This weekend there are more than the usual share of great free events. While there may be no desks and talking may actually be encouraged, make no mistake, this city is filled with opportunities to learn--even on weekends. So ditch the books and let them learn the old fashioned way, through exploring.  Don't miss a Gallery Walk, cultural events like the Korean American Children's Festival, a Native American Festival and an American Indian Children's festival, not to mention It's My Park Day, Raptors, more Spring Fairs, a Dance Parade and Festival, a fairy tea party, a free mini camp and lots more. Don't forget to check our event calendar for even more fun stuff to do this weekend. Happy exploring!

Finding good babysitters for an evening date night can be hard, but there's one solution that's a total no-brainer. Kids for a Cause hosts monthly date night drop-off evening childcare events run by NYU and Columbia University students to raise money for Baby's First Home, a charity that helps provide shelter for NYC homeless teen mothers. And they are Pay-What-you-Wish.

Talk about Win-Win! You get inexpensive, fun babysitting by great college sitters and get to help young mothers and their baby's at the same time.

Every May, New Yorkers celebrate Bike Month. This year, it’s more important than ever: With the recession still in full swing, families are looking for cheaper transportation alternatives. But most importantly, bicycling is a fun and healthy way for kids and parents to spend some quality time together. So with that in mind, we present some of our favorite family friendly bike events for May—and beyond.

Happy Mother's Day. To celebrate we've rounded up some news about, for, and from Mothers. Find out about a hot new birthing method that claims to be pain free. The woman who let her 9 year old ride the subway alone launches her book at the same time a book about Eton Patz, the boy famously abducted in NYC in the 70s comes out. Plus what happened to the Westchester mom who left her kids on the side of the road, what a moms would be in the workforce, and, lastly, a video where one toddler tells mom what he really thinks of her...

There are so many events going on to celebrate Mom that it could easily be renamed "Mother's Weekend." Of course, we've got all those events covered, plus plenty non-mom themed ones, too. And since the sun is supposedly going to rear its head this weekend, it might be the perfect opportunity to head out and celebrate by spending time with the family (or send someone else out and enjoy some me time). Some not-to-be-missed highlights: Oragami workshops, International Kite Flying Extravaganza, a little vaudeville and some sweet Bluegrass and Jazz.

What to do on Mother's Day is always a little tricky. If you are like me, you may be of two minds about what you really want to do for Mother's Day. On the one hand, perhaps unrealistically, you'd love to spend an idealized day with your family sharing a sense of togetherness with your children who are acting like little angels just to make you happy on your special day. On the other hand, perhaps secretly, what you'd really love is to spend a day alone doing the types of things you enjoy, but have been replaced with kid activities...art, culture, strolling in pretty gardens...

In this post I've gathered up some events that I hope will be a happy compromise; family activities that are a bit more mom-centric, but have room for kids to be real kids. And if the kids don't cooperate...maybe you can send them off with dad.

We have added a new section on Mommy Poppins, The New York City Pregnancy and Baby Guide. With 30 articles about pregnancy, giving birth, breastfeeding, baby gear, plus shopping, finding a mother's group, mommy and me classes and more, we hope this guide will help make navigating your pregnancy and time with new baby easier and more fun.

I have to give a huge thanks to my friend Bess Abrahams (Bess and I have been buddies since we met at the Jefferson Market Library literally as babies ourselves). An active member of the natural birth community in New York, yoga instructor and pregnant with her second child, Bess wrote many of the informative articles in the guide about giving birth and breastfeeding, taking nothing in return except the pleasure of sharing information with other mothers. Thanks, Bess! You're a great friend and mother.