We’re pretty sure kids will spend more time out of school during January than in it, but we can all agree that taking a day out of respect for Martin Luther King, Jr., is more than worth doing.

MLK Day will be held on January 15, 2018. To help you plan your Monday off from school, we’ve gathered a list of kid-friendly ideas. Whether you’re seeking to honor King and his legacy, or you’re just looking forward to spending the day as a family, we have plenty of suggestions.

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Summer camps bring to mind images of wilderness exploration, sitting by the campfire roasting marshmallows, being outside in the sun, and just enjoying nature. Many of us grew up experiencing such moments in our back yards, and today you can help to create the same memories for your children by sending them to one of these great Hartford County nature-themed camps. Also, be sure to check out our CT Summer Camp Guide and our Summer Camp Directory.

The holiday season is so festive and fun that it’s easy to get some serious post-holiday blues. Add to that the fact that winter is just gearing up here in Boston, and you (and the kids) could be going stir crazy in no time. However, just because the holidays are over and the weather is frightful doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Here are 10 kid-friendly festivals that will have you beating the post-holiday blues in no time and keep the fun rolling all the way until spring!

Not having been a math/science kind of girl myself, it came as quite a surprise when I heard from my middle child’s teacher that math and science are her strengths. No doubt in reaction to the ensuing blank stare he received from me, he gently suggested that perhaps I look into some summer programs for her where she could develop her interest in STEM subjects. Phew. I’m not sure who is more relieved that her math and science tutelage will not be left to me this summer – her teacher or myself. Or possibly my child! For loads more info on great summer camps here in Connecticut check out our CT Summer Camp Guide  and our post on STEM Camps in Hartford and New Haven Counties too.

In November 2017 the Wiess Energy Hall reopened its doors after undergoing a massive renovation. The previous version of the exhibit covered 8,500 square feet and was home to several classic attractions, like the popular Geovater and the Energy Jukebox. The new and improved exhibit, however, is more than triple in size, and now spans 30,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on learning and fun. Over the holidays we got a chance to check it out, and it did not disappoint. 

With its postcard perfect frozen ponds and snow-covered hillsides, winter in Connecticut offers a slice of classic New England paradise. Add in the ice skating and the sledding and you've got yourself a real life Currier & Ives painting. But, let's face it, winter can seem never ending. Come Groundhog Day we're all just counting down the days until summer. So, to help you shake the winter blues, we've rounded up 25 FREE things to do this month across the state. For even more ideas, check out our CT Winter Fun Guide.

We're no fans of the freezing, and even below zero temperatures, that have ushered in the new year. But we are fans of the new viral sensation to come out of this frigid nonesense: frozen bubbles!

We saw these mesmerizing bubbles popping up all over our feeds, and couldn't wait to give it a try IRL with real kids. Read on for the recipe and see our video of this DIY science experiment in Connecticut, a day after the dreaded "bomb cyclone," aka, Winter Storm Grayson.

Don't forget you can find more at-home fun, like 40 Things to Do Indoors on a Snow Day, in our Mommy Poppins Boredom Busters Guide.

I had been hearing rave reviews about Orange County’s Adventure Playground—the so-called free-range playground—ever since I first moved to the area. The hype around this place makes it sound something like a time machine, throwing back to a day of mud puddles in the vacant lot. I finally loaded two kids, a bag of snacks, extra clothes, and beach towels into my car and headed to Irvine to see what the fuss was all about.