We welcome guest contributor Cyndi Reitmeyer, BostonTechMom blogger, who tells us about a gem of a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) opportunity for middle schoolers. 

If you have a 7th or 8th grade child and live in the greater Boston area, then I want to make you aware of a one-weekend program called Spark, hosted by MIT’s Educational Studies Program (ESP). For a small flat fee, your child can take a wide variety of really unique classes in STEM subjects, taught on MIT’s campus by MIT students and community members. 

If you have a child born in 2011 listen up! The NYC Department of Education just released info about how to apply to free pre-k for fall 2015, and there are some really promising changes. For the first time, there will be one application for pre-k programs in both public schools and community-based early education centers, which means less paperwork and (hopefully) less confusion. Even better, schools chancellor Carmen Fariña has promised that there will be a seat for every age-eligible child.

Of course, you'll still want to do your research before you hand in that application. Here's everything you need to know about applying to free pre-k this fall.

This week kicks off with President’s Day. How are you going to keep the little ones busy on their day off from school? Check out the many opportunities for a Monday fun day, including the busy, and free, Family Day at State Theatre and Trailside’s Fantasy, Illusion and Magic Show. Celebrate another festive day, Chinese New Year, at Reeves-Reed Arboretum. Plus, take advantage of opportunities for grown-up time while the kids are entertained at Hip Mom Hangout or Small Factory’s Kids' Night Out. And don’t forget to check out our event calendar for even more President’s Day, weekday and weekend events.

Somehow it just seems appropriate to celebrate Presidents Day at a Presidential Library, which is probably why the Library and Museum that honors Ronald Reagan’s presidency has been hosting a free party on this day for the past 23 years. Hot dogs, apple pie, and jelly beans are part of the free festivities; think about springing for a museum ticket, too, though. It is kind of cool to walk through an Air Force One. Meanwhile, head to the Farmers Market and feel like you are at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. End the week dining with your partner, but don’t worry about babysitting; Olive Garden and My Gym have it covered.

The kids are off from school this week, so parents across Long Island are looking for ways to keep the little ones occupied before cabin fever kicks in. Luckily, there is no shortage of fun happening in both Nassau and Suffolk County. We recommend calling ahead of time to find out if you need to reserve your spot in advance as many of these places are sure to be super crowded.

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).

This week is a vacation week for many so we've rounded up a great assortment of fun family activities to do all week. Although we only highlight one activity per day in this post, you can find plenty of other options in our Event Calendar. This week you can enjoy some bubbles, sharks, and disco ice skating. If you're looking for more drop-off kinds of activities, check out our guide to Winter Break Camps for Kids in Fairfield County. 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!

With February Vacation Week upon us, parents can find loads of special activities and museum programs to entertain the kids. Many of the events listed below run the whole week, so while our picks represent one possible itinerary, there are enough great choices on the calendar to fill each day this week with a fun activity. Plus, there are lots of ways to enjoy this winter wonderland, like going sledding, tubing, skiing, and snowboarding. 

Our picks for the week include everything from the Bugs Bunny Film Festival in Cambridge to Snowshoeing on the Story Trail at Gore Place in Waltham. Great museum programs include Lowell Kids Week for budding historians and MFA Vacation Week Activities for the young art fan. Read on for our picks of the week, and don't forget to check out the full events calendar!

Please check with the event venues for snow cancelations before heading out this week.

It’s Winter Break, when schools are closed, temperatures are low and parents need ways to keep kids busy (without spending a fortune). Well, you’ve come to the right place—we’ve scouted around Westchester for the best ways to engage your kids—and most of our best bets are FREE!

Your kids will have so much fun at Mardi Gras in Montrose, The Wright Stuff: Air Inventions & Explorations and Sprouting Seeds Workshop they won’t even realize they’re learning during school vacation! But that’s not all—read on for our top pick for each weekday, then visit our Events Calendar, which is extra jam-packed with activities throughout the entire winter break. Also check out our list of February Break art camps for alternative options.

So bundle up and head on out to as many of these events as you can get to. And if you haven't already, be sure to sign up for our FREE newsletters to stay up-to-date on the latest news, events and activities throughout Westchester and Lower Hudson Valley.