One of the reasons I write the Leap & Hop series is the excuse I get to do research with my own children.  In addition to the actual trip and testing of the drafts as a family, I need to find out what would peak a child’s interest.  Sometimes, I’m totally off but there is no better feeling than getting it right.  One of the subjects that I wanted to explore with my 8-year old while on vacation in New York  earlier this summer was street art.  We became so obsessed with painted murals that we kept seeing them everywhere. Of all the places famous in New York for street art, we spent most of our time in the Lower East Side, Alphabet City (around avenue C and D) and Red Hook in Brooklyn.   Very impressed with the famous giant alphabet that covers the corner of Avenue C and 6th Street, we each picked our favourite letter and came up with our street art scavenger hunt.  See how much you and your kids can find and send us pictures at photo@leapandhop.com or post them on instagram #leapandhopstreetart.

See if you can find the following:

1. An artist in action

2. Cars or buses

3. A funny looking moustache

4. A flag – can be of any country – we found Puerto Rico!

5. A musical instrument

6. Colourful birds

7. A New York icon

8. A scary monster

9. Pick your favourite letter of the alphabet and look for it – we picked “L”

10. A wild animal

Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to take a formal tour in Bushwick and Williamburg in Brooklyn or Harlem in Manhattan but will definitely sign up next time.  We’d love to hear your comments if you’ve done a tour and want to share recommendations 🙂