Blog Posts by Red Tricycle

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There's no denying it -- we're in the dog days of summer. With the heat merely rising, we're guessing you've exhausted many of your indoor play options, some of your go-to spots for outdoor cool-down fun, as well as errr...some of your extra pocket change. Luckily for us, the city features a bevy of amazing activities just for kids. The best part? They're all free! From free museum days to festivals that celebrate the end of summer and easy-on-the-pocketbook outdoor movies, we've rounded up our picks for free activities in New York for your antsy kids. Share the love with our parents in the comment section below and let us know your picks for free activities in the city.

1. Visit the Children's Museum of Manhattan on the first Friday of every month from 5:00pm - 8:00pm when admission is free thanks to Target.

2. Battle the summer heat by hanging out at one of our favorite parks in Brooklyn. All you need is a picnic blanket, some munchies, and shade. If it's a sizzling

When back to school time rolls around we almost think that happy hour should be pushed to 9:00am. By then you've gone through the chaotic routine of getting the kids up, breakfast made, and dodged a few cars as you made your mad dash for an on-time drop-off. While we can't officially help you out with those tantrums and perpetually late mornings, we can make your lives easier by providing you with this ultimate back to school guide. From awesome lunch boxes to backpacks to choice eco-friendly essentials, we've got you covered. Despite the daily screams of terror during morning drop-off, at least the shopping will be a breeze and you and your kid will be doing it all in stylish and fab gear, right?

Lunch Boxes
Our kids don't even know the meaning of a brown bag lunch thanks in part to some totally innovative and creative lunch boxes. From vintage lunch boxes to BPA-free options, we've got plenty of choices for every little school kid out there. Click here for our full list

back to school giveawayAs summertime winds down, it's about time for some back-to-school excitement-and we've got just the thing! We've partnered with 20 of our awesome friends to make sure your family's school year starts off with a bang. Enter to win amazing prizes like an Ella's Kitchen Smoothie Fruits Package for your kiddo's whole class, 5 great backpacks from School Bags for Kids, gift cards to some of your favorite brands, and much more!

These are A+ giveaways and we can't wait to share them with you!

Well? Are you wondering who's on the giveaways roll call?

1. 10 Awesome Books from Scholastic
2. Ella's Kitchen Smoothie Fruits Package for Whole Class ($600 value)
3. $150 Citythreads Gift Card
4. $250 One Jackson Gift Card
5. Case of Funky Monkey Snacks
6. $100 Emily Press Labels + $150 Grocery Gift Card
7. $300 Stubby Pencil Studio Gift Card
8. Cleanwell Back to School Set
9. Dabbawalla Blue Monkey Combo
10. $100 See Kai Run

Summer in Seattle is kind of like a really yummy ice cream cone - you want to savor every bite and let the flavors linger and float around forever - and yet if you don't gobble it up fast, the whole thing will soon turn into a miserable soggy and sticky puddle. So before the rain sets in, and the dark clouds beckon, we say: to heck with it! Drop everything. Get outside, embark on an adventure, and pack in as much summer as you can handle. Here's your bucket list. You can always rest in October.

moungerpool
1. Throw in the towels and head to Jetty Island, just a 30-minute drive north of Seattle.

2. We're psyched about bikes: ride along the Alki Beach Trail, the Burke-Gilman or saddle up for Bicycle Sunday.

3. Soar above it all and fly a kite at a nearby park.

4. Get in touch with your wild side at the Woodland Park Zoo or a nearby farm park.

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5. Stock up on local goodies at the city's best farmer's markets.

6. Tune into a family-friendly outdoor concert or

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This weekend, we've got a great mix of outdoor events to keep you and the lil' ones happy and entertained! On our radar: a huge block party in the city, an evening with lots of Japanese culture, a community festival with fab food and entertainment, a behind-the-scenes tour, an artsy affair in the streets of Kirkland, and an over the top family music fest! Indulge your inner sweet tooth at the Snoqualmie Ice Cream-O-Rama! This second annual event will feature free ice cream and hot dogs, doughnut samples, music, face painting, creamery and mini-farm tours, and samples of the new Top Pot Doughnut inspired ice cream flavors! Yum-O!

South Lake Union Block Party
Celebrate this great community (in the city!) with a fab block party! There will be a children's play area with carnival games, a bounce house, face painting, mini golf, and air hockey plus a burger grilling competition for Dad, food samples, vendors, and a late night movie. Fri., 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm.

It's Summer Olympics season, and you know what that means: 24/7 coverage of our favorite sports, from swimming to volleyball to table tennis. It also means you're likely parked in front of the television as your kids practice their gymnastics moves and you lament how little you have in common with these amazing athletes (errr...maybe that's just us!). As you watch Lochte battle Phelps, the US go head to head with China, and other nail-bitingly close matches, all you need is an arsenal of tasty snacks so you won't need to peel your eyes away from the television. Here are some of our ideas for snacks to serve at your next Olympics viewing party.

Olympic Medal Cookies
Who needs real gold medals when you can have cookies? These are sure to be the hit of your Olympics viewing party. Whoever guesses the winner gets the gold!

olympic medal cookies

Union Jack Cupcakes
With so many athletes coming from all over the world to compete in the Olympics, your kids are bound to have a few

Famers Market

Aw, it's that time of year again! The leaves may still be green, but there's a hint of autumn in the wind. Before your family completely delves into their age-old school year routine, we suggest that you take the time to really end your summer on a high note. After all, these past few months in the Bay Area were totally great -- why not squeeze in just a little bit more fun before the Fall season is officially upon us? Take a look at these 15 family-friendly activities that we think will really make these last few days of summer for your kids memorable ones.

1. The Giants are world champs. What other excuse do you need to pack up the family, and hit up a ball game before the season ends?

2. It's still the season for Farmer's Markets. Make the most of area markets before all of the delicious summer produce ends.

3. Take advantage of the warm weather and cool down at one of these fun splash spots.

4. If your family is wiped out from the summer's day trips,

burning-man-kidsLabor Day weekend is creeping up on us, which can mean only one thing (besides the start of the school year): Burning Man! Last year we brought you our Insider's Guide to Burning Man with Kids, and while many of you scoffed at the idea, many also cheered in support. While it's clear that the majority of Burners opt for a week of adult playtime, there are actually quite a few Burner parents who wouldn't have it any other way even citing that "kids thrive out on the playa". As we have a few veterans on staff here, we honestly think the annual pilgrimage to Black Rock City, where nature, creativity, and culture all merge, can be a fantastic place for little ones to experience first-hand self-expression.

Long-time Burner Mom Harley K. Dubois and newbie mom Cory Mervis (Lady Merv) graciously gave us their advice and insights on life on the playa with kids. So read on Burning Moms and Dads, in honor of this years fertility theme, we've updated our list of 10 Insider Tips to make your