ML Interest Tag: royalty

So Long, Cinderella!: Powerful Princess Parties Celebrate Girl Power

by rtgretchenkunz

Like many parents, Fortune journalist and Yale graduate Erin Kelly did her best to make sure her daughter Lydia knew that she could be anything she wanted to be. Which is why, after she asked to play the floor-scrubbing “Cinderella” for the umpteenth time, Kelly thought, “There’s gotta be a better princess.” So Kelly began teaching her little one about an iconic, real-life princess: Cleopatra.  Her daughter loved it, Kelly began a Cleopatra Club at the local elementary school, and Kelly’s Powerful Princess business was born.

photo: Powerful Princess

Girl Power Party
A Brooklyn-based outfit with the motto, “Empowering our daughters with role models from history,” Powerful Princess throws princess-themed birthday parties and events for kids ages four and up with a real — as in, the rulers actually existed — girl power twist.

Revelers learn about the featured princess through crafts, games, stories and more. “I felt strength reading about these women, “ Kelly says of when she started researching princesses that might inspire young girls.  “It’s fascinating, the odds they faced, and what qualities they had that helped them overcome [those challenges]. The kids really love it… and they ask such sophisticated questions!” (In case you’re wondering: yes, boys are welcome. Kelly’s own son often assists at parties and finds the activities and learning “really fun.)

photo: Powerful Princess

Pick Your Princess
Powerful Princess currently offers three entertaining and educational themed birthday parties.  The Cleopatra Perfume Party, the Princess Victoria Book-Making or Doll-making Party, and the Princess Njinga of West Africa Mask or Drum-Making Party. Activities (depending on your royalty) range from wrapping “mummy” friends in toilet paper and crafting a “name” necklace using hieroglyphics (Cleopatra) to making volcanoes in the backyard for the Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani, or creating marshmallow and toothpick Tower of London models in honor of Elizabeth I of England. (Kelly will also work to create an event for a client featuring other princesses or queens.)

Birthday parties are currently held at the Court Tree Collective event space in Carroll Gardens, and parents can choose to drop off their kids or stick around for the 1 and 1/2 hour of festivities. (Kelly is also open to hosting the parties at other locations.) The price for a birthday party at Court Tree Collective is $495 for eight kids, with a $20 fee for each additional guest; prices may vary if you wish to book a party at another location.

photo: Powerful Princess

More than Parties: After-school and Vacation Workshops
Your child doesn’t have to be celebrating a birthday to attend a Powerful Princess event. Kelly also hosts workshops ranging from one to three days in length during summer and public school breaks. Kids learn about real, compelling female rulers from around the world with the activities above, plus games, science projects and dress-up.

New princesses are always being added to the regal mix, including Nefertiti, Rani of Jhansi, Catherine the Great, Elizabeth I, Liliuokalani, the last Queen of Hawaii and Queen Christina of Sweden. Coming soon!: princesses from Jamaica and Syria.) Workshops are open to grades K-3 and take place in Kelly’s townhouse in Carroll Gardens, where there is also a backyard for outdoor play and even a “carefully supervised” trampoline. Workshops run $85 per day, and include snacks.

Starting in Fall, Powerful Princess will also be running once-weekly after-school classes at PS 58 in Carroll Gardens and PS 29 In Cobble Hill.  Check with the schools for details.

erin@powerfulprincess.com
718-753-5103
Online: powerfulprincess.com

Had an exceptional kids’ birthday party experience? Tell us about it in the comments!

—Gretchen Kunz

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Rock On! Where to Score Kiddie Concert Tees

by Erin Feher

Kids already love to express their fandom on their chests (Minnie, Dora, Superman and Wonder Woman should have side jobs as tee-shirt designers), so why not school them on the rock greats by scoring them some itty bitty band shirts? It used to be you had to know your way around eBay to get this kind of merch, but now there are retailers specializing in the genre, so listen up!

Little Rock Store
Get your Iron Maiden onsies, AC/DC bibs and Nirvana lullaby CD all in one place. This site has it all, including Kiss lunchboxes and Wu Tang tees sized for your toddler. The clothing line’s creators are passionate about sharing their love of music with the youngest fans, and all merch is band-approved.

Online: littlerockstore.com

Psycho Baby
While there are a few official band tees here, we love Psycho Baby for it’s witty tees with a rock attitude, from AB/CD (see above) merch, to “Milk, Naps and Rock n’ Roll” onsies and “Juice Box Hero” tees. They also are a great source for customizable clothes, art and even rockin’ lunch bags.

Online: psychobabyonline.com

Toddler Royalty
This site doesn’t have a ton on offer, but we fell hard for their Dave Grohl 4 Prez tees—about as rock n’ roll as you can get. Oh, and there’s more, 5% from every shirt will be donated to VH1 Save The Music to help fund music programs in schools across America.

Online: toddlerroyalty.com

Junk Food
Junk Food can be credited for bringing the vintage tee craze to a fever pitch. They opened in 1998 and in addition to cool, vintage logo designs, their extra soft shirts feel like they have been broken in over decades, Their Venice Beach shop has long been a fave of celebs, but mere mortals around the world can order from their online shop, which carries tees celebrating everything from Led Zepplin to Dr. Suess.

Online: junkfoodclothing.com

Do you have a favorite venue for scoring mini musical merch? Tell us in the comments below. 

–Erin Feher

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Face Time: Atlanta’s Best Face Painters

by Phebe Wahl

Nothing adds color to your kiddo’s party like a fabulous face painter. Read on for our favorites in Atlanta.

Atlanta Party People
This family-owned business packs a party punch in Atlanta, Dallas, and New Orleans, and pride themselves of how well they work with the kiddos. Not only do they specialize in full-face designs, but they can also do cheek or eye designs to keep the time-in-the-chair (and out of the party) to a minimum. The best thing about Atlanta Party People? They’ll even come to your party  dressed-up to match your party theme!

Details: Atlanta Party People, $125 per hour, $75 per each additional hour, 678-431-7465

Mystical Parties
While face painters they have a plenty, Mystical Parties also offers A to Z children’s party packages, ranging from Super Hero to Princess, and everything in between. Choose their a la carte face painting option, however, and you’ll be sure to hit a home run.

Details: Mystical Parties, $190 for 2 hours (10 full faces or 15 simple designs per hour), 404-579-9057

Party Animals Entertainment
The name says it all. This outfit has been running circles around Atlanta for nearly 30 years, and you can count on them to provide everything from a singular face painter to a pre-packaged theme party replete with its own concierge.

Details: Party Animals Entertainment, $125 per hour of birthday parties (averages 12 faces painted per hour), 770-645-0901

The Alison Agency
This professional entertainment provider has experience with all types of parties, from weddings and bridal showers, to corporate events, to family events, including throwing incredible birthday parties. Count on the Alison Agency to provide professional, easy booking and event day delivery of face painters.

Details: The Alison Agency, Contact for pricing, 770-509-9409

Fun-O-Rama Parties
Face painters, puppet shows, character parties, and more – Fun-O-Rama Parties can help you plan your little’s best birthday ever. With plenty of themed parties to choose from (beyond your expected princess or pirate fare), Fun-O-Rama brings creativity and organization into your life pre-party. Not sure you want to go whole-hog this year? Just want a solid, dependable, and talented face painter? They’ve got that covered, too.

Details: Fun-O-Rama Parties, Starting at $99 per hour for face painting (allow for 5 minutes per person), 770-572-1737

Fancy’s Face and Body Art
Fancy knows face painting, and if you’re looking for some solid Atlanta references, she’s the one to call. With a client list that includes local rap royalty, Cirque Du Soleil, the Georgia Aquarium, and Nickelodeon, you can feel confident that she’s prepared to handle any scenario that may arise at your bash. Another reason Fancy will set your mind at ease? She uses only hypoallergenic, cosmetic quality paint that washes away with simple soap and water.

Details: Fancy’s Face and Body Art, $150 per hour, 404-399-8653

My Fairy Godmother Parties
When you’re in the throes of planning a party for a hoard of kiddos (and often, their accompanying parents), sometimes you wish you had a fairy godmother. Luckily for us in Atlanta, we do. Call My Fairy Godmother Parties for everything from a single face painter to a party package dubbed The Royal Ball.

Details: My Fairy Godmother Parties, $75 for as many guests as are invited, 404-453-4596

Looking for a spot to stage your soirée? Click here for ten indoor party venue ideas!

—Shelley Massey

Photos courtesy of Atlanta Party People, The Alison Agency and Mystical Parties and Fancy’s Face Painting via Facebook

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New York’s Bravest: Where Junior Firefighters Uncover History

by sarah choi

New York City firefighters are famous for a lot of things – shiny red trucks, firehouse chili, steamy pictorial calendars and of course, being the bravest rescue team around. What more can they do? Run a museum dedicated to preserving the city’s fire history. An amazing hidden gem tucked away in an old fire station in SoHo, firefighters from around the world come to visit the New York City Fire Museum. Lucky for us, our aspiring kids get to visit the museum everyday if they want, as it’s open seven days a week. The Fire Museum’s collection will please the entire family – you included.

Top Five Must-Sees

The museum is large enough for exploring, but small enough to see everything before a hunger meltdown. There are five permanent collections on display, but we think you’ll spend the most time checking out the Fire Apparatus, Tools and Uniforms on the ground floor and the Firefighting on Parade upstairs with the kids. Here are the top five displays you cannot miss!

  • Hurst Tool: AKA, the jaws of life, it’s an amazing reminder that firemen save lives.
  • Stokes Basket: A rescue stretcher hanging from the ceiling on first floor.
  • Phoenix 4 Hand Pumpe: Because it takes up much of the second floor!
  • Steinway Hose Carriage: The beautiful details will remind you of royalty.
  • Bolton Quickstep: It’s the oldest hand-pumped fire engine in the collection.

Depending on the age of your kiddos, you may want to skip the 9/11 Memorial that could be difficult to explain on a cheerful Saturday afternoon and the Romance of Firefighters exhibit which consists mostly of historical documents and artwork.

Insider Tips

We suggest parking the stroller and exploring on foot since there are many large and delicate items on display, though strollers are absolutely allowed and there’s an elevator to accommodate. But, call ahead to ensure the elevator is working if stairs may be too much for your family, the elevators have been known to be down. The main entrance leads straight to the gift shop where you purchase tickets for admission. Have a game plan ready for your consumer kiddos as there is so much cool merchandise to entice them! Restrooms are on the second floor landing at the top of the stairs. If your kid loves it – keep in mind that you can throw his next birthday party here.

Cool Stops Nearby

Make a day of your trek to SoHo and visit the nearby Children’s Museum of the Arts to get the creative juices flowing or the Jacques Torres Chocolate Factory for kid-friendly treats like chocolate-covered Cheerios and frozen hot chocolate.

New York City Fire Museum
278 Spring Street
SoHo
Cost: $8/adults, $5/students, seniors and children over 2, Free/children under 2
Online: nycfiremuseum.org

What other places and activities are perfect for the little firefighter in the city? Let us know!

–Sarah K. Choi

Photos courtesy of New York City Fire Museum and Sarah K. Choi

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Enjoy ‘A Faery Hunt’: An Enchanting Outdoor Adventure in Los Angeles

by Beth Shea

Did you know that there are magical fairies popping up in parks all over Los Angeles? Gather your own little pixies and get ready to go on a ‘faery hunt’ at a sunny, scenic locale in your neck of the woods. Here’s the scoop on this delightful journey through the fairy door.

WHAT: ‘A Faery Hunt’ is an outdoor theatrical children’s production for kids ages 2-10, and for the kid in all of us. Parents and pixies alike will giggle at the witty dialogue, enjoy the uplifting music and lose themselves in the sense of adventure that comprise the 45-60 minute long, interactive show; which beckons little ones and their families to join faery folk on a quest to find Faery Royalty and other fun creatures in parks across LA and Ventura County. There are three different enchanting and original “faery-tales” in rotation, which are performed by a company of 15 actors. All shows include important themes of friendship, kindness, forgiveness, love and respect for nature.

WHEN/WHERE: Faery Hunts take place at 10:30 am. A Faery Hunt performs on scheduled Saturdays of every month in the clearings off of the Fern Dell Drive entrance of Griffith Park, 2333 Fern Dell Place, Los Angeles, CA  90068, on the southwest side of the park; scheduled Saturdays at O’Melveny Park,17300 Sesnon Boulevard, Granada Hills, CA  91344; scheduled Saturdays and Sundays at Corriganville Park, Corriganville Park, 7001 Smith Road, Simi Valley, CA 93063; and scheduled Saturdays and Sundays in Crestwood Hills Park, 1000 Hanley Avenue, Brentwood, CA 90049.

INSIDER TIPS: Most children attend the faery hunt in a fairy inspired costume to add to the fun and to really feel like part of the interactive production. If you’re short on dress-up options at home, when you check-in at the hunt, there are wings, garlands, wands, wizard hats and masks for sale for prices ranging from $5-$10. Take a water bottle and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park after the show. Strollers are suitable at every show, and make sure all members of your party wear comfortable walking shoes — as it is a “hunt,” after all.

WHAT’S NEW: Take your fairy-loving kiddos on a new indoor musical adventure, “Auntie Angelica’s Fairy Garden,” which is set to debut January 22nd at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks. Creatures including a magical unicorn and puppets from Fairyland will join the beloved fairy characters from the company’s other performances. The production boasts nine new songs that are sure to make kids sing.

THE 411: Tickets are $15 per person at Griffith Park, $14 at the Whitefire Theatre, and $12.50 per ticket at all other locations. There are many other shows with libraries or other children’s organizations throughout the year, which are free or have a nominal fee.

Online: www.afaeryhunt.com
Phone: 818-324-6802
Reservations are recommended. Email reservations@afaeryhunt.com

— Beth Shea

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Blue Ivy Carter Has Already Recorded a Track with Jay-Z

by Erin Lem

When you’re born to music industry royalty, you have mighty big shoes to fill. Not to be upstaged by the likes of Jakob Dylan, Dhani Harrison or Willow Smith, Blue Ivy Carter, newborn progeny of power couple Jay-Z and Beyonce, may only be two-days-old, but she has already released a duet with her dad entitled “Glory” (listen for her newborn cry).

How long before Blue Ivy, Apple and Moses Martin form their own rock trio (a la Wilson Philips)? What would they call it?

Fruit Loops. Blues Clues. Parting the Blue Sea. Apple Pie.

Write in the best name for this faux future rock band in the comments below and we’ll pick one submission to win a Red Tricycle kiddie tee.

photo credit: GBC

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Meet the Red Tricycle Dog Crew

by Erin Lem

The Red Tricycle office has always been dog-friendly. In fact, many of us were parents to our furry children before our actual kids came along. Meet some of Red Tricycle’s pooches by scrolling down below.

Indy the Bulldog

photo: Kevin Cabral

Lovable Indy loves to slobber, snort and pass gas for anyone lucky enough to be sitting near him. In his free time, he likes to lounge and dress up. Last year, he got lucky during Red Tricycle's Secret Santa and scored big time with this festive costume. He's still learning how to interact appropriately with children and enjoys being the apple of his dad's (aka Kevin Cabral's) eye. 

Murphy the Lab/Hound Mix (but Mostly Hound)

photo: Ian Lynch

When Murphy was a puppy he used to come into the Red Tricycle office until he had a few accidents and his mom (aka Erin Lem) became mortified by her pup's bad habits. He's since grown out of his puppy antics, and now spends his time napping all day, preferably on the bed. He's mentally preparing to be a big bro when baby comes into the picture next year. 

 

Dipper, the Labradoodle

photo: Jacqui Boland

While not born in the Bay Area, Dipper loves being a California dog. He is a great companion to Jacqui Boland and family, and enjoys long walks on the beach and trail running with his mom. Dipper is also a great watch dog—he notifies everyone in the office anytime the mailman or delivery drivers are about to knock!

 

Marshmallow (aka Mel) the Labradoodle

photo: Jacqui Boland

Marshmallow (Mel for short) is Dipper's younger sis. She's a smart and savvy pup who has been known to escape her yard to chase deer and eat Christmas presents. Mel and Indy love to play and have been known to dominate the Sausalito dog park during their lunch breaks. 

 

Rocky the Golden Retriever

photo: Erin Lem

While not an official Red Tricycle team member any longer, Rocky stole our hearts with his innocent puppy looks and great behavior. He was a good sport, enduring many hours of Indy playtime and even more hours of a certain editor taking countless selfies with him. 

 

Faith, the Senior

photo: Kevin Cabral

While Faith's age keeps her from visiting the office often, when she does make an appearance she is royalty. She tends to keep to herself and spend her days napping on her bed, which is placed high up on a desk. After all, who can blame her? At that age, you wouldn't want to be around rambunctious puppies either!

 

 

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