The approach of spring, for many parents, is also the beginning of the season of worrying about how to survive summer vacation. Picking the right summer camp can be overwhelming, especially if your little ones will spend a big chunk of their summer there. Our Camp Guide is a great place to start gathering ideas, and we recommend searching the listings in our camp directory, too. But what can really help narrow down the field is checking out camps in person. That's where open houses come in. They offer a fun way to get information about activities, see how your kids take to the environment, and talk in person with camp directors to see whether you've found a good fit.  

Below is a list of open houses offered over the next several weeks; these are great opportunities to talk to the people who might be spending the day with your kids. Click on a camp name to get more information about the camp's programs.

Rodeo is a big deal in the Bayou City. The two-and-a-half weeks of livestock and horse shows, competitions, concerts and more give Houstonians a chance to dust off their boots, put on their plaid and enjoy some good old-fashioned cowboy and cowgirl fun. And it all is kicked off with one of my favorite events, the Rodeo Cook-off! The Thursday, Friday, and Saturday prior to the start of rodeo are filled with food, food, and more barbecue sauce-covered food. More than 250 cooking teams come together during these three days in tents outside of rodeo to cook their barbecue specialties, all leading up to the final judging where a Grand Champion is crowned. 

A privilege of living in Westchester is the seasonal fun that families can have in Northeast nature. In the fall, we get to go apple picking, and in February and March we have the good fortune to take part in maple sugaring.

We’ve already rounded up our top picks for where to tap a tree in Westchester and the Hudson Valley; now read on for our deeper dive into the Greenburgh Nature Center’s Maple Sugaring Party based on first-hand experience.

Looking for more activities, whether indoors or out? Sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook! 

It's crawfish season! I'm sure you have plans for a backyard boil with friends and family in the coming months, but if you'd like someone to do the work for you check out one of these Houston-area boils and festivals. Many have children's zones with games and rides to keep the kids preoccupied while you get your mudbug fix.

So get to peelin', and if you have an event of your own you would like included, reach us at houstoneditor@mommypoppins.com. The below events are ordered by date.

If you have a little one you probably need no introduction to PAW Patrol, the hit Nickelodeon animated TV series. But did you know that PAW Patrol is coming to Boston in the first-ever live theater show for the pups of Adventure Bay? Thanks to our Mommy Poppins team in Los Angeles, we already have the inside scoop on the show with a parent-written review. But, even better, we're giving away four tickets to the show at the Boch Center's Wang Theatre right here in Boston. See contest details below. PAW Patrol Live!: Race to the Rescue will be in Boston for only two days and the show will likely sell out, so don't delay in snatching up your tickets. 

Choosing a summer camp is a big decision, whether you're sending your kid down the street to a day program or off to sleepaway camp for the first time. Camp Fairs are great for gathering a lot of information about local camps, but once you’ve narrowed it down to a short list, it's time to really get a sense of the camp environment and the people who will be caring for your children.

To help you figure it all out, we’ve rounded up some upcoming camp open houses where you'll meet camp staff, have the opportunity to ask questions, and get a glimpse of camp life. You may also want to check our events calendar for more camp event listings and our Summer and Vacation Camps Guide for the scoop on day camps and sleepaway camps for Boston area kids.

Say your child loves to paint, or draw, or craft, or anything artistic.  Wouldn't it be great to have his birthday party somewhere where he could just do what he loves? Where in the Hartford area can you celebrate a birthday for your little one who is an aspiring Picasso? These creative locations will be sure to delight your budding artist, allowing them to nurture their imagination. For even more great party ideas check out our Party Guide.

Calling all Brooklyn foodie families: Just when you thought the Kings County culinary scene couldn’t get better, a new food hall has opened in Fort Greene—and it’s totally kid-friendly.