If you thought Atlantic City was only slot machines and cocktail waitresses, think again.  This South Jersey seaside city is reinventing itself as a family destination. 

My kids and I took an overnight vacation to Atlantic City last spring, with winning results.  The kids were excited to walk the actual streets whose names they recognized from frequent games of Monopoly.  We headed over to the boardwalk, and though it was too cold to swim, there were lots of activities to keep the kids entertained.  We had a great time visiting the emporium of the weird and freaky, Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum.  We hit the famed amusement park, the Steel Pier, and had a ball on the rides and trying our luck at the arcade games. 

This time of year I always start dreaming of a warm sunny paradise. Unfortunately a trip to the Caribbean is not in our near future so thank goodness we have an indoor water park not too far away. Paradise for me? Not quiet. But it sure does make my kids happy and for that I get bliss at the end of the day (when they are too tired to even speak). CoCo Key Water Resort is located in Waterbury at the Holiday Inn. They have separate entrances and it's easy to find. I was surprised to find out that they open from 4-9 during the week. If you get a gang of kids together you can get a discount for 10 or more. It's big enough to keep all ages occupied for hours yet small enough not to overwhelm you as a parent. Food is easy, if not the the healthiest, and there's even an arcade when the kids need to dry off and take a break from the water.

We've been doing a series of posts on places to drop in for crafts in New York City. So far we've covered paint your own pottery, beading, places for toddlers, places on the UWS, best places for making gifts, FREE craft places, and even craft places for a mom's night out. Phew!

Crafts in the museums are a little bit different than the types of activities you'll find at other crafting venues. They are usually tied in to a current exhibit or museum theme, giving them a little educational slant, but making hem less open-ended than just going to a craft place where you can do whatever you want. Most of the major museums offer craft workshops too, but not regularly. The venues below offer regular craft workshops that you can drop in for any time.

[UPDATED: September 3, 2012]
 

Located in the Hunters Point section of Long Island City, Queens, this former industrial-hub-turned-picturesque-retreat along the East River is a stunning destination. Gantry Plaza State Park was named for the apparatus used to load and unload ship cargo back in the 1920s. The spot's history is immediately apparent: Two giant gantries remain as the plaza's focal point, and the back of them serve as the frames for the pair of famous red neon Long Island signs. (Queens' other iconic sign, Pepsi Cola, is located next to the park.)

While parents will certainly appreciate the sleek design and tranquil vibe, kids will love all the places to play, and there are a lot of them. Read on for the scoop on Queens' waterfront oasis.

And that's certainly appropriate, since it's about a little girl who becomes the world's first kid astronaut. Unlike Vital Children's Theatre's long-running hits Pinkalicious and Angelina Ballerina, this loopy musical, which is best for kids six-and-under, isn't based on a popular children's book. Scott Elmegreen's script does a great job of conjuring up a realistically kooky kids' world all its own.
 

Some people might not think of Indian food as very kid-friendly since it is famous for its spiciness, but you know, kids in India eat too and there are tons of very child-friendly foods that your kids will love. In fact, Indian food is my kids' favorite food and we eat it almost weekly in one form or another. I even send samosas in their lunch boxes.

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Oh Mark, you were so wise. Spring is trailing your hand along the baby grass, breathing in that intoxicating smell of possibility, of ditching coats for sundresses, leaving slush behind for the kick-up of magnolia blossoms on the walk to school. It's its own thing, spring, and it needs celebrating. Our Garden State has a slew of great activities from cherry blossom madness to a bluebird meet and greet. Dig in, fellow mothers. We've earned it this year.

Purim, St Patty's and more. We hope you're ready to roll, cause here's a lot going on! In addition to the always popular Family (free) Saturdays at the Manhattan JCC, this Sunday they are hosting their annual Purim Carnival. There's a ton of Purim fun going on this and next weekend, from Carnivals to space-themed events, and there are some St.Patrick's Day celebrations as well.

Since we are in mid-March, it is still Maple Sugaring season. If you are up for a day trip away from the city, many places are still tapping their trees this weekend! And if you are looking for a little culture, Gustafer Yellowgold is in town, and the New York Hall of Science has a fabulous new exhibit, 1001 Inventions. Feeling crafty? We've got the info on places for beading fun, and great cooking classes for your teen. And finally, as we strive to bring you the best of the best, Mommy Poppins has expanded and improved, bringing a redesign and cool features.

Read on for our best bets for the weekend and be sure to check out the Mommy Poppins Events Calendar for more great weekend events.  Have a great weekend.