Find out the best Costco hours to shop to whether or not you really need Costco coupons, these hacks will make your shopping experience even better

If you have a Costco membership, then you already know all about the joys of shopping for steals while sampling the goods. What you might not be aware of, however, are the secret tips to navigating your favorite shopping destination, and the extra “hidden” ways you can use that membership to earn even more. Here are some of the best Costco hacks and tips to save you money.

You Can Get Curbside Pick Up

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Due to COVID, Costco is now offering curbside pickup on selected items for members. Most of it is electronics and jewelry, but it's still a nice perk. 

Get Immunizations

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Cross two errands off your list when you make an appointment at the Costco pharmacy for annual immunizations. You can get a flu vaccine for the whole family and other important milestone immunizations. The pharmacy accepts all major insurances. 

Know Your Price Codes

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Did you know there are all sorts of little tips and tricks when it comes to figuring out those price codes? Yup, there's a system. Think asterisk = seasonal and 97 cents means a markdown, etc. There are more, according to Wallet Hacks

Related: Costco May Keep Its Hot Dog & Soda Combo Price $1.50 ‘Forever’

Shop without a Membership

a Cool costco hack is that Instacart delivers
Instacart

Want the perks of shopping at Costco without the cost of a membership? There's an easy way to make it happen. If you don't mind using Instacart, simply fire up the app and place your Costco order, no membership is needed. Of course, with a $5.99 delivery fee, it still isn't completely free, but you're also gaining the convenience of shopping from home—although you won't get to nibble on all those samples.

Save on Gift Cards

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It’s nearly impossible to get gift cards on sale since you are essentially just trading in cash for a card of the same value. At Costco, however, you can purchase a pack of gift cards to various retailers at a discounted rate.

Ditch the Coupon Book

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Forgot your coupon book? No worries. Nowadays, according to Wallet Hacks, there are no barcodes and the savings are automatically applied to your bill. The book is just your monthly list of deals and savings.

Skip the Food Court Line

skipping the food court line is a great costco hack
Pixabay

After navigating your way through Costco and the enormous checkout line with kids in tow, the last thing you want to do is wait in another line to grab lunch, especially if your tots are hangry. Luckily there's a ridiculously simple way to skip the food court line. While you're checking out, place your order and pay, then all you have to do is show your receipt and grab your food at the pick-up area.

Related: Here’s the Real Reason Costco Checks Your Receipts Before You Leave

Spend Less on Prescriptions

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With this Costco hack, Costco’s prescription program, members are offered deep discounts on their prescription medications without insurance coverage.

See a Double Feature

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A trip to the movies for a family can get pretty pricey, but at Costco, you can purchase a 10-pack of movie tickets for a discounted price and they never expire. With the money you’ll save, that overpriced popcorn and drinks won’t be quite so bad.

The Best Time to Shop

costco hacks
The Krazy Coupon Lady via YouTube

Love Costco's prices, but not the crowds? Beat the lines and packed aisles by shopping on the best day and time. According to Business Insider, try to bypass the weekends and shop on weekdays if possible. It's also best to avoid evenings, so load up your tots and hit Costco early or mid-morning.

You'll Never Overspend

costco hacks save you money
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While we can't guarantee you won't buy one too many bottles of Kirkland wine, you definitely won't get charged for more than what you take home thanks to the one thing Costco employees always do before you leave the store. As it turns out checking that receipt and drawing that smiley face has nothing to do with making sure you're not stealing. Instead, Costco does this to ensure that you haven't been double charged for any items.

Another way Costco makes sure you won't overspend is with its 30-day price adjustment policy. According to Eat This, Not That!, if an item goes on sale within 30 days of when you purchased it, Costco will pay you the difference, no receipt needed.

Related: 11 Ridiculous Things You Can Buy on Your Next Costco Run

Save Money on Your Next Car

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No one likes car shopping, but when you use your Costco membership, you might actually have some fun. The Costco Auto Program works with thousands of pre-owned car dealerships to negotiate low prices for you, so you don’t have to sweat the haggling.

Make Sure You're Scoring a Deal

one costco hack is to look for discounts
JJ Ying via Unsplash

Want to make sure you're getting the best deal possible? According to Eat This, Not That! you'll know a Costco item has been discounted if the price ends in $0.97. If the price tag also has an asterisk, then it won't be restocked. 

Family Vacation on a Budget

Disney facts and Disney trivia for kids
Youn Choo via Unsplash

Want to see the world? This Costco hack can help you do it for less. With Costco Travel your membership can get you deals on theme park tickets, airplane tickets, car rentals, hotels, and cruises. We're talking up to 30% off hotels both in the U.S. and abroad as well as package deals on family-friendly vacations like Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Package with Walt Disney World tickets. 

Get Checks for Less

affordable checks are a costco hack
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Even in the age of digital payments, there are still those few moments when a check is required, and Costco will print you a pack of checks for less than your bank charges.

Related: The Best Times to Shop at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Costco & More Grocery Stores

Get Tech Help for Free

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There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to figure out why your WiFi is out or Netflix isn’t loading. Costco offers free technical support for any televisions, computers, tablets, appliances, and more purchased in-store and online. No warranties or extra fees are required.

Shop Costco Next

Two women shopping online
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Costco Next is an online way to shop from Costco's most trusted suppliers and you'll get to choose from a wide range of exclusive items that are often low in stock. Costco Next allows you to purchase directly from the suppliers' site while still enjoying your Costco membership values.

Additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

 

 

Dear Day Camp, Hi. I want to say right off the bat that we are cool. I like and need you. Because you take my complicated, sensitive kid every day, and then she comes home later, and she did things, and she was safe and happy. You must be doing something right.

But I have a request. Please, please be a true partner to working parents and stop with the crazy hat days. Or, more realistically, go crazy with crazy hat days and any other silly accessories—I’ll even donate that questionable furry purple stole thing that keeps falling on me when I try to get stuff out of the top of my closet—but please don’t make it another to-do for me.

Because no matter how many e-mail reminders you send during the days leading up to these cute spirit activities, it is a mathematical certainty that some of us just won’t be able to get it done and our children will be left out, wondering why their parents overlooked them. For all the articles about the invisible mental load, this one is not invisible at all, and it needs to be addressed.

Crazy hat day is “hey, let’s see if moms can handle another thing” day. Well, today I couldn’t. And I don’t need to see the sad photos to know that many other moms (and dads) couldn’t, either.

Today wasn’t a surprise. I knew crazy hat day was today. At least three days ago, I saw the e-mail pop up as I was responding to the latest midday text from a caregiver in between meetings at work, asking about someone’s eczema cream or where the velcro shoes were. I knew somewhere in my brain that my 5-year-old would go to camp today, and if she didn’t have a crazy hat packed in her bag, she would arrive and feel slighted and left out when all the other kids produced their lovingly packed crazy hats. And I still couldn’t get it done.

Not because I didn’t want to. But because my brain, and my partner’s brain, simply ran out of RAM to keep it on the to-do list. Or maybe we simply ran out of time. As two practicing attorneys with two children, every single day is an exercise in triage, all day, at work and at home. It is difficult to even find the time to register for camp—which we rely on as a critical piece of our childcare in the summer months.

And then to get the health records in. And label the clothes. And find a way to ensure that no one goes into camp without sunblock on. None of these tasks, individually, seems too daunting. But for parents who work literally around the clock, they are collectively oppressive. We get them done (just barely and only because my husband is aces) because if you want camp, you get the vaccine records in—that is non-negotiable for safety. No issue there.

But what about all the extra stuff. Why is that on me/us? (I am lucky, I think, that my partner even feels responsible for these extra assignments—I suspect most mothers are on their own. There’s definitely data on that.)

The point is, we pay good money to have our children loved and safely cared for during the day. And then we do all the things to make sure they can attend. And then we set up the system for the various supplies and accouterments to go with them in the camp routine and for someone to be home when they get off the bus and all that jazz.

Is it too much to ask not to be handed nearly daily extra assignments that are ultimately just more opportunities for us to drop the ball? Because we will. I will.

Sure, I could have spent some of the two whole hours I had free on Sunday locating or shopping for a “crazy” hat. But those are the only two hours I had to actually spend time with my babies whom I love and try hard not to disappoint when I can avoid it. I chose to use that time to bathe them, make them terrible grilled cheese (you use butter on the inside and outside, right?), and do bedtime with them—which is only even an option for me two days per week.

However, in choosing to spend the time that way, I was also, subconsciously, making a choice to screw my kid at camp today. And that just sucks.

Unfortunately, disappointing my children is part and parcel of my existence as a working mother. I often have to do other things when they want (and need) my attention and love. Work things. Things that are necessary for our livelihood.

But it doesn’t make sense that I am paying others to manufacture more opportunities for disappointments. I have gotten very good at letting my children down all on my own—and for free. I want—no, I need—the others in the village I have constructed to help me rear my children to minimize those opportunities for sadness and let-downs, not add to them.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am not down on camp. I loved it as a child, and I get why they do all these fun spirit things. My kids are enjoying their experiences at camp, and I am sincerely grateful for the peace of mind it affords me to know that my kids are safe and happy when I cannot be with them because we have a mortgage.

But few things are as crushing to a mother, who is killing herself to pay the bills and also find some time to actually sit with her children and love them in person, as seeing a photo of her daughter watching quietly from the side while the other kids revel in front of the camera with their crazy hats.

When I saw it posted on social media, I wanted to run out of my office and drive to camp and hug her and explain to her that she isn’t an oversight. That I don’t not care about sending her to camp with the right stuff. I care so much.

Please, camp. Help me not fail at this one. I’m not asking you to cancel crazy hat day or whatever other crazy days are coming up that require supplies. It looks like great fun for the kids whose mothers (and fathers) managed to get it together.

But I am asking you to understand that I got home after 1 a.m. last night, and I didn’t see my children this morning, either. And under the current setup, I simply don’t stand a chance.

My household cannot take on any more things, and we need you to be a real partner in our children’s happiness, not working against us (knowingly or not).

And if that means we pay a little more for camp and you take that cash and send out a counselor to buy whatever colored shirts or armbands you need to stick in a closet somewhere so that I never have to see that look on my daughter’s face in a camp photo again, I will gladly do so.

I’ll make the same plea to my kids’ teachers in September, too. I’m happy to contribute extra up front—I hereby authorize you to spend all of it on trips and party snacks to avoid breaking my child’s soul and my heart at 2 p.m. on a random Tuesday.

Also, while I’m focused on this. Please put me down now for all of the 8:15 p.m. parent-teacher conference slots and know that Grandma is coming to all the parties at 11:15 a.m. Sounds funny but she’s really coming to all of those. I may not even meet you this year. And not because I don’t want to.

💔

The full version of this post was originally published on @mamasaidf.

Sara is an attorney and mother of two (plus one shorthair) in New York.

It’s better late than never when it comes to getting vaccinated for the flu

If you’ve been wondering whether to get your flu shot, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends it with a resounding yes. Even though the weather is still warm and you’re probably not thinking about the flu yet, experts at both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that adults and children over six months old should get the new 2022-2023 vaccine to prevent the spread of influenza.

The CDC has released all the info you need to know about this year’s specific influenza virus strands and when you should make your appointment to get vaccinated.

CDC/Unsplash

Why should people get vaccinated against flu?

With Covid-19 dominating our lives for the past few years, its easy to see how Influenza took a backseat––but it can still be deadly. The flu leads to hospitalizations and death for thousands of people every year from complications like bacterial pneumonia and chronic health issues like diabetes and congestive heart failure.

Because every flu season is different, getting the vaccine gives everyone the best possible chance to fight the flu. Even though you may still contract the virus, vaccines have been shown to lessen the severity of symptoms and side effects which means less time missing work and school.

How do flu vaccines work?

Your body needs antibodies to help provide protection against influenza, and vaccines help them to develop as soon as two weeks after getting the jab. Seasonal flu vaccines are specifically designed to fight certain flu strands projected to be the most common in the U.S and fight against four viruses: an influenza A(H1N1) virus, an influenza A(H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses.

When should I get vaccinated?

Don’t wait until your friends and family start dropping like flies from the flu. September and October are great times to get vaccinated for anyone six months and older. Most flu vaccines will become available starting in September, and while you shouldn’t wait until the season is in full force, even getting vaccinated in November and later is a good choice. With flu season peaking in February, the earlier you can protect yourself, the better.

Adults 65 years and older should not get vaccinated too early, to ensure proper protection during the entire flu season. On the flip side, children can get vaccinated as early as July or August. If you’re pregnant, be sure to check with your physical on getting immunized during your third trimester.

Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?

As mentioned above, each flu season is unique and annual vaccines are developed to combat the specific strands prevalent that year. Getting a flu shot every year also offers protection for waning immunization from the year prior.

Does flu vaccine work right away?

Immunization reaches optimal protection levels two weeks after vaccination. This is why it’s of utmost importance to get your flu shot before everyone in your community starts spreading the virus.

 

You can read more about this year’s influenza season and vaccines on the CDC website.

You’ve heard it before but now we know it’s true. The higher the hair, the closer to Heaven, and we’re pretty sure Dolly is a saint.

Dolly Parton’s Dollywood in Sevierville, Tennessee will start covering 100% of tuition, fees and books for any of their employees who want to further their schooling—any, y’all. Seasonal, part-time and full-time employees in Dolly’s empire, including Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, Dollywood Cabins and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, can enjoy this perk through the GROW U pilot program launching on Feb. 24.

There’s no catch. Dolly’s employees can enroll in diploma, degree and certificate programs offered through 30 learning partners on their very first day of work. Subjects such as business administration and leadership, culinary, finance, technology and marketing are fully covered and partial funding—up to $5,250/year—is provided for 150 additional programs in fields like hospitality, engineering, human resources and art design.

The Dollywood Company’s president, Eugene Naughton, told local Tennessee news outlet WATE, “We know when our hosts are happy and feel cared for that they are going to pass that along to our guests. The creation of the program allows another avenue for us to care for our hosts.”

The company’s tenets include learn more, care more, dream more and be more. “When our hosts strive to grow themselves, it makes our business and our community a truly better place.”

And this isn’t the first instance of The Dollywood Company living their corporate tenets. Dolly’s Imagination Library partners with local communities to provide every preschool-aged child a free book each month, and she gives away over $1 million a year in donations through her Dollywood Foundation.

She read bedtime stories to our children during the darkest days of the Covid lockdown. Oh. And she also gave $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to fund the development of the Moderna vaccine, so she kind of solved a worldwide pandemic, too.

As one of her early songs goes, “Just because I’m blonde don’t think I’m dumb cause this dumb blonde ain’t nobody’s fool.We couldn’t agree more. She’s a shrewd businesswoman who uses her influence and resources for extraordinary good.

—Shelley Massey

Featured image Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library via YouTube

 

RELATED STORIES

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We may be a step closer towards a two-dose vaccine for our youngest children, aged 6 month to 5 years-old, but head’s up that there will probably be a recommended third dose before long. Here’s why.

The New York Times reported a study by Pfizer-BioNTech (which included about 1,200 children younger than two and about 1,500 between two and four) proved safe, but children aged two to four didn’t show as strong a response to the vaccine as the ones aged six months to two years.

Now, the vaccine manufacturer is eying a third dose for children, but the FDA—in an unusual move—is sending signals that they’d like to review the data for the two-dose regimen in children ages five and under. Why the rush? Dr. Janet Woodcock, the acting F.D.A. commissioner, and Dr. Peter Marks, an agency regulator who oversees its vaccines office, said on Tuesday that it was important to act quickly given the surge in Omicron cases, which has now peaked in many parts of the country, and the likelihood that other variants will follow.

Scientists and researchers seem to agree that there’s no downside to authorizing the use of a two-dose regimen, but according to Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s chairman and chief executive, “ultimately, we believe that three doses of the vaccine will be needed for children six months through four years of age to achieve high levels of protection against current and potential future variants.” If two doses are authorized in the meantime, “parents will have the opportunity to begin a Covid-19 vaccination series for their children while awaiting potential authorization of a third dose.”

The approval of a two-dose vaccine for children younger than five must be first authorized by the F.D.A., then voted on by a panel of the C.D.C. Finally, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the agency’s director, must decide whether the C.D.C should recommend the shots as government policy.

Bottom line: don’t get in line yet. But considering the C.D.C. released a study that of hundreds of pediatric hospitalizations in six cities last summer where nearly all of the children who became seriously ill had not been fully vaccinated, you should definitely keep an eye on this as it progresses along the approval process.

—Shelley Massey

Photo by CDC via Pexels

 

RELATED STORIES:

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The CDC is reporting higher than normal flu activity, and although February is typically peak flu season, they predict it will continue to be elevated for several weeks.

With all the media focus on the Omicron variant, I have had a lot of parents reaching out wanting to know if it is too late for a flu shot. As a pediatrician, I know the importance of protecting ourselves against influenza, but as a mother, I dread the tears and drama from vaccinations. Of course, if we are going to put our children and ourselves through the stress of “the flu shot” we want to know—is it worth it?

It has been reported that the flu vaccine is only 30% effective against the flu, with such low efficiency, is it even worth putting my child through a flu shot?

I believe that some protection is better than no protection. Influenza is most dangerous for the younger population and the elderly. There are many dangerous and even fatal complications from the influenza virus, so getting your child vaccinated is the best way to protect them from getting the flu, or to help lessen the severity of the flu symptoms.

Does the flu vaccine protect against H3N2?

During the last flu seasons, it was determined that the flu vaccine’s effectiveness against the H3N2 strain was approximately 32%. However, this year’s vaccine has been found to be a mismatch for the H3N2 strain, meaning it’s much less effective than in prior years. Nevertheless, getting the flu shot means you’ll be less likely to become seriously ill.

Is it too late to get the flu vaccine?

No, not at all. It takes an average of two weeks for the flu vaccine to become effective. Even though flu season is estimated to peak in late January, flu season is not officially over until May. Getting your child vaccinated now will help protect them against the flu season’s second peak in early spring.

Is there a vaccine in the form of a nasal spray?

Unfortunately, the CDC found that the nasal spray didn’t prevent cases of the flu between 2013 and 2016. Therefore, it is no longer recommended or available in the form of a nasal spray.

If my child is allergic to eggs, can he still get the influenza vaccine?

Health experts say that the amount of egg allergen in the vaccine is so tiny that it is safe even for kids with a severe egg allergy. I recommend that if your child has an egg allergy, you should get the flu shot in a doctor’s office with appropriate supervision, not at a supermarket or drugstore.

Here are five things parents need to know before their child gets a flu shot:

  1. Flu Shots for Babies: Children under the age of 6 months can not get the flu shot, however, they have the highest risk of complications if they get sick with the flu. So, if you have other children in the house that go to school, it is imperative you get them vaccinated to prevent them from giving it to your infant. In addition, research shows that infants get some protection from the flu if their mothers get a flu shot while they are pregnant.
  2. Multiple Doses: If your child has never gotten the flu shot before and is under the age of nine, they are going to need to receive two separate shots of the vaccine.
  3. Call Ahead: If you going to go to your pediatrician to get the flu shot, call ahead and see if you can make a nursing appointment, or make your appointment the first available appointment of the day. I can’t tell you how many children go to the doctor to get their flu shot and catch something else while they are waiting to be seen.
  4. Your Child Can Still Get the Flu: Depending upon the vaccine you are giving, you are protected against 3 to 4 strains of the influenza virus. Therefore, although the vaccine lowers your chance of getting the virus and probably lessens the severity of the symptoms, it does not guarantee that you will not get the flu. If your child has gotten the flu shot, but still shows symptoms of the flu, have them evaluated by their pediatrician.
  5. The Unavoidable Ouchie: The injection itself can cause a lot of tenderness to the area where the shot was given. You can lightly massage the area for an hour after the injection. It significantly decreases the pain to that area.  Also, don’t be too alarmed: your child might experience mild flu-like symptoms after receiving the vaccination.

I hope this helps you as you brave what’s shaping up to be a historic flu season.

(And as always, check with your own healthcare provider before taking any medical advice you might read here.)

 

 

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Dr. Katie Friedman
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

My name is Dr. Katie Friedman and I am a board certified pediatrician, wife, mother of two and a sister to three siblings. Along with my sisters, I co-founded Forever Freckled, a website dedicated to helping people with pets, children and everyday lifest‌yle. Come join us in our journey! 

 

 

 

Probably not everyone is ready to head back to the movies just yet, but if you and the kids can’t wait to sit in a darkened theater, you can see a movie together in style. If you’re looking for the best place to see a movie with the kids in NYC, here are some of the most family-friendly theaters and film series this city has to offer.

(Don’t forget: Starting December 14th, children aged 5-11  will be required to show proof of one vaccination dose for indoor dining, fitness and entertainment. Starting December 27th, New Yorkers aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of two vaccine doses, instead of one, except for those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.)

 

For Full Immersion: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Downtown NYC, Downtown Brooklyn, and Staten Island

Alamo Drafthouse

The Alamo Drafthouse proudly states that everyone who works at the theater ("from the managers to the servers to the kitchen staff") is passionate about movies. The experience is a huge step above regular movie theaters, as it boasts incredibly comfortable seats, delicious meals served while you watch (with free soda and popcorn refills!), and hand-picked movies. Alamo Drafthouse screens everything from first-run blockbusters to cult favorites to special family programming. The theater also hosts frequent family-friendly special events, like themed menu nights and screening parties. 

While visitors under 18 to the Alamo must be accompanied by an adult, the theater also has plenty of options for kids to enjoy their movies. Parents can check out the Alamo for All, sensory-friendly and kid-friendly screenings, which keep children in mind.

Kids ages 3 and up are allowed in shows that start before 6 p.m., and it's strictly 6 and up after 6 p.m. Note that during any kind of kid-friendly movie, guests under 18 still need to be accompanied by adults.

The brand-new Manhattan location just opened in October 2021! In addition to a whopping 14 show screens, the Downtown Manhattan spot features the unique Press Room bar. Entering the Press Room is like stepping into the past: the space is a bar, an event space, and a museum all in one, and displays over 60,000 letterpress film advertising places from the 1930s up through the 80s. 

In addition to the Brooklyn and Manhattan locations, a third NYC location is planned for Staten Island, along with a kung-fu-themed store designed by the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA.

Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Manhattan

28 Liberty Street, Suite SC301
Financial District
332-216-3200
Online: drafthouse.com

Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Brooklyn

445 Albee Square
Downtown Brooklyn
718-513-2547
Online: drafthouse.com

Alamo Drafthouse Staten Island (Coming Soon!)

2636 Hylan Blvd, Unit 34
New Dorp Beach, Staten Island
Online: drafthouse.com

 

For Kid- and Baby-friendly Screenings: Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park and Williamsburg

The Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg is a legendary location: The location overturned a Prohibition-era restriction preventing the serving of alcohol in movie theaters. Thanks to this theater, adult visitors are free to enjoy an alcoholic beverage while they watch a movie! Besides that, this triplex has 92-, 60-, and 34-seat theaters, and offers a full menu and bar service during movie screenings. Outdoor movie screenings are often held when it's warm out! The menu uses local ingredients, often influenced by beloved movies. 

The second location Nitehawk Cinema in Prospect Park, formerly known as The Pavillion, was fully-updated and refurbished in cooperation with the Landmarks Preservation Commission (the renovation revealed original features and details of the 1928 theater). The 650-seat parkside cinema is primed to showcase both smaller films and huge blockbusters with a suite of state-of-the-art theaters that range from somewhat intimate to massive. (Tip: Theater 2, outfitted with a stage and huge screen provides an exemplary viewing experience.) Seats are a nice middle ground between basic theater seating and oversized, reclining lounge chairs; they are very comfortable and equipped with small tables.

The theater also has two full bars, a mezzanine cafe offering views of Prospect Park, and features special programming throughout the year, as well as brunch.

Although they're generally 18+ locations, both Nitehawk Cinema locations regularly accommodate kids and parents. The first showing of the day for all G- and PG-rated movies are open to children of any age (accompanied by an adult guardian) — these shows are marked as ALL AGES on the website. 

If you’re a new parent, treat yourself to a movie and indulge in some munchies at the "Adults with Infants" showings. Every Tuesday, only parents with infants under one-year-old will be permitted (no kids of other ages are allowed). 

During the special child-friendly times, the theaters' zero-tolerance disruption policy will be relaxed to allow kids to, well, be kids. (The Nitehawk does ask that if your child needs soothing you take them into the lobby to allow other guests to enjoy the movie.) Note that for all kid screenings, children in car seats are welcome but strollers need to be checked at the door. 

Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park

188 Prospect Park West
Windsor Terrace
Online: nitehawkcinema.com

Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg

136 Metropolitan Ave.
Williamsburg
Online: nitehawkcinema.com

Best for Classics: Film Forum and Film Forum Jr.

Peter Aaron/Esto

A favorite destination for adult movie buffs, the Film Forum in the West Village screens classics, often in 35 mm. The cinema aims to present a selection of international films on diverse topics and themes. 

Parents with kids will enjoy the Film Forum Jr. series, which is held every Sunday at 11 a.m. and where you can catch a screening of family-friendly classics. The Film Forum Jr. series presents new restorations of classics, animated films, shorts, international films, and even silent films with live piano accompaniments. This season's showings include the 100th-anniversary restoration of Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid," some Buster Keaton films and other classics, as well as more modern picks like Hayao Miyazaki's "My Neighbor Totoro" and Richard Linklater’s "School of Rock" — and more!

Tickets are $11 for non-members (regardless of age) and $9 for members. 

209 W. Houston
Soho
212-727-81210
Online: filmforum.org

For Chill Movie Moments: AMC Sensory Friendly Movie Screenings

Wikimedia Creative Commons

With over a dozen AMC theaters scattered around NYC, you're bound to have encountered and maybe even visited a few in the past. But did you know that AMC has sensory-friendly screenings? Since 2007, the theater has offered movie screenings for anyone who wants to enjoy a movie but requires a less sense-intense experience. 

At these screenings, the lights are turned up and the sound turned down. Visitors are allowed to get up and move around, make noise, talk, shout or even sing! You'll find family-friendly low-sensory screenings every second and fourth Saturday of the month. (Wednesday evenings accommodate a mature audience.) Participating theaters include AMC Magic Johnson in Harlem and AMC Bay Plaza in the Bronx. 

Various locations and times
Online: amctheatres.com

For Local Charm: Cobble Hill & Kew Gardens Cinemas

Head to one of these smaller theaters with a decidedly un-corporate vibe for a mix of first-run (kids' movies are typically on one screen), independent and foreign films. This mini-chain also has a location in Williamsburg (Williamsburg Cinemas) in a newer building. While the buildings might date to the mid-century, the interiors, sound and digital projection systems are upgraded. One thing they all have in common: a slightly goofy, retro PSA telling audience members to be quiet, throw out their trash, etc. and interiors decorated with quirky movie-related art, posters and photos. 

Cobble Hill Cinemas
265 Court St. 
Cobble Hill 
718-596-4995
Online: cobblehilltheatre.com

Kew Gardens Cinemas
81-05 Lefferts Blvd. 
Kew Gardens 
718-441-3002
Online: kewgardenstheatre.com

Williamsburg Cinemas
217 Grant St. 
Williamsburg
718-302-3422
Online: williamsburgcinemas.com

For Special Screenings in Queens

Museum of the Moving Image

Yes, The Museum of the Moving Image is home to the wonderful permanent Jim Henson exhibit, but it also features tons of kid-friendly programming and screenings that you'll enjoy, too! (P.S., screenings often come with the bonus of some extra insight into the topic or genre thanks to speakers or activities.) 

Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave.
Astoria
718-777-6800
Astoria 
Online: movingimage.us/programs

For the Most Convenient Screenings: New York Public Libraries

Setting a weekly movie date with the kids is a great way to avoid a case of cabin fever this winter. That said, bundling your set of movie-goers to go crosstown is a big hassle. Stay close to home by attending a screening at your local library. 

Many public libraries around New York City host screenings for families and kids of different ages, from children's movies to teen screenings, as well as classics. Many locations have regularly scheduled movie nights (very often on Fridays). 

Note that you can request ASL interpretation if you ask for it two weeks in advance. Check out the New York, Brooklyn and Queens Public Library’s websites to find the screenings nearest you! 

Various times and locations
Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island: nypl.org
Brooklyn: bklynlibrary.org
Queens: queenslibrary.org (though there were no scheduled movie events at the time of this writing)

For Free Screenings in Sunset Park

Industry City

Industry City hosts Rooftop Films' Sunset Park Kid's Cinema Club, a series of free screenings at the complex. (This month, it's 2018's Dr. Suess' The Grinch.) Doors open at Noon, and seating is first-come, first-served.  RSVP is recommended. Watch the Industry City Events Calendar for upcoming films. 

Industry City
51 35th St.
Building 5, Five Two A; elevators between 33rd & 34th Streets
Sunset Park 
Online: industrycity.com

For Watching from the Comfort of Your Car: NYC Drive-in Theaters 

iStock

Don't want to go inside to watch a movie? You don't have to, if you go to a drive-in, instead! Drive-ins have made a comeback recently due to it being naturally distanced and inherently isolated and outdoor experiences. NYC and its surrounding areas have a number of excellent options for those looking to stay in or around their car and watch a movie projected onto a large screen. Most locations also have food you can enjoy while you watch, or you can bring your own and make it a car picnic! 

Various times and locations
Online: tinybeans.com 

Movie Screenings in NYC Parks and Community Centers

Bryant Park Film Festival

The Movies Under the Stars screenings are the perfect free movie experience during the warmer months. Head to your local park with a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy a movie in a cozy outdoor space!

Keep an eye on the NYC Parks website, as there are occasional fall and winter indoor movie screenings as part of this series, as well. For example, at the time of this writing, there are two Christmas movies scheduled to be shown at community gymnasiums, complete with free popcorn!

Various times and locations
Online: nycgovparks.org

—Yuliya Geikhman

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Winter has arrived and along with the freezing temperatures comes the onslaught of cold and flu bugs. It might seem like the only way to defend your family against the germs is by putting them in a bubble, but there are some things you can do without resorting to hibernating until spring.

Here’s our guide to keep your kids healthy during the winter.

Photo: Troy T via Unsplash

Flu season is in full swing.

Flu season took on a whole new meaning after the pandemic, but the virus is still alive and well. It’s just as important to protect yourself against the flu as ever, so head to the CDC website to get the complete rundown of flu season this year.

Speaking of the flu, make sure your kid gets their flu shot.

When given the choice between a shot and anything else, kids will almost always choose “anything else,” but when it comes to the flu vaccine, trading in the needle for the nose spray might not be the best idea. A study confirmed which flu vaccine works best for kids. (Hint: they’ll need a band-aid afterward.)

Sometimes, it’s not “just” a cold.

January through March marks peak season for respiratory syncytial virus—known more commonly as RSV. While this virus may seem like the common cold, it isn’t. Read on to find out what is RSV and what parents need to know.

P.S., it’s also hand, foot and mouth disease season.

Is your kiddo in daycare? Do your littles spend plenty of time around other children? Hand, foot and mouth disease in kids is a common childhood illness—it’s common for kids to pick it up this time of year. Even though anyone of any age can come down with a case of HFMD, this easy-to-pass-on virus is most often seen in children ages five and under.

photo: schlauschnacker via Pixabay

Have a cold? Science says try chicken soup.

It turns out mom was right: chicken soup really is the best dish for a sick day. One dietician explains how chicken soup can help fight a cold.

These are the Vitamin C recipes you need to fight a cold.

When it comes to vitamin C, orange juice is old news. We’ve hunted far and wide and rounded up a bevy of recipes that will upgrade your family’s daily dose of this all-important vitamin. From healthy Dole Whip to irresistible Brussels sprouts, these foods are high in vitamin C and worthy of any winter menu.

Pack in some extra vitamins.

Sometimes no matter how much OJ we chug, it’s still not enough. Make sure your kiddos immune systems are prepped and ready by chewing on a few vitamins. We recently tried Emergen-C Kidz Gummies and give them a solid thumbs up. They’re packed with Vitamin C, B vitamins and Vitamin D and taste like a treat!

Let the kids nosh on some chocolate if they have a bad cough.

Getting kids to take their medicine isn’t always easy, unless it happens to be a spoonful of chocolate. Your kids will think you’re Mary Poppins when you bust out the chocolate as a cough remedy and, according to experts, it can do more good for their throat than codeine.

Still desperate to cure a cold? Put potatoes in your socks. (Yes, really!)

When kiddo is sick you’ll do anything to make them feel better. One mom swears by this potato trick during cold and flu season. But does it actually work?

 

Photo: sweetlouise via Pixabay

Pump the breaks on the probiotics.

A stomach bug is never fun for kids or parents. In fact you’ll probably do just about anything to avoid the misery -and mess- that comes with one. Unfortunately you might have to count one item out of your parental bag of tricks as new research shows that probiotics don’t help stomach bugs.

Prep these mom-tested home remedies for cold and flu season.

Cold season is upon us, which means it’s time to stock up on home remedies to help soothe your kids if they catch a cold but may not require a trip to the doctor. These simple ways to treat a cold at home will bring your little ones some comfort for symptoms ranging from a cough or a sore throat to nausea, a stuffy nose and more.

Keep your kids warm and safe for winter weather play.

As temperatures drop, it’s still important for children to get outside and play. It’s a bit more complex as parents and caregivers need to ensure the children are properly protected from the cold. To adequately prepare, it’s vital to know the actual temperature and the wind chill factor, to know how many layers and what type of clothing will protect children in cold weather.

Follow these pediatrician-approved tips to keep winter germs at bay.

If you’re a parent and you want to protect your family from the cold and flu, going to a doctor’s office is the last place you want to go. Even though it might sound counter-intuitive, you run the risk of exposing your kids and those with compromised immune systems to more germs and making mild cold symptoms go from from bad to worse. Don’t fret—there is a solution to the threat of the waiting room.

—Shahrzad Warkentin & Karly Wood

Feature image: Vitolda Klein via Unsplash

 

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After a long and anxious wait, COVID-19 vaccines are now available for kids age 5 to 11. Getting young kids vaccinated is critical for protecting our communities, since this is a large age group, and taking this step will give millions of parents peace of mind. 

Paul Lewis, MD, a Kaiser Permanente pediatrician in Portland, Oregon, who specializes in infections in kids, says that as winter and the holidays approach, this is a good time to get kids vaccinated. He suggests using the COVID-19 vaccine authorization as an opportunity to get kids caught up on other vaccinations as well, since many people have fallen behind on regular appointments during the last 18 months. He also suggests that all children over 6 months old get their flu shot this year. Fortunately, he says, it’s no problem to get both shots at the same time.

We know parents, caregivers, and others may have questions about the safety of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. In this Q&A, Dr. Lewis answers common questions about it.

 

How well does the COVID-19 vaccine work for kids?

For kids under 12, the COVID-19 vaccine is incredibly effective. A recent study, affirmed by the Food and Drug Administration, that included more than 3,000 kids who got the pediatric dose of the vaccine found that it was more than 90% effective at preventing infection with symptoms.

 

How does the vaccine for children 5 to 11 differ from the vaccine for people 12 and older?

The pediatric vaccine is identical to the vaccine that’s used for older teenagers and adults, but the dose is one-third of the adult dose. That dosage was chosen because it was just as effective at providing protective antibodies but had a much lower rate of side effects.

What are the most common side effects?

Of the thousands of kids who were part of that recent study, zero had serious adverse events. Some kids get sore arms, redness or swelling, and a smaller percentage might get fatigue, muscle aches or fever. But they’re getting side effects at lower rates than teenagers and adults.

 

What is the risk of myocarditis?

Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, has occurred in young men who’ve been vaccinated but is pretty rare, with a handful of cases per million vaccination doses. Many cardiologists think that, since this is generally more common in teenagers than school-age kids, it’ll be less common after vaccination as well. 

If my child has underlying health conditions, should I go ahead with vaccination?

Studies on this are ongoing. We know that older adolescents and adults with immunocompromised conditions or on immunosuppressive medications respond less well to vaccination, but they do respond. We also know that if they get COVID-19, they’re more likely to have worse outcomes, including needing hospitalization and intensive care. If someone has an underlying condition, such as an immunosuppressive condition, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, we recommend getting an age-appropriate vaccine.

If my child is used to wearing a mask, can’t I just rely on that for prevention?

Social distancing and wearing masks are important layers of protection, but they are hard to continue day after day, especially for kids at recess or at lunch. So the vaccine is a big, thick layer of protection to help with all those other measures, and people should use them together. 

How should I prepare my child for a vaccination appointment?

I’ve never met a kid who wanted to get a shot, but kids are resilient. You can help by explaining that you’ve been vaccinated and, while it does hurt, the pain goes away quickly and you’re there for them. At Kaiser Permanente vaccination sites, there will be people who are used to dealing with children and who know that there is a lot of emotion and fear. Kaiser Permanente staff and parents can work together to make it a minor experience for kids.

To schedule a vaccination and learn more, visit kp.org/covidvaccine/nw.

Is there anything you can do to help reduce the pain that happens in the arm after getting the vaccine? Does heat or cold compresses work better?

I don’t know of any magic or comparison between heat and cold. My advice to parents would be to avoid focusing on it; it is not much different than any other injection- actually smaller in volume. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you normally would for the degree of pain.

My son keeps taking his mask off during recess at school, is he safe since he’s outside?

Different states and different school districts have varying policies on using masks outside. In general, the risk of getting COVID outside is MUCH less than in any indoor setting. Please try to follow the school’s rules—they are doing there best in a difficult situation and parents can help by being supportive

I know the CDC says it’s safe to get both the flu vaccine at the same time as the covid vaccine, but as a pediatrician would you recommend waiting a week or two in between those vaccines?

Simultaneous vaccines are recommended because it is hard for individuals and families to make multiple appointments or to fit multiple visits into their schedules. I got mine together last week!

Are there any over the counter medications that my child should or should not take right after getting the vaccine?


CDC recommends not taking OTCs unless you need them for symptom management.

I have a 17 year old son with a heart murmur and a left ventricular bundle branch block, is he at a higher risk for Myocarditis with the vaccine?

Hard question, but I would check with his cardiologist who knows his case the best.

I have a child with a compromised immune system; with the new variant heading to the US, should I consider homeschooling during the winter months?

We will know much more about the new variant by January. It is not yet widespread enough in the US to worry and when school starts again after New Years we should know more about the risk to vaccinated and unvaccinated kids.

Do you have an estimated timeline of when kids under 5 will be approved for the vaccine?

Hard to make a guarantee but hopefully by spring of 2022.

 

 

 

 

Most pregnant people spend a lot of time Googling. You might wonder if your symptoms are normal, what your baby looks like at different weeks gestation, what labor feels like and what exactly you’re supposed to do when you can’t reach your feet to put on shoes anymore. While the answers to some questions can be found easily through an online search, it can be hard to find accurate information about one of women’s biggest concerns today: pregnancy and COVID-19. Luckily, the experts at Kaiser Permanente have answers to your most pressing questions. 

Whether you just saw that second line, are starting to feel flutters or are days away from your due date, we have answers you need to know. Read on to find out what Dr. Emily West, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, has to say.

Kaiser Permanente has an entire team of doctors, midwives, nurses, lactation consultants, and pediatricians—including 13 pediatric specialties—each of them working together, all for you. Learn more about what sets Kaiser Permanente’s maternity care apart.

 

Is COVID-19 More Dangerous for Pregnant Women?

Pregnant patients that develop symptomatic COVID-19 are at increased risk of more severe illness compared with people who are not pregnant and have a higher risk of ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation and death. COVID-19 in pregnancy makes the risk of maternal mortality 10 times higher. Pregnant women who have other underlying conditions such as diabetes or obesity are at an even higher risk of severe illness. Pregnant patients with more severe COVID-19 illness have also been found to have a higher risk of perinatal complications such as: developing blood clots, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, stillbirth and preterm delivery.

Is It Safe to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine If You’re Pregnant?

Yes, all three vaccines are safe for pregnancy, breastfeeding and those who wish to conceive. Thousands of pregnant individuals have received the vaccines and a vaccine registry (v-safe) thus far has demonstrated no increased risk of adverse outcomes for pregnant women or their babies.  COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy is strongly recommended by the CDC, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) among many other medical organizations. 

Will Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine While Pregnant Harm the Baby?

No, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines given during pregnancy harm the baby. The vaccines do not alter human DNA and cannot cause any genetic changes. In fact, current data shows that babies of patients who receive the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy are born with protective COVID-19 antibodies and can continue to receive these antibodies through breastmilk. This can be an important way of providing protection from COVID-19 to newborns.  

Kaiser Permanente has a Level III NICU, meaning they have the ability to treat critically ill newborns. Learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s maternity care.

 

Kaiser Permanente has a Level III NICU, meaning they have the ability to treat critically ill newborns and those as young as 23 weeks. Learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s maternity care.

Is There a COVID-19 Vaccine That Is More Effective Than Others for Pregnant Women?

Each of the available COVID-19 vaccines is felt to have the same efficacy in pregnant and nonpregnant individuals.  

What Advice Would You Give to Pregnant Women Who Are Still Deciding on If They Should Get the Vaccine or Not?

Choosing whether to receive a vaccination is always a consideration of risks and benefits. I recommend COVID-19 vaccination for all my patients. The data is clear: those who contract COVID-19 during pregnancy are at increased risk of complications, including death. In addition, the vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective for those who are pregnancy, breastfeeding or wish to become pregnant. Masking and vaccination are the best ways for a pregnant patient to protect themselves and their babies. 

Kaiser Permanente’s maternity care has hydrotherapy tubs, lactation consultants, free Wi-Fi and even room service. Learn more

If I Am Vaccinated When I Deliver Can I Bring My Baby around Other Vaccinated People?

To protect a newborn from infection from COVID-19 as well as other infectious diseases such as whooping cough, I recommend a strategy called “cocooning.” Cocooning protects the baby from infection by ensuring mom gets vaccinated during pregnancy and that all family members and close caregivers get vaccinated prior to delivery. In addition to cocooning, parents should continue to follow local public health recommendations on distancing and masking.