Life in Connecticut is challenging... especially in 2015, when there are so many trails and so little time. Say what? You haven’t started The Sky’s the Limit hiking competition yet? Designed to encourage exploration of our state’s natural wonders (all free!) while spending time together, this outdoor recreation campaign launched in January. Thus far, my family has visited seven state parks and we have three more to go before becoming eligible for a shiny medallion. With spring in full swing, it's time for your family to sign on. May the winner take all!

I had a great time walking the Freedom Trail with my family recently, but I have to admit, the stops we made along the way to grab something to eat turned our fun day into a wicked awesome day.

Little stomachs usually start to rumble sooner than big ones, so before those grumbles start spilling out of wee mouths, it's smart to make a pit stop at one of the tasty places below. These spots are listed in order of where they appear on the way, and none are far off the trail.

Although we published a post about the best new camps set to debut in NYC this summer a few months back, we have since found a half-dozen additional camps worthy of highlighting. There are two new high-tech STEM options, camps for budding artists and actors, a program for young entrepreneurs, plus a popular writing program has expanded its offerings.

If you are still in summer camp planning mode like I am, be sure to check out our jam-packed Camp Guide for info on lots of other summer programs in NYC, as well as sleepaway options. We even have a Camp Directory, which allows you to search for programs by interest, age and area. Keep in mind: Many camps offer discounts if you sign up for multiple weeks, so check the official websites for more info.

We've got a busy week of events culminating in a weekend dedicated to mom! With everything from a day at the races to organic manicures to the theater, there's something for every taste.

Still working out your Mother's Day plans? Consider an afternoon in nearby New Jersey at the Mother's Day Wine Trail Weekend, complete with free tastings for mom and face time with barnyard animals for kids. It's also strawberry season! Here are four farms on Long Island where you can pick your own. Opa! The 43rd annual Greek Festival is back in Connecticut this weekend, and the whole family can enjoy live music, dancing and, of course, traditional cuisine. Other fun includes a pancake breakfast and hayride around the orchard at the annual Apple Blossom Celebration in Westchester.

Our Travel site has a roundup of great spring travel deals to Disney, Montauk, Iceland and beyond.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

If you’ve got a little one under the age of four, you know that toddlers and preschoolers are an energetic, curious and spirited bunch! After a long winter cooped up indoors, it’s time to get our wee ones out of the house for some fun and learning. Lace up your sneakers, pack some snacks and get ready to make great family memories by trying one (or more!) of these awesome outdoor activities in New Jersey. For more seasonal fun, don't forget to check out our list of 25 Things We Can't Wait to Do with Kids This Spring in NJ.

Carnival games, thrilling roller-coaster rides, and fried dough are just some of what's on tap this Mother's Day weekend. Quassy Amusement Park and Lake Compounce are honoring moms by offering them complimentary day passes with the purchase of a child's ticket.

Many other attractions throughout the state are offering free admission for moms on Sunday as well; they are listed below. Plus we've rounded up top Mother’s Day events in Hartford County and Fairfield County. For other areas, be sure to browse our Event Calendar which has a wide array of suggestions.

To keep up with everything going on in CT, subscribe to our FREE newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Mommy Poppins Westchester is excited to announce that we are bringing back our news posts, which highlight items of interest for local families. So—in addition to our extensive coverage on where to go and what to check out with kids—we'll give you the skinny on grand openings, new services for families, and other useful tidbits for raising kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

This week, we’ve got the scoop on Caramoor’s new partnership with Lincoln Center, the highly anticipated opening of Candy Rox’s second sweet shop, and two hot new family-friendly destinations; plus details on a few new services and, sadly, the closing of a local favorite. Read on for the full report and, if you haven't already, be sure to sign up for our free newsletters to get our posts delivered straight to your inbox!

With Mother's Day upon us, I've been thinking of fun, bonding activities with the kids that also provide some pampering for mom! A relaxing afternoon at the nail salon is a great way to enjoy quality time with your kids, where you can focus on each other and chat—maybe they'll even answer a few of your questions, if you're lucky. And let's be honest, it's a treat for you as well.

However, as much as I love mani-pedi dates with my daughter, I worry about the chemicals in the polish and the odor of the salon bothering her. (I don't love it either.) Despite having the technicians use a kid-friendly polish that I bring, I always leave feeling more worried than relaxed. So you can imagine my excitement upon discovering an organic salon in my neighborhood, with a wide variety of non-toxic polishes, plus a quiet and calm atmosphere. My daughter is also a fan, especially because of the wide variety of nail polish options. She was happy to see that there was not just one pink, but "tons!" She loved the experience, our nails looked great and I felt good about being there. Bonus: she even told me how her day was!

As you might imagine, organic salons tend to charge more and take longer to do your nails than a traditional salon. If you're not up for spending the extra time or money, you can buy a few organic polishes and create your own spa day at home with the kids. But, for those special events or days when you want to treat both yourself and the children, here are five NYC salons that offer organic mani-pedis with special services and prices for kids.