| Page 5 | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

Swimming Lakes Near Los Angeles You Need to Discover

Submitted by Brian Steele on Fri, 04/26/2024 - 8:30am

Go swimming at Malibu Creek State Park. Photo by Meghan Rose

Los Angeles kids grow up swimming at some of the country's most iconic beaches, not to mention an array of flat-out awesome public swimming pools. But wait—there's more! Did you know that there are some wonderful swimming lakes near Los Angeles? And if you're willing to drive a little farther, lake options get even more plentiful. Whether you want to take a dip in a secluded swimming hole or join the masses at a lavish lake resort, here are some of the best spots to take a swim out in nature.

For more places to go swimming in Los Angeles, check out our Guide To Pools and Splash Pads in Los Angeles. Or keep it natural at one of these Surf-Free Beaches Where Toddlers Can Swim!

Great Big Family Play Day, Cinco de Mayo, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend

Submitted by Toby B on Fri, 04/26/2024 - 8:15am

The Great Big Family Play Day is dino-mite! Photo by Gina Ragland

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this weekend? Here are some of our favorite events and activities to add to your list this weekend

It's the biggest party in town, and that can only mean one thing: The Great Big Family Play Day at the Autry Museum, two days of family fun with everything from kindie favorite performers to crafts, swag, a Dino exhibit and more swag! Of course, the biggest party could also mean the LA County Fair, returning for another year with carnival rides, pig racing and barnyard friends, headliner concerts and fried everything. And let's not forget the other biggest party, Cinco de Mayo, with celebrations up and down the Southland, including Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl, the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in San Clemente, and the Historical Parade and Festival in Venice. (And speaking of not forgetting: don't forget to pick up some free comic books at Free Comic Book Day!)

Best Things To Do with Kids this Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 04/26/2024 - 7:54am

Don your best wings and search the nooks and crannies of the Locust Grove grounds to find 30 hidden fairy houses on an enchanted walk. Photo courtesy of Locust Grove

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Families can celebrate spring at the weekend's many local festivals, including the Peekskill Cherry Blossom Festival at Riverfront Green Park and the Spring Crafts Show at Lyndhurst. Or get creative at the Katonah Museum of Art's Family Day.

Families are also invited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the special free program Fiesta Musical for Cinco de Mayo at the New Rochelle Public Library.

Fairy Festival, Flip Circus, and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 04/26/2024 - 7:53am

Flip Circus, featuring world-class clowns, acrobats, jugglers, and daredevils is coming to Smith Haven Mall, then Walt Whitman Shops. Photo by the author

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Flip Circus returns to Long Island this weekend with world-class clowns, acrobats, jugglers, and daredevils.

On Saturday, you can also flutter over to the Sands Point Preserve as the Long Island Fairy Festival returns to the majestic grounds. On Sunday, learn about the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo and make a balero toy to take home from the Long Island Children's Museum.

Keep reading for more of the weekend's best kid-friendly events on Long Island.

Kite Day at Terhune Orchards and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 04/26/2024 - 7:53am

For Kite Day at Terhune Orchards in Princeton, NJ bring your own kite or choose a ready-made kite from the store. Photo courtesy of Terhune Orchards

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

The merry month of May kicks off with oceans of fun festivals, including Ocean City Spring Block Party. Plus, kites fill the air at Terhune Orchards' weekend-long Kite Day.

Read on for a full rundown of New Jersey's best kid-friendly events this weekend.

Big Swim, Hippo Playground Festival, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 04/26/2024 - 7:53am

Jane's Carousel celebrates its 13th year in Brooklyn with free rides and face painting all day long. Photo by Sara Marentette

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Belvedere Plaza is aglow with the Illumination Light Art Festival this weekend, while the Kupferberg Center celebrates Cinco de Mayo, and a special May the Fo(u)rth film workshop ushers in the last month of spring. The Big Swim makes a splash on the Upper East Side, Jane's Carousel opens with FREE rides and face painting, and the Hippo Playground Spring Fair dazzles on Sunday.

Free Comic Books, Strawberries, Fitler Fun, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Fri, 04/26/2024 - 7:16am

Enjoy live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and luscious strawberry-themed food and drink specials at The Strawberry Festival at Peddler's Village. Photo by Paul Berger

Looking for the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your must-do list.

May in Philly is buzzing with family-friendly events. From the Annual Colonial Mayfair's historical charm to the adrenaline rush of Monster Jam, there's something for everyone. Don't miss Free Comic Book Day for superhero fun, and indulge in strawberry delights at the Strawberry Festival at Peddler's. Plus, explore art, culture, and diversity at the Barnes Free First Sunday Family Day and Dual Heritage Month Family Day.

All Aboard These Train Rides and Day Trips near NYC for Locomotive Lovers

Submitted by Lisa Warden on Thu, 04/25/2024 - 12:45pm

Train-lovers of all ages love to explore the roundhouse at Steamtown.

All of my three children have gone through a train-loving phase around 2 years old, and while we are lucky enough to live on a train line where we can watch the trains zoom by all day long, I've been known to go out of my way to feed our kids’ love of choo-choos. From local train rides to seasonal Polar Express train rides, train museums, and model train displays, families in the tri-state area have plenty of options to entertain pint-sized train lovers.

Read on for our top picks for train-inspired day trips, including all the best things to do with train-obsessed kids in NYC and beyond.