With the weather we've been having lately it's hard to think about summer, but for teens and tweens now is the time to sign up for some of the city's coolest summer programs. A number of free summer programs for tweens and tweens have applications available now, or soon, and these highly coveted spots fill up quickly. In fact, some free programs have already filled up. Think past the snow, we'll help you: here are some great summer camps, that are right here in New York City, to consider for you older kid's summer.

A science summer camp is a great way for kids to learn about science from real life experiences, rather than text books. We've found three fantastic science camps that teach kids science through real-life experiences that are so cool I want to go!

When our neighborhood school wouldn’t accept our child with special needs into the second grade because there was supposedly “no space,” we called Advocates for Children of New York. After suffering through weeks of stress and strife on our own, the organization got us in touch with the right people and our son was enrolled into our school of choice within two days.

My son and I are understandably very thankful for Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), which was founded by three activists in 1971 to help disabled, disadvantaged, minority and low-income families access quality education for their children. This unique agency provides all NYC students ages 0 to 26 and their families with free one-on-one guidance and advocacy so they can successfully navigate the jungle that is our city's educational system.

While AFC isn't solely concerned with special needs families, we are one of the communities it serves. So I'm profiling the organization today as part of my series of posts about resources for NYC children with special needs. But remember, it serves all NYC students.

Going to camp has been the answer to summer fun for generations, and to many kids it is an exciting right of passage. Today, summer camps have become more specialized, allowing children with diverse interests to find an activity that suits their personality. For the sporty types, here's a list of summer camp options in the New Haven area.

I never thought I'd be so happy to see school buses clogging up the streets! Those yellow vehicles were a welcome sight for the NYC families who suffered through the month-long strike. It was a wonderful way to return to school after midwinter break, which was short but filled with fun. Here at Mommy Poppins, we even slowed down a bit so we could spend some quality time with our children. We hope you did too!

But now it's back to business. And since it's February, one of the top things on most parents' to-do lists is figuring out summer camp. We're in the midst of updating and expanding our NYC Summer Camp Guide, and this week we posted about the best new programs set to debut this year. But don't just look at our Camp Guide: Our sister sites also have the scoop on exceptional camps in their areas, including commuter programs. So check out our Summer Camp Guides for Long Island, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Even though February break has come and gone, these final winter weekends are a great time for day trips. Maple sugaring season has arrived and we've got the scoop on the best places to taste the sweet stuff in upstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Or consider a visit to the World of Wings in nearby Teaneck, New Jersey, where kids can get up close and personal with butterflies, insects and reptiles, and then hit an indoor bounce house, all in one building!

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

Winter break wraps up this weekend, and with it, a full slate of activities for kids and families in Boston. Many of the special events we highlighted in our February vacation roundup continue through the weekend, including Built to Last at the USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown. If you are planning to visit, be sure to check out Kid-Friendly Places to Eat near the USS Constitution from our newest contributor, Kristin Quinn, author of Misadventures in Mommyhood: The truth & nothing but the truth (So PLEASE Help Me God!). Welcome, Kristin!

And read on for more events taking place this weekend, from Family Day at the Mass College of Art and Design to the final weekend for Boston Children’s Theatre’s Honk! and Wheelock Family Theatre's Oliver. As always, you will find more things to do by checking out our Events Calendar.

Have you seen our Birthday Party Guide recently? With Tara’s newest addition, Boston Birthday Parties for Foodie Kids, we’ve got over 50 suggestions for places to go and things to do to celebrate a kid's birthday in and around Boston.

Enjoy the weekend!

It’s party time in LA this weekend. The Oscars only come once a year, and in this company town, we’re all celebrating! Folks are dressing in elaborate costumes, going on wild and wacky rides and indulging in a total carnival atmosphere. On the other hand, it’s Purim. So folks are dressing in elaborate costumes, going on wild and wacky rides and indulging in a total carnival atmosphere. (Paparazzi optional.)

You know what they say: it’s raining, it’s Purim. If this Purim (or any other day) is finds you seeking shelter from inclement elements, Mommy Poppins has you covered. Check out our roundup of free indoor rainy day activities, for hotspots sure to keep your kiddies entertained and raindrop-free.

Read on for our favorite picks for this weekend …