So, you’ve decided to throw a birthday party and want to skip the hype of renting, and host the party yourself. Sure, you’re an excellent host and have the space to fit a handful of extra kids, but while you may be able to show off some pretty fantastic Pinterest skills, you might want to hire some extra entertainment. Philadelphia is full of local pros who can come to the rescue (some even in superhero costume no less) and take the party off the charts! From song and dance, to wild animals, to face painting, we have you covered! Also, if the idea of cleaning up after a handful of kids suddenly sounds like more work and less play, we have some excellent recommendations for places outside your home to throw an amazing birthday bash!

We’ve been on the prowl for the best and most delicious places to eat with kids in Westchester, and we have a new one for our list. Joining Westchester’s ranks of must-try summer stops for frozen delicious treats is Seven Scoops in Yorktown.

Looking for more kid-friendly places to eat? Check out our Restaurant Guide and sign up for our newsletters.  

School is (almost) out for summer! But the school of rock is in session. This summer, if your child wants to forego the usual camp experience in favor of a chance to see what it is like to feel the limelight, then consider signing them up for a week (or an entire summer) packed with opportunities to perform some old fashioned rock and roll. Rock and roll camps give kids an opportunity to learn music, try their hand at different instruments, and even perform on stage for friends and family! Who needs swim lessons and hiking when you can learn how to shred?!

And be sure to browse our Camp Directory, for even more ideas- like art camp for the artists in your family!

How stressful is the end of the school year? Let me count the ways. Oh sure, there's the silver lining coming of not having to drive to school or argue about homework for 10 blissful weeks; but blissful loses its luster pretty quickly in the face of, "What are we going to do today?" – particularly if you already know that what YOU need to do doesn't involve sprinklers or beaches. We know we should have figured out summer camp by now, really we do. We have a stack of flyers for neat-o programs that are probably filled up already with kids whose parents got on this weeks ago.

Summer vacation may be staring you in the face, but there's no need to panic; all of the camps listed below still have availability as of this publish date. Some of the programs even allow families to book by the day, for ultimate spontaneity. After all, you have to leave some time to bum around doing the fun things in our Summer Guide.

Known as the birthplace of American pizza, the city of New Haven lives up to its reputation as a first class foodie destination. Thanks to Market New Haven, you can experience many culinary delights in the city of pioneering restaurateurs. But New Haven is more than a foodie town. It’s a place to explore history and architecture, art and culture. It's where ideas are nurtured and celebrated. Happily, it’s also very accessible to families and is wonderfully walkable. Take the kids for a day trip or a weekend getaway and experience the city for yourselves with this list as your guide. 

Cruises are fun. How can you beat a giant floating resort with entertainment, amusements, unlimited food, and fun at every turn? And that’s just on the ship. My favorite part of a cruise is waking up in a new location to explore.

Now, Princess Cruises is bringing more joy of discovery to your next vacation at sea with a new partnership. Teaming up with Discovery Channel, new Discovery At Sea excursions and on-ship programming bring to life the nature, wildlife, and history of each destination. We were hosted on the Grand Princess, sailing year round from San Francisco, and the first ship to offer the new Discovery at Sea programming.

The wait is over for Muppets fans! The long-anticipated permanent exhibit showcasing the late Jim Henson and his beloved characters will open in July at The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria.

A successful Kickstarter campaign, along with generous donors, including Henson family members, will bring it to fruition at last. Although the exhibit offers something for everyone—nearly 300 artifacts—kids will probably be most excited about the 47 original Muppets, which include Kermit, Miss Piggy, Big Bird, Elmo, and other favorites. Other material on display at MoMI, including sketches, storyboards, scripts and costumes, will highlight the process Henson followed to bring his visions to life.

Popsicles are great for many reasons; what other food comes such a diverse array of flavors? From Jalepeno, Mango con Chile, Chai Latte, Blackberry Ginger, Milk and Cookies, Horchata, Champagne Pear, Fruity Pebbles, Watermelon Mojito, King Cake, and Avocado, Houston's popsicle shops and trucks have it all. Enjoying a popsicle is one of the sweetest ways to cool down in the summer in Houston, and local options range from trendy artisanal pops made with organic ingredients to more traditional favorites. With flavors ranging from fruity and icy to creamy and rich to savory and surprising, there is bound to be something for every taste preference. Why not try them all?