If baseball beckons you every summer, like popsicles and pools, Connecticut can be a tricky place to live. Is it Red Sox country? A Yankee stronghold? Mets loyal? Probably all of the above, but Mommy Poppins has no intentions of wading into THAT debate.  Rather, we'll educate you on the alternatives right in your backyard -- minor league ballparks with major league fun. They're perfect for the family, kind to your wallet, and spread out across the state. Batter up!!

Want to put a science-y spin on your valentine cards this year? Try this creative STEM activity for kids inspired by the classic Sweetheart candy of yore—you know, the ones with the cutesy sayings like "Be Mine" and "You're Sweet". This Valentine's Day project is as simple as it is fun. Just write short messages on white paper hearts with a white crayon, then invite your little valentines to reveal their love notes by adding watercolor paint.

Once you've made a heap of hearts, the possibilities are endless. You can give them out as valentine cards, hide them for a heart hunt, or string them up as a banner for some festive Valentine's Day decor. Read on for instructions on how to make these magic crayon messages, the perfect STEM activity for kids this Valentine's Day and all year long.

Need another fun STEM activity for kids? Check out our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids, where you can learn everything from how to make rock candy to how to get an egg into a bottle. And if you need more ways to get crafty this Valentine's Day, see our list of 20 Valentine's Day crafts and recipes.

My family loves trampoline parks, indoor play spaces, rock climbing, and obstacle courses. We're frequent visitors to these indoor fun zones in Northern New Jersey and Central Jersey, but we recently found a new go-to that's skyrocketed to the top of our favorites list: Rock 'N Air Adventure Park of East Brunswick.

Read on for our visit to this all-ages indoor playground and find more fun places to play with New Jersey kids in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn is situated on the northernmost border of the borough and provides a delightful mix of old and new, trendy and vintage, traditional and hipster. While Greenpoint, Brooklyn has a large, established Polish community, newer restaurants, shops, and businesses are popping up and adding to the diverse and lively community. Artists and entrepreneurs have long been drawn to Greenpoint, Brooklyn for its creative vibe and its proximity to Williamsburg and Manhattan. So, you'll find traditional Polish restaurants next to art galleries, trendy boutiques, and upscale eateries.

Families flock to Greenpoint, Brooklyn for its cheaper rents, impressive green spaces, and lots of kid-friendly businesses and activities. Greenpoint lives up to its name with a number of well-kept green spaces like Monsignor McGolrick park, and the 35-acre McCarren Park, which spills over into Williamsburg and the revitalized East River waterfront. To help you get the most out of Greenpoint, Brooklyn we've rounded up the top 37 things to do in Greenpoint with kids. Find more fun neighborhoods to explore in our New York City Kids Neighborhood Guide.

These Valentine's Day crafts and activities are great ways to spend time with kids and show them some love.

You will always be your kiddo’s first Valentine! Parents can show kids just how loved and adored they are by showering them with attention and extra special activities and treats. We rounded up our favorite Valentine’s Day crafts, treats, and other ways to celebrate together: Spend time together baking heart-shaped Valentine's Day treats, whipping up a batch of Valentine's Day crafts (we even found Valentine's Day STEM projects), and toasting your loves with a mocktail—every one of these ideas says “I love you!” loud and clear.

For more yummy sweet treats for your sweetie, check out our Easy Recipes Guide. And you'll find hundreds of ideas for crafts and activities for kids in our At-Home Guide for Families.

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it can be tough pulling together a meal that makes everyone happy. And it can be harder still to take the kids out for breakfast. Luckily, Philadelphia is home to kid-friendly breakfast places that will please egg lovers, waffle fans, and more.

We take food seriously at Mommy Poppins, so if breakfast spots aren't enough, check out this list of our favorite brunch spots, too. And if you just need some coffee to start your day (don’t we all?), we’ve got you covered with this guide to the best kid-friendly coffee shops in Philadelphia and the suburbs. Find all this and more in our Guide to Restaurants in Philly.

This roundup of awesome arcades on Long Island will get your little gamers off the couch and out of the house. As a bonus, most of these arcades are located at party places or sports complexes. Get the whole family together–and invite some friends–for bowling, laser tag, or mini-golf. Cap off your trip with ticket-winning arcade games that can be redeemed for valuable prizes.

Get more ideas on what to do inside with kids in our Indoor Play Spaces Guide or Kids' Sports Centers Guide. For even more kid-friendly activities, check out our Long Island Events Calendar.

Indoor water parks near Chicago will let you have a fun day swimming with your family without a plane ticket to a tropical destination. There are plenty of indoor water parks near Chicago with tube slides, lazy rivers, and even wave pools to help you beat those winter blues. We’ve grouped these indoor water parks by location so you can see which are easily done in a day trip and which would require a mini-road trip or staycation.

For more indoor family fun, check out our guide to indoor play spaces for Chicago kids. And if you're just looking for swimming without a bunch of slides, we also have a list of Best Indoor Swimming Pools in Chicago.