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Tree of Light Book

This book shares an inspiring story about a mother (a tree) sending her child (a seedling) off on her own. The seed learns to find strength from within, forgive and, become flexible along the way. We can all use a reminder to remain flexible and be forgiving, especially this year. 

Dimpl Digits

Toddler toys need to really captivate kids’ attention and this colorful squishy bubble toy does just that. Kids can learn to count to ten in English AND Spanish, and moms will have some free time. Win, win!

Awesome Jokes That Every 6 Year Old Should Know!

This joke book series (versions for ages five – nine) is one of my personal gift-giving favorites. Kids never tire of telling jokes and these books guarantee they will always have plenty of material. Perfect for girls and boys.

Musical Jewelry Storage Box with Spinning Unicorn

For the girl who has everything, this musical jewelry box with a spinning unicorn will become a favorite spot for all her baubles and trinkets. Over unicorns? Check out the ballerina and superhero versions.

TWEE Sidewalk Chalk

Chalk is always an easy go-to kids gift but these gorgeous handmade chalks, shaped like macaroons, sushi, pizza, donuts, ice cream, jewels and more, are anything but ordinary.

Crayola Color Bath Dropz

These colored bath drops make tub time fun for kids of all ages. Drop one or more in the water and kids will be sure to stay and play for a while. Perfect for those kids who dread bathtime and also great for traveling.

Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks

STEM gifts make great holiday gifts for little kids and these colorful magnetic foam blocks are a nice option. These blocks offer endless imaginative building with frustration-free stacking as they “magically” connect together. I love that these can also go in the tub and dishwasher.

Little Passports Gift Boxes

Little Passports is best known for their travel-themed boxes like Early Explorer for kids 3-5, create and play kits, and activity books as well.

Are you still shopping for the holidays? If you need more ideas, check out The Best Books for Little Travelers.

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Gifts for the Glam Girls…

Personalized Cosmetic Bag – Perfect for home or away, these personalized watercolor bags will keep her makeup and brushes clean and organized. These are also handy for hair accessories, brushes, hand sanitizers and facemasks.

Hot Iron Holster – Keep hands and countertops safe from burns with this silicone holder for her hair styling tools. It easily re-attaches making it great for trips and sleepovers.

Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel – This year has been extra hard without regular pedicures so pamper her tootsies with this easy home foot peel. The results will definitely make her say “wow.”

Velvet Knot Headbands with Faux Pearls – This trendy and super affordable headband trio will add a touch of glam to any outfit. Choose from pink, beige and black or gray, brown and beige.

Comfy Cosmetic Headband – Girls will love this super cute headband to keep their hair back when they wash their faces or while they relax with a face mask. I especially love the Minnie Mouse style bow.

Gifts for the Globetrotters…

Infinity Scarf with Hidden Pocket – This scarf’s hidden pocket is perfect for hiding cash, keys, cell phones and other small items. Perfect for travel, school or even a walk around the block.

Wild Essentials Infinity Fleece Sleep Mask – This is my absolute favorite sleep mask and I never leave home without it. The deep eye pockets ensure a comfy fit and complete darkness. Available in nine colors so kids can coordinate with their pajamas.

Carry-On Suitcase – Someday we’ll be traveling again so a new carry-on suitcase is sure to please – colorful luggage is easy to spot. If your tween is into American Girl Dolls, throw in a doll-sized luggage set or cute doll travel accessories.

Travel Jewelry Box – She’ll keep her baubles and trinkets safe in this cute travel jewelry box. If she’s always losing her earrings, this is a perfect gift.

Hanging Toiletry Bag – Teens are experts at making a mess in the bathroom so keeping their stuff organized in zippered compartments is sure to help. Kids can hang these from the bathroom mirror or towel rack so they’re not in everyone’s way.

Gifts for kids who love anything colorful…

Tie-Dye Kit – Teens and tweens love to show off their creative sides so a tie-dye kit is perfect for them to create colorful hoodies, masks, socks, and other items.

Magnetic Dry Erase Board – Perfect for fridges or lockers, teens and tweens will love jotting down their ideas on this dry erase board with six colorful markers.

Candy Color iPhone Case – Teens and tweens will never drop their phones again with these colorful phone cases featuring adjustable cross body cords. Available in six gorgeous colors or basic black, these are especially great for traveling.

GUND Kai Rainbow Plush Teddy Bear – You’re never too old for a new teddy bear and this super soft rainbow bear from GUND is sure to become a new favorite.

Crayola Inspiration Art Case – With 140 pieces, this easy to carry art kit will be a hit with any creative teen or tween. The set includes crayons, markers, colored pencils and paper.

For the game players…

Exploding Kittens – This quirky card game keeps players on the edge of their seats as they try not to “explode” and lose. Super fun, super easy and perfect for any get together since up to ten players can play.

Unsolved Case Files – Teens (and mature tweens) will love channeling their inner detectives as they try to solve a murder mystery. This is one of those games that might take a few hours or days as everyone works together to sort thru clues and documents. It can be played individually or in groups of any size making it the perfect party game.

Relative Insanity See What I Mean – This funny game uses photo cards and dice to come up with some very interesting scenarios that the “judge” reviews before choosing a winner. Great for four to 12 players.

Camera Roll – For tweens and teens who can’t put down their phones, this is the perfect game. Players race to find the perfect photo or video from their phones to match prompts from the playing cards. For three or more players.

Big Boggle – With 25 letter cubes, this family favorite is bigger and better. Tweens and teens can now come up with even more words and more lengthy responses. For two or more players.

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? Hopefully this Holiday Gift Guide for Tweens and Teens sparked some ideas.

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5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids

In no particular order, these attractions are great for kids of all ages and parents (and grandparents) will enjoy them too.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. The Statue of Liberty.

The Statue of Liberty, Battery Park

This outing will take a half-day but it will be well worth your time. The ferry ride gives you some amazing NYC views and photo ops and the expansive Liberty Park grounds are perfect for little ones to run around. Older kids will love going up to the crown level while the pedestal level is great for younger kids. Buy tickets in advance and check out my Top 5 Tips for Visiting The Statue of Liberty before you go.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. The Seaglass Carousel in Battery Park.

The Seaglass Carousel, at the Battery Conservancy

New York City’s newest carousel is a showstopper sure to thrill kids and grown ups alike.  Unlike traditional horses, this ride features an array of gorgeous translucent fish that are up to 14 feet tall. Guests will feel like they are swimming as they glide and swirl around while the fish change colors and magical music comes from every direction. At $5 a ride, this is a must for the whole gang.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise.

Circle Line Cruise, Pier 83

Since Manhattan is an island, one of my favorite ways to take it all in is by sea.  With a choice of family-friendly tours and longer sightseeing trips, this is one of my family’s favorite things to do on a sunny day. You can’t go wrong with the 1.5 hour Landmark Cruise which takes guests along Manhattan’s west side to the Statue of Liberty and back.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. One World Trade Center.

One World Trade Center.

With 360 degree views of New York City, the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center is a must see for tourists and locals alike. From the history lesson in the elevator ride to the on site concierge desk, kids will be sure to learn some interesting tidbits about NYC along the way. Be sure to check out the nearby sights like the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Brookfield Place, the Oculus and the new Eataly before or after your visit.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. The Highline, NYC.

The High Line, Chelsea.

Located above Manhattan’s west side, The High Line is free and fabulous. Kids will love exploring all the fun views and kid friendly spots (look for the seesaw bench and secret tunnels) while parents will love the laid back (and car free) ambiance. Check out the events calendar before you go and leave time to explore nearby Chelsea Market and art galleries. There are several staircase entrances and exits and a few elevator entrances so map out your arrival spots carefully if you’ve got a heavy stroller.

Have you visited any of these spots?  Tell me below in the comments.

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(Note: Due to Covid restrictions, the pedestal and crown are currently closed. Statue of Liberty Museum and theater are open with limited capacity. Ellis Island Museum is open, but theaters remain closed. All visitors must wear face coverings and keep socially distanced.)

Top 5 Statue of Liberty Tips

Everyone rushes to The Statue of Liberty in the summer but fall and spring are also ideal seasons to visit. Be sure to charge your cellphone and bring binoculars for kids.

TICKETS AND PRICING

1- To avoid long lines, buy tickets in advance! Book tickets online at Statue City Cruises, the official operator of ferry service to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on behalf of the National Park Service. Prices for the ferry and museum/grounds are $12 for children 4-12, $23.50 for adults and $18 for seniors. Additional charges apply for crown and or pedestal access (NOTE: These options are currently closed due to Covid). Children under 4 are free and you will definitely want to bring a stroller.

Summer and fall are the busiest times to visit so reserve a week or two in advance for pedestal access and four-six months in advance for crown access. Print tickets at home and go straight to the Battery Park security line behind Clinton Castle. Weekdays draw fewer crowds and unless you visit in summer, be prepared for a breezy ferry ride.

WHERE TO GO? CROWN VERSES PEDESTAL AND GROUNDS

2 – Before you book tickets, assess your family’s stamina and patience levels and decide on your viewing plan. To visit the crown, kids need to be at least 48 inches tall and able to climb 377 steps. Keep in mind that the security and ferry lines can be fairly long and it might take an hour or so to arrive on Liberty Island. Be sure to board the ferry at least two hours before your ticket time.

On our first trip, we got pedestal tickets and the views were amazing (I did have to lift my daughter to see over the ledge). With these tickets, you can also walk around the entire star-shaped multi-level base which wasn’t crowded and offered plenty of room to run around and take in the amazing views.

On our second visit with friends, we went up to the crown.

STATUE OF LIBERTY TIPS – WHAT TO BRING

3 – This day trip will take at least a few hours so bring snacks and pack lunch if you’re planning an afternoon visit. Food and beverages are allowed on the ferry and on Liberty Island but you will need to store these items in a locker ($2 for two hours so bring dollar bills) if you go inside the statue. Cameras, phones and water bottles are permitted inside. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island but choices are limited/fast food and pricy.

GRAB A FREE AUDIO TOUR

4 – When the ferry arrives on Liberty Island, go directly to the audio tour booth and pick up a free audio tour for everyone in your group. Tours are available in multiple languages and there is a children’s version narrated by a bird that even young children will enjoy. You can go at your own pace and still listen to the tours which is nice. This was my daughter’s first audio tour and I was amazed to see her pointing out the information she was hearing and talking about what the bird was telling her.

DON’T MISS THE MUSEUM AND JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

5 – For families with kids of all ages, be sure to check out the new Statue of Liberty Museum which opened in 2019. The new space features sweeping views, a theater experience, the original torch, historical mementos and more. For kids ages 7-12, print out a Junior Ranger Activity Booklet. Return a completed copy to the Liberty Island information center to receive a Junior Ranger Badge.

If you still have energy, continue on to Ellis Island and explore the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Each return ferry stops here before heading back to Battery Park.

Have you visited The Statue of Liberty? What was your favorite memory?

Visit City Experiences for other world-class water and land-based experiences across the US including iconic NYC sightseeing cruises and attractions including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, One World Observatory and more.

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10 Awesome Kids Books – New York City

1) 123 New York: A Cool Counting Book by Puck. Perfect for babies and toddlers, this little board book is a great introduction to NYC landmarks. The book is all numbers and pictures so it “reads” in any language you’d like. Uno Statue of Liberty… Dos baseballs…Tres Brooklyn Bridges…they’ll be counting up to ten in no time.

2) This is New York by Miroslav Sasek (ages three and up). I have loved this book for years. The classic storybook shows many details of city life with cartoon characters and colorful illustrations. It may seem a bit dated but it still captures the spirit of New York.

3) Larry Gets Lost in New York City (ages three – seven). Lovable puppy Larry is always getting lost. Follow Larry’s escapades around Manhattan while he visits the city’s many landmarks and attractions.

4) A Walk in New York by Salvatore Rubbino (ages four – eight). Another favorite, this gorgeous book features a father and son’s New York City explorations. Bits of trivia mix with the drawings so kids learn all sorts of interesting NYC facts like the names of the marble lions outside the New York Public Library…aka Patience and Fortitude.

5) Little Kid, Big City (ages five+). Written by a popular NYC blogger, this book is full of first-hand tips for visiting a slew of Big Apple sights and attractions. Kids “choose” their own adventure as they read by deciding “where to go” and flipping through the gorgeously illustrated pages. The fold-out map is super handy for little navigators.

6) My Subway Ride by Paul DuBois Jacobs (ages four – eight). This colorful book depicts the sounds and sights of the NYC subway system. Girls and boys will both enjoy this one.

7) Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet (ages five – ten). If your family loves New York City’s famed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, this book is sure to become an immediate favorite. The story tells the true story of how the famous floats came to creation with gorgeous graphics and a bit of STEM education along the way.

8) You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum by Jacqueline Press Weitzman (ages five-eight). This wordless picture book follows a yellow balloon as it floats all around Manhattan. Kids will recognize famous landmarks as well as paintings and sculptures as they use their imaginations to “read.”

9) Eloise: The Ultimate Edition by Kay Thompson (ages five-ten). For girls who love, love, love Eloise, this treasury will be a big hit. This is a great choice for young travelers since it features Eloise in Moscow and Eloise in Paris as well as Eloise at Christmastime and the original Eloise story and scrapbook.

10) The New York Times: 36 Hours USA & Canada by Barbara Ireland (Kids eight and up). Bigger kids can plan family adventures with this coffee table book filled with travel itineraries and suggestions for trips to New York City (and beyond).

Books make great birthday, baby shower and holiday gifts and these are all sure to please globetrotting kids and parents alike. Planning a New York-themed baby nursery? Just stock a bookshelf with these and you’re halfway there.

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This All-American Flag made of hot dogs, ketchup, and mustard is great for a backyard barbecue or kid’s birthday party.

USA Foodie Flag – Globetrotting Mommy Fun Food Friday

This Italian flag made of basil, spaghetti and tomatoes is perfect for a make-your-own-pasta party.

Italy Foodie Flag – Globetrotting Mommy Fun Food Friday

This Swiss flag is made of charcuteries and Swiss cheese.  A great option for a picnic or after-school snack.

Swiss Foodie Flag – Globetrotting Mommy 

India’s flag features curries, rice, and a pappadum wafer.  This is a great option for introducing kids to some new flavors.

India Foodie Flag

This Australian flag is made from mincemeat and sauce.  Think of it as a down-under version of pot-pie.

Australia Foodie Flag – Globetrotting Mommy Fun Food Friday

Kids love cheese and these Greek and French flags are a great way to get them to try some new varieties.  The Greek flag is made of Feta and olives and the French flag is made of Blue cheese, brie and grapes.

Greek Foodie Flag – Globetrotting Mommy

France Foodie Flag – Globetrotting Mommy 

United Kingdom’s flag is made from scone, cream and jams making it a great option for a tea party or weekend brunch for any London lovers.

United Kingdom Foodie Flag

Which is your favorite?

Have a great weekend!

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Holiday Gift Guide – The Best Books for Little Travelers

The Travel Book: A journey through every country in the world – This kids version of Lonely Planet’s The Travel Book is filled with facts and quirky insights on more than 200 countries. Perfect for little explorers ages 8 and up.

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Travel: Everything you need to know about adventuring near and far – This is a great beginner’s guide to travel for elementary and middle school girls. Filled with fun quizzes, smart safety tips and cool trivia, this book will get girls ready for adventures near and far.

Passport To Your National Parks – America’s national parks are amazing spots for generations of families to visit and this passport has a page for each park to be stamped during a visit. For more details on famous parks, check out the beautifully illustrated National Parks of the USA.

The Penny Passport Souvenir Book – If your kids like collecting pressed pennies on their travels, this is a must-have. The sturdy book fits more than 36 elongated cents and eight pressed quarters or nickels.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World – The latest edition of these gorgeous bedtime books features stories of Immigrant Women who have helped shape the world. A great gift to celebrate diversity and encourage all girls to reach for their dreams.

This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World – This is a great way to show elementary school kids what life looks like around the world. The book’s illustrations show seven kids from different countries going about their day including their meals, homes, outfits, etc.

New York: Panorama Pops – This small travel book features awesome illustrations of some of New York City’s most popular attractions. The city literally unfolds page after page. The series also includes Paris, Venice, Berlin, London, etc.

The Flag Book – In The Flag Book, Lonely Planet Kids introduces children to the flags of every country in the world, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Such a fun way to learn what the design, colors, and images represent, as well as interesting facts about each nation.

The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps! This fun book highlights every state including their famous residents, cities, unique facts, historical moments and more.

You can shop this list on Amazon or support your local bookstores. Check out my favorite kid-friendly New York City books for more holiday gift ideas and my 2020 gift guide for tweens and teens.

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Tip 1 – BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE

Right now, admissions are by appointment only so purchase tickets online in advance of your trip. Try to plan your visit around opening hours if you can to avoid afternoon crowds. After you choose your ticket selection (most popular options are 86th Floor Observatory, 102nd and 86th Floor Observatories or Premium Experience Behind the Scenes Tour) you can select the date and time slot. Tickets are non-refundable so be sure to double-check the dates and times.

Tip 2 – DON’T FORGET MASKS

Masks are mandatory throughout the building and on the observation decks. You can take them off quickly for photos as long as you can follow social distancing guidelines.

Tip 3 – ARRIVE EARLY

Arrive 10 minutes before your reservation and be prepared to wait in line for temperature checks and security lines. Social distancing is made easy with signage and staff directing guests into the elevators one family at a time.

Tip 4 – TAKE TIME TO EXPLORE ON THE WAY UP

Don’t miss the exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors. You can take a self-guided audio tour (yes, guest Wi-Fi is free) or explore the photo-ops and historical exhibits throughout the building at your leisure. Don’t miss King Kong’s giant hands, the gigantic video montage and amazing elevator video.

Tip 5 – GET YOUR BEARINGS AND TAKE IN THE VIEWS

Before you head to the open-air observation deck, check out the maps and exhibits pointing out New York City’s iconic landmarks (Statue of Liberty, One World Trade, Central Park, etc.) in every direction. Once on the observation decks you will enjoy stunning 360-degree views of New York, Brooklyn, Queens and beyond. Make sure your camera battery is full or bring along a battery pack as you will want to take a lot of photos once you reach the top.

You haven’t seen New York until you have experienced this once-in-a-lifetime view. Have you ever visited the Empire State Building?

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