June is upon us! The Dream Factory of Brooklyn is gearing up to make this month memorable for children battling chronic illness. This summer, we’re focusing on providing fun and engaging activities for our brave kids while inviting the community to join hands in support.
Are you looking for ways to entertain your children or eager to contribute to a worthy cause? Here’s how you can support our children, their families, and Dream Factory’s mission.
Fun Summer Activities for Kids
Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore new activities, learn new skills, and simply have fun. Here are some ideas to keep children entertained and engaged.
1. Crafts & DIY Projects
Crafting is a wonderful way to spark creativity and keep little hands busy! Here are some craft ideas:
- Painted Rocks: Collect smooth rocks and provide paint and brushes for kids to decorate them. They can create colorful designs, animals, or patterns and use the rocks as garden decorations or gifts.
- Paper Plate Masks: Using paper plates, markers, and various craft supplies like feathers, glitter, and yarn, kids can design and create their own masks to wear for a fun costume party or imaginative play.
- Friendship Bracelets: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s celebration of friendship through her iconic friendship bracelets, kids can use colorful embroidery floss and beads to create their own unique bracelets to share with friends or family. This activity not only fosters creativity but also emphasizes the importance of friendship while helping improve fine motor skills.
2. Outdoor Games & Activities
Encouraging children to play outside is essential for their physical and mental well-being. Here are some outdoor games that are both fun and accessible:
- Water Balloon Toss: Perfect for hot days, this game is sure to bring lots of laughter and cooling fun. Kids can partner up and toss water balloons back and forth, trying not to let them burst. This game is a fantastic way to beat the heat and enjoy some friendly competition.
- Obstacle Courses: Set up a simple obstacle course using items like hula hoops, cones, and jump ropes. Kids can race against each other or the clock, navigating through the course. This activity helps improve coordination and physical fitness while providing plenty of excitement.
- Capture the Flag: This classic game is perfect for groups and can be played in a backyard or park. It promotes teamwork, strategy, and physical activity as kids try to capture the opposing team’s flag and bring it back to their side without getting tagged.
3. Local Events and Attractions
Brooklyn offers a plethora of family-friendly events and attractions that are perfect for outings. No matter where you are, there are bound to be loads of fun summer activities for kids.
- Domino Park Greenmarket: Open on Sundays from June 16 to November 24, this market features a range of fresh and locally sourced baked goods, produce, and more. Head over early on a Sunday morning and take a stroll between market stalls. It’s a great opportunity to teach your little ones the importance of fresh foods and supporting local businesses. Check out this link to learn more.
- DUMBO Family Games: Enjoy car-free Sundays starting May 19 with family games on Washington Street in DUMBO. Check out more information here.
- National Museum of Mathematics: It’s vital to keep childrens’ minds stimulated during the long summer break. Located in the Flatiron District, this museum offers interactive exhibits that demonstrate the fun and importance of math. Kids can engage with hands-on activities like square-wheeled tricycles and digital painting, making math an exciting subject to explore. Also be sure to check out their events page; it’s filled with fun activities to keep your kids engaged all summer!
- Luna Park at Coney Island: This amusement park is a classic family destination with rides, games, and food. It’s a fantastic spot for a fun-filled day with kids (Luna Park Coney Island)
How You Can Help the Dream Factory This Summer
The Dream Factory of Brooklyn is a nonprofit that relies on the generosity and support of the community to fulfill dreams and create magical moments for children battling chronic illness. Here are some ways you can get involved and make a difference.
1. Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering is a rewarding way to give back to the community. The Dream Factory offers several volunteer opportunities to fit different interests and schedules:
- Event Volunteering: Assist at various fundraising events, community outreach programs, and special events for children. Volunteers can help with event setup, registration, activity supervision, and more.
- Dream Fulfillment: Work directly with the children and families we serve by helping to plan and execute dream experiences. This might include coordinating special outings, arranging surprise visits, or organizing gifts.
- Special Projects: Use your unique skills and talents to contribute to special projects. Whether you have expertise in graphic design, marketing, or photography, your skills can help us enhance our programs and outreach efforts.
2. Donate to Support Our Cause
Your financial contributions help us continue our mission of bringing joy to children. Here’s how you can donate:
- One-Time or Monthly Donations: No matter the amount, we rely on donations from our community to help us cover the costs of dream experiences, special events, and daily operations. Every contribution makes a difference in the lives of the children we serve.
- Corporate Giving: Partnering with us through corporate giving can amplify your impact. Whether through direct donations, matching gift programs, or event sponsorships, businesses can play a pivotal role in helping us fulfill dreams.
- Planned Giving: Leave a legacy of hope by including the Dream Factory in your estate plans. Planned giving options include bequests, charitable trusts, and beneficiary designations.
Every dollar you donate goes directly towards making dreams come true for children with chronic illnesses. Your support ensures that we can continue to provide these life-changing experiences.
3. Participate in Fundraising Events
There are exciting fundraising events planned this summer to help raise funds for the Dream Factory. Some events we’ve hosted in the past (or will host!) Include:
- Cyclones Charity Game: Calling all sports enthusiasts! Attend the Brooklyn Cyclones Charity Baseball Game, an annual event that combines fun and philanthropy. This year, the game will take place at Maimonides Park on August 25th. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a day of baseball while contributing to a great cause.
- Corporate Sponsorship: We depend on our corporate sponsors to show support and raise awareness for our cause. Sponsorship opportunities offer a way for businesses to support our cause while gaining visibility for your brand.
- Silent Auction and Raffles: Participate in our silent auction and raffles. We offer a variety of exciting items and experiences, with all proceeds supporting our dream fulfillment programs. Your participation in these activities not only gives you a chance to win fantastic prizes but also helps us fund more dreams.
By taking part in our fundraising events, you directly contribute to making dreams come true for children with chronic illnesses.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Dream Factory of Brooklyn’s events page.
Supporting Children with Chronic Illness
The Dream Factory of Brooklyn focuses on children facing various chronic illnesses, ensuring they have the opportunity to experience joy and create lasting memories despite their medical challenges.
Some of the conditions we encounter include:
- Congenital Heart Defect (CHD): According to The Children’s Heart Foundation, 110 babies in the US are born with a CHD, and 25% of them will not live past their first birthday (source). Children battling CHD, alongside their family, deserve support and a memorable experience, which our programs help to provide.
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIPD): Children with CIPD, a rare neurological disorder, often face significant physical challenges. Our programs are designed to be adaptable and inclusive, ensuring that every child, regardless of their mobility or health status, can partake in our activities and experience the joy they deserve.
- Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Other Cancers: Children diagnosed with cancer undergo extensive treatments and face numerous challenges. We create special experiences tailored to their unique needs, providing moments of joy and distraction from their medical battles, and helping to uplift their spirits during difficult times.
The Dream Factory Brooklyn is dedicated to uplifting our local community, with a particular focus on its youngest members. Our mission is to make the dreams of children facing serious and long-term illnesses come true, providing them with the hope and resilience required to battle and triumph over their ailments.
Learn more about our mission here.
