I’m in the process of researching summer camps for my six year-old, and I’ll admit the process can be overwhelming. I want him to have fun—but it would be nice if he could grow up to change the world, too. Swimming, running and playing make for wonderful summer memories, but eight weeks of nothing else could result in some serious summer brain drain.

Enter our sponsor, Camp Invention, and its week of inspiring little beach bums to blossom as inventors. The camp teaches essential STEM concepts to kids entering grades one through six, via creative, hands-on activities—then shows those future Gateses and Jobses how to follow through by partnering with the US Patent & Trademark Office. The curriculum, inspired by ground-breaking inventors, is designed to empower children to be creative thinkers, problem solvers and innovators. And since it's only a week, there's still plenty of summer left for kids to get in all the non-academic stuff they want (and need) to recharge for the upcoming school year.

Seeing kids all bundled up for the winter puts me in a giddy mood. This morning, I spied a toddler decked out in a full-on Elmo costume to stay warm, and no, he wasn't working Times Square. It's worth pulling out your toastiest coats to enjoy all the seasonal fun winter has to offer. The three-day weekend is a great time to take a day trip to a nearby ski or snow tubing resort. Too cold for you? Our Weekend Trips Guide is filled with indoor options, and our Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester sites provide lots of destination inspiration, like outings in nearby Cold Spring, Lambertville or Old Saybrook.

Martin Luther King Day is also a National Day of Service, and all of our sites have ways families can give back to their communities. Whether you help beautify a local park, prepare care packages for the homeless, or bake treats for your favorite community organization, there are lots of ways to honor his legacy.

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

Ever since welcoming my third child last year, I feel as though I've been treading water. I'm never quite able to get ahead of the mountain of chores at home. So one of my New Year's resolutions is to climb out from under my pile of to-dos by doing a little outsourcing. Of course, NYC is filled with services that make people's lives easier—and some are even worth the money, especially since your time is truly valuable. Here are six that are helping make 2015 the year I finally find a little me (not just Mommy & Me) time.

Water slides, ice rinks, laser parks, trampolines, and rock walls: We’ve found some unique spaces north of Boston to host a birthday party, places where kids can keep active, have fun, maybe try out something new. Since the parties take place indoors, there’s no need to worry about rain, snow, heat or cold. And, of course, since they take place somewhere other than your home, there’s no mess, minimal fuss, and it's great fun for parents, too!

Read on for details about indoor birthday party places north of Boston. Find even more birthday ideas in our Party Guide.

With a rich history and a great location, the small town of Lambertville has become a favorite destination for day-tripping New Jersey families. Founded in 1705, Lambertville is one of the oldest communities in Hunterdon County. Once a bustling factory village, Lambertville has evolved into a charming town filled with unique shops, great restaurants and historical homes. If you're looking for a great place to spend the day, head to the banks of the scenic Delaware River and discover Lambertville. On your way home, be sure to stop in Frenchtown, another great Hunterdon County small town.

We're always on the lookout for ways to make parenting in Boston a little easier and a lot more fun, and blogs written by local parents are a terrific resource. Last year, we highlighted our 13 favorite new (or new to us) parent blogs in 2013, covering everything from autism to umami, parenting in Boston on a budget to LGBT parenting adventures.

This year, we're starting a new tradition: Top ten recommendations for Boston area parent blogs to start following in the new year. Our picks help us keep our new year's resolutions – like becoming more organized, living more sustainably, simplifying our lives, balancing work and family, getting our kids excited about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and eating well.

If your family loves the feeling of gliding across freshly packed snow on skis, you are certainly thinking about packing up the car and heading out for a day of skiing this winter. Fortunately, there are a few places that don't require hours in the car with screaming kids. Here are five places where you and your family can enjoy a full day of skiing without traveling more than two hours outside of New York City. Even if your family has never skied before, you may want to check out this list in case you decided to take a chance and experience the sport that so many love.

And for more winter fun, check out our Skiing & Snow Sports Guide.