From heat-and-eat meals and fun florals to unique products you can’t find anywhere else, there’s so much to try out when you visit your neighborhood Trader Joe’s. Luckily, the grocer just released the results of its 15th annual Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards, which highlights fan faves. Want to know what other products are consistent winners? You can check them out in the Trader Joe’s Best Product Hall of Fame.
Favorite Overall: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
Made from stone-ground corn masa that's rolled and fried to crispy perfection, then sprinkled with zesty hot chili and lime flavoring, these snackable rolls took the top prize again this year!
This winning beverage is only around at the holidays and you'll see folks loading up their carts when they come out. We prefer it warmed on the stove as it makes your house smell like the holidays.
Runners-Up
French Market Sparkling Lemonade
Triple Ginger Brew (seasonal)
100% Tangerine Juice
Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Flavored Oat Creamer
Favorite Cheese: Goat Cheese
Trader Joe's
Goat cheese is the GOAT for 2023 and we can totally understand why. It's great as an addition to a dip, spread on a sandwich, or crumbled over a salad.
You’ll be amazed at what you can make with just three ingredients
If you’re anything like us, you’re always on the hunt for easy dinner recipes. The fewer ingredients we have to remember, the better (because no one likes doing a last-minute grocery store run!). To make all of our lives easier, we’ve rounded up a list of 3-ingredient recipes that will please even the pickiest of eaters. Read on to simplify your meal plan.
Your whole crew is sure to fall in love with this silky soup from Just a Taste. It’s practically begging to be topped with your favorite add-ons, from a simple swirl of olive oil to crumbled bacon or crispy chickpeas.
Dry, overcooked chicken will be a thing of the past once you try this 3-ingredient recipe from Cooking with Janica. Their easy method yields a juicy, well-seasoned chicken breast—perfect for pairing with rice, salad, or potatoes.
Our hunt for perfectly crispy roasted potatoes has finally come to an end, thanks to A Clean Bake. This foolproof method will have your whole family asking for seconds.
Delicious salmon is less than a half hour away, thanks to this 3-ingredient recipe from Savory Nothings. Bonus points if you make your own teriyaki sauce (but we won’t judge if you go for the bottled stuff!).
Grab your soup pot and make a big batch of this soup from Honey and Birch! With the homey goodness of tomato soup and tortellini (a kid fave!), we guarantee it'll disappear in no time.
Make-ahead-meal alert! We love how these sandwiches from A Taste of Madness can be frozen and then heated whenever you need a quick and easy school lunch. Plus, you can always customize it with your kiddo’s favorite lunch meat.
Taco night just got way easier, thanks to this genius recipe from Lanc Foodie Girl. Set up the slow cooker in the morning, and dinner will be hot and ready by the time you get home.
No one likes a dry pork chop! Good news: this recipe from Gimme Some Grilling is going to be your new go-to method for the juiciest (and easiest) pork. The secret ingredient is hiding in the grocery store spice aisle.
We’re always on the hunt for healthy snacks that the little ones will actually eat, and these sweet potato wraps from Lemons & Basil get the toddler seal of approval. You can fill them up with butter, cheese, or peanut butter for a perfectly balanced snack.
Three ingredients and a few hours in a Crock Pot and bam! Now you have killer BBQ chicken wings to feed the masses, all thanks to this recipe from Intelligent Domestications. Plus the kids will get a kick out of the “secret ingredient.”
Get your tiny taste testers’ hands deep into potatoes when they help you make gnocchi from scratch! Pair this step-by-step tutorial from Eugenie’s Kitchen with the tomato sauce later in this roundup.
Roll up ham and cheese for a dinner that will have the little ones forgetting about their pre-boxed meat, cheese, and crackers (you know which ones we're talking about!). You and your kids can whip up this recipe from It's Peachy Keen in less than 20 minutes for a fun, fingers-only meal.
You know that stockpile of juice boxes your family has been collecting? This sweet recipe, courtesy of Oatmeal With a Fork, puts them to good use! This chicken is flavorful and easy to make—and we’re willing to bet it’ll be a hit with kids and grown-ups alike.
A dinner that is fun to make, fun to look at, and deliciously satisfying to eat? Please let your burgeoning kitchen master bring these pinwheels to your dinner table. Weary Chef simplifies it down so your little one can get artsy with their greens before rolling it up to bake.
For the easiest (and kid-friendliest) side dish, you’ve got to try these green beans from Nyssa’s Kitchen. Her method leaves the beans perfectly tender with a little char on the outside. Drooling yet?
If your little one is tired of sandwiches, switch it up with this tortilla version on the stove. It’s literally as simple as spreading peanut butter and jelly on a tortilla, then heating up before devouring.
This easy dish subs nutritional yeast for parmesan and olive oil for butter to make a simple, dairy-free alternative to your kiddo’s favorite go-to pasta dish. Just cook spaghetti or linguine noodles according to the package, toss in enough olive oil to coat, and sprinkle liberally with nutritional yeast. You can add parsley, pepper, and a pinch of salt if you’re a rule-breaker.
We know your kids can’t get enough of meatballs once they’re on the table—it’s time to teach them where those delicious things come from. Take a peek at Persnickety Plates’ recipe for three-ingredient slow cooker pineapple teriyaki meatballs and have your little sous chef’s help with all the prep.
This one's an easy one for momma's helper, and it's done in no time at all. The Honour System has got tomato sauce down to a two-step science: simmer and stir!
Your iron chefs-in-training may or may not be ready for handling raw salmon, but they can certainly help out with a sweet and spicy glaze from For the Love of Cooking.
Gallivant with goats and cavort with chickens at these Bay Area farms that welcome families to spend the night
Ready to slow it down, way down? A farm stay might be right up your alley! They offer a relaxed pace that’s perfect for families looking to get away plus interaction with tons of furry and feathered animals. Read on for some farms where you can stay the night near the Bay Area and get ready to play Old MacDonald.
Bodega Goat Ranch | Bodega, CA
Come spend the night on a sustainably-farmed goat ranch where they have been making nationally-acclaimed goat cheese for 30 years. Enjoy stunning views, a fabulous garden, and a variety of animals. Your visit can include a tour, cheese tasting, and even a full breakfast. The farm is located 10 minutes from the town of Bodega Bay, made famous by Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds.
Farm Stay at African Hoofstock Preserve | Point Arena, CA
Kate Loweth
The kids will be delighted when you bring them to stay at one of the cottages at B. Bryan Preserve. African antelope, zebra and giraffe, along with eclectic lodging await you in Point Arena on the beautiful Mendocino coast. Take a tour to meet the animals and then enjoy your time in the cottage or hot tub. Read all about B. Bryan and other Mendocino activities here.
This stunning farm with ocean views near Big Sur loves to host families with kids of all ages. Each morning they begin the day milking the goats, making cheese, checking the troughs and watering the gardens. In spring months the pens are full of baby goats. The cabin is a spacious two bedrooms with a full kitchen and washer/dryer and extra sleeping space in the loft.
Farmhouse with Hot Tub Overlooking the Ocean | Marshall, CA
Airbnb
This farmhouse retreat just a three-minute walk to pristine Tomales Bay beaches. It overlooks Point Reyes National Seashore and is a safe and restorative escape into nature or a good book. The 23-acre property is host to sheep, deer and wild turkey. Nick's Cove and Hog Island Oysters are within minutes paddle. Wineries are a short drive. So bring your kayak, PFD and oyster knife.
For a farm stay of a different sort, book a weekend at Mission Peak Winery. There are tons of things for kids to do on the property including a trampoline, swimming pool (season), fishing lake, and canoes. Meet the local horses and stroll through the vineyards.
Bar SZ Ranch is a real, working farm two hours south of San Francisco in the breathtaking hills of San Benito county. Stay in one of the two houses or the cabin (all are 3-bed/2-bath and perfect for families), or reserve the whole ranch for your next family reunion. They also have two glamping cottages, the Cowboy Village, that sleep up to 16.
If you are an early riser, meet up with a farm hand to feed the horses and cattle. Brush and saddle your own horse or get expert help from the staff. Learn some new skills like roping a steer or shooting a bow and arrow. Then, relax by the fire roasting marshmallows after a full day with the family. You will feel far away from it all!
Howard Creek Ranch is a historic 60-acre, ocean-front farm bordered by miles of beach and mountains on the beautiful Mendocino Coast. The Ranch offers farm animals, a 75-foot swinging foot bridge over Howard Creek, hot tubs, and horseback riding on the beach or in the mountains. Reserve a room in the historic carriage house or farmhouse. You can also get your own ocean-front cottage or cabin in the woods.
Accommodations at this luxurious Sonoma working ranch include five spacious rooms in the historic two-story main house and a separate cottage with a private garden. Walking trails lead past grazing horses and cattle, through the ranch's vineyards, olive orchards, and the sustainably-farmed produce gardens that supply the kitchen for each morning's breakfasts. Email them in advance and they'll have a bottle of estate wine ready for you to enjoy upon arrival.
Over 40 varieties of apples grow on this farm in Mendocino County. Families are welcome to stay in one of the four guest cottages that each have a queen bed, a large bathroom, and a porch to enjoy the sunset on. A stay at the farm comes with a morning breakfast of coffee, yogurt, and granola, plus toast or biscuits served with the farm's own apple juice and jams. Grown-ups looking to brush up on their culinary game can come for one of the farm's "stay and cook" events where guests join in the preparation of a communal meal with vegetables from the farm's garden and then stay overnight in a cottage. If you are in the area but can't spend the night, swing by and purchase some of the farm's wares from their farm stand.
Stay in the cabin at this South Bay farm (sleeps 4) or bring your tent for more outdoor time. Everyone who stays overnight gets to enjoy a full breakfast complete with fresh eggs and as much time with the farm animals as you'd like. Wake up to sheep and goats outside your door with a view of the pasture. They love kids here and even host a summer camp for future farmers!
Animal lovers, rejoice! This farm is Animal Welfare Approved for humane practices of its cows, chickens, emus, pigs, ducks, alpacas, donkeys, guinea fowl, dogs, cats, and an Icelandic Horse. So go on! Enjoy a morning milking, feeding, and brushing the calves, and pitching in around the farm. And for the small set, there’s even a playground with an antique firetruck.
The Naylors will welcome you into their ranch home and give you a personal tour of their 80-acre stone fruit farm. Organic fruit is ripe for the picking from mid-May to mid-August. Wake up to a full breakfast each morning—fresh fruit, hooray!—and savor that complimentary evening snack. Older kids will have fun picking peaches while toddlers can enjoy the juicy fresh fruit.
Don’t Miss: The Squaw Valley Herb Gardens are a half-hour drive away, where you can make wreaths, lavender sachets, and a vegetarian, herb-inspired lunch.
Please note, prices listed were valid at the time of publication but rates can fluctuate at different times of the year. If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.
When you embrace the rainbow, you embrace healthy recipes and a healthy diet. Eating colorfully means yummy foods filled with flavor in all tastes and textures—bursting with vitamins, minerals, fiber and of course, color! From the main meal to sweet desserts, these kid-friendly healthy recipes will have you cooking up goodies that are just as much fun to look at they are to eat.
If you haven't spotted this unmistakable photo around Pinterest yet, it's time to try out The Indigo Kitchen's sushi recipe. Using natural savory dyes like spirulina and purple cabbage, this is a 100% plant-based sushi roll that's perfect for convincing your picky eaters that sushi is both fun to make and eat.
For a no-bake dessert that takes only 30 minutes to make, these rainbow rice krispie treats are a must. Colorful and delicious, what’s not to love? We know our little monkeys feel the same way, and this recipe from The Gracious Wife is sure to stir up some excitement. Experiment with natural sweet dyes, like carrot juice, beet juice and blackberry juice for added nutrition!
This deliciously simple recipe from The View from Great Island is almost too easy to pass up. Add in extra zucchini and eggplant to customize your rainbow and let the kids help with the prep work! Ready to grill in no time, these kabobs are the perfect pop of color for your summer cookout.
We could eat five of these spring rolls plain... they're that good! This bright recipe from Oh, The Things We'll Make is a perfect one to try with your dexterous ones, as the sticky rice wrapper is a great new food texture. Big on seafood this summer? Steam and halve a few shrimp for a bit of pink in your rainbow.
We would never leave you without a refreshing glass of bubbly if we can help it, so check out this easy mix by Julie's Eats & Treats. Layer your fruits and pour your cocktail right over it all—let it soak for an hour to get that true sangria blend. Making a batch for the kiddie tea party? Try a mix of white grape or apple juice and ginger ale instead.
Rainbow Smoothie
iStock
Sip a rainbow of veggies blended into a colorful smoothie. Kids won't even realize that it's packed with vitamins!
Bake up a rainbow of healthy veggies with this easy recipe. Encourage your kids to pick out their own veggies and arrange them into a rainbow or other colorful design.
Tasting the rainbow (without all the added sugar) is made easy with this recipe from Family Food on the Table. Turn breakfast into a talent show by serving it DIY-style, and see what your mini artists can do!
Bake up this perfectly portable cake for your next celebration. Kids will love filling up Mason jars with rainbow layers and can easily stir up this simple recipe with a little help from Mom or Dad.
Try this combination of sweet, salty and a dash of spicy for your next family dinner. With zoodles (that's spiralized zucchini to you) for your kids to slurp up, we guarantee this will be a delicious hit. Stir in shrimp or chicken, or find the vegetarian recipe over at Get Inspired Everyday.
As if we could forget a fresh summer dip like this one from Gimme Some Oven. Even though blogger Ali Ebright has walked us through dozens of different salsa ideas, we would be remiss if her vibrant mix did not make an appearance with the rest of the rainbow. Hearty, healthy and absolutely tasty, we hope your kids enjoy a chip-full this summer.
We recently jumped on the cauliflower bandwagon, which we love for its alphabet of vitamins and versatility. If your family hasn't tried a cauliflower crust pizza, this cheerful recipe from Gimme Delicious is sure to win them over—or trick them over. Tiny tots aren't corn and tomato fans? Try a Hawaiian theme with pineapple and diced ham!
We can never resist a good kale smoothie when the sun is out and the humidity settles into our hair. We especially love this smoothie bowl (kale optional) from Breanna Spain because our wee ones get to build it however they want. Set out a few bowls of diced fruits, and watch them dig in!
Capri Sun? Been there, sipped that. Now introduce your kid to Chicago’s fresh-squeezed juice and smoothie scene. (Psst. . . it’s a great way to sneak in veggies!) We hopped around to town to find juice and smoothie bars and cafes that focus on the all-natural stuff and have family-friendly atmospheres to boot. Grab a tall, healthy glass at one of these sunny spots, or take it to go and mosey through a park.
Why it deserves a squeeze: The locally owned spot will be your new favorite place to pop in for a sandwich and cold-pressed juice, and treat the kids to a special smoothie. They also get points for convenience with their online ordering option.
Real Good Juice Co. now has several locations in the city and you can find them in Whole Foods, as well. They offer 10-ounce cold-pressed juices which boast three pounds of organic locally-sourced produce per bottle and come with witty names like Juicille Ball and Punky Juice-Ster. For a snack try a smoothie bowl, a toast or sandwich or the NoYoFroYo.
Locations in Lincoln Park, Old Town, Lakeview, River North & Southport; Online: realgoodstuffco.com
Why it deserves a squeeze: A must-visit for weekend brunch, this Greektown staple has fresh squeezes on the daily, good for sipping on the spot or on the go.
You may know this neighborhood fave for its Greek-inflected breakfast and brunch menu. We’re talking scramblers, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, French toast, pancakes and waffles, plus vegan and gluten-free options (hello, polenta pancakes). But you’d be remiss in missing the juice bar, a pivotal portion of Meli’s menu. Beyond your standard OJ and apple juice (which are both available for traditionalists), Meli ventures into hearty meal-in-a-glass territory with juice blends such as celery-apple-carrot, mango-orange-kiwi-honey and wheatgrass-pineapple-apple-pear-lemon.
301 S. Halsted St., Greektown; Online: melicafe.com
Why it deserves a squeeze: This LA-based franchise has been blending juices and smoothies for twenty years so they know how to create a tasty and healthy treat.
Juice and smoothie lovers have flocked here for years for favorites like the G-Snap with ginger, carrot and orange and the ABC with apple, beet and carrot juices. They also have a good selection of smoothies, smoothie bowls and toasts.
Why it deserves a squeeze: You can get your juice with a side of vegan pizza.
Founded thanks to a Kickstarter campaign and named after owner Alexandra Curatolo’s pet French Bulldog, Belli’s brings healthy, local food to Pilsen. When you walk in, you’re greeted by a colorful menu with concoctions featuring fresh local and organic leafy greens for a daily dose of essential vitamins. For the more adventurous, there is even Kombucha on tap.
Why it deserves a squeeze: famed Chicago Chef, Paul Kahan, developed the menu.
Start your morning with a Mornin’ Buzz smoothie for you (espresso, cacao, peanut butter, macca powder, banana and dates) and cold-pressed juice or smoothie for your little sidekick. If you’re looking for something more substantial to go with your juice or smoothie, Left Coast has a complete menu divided into First Wave (breakfast), Greens, Grains, Wraps, and, of course, Kiddos.
2878 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Park & 151 N. Franklin, Loop; Online: leftcoastfood.com
Move over PSL, there’s a new fall drink in town! The Apple Crisp Macchiato has fallen in a Starbucks cup near you and it sounds absolutely magical. Complete with a caramelized apple drizzle on top!
The latest and greatest fall beverage is available at Starbucks nationwide starting today and we don’t blame you if you’re drooling over your screen. You can expect layered flavors of apple and brown sugar along with the classic base of espresso and steamed milk. The topper is made of apple juice, apple puree, cinnamon and nutmeg, so it also smells amazing. Basically an apple pie in drink form, it’s available hot or iced for whatever weather you experience this fall.
Starbucks says its research and development team taste tested a variety of apple flavored items before landing on the newest macchiato. The combination of the gooey taste of apple crisp and a hot cup of coffee was too good to pass up!
“Creating an ingredient with a spicy baked apple flavor was crucial to be able to bridge an autumn red apple to espresso,” said Raegan Powell, senior manager on the Starbucks research and development team. “Consider how well a delicious slice of warm apple pie pairs with a cup of coffee or how well the combination of Starbucks roasty signature espresso pairs with warm spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.”
Like the rest of Starbucks’ fall lineup, this one is only available for a limited time. Pairing with a slice of pie or a cider donut is optional (but highly encouraged).
Our new series, Tiny Birth Stories, is aimed at sharing real-life stories from our readers to our readers. In just 100 words or less, we’re bringing you the raw, the funny and the heartwarming stories you’ve lived while bringing babies into the world. Here are five stories that will have you laughing, crying and nodding your head in solidarity.
Interested in telling your birth story? Click here.
Don’t be a superhero, get the epidural by Cheri M.
I had envisioned a spontaneous labor, where my water broke, unexpectedly, on the subway during my commute and my husband frantically drove us to the hospital. Instead, I was induced and given the date and time to go to the hospital. My OB broke my water, eight hours after I was given Cytotec. I had a lot of water, a lot. My OB kindly said “the anesthesiologist is available. Listen, every mom is a superhero, get the epidural.” I followed his advice. Eight hours later, 55 minutes of pushing, an episiotomy, my daughter was born. It happened perfectly.
The “fry guy” held my leg by Dawn T.
Eight years ago, I was 36 and he was 40. Old parents by many opinions. When her due date rolled around, it left just as quickly. A week overdue, I spent 4 days in the hospital hooked to a heart monitor, permitted to only drink apple juice. My husband threw a fry to me once. I was induced overnight, crapped on the delivery table with my mom holding one leg, and fry-guy holding the other. She arrived at 9:46 am and we’ve been on her clock ever since.
The patient with the longest labor time by Natalie H.
For my first birth, this past August, I was induced for 4 days before delivering my handsome son! It took me two days just to get to 3 cm dilated. The doctors and nurses tried every medicine and option that one could ever think of. Then, overnight, I was able to dilate from 3cm to 7cm and it took off from there. My doctor said that, in all of her years of practice, I became her patient with the longest labor time.
Induced with twins at 37 weeks by Amanda
When the doctor said to start calling at 6 am to check for available beds, you are showered and awake by 5 am ready to go! I was being induced with twins at 37 weeks, and little did I know they wouldn’t have a bed ready for me until later that evening. When I arrived I was not dilated at all, so I received cervadil and anxiously walked the halls with my also eager husband. The next day, still no progress, another round of cervadil was attempted. Sleeping with leg compressions was pretty difficult, as well as the limited food and drinks due to a possibility of a c-section. Finally on day 3, with the help of pitocin and many hour of pushing, I delivered our son. Thirty-six minutes later came our daughter. Along with their little brother, the twins continue to keep us on our toes ten years later!
Induction that ended in an emergency C-section by Courtney M.
I was induced at thirty-three weeks. I labored for three days before finally having an emergency c-section due to fever. I had an infection. I gave birth to my handsome son. We spent five weeks in the NICU then got to go home.
From the moment they learn how to shake their little Huggies-covered booty, kids will find any excuse to dance. But throw some flashing lights and apple-juice libations into the mix? You’ve got the hottest kiddies dance club on the block. Scroll down to find out how to create that VIP club vibe at home.
Photo: CirKiz
1.Break out ALL OF THE LIGHTS. Flashing bicycle lights, leftover glow sticks from Halloween, a string of Christmas lights—all that matters is that the daytime lights are switched off, and the party lights come ON. Make sure to draw the shades!
2. The ultimate playlist. Nothing kills the vibe like a stint of silence while you search for the next song. Make sure you have at least ten songs qued up and ready. Take a few requests before hand or just hit play on our ultimate playlist.
3.Let ’em dress themselves. Picking out that “going out” outfit is a rite of passage. Let them go nuts with the wardrobe, including accessories!
4. The Guestlist. Have your kiddos help you create a flyer for the party of the century. Have them hand it out to friends they want to cut a rug with.
5. Stock the bar. From apple juice topped with tiny tropical umbrellas to ginger ale with slices of orange, make sure there are a few specialty libations to keep them hydrated through the dance marathon.
6. Show your stamp. They may not get the reference, but it’s a scientific fact that littles love stamps. So give ’em a hand stamp as they enter the club. No ins and outs!
7. Play DJ. keep things interesting by helping to run the show. As the, um, seasoned club-goer, lead dance challenges (“everyone do the worm!”), call-and-response chants and host dance offs between dueling crews.
8. Bubbles, steam and smoke. Get your hands on a bubble gun or steam machine to take the party to 11.
9. Set up a photo booth. So much better than selfies! Set up a well-lit corner where kids can get silly with their buds (goofy costumes are a great addition) and snap a pic to remember this party forever!
10. Lounge lizards. Create a few cozy lounge areas where the kids can take a breather, sip their spritzer or chat up that cutie they met out on the dance floor.
If you have kids in kindergarten through 4th grade, ringing in the new year might be a tough holiday to celebrate. By New Year’s Eve, kids can be overtired, bored, and stir crazy. And worse, for some kids, the prospect of going back to school looms like a dementor ready to suck out all of their happiness. Ok, that is how I felt as I waited to go back to school but I am willing to believe that there are some kids who love packing lunch and carrying a new school bag in January. Either way, New Year can be a rough time.
One tip, unrelated to resolutions, is to celebrate New Year’s Eve in some faraway time zone that fits your schedule. Kids want to feel like they are part of the celebration of a New Year but in some cultures, New Year’s Eve is very much an adult occasion. And, it is always a late night since midnight is the celebratory time. We live on the West Coast of the United States and always celebrated with our kids on East Coast time. So, midnight came at 9 pm. We would hug and clink our glasses of sparkling apple juice before letting off a few noisy party poppers. Kids were in bed by 9:30, perfectly happy that they had seen in the New Year. Then the adults got to wait for midnight in our actual time zone. You’re welcome!
Here are some tips to including younger children in the ritual of making resolutions.
1. Don’t call them resolutions, call them Changes and Promises. These are much more relatable words for younger kids. You can ask your kids “What’s one thing you want to change and one thing you promise yourself to do better?”
2. Make a visual chart. Charts work. You probably have charts for family chores, or homework, or team sports. Making a chart that shows the resolution (or change, or promise) and a series of boxes or columns to note each month, allows your child to see how well they are keeping up with the promise.
It can take two months for a new behavior to become automatic. So, if you want these changes to stick, stay on top of it until at least April 1st. Bring it up at dinner once in a while, update the chart you helped them make, and remind the kids that this was their own change or promise.
3. Make a change or promise yourself and let your kids hold you accountable. Kids enjoy “being the boss” of adults. So if you promise not to drink soda and put that on the chart, let your kids be the ones to remind you when you slip. It makes the whole process seem more fun since they get to call you out. But they will also be more likely to keep their own promises.
4. Expect them to slip once in a while. If the promise or change they came up with was to keep their room tidier, it’s not going to be perfect and it’s not going to be consistent. But, the resolution allows you to bring it up and guide them toward the long term goal of a cleaner bedroom. Do not overreact when they fall behind. That will make it just another thing you have to nag them about.
5. Celebrate milestones and use positive reinforcement. If you are using a chart, have a key that lays out the rewards. Get four gold star stickers in a row and Dad does your chores for one day, or we go out for ice cream, or whatever works in your family. You can decide how success is judged and measured, you may or may not use stars, stickers, etc.
Good changes in habits do not need to wait for a specific day. You can change any time. But around New Year you may find your younger children asking about resolutions because it is such an important part of our end of year traditions and they hear about it everywhere. Using these few tips will help you engage your younger kids in the opportunity to make positive changes and stick with them.
I am a summer camp director and youth development professional. I have 3 kids all now over the age of 18. Oh the lessons I learned! I enjoy writing, walking, travelling, and binge watching on Netflix. I truly believe that Summer Camp is an important learning opportunity for all children.
“Paint and sip” studios—those places where people of varying levels of artistic skills nurse a beverage (beer, wine, apple juice, etc.) and try their hand at creating a piece of art—started popping up in New York City a few years ago. Now, the city is full spots to grab a paintbrush and a pint and attempt a masterpiece (or just have a fun time). Paint and sip studios are great for parties, be they kid’s celebrations, baby showers, or parent group meetups, and of course, you and the kids can go and do some mommy or daddy and me painting just for the heck of it. Here’s where you can paint and sip with the kids in NYC!
photo: Pinot’s Palette Park Slope
The Paint and Sip Primer Paint and sip spots are exactly what they sound like: places where you can hold a brush in one hand and a glass of wine (or whatever your beverage of choice is) in the other. Don’t worry if you’re nervous about bringing your child to a bar — the spots are more art studio than saloon. Rows of easels are set up facing an instructor, who walks you through the painting of that session, step by step. You can join a scheduled class with a predetermined painting, or book a private event for a chance to choose from hundreds of designs.
Costs range from about $30 to $60 per person, per session, and everything (except the drinks) is included. (You can bring your own wine, beer, champagne, etc.—but no hard liquor.) The location will provide paints, an easel, and an apron; you bring yourself and the kids, and your inner artists. Even without any previous artistic experience, you’ll be surprised at how great everyone’s art turns out. Who knew you were so creative?
photo: Painting with a Twist
Painting With a Twist Painting With a Twist is a bright and inviting place to spend a few hours painting and relaxing. The space is relatively small, but cozy, and instructors and staff are super friendly. The recommended age is over 7, so leave the little ones at home for this one.
The Menu: Basic wine, beer, soda and small finger food is available, but you’re welcome to bring your own booze as well. No alcohol is allowed on family days, although 15 – 20 year olds are welcome to attend the regular painting sessions (sans drinking, of course!).
For the Kids: Family-friendly classes are often scheduled throughout the month here, but try to book with a friend because the singles and regular classes are more popular, and classes can be cancelled if a minimum number of participants isn’t met.
Parties: Choose from over 5,000 paintings for a two- or three-hour class, plus half an hour before and after the main event to mingle and relax. Space is small so groups are limited to 10. The space allows you to decorate, as well as bring your own food and drinks, or even hire a caterer.
Pinot’s Palette A juggernaut of the paint and sip industry, Pinot’s Palette has two Brooklyn locations. One, located on Park Slope’s 5th Avenue, is owned and operated by retired NYPD officer and Army vet Scott Drummond. In Dyker Heights, Tatiana Nicoli converted part of her store Boulevard Books and Café into a Pinot’s Palette studio.
Pinot’s Palette doesn’t designate special children’s days, simply because kids are always welcome, and many of the paintings offered here are kid-friendly. Keep in mind, though, that the evening paintings have an open bar and more difficult projects, so smaller children might get frustrated at the difficulty level. However, you and the kids can also stop by the Open Studio events, when the canvas is your, well, canvas; paint whatever you want on a 16×20 canvas (included in the price) or follow one of the self-guided paintings.
The Menu: Assorted drinks like coffee, wine, beer and soda can be purchased and consumed here, as well as some finger foods.
For the Kids: The Park Slope location holds afternoon sessions on weekends featuring kid-friendly works like the cute owl “Little Hootie Pie” or a colorful Sugar Skull, while in Dyker Heights, parents and kids work on “Mommy and Me” projects side by side.
Pinot’s Palette is also home to the“Little Brushes” program, during whichchildren between 6 and 12 years of age are welcome to a fun, party-like atmosphere where they’re encouraged to play with colors and paints, make collages, and more.
Have a little girl scout in the family? Painting with Pinot’s Palette nets a badge for it. Check the locations for seasonal events as well.
Parties: Private parties can be booked for 10 to 15 people, for two- or three-hour sessions, bookended by half hour mingle periods. Not enough time? Pinot’s Palette lets you purchase more time to make the space your own. During children’s birthday parties, gather a party of 15 kids and the birthday child is free. Keep in mind: outside food is allowed, but outside drinks are not.
For a larger, more vibrant painting environment, check out Muse Paintbar.
The Menu: Muse doesn’t just have a bar, it has an entire kitchen, with platters, sandwiches and desserts for the entire family to enjoy.
For the Kids: Regularly-scheduled family nights feature kid-friendly paintings that little fingers can keep up with. Typically priced at $29 per person, the family day events are one of the cheaper options. Kid classes (and parties) are lead by instructors experienced with teaching children.
Parties: The loft-like space can accommodate up to 50 kids, making it ideal for a big birthday bash. Muse has pre-set times for private kids parties, but they also allow you to come in earlier to decorate. You can also bring your own drinks, food and cake — though the space will have kiddie finger food on offer.
Muse Paint Bar 329 Greenwich St. Tribeca 646-938-7800 Online: musepaintbar.com
The Paint Place Consider The Paint Place extremely kid- and family friendly. With two locations—one on the Upper West Side, one in Astoria—The Paint Place offers Family Fun Painting sessions on select weekend mornings, as well as after school art classes and parties. The Paint Place also hosts all-ages events for kids ages 8 to 18, which are noted on each location’s calendar.
The Menu: For adults, it’s beer and wine—they provide the openers and cups.
For the Kids: Family Fun Painting is for kids from four to seven, and older kids can come by any event noted “All Ages Welcome.” And they do after school classes for kids wanting to delve deeper into art.
Parties: Guests paint a 12 x 12 canvas with the help of an instructor, and you provide the cake, food, and paper products.
The Painting Lounge The Painting Lounge has four NYC locations: Chelsea, Midtown, Harlem, and Williamsburg. Painting subjects range from scenic vistas and cityscapes to sassy ladies to Notorious B.I.G. Most classes cost between $30 and $50, but sales are frequent, knocking down prices as much as $40 percent. You can sign up in advance online, and there’s a 24-hour cancellation policy.
The Menu: You bring your own beverages—anything but hard liquor. They provide cups and bottle openers.
For the Kids: The Painting Lounge is mostly for older kids and adults. Kids eight and up can attend classes.
Parties: The Painting Lounge frequently hosts adult celebrations, and does birthday parties for kids ages eight and up.
