At this time of year we get loads of email from parents looking for guidance in finding the right summer camp for their kids. Of course, our LA Camp Guide is always a great place to find our recommendations for all sorts of camps; and browsing the listings in our camp directory also yields oodles of ideas and opportunities. But sometimes it helps to narrow down, to just look at a few—preferably a few you can look at or talk to in person. Below is a list of open houses offered by some of our camp sponsors in the coming weeks; these are great opportunities to talk to the people who would be spending the day with your kids. Click on a camp name to get more information about the camp's programs.

Every camp-planning season, we here at Mommy Poppins scour the city looking for enriching new summer programs for our been-there, done-that kids. To help you make an informed decision about the new camps on the block, we've rounded up nine of the most promising programs set to debut this summer. Some are brand-new, others are places that are significantly expanding their already awesome offerings.

In addition to these newbies, it's good to check out our best new camp roundups from 2014, 2013 and 2012. Most of those programs are still going on and continue to offer top-notch programming. You can also browse our Summer Camp Guide for additional options or use our Camp Directory to search for programs by interest, age and location.

We're big fans of kid-friendly STEM activities and anything FREE. So put them together and you've got an event that we want to shout about. New York City's Brain Week 2015 kicks off today and offers neuroscience programs throughout March. Most of the kid-friendly ones take place this week and next, and include family favorites like the BioBus (of Ultimate Science Street Fair fame), and educational expos such as the NYU Brain Fair. Programming occurs in various locations (mostly Manhattan), and while almost all events are FREE, preregistration is often required. We've got the scoop on the top Brain Week events for families.

Swimming sharks, stingrays, and penguins are the main attractions at Jenkinson's Aquarium, a small but charming aquarium that offers a glimpse of life under the sea. Located on the Point Pleasant boardwalk, the aquarium is a perfect respite from the noonday sun, or a way to combat boredom on a rainy day.

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.)

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.

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!