What does one do on September 11th? It's a thorny question for parents of young children, for whom the idea of planes flying into skyscrapers is the stuff of nightmares.
In 2011, the 10th anniversary of the attacks, New Yorkers had plenty of options. From a special event at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum to an outdoors art installation in DUMBO, to childrens books at the library, Brooklyn offered a multitude of ways for families with young children to address the September 11 attacks.(>See September 11 Anniversary Overview)
In 2012, the pickings are considerably slimmer.
1. Create a Personal Memorial with the Kids
Photo © Martha Cooper
In 2011, the Brooklyn Arts Council had a good idea. They ran a wonderful DIY memorial project, encouraging groups of people to come together to make a memorial of their own, and then submit photographs and the background story to their official archives. Interested families can adapt this idea, and make their own memorial in art or music.
2. Read a Book: How to Talk to Kids about September 11? Books for Young Children
Not sure how to address what happened on September 11th with your children? Try broaching the topic through a book. The Brooklyn Public Library system has a selection that might be of interest.
3. Visit the Memorial at Coney Island
Children who have a personal connection in some way to the September 11 tragedy may benefit from a trip to one of Brooklyn's many small, locally-based memorials. There's a memorial wall in Coney Island, and a grove of trees at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a sculpture in Bay Ridge, and more.4. Visit the NY Fire Department Memorial in Downtown Brooklyn
Small memorials are dotted throughout Brooklyn, in remembrance of the victims of September 11, 2001. It seems like a long time ago. But these Brooklyn community memorials speak volumes.5. Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge and Remember Where the Towers Stood
It's hard to remember, today, how prominent the Twin Towers were in the Manhattan skyline. If you walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge (here's how) you can imagine them on the far side of lower Manhattan.6. Plant a Daffodil as Part of the 9.11 Daffodil Project
n the wake of 9/11, a Dutch bulb supplier Hans van Waardenburg, pledged a half million daffodil bulbs to the city. Another supplier, B&K Flowerbulbs subsequently donated hundreds of thousands more. New Yorkers for Parks, which has now taken up the project, distributes daffodil bulbs, free to anyone who commits to planting them in a park or public space. As of early 2011, the Daffodil Project said it was "among the largest volunteer efforts in the history of New York City," with 20,000 New Yorkers participating.7. Tribute in Light Memorial (Manhattan Skyline, Visible from Anywhere)
© Robert Vizzini for MAS
If so, kids will be intrigued by the huge shafts of light, the Tribute in Light, that you can see from anywhere, indoors or outdoors, along the Brooklyn waterfront. It will be visible from dusk until dawn on September 11 to September 12th.
Where to See the September 11 Tribute in Light? 7 Great Brooklyn Viewing Spots
In addition to the listings above, memorial services will held boroughwide in many religious institutions.
