Have you ever planned a perfect day of hiking with the kiddos only to hear whines ranging from “I’m bored,” to, “I have to go to the bathroom,” to, “Are we there yet?” I have definitely been there and feel your pain. You’ve packed the perfect picnic lunch to be enjoyed alongside a babbling brook after you’ve spent your morning becoming one with nature but your kids have lost interest after finishing their Nature Valley granola bar 10 minutes into the hike. Sigh.

Well, have you considered climbing a mountain? We have rounded up some hikes across the state that are sure to keep the kid’s interest as you scale mountain tops, discover giants, castles, and maybe a hobbit house or two.

Art.  So simple.  Yet, impossible to define.  What I will say is, it can be the antidote to the stresses of an uber-busy Fairfield County kid.  Yes, they need to do their homework, practice their gymnastics and/or hockey, learn the piano, attend swimming lessons, and hey, master computer coding, but what about an after-school activity that's theirs to make and mold?  There are art classes on everything from anime to weaving available, and you can enroll in a short session, or one that lasts all semester. 

Most busy parents would love to kick back on a terrace with a cold beer after a long day spent organizing playdates, meeting work deadlines, and changing diapers—but spring for a babysitter just for a drink out? Not so much. Thankfully happy hour is no longer limited to rowdy twentysomethings looking to score cheap drinks. A plethora of Orange County bars and restaurants now target families with an appealing proposition: cheap drinks with cheap bites in a kid-friendly environment. Mom and Dad get the margarita they've earned, while kids get an early dinner that barely opens the wallet—talk about win-win! From beachfront restaurants to upscale bowling alleys to pizzerias, we found eight wonderful, kid-friendly watering holes in Orange County that know how to treat parents right.

New York City's family theater scene is hotter than a heat wave. Some people might think the dog days of summer are a cultural wasteland and that all the cool openings won't start again until fall, but that's not the case when it comes to the stage.

There are shows for all ages, interests, and budgets throughout the season, including a FREE page-to-stage adaptation of the Pete the Cat picture books, family-friendly outdoor Shakespeare, the launch of new kid-friendly matinees for a long-running Harry Potter parody, and a rare revival of the musical Really Rosie based on Maurice Sendak stories. Best of all, many of our picks cost less than $25 per ticket, and four are 100 percent FREE! Plus, we found discount codes for the pricier ones.

Though castles and palaces are typically found abroad, Westchester and the Hudson Valley boast their fair share of grand estates that are open to the public and worth touring. Not coincidentally, many of these are peppered along the Hudson River, affording the original homeowners glorious views, river access and, eventually, nearby train transportation to Manhattan. It’s no wonder that tours of the homes of America’s aristocracy made Mommy Poppins’ list of 100 things to do in New York with kids.

Previously, we gave you a broad overview of a half-dozen of these stately local mansions, all but one of which I've brought my kids to without hesitation. The one I had shied away from was Kykuit, former home of the Rockefeller family, owing to the comparatively pricey admission and longer tour duration. I recently took my tweens, however, and I’m pleased to encourage other families to plan a visit. Though our particular tour guide unfortunately made no effort to tailor his narrative to the younger set, my kids happily gawked at the grandeur they wished was theirs.

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We all know the adage that tells us to dance like there's nobody watching. One of the (many) amazing things about kids is their propensity to do just that. If you've got a tiny mover and shaker on your hands, why not harness that unabashed creativity and sign them up for some dance classes. And if they have siblings who'd rather do anything but dance, not to worry. We've got them covered, too in our Classes and Activities Guide.

Early exposure to a foreign language can be a rewarding and fun experience for a young child. New Jersey offers many programs representing a wide variety of languages and cultures. Read on for our picks of the best options available—from Mommy & Me programs for the little ones to group or private lessons for older children. And for more great class options, visit our guide to Classes and Enrichment Programs for New Jersey Kids.

I can hardly believe it, but my oldest child is starting middle school this fall.  How has this happened?  Now, my daughter is super excited, but I’m a little nervous – middle schoolers, as we all know, can be a tough crowd. Especially to those of us who were lucky enough to be sporting Coke bottle glasses, braces, and orthopedic shoes (thanks, Mom…)

The good news is that, while middle school is undoubtedly full of the same angst ridden pre-teens and bullies as it was 20 years ago, parents and teachers are much more aware of the social dynamic amongst the students.  In fact, Fairfield County has mandated a great deal of anti-bullying initiatives within the public schools.

Like many other parents, I want to make sure that my child is neither being bullied, nor bullying anyone else.  To that end, I’ve been looking into local Fairfield County classes, workshops, and programs that might provide some positive messaging and friendship navigation assistance to pre teens and teenagers.  Check out the ones I've found, or take a look at our complete guide to classes in Connecticut.