As much as parents would like to be home and attentive to their children at 3pm every day, it just isn't always possible. And the cost of daycare or after school camps and classes can really add up. Parents who need those extra few hours after school lets out each day can find a variety of fun and educational programming to keep their kids occupied from 3 until 5 (or beyond). Just because they're free or inexpensive doesn't mean they can't be fun. We found lower cost and free after school programs featuring academics, sports, creative writing, art, and even circus performance for kids throughout the city. 

Want to continue the free fun into the weekend? Check out our best free things to do this fall and free days at museums and other attractions, or search for free events in our Chicago event calendar.

Giving your little one a head start at a quality preschool can build a solid foundation in social and pre-academic skills, readying them for kindergarten and beyond. In the state of Florida, all children 4 years of age (as of September 1) are eligible for VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten), a state-funded program that is FREE for families. Most preschools in Orlando offer VPK for eligible 4-year-olds. Plus, several Orlando preschools offer programs for 2- and 3-year-olds as well. Finding the right fit of preschool can seem daunting, so we've asked local families and rounded up a list of the best preschools around Central Florida.

Touring preschools? Here are the top questions you need to ask during your tour. If you would like articles like this delivered right to your inbox, subscribe to our email list.

Classes for babies (and toddlers) can solve one of the biggest parenting hurdles: getting out of the house! Especially in the early years, a Parent and Baby class might be the only outing you manage all day—even all week. From classes for babies who can barely lift their heads to classes for toddlers who are tottering around, these Mommy & Me classes (and Daddy & Me classes, too!) focus on activities that babies and parents can do together, from swimming to sign language and yoga to folk music. Find your tribe, bond with your babe, and get out of the house to reclaim a little sanity with these amazing baby classes and toddler classes in San Francisco. 

Check out our other lists of awesome classes for kids in San Francisco Bay Area, including Cooking Classes for Kids and Swimming Lessons for Babies and Toddlers. And did you know you can now book classes and more activities directly from the Mommy Poppins calendar? Find events with the "book it" button or filter for classes for simple registration in just a few clicks!

Preschools offer the chance for children to explore their worlds in entirely different ways —through the exploration of friendships, academics, the arts, and much more. Every Atlanta preschool follows its own philosophy to open that educational and social path for kids, and it's up to parents to discover which philosophy lines up best with their own personal values. In addition to teaching philosphies, like Reggio Emilia and Montessori, there are also other elements to consider when finding the right preschool for your family, including spiritual, environmental, and cultural connections.

Finding the right Atlanta preschool can be tough so make sure to ask questions! We've come up with a few helpful questions to ask during your next preschool tour but make sure to come up with some the directly affect how you'll make your choice. 

There are so many amazing preschools in Atlanta that it's nearly impossible to spotlight every one, so keep an eye out as we constantly expand this group. We've rounded up a few of our faves after talking to local parents. Always let us know what you recommend by visiting our Facebook page and getting in touch!

We’ve gathered up our favorite things to do with toddlers and preschoolers this fall in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Whether they ride your shoulders while apple picking or rock out while wearing Halloween costumes and hanging with alpacas, we’ve got the makings of memories to help fill up those photo albums. As an added perk, many of these fall events are FREE!

For more options, check out our Event Calendar and our Fall Fun Guide for Westchester Kids.

Babies love music. Because my daughter seemed so interested in music, I decided to enroll my 2-month-old daughter in a mommy and me music class in Houston. Her dad attended the class frequently as well, and we found that the baby and toddler music classes in Houston taught us playful ways to interact with her and ways to incorporate music into our lives at home. It was a hit with our family and was a great opportunity to meet other new parents with babies close in age to our daughter. There are lots of options for baby and toddler music classes In Houston and many offer a free demo class.

For more fun things to do with Houston babies, try our Best Parent-Child Classes or Baby Swimming Lessons.