Now it's spring, and even though it's a delightful time to explore some of Fairfield County's fabulous parks and nature spaces, my kids seem to need a little convincing to leave the house.

But it turns out that a guided hike is just the ticket. It gives us an agenda and a goal, but someone besides me does all the planning. All we need to do is show up (and, in some cases, preregister). You can go for a stroll with the family pooch or look for amphibians in a vernal pool. We've rounded up  some fun-filled family hikes in Fairfield County, many of which are FREE. For more ways to enjoy the springtime check out our CT Spring Fun Guide.

Spring is in the air, and that means Easter is almost here! Easter egg hunts are one of those special events that adults remember fondly from their childhoods and that children look forward to every year. The Bayou City offers many exciting hunts at parks, churches, cultural locations, and other interesting venues. Most include other fun activities, such as crafts, face painting, petting zoos, live entertainment, and photo ops with the Easter Bunny. There are also tons of breakfasts and brunches with the Easter Bunny you can choose from around town. So hop on over to one of Houston's many fun-filled egg hunts this spring.

Coming out of this seemingly endless stretch of winter has me especially stoked for all of the spring things. The daffodils and added daylight. Baseball and the opening of all those roadside ice cream stands. And you know who else is excited? My four year old. Here is her spring bucket list. I didn’t even help at all.

Spring on Long Island means more pleasant weather, presumably. And that begins a series  of festivals to celebrate the arrival of this most colorful season.

So head outdoors to enjoy crafts, activities, science, and more family fun. Begin in late March and early April with Easter Bunny breakfasts and brunches. Later in the spring, enjoy nature festivals, and even the beginning of strawberry season. As always, check out our Spring Fun Guide and Long Island Events Calendar for more kid-friendly entertainment.

Despite the mild winter we’ve had, it’s always exciting to anticipate the arrival of spring. Beyond warmer weather and longer daylight, the caliber of events ratchets up, particularly the fairs and festivals that depend on these conditions. Westchester is buzzing with many such events all season long, promising fun-filled outdoor events for the entire family.

We've rounded up our favorite spring festivals, street fairs and celebrations happening throughout Westchester, many of which are free. Be sure to check out our Spring Activity Guide for more seasonal fun and sign up for our newsletters and consult our Event Calendar to stay informed of more great family events!

With the popularity of Netflix’s Stranger Things and nerd-comeback, I’m excited to see a resurgence in my childhood favorite hangout: the arcade. There are plenty across NYC, serving up everything from skee-ball to racing games, but we’re happy to introduce Queens’ latest addition.

Laser Bounce joined The Shops at Atlas Park, in Glendale, in February 2018. This is the second Laser Bounce location in the area; the original is located in Levittown, Long Island.

The spring is always a great time for family theater, but this season looks particularly exciting. There are page-to-stage adaptations of cool kid lit (The Little Red Fish for toddlers and Seedfolks for tweens); wordless spectacles to captivate all ages (clown show Air Play and underwater spectacle Symphonie Fantastique); and Lincoln Center's Big Umbrella Festival, the first-ever monthlong performance fest for children on the autism spectrum.

While on Broadway it's all Frozen, Harry Potter, and Mean Girls mania, there's no need to shell out big bucks to give your kids a memorable live entertainment experience in NYC. Most of the 17 shows we're spotlighting are just $25—or less—per ticket.

If you thought festive spring fun simply revolved around egg hunts and Easter Sunday events, think again. The Egg House, a new interactive pop-up, hatches on the Lower East Side on April 7 and runs through late June.