Business

Fun and prizes for the whole family at the Everything Kids Expo

June 30, 2014 Heather Chin

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Corazon Aguirre

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Everyone had a fun-filled blast at the second annual Everything Kids Expo on Sunday, June 29 at Aviator Sports and Event Center, where hundreds of families from Brooklyn, Manhattan and even Long Island gathered for an afternoon of soccer, dancing, bouncy houses, story time, games, face painting and more.

I heard about the event from my wife and signed up for my kids, who are three and 13 years old, said Michael Burnett of Red Hook. My daughters enjoying the dinosaur table and I like it all; we would absolutely come again.

Burnett was also one of several prize winners, winning a one-day bus tour through Bay Ridge-based tour company L & M Tours, which gave out four free trips to guests who signed up for information at its expo table. Theres been a lot of interest today, enthused L & M manager Qua Liang.

Melissa Spicer of East Flatbush came as both a curious parent and a business woman, selling handmade floral headbands and colorful tutus for $1 to $10 at the event while her two daughters, ages two and four, enjoyed the fun and games.

I like to dress up my kids and people would always ask where I get it and since I make them, I decided why not [try to build a business], said Spicer, who blogs under the name Crafty Mocha Mom and also works full-time. My hope for today is to extend my client base and draw people to my blog.

Safety and self-confidence were also on the agenda, thanks to Shawn Slevin, founder of the Swim Strong Foundation, Allison Zaromatidis of Marine Parks Dance With Me Dance Center, and the FDNYs Fire Safety Learning Center.

Swimming is the only sport that works everything in your body, from your heart to your bones, and that you can do from womb to tomb, said Slevin, who almost drowned at age five and went on to be a competitive swimmer and safe swimming advocate. It has enriched my life so much. We live surrounded by water so we should enjoy it.

A group of 30 dancers, boys and girls aged eight to 16, had kids and adults alike riveted with their energetic routines.

Last year, we had a great response from kids who may think they cant dance, but then they see our kids do it and they want to try it, said Zaromatidis. It keeps kids active, provides socialization and helps them build confidence and self-esteem.

FDNY Lieutenant John Fiumano and his team of fire safety educators were also on hand with a fire safety truck showing kids and parents how to keep their kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living rooms safe from fire hazards such as open stoves, boiling water, hair dryers near the tub, and stray cigarettes.

The event was presented by Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, The Home Reporter and The Brooklyn Spectator.

The exhibitors were Adventurers Family Entertainment Center, Aviator Sports Center, Aviva Photography, BJs Wholesale Club, Brooklyn Childrens Museum, Brooklyn Parent Magazine, Changing the Ratio, Club Z Tutoring of Brooklyn, Dance with Me, the FDNY, Frankies Carnival Time, Greenlight Bookstore, Green Mountain Energy, Healthplex, HealthPlus Amerigroup, the Home Reporter Raffle prizes were donated from a range of Brooklyn and New York businesses such as Big Apple Circus and the Creative Groups Jon Landers, who gave one lucky winner a trip to Cancun.