The kids have their baskets ready for the big community egg hunt, you’ve bought fancy outfits for their pictures with the Easter bunny (they look so adorable), and you’ve made plans for Easter brunch.

What about the egg hunt at home and the kids’ Easter baskets? Does the thought of stuffing them with candy and weathering the ensuing sugar high give you a headache? If you’re looking for some ideas for filling baskets and eggs without going overboard on the sweets, read on for basket themes, egg fillers, and places in and around Boston to get great little gifts.

Well, Mommy Poppins has given you the skinny on birthday parties from ice cream bashes to museum shindigs and now we're chatting about at-home fun, beginning with yesterday's party vendors that come to you. And many moons ago, before I decided that having a party at a bowling alley was the easiest birthday party known to man, I used to throw really fun, theme-y birthday parties for my kids at home and I'll let you in on a few things I learned.

Have you seen any of the dozens of giant egg sculptures hiding throughout the five boroughs? No idea what we're talking about? Then read on for everything you need to know about the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt, which seems to be taking the local social media scene by storm.

Plus, we've got the lowdown on New York City's first-ever cupcake ATM, a great deal on scoops at both Big Gay Ice Cream shops, a new play space growing in Brooklyn, a planned ice-skating rink in Washington Heights, and links to two must-read articles, one about the world's most fantastical playgrounds, the other about a playground that looks like a junkyard where no parents are allowed.

I have to admit that I'm a coupon queen and rarely spend full price on any piece of clothing for anyone in our family. However, Easter is the one time I splurge and dress my littles ones up to the "nines". I also have many friends with children making their first Communions in the next few months. Sure, you could go to a regular department store, but New Jersey is home to some fun Easter and Communion boutique finery, so why not make it special? And for more ideas for parties and special occasions, check out our Mommy Poppins New Jersey Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

Sometimes it's hard to plan parties for our winter babies. I actually had a party in December at my house (GASP!). It was successful but what was I thinking having sugar-crazed 7-year olds in my home the week before Christmas?! It's February and I'm still finding candy canes in the couch and glitter in places no one wants to find glitter. Needless to say, I'm already thinking about how to avoid that experience next year, so here are 5 awesome, off-the-beaten-path winter birthday venues. For more great, year-round party options, visit our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

New Jersey isn’t known for being a quiet state. We’re loud, we’re alive and we certainly know how to party…but that can come with a steep price. There’s no need to plan an over the top party. Children enjoy simple pleasures, so why not keep their party simple with a classic treat-- milk and cookies and, of course, ice cream! You may have to deal with some sugar highs, but it will be well worth it. And for more party ideas, check out our Mommy Poppins NJ Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

"That was the best birthday party EVER." David, age 6. We had the good fortune of choosing KidsU in Paramus for my son Miguel's party last week, and we all pretty much agreed with our buddy David's assessment. Fun, energetic, entertaining, varied and engaging are some of the happy adjectives that can be used for a birthday party at Kids U--oh, and moderately priced. And we like that one a lot. For even more great ideas, check out our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

Every year for our daughter’s birthday, I strive to come up with a party that is unique yet affordable. We go to so many parties it's difficult to find something that hasn’t already been done, but it seems that the days of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey in your living room are officially gone. Today’s parties are action-packed, craft-oriented, and even educational! For fun party ideas throughout New Jersey, check out the NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide. Here are some great ones in and around Somerset County.