Summer camp is something of an investment. When families plan to spend hundreds of dollars on something, they like to do research to make sure they are making a good choice for their money and of course for their child. There are plenty out there to choose from, and if you want to know what you're getting before you plunk down a deposit, several Connecticut contenders will be hosting open houses in the coming months.  Make sure to check out our lists and reviews of summer camps in our CT Summer Camp Guide too.

New York City is filled with world-famous museums offering art and cultural experiences for visitors of all ages. But while most people know about MoMA and the Metropolitan, we enjoy shedding light on under the radar museums you may not be aware of that are fun for families, like the Sketchbook Project in Williamsburg.

Originally started in 2006 in Georgia before moving to NYC in 2009, the Sketchbook Project's Brooklyn Art Library features more than 30,000 books submitted by artists from all over the world. I recently visited with my five-year-old son and we enjoyed discovering a wide variety of offbeat art for FREE since there is no admission charge.

For active kids who love sports, there's nothing quite like incorporating a favorite activity into a birthday celebration. Parties focused on organized sports not only cut down on the mayhem, they also give kids a healthy way to get their energy out.

Many venues that host sports parties also take care of all the details - from set up to clean up and everything in between - so that mom and dad can enjoy the fun, too. 

Read on for 10 cool places where it's okay for kids to kick, punch, swing, cheer, and party on!

While it’s getting closer to spring, much of New Jersey still looks like a winter wonderland. Add some green into the mix with fun St. Patrick’s Day festivities, including Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and a St. Patrick’s Day craft at the Colts Neck Library. Take in some theater at Paper Mill Playhouse’s performance of The Hunchback of Notre Dame plus a free presentation of Red Riding Hood & Other Stories at the Ocean County Library. And don’t forget to check out our event calendar for even more weekday and weekend events.

Eating outside in the summer months is peaceful, warm, great for people-watching, and an event that really makes summer feel like, well, summer! These last few weeks of 'lazy days' are a great time for the whole family to enjoy some outdoor dining, whether it be low-key like pizza or fancy-shmancy lobster-on-the-terrace. Check out these venues, and let us know your faves!

The first thing to know about this week is that there are still three more days of half priced coffee to enjoy at Peet’s. Get caffeinated and get going through Wednesday, March 11. The Autry is free on Tuesday and is just across the street from Griffith Park. Start the day with some wild west history and then head outside to play cowboys on the pony rides. If our glorious weather continues, a trip to one of Sierra Madre’s hiking trails in the morning could conclude with some gentle reading time with an appreciative rescue dog at the library. End the week museum hopping in Pasadena. Free art and free transportation.

Everyone can surely agree, we've had enough of this winter! Spring is right around the corner, so hopefully we just need a few more weeks of staying inside before the warmer weather arrives (fingers crossed). This week, the Easter Bunny is on Long Island, kids can celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday at LICM, explore physics and more.

Of course, this list is just our top picks--be sure to check out our Long Island Events Calendar regularly as it is always being updated. And to receive this post right into your inbox, sign up for our newsletter, which is now going out twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays).

My kids and I are springing forward today right into Spring break this week. If you are in the same boat and have decided to stay in town there are plenty of fun things to do each day.  The following daily events will give you some ideas as will our 120 Things to Do With Kids in CT Before They Grow Up. We only highlight one activity per day in this post, but you can find plenty of other fun options each day in our Event Calendar and March GoList. This week you can enjoy some art, nature, and baking.  For even more ideas, our Winter Fun and Indoor Play Guide are terrific resources. Editor's Note: Some of these events may be canceled or postponed by the occasionally unpredictable winter weather. Always call the venue first to confirm. Stay warm and safe!