You know how we love alliteration here at Mommy Poppins and this weekend is full of it--Bees, Bingo, Borneo... yeah, you get it. There is so much fun stuff to do in early spring, so take advantage of the might-be-warm weather or all the indoor possibilities in case of more rain (or snow--could be, it's been a weird spring so far, right?) Have fun!

I received a request for summer sports camps near Washington, CT for a 6 year old. WIth a bit of research I came up with the following options that are not too far of a drive for anyone in the southern portion of Litchfield County. Of course, many of the camps will accept younger and older children as well. You'll have to read their fine print for details. Not every camp accepts 6  year olds so I appreciated the inquiry. Hopefully this list will help your young sport get his/her fix. TIp: It's always good to start with your local parks and rec to see what they are offering (so I've included Washington's info here). Please post any additional options I may have missed in the comments section below. And by all means, share with your friends!

The FDA announced last week that it will investigate whether there is sufficient evidence to link the consumption of synthetic color additives in food with hyperactivity in children. This comes after studies released last year showed that kids with the highest levels of pesticides in their urine also had the highest incidence of ADHD.

I find these studies to be really upsetting, and yet part of me is relieved to have this information. On the one hand, it is incredibly depressing that our food culture has gotten so off track that we are literally poisoning ourselves. On the other hand, I'm glad that we are starting to figure out the causes for the greatly increased levels of ADHD, cancer and other ailments that plague us.

Armed with this information, we can make educated decisions and changes to protect our families and our health.

Last week we told you about 11 great stage shows for families. Today, our spring culture roundup continues with six new exhibits that kids will love. (In a couple of cases, they may actually beg you to bring them!) 

From Harry Potter relics to an in-depth look at how Dinosaurs lived to ancient brain teasers from China, these half dozen museum shows will educate and entertain your family.

Ever since my mom read me James and the Giant Peach, I’ve been a fan of Roald Dahl. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Witches, Matilda, I loved his fantastical stories and dark humor, which were so different than the happy, candy-colored kid lit I was used to.

Although he died more than 20 years ago, Dahl’s sensibility seems amazingly contemporary, which is why his children’s books endure today. But did you know that he also wrote poems, many of them skewed takes on old-fashioned fairy tales?

I admit that I didn’t. But I do now thanks to Revolting Rhymes, a new 45-minute musical being mounted by Atlantic for Kids. Find out why this show will make you laugh—perhaps even more than your kids.

We’ve been very busy here at Mommy Poppins, birthing new sites for families in Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut, while still keeping up with all the cool things going on in New York City. We know you’re busy too, and may not have the time to visit multiple sites. So for your convenience, we’re compiling links to our best weekly posts into yet another post. Yes, we do see the irony in that. But we really don’t want you to miss a thing. There’s so much to do all over the tri-state area!

From special Easter train rides in New Jersey to egg hunts on Long Island (yes, already) to a roundup of spring festivals in NYC, here are the highlights from the world of Mommy Poppins.

Spring is in the air... literally! Apparently Mr. Robin Redbreast and his feathered friends are migrating back to NJ and Newark Museum and the Van Vleck House & Gardens are celebrating with bird-themed events. This weekend also marks the seasonal opening (with lots of fanfare) of historical sites like Cooper Gristmill, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Historic Speedwell, and Updike Farmstead. Even the NJ Aviation Hall of Fame is opening up the cockpits of its planes in celebration of Spring!

This week marks the beginning of the month of April and we’ve got plenty of events for you and your family to start it off with a bang! From a party with Beauty and the Beast, to a breakfast with Dora, Diego, Spongebob and other Nickelodeon characters. And if you are ready for some outdoor fun, the Easter Egg Hunts have begun! Have a great weekend!