Enjoy world-class cherry blossoms this spring in New Jersey at one of the region's premier festivals. The 2025 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Newark's Branch Brook Park from Saturday, April 5 through Sunday, April 13, 2025, allows you and your family to revel in rows and rows of gorgeous cherry blossoms. There's definitely no need to travel to D.C. to see a stunning display of lush blooms! 

The event features two festivals-within-the-festival, the Essex County Family Day and Bloomfest. Both Family Day and Bloomfest offer plenty of family fun, including performances, bounce houses, a nearby playground, live music, and Japanese cultural demonstrations. It all takes place under the fragrant canopy of the sprawling park's 5,000 cherry blossom trees—the largest cherry blossom tree collection in the country.

Read on for an overview of Branch Brook Park and the cherry blossom festival, along with tips for visiting with kids, and find more seasonal must-dos in our Guide to Spring Activities in New Jersey.

Playtime and snack time seemingly go hand-in-hand at these kid-friendly play cafes in NYC, which give parents a moment to enjoy a cup of joe—and more—while little ones let loose. These play cafes in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens offer welcoming environments, great food, and a caffeine jolt, as well as dedicated, safe indoor play spaces for your kids. Several of them are play spaces first, and cafes second.

So, turn your meal into a play date with a friend, or sit back and relax while your little one explores. Either way, you and your kids are sure to have a good time.

Check out our NYC Kids' Guide to Restaurants for more great family-friendly eateries, or our Play Spaces Guide for more romper rooms.

Easter and brunch are words that just go together. After those egg hunts work up an appetite, head to a restaurant in LA for Easter brunches. Some Easter brunches are affordable and have kids' menus while others are indulgent splurges. Whether you are looking for a place to meet the "bunny of the hour," a gourmet meal you don't have to cook yourself, or a special family Easter brunch that will be a holiday memory, we've got the ultimate list of Easter brunches in Los Angeles. 

Hop over to more Easter fun by checking out these Easter Easter egg hunts in LA, and find a fun family activity in our Spring Guide for LA Kids and Families. 

Let's be honest. Hanging out poolside is always cool, but in the summertime, having access to the swimming lakes near Dallas and Fort Worth is as essential to North Texans as a working AC unit. After all, if you love being outdoors and showing off your grilling skills, you'll need a body of water nearby when the heat takes its toll. Luckily, plenty of spots perfect for families in and around the metroplex are within an hour's drive of your home.

And, since we live in Texas and you know we go big or go home, you'll find the biggest inflatable obstacle course in the state at one of these places and waterslides at another. So, as you gear up for hot weather, consider planning a day with your crew at one of these spots where you can run, jump, and swim to your heart's content. And remember, always wear a lifejacket!