Hicks Nurseries Blooms as a Family-Friendly Destination in Every Season

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on

Hicks Nursery offers visitors an early glimpse of spring, when its indoor gardens get decked out in brilliant ant colors each March.

A visit to Hicks Nurseries in Westbury is a fun-filled way to kick off the change of seasons with kids. The sixth-generation, family-owned garden mecca is Long Island’s largest nursery and garden center. It has also become a must-visit spot many families return to year after year. The team at Hicks Nurseries creates unique seasonal experiences kids will fall in love with.

Adventures for the kids include everything from its current spring Flower and Garden Show to its family-friendly Fall Festival and jolly Santa visits each winter. Read on for all the family-friendly event details you need to plan a visit to this local institution, which ranks at No. 53 on our list of 100 FREE things to do on Long Island with kids.

21 Top Easter Egg Hunts in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Celebrate spring with an Easter Egg Hunt at Benim Academy. Photo courtesy of Benim Academy

Easter is just around the corner, so grab your baskets and hop to one of these Easter egg hunts in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Some local egg hunts feature an appearance by the Easter Bunny, including the returning favorite Easter Egg Hunt at Harvest Moon in North Salem. New picks in 2024 include an Easter Egg Hunt with Bluey at Shake it Off in Scarsdale and an Easter Egg Hunt with Ponies at Juckas Stables in Pine Bush.

If you’re looking for more Easter Bunny action, shake your cottontail over to one of the Easter Bunny photo-ops, brunches, or train rides we’ve rounded up. 

24 Top Easter Egg Hunts in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Hop on a hayride out to the egg field at Johnson's Corner Farm, where kids can collect eggs to trade for a goody bag. Photo courtesy of the farm

The hunt is on, so grab your Easter basket and head to one of these fabulous Easter egg hunts in New Jersey. Many of these community events are FREE, and some are embellished with hayrides, scavenger hunts, and even Easter Bunny appearances. 

We've rounded up two dozen Easter egg hunts in New Jersey below, and you can find more holiday activities, like our list of the best Easter Bunny train rides, in our Easter Guide. Find more ways to celebrate the season in our Spring Fun Guide for New Jersey Kids.

28 Top Easter Egg Hunts in Atlanta

Submitted by Dana Shemesh on

Grab a basket--it's time for the Hop-a-Long Easter Egg Hunt at Avalon in Alpharetta. Photo courtesy of Avalon

Easter egg hunts in Atlanta are the ultimate scavenger hunts, with plastic eggs, melting chocolate, and lots of awesome treasures. We've got every kind of Easter egg hunt in Atlanta and beyond to make sure children get the most out of this spring holiday. And besides the actual Easter eggs, some of these Atlanta Easter egg hunts also provide activities like face painting, bouncy houses, and delicious food. And to increase inclusivity, more Easter egg hunts in Atlanta offer special-needs, sensory-friendly egg hunts, too. 

40 Easter Egg Hunts in Chicago for Little Bunnies

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

Easter Egg Hunt in Chicago, complete with Bunny photos! Photo courtesy of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance

Easter egg hunts near Chicago have arrived, and, like every year, they're whirlwind moments only parents can truly appreciate. You know, when we line up all our kids along the edge of a soccer field covered in Easter eggs, waiting for the moment when they can dash out and grab as many plastic orbs as possible in 45 stress-filled seconds. 

Some Chicago Easter egg hunts now require little bunnies to register in advance, and some fill up quickly. Also, be aware that not everyone is filling their eggs with candy—some are trading eggs in for prizes instead, so plan in advance if you have a little one just in it for the sugar. 

If the thrill of the hunt is still a little too much for your family, there are plenty of places where you can take pictures with the Easter bunny and other Easter activities near Chicago. For even more events in the week leading up to Easter, check out our list of fun spring break activities.

Creativity Runs Amok at Shot of Art NYC Where Kids Can Spin, Splash, and Drizzle Paint

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

No surface is off limits when you book an art experience at Shot of Art NYC.

When it comes to creativity, my girls are always testing the limits. They've rarely met a craft material they don't want to work with, but we often clash over the messes left behind. That's what made a trip to Shot of Art NYC a perfect all-ages outing.

Over a two-hour session, we spun, dripped, and splashed paint everywhere from our canvases to the walls, ceiling, floor, and even (accidentally) my camera. We left with huge smiles on our faces, some cool new artwork, and inspiration to keep creating. Even better: We left the mess all behind!

Want to have your own creative playdate at Shot of Art NYC? Read on for the inside scoop on this art-and-graffiti-inspired studio and find more creative places to play on our list of the best arts and craft classes in NYC for kids.

Should Kids Learn Cursive Writing? And Teaching How To Write in Cursive

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

Less than half of US states currently require that kids be taught cursive writing in school. But most parents still want their children to learn the skill.

Here's a question we would have never thought to ask 25 years ago: Should kids learn cursive writing?

In a world that increasingly relies on technology, there's no question that kids can—and should—learn to type on a keyboard. But after some internal debate among the Mommy Poppins team, we wanted to know: Do parents still want their kids to learn how to write in cursive?

The answer to our highly scientific social media poll is an overwhelming yes! About 90% of parents responding said they do think kids should learn cursive writing. About 8% didn't care, and only 2% didn't think it was necessary anymore.

Here's what our readers said about why they think cursive writing should still be taught in schools, as well as some tips on teaching kids how to write in cursive. Stay on top of other hot parenting topics with our Mommy Poppins Parenting Guide, which includes everything from types of parenting styles to parenting tips from dads.

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