Summertime is all about endless exploration, discovery and play...until every rock in your backyard has been turned over 347 times.  So, in an effort to stimulate your kid's mind and sense of scientific wonder, consider the myriad of science camps we've found in Fairfield County.  The course offerings are so wide (rocket building, forensic science, 3-D gaming, instrument making, salt water habitats by canoe, good old-fashioned mud), even the girliest girl who wouldn't DREAM of digging in the dirt can find her inner budding scientist (see the Discovery Museum's 'Spa Science')! For more ideas, check out our summer camp guide. 

We've already covered the ways kids can learn figure skating and ice hockey in Westchester, but now we're going to turn our attention to some of the other outdoor winter sports. 

We've rounded up the best places for kids and families to learn snowboarding and skiing of all kinds ... and even curling for any of you Olympic lovers! Looking for more skiing fun? Check out our Snow Sports Guide dedicated to the subject, and also sign up for our newsletters. 

There's something nostalgic about skating outdoors, and for many of us it bring back childhood memories of impromptu skates on local ponds frozen solid in the dead of winter. If you're seeking such an adventure, check out the outdoor rink (frozen pond) at Winding Trails, a peaceful setting in the Hartford area.There are times, however, when a climate-controlled environment is preferred. At Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink in West Hartford, you can skate during rain, shine, or snow. Regular resurfacing with a zamboni keeps the ice in tip-top condition. And Veterans is open year-round, so if you’ve been too busy with other winter activities -- hitting the Hartford area’s best sledding hills, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing -- to lace up your skates before everything thaws, the ice at Veterans will be as pristine in June as it is in January. Be sure to check out our Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Sport Guide for additional winter activity suggestions in New England. 

Whether your child is drawn to Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, or Mozart, is an accomplished musician or just getting started, summer camp is a great way to explore the craft while having loads of fun and making new friends. We've lined up 10 of our favorite music day camps for New York City kids with an eye toward striking a good balance between theory, practice, musical styles, and ability levels. A few of our picks offer multiple programs divided by age, others split things up by experience level and one even takes campers on a daily visit to a popular indoor climbing facility—sometimes even accomplished musicians need to work out the wiggles.

Don't forget to browse our Summer Camp Guide for additional options or use our Camp Directory to search for programs by interest, age, and location. It's also worth noting that many camps offer financial aid, as well as discounts if you sign up early, or for multiple weeks. 

Winter is officially here and the days are getting colder. For most parents, that means looking for indoor playspaces for the kids. I recommend checking out the BeanStalk Ropes Course nestled in the front entrance of the Jordan's in Reading; a hidden gem my family recently discovered and can't stop raving about.

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to do more fun things with your kids, why not kick off 2017 by taking advantage of all the great places that are open on New Year's Day? We came up with six resolutions for NJ families and found activities to fulfill each one—all at places that are open on January 1, 2017. Just a few options include skating at a roller rink, and meeting the underwater occupants of Adventure Aquarium. If being outdoors is more your speed, you can hit the slopes, visit a Winter Wonderland, or see some dazzling light displays. Read on for the full scoop on super-cool adventures to celebrate your family’s first day of 2017. And if you're still looking for things to do on New Year's Eve with the kids, we've got that covered, too. Happy New Year! 

Ringing in the new year at the iconic Times Square ball drop or at an impressive fireworks display are on many a native and traveler's NYC bucket list. But for new parents? Or those with a preschooler or toddler in tow? Let's be honest, you'll be lucky to be awake at 10pm.

Still, there are plenty of events in New York City for early-to-bed families. From museums to restaurants, read on for our best bets for ringing in 2017 with toddlers, preschoolers, and any kid or parent who prefers getting extra ZZZs over sticking around for the annual fireworks barrage.

Find family events happening all weekend in our New Year's roundup, and more seasonal fun in our Holiday Fun Guide.

Boston rings in 2017 with its annual First Night celebration, the country’s oldest and largest New Year’s Eve arts festival. The celebration features music, dance, ice skating, and theater performances. There's a family festival in the Copley Square area and a procession to Boston Common, where fireworks for families light up the sky at 7pm. Best of all, the festival is completely free, with no buttons required.