Nestled in the southeast corner of the state, California’s largest state park, the Anza-Borrego Desert, is just a three hour drive from Los Angeles, and in spring it shimmers with vibrant hues of green, purple, red, blue, and yellow. From slot canyons to scenic streams and rocky hills, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s 600,000 acres have burst forth from the drought with a dramatic, weekend-getaway-worthy superbloom that everyone is talking about.

Between family and career, it can be really tough for busy parents to fit in a workout. But we all know exercise is an important part of staying healthy and it can be fun to boot. With that in mind, we rounded up 14 local gyms that offer on-site childcare.

“Life is a kind of chess,” wrote Benjamin Franklin in his 1786 essay on “The Morals of Chess.” Chess teaches foresight, circumspection and caution, as well as not to be “discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs,” he wrote.

Fast forward a couple hundred years, and it's believed there's a positive effect on cognitive development in children who play chess. In addition to offering intellectual stimulation, chess crosses cultural and socioeconomic boundaries, bridging gaps in a disparate population.

Fortunately, numerous opportunities for Westchester children to play chess exist. In addition to schools often offering extracurricular play, we previously rounded up chess camp options and have now compiled FREE chess clubs and classes available at Westchester libraries. Whether your child is a novice or a Bobby Fischer, there’s something for everyone—in fact, there’s at least one option for each weekday.

Keep tabs on our Event Calendar, as programs are often added or repeated. Read on and go for checkmate!

New accommodations open this weekend at Legoland's Florida Resort. We had a first look at the Legoland Beach Retreat, and not only can we attest that this new, village-style vacation resort in Central Florida lives up to its promise of fun in the sun; we can even explain how Legoland has created a "beach resort" miles from the sea.

Let the parent who has never yearned for a drink and a cheap kids' menu cast the first stone. While Happy Hour was indeed invented as a way to sell alcoholic beverages during a restaurant’s slow period, and mostly conjures images of a not-so-kid-friendly array of inebriated partiers, it can also mean great deals on meals. Many restaurants have Happy Hours that cater to (or at least accommodate) family dining. Here on the Westside, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to late-afternoon or early-evening discounted dinners. As a rule, Happy Hour is mostly a Monday through Friday 4 to 7pm proposition, but the terms are constantly changing, so it is best to call or check a restaurant’s website before settling into a booth. And while you’re checking, it's wise to be sure that you're heading somewhere kid-friendly. Some restaurants are more about the booze than the burgers, and that’s not going to work with kids. The places we've found (and selflessly tested) below are all spots that a family can enjoy together.

Sometimes you just need to get out of the house and spend some time with cows. So we hit the road and headed to Litchfield County and Arethusa Farm. The historic Connecticut dairy farm is open for tours from the end of March through October. I admit it: we can't get enough of farm visits. From checking out the baby animals and berry picking to corn mazes and Christmas tree farms, it feels great to enjoy fresh country air.

Despite the cool temperatures, believe it or not, spring has truly sprung! If you've got little ones who are itching to get out and enjoy the season, you're in luck: we've got a list of some of the best things to do with the under-5 set this spring. When the sun makes an appearance, get outside with your kiddo for a nature walk, Earth Day celebration, and Fairy and Pirate Festival. April showers are the perfect excuse to head inside for preschool-friendly performances of Peppa Pig’s Big Splash, Sesame Street Live, Cinderella, and The Lion King Jr. If you're up for a day trip, the season openings of Sesame Place and The Land of Make Believe are worth the travel time.

Read on for our top spring event picks for NJ kids under 5. And be sure to check out our Spring Fun Guide to find even more great things to do.

Percy Jackson fans rejoice: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical has returned to the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Greenwich Village. You don't have to have read the books to enjoy this full-length musical production, though my son and I adore the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. We were disappointed we missed the Theatreworks hourlong production in 2014, so when we heard it was expanded and heading back to the stage we knew we had to check it out.

With amazing talent, catchy pop-rock songs, heaps of humor, and a storyline with themes kids can relate to, demigod or mere mortal, it's a must-see for fans, according to my 13-year-old son. Read on for our full review, or find more kid-friendly NYC theater in our spring theater picks for families.