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2 . Do you have a talented young artist, photographer, or designer in your life? It’s never too early to start helping them get their work out there! We’ve rounded up the top art contests for kids and teens that can help these young creators share their first masterpieces with the world. Best of all? Most of them are totally free to enter!

Global Canvas Art Competition

Ages: 16 and under

Mediums: Drawing, painting

Global Canvas is all about the environment. Launched by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, this art competition wants to inspire the next generation to be more mindful of how we take care of the earth. The judges are looking for artists to capture the wonderful places that wildlife call home.

Toyota Dream Car Art Contest

Ages: Four to 15

Mediums: Drawing, painting

Time to design a dream car! Toyota wants to get junior artists thinking about what the future of transportation might look like. Prizes include cash and a chance to tour one of the Toyota manufacturing plants.

Advena World’s art   Competition

Ages: 15 and under

Mediums: Drawing, painting

Advena World’s art competition aims to promote creativity and self-expression. Instead of a theme, they ask the participating artists to simply express their feelings — anything from sadness or joy to anger or excitement — through their chosen medium,.

Progressive Young Artist Awards

Ages: 13 to 19

Open to: All international applicants

Mediums: Painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, sculpture

Cost to enter: $5 USD

PYAA is all about expressing and celebrating progressive values. So, if there is a creative teen in your life who wants to do good in the world, sign them up for this art contest for teens. The prize is a scholarship which they can put toward their post-secondary schooling.

3 . Mini Camera

Interested in photography? Fujiko has produced an amazing new mini camera—the advanced 1001ix. It is no bigger than a credit card! It is very reliable and easy to use. The Mini Camera is made from an attractive and strong material and not expensive at all. Cost: $199.99.

Remote Headphones

These fantastic headphones from Philips have no wires. You can listen to your favourite programmes while you are walking round the house or garden! You can even go up to sixty metres away from your radio or TV. They give you freedom to move around plus top sound. Excellent value at $80.45.

Feline Floor Cleaners

Do you find housework tiring and boring? Have you got a cat that walks around your flat all day? Here is the perfect solution. It will change your life. Put the floor cleaners on your cat, and sit back and relax. They are very practical and easy to wash. Special offer—a complete set for only $5.99.

K9 Dogwalker

Is your dog fat? Do you walk it every day? This new product will change your life and your dog's too. It is practical as it can exercise your dog just in your home. It has an attractive design and a reliable electric motor plus a small computer. You can use the computer to plan your dog’s exercise without doing anything.   A bargain at $39.99.

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What3words

This free download is one of a growing number of smartphone apps that could mean the difference between life and death. What3Words divides the world into 3x3 metre squares, giving each one a unique combination(组合)of three words. This allows emergency services-or anyone else you give the location to-to reach you. It is used by the vast majority of emergency services in the UK, not to mention other control centres around the world, and has been praised for saving thousands of lives.

WhatsApp

Lots of us use WhatsApp for messaging and calling, but did you know it also has a Live Location feature that can let a loved one know where you are in case you’re in danger? You simply press the + key in a chat, select “Location”, and then press “Share Live Location”, which enables anyone in the chat to see your location in real time for the period you choose.

Skin Vision

You will have to pay for this digital skin check app, when necessary or needed, but with about fifth of skin cancers going undiagnosed(未经诊断)during lockdown, it could be well worth it. You simply take a photo of any strange-looking part of the skin with your phone and you’ll then receive a risk indication(风险迹象)within 30 seconds. This might include a recommendation to see a doctor. But don’t rely on an app to comfort you-if you’re worried about a skin problem, go to your doctor.

Stay Alive

With mental health problems on the increase, not helped by the pandemic(大流行病), this suicide(自杀)prevention app could be extremely helpful. Developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention, it offers a wealth of resources, ranging from suggestions for staying at home when you feel extremely lonely and sad, to breathing exercises, to direct links to national and local crisis resources.

St John Ambulance First Aid

An app like this is more useful for saving someone else’s life than your own,but it’s a must-have on your smartphone. It gives advice in dealing with emergencies, including choking, allergic reactions and performing CPR. You don’t have to have an Internet connection in order to use it.

7 . Central Park

Outside among the trees, watch the wildlife-both the human and animal varieties. Call (212)360-3465 or (212) 360-2726 for daily events and tours.

Central Park stretches from 59th to 110th Sts., and from 5th Ave. to Central Park West.

Empire State Building

This is among the most striking buildings in the city, the nation, even the world. The observation deck (瞭望台) on the 86th floor is open to the general public, offering a wonderful view of the city. On the second floor you’ll find the New York Skyride, a simulate helicopter ride over Manhattan.

5th Ave. at 34th St., Midtown: (212)736-3100

Intrepid1 Sea-Air-Space Museum

Five blocks west of Time Square, this museum has hundreds of air, deep-sea and space exhibits. Walk the flight deck of the 900-foot-long aircraft carrier Intrepid, see dozens of old and modern aircraft and ride the Intrepid Navy Flight Simulator.

Pier 86, W. 46th St. and 12th Ave.: (212)245-0072

Madison Square Garden

If it’s big, it probably happens at the Garden. Check out sporting events, concerts and much more. Tours are available.

7th Ave., btwn. 31st and 33rd Sts., Midtown: (212)465-6741

8 . OSCAR THEATRE

BOOKING

- in person

The Box Office is open Monday to Saturday, 10 am-8 pm.

- by post

Stating the performance and choice of seats, enclosing a cheque, postal order, or your credit card details to Oscar Theatre Box Office, PO Box 220, Main street. All cheques should be made payable to Oscar Theatre.

- by telephone

Ring 0844 847 2484 to reserve your tickets or to pay by credit card (Visa, MasterCard accepted).

- on-line

Complete the on-line booking form at www.oscartheatre.com.

DISCOUNTS

Saver: $2 off any seat booked any time in advance for performances from Monday to Thursday inclusive, and for all matinees (下午场). Savers are available for children up to 16 years old, over 60s and full-time students.

Supersaver: half-price seats are available for people with disabilities and one companion. It is advisable to book in advance. There is a maximum of eight wheelchair spaces available and one wheelchair space will be held until one hour before the show (subject to availability).

Standby: best available seats are on sale for $6 from one hour before the performance for people eligible (有资格的) for Saver and Supersaver discounts and thirty minutes before for all other customers.

Group Bookings: there is a ten per cent discount for parties of twelve or more.

Schools: school parties of ten or more can book $9 tickets in advance and will get every tenth ticket free.

Please note: we are unable to exchange tickets or refund money unless a performance is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

10 . If you love talking about vacations as much as you love going on vacation, then this card game Destination Anywhere from Table Topics is for you.

There aren’t any rules — it’s just you, your friend, and 135 cards printed with conversation starters that all relate to travel. The questions are open enough. They might inspire you to share the funniest stories from your previous travels. “What do you always forget when you’re packing for a trip?” may, for example, remind you of the time when you forgot to bring your tent on a week-long hike. And “Do you prefer making tours or seeing sites on your own?” is practically begging your sister to talk about the time she got lost on a self-guided tour through the Tuscan countryside and was rescued by a kindly old sheepherder. The game is recommended to ages 12 and up, and you can get it on Amazon for $25.

If the Destination Anywhere version doesn’t sit well with you, there are plenty of other Table Topics versions to choose from. The “Geek Pop!” edition ($22) could encourage a lively debate. “Not Your Mom’s Dinner Party” edition ($25) will keep your guests entertained with questions like “Have you ever been accompanied by security?” The “Family” edition ($25) is a great way to get silent kids to come out of their shells a little. “Would you rather know how to fly a plane, drive a race car, or rock climb?” pretty much guarantees an answer that isn’t “Yes”, “No”, or “Good”.

You can browse all the Table Topics card set on Amazon.