earliest African burial ground in the United States and a National Historic Landmark, the African Burial Ground dates from the middle 1630s to 1795. Discovered in 1991 during the construction of a building at 290 Broadway, it was determined to contain, over six acres, the intact skeletal remains of as many as 15,000 enslaved and free Africans. The site is now home to a public monument, where remains of more than 419 Africans are interred; an interpretive center, and research library to honor and commemorate the lives of enslaved and free Africans in colonial New York.
26 Wall St. Financial District 212-238-4367 Online: nps.gov
Before the land became part of Central Park, the area between W. 82nd and W. 89th Streets was home to Seneca Village, a predominantly Black Community. Built on what was previously farmland, Seneca Village existed from 1825 to 1857 and was exceptional in that about half of its Black residents owned their homes, which also provided a pathway to voting rights. You can take a virtual tour of Seneca Village here.
Between W. 82nd & W. 89th Streets Central Park Upper West Side Online: centralparknyc.org
A Great Day in Harlem Stoop
Wikimedia CC
On August 12, 1958, 57 jazz musicians gathered at 10 a.m. on a stoop in Harlem for what would be one of the most iconic images in music history. Among the giants of the form were Count Basie, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Thelonious Monk, Lester Young and Mary Lou Williams.
You can find two statues of the famous abolitionist, writer, orator and publisher in New York City. One, at the entrance to the New York Historical Society (you’ll find Abraham Lincoln at the other entrance) and a second near the northwest corner of Central Park. Find the eight-foot Gabriel Koren piece at Frederick Douglass Circle at 110th Street and Eighth Avenue.
170 Central Park West at 77th Street Upper West Side 212-873-3400 Online: nyhistory.org
Frederick Douglass Circle 110th Street and Eight Avenue Harlem Online: nycgovparks.org
This impressive tribute to composer, jazz musician and bandleader can be found at the northeast corner of Central Park at 110th Street and Fifth Avenue. Rendered in bronze by sculptor Robert Graham, the groundbreaking talent and longtime Harlem resident stands next to a grand piano, and the monument measures 25-feet-high.
Duke Ellington Circle 110th Street & Fifth Ave. Harlem Online: nycgovparks.org
Find this powerful bronze statue of trailblazing abolitionist Harriet Tubman at Harriet Tubman Square, located at the intersection of Frederick Douglass Boulevard, St. Nicholas Avenue and 122nd Street. Also known as "Swing Low", the sculpture is by Alison Saar. The figure of Tubman is shown pulling the roots of slavery out of the ground with faces on her dress representing the people she helped gain freedom through her work as the leader of the Underground Railroad.
Located in Central Brooklyn, Weeksville was one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America. Weeksville is home to the Hunterfly Road Houses, which were purchased by James Weeks and other investors in 1838 to create a community of Black land-owners, and you can visit them today. The Weeksville Heritage Center works to educate the public about Weeksville and similar communities, as well as serve as a center supporting Black culture, community and creativity and social justice initiatives.
Named for Brooklyn-born Shirley Chisholm, the first African American Congresswoman and the first woman and African American to run for President, this New York State Park is a waterside green space that opened in TK. Rising 130 feet above sea level, the park provides visitors with spectacular views of New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay, the Empire State Building and beyond. The park has 10 miles of bike trails and a bike loaner program, waterside access via a pier and patio, environmental education programs such as guided bird-watching and fishing.
Built in 1849 and located in Brooklyn Heights, the historic Plymouth Church was a major stop on the Underground Railroad, sometimes referred to as its "Grand Central Depot." Its first minister was abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher, brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe author of her anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. Abraham Lincoln also visited and worshipped here in 1860—apparently he sat in pew 89!
The building at 227 Duffield Street in downtown Brooklyn is also an important place in New York's anti-slavery movement. Dating to the mid-19th century, the former residence of abolitionists Thomas and Harriet Truesdell is located on what is now called "Abolitionist Place." The area was a center of anti-slavery activism, containing numerous safe houses and stops on the Underground Railroad. Just this month, it received landmark status.
The world-renowned instrumentalist and vocalist Louis Armstrong AKA “Satchmo” settled in Corona, Queens with his wife Lucille in 1943, and never left. His home, now a National Historic Landmark, has been preserved in all its mid-century glory, and you can learn more about the man, his music and humanitarian work here.
Located in Staten Island, Sandy Ground is the oldest continuously inhabited free Black settlement in the United States. Established by oystermen who migrated from Maryland fleeing restrictive laws, the community also served as a crucial stop on the Underground Railroad. The Historical Society stages exhibits, events and offers tours, and contains the largest collection of documents detailing Staten Island’s African-American history and culture.
Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and if you don’t have time to research date night hot spots (and who does?), we’ve got the goods on some seriously swoon-worthy rendevous locales. Whether you only have a few hours or you can turn it into a weekend getaway, we’ve included some tried and true faves. Read on to find some of the most romantic spots in San Diego, then call the sitter!
Make dinner a truly grand affair at San Diego's "it" restaurant, Animae. The 5.5 million dollar pan-Asian restaurant sprawls across 9,300 square feet and the ambiance is opulent and seductive. If you go on Valentine's Day, they offer a four-course menu for $128/person. Dining here any day of the year will feel like a romantic retreat. Order up a Yin or Yang martini and let the evening unfold at this luxurious escape.
969 Pacific Hwy. San Diego CA, 92101 619-432-1225 Online: animaesd.com
With a mix of man-made and natural beauty, plus the right temps and low winds, San Diego is the perfect spot to float up, up, and away while watching the sunset over the coastline! Hot air balloon rides are a spectacular way to celebrate a special occasion or to see the city from a unique vantage point. Choose to check out the coast or the Temecula wine region and make some memories to last a lifetime!
Compass Balloons 1969 Villa Cardiff Dr. Cardiff, CA 92007 760-704-7407 Online: compassballoons.com
That's amore! If Italian cuisine is your fave, lunch or dinner at Cesarina is a must. Owner Niccolo Angius recently moved to San Diego from Rome, opened this glorious pasta haven, and named it after his wife. Here you'll find a pasta-making station where you can observe fresh pasta being crafted to perfection all day long. Select your favorite pasta shape and your favorite sauce, dig in, and you'll feel like you've just taken that jaunt to Italy you keep dreaming about.
We live in a world-class city, so why not enjoy world-class accommodations! If you have a night to yourselves, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is an old Hollywood-type resort that will take your breath away. Enjoy golf or tennis or just relax your day away at one of the four heated pools (the relaxation pool is adults only). Book a luxury suite that includes a private fireplace and incredible views of the resort. This hotel is all about the R&R, so rest, relax and recharge!
Fairmont Grand Del Mar 5300 Grand Del Mar Court San Diego, CA 92130 858-314-2000 Online: fairmont.com
Pair breathtaking ocean views with coastal cuisine and you'll be riding the wave of romance while dining at Cusp in La Jolla. Tables at this romantic eatery are designed for two and perfectly poised to take in the scenic vista while dining on ceviche, the fresh catch of the day, and their decadent Chocolate Crunch Bar dessert. Cusp gives new meaning to the phrase "table for two" with their attention to detail to create an unforgettable dinner out.
7955 La Jolla Shores Dr. La Jolla, CA 92037 858-551-3620 Online: cusprestaurant.com
Feel like dressing up and listening to some great live music? Prohibition Bar can whet your whistle and bend your ear in a very 1920's fashion. You can find the bar behind an unassuming law office door and then enter the dark and cozy speakeasy for an unforgettable night out. The dress code is enforced, so leave the flip-flops at home!
Prohibition Bar 548 5th Ave. San Diego, CA 92101 619-501-1919 Online: prohibitionsd.com
Dine under the stars at the gorgeous Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant. The ambiance, complete with olive trees and expansive gardens is reminiscent of the Mediterranean coastline––but it's right here in Rancho Bernardo. Enjoy tuna tartare and Seared Diver Scallops and share the bread pudding for dessert. Arrive early to warm up your evening with a cocktail by the fire.
A horseback ride on the beach isn't just for the cover of romance novels, at Surfside Ranch, they offer beachside rides on gentle horses. Trot through the waves while watching the sunset and breathing in the fresh ocean air.
Surfside Ranch 2225 Hollister St. San Diego, CA 92154 619-443-3517 Online: surfsideranch.com
Coasterra
Found Creative Studio
This Mexican-inspired restaurant sits at the tip of Harbor Island and offers one of the best views of the San Diego skyline anywhere in the city. Modern decor inside and out, with a full menu of cocktails and special margaritas, ensure your evening gets off to the right start. For dinner, start with Ceviche Clasico, featuring local seafood, or oysters on the half shell. Top entrees include the roasted squash tamales and chili agave pork ribs. If you've saved room for dessert, indulge in the churros or brownie tres leches.
What's more romantic than sailing into the sunset? Even if the idea of rockin' & rollin' on the high seas doesn't appeal to you, the San Diego Bay offers a smooth and carefree time on the water. Private sunset sails are available on the Sail San Diego fleet of yachts, so grab your boat shoes and hop on board!
Sail San Diego 2646 Shelter Island Drive San Diego, CA 92106 619-297-7426 Online: sailsandiego.com
If white linens and valet parking aren't your thing, but you still want a romantic setting for dinner, Cordiano Winery in North County is a great option. The menu is low-key: wood-fired pizzas, salads, and breadsticks. But it's a winery, so the romance comes as soon as you pour your first glass of cabernet. Most wines are from California and can be purchased by the glass or bottle. Come at sunset for stunning views of the vineyard and surrounding San Pasqual Valley.
15732 Highland Valley Rd. Escondido, CA 92025 760-469-9463 Online: cordianowinery.com
Moms are teachers, healers, chefs, doctors, sleep-consultants, chief story officers, entertainment executives, and food sources, and that’s usually just before noon. And above all else, moms are inventive. Like the moms in this story who are all are ground-breakers in the field of wellness. From chemical-free products to Black maternal health care to kids’ mental health, these amazing mompreneurs are here to heal the world, one kid, and one mama, at a time. Scroll on to see what they’ve invented.
Addressing the Disparity in Black Maternal Health: MaeHealth
Moved by the current racial and social climate and struck by the experiences of loved ones—primarily women of color—who have felt inadequately supported through their pregnancy experiences, Maya Hardigan, a Brooklyn-based mom of three, was moved to use her nearly two decades of experience in healthcare to found MaeHealth. With the goal of expanding access to pregnancy and postpartum resources for Black women who experience deep disparities in maternal health outcomes, she created this online destination to support pregnancy and postpartum health, providing symptom tracking and curated, culturally specific education and lifestyle resources for Mae mamas. A key goal of Mae's is to provide Black women access to local maternal health experts like doulas, who are known to improve pregnancy satisfaction and outcomes.
We already love mom-founded Mighty + Bright for their books and calendars that help support kids and families through tough times including divorce, cancer, and major change. During the pandemic, Mighty + Bright founder Sara Olsher was distressed by the lack of mental health resources for kids, especially amid a flurry of warnings from pediatric mental health organizations about a "national state of emergency for kids mental health." Olsher partnered with parenting educator Danielle Bettmann, and together they designed a 12-month "Kids Mental Health Skills at Home" program. Based on scientific research and backed by an impressive advisory board, the program is designed to create a positive foundation for kids' mental health. With a combination of a physical product delivered to your home every month and easy-to-follow parent support, Mighty + Bright has once again made it easy for families to build the necessary skills for handling life's toughest stuff.
It didn’t sit right with her when Melissa Bowley’s doctor told her that her postpartum bladder leakage just “came with the territory” of being a mom of two. Her doctor did not offer her wellness services or introduce her to pelvic floor therapy. And so, the Flourish Fund was born, the first-ever experiential baby registry where parents can register for support services and wellness items, from pregnancy to parenthood. New and expecting parents can register for services through a vetted network that includes lactation consultants, sleep consultants, pelvic floor therapy, and prenatal and postpartum yoga. There are also products that support wellness for baby and mama, including sleep machines, developmental toys, and more.
Guardian Lane sources counselors and therapists from around the world who take in-person therapeutic activities and turn them into self-guided videos so for families, children, and even school counselors, have access to coping mechanisms designed with children in mind. After leaving her first tech startup which she and her husband built, Guardian Lane founder Kristina Jones found herself reflecting on her childhood grief: Kristina was just seven years old when her father died, and she never received professional help to help her process this trauma. Kristina wrote a book, My Forever Guardian, about a group of young friends who help one another after the death of a loved one or a pet. While researching the book, she discovered that the kind of mental health services available for grieving families still involved in-person visits. She created Guardian Lane as a way to bring grief counseling and help directly into a child’s home. Guardian Lane started with grief counseling from the death of a loved one, but the platform will soon help children through other life experiences such as divorce, bullying, and the mental-health effects and stress of COVID in our children’s lives.
Developed by two moms, Stacey Graham and Brandi Vanderbeek, and their natural-born awareness of the germs and bacteria brought into the home, TAG (Together Against Germs™) is a biodegradable, disposable, and waterproof protective cover for the bottom of any bag. Designed to keep dirt and germs from the ground and surfaces, from public transportation to airports to restrooms, and even muddy fields, TAG is more relevant now in the time of COVID than ever. As Graham and Vanderbeek put it, “TAG is the accessory you never knew you needed for the problem you didn't know you had. Spread joy, not germs!” Sold in boxes of 10, the individually wrapped bags fit easily into a purse or pocket so you have it on the ready.
This mama-owned and operated new postpartum recovery subscription includes doctor-reviewed products and content designed to meet a women’s needs throughout the postpartum period, from birth recovery to hair loss. Think vitamins, recovery and energy tonics, scalp serum, body butter, nipple balm, and organic teas. Anya was founded by Jane Baecher, a mom of two who lived a rollercoaster postpartum journey while working at Rent the Runway, along with Ariana Saunders, a former senior leader of data and analytics for goop, One Kings Lane, and J. Crew. Their Chief Impact Officer is an Indian actress and new mom Freida Pinto, who leads social impact and advocacy for women’s postpartum health.
Founded by mom and inventor Davielle Jackson, Femi Secrets has become the most trusted, healthy, sustainable, and innovative source for feminine care. Davielle, the mother of a beautiful little girl, is on a mission to normalize period discussion and empower women to have real talk about their cycles and the products they use so they can make healthier, more informed decisions. Femi Secrets products include the Pretty Panty (a panty with a built-in linter), pads, liners, wipes, bath bombs, fibroid tea, and more. Davielle is a powerhouse unto herself, making entrepreneurial history by entering into Wal-Mart in a record period of six months. She is an award-winning entrepreneur, a two-time 43 North Startup Competition winner, author of Ready, Set, Go! and founder of “I am #1”, a not-for-profit dedicated to the success of young women.
Founded by mom Vanessa Dawson, Arber is the first-of-its-kind organic, non-toxic plant wellness company. Like so many of us, Dawson turned to gardening to cope with all of the stress of parenting in a pandemic. She was surprised at just how hard it was to find non-toxic, safe, organic products that she could use to ward off diseases and pests on her plants both indoors and out. She founded Arber to meet that need. Arber provides people-, pet-, and planet-safe products in concentrate form delivered right to you. Choose from products like fungicides, insecticides, and plant food, all designed to keep your plants, and you, healthy and happy.
Founded and owned by businesswoman, entrepreneur, and mom Zhena Muzyka, Magic Hour is a luxury tea brand that creates handmade, home-blended teas chosen to connect you to the world through tea ceremony. Muzyka, a former TV and radio host, is an intuitive herbalist, certified aromatherapist, a Level 3 Reiki Master, and the author of Life by the Cup: Inspiration for a Purpose-Filled Life. Drawing on her deep knowledge of herbal medicine and tea blending, each magical tea blend is curated to support mental and physical wellness, along with awareness and connection.
“I believe self-care is an art form like painting, poetry and dance,” says founder of SPARITUAL and mother of two, Shel Pink. SPARITUAL, a pioneering, sustainable, vegan beauty brand is based in the rituals of self-care, something we all know moms need more of. Pink is also the author of Slow Beauty and is an expert in finding those moments in which we can practice little self-care and wellness rituals. And, as Pink puts it, “When practiced over time, these small rituals add up to manifest results—not only feeling healthier and more joyful but in realizing true beauty and timeless aging.” The brand itself is committed to creating clean, non-toxic products for both individuals and spa professionals, and SPARITUAL’s is rooted in both the ancient and present healing traditions of the spa as self-care. Sign us up!
After having her third child, Michele Henry searched for skincare treatments that could support her changing skin, the shift in hormones, age, pregnancies, and life. And as much as she wanted to, as a busy mom, she couldn’t exactly fit multiple spa visits a week. It seemed no matter how much time, and money, she spent, nothing seemed to work. This is why she created FACE FOUNDRIÉ a walk-in spa and skincare service, which offers mini-facials, facial waxing, lash extensions, and an array of curated, custom skincare products. There are now locations throughout the country, and you can shop the products online.
As a childhood leukemia survivor and mother of three (including one with multiple learning disabilities), Tonya Harris has dedicated her life to helping parents learn how toxins in the home can affect their family’s health. In addition to Board certification and a Master's degree in holistic nutrition, she holds multiple certificates in the environmental health field. She created the Slightly Greener Method™ as a way of offering busy moms simple solutions to reduce toxins without turning their lifestyle upside-down. She is also the author of The Slightly Greener Method: Detoxifying Your Home Is Easier, Faster, and Less Expensive Than You Think.
Founder and mother, Narineh Bedrossian, created the ella+mila brand in 2014 out of necessity — she wasn't finding nail-care products that her daughters could safely use; everything was made with unpronounceable and harmful chemicals. Not only do they make nail care products, but they also now make makeup and body care products all made without parabens, phthalates, lanolin, formaldehyde, Xylene, Triphenyl Phosphate, and other toxic additives There’s more than 22o nail shades, and we’re betting you’ve seen them at Target, Ulta, Rite-Aid, CVS, Walgreens or on Amazon. Now you’ll know that ella+mia is mom-founded and has your family’s well-being at heart.
Keeping Kids Hydrated: Water Your Body, Water Your World
Amber Tamar Harris
As a parent of a two-year-old baby girl mom, Amber Tamar Harris found getting her to drink enough water a daily struggle. So she decided to write a book, Water Your Body, Water Your World, to help her own daughter, and other kids, understand the importance of water and why it is so beneficial. From taking a bath and brushing our teeth to sustaining life on the planet, when we celebrate water it puts kids in the mindfulness mindset from an early age: one sip at a time!
When Stephanie Boone's beloved dog, Luna, began suffering from devastating side-effects caused by pesticide poisoning caused by commonly prescribed monthly flea-and-tick medication and quarterly pest control services, Luna's vet recommended putting her down. In Stephanie's own words, "That was just not an option." Her research led her to the shocking discovering that Luna's story was not unique and that there were many common household and pet pesticides that were toxic. So, she founded Wondercide, making safe and effective pest protection for pets, humans, and homes. Six years later, on the day Luna passed away, Stephanie was invited to be on Shark Tank. Wondercide is now the leader in non-toxic pest protection, making products that are naturally derived, DEET-free, have no harsh chemicals, and are safe and effective. In addition, Wondercide is a Green America, gold-certified business for high standards in social and environmental impacts and all their products are made with biodegradable and recyclable packaging. Once pet-parent, now busy mom, Stephanie's story will inspire us all!
When it came time for Kiley Taslitz Anderson to transition her first son from breastmilk to formula, her pediatrician recommended "any" probiotic. But what was the best one? It turns out, there really wasn't one: so she decided to help invent one herself. Jetson's probiotic for kids, Jettie offers clinically proven probiotic strains for kids and babies, in an easy-to-take, flavorless powder that can be mixed in with any food or drink. In addition, Jetson is now offering a new Gut Recovery for Kids which helps combat side-effects from antibiotics, including replenishing the good bacteria. replenish the good bacteria and combats uncomfortable side effects like nausea and diarrhea as a result of antibiotics.
When Krystn Keller discovered her son Elliot was born with severe eczema and over 50 allergies, she knew it would take special care to combat outbreaks. After all the recommended soaps failed to help, she decided to try making a gentler soap herself. Keller had no prior experience making soap, so she spent hours watching tutorials and experimenting in her own kitchen. After three months, she made the perfect batch. Soon after, Keller and her husband started Keller Works to help the scores of other people looking for hypoallergenic soap. Now, her Mobile, Alabama-based business serves people all over the country, employs local residents, and sells raw and refined products that include soaps, body butters, salves and essential oils.
When Arizona mom Cindy Trevizo took her kids to a restroom in a public park and found an empty soap dispenser, she’d had it. Tired of a lack of ways to keep kiddos hands clean, Cindy, a former elementary school teacher, and her husband, Gabe, set out to solve the problem. So, they invented Suds2Go, the first dual-purpose water bottle that allows you to both hydrate and wash your hands. The patented design includes a refillable container, a pump, and separate valves for drinking and rinsing to avoid contamination. Now you can have clean hands, wherever you are!
Jaime Cross worked in corporate banking for years but left to be home with her newborn son. Two years later, she couldn't staunch the desire to build an empire that had a worldwide impact and was powered by purpose. In response, she founded and launched MIG Living, a True Beauty movement focused on restorative products, health and wellness. In addition to her best-selling ritual cleansing bars, MIG Living sells oils, lotions bars, balms and even men's products.
Carolyn Harrington was thrilled to welcome her first baby girl into the family after having two boys. But when they discovered Maty was born with major heart defects and Harrington was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, she knew there had to be better options than modern medicine. So, she began researching natural ways of healing and found a new passion. She created Maty’s natural and organic whole food health alternatives in her own kitchen after researching natural and alternative health. She relied on old-time remedies and used ingredients from her own kitchen, turning them into health promoting agents. Now she sells complete lines of products for babies, kids and adults everywhere!
Kori Estrada was on a mission to eliminate scary chemicals found in everyday products like toothpaste from her home. When she had a hard time finding a natural replacement for her oral care products that she actually enjoyed and that worked, she and her husband, John Estrada, along with her brother, Dr. Derek Gatta DMD MS FACP started formulating oral care products backed by science and that were safe enough to eat. With main ingredient, hydroxyapatite, a natural mineral that makes up 90% of tooth enamel, RiseWell was on its way. Launched in May 2019, the company is now bringing to market "the safest and most effective oral care products."
Joy Elena's family has been in the mattress business for over 50 years. Taking her knowledge in the mattress industry, IT, marketing and PR she took a leap and created her own bed in a box brand, after giving up a prior venture doing the same thing back in 2003. The mom of two now runs Sleepenvie, a company that offers high-density foam mattresses with optimal structural support, which means mattress reliability and longevity. The end result is an amazing and comfortable mattress that lasts.
After having her first child, Carolyn Ellspermann became very conscious of the products and ingredients she used on her family. She shifted to using more organic, natural and clean products, but ended up avoiding bug spray all together because of the harsh aerosol chemicals. Natural products didn't bring the confidence that they were actually providing enough protection, especially when it came to Zika, West Nile and Lyme disease. In 2016, Ellspermann started to work on a new kind of insect repellent that was both safe and extremely effective at repelling disease-carrying insects, and Proven Insect Repellent was born. The safe products use Picardin as long-lasting and non-hazardous bug repellent that gives parents peace of mind and pesky bugs away from kids.
Online Destination For All Things Postpartum: Bodily
Bodily
After having her first child, Tovah Haim was startled to find the lack of information, poor products and the "taboo" nature surrounding birth and recovery. In response, she launched Bodily, a modern approach that supports women, partners and anyone else with resources, products and research to navigate the postpartum period. Currently, Bodily's shop carries Birth Boxes, breastfeeding supplies, belly support and mesh undies.
Becky and six-year-old daughter Lola Vandenbroek founded Girlpalooza as a safe way to play "dress up" with bath and beauty products. The two set out to create products free from harmful ingredients like parabens, mineral oils and talc. In addition, Girlpalooza products are vegan, come with empowering scents and messaging and a portion of each sale go towards charities that support young girls.
Two years ago, when mom of four and health coach Melissa Evans’ daughter came down with a sore throat, Melissa wished there was something she could provide to soothe her kiddo. That’s when she noticed there were no options that she felt comfortable with. Cough drops and lozenges posed a risk for choking and, for the most part, contained chemicals like artificial colors, flavors and ingredients. She then came up with the idea for a worry-free, healthier, effective and fun alternative for kids. Lolleez are available at Target, CVS, Stop & Shop, Kroger and on Amazon! Lolleez come in packs of 15 pops: Watermelon, Strawberry, Orange Mango and a Variety Pack for a suggested retail price of $6.99.
Jennifer Holland had her “aha!” moment at the doctor’s office with her young son. It led her to create Throat Scope—the world's first illuminated tongue depressor that lights up the entire throat and mouth. Her invention is not only popular, in 2017 it won silver at the Edison Awards in New York for her innovation. This mama always dreamed of inventing something that would make the world a better place and she’s achieved that goal: she’s on a mission to educate families on how to recognize the signs of oral cancer or detect a sore throat, strep throat, thrush, inflamed gums and tooth pain. The stay-at-home mom’s innovative product is now available in 140 countries.
Kat Schneider wanted to do the right thing for her health and her baby, so when she found out she was pregnant she started taking prenatal vitamins. That’s when she noticed that many supplements had questionable ingredients, and worse, the ones she was taking didn’t even list the ingredients. So she decided to found Ritual: subscription-based supplements delivered directly to your door, each month. They are all non-GMO, vegan, gluten and soy-free and all are designed exclusively for women, with clear ingredients lists so you always know what you are putting in your body.
With so much to look forward to, a new year is the perfect time for a Bay Area family adventure. From art and science museums to playgrounds, waterparks and live theater, 2022 looks very promising! We hope you are as excited as we are—scroll down for all the details then mark your calendars and get ready for the best year yet!
The Magic of Disney (on ice!) is coming to the Bay Area. Sail away with Moana, follow Miguel to the Land of the Dead, watch Ana and Elsa skate to stop an eternal winter and laugh along with Aladdin and his Genie. Event details.
Dates: February 3-6, 2022
Stockton Arena 248 W. Fremont St. Stockton, CA 95203
Dates: February 9-13, 2022
SAP Center 525 W. Santa Clara St. San Jose, CA 95113
Dates: February 23-27, 2022
Oakland Arena 7000 Coliseum Way Oakland, CA 94621
Do Napa
Napa Lighted Art Festival After a two year hiatus, this popular lighted art festival is finally back! From January 15-March 13, take the kids to downtown Napa after dark for a series of lighted art sculptures all within four easily walkable locations. Check out the Angels of Freedom, the 10 foot rhombicosidodecahedron (say that five times as fast as you can) and the electric dandelions—all guaranteed to dazzle! Event details.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean Monterey Aquarium is introducing a new exhibit set to open in Spring 2022 that brings strange and fascinating animals from the deep sea up to surface. Using robotic submarines that navigate through complete darkness, this groundbreaking exhibit collects and brings animals to the surface and then utilizes technology to mimic deep-sea conditions. Come face to face with the rarely seen bloody-belly comb jellies and other unique animals! Sign us up!!
More Magical Bridge Playgrounds Are in the Works All Over the Bay Area
Christine Lai
With openings in Redwood City and Palo Alto already, 2022 will bring us Magical Bridge Playground openings in Morgan Hill and Sunnyvale and local families are thrilled! Designed to address the needs of all children, these all-abilities playgrounds were the first of its kind in the Bay Area. More info.
Did your child inherit your devotion for Roald Dahl? You're in luck! Broadway San Jose is bringing his amazing tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to the big stage—complete with songs from the original film: “Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket.” Tap your toes along with Charlie Bucket, Willy Wonka and the Oompa-Loompas as Charlie uses his golden ticket to experience the wonders of the marvelous chocolate factory. Event details.
Dates: January 18-23, 2022
135 W San Carlos St. San Jose, CA 9511
James Corner Field Operations
Presidio Tunnel Tops The highly anticipated Presidio Tunnel Tops is set to open in May 2022. Built on top of the Presidio Tunnels, this new national park land and scenic overlook will boast stunning views of the city, Golden Gate Bridge and more. Families will be able to picnic, enjoy a campfire circle and play at the “Outpost” natural playground. We are really excited for this one!
Jaw-dropping entertainment is heading your way! Watch these amazing athletes spin the ball, defy gravity and perform trick after trick like you’ve never seen before. This event will be a slam dunk for the entire family! Get your tickets here.
Dates: January 13-16, 2022 Location: various locations throughout the Bay Area
The Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose offers two fun events in early 2022:
Three Kings Day program Saturday, January 8 Join us at the museum to celebrate The Three Kings story. Decorate a festive crown to wear proudly, watch Mariachi youth performers, collect gifts from the kings (chocolate coins) and watch a short video in the theater to learn more about this widely celebrated story.Event details.
Lunar New Year Party Saturday, February 12 Celebrate the Year of the Ox at the Children’s Discovery Museum’s annual Lunar New Year party. Event details.
180 Woz Way San Jose, CA 95110
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child at The Curran Theater
With 24 major awards in the U.K., this show is sure to be a hit in San Francisco! Bring the entire family and watch Harry Potter—now an adult with three children of his own—in this award-winning show. Best for kids 10 and older. Performances begin Jan. 2022. Event details.
Mark your calendars! This in-person, all-day event includes art activities, in-gallery conversations and entertainment. Free for all Bay Area families! Event details.
Date: March 5, 2022
de Young Museum 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive San Francisco, CA 94118
It's back! The five-day Bay Area Science Festival will be in-person this spring! Bring the entire family and experience the wonder of science through hands-on activities, interviews with scientists and STEM story times. Stay tuned here for the full schedule and details about how to participate! Bonus: most Bay Area Science Festival events are FREE!
