Boston Kids, Jump On In!

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So, you’ve heard about all the fun kids have at Jump On In, but the locations outside of the city in Woburn, Haverill, or Lowell are too far. Or your child wanted to have a birthday party at a bouncy place, but none of his city-dwelling friends’ parents would schlep out to the ‘burbs. Well now you're in luck: Jump On In has opened in Boston! And there’s more good news: In our experience, the place did not disappoint. After an afternoon of Open Jump, my sweaty, tired kids gave it a 10 out of 10 on the fun scale. To find out more about Jump On In and to get some tips for making your visit easy and enjoyable, read on!

OpenHouseNewYork Weekend with NYC Kids: Festivals, Historic Houses and Interactive Activities

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OpenHouseNewYork is one of those amazing, (mostly) free, citywide events that we just love. New Yorkers of all ages are invited to explore hundreds of local sites like historic buildings, contemporary architectural marvels, amazing private residences and newly redesigned green spaces and waterways. While OHNY isn't a family event per se, many of the destinations are family-friendly, and some spots host activities specifically aimed at kids. For example, this year's OHNY, which takes place Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7, includes an interactive dance performance at the Elevated Acre and drop-in design workshops at the Center for Architecture.

For the second year in a row, OHNY has teamed up with the Historic House Festival (formerly a separate event), which means 23 additional buildings will also be offering no-cost admission and special programming, like a backstage tour of Central Park's Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater and tours of the historic ship Lilac.

Both events give kids a whole new perspective on this city and its rich history—visiting and seeing and experiencing is a lot more interesting than reading about these places in books. Of course, like many annual NYC events, OHNY and the Historic House Festival are super-popular. While you can drop in to some activities, others require reservations, and they're going fast. So if you see one that interests you, move on it right away!

Must-See Public Art Installation for NYC Kids: Discovering Columbus Six Flights Above Columbus Circle

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We're always on the lookout for cool public art installations since they're usually offbeat and always FREE. And the minute we read about Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi's brand-new Discovering Columbus installation—which is, essentially, a modern American living room built around the 13-foot marble statue of Christopher Columbus in Columbus Circle—we knew we had to get it on your radar.

Unlike most public art displays, Discovering Columbus isn't the kind of thing you can just walk up to and look at. Since it's 60 feet in the air, there are many stairs involved. Plus, due to all the (we suspect justified) hype, visitors must download no-cost timed tickets in advance. (We already have ours!)

Spa Birthday Parties for Kids (Central Connecticut)

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Some of you have been envisioning this moment since baby girl was in utero.  Some of you cannot believe you just googled the words 'spa party'.   Either way, we've simplified the search for you in Central Connecticut, finding salons and spas that will provide the works for your girly girl and her gaggle of little girlfriends.  There are also several companies that simplify the  process by bringing the glam team to your digs. For even more great party ideas check out our Party Guide.

Animal Care Classes for NYC Kids: Feed, Care and Talk to the Animals

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My kids, like so many others, are obsessed with animals. My son in particular has been campaigning hard for a puppy, but so far, we’ve remained an animal-free household. Of course there's only so long I can put him off. That's why I was thrilled to find out that there are lots of animal care classes for kids, so he can get his cute critter fix, and I can keep my sofa free of fur and scratches.

Taking an animal care class is a lot more hands-on than visiting a petting zoo. Children find out how much work goes into looking after them and what a big responsibility they are. They also learn respect and compassion for all creatures. So next time your child asks for a four-legged pal, consider signing them up for one of these animal care classes for kids instead (hey at least you'll find out if they're ready to clean up poop).

GIVEAWAY! 2 Tickets to see SPANK! The 50 Shades Parody at the Bushnell

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This one is for moms (and dads) only! Mommy Poppins CT is giving away 2 tickets ($70 Value) to this new show which is a musical parody of Fifty Shades of Grey, the risqué novel which recently surpassed Harry Potter to become the fastest selling paperback of all time. Michael Mills, producer of SPANK!, says audience members can expect “a laugh-filled evening that captures all the escapist fun and absurdity of the novel. The Fifty Shades characters are brought to life with sexy and fun musical numbers.” Part Second City, part Chippendales, SPANK! delivers big laughs, sexy fun, and lots of surprises.

Lobby doors open at 6:30 p.m. in order for ticket holders to enjoy the company of friends and partake in a signature SPANK! cocktail. Fans can take a photo with the star of the show, and meet and greet the entire cast following each performance. If you don't win the tickets, don't fret. Mommy Poppins CT readers can get a $5 discount per ticket by using the password: GREY. Sounds like it could be a fun girls' night out!

Two New Toy Stores Open in Park Slope: Norman & Jules and Little Things Toy Store Too

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When we published our Park Slope Kids Guide earlier this year, we included a post about all of the fabulous toy stores in the neighborhood. Now we've got two more to add, and they're both on the same block!

Opened by a local family, the brand-new Norman & Jules is an eco-friendly toy boutique featuring handcrafted toys. Meanwhile, Little Things Toy Store Too, an offshoot of neighborhood mainstay Little Things Toy Store, focuses on seasonal items and playthings for older kids. My son and I visited both stores to check out their wares... or more accurately play with them.

Clearwater Beach, Florida with Kids: Top 25 Things to Do on Your Family Beach Vacation

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We were recently invited to check out Clearwater Beach, Florida and I jumped at the opportunity since I had never been to Florida’s Gulf Coast. What I found was a beach resort so easy and inviting it made me wonder if I would ever go back to Miami again.

The first thing to love about Clearwater is how easy it is to get to. Direct flights from NYC and other metropolises to Tampa are plentiful and inexpensive and a 30 minute shuttle or taxi ride from the airport will have you at the beach. (Check out my recommendations on where to stay in Clearwater Beach.) Depending on what you plan to do on your vacation, you may not even need to rent a car. There are many free or low cost transportation options available even for going to neighboring towns.

If you love big waves, the Gulf Coast is not for you. What you will find are sprawling white powder-sand beaches, gentle waves and water that tends to be a few degrees warmer than the Atlantic on the other side of Florida, making the beaches better for families with young children or anyone who doesn’t need the motion of the ocean.

Clearwater Beach is half an hour from Tampa and two hours from Orlando, so it can also be a good home base for trips to the big attractions like Busch Gardens and Disney World. Playing all day at the amusement parks and coming home to the beach sounds like a great vacation to me.

Clearwater is not a big city like Miami, but there is plenty to do. Of course, you may be happy just lounging in your beach chair and playing in the sand and water. But if you get tired of that, here’s my list of the the top things to do with kids in Clearwater Beach on your family vacation. I recommend all the activities on this list, but I’ve bolded the items that are particularly special must-dos:

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