A Visit to Imagine Nation in Bristol

Are you interested in a destination where children can play all day and meet new friends, while expanding their knowledge and skills? Look no farther than Imagine Nation. On the list of our Fun Things To Do With Kids in Bristol, this Hartford-area museum recently underwent an interior redesign and does not disappoint. With three floors of hands-on exhibits and an outdoor play area, your child will be entertained for hours. 

Westchester's Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in June & July

Grab a blanket, picnic dinner, and maybe event a glass of wine because whether you go to work or drive the camp carpool, a free concert in the park is just the thing to end your day on a relaxing note. Here in Westchester, we're lucky enough to have many of our parks on the waterfront, and you'd be hard-pressed to beat that view at sunset.

This summer, towns around the county are hosting bands playing everything from rock to jazz to country to Cuban. How's that for variety? While most of these are completely free, a few do charge a small fee for parking.

Looking for more summer fun? Consult our Event Calendar and our Summer Activity Guide, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter.  

Caverns and Caves Near Philly to Explore on Tour

Have you ever wondered what might be below us? If your kid loves adventure and learning about bats, stalagtites, stalagmites, and other rock formations, taking a cavern or mine tour is sure to be a ton of fun. The great part is that cave and mine tours are educational and exciting! We've rounded up all the best caves and caverns near Philly to take a tour nearby.

You'll have to drive quite a bit for these Pennsylvania caves, but it will be worth it, and some are close enough to other attractions to make a weekend getaway out of it. If you've never been in a cave, we've got tons of great tips for taking the plunge

Channel Your Kiddo's Inner Martial Arts Master in Eastern CT

The first time my son broke a board in Tae Kwon Do class, I nearly fainted.  His 3-year-old brain had trouble focusing on much of anything outside of class, but when he walked through the doors of the dojo a laser focus seemed to switch on. The Martial Arts offer fitness of the body and mind, something not found in many kid-friendly activities.  If you've considered enrolling your kiddo, here are some class options around Eastern Connecticut. And for even more after school fun check out our Classes and Activities Guide.

Fairfield County Kids Go Aerial at Indoor Play Spaces

Jumping and somersaulting through the air is serious fun. Whether your kid is three or thirteen, there's no better way to keep them from bouncing off the walls than letting them bounce off the walls at a trampoline park or indoor playscape. Planning a birthday party? Looking for a rainy day activity? Or just hoping to burn off some of that energy? Check out some of our favorite Fairfield County indoor play spaces. For even more indoor fun check out our Connecticut Indoor Play Guide.

Boston-Area CSA and Farm Shares that are Great for Families

Maybe you’ve been wondering: what is a CSA? Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs allow members to buy shares in local harvests. As a CSA member, you pay for a season of produce, and receive weekly boxes or bags of prime pickings from the farm. We joined one recently, and found it was a great, economical way to get kids to try healthy new foods—and support our local farm at the same time.

There are a few catches about joining a CSA. First, you don't typically get to pick what arrives in your share each week, which can prove daunting if you have children who are seriously picky or have rigid nutritional needs. If you are gone for much of the growing season, paying for weekly vegetables might not make a ton of sense—though many some farms allow you to skip weeks. But if you're mainly local, interested in trying to eat more regional produce, and are willing to get a little creative with your cooking, a CSA is definitely worth trying. 

For my family, it worked out well, and my kids ended up trying a lot of new fruits and vegetables that I might never have bought in the store (though we did end up feeding our backyard bunny more than his fair share of dandelion greens). Some of the CSA programs, like Wilson Farm, offer recipes and suggestions for what to do with your share, which are really helpful.

With such a wide variety of options including the programs below, you're likely to find a CSA that will work for your family. Many offer deliveries or conveniently located pick up sites, and there is an array of prices and sizes and produce choices from which to choose. Should you decide to join one, everybody wins: you get fresh, healthy food and local farmers get the financial support they need and deserve.

What's in Your Backyard? Backyard Adventures at the Academy of Natural Sciences

Backyard Adventure is an exploration of the science of your backyard at the Academy of Natural Sciences. This exhibit runs until September 10, 2017, and families are invited to explore the magical world that surrounds them daily, but with different eyes. I got a chance to explore the space with my four-year-old as we set out to discover science in our own backyard!

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