Being part of a stage production encourages kids to be creative, gain confidence, and learn the value of teamwork. All over the Boston area and in surrounding Massachusetts towns, there are theater-based summer camps designed to help kids from preschool through high school spend their summer days learning skills of acting, directing, and production.

If you are looking for an overnight camp experience or a different type of day camp, take a look around our Boston Summer Camps Guide. 

During the nicest months of the year, little boys and girls get the opportunity to experience their very-own, unique camp experience. Spending the day at preschool camp is a great way for them to get fresh air as well as make tons of new little friends in a safe and fun environment. Many great summer camps in the Hartford County area offer half-day sessions, indoor and outdoor options, and plenty of summer fun for preschoolers and toddlers. 

Looking for camp for your preschoolers older sibling? Be sure to check out our Connecticut Summer Camp Guide and our summer camp list.

Before they grow up and want to go to sleepaway camp with their BFFs, preschoolers can get a taste of summer camp in a program created just for them. New Jersey is home to some wonderful day camps for the under-5 crowd, and we've rounded up more than a dozen of our favorites. In addition to low camper-counselor ratios, these programs offer developmentally appropriate fun for every interest, whether you want your little one to experience the great outdoors, bounce and tumble at a cool indoor spot, or delve into subjects like STEM, film, and fashion. 

To learn about more New Jersey summer camp options, check out our Camp Guide and Full Directory of Listings.

Nothing brightens up a day like making your own rainbow! For this colorful science experiment, kids get to create their own mini rainbow while learning about capillary action. One of our 63 Easy Experiments for Kids Using Household Stuff, this simple experiment uses only water, food coloring, and paper towels.

Read on for a simple way to bring a little bit of cheer into your house.

Cultural attractions may be shuttered due to coronavirus, but when one door closes, a (browser) window opens. World-famous museums, zoos, theaters, historic sites, and natural wonders are offering amazing virtual tours, free online educational programs, and web-based STEM and art projects. So if you feel like your kids could use a boost of excitement while learning from home, why not let them tour Buckingham Palace, "walk" the Great Wall of China, or see Everest up close? They may have to skip field trips right now, but that doesn't mean they have to miss out on the fun!

For more ideas, info, and activities for kids during the health crisis, check out our Stuck-at-Home Guide for Parents and our Realistic Guide to Homeschooling.

It's hard to believe it's been just one month since the coronavirus shut down schools and most non-essential businesses in NYC, but here we are, and the news, if anything, keeps getting worse for city families. Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled his executive budget Thursday morning, bringing with it severe cuts to city mainstays, including the closure of city pools for the summer and the elimination of the Parks Department's affordable summer camp. Beaches are also unlikely to open. The City Council must approve the budget before it takes effect.

Read on for more details on these coronavirus cuts, the new mask mandate, and an extension of NY on PAUSE.

Who would have imagined this is what "afterschool" would look like in 2020? But, we're grateful that many much-loved programs are in fact moving ahead with virtual offerings that bring everything from soccer to piano lessons to robot building right to your living room. Using video conferencing, live streams, or watch-when-you-want videos, these online classes are hands-on and interactive, just like the real deal.

To help you find the right fit for your family, we've put together a list of over 20 virtual classes from some of our partners. Make sure to click through for more details and some awesome deals.

A simple science experiment can be the best way to fill an afternoon at home. And as some of us may recall, a lava lamp can be a great way to fill an evening.

For this groovy experiment, kids get to recreate their parents' lava lamp while learning about liquid density. One of our Easy Experiments for Kids Using Household Stuff, this experiment is fun for all ages and is easy to pull together with things you probably have around the house. 

Read on to learn how to prove that oil and water really don't mix!