Being a parent and caretaker in the Hudson Valley is a very special thing. This place we call home is chalk-full of recreation, campgrounds, trails, parks, and kid-friendly activities galore. Still, with the hustle and bustle of every day life, it's easy to forget offerings that are just around the corner in our unique town of Gardiner, NY. In this issue, we've outlined a few ways to explore with your little ones, summer and beyond.
Dress to Impress
Lucky Bug Clothing
Owned by a family trio native to Gardiner NY, Lucky Bug Clothing is an organic clothing line made with 100% certified bamboo viscose jersey fabric. And as a luxuriously soft material, the bamboo textile is safe and breathable for babies and toddlers, alike. The Hayes family puts special emphasis on the business having a small environmental footprint and ethically-produced products. In fact, the company boasts all clothing to be "soft, stylish, sustainable and sweatshop-free," with all of their employees as people they know. To learn more about Lucky Bug's fun and affordable designs, click here.
Minky and Sweet
Minky and Sweet is a baby boutique featuring handmade baby items useful for everyday life, brought to you by Shannon Oetzel. Her products are stylish and unique with a focus on functionality. Why Minky? Shannon uses high-quality minky in all of her pieces and finds that the difference in softness and durability is remarkable. The line consists of hand crafted baby blankets, bibs, burp cloths, pacifier clips, fabric teethers, wash cloths, loveys and more. She has worked to make a baby line full of fun prints and functional designs and creates everything herself with attention to detail. To learn more about Minky and Sweet and to shop products, click here.
Stay Protected, Naturally
Kiss My Face
It's hard to remember a time when what we put on our skin, didn't matter. Especially since Kiss My Face has made it a point to create safe, natural, and cruelty-free products for over 30 years. With world headquarters in Gardiner NY, we're proud to say that our town is home to such a conscientious business. The company has grown significantly from it's humble beginnings and its products are now distributed in every state and in 19 countries worldwide. We love Kiss My Face because they've stood behind their original promises; to keep all kisses natural and show consumers why kisses truly are the best way to make it better. Visit their website here to learn more about their products!
Paper Street Soap, Co: Certified Organic Bug Spray
What began as a fun experiment for a friend's bachelorette party has quickly turned into an organic skincare venture by a brother and sister duo. Jennifer and Michael have created the perfect organic bug spray formula using fine herbs and essential oils to safely ward off ticks and mosquitos, at any age. Certified Organic means you won't find "deet" in their sprays or any other harmful substances. Found in local stores such as Uptown Attic and The Natural Pet Center. Visit their website here to learn more!
Rainy Days, Good Books and Fun Activities
Gardiner Library
Today's libraries are evolving. And unlike movie rental stores like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, libraries are an ever-growing part of the community that aren't soon-to-be-extinct dinosaurs. A few of the perks at Gardiner Library? Free Wifi, computer access, bestselling books and local authors, community events, CD and DVD rentals, programs for children and adults, access to learning tools like Rosetta Stone, Mohonk Preserve passes, Children's Museum tickets and so much more. The list of just how much Gardiner Library offers our community could be an article in itself. So get out there and start exploring! Visit their website here to learn more.
Stone Wave Yoga
Rooted in the foundation to "come as you are," instructors encourage students to join in their approachable and fun classes; this includes children and seniors, alike. In fact, Liz Glover Wilson of Stone Wave Yoga has designed an environment that welcomes people of all ages, genders, and religions, encouraging newcomers unsure of the practice. An added bonus for new mommies? Childcare is offered at select classes for just $5 bucks. Their summer schedule can be viewed here and classes can be found here.
Goodnow Family Farm
Located on a former Honey-Bee Farm, Goodnow Family Farm is an educational petting farm for children of all ages! As a very community-oriented business, they bring their petting zoo and rides to several large events and festivals in the area throughout the year. Offering hay rides, pony rides, and a small farm shop, the farm welcomes visitors to explore various activities at their leisure. And as the cooler weather rolls around, they offer pumpkin picking and a festival of their own. To learn more about what Goodnow Family Farm can offer, visit their Facebook page here.
Horseback Riding Lessons
Gardiner, NY is home to acres upon acres of beautiful farm land and esteemed equestrian facilities. If you haven't seen the rolling hills of pastures with grazing cows and running horses just below the mountains, perhaps you haven't driven through Gardiner. Horseback lessons teach children bonding at an early age and can be a great source of discipline and exercise. Several contests are held throughout the year for horse shows, including those held at the Ulster County Fair. We suggest visiting Lucky C Stables, La Luna Farm and Mountain View Farm to learn more about horseback lessons in Gardiner, NY.
We hope we've given you some fun ideas for summer that grow with your little one and support the local community! And parents, try not to blink, because before you know it they'll be all grown-up.
An article and pictures by:
Lucia Civile
LACE Photo Media
