Get Kids Jumping at Bounce! Trampoline Sports

During the summer months, it’s great to spend time out in the sun. But what about when the weather doesn't cooperate? Rain - or even extreme heat - can really put a damper on plans, and those are the days when an indoor bounce place is a mom and dad’s dream come true. Kids can have a ball jumping and running around, and parents don’t have to worry about their children being outside in the elements. For New Jersey residents, Bounce! Trampoline Sports in Village Cottage, NY, is a short car ride away and a perfect day trip when the kids need to be kept occupied (because keeping them in the house will drive both parents and kids crazy!).

Bounce! Kids' Parties: Birthdays and More at Bounce! Trampoline Sports

Whether it’s a child’s birthday party or graduation celebration, parents want their event to be memorable for everyone. Throwing a party at an indoor bounce place has a ton of advantages; not only do kids love to jump and play (and parents love that their little ones get to blow off some steam), but there's no need to worry about bad weather, setting up, or cleaning up. While there's no shortage of indoor party places on Long Island, Bounce! Trampoline Sports in Syosset sets the bar high with an array of fun and unique activities for all ages.

Best BBQ in Westchester: 6 Barbeque Restaurants for Westchester Families

Barbeque is, in my opinion, one of the best and easiest meal options for kids. It’s messy. It’s eaten with your bare hands. It comes with French fries and mac and cheese and, in many cases, it is soft and saucy and perfect for outdoor gatherings.

We are constantly on the lookout for the best places to eat with kids throughout Westchester. Now, in anticipation of Memorial Day, Mommy Poppins has scouted out six of our favorite BBQ restaurants in the county. Whether you’re eating in, carrying out or looking to avoid leaving your lawn chair, these restaurants have got you covered.

Visiting the 9/11 Memorial with Kids: Should You Do It and What You Need to Know

Whether you believe it's important to discuss the events of September 11, 2001 with your children or wish you could shield them all together, kids learn about 9/11 at school, from the media and their peers. So the question is, what can we as parents do to help our children process and learn from the events of 9/11?

For children born around or after 2001, 9/11 probably seems like something abstract—a tragedy that happened in history. Visiting the 9/11 Memorial can, perhaps, help make it feel more real. So, what's it like to visit the 9/11 Memorial with children? What's the security like, and how do you get tickets? I took my nine-year-old this weekend and I'll share our experiences.

Big Sunday Volunteer Opportunities for Los Angeles Families

Big Sunday Weekend (May 1-3, 2015) is a time for residents all over Southern California to come together to serve the community; more than 50,000 volunteers are expected to participate. The weekend offers a fabulous opportunity to introduce children to volunteering; even toddlers and preschoolers can help weed, pick up trash, draw cards for troops, and feel the joy of helping others. And you could check off #61 on our list of 100 Things to Do in LA With Kids Before They Grow Up by helping out on a beach clean-up as a family! The weekend is special—spirits are high; people are excited; a huge variety of projects is available for all age groups (see a small sample below), and work is done. And if you've ever noticed people wearing Big Sunday t-shirts in past years, that's because everyone who volunteers gets a free tee.

This Week: Mother's Day in NYC, Mommy Poppins App on the Katie Couric Show, Free Summer Sports for Kids

It's been a very exciting week here at Mommy Poppins, and not just because Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday. On Tuesday, our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app was highlighted on The Katie Couric Show as one of the best apps for busy moms. We also shared an inspiring video shot at our kids coding workshops last weekend featuring girls as young as age 6 learning how to program. And our media blitz continues this Friday, when Shari from our New Jersey site will appear on Fox's Good Day New York to chat about all things mom.

But that's enough screen time for us—the spring weather means we're all spending as much time as possible out and about. If you've been looking for day trip destinations, our Long Island site just posted about pick-your-own strawberry farms and family-friendly campgrounds. Westchester rounded up 30 fun things to do with kids in Yonkers, home to the Legoland Discovery Center, the Hudson River Museum and the Science Barge. And New Jersey continued its series on great small towns with a profile of the quaint seaside community of Stone Harbor. Want to go a little further? Our Travel site has a list of spring travel deals that includes Universal Orlando, Disney and even Hawaii.

Our giveaway has great odds this week: We're giving away 100 family tickets (good for two adults and up to four children) to the annual New York Baby Show, which takes place next weekend in Midtown West.

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

Mostly Free and Fun Things To Do With Kids In CT This Weekend May 10-11: Carnivals, Fairy Gardens, and Mother's Day Events

As I approach my ninth mother's day, I confess that I'm still not entirely sure what constitutes the ideal celebration. Is it breakfast in bed? Brunch out at a fabulous restaurant? A walk in the woods with my nearest and dearest? If you're still looking for inspiration, we have collected some of our favorite Mother's Day ideas in Fairfield County here.

Of course, sometimes the best mother's day gift is knowing that, as we stare down the barrel of summer vacation, our kids have summer plans that they're excited about, and our Summer Camp and Day Camp Guide includes many terrific options for every age and budget. If summer birthdays are on your mind, check out our Birthday Party Guide, particularly the suggestions for Throwing a Great Summer Birthday Party in Fairfield County.

For an easy, low-stress day trip with kids, check out our recent Train Ride to the Springdale Diner, which was a terrific midday adventure for all concerned. For more fun activities this month, don't forget to check the CT Go List, our own handpicked collection of  events you won't want to miss.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and you'll be sure to get this weekend round up in your inbox every Thursday. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Pinterest in order to get updates on events, contests and free giveaways. Our event calendar is updated constantly with the best activities around the state.

Happy Mother's Day!

Great Small Towns in NJ: Stone Harbor

With an area of less than two square miles, the adorable seaside town of Stone Harbor showcases small town charm at its best.  With the Intercoastal Waterway to the West and the Atlantic Ocean to the East, this barrier island town offers unlimited opportunities for water sports and recreation.  From sunrise to sunset, visitors can find make themselves as busy or relaxed as they choose.  Peaceful beaches, a quaint downtown and exceptional restaurants make Stone Harbor one of the most appealing destinations at the Jersey Shore.  To learn about more great small shore towns, check out our posts on Ocean Grove and Cape May.

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