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Family Friendly Circus Fun: …

March 31, 2015 By admin

I love seeing shows that are fun for the whole family so when I heard that Flip FabriQue, a circus troupe from Quebec, was coming to NYC I knew we were in for a treat. We previewed their fun filled Catch Me! performance at the New Victory Theater this weekend and it was AMAZING!

Here are my top ten favorite things about seeing Catch Me! (Attrappe-moi) at the New Victory Theater…

1) Talented aerialists and acrobats. These six young performers do not rely on fancy costumes or technical wonders, the wow factors here are their amazingly strong bodies and choreographed moves. Trust me when I say you will be saying “Wow!” out loud.

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Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater. Photo credit: Flip FabriQue.

2) Incredible juggling acts. I’ve never seen a kid who wasn’t amused by juggling and Catch Me!’s juggling acts had adults and kids giggling away.

3) Great music. From ballads and guitar playing to Copacabana and I Like to Move It, the music is just as entertaining as the performers!

Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater

4) Awesome family friendly facilities. The New Victory Theater offers everything families need including stroller parking, free lockers, a gift shop and play area, concessions stand (with healthy snacks) and large padded booster seats that don’t slide off.

5) The tramp-o-wall act will blow you away. The performers look like Spiderman as they fly through the air, jump into windows and bounce up from the trampoline along the set’s wall and rooftop. Its amazing.

Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater. Photo credit: Flip FabriQue.

6) Whether the performers are jumping into sleeping bags, bouncing on big yoga balls or racing to finish popsicles, humorous moments abound. The performers are friends in real life and you can feel their camaraderie on stage.

7) Full body hula hooping! The sole female performer stole the show with her amazing hula hoop act that used every limb of her body.

8) The theater is near Times Square but the 42nd street entrance means you can easily avoid the maddening crowds, naked and furry characters and touristy candy meccas if you want to.

9) Affordable family fun. With tickets starting at $10 for members (and $15 for non-members), CATCH ME! is a very affordable option compared to traditional and adult-oriented circus shows.

Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater

10) Stay for the after party! The cast members signed programs after our performance and there was a separate room outfitted with hula hoops, juggling games and a large chalk board for kids to play.

Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater

CATCH ME! (Attrape-moi) has a running time of 75 minutes with no intermission, and is recommended for everyone ages 5 and up. Catch them this spring (through April 19) before they head off to Europe and Australia. Visit the New Victory website for ticketing and other information.

I received complimentary tickets but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top Five Kid Friendly …

March 20, 2015 By admin

This seemed to be the longest winter EVER so I’m really excited that spring arrives today. If you’re looking for something different to celebrate the arrival of spring over the next few weeks, here are my top five kid friendly activities to celebrate spring…

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Top Five Kid Friendly Activities to Celebrate Spring

1) Spring means colorful flowers and kids of all ages will be amazed by the creations at the 2015 Macy’s flower show Art in Bloom opening this weekend (through April 4). If you’re in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, or San Francisco you’ll definitely want to check out this free show. Last year’s show was amazing so I can’t wait to see it this year.

2) Hersheypark is a great spot for family fun and their Springtime in The Park weekends are set for April 3-5 and 11-12. We took a road trip there last spring and its a great time to go without major crowds or heat waves. Check out my Hersheypark Review here.

3) For adventure seeking families in New York, Luna Park in Coney Island’s season opener is Sunday, March 29. Festivities begin at the famous 88-year-old coaster, the Cyclone with an egg-cream christening at 11:45 am. The first 100 guests ride free so be sure to arrive early.

4) New York’s 2015 International Children’s Film Festival wraps up this weekend so come check out a kid friendly flick or attend the family friendly closing night celebration.

5) If you follow me on social media, you know my daughter and I attended a preview of Cinderella last week with The Moms and we LOVED it. If you’re looking for a must-see spring movie that will charm girls of all ages, this version of Disney’s Cinderella does not disappoint. The costumes are amazing, the actors and actresses are perfectly cast and even though you know the story, this live action film keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. And, if you’ve got a Frozen fan, the Frozen Fever short beforehand is super cute.

What are your plans to celebrate the arrival of spring?

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Spotlight on #DisneySide: …

March 8, 2015 By admin

Since we’ve been snowed in for much of this winter, I gathered our close friends and family for a fun filled Winter Wonderland Princess Playdate to celebrate our DisneySide and share our warm memories. Read on to see how much fun we had…

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Spotlight on #DisneySide: Winter Wonderland Princess Playdate

Since NYC apartments are not built for crowds, we gathered at grandma’s cottage in the woods where the kids had room to run around and the grown-ups could kick back. As you can see, the adults and kids did a great job of getting into character as princes, princesses and other Disney favorites.

My daughter really enjoyed decorating and setting up for our guests. I think we’ve got a mini Martha Stewart on our hands…

Spotlight on #DisneySide: Winter Wonderland Princess Playdate

Activities for the little kids included coloring and word search puzzles, princess dominoes, pin the smile on Mickey Mouse and make your own pizzas.

Spotlight on #DisneySide: Winter Wonderland Princess Playdate

Our group included moms, dads, cousins, sisters, aunts, grandmas, daughters and granddaughters which was perfect since our official #DisneySide playdate theme was “multi-generational.” Disney sent us a party pack that included some fun family activities including a Make Your Own Family Tree Kit that everyone got along with HP photo paper to print their party photos at home and some other goodies.

Spotlight on #DisneySide: Winter Wonderland Princess Playdate

The adults enjoyed answering the Disney Trivia questions and reminiscing about their Disney vacations. We took my daughter on a multi-generational Disney Cruise a couple of years ago but she has yet to visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland so its time to start planning. While the kiddies played, the adults dined on Teriyaki salmon (made with Soy Vay) and a Caribbean inspired salad that gave us a glimmer of hope that spring will soon be here.

Spotlight on #DisneySide: Winter Wonderland Princess Playdate

It was a great afternoon full of fun, friends and family and we can’t wait to plan our next get together. Want to show your #DisneySide? Check out DisneySide.com for ideas on hosting a celebration of your own.

Thanks to Disney Parks and MomSelect for providing us with a DisneySide @Home Celebration Kit. As usual, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Spotlight on NYC: Once Upon A …

February 4, 2015 By admin

Taking in the endless cultural opportunities in NYC with my daughter is one of our favorite things. Over the past few years, we’ve experienced a lot of the traditional winter holiday activities and this year I introduced my daughter to the New York Theatre Ballet’s Once Upon A Ballet series which kicked off with The Nutcracker.

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Spotlight on NYC: New York Theatre Ballet’s Once Upon a Ballet Series. Photo by Richard Termine

If you think your little ballerina is too young for the ballet, think again. The Once Upon A Ballet series is the perfect opportunity to introduce young children to classic ballet favorites in kid-friendly one-hour performances. This was just enough time for my five-year old to be mesmerized by the costumes and entertained by the dancing and not quite long enough to get hungry or bored. Win-win!

Upon entering Florence Gould Hall, kids are greeted by young dancers handing out programs, crayons and activity sheets. The venue is very comfortable and every seat is a good one even if there is a tall dad right in front of you! I was happy to see that I was surrounded by lots of parents with small children (no judgements here) and my daughter was equally excited to see all the little girls (and boys) dressed up in their holiday outfits.

When the first dancers came on stage, my daughter stared in awe. As the story progressed, she asked questions, commented on the costumes and delighted in the international parade of sweets. We especially enjoyed watching the super cute junior ballerinas.

This weekend kicks off the ballet’s second show, Cinderella (February 7-8). If you’ve got a princess lover, this one is sure to please. We’ll be at the Sunday morning show so come say “hi.”

Next up, GOOSE! (March 7-8) which showcases various Mother Goose characters and Carnival of the Animals (June 6-7) about a shaggy lion and other animals in a magical forest.

If you’ve got a tiny dancer, you’ll definitely want to check these performances out!

Showtimes are 11 am, 1 pm and 3:30 pm so you won’t have a problem working around nap times. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for children and are available online at www.nytb.org, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787, or in person at the Florence Gould Hall box office.

If you’re looking for kid-friendly stops before or after, the theater is walking distance from Serendipity 3, Dylan’s Candy Bar, FAO Schwartz, Eloise at the Plaza, Central Park Zoo and many other attractions.

Thanks to the New York Theatre Ballet for providing our tickets. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Spotlight on London: …

January 12, 2015 By admin

Do you remember loving the story about Paddington the bear who travels from Peru to London with a suitcase full of orange marmalade? Me too. I got to see the movie preview last week (oh and I met Nicole Kidman too!) and I just loved it. Read on for my Paddington Movie Review.

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Spotlight on London: Paddington Movie Review with Nicole Kidman

I’ve seen quite a few kid-friendly movies in the last few years and for the most part, my daughter enjoys them way more than I do. I headed off to the Paddington movie preview excited to meet Nicole Kidman (the movie’s villain) but I really didn’t expect much from the movie. It turns out, I loved meeting Nicole and I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved the movie.

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Spotlight on London: Paddington Movie Review with Nicole Kidman

Before the movie, Nicole Kidman won me over by sharing stories about her kids favorite night time books (Goodnight Moon, Paddington Bear, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and food preferences (pasta with cheese or butter – never sauce). Stars, they’re just like us!

Paddington is an adorable, funny movie that kids of all ages and parents will enjoy.

The movie follows the tale from Michael Bond’s book – Paddington leaves his jungle home in Peru with a note around his neck and looks to find a home in London. The movie offers a nice introduction to sights and attractions in London and the cast: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Nicole Kidman, Peter Capaldi and Ben Whishaw (Paddington’s voice) do a great job. The computer-generated imagery and animatronics are amazing at making Paddington come to life on the big screen.

The entertaining moments start when the Brown family finds the bear alone at Paddington Station and take him home. From there, problems ensue and the laughs continue as Paddington wins over his new hosts. Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins are perfectly cast as Mr. and Mrs. Brown and the dry British humor, hysterical flashbacks and musical interludes keep adults entertained while silly bear antics keep the kiddies laughing.

I won’t spill the beans but Nicole Kidman plays the devious and entertaining villain – kids might find her scary but you can assure them there is a happy ending.

I highly recommend Paddington for all ages, opening in theaters on January 16, 2015.

I was invited to the movie screening by The Moms. I was not compensated and all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Spotlight on NYC: Big Apple …

December 23, 2014 By admin

Going to the circus is a rite of passage for little kids. I finally got a chance to take my five-year old to her first circus (along with my sister) and I’m still not sure which one of us had the most fun. Read on for my Big Apple Circus Review…

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Spotlight on NYC: Big Apple Circus Review

The Big Apple Circus is a small, one ring circus in Lincoln Center thats perfect for families with small kids. When I was growing up, I remember never knowing where to look at the circus because there was always so much going on but with just one ring, its so easy to focus on the acts. The audience is seated in a tent around the ring and because of the intimate size, no seat is more than 50 feet from the ring. Plus, there is a live band playing above the circus which really adds to the grown-up circus feel.

Spotlight on NYC: Big Apple Circus Review

This is not the circus my sister and I grew up with where we saw a million clowns climbing out of a tiny car. Instead of the usual clown antics, the Big Apple Circus features a European vibe with sophisticated acrobats, trapeze artists, a Ringmaster who charms the audience, Francesco the Clown who gets everyone laughing, animal acts, magical moments that unfold in front of your eyes and more.

This year’s Big Apple Circus is named Metamorphosis and the acts highlight a variety of amazing transformations.

Take a peek at some of the talented acrobats and performers…

Spotlight on NYC: Big Apple Circus Review

Look closely to see the contortionist all folded up into this box. Can you believe that this woman wiggled her way into the box too? So amazing!

Spotlight on NYC: Big Apple Circus Review

Animals and clowns always steal the show…

Spotlight on NYC: Big Apple Circus Review

These Russian quick change artists were my absolute favorites. I thought seeing Cinderella go from rags to ball gown on Broadway was amazing but this woman who changed into eight costumes in a matter of minutes just blew my mind.

Spotlight on NYC: Big Apple Circus Review

This is Big Apple Circus’ 37th season which says a lot. Metamorphosis really amazed all three of us and my daughter is still asking me how they did all the tricks. I love that some of the animal performers were rescued from local shelters and I also love that Big Apple Circus has several community outreach programs like Clown Care. If you have a chance to see Metamorphosis before it closes on January 11th in NYC, I highly recommend it. The show continues this winter/spring in Bridgewater, NJ, Boston, MA and Queens, NY.

Things to know:

The show is approximately two hours (with a 15 minute intermission) and appropriate for kids of all ages. Children under 3 can sit on a parent’s lap for free. Stroller parking and changing tables are available.

A variety of typical circus food is available (hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, etc.) at reasonable prices.

The circus takes place in a heated tent and the bathrooms are on the primitive side.

Enjoy!

Thanks to Big Apple Circus for providing our tickets. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top 10 Tips for Seeing …

November 20, 2014 By admin

When I was little, my mom took my sister and I to see Ice Capades during a Florida vacation and soon after, we both had Chicken Pox. Since then I’ve never had much desire to see any sort of mass-market, massive kiddie audience production but when I heard Disney was debuting a Frozen on Ice show, I started to reconsider. My daughter is Frozen obsessed and we were already fantasizing about seeing Frozen on Broadway but this Frozen on Ice sounded even better. I quickly snatched up four tickets in May and six months later, the big day was here.

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Top 10 Tips for Seeing Frozen on Ice

Here are my top 10 tips for seeing Frozen on Ice:

1) When booking your tickets, don’t sit too high or too low. There are no big screen TVs (at least there weren’t at the Nassau Collesium where we went) so if you’re too high, you’ll miss a lot of the character interactions. But, if you’re too close, you won’t be able to see the skaters’ feet and you won’t be able to appreciate all the special effects (snow, illumination and pyrotechnics, oh my!).

Top 10 Tips for Seeing Frozen on Ice

2) Plan your outfits accordingly. Practically every single girl at our show was in full princess mode. Mostly Elsa but a good number of Annas and I even spotted some toddlers dressed as Olaf. Keep in mind that the show is ON ICE and that means its COLD! Have your princess layer under her gown or don a sweater or you will be doing the “keep your coat around your shoulder” shuffle the whole time. Whatever you do, leave the plastic princess shoes home and don’t forget the tiara.

3) Bring easy to eat snacks (granola bars, etc.) or prepare to buy a $7 box of stale popcorn. Expect things to fall on the floor so be sure to bring extras.

Top 10 Tips for Seeing Frozen on Ice

4) Get there early. This show is crowded and that means long lines for parking, security, bathrooms and souvenirs. If you think it will take 30 minutes, give yourself an hour.

5) Go to the bathroom before the show starts no matter what! If this is your daughter’s first time wearing her Elsa or Anna dress for a long time, practice lifting up the gown to pee at home so you don’t have any bathroom meltdowns. FYI, the intermission bathroom lines will be worse than you are imagining.

Top 10 Tips for Seeing Frozen on Ice

6) Plan to buy something plastic, bring your own toys from home or both. There is a LOT to buy and your little kids will start screaming “I want that” as soon as they spot the $15 Frozen on Ice programs. Agree on how many special treats you will buy in advance to avoid meltdowns. There were snow cones in an Anna/Elsa and Olaf mugs, plush dolls, light up snowflake wands, photo ops, coloring books, toys, face painting and more. If you have more than one kid, you might want to refinance your home before the show.

7) All the Disney characters make an appearance in the beginning and end of the show so if your kids love a certain character like Woody, Cinderella or Nemo, be sure to point them out.

8) The best costume changing moment is when Elsa throws her cape off and the suddenly appears in the sparkly blue dress with her long blond braid. Do not look away for one second as this happens. Your daughter will ask you 300 times how she did that and you will need to give a full description every time. FYI, when Elsa pulls off her tiara, the braid is underneath…

Top 10 Tips for Seeing Frozen on Ice

9) Enjoy the singing or bring earplugs. Thousands of little girls singing “Let it Go” at the top of their lungs can be overwhelming if you’re not expecting it.

10) Sit back and enjoy the show. The fun songs, endearing characters and magical moments from the movie are all here, on ice, and it really is wonderful. The skating is pretty impressive too.

After New York, the show plays in the following cities.

Newark, NJ, Rutherford, NJ, Rosemont, IL, Chicago, IL, Boston, MA, St. Louis, MO, Auburn Hills, MI, Dallas, TX, San Antonio, TX, Minneapolis, MN, Houston, TX, Hidalgo, TX, New Orleans, LA, Baton Rough, LA, Tampa, FL, Birmingham, AL, Florence, SC, Huntsville, AL, Memphis, TN, El Paso, TX, Tucson, AZ.

To find dates and tickets visit Ticketmaster online.

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Family Fun with Baby Loves …

November 12, 2014 By admin

Can you imagine a family friendly activity where kids can dance and sing under disco lights, moms can catch up with friends and dads can guzzle beer? It exists and its called Baby Loves Disco!

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Family Fun with Baby Loves Disco Dance Parties

My family and I were invited to check out the Boo Baby Boo Halloween Baby Loves Disco party in NYC last month and it was a fun time for all. Baby Loves Disco parties are held across the United States (New York, DC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco) in super cool grown up venues like Le Poisson Rouge, DNA Lounge and World Cafe giving adults and kids a chance to feel grown up! I don’t know about you but I’m always happy to attend events that don’t take place in typical kiddie venues (not that there’s anything wrong with that…).

During November, the dance parties feature a Pajama Party theme (think come in your PJS, snack on Pop Tarts and late night snacks and jump on the bed dance contests!). Dress your best because there will be prizes for best family PJs…

Family Fun with Baby Loves Disco Dance Parties

The party we attended featured a variety of tables with activities for kids (like face painting, balloon twisting, arts and crafts, mini manis, tastings, etc.) and information for parents (Urban Sitter, CityMani, The Jewish Museum, Mommy Nearest, Happy Family, etc.). If you’re a new mom, this is a great way to get your bearings in the craziness of momhood.

Kids of all ages are welcome but most kids seemed to be in the 3-10 range at the event I attended. Have no fear if you have small children, Baby Loves Disco parties feature a dedicated play area with mats and toys for babies and tots.

The DJ did a great job keeping kids (and adults) entertained with fun commentary, dance lessons, and contests. When dancers worked up an appetite, super kid-friendly snacks (puffs, fruit pouches, pretzels, PB & banana roll ups, chips & salsa, etc.) and juice boxes were plentiful. Grown-ups could order from a fully stocked bar (at NYC nightclub prices, natch) so everyone stayed happy.

Winter is on its way and that means time to schedule some family friendly indoor activities. If you’ve got kids who like to boogie, this is a great pick for a staycation or vacation! The NYC Baby Loves Disco Pajama Party will take place on Sunday, November 23. Check the Baby Loves Disco events page for information on other cities and tickets.

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Somebody Come and Play! …

November 6, 2014 By admin

It was a cold and rainy day outside but when my daughter and I stepped into the “Somebody Come and Play” Sesame Street Exhibit at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, things suddenly turned warm and fuzzy. From life size characters like Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo and Snuffleupagus to movies and memorabilia, this adorable exhibit showcases highlights from the show’s last 45 years with something to please children and adults alike.

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Somebody Come and Play! Checking out the Sesame Street Exhibit at the New York Public Library for the arts in Lincoln Center

If you live in NYC or if you’ll be passing through between now and January 31, 2015, its worth the trip, especially if you’ve got young children. My five-year old daughter ran around from section to section for a couple of hours, happily entertained. There are numerous scripts, photos, story boards, original art and music scores and other memorabilia from the archives as well as interactive exhibits for children.

Somebody Come and Play! Checking out the Sesame Street Exhibit at the New York Public Library for the arts in Lincoln Center

Kids can visit the Sesame Street steps (push a button and make Oscar pop out of his trash can!), watch show highlights, feel Muppet fur, and play in the art area featuring a gigantic chalk board. The day we went a special presentation of Follow That Bird was playing in the auditorium. If you visit on November 19, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland will be playing at 3pm and there are a number of seminars for adults.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza and the hours are Monday and Thursday noon to 8 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday noon to 6 pm. The Lincoln Center’s central plaza is a great spot for kids to run around before or after. Just look for the fountains and have fun!

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How to host a Caribbean themed …

October 29, 2014 By admin

My daughter recently requested a Caribbean themed party with dolphins for her 5th birthday.

This would have been super easy if it was summer and if we had a pool (and a backyard!) but for a New York City party in the fall, it took a little creativity. Read on to see my tips for hosting a festive, fun and relatively easy Caribbean themed birthday party…

Part one – Create an Under the Sea look

1) Blow up a million (or two hundred) balloons in varying shades of blue and spread them on the floor and/or hang them from the ceiling. I found these tiny tiny hooks from Command that made hanging super easy. Add in some giant beach balls, pool floats, mermaid dolls and inflatable blue dolphins…