Sign Up Right Now: It’s first come, first serve. The first 100 people write in and mention iKidNY will receive a special voucher for 2 adults to be used either Saturday or Sunday. (Children are free)

Send your email to NewParentsExpo@manhattanmedia.com

Required Info: Name, address, and email address, and how you heard about the offer. Just say “iKidNY.”

Most importantly, ENJOY THE EXPO.

You can read all about the event at NewParentsExpo.com, but if you want to cut to chase here are the highlights:

* Happy Infants & Toddlers: The beloved Dr. Harvey Karp (author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block”) will be giving the keynote address each day, elaborating on his methods for raising happy babies (and getting them to sleep) and happy toddlers (and getting them to listen to you)!

* Incredible Speakers: Beyond Dr. Karp, Dr. Bob Sears, Liz Lange, Ali Wing (of giggle), Rosie Pope, Cool Mom Picks and other parenting and pregnancy luminaries will be speaking on everything from having a healthy child and a healthy home, to stylish but practical family shopping, to getting along as a new family.

* The Goods: Over 100 Exhibitors and the best brands and services and stores and experts for pregnancy, baby and toddler.

* The Attractions: Stroller Test Track (if you don’t have one) & Stroller Tune-up (if you do) * Special Lectures for New Dads (invaluable) * Child Play Area

* The Prizes: Big Prizes: $1,500 Nursery Gift from giggle! World Class Spa Getaway! * Full Package From Classic Kids Photography! Plus, strollers, high-chairs… the works……

* The Answers: Sleep! Feeding! Child Gear & Furnishings! Early Enrichment! Preschool! There’s a special area devoted just for your questions.

Sounds great, right? But don’t forget to REGISTER NOW for your free vouchers. Email NewParentsExpo@manhattanmedia.com, and mention iKidNY. And note: if you’re one of the families who happens not to be in time for the voucher, write in anyway and they’ll send you a special discount code for the event.

Enjoy and please say hello – I’ll be at the Expo too, of course!

Lara

Whitney Family Programs and Desert Island present a comic book fair featuring some of the most up and coming independent illustrators in New York City. In conjunction with the exhibition Lyonel Feininger: At the Edge of the World, featuring Lyonel Feininger’s pioneering comic strips in the Chicago Sunday Tribune, contemporary comic artists will be displaying and selling their work – prints, zines, buttons, and more! Kids and families can explore Feininger’s comics through drawing activities in the galleries, and each participant will receive limited edition prints by each artist to compile their own comic book.

This event will feature work by Partyka Collective (Shawn Cheng, Matt Weigle, John Mejias, and Sean McCarthy), Estrella Vega, Jen Tong, Tom Toye, Chris Patch, Jungyeon Roh, Sto, Chris Uphues and Noah Lyon.

No registration required; just drop in!

MiniMunchers and Britax are bringing you an AMAZING event on October 17th at 10:30am.

For a LIMITED number of moms & dads, we will be exploring the famed Chelsea Market with babies in tow. Delicious foods explored on the tour will include Amy’s Bread, Sarabeth’s Bakery, The Lobster Place, Buon Italia and MORE! The best part of is – Britax will GIVE each mom a FREEBRAND NEW Britax baby carrier to carry your Mini Muncher in (32 lbs and under, we suggest tops 8 mths!)

The tour will last 1.5 hours and is only $30!

Email Carla@MiniMunchers.comto reserve your spot.

Registration is EXTREMELY limited

Kid-Friendly Restaurants on the Upper West Side
MiniMunchers.com
Carla Sullivan – Founder & Mommy Muncher

The Upper West Side is another neighborhood that you will be hard-pressed not to see a stroller or ten on any block at ANY time of day.

Of course with Central Park to the East and the Hudson River to the West – why wouldn’t families want to live in this diverse yet super kid-friendly locale? Other great kiddie favs on the storied UWS include the American Museum of Natural History and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan – both great ways to spend a rainy Spring day with the kids.

While you are exploring the `hood – here are some of MiniMunchers.com favorite places to bring the kiddies for a great meal.

1. Landmarc – Landmarc has one of the most extensive children’s menus that I have ever seen, Landmarc really knows what kids want – from standards like macaroni and cheese and chicken fingers with fries to green eggs and ham, PB and Nutella or a petit filet mignon. Chef Marc Murphy also treats adults to a wonderful meal, the cesare salad and onion soup are great standouts for appetizers – and the Mussels with fries (served with ketchup and a mayo sauce!) and fish and pasta entrees are savory! Of course the views of Central Park could almost trump any meal you get. BONUS, if your kids/your tip ☺ are really good – your server might bring cotton candy to the table for dessert!

2. Fatty Crab – A relative new-comer to the UWS restaurant scene, this Malaysian inspired restaurant serves up a children’s menu that actually reflects what adults are eating – from dumplings with soy to fish fry in a box. With a following of trendy Upper West Siders, Fatty Crab is also a fun place for adults to eat, whether you choose the cool indoor dining room (with exposed brick) or the outdoor seating. Fatty Crab is a great choice for your adventurous eaters.

3. Atlantic Grill – When soaking in a little culture at Lincoln Center (yes they have children’s operas) a great alternative to the expensive tourist traps in Lincoln Center is Atlantic Grill. This location of what is a staple for hip Upper East Siders, just opened it’s doors in October. What I love about the children’s menu here is the Shrimp Tempura (oh I think my kids like it too) and I pretend to enjoy the yummy and varied selection of salads (they actually are good – including the seafood cobb, chopped salad and sesame crusted shrimp salad) while picking at their left-overs.

4. Brother Jimmy’s BBQ – Yes, Brother Jimmy’s is a bar, but who knew that Kids eat FREE, YES FREE with an adults entrée – AND the food is good. The menu is also a fun diversion – instead of spelling out the entrée selections – there are pictures for Munchers to guess – like a “chicken” and a “hand” for Chicken Fingers.

5. Café Blossom – Finally, a great organic and yes VEGAN restaurant close to the Museum of Natural History. You and your mini will be full and happy after eating at this Upper West Side spot. Situated right next to Kidville (which BTW offers great kiddie haircuts) your tot can be “fooled” into eating 100% vegan “grilled cheese” or “soy sticks” – don’t forget the vegan chocolate for dessert…YUM!

6. The City Grill – Yes, they have a typical kids menu (grilled cheese with fries, mac N’ cheese, chicken fingers with fries, etc.) but it all comes with a drink and dessert (ice cream scoop) for $7.95. A great deal for great portions. The waiters are used to kids – crayons and a coloring mat are presented upon seating – and you can easily roll a stroller in (when it is not crowded) I WOULD avoid the weekend brunch as it does get crowded with a hip UWS brunching crew (I guess the bloody mary’s are great!) BEWARE the bathrooms are VERY small and not conducive to changing little ones.

7. community food & juice – Yes, it is ALL the way up there but it is a very spacious restaurant (owned by a mom) with high chairs and alas, changing tables in the bathroom. Also – on the weekends from 9-10 kids get free oatmeal with caramelized apples and cinnamon butter with each adult entrée

8 & 9 – The West 79th Street Boat Basin Café and Pier i Café – I am grouping these together as they are seasonal restaurants, but DEFINITELY they are MUSTS when the weather turns warm. The Boast Basin at 79th Street has a little more to offer the minis – but they both have amazing views and the kids are free to LITERALLY run around while you enjoy some rays and maybe even a beer or glass of wine with dinner. They are two of the few places you can let the table manners slide a bit and let the kids be kids while eating lunch/dinner.

HAPPY MUNCHING!

Visit www.MiniMunchers.com for the complete children’s menus of over 240 great restaurants in NYC! MiniMunchers also offers great weekly discounts on children’s products and classes in our “Goodie Bag” as well as advice from experts on making your eating experiences with kids enjoyable – from celebrities to restaurateurs to Moms-in- the-know!

A ten-year resident of Manhattan, Carla Sullivan is the founder and “Mommy Muncher” of the internet’s only source of kid-friendly restaurants in NYC, www.MiniMunchers.com.

Pleased to introduce our monthly guest column by Carla Sullivan Founder & Mommy Muncher at MiniMunchers.com!

Kid-Friendly Restaurants on the Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is a HOTBED for kid-friendly restaurants AND things to do with tots! From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art Farm in the City and the newest Mini hot spot, Scribble Press, there are countless indoor diversions to get us moms through this brutal winter!
Once you decide where you want to go – where you are going to eat, that is kid-friendly, should also be planned in advance.
Here are some of MiniMunchers.com top picks for the neighborhood.

1. Brother Jimmy’s BBQ – 1485 2nd Avenue (between 77th & 78th Streets) Yes, Brother Jimmy’s is a bar, but who knew that Kids eat FREE, YES FREE with an adults entrée – AND the food is good. The menu is also a fun diversion – instead of spelling out the entrée selections – there are pictures for Munchers to guess – like a “chicken” and a “hand” for Chicken Fingers.

2. Atlantic Grill – 1341 Third Avenue (bet. 76th & 77th Streets) This staple for hip Upper East Siders is always buzzing at no matter the day, no matter the hour (so no worries about fussy noisy children). You will rarely be alone with a stroller at the table – and my kids love the coloring mats/menus. What I love about the children’s menu here is the Shrimp Tempura (oh I think my kids like it too) and I pretend to enjoy the yummy and varied selection of salads (they actually are good – including the seafood cobb, chopped salad and sesame crusted shrimp salad) while picking at their left-overs.

3. Brasserie Julien – 1422 Third Avenue (bet. 80th & 81st Streets) Brasserie Julien has a downtown vibe but an UES location. There is nothing not to love about this cool French Bistro – from the Steak Frites and Moules Frites and cheese fondue – kids might just want what is on YOUR plate. The children’s menu is typical (although if you want something else they usually can accommodate) but minis do get to choose from a menu of desserts (included with their meals). Oh did I mention kids eat FREE Mon – Fri 4:30-6:30pm?? BONJOUR PARIS!!!

4. Candle Cafe – 1307 Third Avenue (bet. 74th & 75th Streets) Leave your stroller at home (or bring a collapsible) when visiting this UES, organic, vegetarian mecca. This jewel-box restaurant has one of the most extensive organic menus (kids and adults) in the City. The children’s menu has everything from pizza margarita (with tapioca cheese) to seitan skewers. Ask your server if you have any questions – they keep a book at the counter with every menu item ingredients described in detail.

5. Big Daddy’s – 1596 2nd Avenue (bet. 82nd and 83rd Streets) Big Daddy’s is a great place to take the kids! The music is pumping, tvs with cartoons are constantly on, and the bright décor (murals with every cartoon character imaginable) are all fun distractions for Minis. Although the children’s menu is limited, it does feature the old reliables and breakfast is served all day/night. Kids are also entertained by the coloring mats, crayons and balloons – and parents will enjoy the full bar, good comfort food, and a bit of peace and quiet from the kiddies.

HAPPY MUNCHING!

Visit www.MiniMunchers.com for the complete children’s menus of over 230 great restaurants in NYC! MiniMunchers also offers great weekly discounts on children’s products and classes in our “Goodie Bag” as well as advice from experts on making your eating experiences with kids enjoyable – from celebrities to restaurateurs to Moms-in- the-know!

A ten-year resident of Manhattan, Carla Sullivan is the founder and “Mommy Muncher” of the internet’s only source of kid-friendly restaurants in NYC, www.MiniMunchers.com.

New York Family and the American Camp Association have joined forces to offer us FREE Camp Fairs all around town this weekend and next. If you are thinking of sending your 3 to 15 year old to camp this summer, I highly recommend checking out the Camp Fairs to do your research. In attendance will be over 60 camp directors of both day camps and sleepaway camps. With so many amazing options to choose from, you’ll be able to scope them all out in one place at one time. Making life easier… now this is what I’m talking about. Oh, and don’t forget to pre-register at newyorkfamilycamps.com to secure your gift bag and to be eligible for their Grand Raffle for a family vacation.

Dates and locations:

Upper East Side
Saturday, Jan 22
St. Jean Baptiste High School
173 East 75th St

Upper West Side
Sunday, Jan 23
Congregation Rodeph Sholom
7 West 83rd St.

Downtown
Saturday, Jan 29
Friends Seminary School
222 East 16th St.

Park Slope
Sunday, Jan 30
** VENUE CHANGE ** The Grand Prospect Hall
263 Prospect Avenue (between 5th and 6th Avenues)

For more information, visit newyorkfamilycamps.com

SCORE! The Cooking Channel is hitting the road this summer in an Ice Cream truck and giving YOU free Ice Cream! As if that wasn’t cool enough they are bringing some of the network’s biggest stars along for the ride, and coming to a city near you. You and your kids will be treated to a scoop or two of your favorite Ice Cream flavor and will be able to meet the stars of Chuck’s Day Off, Everyday Exotic, FoodCrafters and more!

The kick-off will be THIS weekend in New York City! Here are the details:

Friday, June 25
12 noon- 4pm
Chelsea Market
75 9th Ave. (between 15th and 16th Streets)
Special appearance by Chuck Hughes from 1pm – 3pm

Saturday, June 26
12:00 pm- 10:00 pm
NYC FoodFilm Festival’s “The World’s First Food Truck Drive-In Movie”
Under the Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO
Special appearance by Chuck Hughes from 1pm – 3pm

If you are not in NYC and would like to catch the Food Network’s Ice Cream Truck in your city here is the NATIONAL TOUR SCHEDULE:
(Dates and locations subject to change)

June 25-26 New York
July 1 Boston
July 4 Washington D.C.
July 17 Atlanta
July 19 Knoxville
July 20 Nashville
July 23 Cincinnati
July 28 Philadelphia
July 31- August 1 Atlantic City
September 4-5 Los Angeles
September 7 San Francisco
September 11 San Diego
September 19 Dallas
September 21 New Orleans
September 25 Chicago
October 7- 10 New York

Check out www.CookingChanneltv.com, Cooking Channel ‘s Facebook page and Twitter.com/CookingChannel to see the most up to date tour schedule.