Ahhh, the excitement of back-to-school shopping: notebooks, pencils, crayons...and clothes and shoes you know your child will outgrow by year's end. It’s one thing to invest in quality items as an adult, but quite another to contend with growth spurts, messy dinners and art projects, or heavy playground wear and tear. 

Consignment stores are enticing for a few reasons: the savings are most obvious; oftentimes, you can purchase new children's items with original price tags still attached and expensive brand names at less than half the original cost. In addition to keeping more money in your wallet, you'll also find more variety and benefit the environment when giving something used new life again.

Of course, you can also make money or earn store credit when selling your child's gently used clothing. So, whether you're looking for school uniforms, sweaters, pants, or specialty items like festive wear, dance apparel, baby equipment, toys, and books, check out the following spots in the greater Hartford area for consignment opportunities near you.

Looking for an effective way of teaching children the true meaning of generosity? Without a doubt, helping others feels good and kind gestures can have a rippling effect and strengthen communities. Volunteering can teach children that others may not be as fortunate to have a warm home, food, clothes, or good health. Though most begin volunteering in their teen years, even young ones can learn the value of giving when parents volunteer their time to help others. Following is a list of places in Hartford County where you and your family can volunteer and help to spread joy in every season. We've also written about opportunities in Litchfield County as well.

One of the best reasons to live in Westchester is the close proximity to Manhattan, with an abundance of high culture just a short car or train ride away. What if some of that culture were to relocate to Westchester? The Caramoor Jazz Festival brings high-caliber music right to our backyard in Katonah.

Though Caramoor is no slouch in the world of fine music, its alliance with Jazz at Lincoln Center lends extra clout. Now an annual event—this year's festival takes place on Saturday, July 15, 2017—it remains under the artistic direction of Wynton Marsalis and features some 20 performances on multiple “stages.” Some of these are just a shady spot under a tree, inches from the audience and lending an intimacy not enjoyed in a large concert hall. 

Read on for our first-hand experience in attending this event with kids. Looking for more things to do with kids? Check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook.

When it’s so hot the mere thought of playing outside in the sun makes your kids melt, why not treat your family to some old-fashioned fun and head to one of these two terrific bowling alleys in Riverhead. One has a 1950s vibe and the other is a bit more modern but both have arcade rooms and places to grab a snack, lunch or dinner, and drinks. Whichever venue you choose, your family will enjoy an afternoon or evening of cool, high-energy entertainment.

For other kid-friendly bowling alleys in Suffolk County, check out our listing. We’ve also rounded up the best places for mini golf, batting cages, and other action spots on eastern Long Island. And be sure to look over our Hamptons & North Fork summer guide for more ways for your family to enjoy this summer!

You can practically say Sayonara to Spanish.  With the Chinese economy on a seemingly unending rise, Mandarin is the second language of choice for many mamas looking to broaden their babies' horizons.  There are schools across Fairfield County, for children as young as 18 months, and at a range of price points.  They all attempt to weave a considerable amount of Chinese culture into their courses, too -- Ni Hao Kai-Lan ain't gonna cut it after this! For more classes, check out our comprehensive class guide. 

The camping trips my husband and I planned for ourselves before we had kids typically followed the same mantra: plenty of nature and not much else. However, now that we've added little ones into the mix, we've started to explore the idea of camping in places that offer a little more in the way of activities. While I still firmly believe that camping should give us a chance to disconnect, there's something to be said for campgrounds that offer entertainment for the kids... and for the adults who still feel like kids, and these four campgrounds definitely fit the bill. 

A digital ocean experience complete with faux sea lions, a coral reef, and sharks will open October 6, 2017 in the Times Square area. National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey will make use of a host of technology (plus award-winning designers) to create a multiroom experience that visitors will travel through for a glimpse of deep sea life.

It will open just a few doors away from the new Gulliver’s Gate, ramping up Times Square’s attractions for families and kids.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 11, so we wanted to provide a few more details on what to expect at Ocean Odyssey, especially for those who want to be first in line.

After a six-year closure and a $7.7 million renovation, the Sprain Ridge Pool (part of Sprain Ridge Park in Yonkers) is now open again!

The pool is better than ever with new and improved facilities, including lots little-kid-friendly features. 

Looking for more pools in Westchester—or maybe just some ways to cool off? We've got you covered. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.