$20 Playdate: Jackson Heights, Queens

71.fw.20playdate

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  Butula Emporium

  Photograph: Lindsay M. Taylor71.fw.butulaemporium24_0.jpg1852831
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  Butula Emporium

  Photograph: Lindsay M. Taylor71.fw.butulaemporium35_0.jpg1852852
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  Shaheen's Sweets

  Photograph: Lindsay M. Taylor71.fw.shaheens02_0.jpg1852873
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  Shaheen's Sweets

  Photograph: Lindsay M. Taylor71.fw.shaheens12_0.jpg1852894
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  Travers Park

  Photograph: Daniel Avila71.fw.traverspark01_0.jpg1852915

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Butula Emporium

Photograph: Lindsay M. Taylor

Begin at Travers Park (enter at 34th Ave between 77th and 78th Sts), a community hub that underwent a major renovation last year. Little ones can enjoy tree house–themed jungle gyms and swings; older kids will want to bring equipment to play pickup games of basketball, roller hockey or handball. Make sure to check out the baseball field where Jackie Robinson—who hailed from nearby East Elmhurst—practiced when he was a kid.

Afterward, head to Butula Emporium (37-46 74th St near 37th Rd, 718-899-5590) to indulge wee explorers in the ultimate South Asian treasure hunt. They can look for Indian deities, both in statue form and in comic book renditions of Hindu epics; check out Indian instruments like the tabla drum, sitar and harmonium; or stop to smell the more than 200 varieties of incense. For a souvenir of the day, take home metal bracelets or copper snakes ($5 each).

Cap off the day with some treats from Shaheen’s Sweets & Cuisine (72-09 Broadway between 72nd and 73rd Sts, 718-639-4791), which was the first Indian and Pakistani sweet shop in New York City when it opened in 1973. Kids can pick from gorgeously crafted confections like orange pretzel-shaped jalabee and fudge made from sweetened fried milk, called burfee. Even sweeter? A good assortment costs less than $10.

The breakdown

Entertainment $10
Food $10
Total $20