Your child's birthday is coming up and your house is a mess—totally unsuitable for hosting a bunch of little bodies. But your kid wants the coolest party ever. So what do you do? Read this post, of course! We’ve found some great kids' party places in the Hartford area that are original and offbeat, ensuring an awesome birthday experience that doesn't involve you cleaning your house. You can find even more birthday bash options in our Party Guide, including roundups of museum, spa, and artsy party packages all over Connecticut.

Back in the day, many of our parents used the image of orphans in other countries as a reason for us to eat what was on our plates. Where I grew up, the “starving children in Africa” were held up as the ones who would better appreciate my peas, while here in SoCal many kids heard about the orphans in Mexico. The big difference is that I lived pretty far away from Africa; Los Angeles kids can actually meet the less fortunate kids in Mexico, sometimes via charitable trips across the border to bring supplies, donations, and general good will.

Like anything well intentioned, this charitable family activity sometimes draws mixed reactions in the community; I've spoken to parents who are skeptical of how much good these trips actually do. I recently took my son on a day trip with the organization Corazon de Vida, and I found it to be a remarkable opportunity to introduce kids to the concept of helping others whose needs are greater than our own. My son saw boys his age leading a very different life from his, and by the time we left, some of the kids he'd been playing soccer with had the means to fulfill their dreams of joining a local soccer team.

The number of families settling down in Peekskill has exploded over the past decade, and so have the plethora of places for kids to play and learn. In previous posts, we explored things to do in Peekskill and the best places to dine with kids in the area. Now we wrap up our coverage of Peekskill with a roundup of the best places in town to have fun and pick up new skills.

Peekskill has lots of enriching indoor destinations for families, including a contemporary art center, hands-on creative spaces and theater programs. Meanwhile, outside you'll find lush parks with water features and other alfresco fun. Read on for details on awesome places for kids to learn and play in Peekskill—be it on the jungle gym or on the stage.

Life in Connecticut is challenging... especially in 2015, when there are so many trails and so little time. Say what? You haven’t started The Sky’s the Limit hiking competition yet? Designed to encourage exploration of our state’s natural wonders (all free!) while spending time together, this outdoor recreation campaign launched in January. Thus far, my family has visited seven state parks and we have three more to go before becoming eligible for a shiny medallion. With spring in full swing, it's time for your family to sign on. May the winner take all!

I had a great time walking the Freedom Trail with my family recently, but I have to admit, the stops we made along the way to grab something to eat turned our fun day into a wicked awesome day.

Little stomachs usually start to rumble sooner than big ones, so before those grumbles start spilling out of wee mouths, it's smart to make a pit stop at one of the tasty places below. These spots are listed in order of where they appear on the way, and none are far off the trail.

Although we published a post about the best new camps set to debut in NYC this summer a few months back, we have since found a half-dozen additional camps worthy of highlighting. There are two new high-tech STEM options, camps for budding artists and actors, a program for young entrepreneurs, plus a popular writing program has expanded its offerings.

If you are still in summer camp planning mode like I am, be sure to check out our jam-packed Camp Guide for info on lots of other summer programs in NYC, as well as sleepaway options. We even have a Camp Directory, which allows you to search for programs by interest, age and area. Keep in mind: Many camps offer discounts if you sign up for multiple weeks, so check the official websites for more info.

We've got a busy week of events culminating in a weekend dedicated to mom! With everything from a day at the races to organic manicures to the theater, there's something for every taste.

Still working out your Mother's Day plans? Consider an afternoon in nearby New Jersey at the Mother's Day Wine Trail Weekend, complete with free tastings for mom and face time with barnyard animals for kids. It's also strawberry season! Here are four farms on Long Island where you can pick your own. Opa! The 43rd annual Greek Festival is back in Connecticut this weekend, and the whole family can enjoy live music, dancing and, of course, traditional cuisine. Other fun includes a pancake breakfast and hayride around the orchard at the annual Apple Blossom Celebration in Westchester.

Our Travel site has a roundup of great spring travel deals to Disney, Montauk, Iceland and beyond.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

If you’ve got a little one under the age of four, you know that toddlers and preschoolers are an energetic, curious and spirited bunch! After a long winter cooped up indoors, it’s time to get our wee ones out of the house for some fun and learning. Lace up your sneakers, pack some snacks and get ready to make great family memories by trying one (or more!) of these awesome outdoor activities in New Jersey. For more seasonal fun, don't forget to check out our list of 25 Things We Can't Wait to Do with Kids This Spring in NJ.