This is the time of year when summer plans and camp choices dominate conversation among parents. But don’t consider yourself stuck if a traditional camp program of sports, swimming and color wars doesn't appeal to your child. With the growing popularity of chess these days, many kids are opting to devote their summers to the game, and there are a number of summer programs that have added it to their curriculum.

We've rounded up five such programs throughout Westchester and Rockland that offer chess classes to school-age kids. Looking for more summer options? Consult our Camp Guide! 

If your little one isn’t quite ready for a full-day of summer camp, there are plenty of camps on Long Island that offer half- or mini-day options where kids can get out the house and have fun for just a few hours a day. It’s a great way to give mom and dad a break, as well as introduce a younger child to the camp experience. And for more options, be sure to check out the Long Island Summer Camps Guide.

Making the big move to the suburbs from the city is something many New Yorkers contemplate at some point. One major reason they decide to make the leap to the ‘burbs often has a lot to do with kids. While raising a baby in the city is pretty Instagram-worthy, reality sets in when it’s time to enroll for kindergarten. But, moving to the suburbs doesn’t have to mean a stripping of your hip urban identity anymore. Oh no, you wild thang you, relax, you can have your brunch and picket fence, too.

My family and I moved to Northern Westchester recently, and, while I was a bit nervous about losing my identity and having to join endless mom groups and book clubs, I was in for a surprise. The ‘burbs have life! There is no shortage of brunching, shopping, kid events and art. While people move out of the city for the space and good schools, there are lots of surprises in store that make it almost like the city, without the crowded subways.

Our sponsor Houlihan Lawrence invited us to share some of the awesome things about life in the towns, villages and hamlets north of New York City. So come on up and start exploring. Here are 10 ways you’ll find we’re rocking your urban lifestyle up here.

New York City's parks and plazas are brimming with a new crop of kid-friendly public art installations just in time for springtime neighborhood walks.

These seven eye-popping statues are larger than life. There are gigantic glowing bunnies at Brookfield Place and a massive recreation of a DNA molecule in Marcus Garvey Park. You'll also find a 30-foot swimming pool propped up on its side in Rockefeller Center; a 25-foot-tall spinning, neon sign in Brooklyn Bridge Park; a pair of towering orchids at the entrance to Central Park; and an awe-inspiring, 30-foot-tall aluminum humanoid on the Park Avenue Mall. 

Visit these gigantic pieces one by one or link a couple together for a fun family outing, perhaps over the upcoming NYC public school April break. The best part of these seasonal art installations is that they all can be spotted in parks or other public places, so you can view them at your convenience and for FREE.  

Please pass the matzo ball soup, and grab me some babka too! This year, Passover begins at sundown (Shabbos) on Friday, April 22nd and concludes at sundown on Saturday, April 30th. While the kids are dreaming about finding this year's afikomen and getting ready to watch A Rugrats Passover you'll probably be out shopping for this year's sedar. Below is a list of some New Jersey-based bakeries that carry Kosher sweets for the holiday; some bakeries are specifically Kosher for Passover and some are not Kosher bakeries per se, but offer Passover menus. Once the holiday is over and it's back to the grind, check out some amazing activities you can enjoy with the whole family as "April showers" comes to an end and we ease into "May's flowers."

On April 22, people across the world celebrate Earth Day by exploring their local environments, learning how to protect the natural world, and finding new ways to become "more green." Plenty of eco-friendly events in the Hartford area will focus on educating children about how their actions can affect the earth - for the better, or for the worse. Check out these Earth Day events in New Haven County and Fairfield County too.

When was the last time you went to see a movie? I don’t mean on Netflix. I mean an actual movie theater experience? If you are a new mom, or the parent of a child who has sensitivities to light and sound, it’s probably been a while. And while indoor activities are all fun and good, sometimes you need to get out and see a movie with friends, your spouse or just you and the kid(s). Wait, see a movie with the kids? As crazy as it sounds, with a few local resources, you can get out with the little one in tow and enjoy a movie. No need to worry about how loud your child is, these movie venues are ready and excited to have you and your brood join them!

If you're looking for other fun activities for you and the kids, check out our Events Calendar to see all the latest happenings.

Most children can’t get enough of juicy blueberries. Used in muffins, pancakes, ice cream toppings, or served straight from the package, they always go quickly in my house. My children shovel them into their blue-stained mouths faster than I can wash and scatter them on a plate. I’m not sure if it’s their tart flavor or bite size, but blueberries are a huge hit. Many family summer memories involve PYO fruit straight from the blueberry bush, and there are many great farms in the New Haven area that offer pick your own blueberries. For other berry-liciuos destinations, check out our list of other berry farms from across the state.