Summer is upon us, and while the younger kids are off at camp, our tweens and young teens are often looking for ways to earn a few dollars.  It's the perfect time for them to launch their own babysitting business and take advantage of the many moms and dads who are looking for a summer babysitter or mother's helper to keep their little guys happy.  There are some great local babysitting courses available that will guarantee that your kids are prepared to handle any situation.  Whether your son or daughter is ready to start their own babysitting business, or if you just want to make sure they are confident when keeping an eye on their younger siblings, these courses are worth checking out.  If you happen to be looking for a new sitter, check out our post on organizing a babysitting co-op in your own neighborhood.

If you and the kids would like to get your aloha on, without the pricey plane tickets, Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP -- how cool is that acronym?!) has landed on the Gold Coast.  Over the last few years, a handful of outfitters have set up shop along the shoreline in Fairfield County, and at Candlewood Lake as well.  Absolutely no experience is required to learn this iconic Hawaiian tradition that doubles as an excellent workout ... and triples as a unique way to tour the county's wetlands.  It's also the perfect solution for someone like me, who gets a little freaked out by the claustrophobic and ultra-close-proximity-to-the-water elements of kayaking.  Even better, you and your teenaged kids can get your zen on over water with a SUP yoga class.  Cue the ukuleles, people! And for more CT Water Fun check out our CT Beach and Water Fun Guide.

Tucked away in Winsted, Connecticut, sits perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Litchfield County.  My first experience at the Gilson Theatre was during a vacation from college, and some friends and I drove in a massive snow storm, up Route 8, for what seemed like forever, to Main Street in Winsted to check out the burlesque theatre turned dinner and a movie spot.  Back then, the crowds were small and the movies were oldish.  Times have certainly changed at the Gilson, but it's just as fabulous a spot as it's ever been and well worth the trip!

Bonjour! Monday is Bastille Day. Don’t give the enfants a reason to storm out; let them eat cake, or at least brie and baguettes. Enjoy a picnic “en plain air” at a local park or by the light house in Long Beach when you catch a dollar movie. There is lots to do at the library and you can brush up on the French Revolution while you’re there (or borrow some of the books in our DIY Kid Lit Camp). Better yet, sign the kids up for French lessons and listen to them parlez, because our five picks for fun this week all have a certain je ne sais quois.

It wasn't until I recently overheard a group of moms passionately discussing party balloon decorations that I realized what a hot topic it is. A really fabulous themed balloon installation can make a young kids' birthday party seem extra special, and at the end you can give them away as fun favors. Even teens and grown-ups aren't immune to the charms of over-the-top balloon art. Bonus: Unlike flowers, balloon centerpieces won't trigger seasonal allergies (though a sudden pop might scare a tot or two).

While pretty much any old party store carries balloons, if you're looking for something unique or customized (and are willing to pay the price... beautiful balloons don't come cheap), you're going to want to go to the experts. We found eight stores and services in NYC that specialize in balloons for all occasions, from kids' birthday parties to sweet sixteens to bar mitzvahs to weddings.

Coding, movie making, and robotics are all the rage these days, and there are plenty of great STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) camps in and around Boston for kids to learn those skills. But what if you just want your child to get a taste before committing to a full week of summer camp, or those camps don't fit your budget? The solution is here, in this roundup of free summer camps and workshops where kids to learn how to design video games, combine electronics with everyday crafts, make movies, use iBooks, become makers, and more.

This post is currently being updated with information for 2016.