Spring Break Botanic Garden Visit

Any time my kids are out of school I feel like throwing a huge party and inviting all the people I know with children so we can celebrate having no school.  Then my head starts calculating and I visit all the popular children's activities blogs in my area searching for the perfect activity.   There are some activities that simply must be done more than once. And one of these is undeniably visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden during the Cherry Blossom Festival.  It is crowded, but the blossoms are divine and you feel like you're staring at heavenly pink clouds and then you walk over past the near-dormant rose garden to the vibrant and oh-so-good-smelling lilacs--which seem to jerk memories out of my head.

Going with good friends is always the way to do it.  Snacks are required for endurance, but not permitted on the grounds (there is a playground near the Northern entrance--which is quite inviting for playing/eating purposes).  Jackets, at that time are advisable, as well as a camera, wipes, and a preface to all children not to pick the flowers.  It is also helpful for parents to remind themselves to ever vigilant of keeping children near them and not allowing them to pull on branches or such because the gardeners will notice and they remind, sometimes abruptly, all patrons to respect the plants. 

S was very gentle with the plants--she wants to be a gardener.

This place is awesome!

Sweet lilacs! Your smell makes me happy!

Staten Island Children's Museum

 Have you ever been to the Staten Island Children's Museum?
You may want to know, economically speaking: The museum has several free days scattered throughout the year, usually on the days the children are out of school.  Check their website to see which days.

Things you need: snacks, camera, patience, baby wipes, normal supplies and water.

How long to expect to be there:  All day! 

How to make it more fun:  Use some pictures from the web or even this page and come up with a scavenger hunt--see if your kids can find the different things (see photos for examples).  

What to note:  There is parking about a block away. The Children's Museum is a difficult place to find and there are several entrances to the group of public buildings, so stop take a good look at the map inside the gates and find the place. 1000 Richmond Terrace is also the location of the Staten Island Botanical Garden and Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden . . . I think they also have a theater and some other things too.

Other things to look for:

Fireman

Dinosaur

The Chess Set

Bowling Pins

The Mantis

Boats

Bug on a Rock

Puppet Theater

Bug zoo

Fire Truck

Sound Board

Guest Post: Kendra from Manhattan

Hi! I'm Kendra and I'm a stay-at-home mom to 3 great kids and wife to a public school teacher. We live in Manhattan on a pretty tight budget, so we try to search out lots of free and cheap things to do.  We love this city and all it has to offer. One of our favorite things to do during the Holiday season is to go on a Circle Line Cruise with Santa Claus.  It's only $3 per person, but they ask that you bring a new unwrapped toy for each ticket you purchase. A couple of US Marines are on hand to collect the toys for their annual Toys for Tots drive.  It is a wonderful trip around the southern tip of Manhattan. Past lots of great landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, the Battery, former site of the World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge, the United Nations, and South Street Seaport just to name a few. There are photo opportunities with Santa and Free milk&cookies (as well as the option to buy additional food). The weather this year was cold, but clear and beautiful and made for a great afternoon activity. Our family had a wonderful time.