Reeling in a big fish for the first time will, for sure, bring a smile to any child's face, but creating that memory doesn't have to involve heading out to the store to purchase rods, reels, lures and bait or even obtaining a permit—the East End of Long Island has plenty of charter services that will make any family fishing expedition simple and a whole lot of fun.

These charters that cater directly to families provide everything needed for day of trolling the Atlantic Ocean including fishing guides, a boat with a captain, rods and bait. All families need to bring is a packed lunch. The following is a round-up of East End fishing charters that accommodate families and are now booking for 2014 spring and summer dates. And for more fun in the area, be sure to check out our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide.

What's more fun than visiting a playground or zoo on a warm, sunny day? How about a zoo within a playground? Get the best of both worlds at New Jersey parks that have awesome play areas plus farm animals or mini zoos. Even better, these zoos are all free. Visit some furry friends and spend the day without spending a dime on admission fees.

Every Thursday we draw your attention to the best of the best things to do with kids around LA over the weekend, to make sure that the most intriguing activities on our events calendar don't pass you by. We also kick off each month with a Go List highlighting the weekend events worth planning ahead for. We talk about weekends a lot. But what about weekdays? Don't parents of toddlers crave fun outings all week long? Don't school aged kids love being picked up with an adventure to embrace? You could take them to see the Pompeii exhibit at the California Science Center. You could take them on a scavenger hunt at the Santa Monica Pier. Or you could take them to do one of the following five things that we think make this week different.

Our month-long highlight of Yonkers continues. We've given you the scoop on the best things to do with kids in Yonkers and filled you in on the city's best parks and green spaces. Now we're taking a look at indoor play places for kids in Yonkers.

There's so much to see and do in this city, it was hard to narrow it down, but here it is! We've rounded up our top one dozen picks for family fun in Yonkers. Residents and visitors alike will find that Yonkers is a fantastic family destination. From extraterrestrial explorations and Lego-mania to uneven bars and feature films, Yonkers is simply out of this world.

Though the weather hasn’t exactly been cooperating, it’s finally Memorial Day weekend and the beginning of warm-weather fun. That’s when things really gear up for us at Mommy Poppins, and we love sharing all the festivals, beach days, day trips, outdoor events, water fun and good times with you. You’ll soon see our Summer Guides filled with loads of ideas to keep you and your brood busy all season long.

The first marker of our summer content is the launch of our second annual Hamptons and North Fork Guide. We’ll be updating it weekly with the best things to do on the East End of Long Island. If you aren’t subscribed to the Hamptons and North Fork newsletter, you can sign up here to get weekly updates, weekend picks and activity suggestions sent straight to your inbox.

Looking for a fun way for your child to get some exercise while learning a fun skill? Have your child cha-cha their way to a new interest with ballroom dancing. According to some dance enthusiasts, young dancers learn to develop body coordination, a sense of rhythm, and an understanding of how to learn. Dancing can be a fun, rewarding experience for children. Whether it's an amateur interest or studying for a professional competition, ballroom dancing can help with socialization, focus, expression and confidence.

So if your little one's endless stream of energy has them moving and grooving all over your house, steer those happy feet in the right direction with these ballroom dance classes offered throughout Long Island. And be sure to check out our After School Programs, Classes and Activities Guide.

Just a hare's breath north of the Bronx borough line, Yonkers, New York State's fourth most populous city, is full of beautiful greenery and lush open space. From stately mansions to meandering bike paths, it is a city that is simultaneously steeped in history and accelerating into the future. Because there is just so much for families to do here, we are dedicating this post to amazing outdoor play spaces for kids in Yonkers--and keep your eyes peeled for our top picks for indoor play coming soon.

Every year at this time, I feel as distracted as a toddler in a roomful of bubbles. It's hard to focus on anything because I'm so excited about the Memorial Day holiday. (And if this is happening to me, I don't even want to imagine how my eight-year-old is acting in school this week.) My family and I are looking forward to a fun-filled Memorial Day weekend NYC staycation—the beach, Governors Island and a Bronx backyard barbecue are all on our agenda. Lots of big seasonal attractions open for the season this Saturday so be sure to check our just-updated Summer Fun Guide to see all of your options.

Of course this is a big weekend for leaving town, too, and you'll find great family getaway ideas on all of our regional sites, from beaches with playgrounds on Long Island to outdoor water adventures in Connecticut to pick-your-own flower farms in New Jersey. If you'd like to teach your kids about the significance of the holiday, there are patriotic Memorial Day parades throughout the tri-state area and military ship tours right here in NYC.

Before any of us can lose focus again (it's hard, right?), we want to wish you and your family a happy holiday, whatever you end up doing. Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week: