As much as I believe that NYC is the best place on earth to raise children, I can't deny that traveling on the subway with babies or toddlers can be tough. While we’re lucky to have an amazing mass transit system, it’s not always easy to use and safety is a concern. Plus we have to share it with millions of other people—people who may not think our strollers and restless kids are as cute as we do. From finding a station with an elevator, to knowing what to do if you and your child are separated, to avoiding hipsters filming you as an annoying breeder and posting it on their blogs, we have some tried–and–true tips that will keep your trip safe and relatively hassle-free. Here are 10 strategies for getting around NYC on the subway with a baby or toddler.

When my oldest was 3, I signed him up for the creative movement classes at our local dance studio in Fairfield County that many of the kids from his preschool also attended. As he got older, he continued to love dance class--he didn't (and we parents didn't) have any Baryshnikov delusions--but he was always happy to boogie.  Every year there were fewer and fewer boys in class and though he was always welcome in every class, he started to feel more and more self-conscious until finally he decided to quit.

He got busy with other things, and I let it go as just one more thing he had grown out of, but one weekend after a particularly intense round of Just Dance on the Wii (which I totally owned, by the way), I asked if he wanted to find another dance class. The search was on.

(Note: Generally boys are welcome in dance classes at all studios even if the class description does not specifically mention boys; however, for the purposes of this post, we are focusing on classes with particular features or pricing for boys.)

Don't faint--the dead of winter is when parents start thinking and planning for (gulp) summer camp. Lanyards, hand games, swimming, s'mores... if you’re wondering where your kids are going to be doing these things in the hot, school-less weather, check out an upcoming Summer Camp Fair or Open House. Whether you want to stay in NJ, venture into NY or try a sleep-away camp out of state, a camp fair or open house will allow you to meet camp directors, chat, tour the facilities and make an educated decision. Considering that New Jersey has about a billion (only a slight exaggeration) camp options, hopefully this  list will help you narrow it down. We will be updating our NJ Summer Camp Guide throughout the winter, so stay tuned!

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!