In addition to our usual selection of school scoop—some encouraging, some not—we've rounded up links about a bunch of cool new New York City places and programs. We've got details on Cooper-Hewitt's new Harlem Design Center, the star-studded launch of a new kids' cruise, geeky fun at a new comic book shop in Midtown, a new healthy restaurant at Chelsea Piers and newly minted chess champs at a Brooklyn middle school.

If you are thinking that summer school might be a good idea for your child the first thing you must do is ask them how they feel about it. It should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for them (and you!). For children with LD's, special interests or just a plain old love of academics, summer school can be a proactive way to spend time. We've rounded up a few options that are either day or sleep-away as well as tutoring centers. Many of these campuses offer a traditional New England boarding school experience which can be an added bonus!

Ever since my brother showed my three kids all six Star Wars movies within a week (upsetting my husband, who felt they should have been forced to wait years in between like we did as children), they've harbored one career ambition: to become Jedis. So I guess it's no surprise that our family will be celebrating International Star Wars this Friday, May Fourth at a big lightsaber battle in Washington Square Park. As we fans like to say, "May the fourth be with you."

Of course, since we live in New York City, we don't need to limit our Rebel revelry to one day. NYC has more Star Wars attractions than "you can possibly imagine," as Obi-Wan Kenobi would say. Here's where you can get your Jedi on throughout the year.

For our final Dumbo post this month, we're sharing our favorite stores for kids in the area. Considering Dumbo's reputation as an artsy neighborhood, it's no surprise that its shops sell unique, often handmade items.

While lots of Dumbo businesses are aimed at adults, like funky art galleries, furniture shops and high-end boutiques, the small nabe boasts a fair number of kids' stores. From clothing to candy, books to baby necessities, here are 10 great places for families to shop in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

The first day of school has been creeping farther and farther back in recent years, cutting deeper and deeper into summer. For many schools, August is part of the school year now, while other districts still cling to the time-honored "never before Labor Day" approach. All of this can make summer camp complicated to maneuver for some families, while others are knee-deep in homework.

From Burbank’s August 13 start date to Torrance’s September 6, don't just assume you know when school starts based on last year! Check our list of start and finish dates for the 2012/13 school year in and around LA County...

This past weekend, I threw a birthday party for my newly 5-year-old daughter.  15 adorable little girls showed up in their crinolines and party shoes, and settled into an arts and crafts project that I thought would entertain them for a good 30 minutes or so.  8 empty paint tubes later I popped inside for extra paper towels and returned to find said 15 girls (AND their crinolines AND their party shoes!) knee deep in our muddy stream catching frogs. 

The party was a great success (sorry Moms, for all the muddy clothes) and served to remind me that nothing entertains kids like the good old outdoors and all that it offers.  Below are several Nature Museums and Nature Centers in Fairfield County where you and your kids can go enjoy this beautiful spring weather.  Crinolines and party shoes optional!