My nine-year-old son has had happy feet practically since birth. He already has many years of tap-dancing under his belt and he took ballroom dancing in his school last semester. He was thrilled to be dancing (in school, no less!) and quickly picked up the foxtrot, merengue, swing dancing and even the tango. The ballroom dancing program hadn't even wrapped before he was asking if he could continue to take lessons outside of school.

I said, of course... but then I started doing the research. To my surprise, while there are plenty of schools that offer one-off classes here and there like flamenco or salsa, and lots of ballroom dancing studios for adults, there aren't that many programs for children that focus solely on the genre. However, I did find a handful of NYC spots that can give your little movers and shakers a dedicated ballroom dance experience, plus info on how you can bring ballroom dancing to your kids' school.

Come mid-February, we’re all ready to add a little fun to our everyday routines. NJ has some great events, whether you’re up for learning, exercise or entertainment. Check out the new Curious George exhibit at Liberty Science Center, a puppet performance of The Tortoise and The Hare or get your dose of American history by celebrating George’s birthday at Washington Crossing State Park. Read on for our top picks and find a listing of all NJ activities in our Event Calendar.

This weekend, ValleyStreamMom.Com, a website that focuses on all things happening in or around Valley Stream, is hosting its Second Annual Valentine's Day Party at the Valley Stream Presbyterian Church. "David Pleasant Presents SHOUT, JUBA & JIVE" is at the LICM in honor of Black History Month. Do your kids love the cartoon characters from Nickelodeon? Why not bring them to United Skate of America's Breakfast with the Characters where they'll get to meet Umizoomi's Geo, Yo Gabba Gabba's Foofa, Dora, and Spongebob and Patrick. If your daughter is looking to channel her inner diva, Hot Cuts Hair Salon is hosting a Glitz and Glam Party where she can get all glammed up with hair beading, makeup, and manicures.  While you're there, enjoy pizza from Novi Restaurant and some sweet treats.  Also on tap: a Winter Family Scavenger Hunt at the Sherwood-Jayne Farm in Setauket, as well as Walt Whitman High School Marching Band's Night at the Rink at the Syosset-Woodbury Ice Rink in Woodbury.  As always, please check out our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family, and don't forget our guide to winter break activities for things to do on the Monday holiday and all week long next week!

The National Museum of the American Indian, which is located in the stunning Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, is a great destination on any day, literally. It's one of only a few NYC museums that are open every day throughout the year (save Christmas) and admission is always free.

But this winter, there's a new reason to visit: The institution's first-ever Animation Celebration! Looking North. Instead of bundling up and listening to traditional tales around a fire, families are invited to experience the vibrant stories and culture of Native Americans from Canada’s Arctic and Subarctic regions in the museum's toasty second floor screening room.

Welcome to Part II of our February Vacation Week coverage. We’ve highlighted puppet shows, dance and theater performances, one-day events, and nature programs in our first post, and continue our coverage with a roundup of the many museum programs available during the break. Note that many of the area museums participate in library pass programs, which allow library patron to borrow passes to museums and other local attractions for single-day use. Most - including the Boston Public Library and Cambridge Public Library - have online reservation systems for these passes (plan ahead!)

Have a great break!

Everybody had so much fun at our recent New York Kids Club event that we knew we had to do another gathering soon. And with the Presidents' Day school holiday coming up next week, it seemed like a great time for another fun meet-up for NYC families at one of the coolest creative spots we know: Hiho Batik.

We reviewed Hiho Batik back in October soon after it opened in Park Slope, and we really loved what we saw. Now we're partnering with the batik boutique/DIY design studio to create a special event that will be fun for kids of all ages as well as their grown-ups.