It’s that time of year again: summer camp registration. If you’re trying to choose from among all the great camps on Long Island, it might be best to attend an open house.

We’ve rounded up open houses at some of the top camps in the area, from sports camps to preschooler options. Read on for details of these upcoming events from our partners, and you can always find more options in our Long Island Summer Camp Guide and Directory.

Technically, Purim is the Jewish holiday commemorating the defeat of Haman's plot against the Jews, as recorded in the Book of Esther; but to kids, Purim is mostly just pure fun. Across the city and 'burbs, schools, temples, libraries, and museums are hosting Purim parties and activities, in which kids can dress up in their favorite or zaniest costumes and nosh on traditional treats.

Crafts for toddlers and preschoolers are best when they require few materials, carry simple instructions, and result in either something adorable or that can be played with later. With that in mind, we've rounded up a dozen of our favorite crafts for little kids. Pin it for your next rainy or snowy day, or just one of those need-something-new-to-do days.

Many of these have a fun seasonal bent, like aluminum foil Easter eggs, or a year-round playful attitude like popsicle-stick monsters and airplanes. All of them are easy enough for little fingers with possibly a quick assist from their grown-up. Kids will exercise newfound fine motor skills and plenty of sensory play.

Find more DIY kid projects in our WeeWorks Guide. Older kids, and even preschoolers, can test out our round-up of 50 Easy Science Experiments, too.

It's spring, as we can see by the daffodils' bright yellow show. Litchfield County is known for its natural rural beauty, and these coming weeks will be sure to visually delight. This time of year I love to prune a few forsythia branches and bring them inside to enjoy the blooms. With the warmer weather, it's also a great time to get out and enjoy some nature-inspired activities with the kids. Here's a list of 10 things to do in Litchfield County this spring. We've written about fun spring activities in Fairfield County too. And for loads more springtime fun, make sure to check out our CT Spring Fun Guide.

One sure sign that winter is on its way out is when summer camps start hosting open houses. We've put together a list of more than a dozen upcoming events from our sponsors, including options for day and commuter camps, and even a weekday sleepaway camp. 

This is just the beginning. Whether you're looking for a STEM camp, preschool camp, art camp, or beyond, you can find many more New Jersey summer camps in our camp guide and full directory of listings. 

Happy hunting!

We all know that reading to our children is important. For starters, fostering a love for reading enhances basic speech and communication skills, stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. Knowledge is power and books offer plenty of it. And where better to find books but the library. We have rounded up a list of the some of the best story time programs for your budding bookworms at local libraries throughout Fairfield County.

Rock 'Em Not Sock ’Em caught my eye not only because it’s the first rock climbing gym I had seen on Staten Island, but because of its unique anti-bullying message. 

As a mother of two active boys, I am always looking for something to keep them off electronics and active. During the summer, I can find plenty of fun, affordable things to do. However, during winter or on days when the weather is poor, it’s good to have a few different places the whole family can enjoy.

Hands-on art is almost always fun for families, but BAMkids' interactive high-tech playground Teknopolis is truly mind-blowing. At this multifloor installation, which is on view through March 12, school-age kids (and their parents) can enjoy augmented-reality storytelling, virtual-reality simulations, motion-capture dancing, and other cutting-edge technological experiences that you might already know a bit about.

But what really makes Teknopolis special is its immersive first-floor gallery, a darkened room featuring 10 interactive stations, where visitors can manipulate a variety of digital landscapes via touch, movement, and even breath. Just like Alice stepped through the looking glass, you'll feel as if you've slipped through a screen into a shimmering world of black and white, where everything reacts to your presence. It's totally trippy and completely unforgettable.

But before you run off to buy tickets, we have some tips to share, including don't-miss highlights, appropriate ages, and, most importantly, how to get in since it is sold out. (Don't worry—there's a way.)