While it’s pretty great to know that one of the largest meccas for culture in the country is only a short train ride away, there’s no need to head all the way to New York City for a taste of good theater. Why not check out some shows a little closer to home? Fairfield County offers a wealth of plays and performances for the kids, at a fraction of the cost of a Broadway ticket. Not to mention, Fairfield County offers a fair share of drama classes year-round. 

Lucky for us, there are plenty of family series at our local theaters this spring. From Bridgeport’s Downtown Cabaret’s family friendly picnic-style presentations to Stamford’s stately Kweskin Theatre, be sure to check out some of this season’s best shows, right in your own backyard.

The Baby Box movement is growing.

Ah! Summertime. Those long, lazy days, nothing for the kids to do but count the blades of grass, eat popsicles, and go completely insane with boredom by the end of vacation...whoa. Stop right there. Even the littlest little can get a bit stir crazy when preschool is out, and with the first day of spring upon us, the time is right for seeking out some summer boredom busters. While it may not be time for them to experience the freedom of sleepaway camp (if that's your thing) there are lots of excellent summer camp options for the smallest among us to get their adorable little feet wet when it comes to spending some quality time away from mom and dad this summer. If you're in central Connecticut, take a gander at these summer camp programs we've rounded up for you. You're sure to find something just right for your preschooler. 

STEAM programs are really heating up in Westchester, with both in-school and extracurricular activities sprouting up all over the place. In case your family hasn’t yet caught the craze, STEAM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art and math, and there's a growing movement to ramp up education for kids in these areas.

We previously posted our guide to STEAM centers in Westchester. Now, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite FREE STEAM programs planned for kids this spring. Whether your child is a future physicist, meteorologist, computer programmer, entomologist, astronomer, mathematician, collage artist or engineer, there’s something for all ages and interests.

Our Event Calendar is frequently updated with new additions, so view it often to stay up to date. Now grab your planner, ‘cause things are getting really STEAM-y out there!

Spring break is an opportunity for Philly families to recharge their batteries and find time for reprieve. However, some parents may still need to work a day or two while the kids are off from school. Find fun for your school age children with some of the amazing camps available throughout the Delaware Valley. We have rounded up many excellent camp opportunities to keep children engaged in nature, art, science, and drama. With such variety, Philly kids are sure to have a great spring break. For those luck enough to have off a day or two during break, be sure to browse through our events calendar and schedule time for family fun.

This spring NYC is filled with great activities and events for preschoolers. From carousels and Easter celebrations to a ladybug release, once you step outside into that sun (that we hear is coming!) you won't want to come back in. Of course, we expect some spring showers, so don't forget about cool theater and museums, including the return of Brick Fest Live, a new circus, and the debut of Gulliver's Gate, the miniature model city going up near Times Square.

Read on for our top picks for spring for NYC kids under age 5, more than two dozen choices, including many FREE events — and leave your coats at home (we hope!). 

Spring break and summer vacation deals have stormed in like a March blizzard, and there are big discounts to be had for family travel.

Awesome water parks like Atlantis, the new Nickelodeon resort in Punta Cana, and Beaches Turks & Caicos are slashing prices on trips booked in March. Plus resorts in Orlando, Punta Cana, Vegas, and Hawaii are a few more bargain options on tap for early spring. If you prefer your water fun indoors, all Great Wolf Lodge properties are promoting legitimate spring savings. We even threw in a few East Coast spring ski resort bargains.

Read on for our roundup of family getaway deals, but act fast; these offers will be gone faster than a melting snowman on a hot spring day.

It's not always easy deciding where to have a child's birthday party. While some party places serve as convenient, all-inclusive destinations, at-home parties can be just as fun and often a lot more affordable. You do, however, have to plan your own entertainment, and it can be tough to figure out how to keep the kids busy without things getting too chaotic.

That's where in-home entertainers come in! Gone are the days where you can only choose between a magician or a clown, and we've gathered a dozen of our favorite ideas. (If you already know you want to have an at-home laser-tag birthday party, check out our post dedicated solely to this activity.)

Looking for more birthday ideas? Consult our Party Planner Guide and sign up for our newsletters!