ML Interest Tag: world-record

Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in NYC All Month Long!

by rtkatiejohnson

New York does everything big, and the holiday season is no exception. Lights, decorations and good cheer take over the city for the next few weeks, making this, as they say, the most wonderful time of the year. Here are our top holiday picks to get you and your little ones filled with the holiday sprit, NYC-style — all month long.

photo:  Justina Wong

The Three Bears Holiday Bash
Songs, dancing, puppets, and all in Central Park…what more could you ask for in a holiday show? “The Three Bears Holiday Bash” returns to the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater with its festive puppet show celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Mama and Papa Bear’s holiday show, along with the audience sing-a-long of “12 Days of Christmas,” is guaranteed to get your whole family in the holiday spirit.

Nov. 12 – Dec. 30
$10/adults; $7/children under 12
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater
81st Street and Central Park West
Upper West Side
212-988-9093
Online: cityparksfoundation.org

photo: Charles16e via Flickr

Origami Holiday Tree
Looking for a new way to decorate your tree this year? Get inspired by the Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History. For more than 40 years, this museum tradition displays a tree that is decorated with more than 500 hand-folded models created by origami artists from all around the world. With the help of volunteers from OrigamiUSA, your little artists will have the chance to make their own origami to spice up your tree at home.

Nov. 24 – Jan. 11
Free with museum admission; click here for ticket prices
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
Upper West Side
212-769-5100
Online: amnh.org

photo: Filip Wolak

Winter’s Eve
The 15th annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square has something for every one of your holiday helpers to enjoy. The celebration begins with the beautiful Upper West Side tree lighting, which is followed by a list of festive activities to choose from for the rest of the evening. Your little ones can decorate mini-cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, watch performances from the Big Apple Circus, make holiday cards, get their faces painted, listen to Suzy Shelton band sing their catchy tunes, and watch Okamoto carve ice into a sculptures of a giant polar bear and nutcracker.

Dec. 1, 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Free
Broadway from Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle to 68th Street
212-581-3774
Online: winterseve.nyc

photo: Bronx Museum of Arts

Family Affair: Winter Wonderland  
The Bronx Museum of Arts is helping families celebrate the holidays with its Winter Wonderland event. The whole afternoon will be filled with art activities for the entire family to enjoy. This is a great opportunity to craft some hand-made gifts for friends and family. Register here ahead of time to skip the line.

Dec. 6, 1- 4 p.m.
Tickets: Free for children under 12 accompanied by a parent or guardian
Bronx Museum of Arts
1040 Grand Concourse
718-681-6000
Online: bronxmuseum.org

 photo: Play Me a Story

MetLife Early Learner Performance Series: Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
This interactive musical performance at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum will get your little one ready to spin the dreidel and light the menorah. Play Me a Story will perform this story from the popular children’s book for one afternoon, inviting the kids in the audience to join in the fun. They will learn about the magic of Hanukkah by acting out the characters and singing and dancing along.

Sun., Dec. 7, 1 & 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $9 for museum admittance; free for members & children under 1
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
145 Brooklyn Ave.
Crown Heights
718-735-4400
Online: Brooklyn Children’s Museum

 photo: Historic Richmond Town

Christmas in Richmond Town
Nostalgic for an old-fashioned Christmas? Historic Richmond Town will give you a traditional holiday experience that will fill your whole family with joy. With carolers singing in the streets and horse-drawn carriages rolling past, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. There will also be story-telling, tours of historic homes, a choir performance, plus a visit from Santa (arriving on a fire engine!) for you and your little elves to enjoy. Be sure not to miss the free traditional tree lighting at 5 p.m.

Dec. 7, 11 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $2/person; free for children six & under
Historic Richmond Town
441 Clarke Avenue
Staten Island
718-351-1611
Online: historicrichmondtown.org

photo: Joshua Winata

Winter Family Day at the Morgan Library & Museum
The annual Winter Family Day is an afternoon filled with holiday fun. This year’s theme celebrates the Middle Ages. Little knights and princesses will get to truly transform themselves by dressing in handmade costumes and creating their own holiday cards with inspiration from the museum’s manuscripts.  There will also be a heartwarming puppet show of The Magic of Hans Christian Anderson, and the afternoon comes to an end with a strolling reading of Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol.

Sun., Dec. 7, 2- 5p.m.
Click here for admission prices
The Morgan Library & Museum
225 Madison Ave. at 36th St.
Midtown
212-685-0008
Online: themorgan.org

photo: TalismanPHOTO

Holiday Train Show
Take your family on a magical trip through New York landmarks at the The New York Botanical Garden’s 23rd annual Holiday Train Show. With over 20 large-scale model trains and trolleys as well as models of favorite NYC destinations such as Rockefeller Center and Yankee Stadium, your little ones will be enchanted by seeing their (mini) city covered in sparkling lights. A variety of children’s activities such as scavenger hunts and puppet making, plus a performance of All Aboard with Thomas and Friends makes this an event that will be sure to become one of your family’s favorite holiday traditions. Tickets can sell out quick, so make sure to plan ahead!

Through Jan. 19
Tickets: Click here for admission prices
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd.
Bronx
718-817-8700
Online: nybg.org

photo: Alan Miles via Flickr

Madison Square Holiday
Everyone knows about the giant tree at Rockefeller Center, but what about the one in Madison Square Park? For over 100 years, the park has celebrated its own holiday tree tradition, and this year is gearing up to be tons of fun! There will be performances from Broadway’s Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Audra Rox. Your little ones can also listen to festive stories, learn how to plant Red Twig Dogwoods and enjoy yummy holiday treats. It’s all topped off by the Tree of Light illumination.

Dec. 9, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Tickets: Free
Madison Square Park
Flatiron District
212-538-1884
Online: madisonsquarepark.org

photo: City Winery New York

Holiday Sing-A-Long with Dan Zanes & Friends
Looking for something a little different to get you in the spirit this season? Sing in the holidays at City Winery for their 4th annual Holiday Sing-A-Long with Dan Zanes & Friends. This interactive musical performance will have you and your kindie rocker singing and dancing with the Grammy winning band, whose music has been featured on Sesame Street and Nickelodeon, just to name a few.

Dec. 14, 11 a.m.
Tickets: $20/person                                                                                                                          
City Winery
155 Varick St.
Tribeca
212-608-0555
Online: citywinery.com

photo: Nicole Capatasto

Doctor Kaboom’s The Science of Santa
Are your little elves curious about how Santa works his magic? Doctor Kaboom in NYU Skirball’s show wonders the same thing, and decides that Santa Claus must be the greatest scientist in the world! He performs experiments to try and explain how Santa climbs down those skinny chimneys, how his reindeer can fly around the whole world and how he knows which boys and girls have been naughty or nice.

Dec. 20, 11 a.m.
Tickets: $20-$28/person
NYU Skirball for the Performing Arts
566 LaGuardia Pl.
Washington Square
212-992-8484
Online: nyuskirball.org

photo: Queens County Farm Museum

Holiday Open House    
Don’t let the after-holiday blues get you down! Visit the Holiday Open House at the Queens County Farm Museum to keep the merriment going. There will be tours of the festively-decorated Adriance Farmhouse, as well as craft activities for children. Plus: mulled cider to keep visitors nice and cozy.

Dec. 26, 27 & 28, noon – 4 p.m.
Tickets: Free
Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Pkwy.
Floral Park
718-347-3276
Online: queensfarm.org

photo: New York Hall of Science via Flickr

GingerBread Lane
Four words: underground candy subway station. That’s just one amazing element of the Queens New York Hall of Science’s massive Gingerbread Lane exhibit. The 300-square-foot village made entirely of edible gingerbread, royal icing and candy, is drafted, designed, baked and built over the course of an entire year. The village includes an estimated 1,900 pounds of icing, 400 pounds of candy and 500 popunds of gingerbread dough, and is (not surprisingly) a contender for the Guinness World Record for the largest gingerbread exhibit. Intrigued? Check out GingerBread Lane special events, like workshops to make your own gingerbread house! GingerBread Lane is free with museum admission.

New York Hall of Science
Through Jan. 11
$11/adults, $8/children
47-01 111th St.
Corona
718-699-0005
Online: nysci.org/

What’s your favorite NYC holiday season tradition? Tell us about it in the comments below!

—Katie Johnson

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Watch this Family Break the Guinness World Record

by Christal Y.

Despite summer just ending, The Camper Clan experienced a big time case of wanderlust. So they packed up their kids and embarked across the country in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest electric bike trip across the USA. While we regretfully can’t pack up our own bags, we’re so glad this family of four will be updating their trip as they go (and making a documentary of their adventure!). Read on for the lowdown on this cool trip we can’t help but envy.

 

Camp with the Camper Clan
Over the next six months, The Camper Clan — a multi-cultural fam made up of Argentinian dad Tomas, American mom Dylan and their adorable kiddos Eva, and Coco — will travel from Montana to Maine, and then south to Florida (to rightly avoid the cold Northern winter). In addition to their record breaking goal, The Camper Clan hopes to promote sustainable travel and healthier lifestyles for families. 

Their bikes are second hand garage finds, repurposed by dad into electronic bikes, and mom will be driving a compact camper as their mobile home. And for the kids, this expedition is obviously the ultimate dream. They’ll take turns to the front row seat (well, right behind dad) of journey, and “managing” the fam’s schedule with pee breaks and stops for food.

The Documentary
Any family that’s been on the road knows that there are big highs and lows, even if it’s just a day trip, which is why we give props to The Camper Clan for taking on this 6-month journey with two toddlers in-tow, and extra pats on the back for documenting every moment on film. Thanks to their successful Kickstarter campaign, they will be capturing all the trials and tribulations as well as the great moments of joy. See more information on their funded project here.

Get caught up and stay up to date with their voyage! They started their trip early August and are about to cross from Montana into North Dakota. We’ll be living vicariously through them on Instagram @camperclan and their Facebook page.

Online: camperclan.com

What do you think of this family’s adventure? Thinking of making plans for winter vacation already? Check out these family travel blogs for itinerary advice and tips.

— Christal Yuen

All photos courtesy of The Camper Clan

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Ferry On: 7 Reasons to Visit Vashon Island This Summer

by Allison Sutcliffe

It’s true, families don’t need an island to have an adventure. But it sure adds to the thrill! So board a ferry and make your way over to Vashon Island for your own Swiss Family experience (less shipwreck, more festivals, we promise!). From record-breaking raft ups to bio blitz bashes, we’ve got the scoop on the coolest, quirkiest summer events this little island has to offer.

Island Festivals

Low Tide Celebration
Join the party at the 9th annual Low Tide Celebration, a beach party like no other, where families celebrate the living beaches of our (totally awesome) Puget Sound. The free event, hosted at Point Robinson Park, promises a galosh-stomping good time for families, including lighthouse tours, canoe rides, and a beach walk with Odin Lonning, a traditional Tlingit carver (and Vashon resident)! All that, plus serious face-time with mysterious sea creatures? Sounds like a magical northwest day if ever there was one. And be sure to take advantage of the free shuttle bus that runs along Point Robinson Beach Rd. and Luana Beach Rd., so that the kiddos will still have energy left to explore this low tide dreamscape. Just imagine what they’ll find!

Point Robinson Lighthouse
S.W. Point Robinson Rd.
Vashon Island, Wa 98070
Online:  business.vashonchamber.com/events/details/low-tide-celebration-51939

Date: June 14, 2014
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free

BioBlitz 2014
Budding biologists and curious kiddos won’t want to miss the 3rd Annual Vashon Island BioBlitz. This 24-hour event, sponsored by the Vashon Nature Center, brings together scientists, naturalists and volunteers to descend upon Christensen Creek Preserve, where they’ll catalogue the ecosystem of the area. Families will have a chance to shadow an expert or make finds of their own, all the while observing, recording and learning as they go! Science much? So dress for the weather and plan to get dirty turning over rocks, digging through mud and exploring the shoreline at this ecologically diverse area. And from what we’ve heard, it’s also a known birder hot spot so bring some binocs if you’ve got them. Families can register by emailing: info@vashonnaturecenter.org. This lets the Nature Center staff plan and space volunteers, and dish the insider deets, too. Explore on!

Christensen Creek Preserve Network
West side of Wax Orchard Rd. S.W.
Vashon Island, Wa
Online: vashonnaturecenter.org/bioblitz

Dates & Time: July 12-13, 2014 from 3 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free

Strawberry Festival
The Vashon Island Strawberry Festival is the island’s summer bash to end all bashes. And this year is no exception. Now in its 106th year (nope, not a typo), it attracts upwards of 40,000 (still not a typo) people each year. Expect the family fun to be piled high with carnival rides, face painting, music and more. As for not-to-miss events, the Grand Parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday, the classic car parade at noon on Sunday, and the youth stage where the kiddos are in charge make our list. And don’t forget the strawberries. Many restaurants and food booths will be serving up strawberry-themed goodies to keep the kiddos running throughout the day. Party on!

Good to know: Act like a local for this event and leave the car at home, if possible (or bring a bike!). With so many people coming in from off-island there will be shuttles and buses running from the ferry docks into town. But plan to wait and pack an extra dose of patience in your pocket for the day.

Downtown Vashon
Online: vashonchamber.com/pages/StrawberryFestival

Dates: July 18-20, 2014
Cost: Free

Raft Up
This record-seeking event with a heart (it benefits the Vashon Youth and Family Services) is “quintessentially Vashon,” from its focus on the beauty of the island, to its “bring the kids” welcoming vibe. And it promises to be a boat floating bounty for all. Participants will raft up (line up kayaks and canoes side by side) in the hopes of blasting the 2,099 boat current world record out of the water. Register to be one of the (hopefully) 2,500 boats lining up for this benefit or just come to watch this awesome event. The boats will make their attempt at 1:30 p.m. on the second day. It’s one world record breaker you won’t want to miss!

Quartermaster Harbor
Between Neil Point & Piner Point on the south end of the island
Vashon, Wa
Online: vyfs.org/raftup

Dates: August 16-17, 2014
Cost: $25/registered boat

Vashon Sheepdog Classic
If you heart dogs, this one’s got your name written all over it. The Vashon Sheepdog Classic is a three-day, family-friendly festival dedicated to those hardworking dogs that help keep everyone together. Well, every sheep together at least. It’s a throwback–to-yesteryear type event that includes a kid’s activity center and the Skacel Fiber arts tent, where they’ll be spinning yarns and gearing up for a yarn storming (who knew fences needed sweaters?). But at its heart, this is an opportunity to watch working dogs in action, showing off their skills in serious competition. So pack a picnic (or grab food there) and watch someone else do the herding for a change. You’ll be awed!

Misty Isle Farms
Old Mill Rd. & S.W. 220th
Vashon, Wa
Online: vashonsheepdogclassic.com

Dates: August 22-25, 2014
Times: Dusk to dawn each day
Cost: $8/person; free for children under 10

Island Eats

While you’re on island, there are lots of great places to bring your appetite. Even the local Thriftway has tempting prepared sandwiches that are the perfect grab-and-go for a family picnic on the beach (or at one of these events). But, if you’re looking for sit down restaurants (chairs and all!) we have a few that are worth the ferry ride. The Snapdragon Bakery and Café takes the cake when it comes to oversized baked goods that taste as good as they look. Recently they’ve expanded and now serve up tantalizing meals throughout the day. Fair warning though, serving sizes are ginormous and can easily be shared, although you may want to keep this foodie goodness all to yourself.

The Hardware Store Restaurant is another can’t-miss on our list of island eateries. Categorized as upscale casual, the menu’s pleasing to carnivores, vegetarians and those that have gone gluten-free. Plus, they serve up a decadent weekend brunch, so there’s that. And if fast is your thing, as it often is with toddlers in tow, the Saucy Sisters Brick Oven Pizzeria can have a piping’ hot pie ready to go in about 5 minutes. Coincidentally, that’s just about the time it takes to stave off a hungry toddler meltdown. Order up!

Eclectic Island Fun

Vashon wears its eclectic, quirky title with pride, and it’s got the sights to prove it. Be sure to make a post-fest detour to check out these local legends before heading back to the big city. You won’t regret tracking down the bicycle in the tree, a nationally recognized oddity, live and in person off the Vashon Island Highway. Or head over to Vashon’s outdoor gym for a workout with a view. The exercise bikes at the intersection of Dockton Rd. S.W. and Portage Bay S.W. are another local attraction that’ll cause you to stop and wonder. And don’t forget the UFO over at the Vashon Municipal Airport. Real or just really cool, it’s got bedtime story written all over it. Experiencing even one of these is a great way to top off a family adventure on Vashon!

Do you plan to take a trip to Vashon Island this summer? Let us know in a comment below. 

–Allison Sutcliffe

Photos thanks to: Kelly Keenan, Jay Holtz, The Vashon Chamber of Commerce, Nancy Raume Carr, Vashon Sheepdog Classic’s website

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