Family fun abounds in NYC during the holidays

New York City during the holidays is really the most magical time of the year for the family!

Make sure to take a “MTO” Mommy Time Out and see some of the beautiful holiday windows at Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman. The kids will love the windows at Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Don’t forget to take a “selfie” with the kids in front of the beautiful Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, or a spin around the ice-skating rink there.

Bryant Park also transforms into a winter village every year, complete with a centrally located outdoor ice skating rink. Shop from local vendors selling food and drinks and shop all the little pop-up shops that are filled with treasures.

The Union Square Market is one of my favorites during the holiday season. Warm up with hot cocoa or cider as you navigate this market. I love supporting local businesses. There’s also lots of food to taste while you shop.

“Spongebob Squarepants” is a new Broadway musical for everyone! It’s a FabULyssfun show for the entire family. It’s based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon series. If your children are SpongeBob fans, they are going to love this. I took my boys, and we all agreed the last scene, “Best Day Ever,” is one of our favorites. You will leave the show singing and dancing, with a smile from ear to ear. www.spongebobbroadway.com

Did you know there is a hip-hop Nutcracker? “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker with Kurtis Blow.” A holiday mash-up for the whole family, the “Hip Hop Nutcracker” re-imagines Tchaikovsky’s classic score through explosive choreography, a dozen all-star dancers, on-stage DJ, an electric violinist, and digital scenery. This evening-length show celebrates love, community, and the magic of the holiday season. www.unitedpalace.org/upca-calendar/eventdetail/4730/56/the-hip-hop-nutcracker-with-kurtis-blow.

Looking for something really #FabULyss to do this holiday season? Take your little divas to breakfast at Tiffany’s! Get your pearls and sunglasses on! Re-watch the original movie with your family before having breakfast or lunch at the new Blue Box Cafe inside Tiffany’s on the fourth floor of their Fifth Avenue flagship shop.

Be prepared to wait on line for a long time, and make sure your iPhone is charged. http://www.tiffany.com/Locations/EventDetail.aspx?eventid=1063

Have a wonderful holiday season with your family, and don’t forget to unplug and spend some off-the-grid, quality time with your loved ones.

Lyss Stern is the founder of DivaLysscious Moms (www.divamoms.com).

DeLysscious Holiday Baking Recipe For All

Classic Sugar Cookies

Beat 2 sticks of butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar until fluffy. Beat in 2 egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1 teaspoon of orange zest. Whisk 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; stir into the butter mixture, then chill 30 minutes. Roll tablespoonfuls into balls and flatten; sprinkle with coarse sugar and bake 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/holiday-treats-50-cookies/50-holiday-cookies

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

The Harvey School Day Camp

<p>At the Harvey School  Day Camp, children in grades 1-9 will participate in the arts, sports, science, music, and theater as well as games and camp-wide events. In addition, campers in grades 5-8 can also choose to take a more in-depth approach by attending our Art Camp, Dance Camp, or Sports Camp.</p> <p> </p> <p>Dates: June 27 through August 5, 2022, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed July 4.</p> <p> </p> <p>We also offer specialty camps in Circus Arts, Robotics, and Basketball. See our website for program information and dates.</p>

Summer Stage Performing Arts Camp at The Riverdale Y

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Riverdale’s Premier Theater Arts Intensive Camp allows young artists to develop creatively and perform in a full-scale musical theater production.</span></p>

Launch Math+Science Camp

<h1>Launch Math + Science Centers</h1> <p>For more than 15 years, Launch Math + Science Centers have provided toddlers to tweens with inspiring math instruction and STEM-based camps and classes. Launch offers a true educational experience for students with small group sizes and big opportunities for learning. For Summer 2024, Launch Math + Science Centers offers exciting and educational one-week STEM summer camps for kids from kindergarten to 7th grade (5-12 years old). With a 4:1 camper-to-staff ratio, children at Launch’s exciting specialty summer programs explore the adventures of archaeology, discover the details of robotics, reveal the wonders of chemical reactions – and that’s just the beginning. Each week is jam-packed with hands-on STEM projects and fun camp activities.</p> <h2>The Camp Day</h2> <p>Each camp day kicks-off at 9:00 am and consists of designated educational segments that are designed to inspire.</p> <p>-STEM Projects (core lessons and builds tied to the theme of the week)</p> <p>-STEM Discoveries (challenge-based learning through problem-solving activities)</p> <p>-Active Adventures (a blend of tech and camp games in Central Park)</p> <p>-Math Mania! (engaging mathematics-based projects and activities)</p> <p>Standard dismissal is at 3:30 pm, with the option to extend to 5:00 pm.</p> <h2>Weekly Camp Themes</h2> <p><strong>Juniors (K+1st Grade)</strong></p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Marine Biologist!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… An Archaeologist!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Sports Doctor!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Techie!</p> <p><strong>Kids (2nd-4th Grade)</strong></p> <p>Coding + Animation</p> <p>Remarkable Robots + Marvelous Machines</p> <p>Potent Potions + Fizzing Formulas</p> <p>Rocket Science: Destination Mars</p> <p><strong>Tweens (5th-7th Grade)</strong></p> <p>Coding + Game Development</p> <p>Rockin' + Robotics</p> <p>Chaotic Chemical Reactions</p> <p>Architecture + Engineering</p> <h2>Register Early, Save Big!</h2> <p>Huge discounts for Early Bird enrollments. Register by March 31st and receive $200 off EVERY camp after the first.</p> <p>For well over a decade, Launch has delivered engaging STEM programs for children throughout New York City. Real-life rocket scientist, Scott Heifetz, founded Launch with one mission in mind: Inspire children to love and learn math and science!</p>