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:

Most of my kids love amusement parks. For my three little ones, there is no ride too big, too scary or too fast (though the height restrictions sometimes say otherwise). As our family balloons to five children this year, amusement parks are becoming more of a luxury (all of those tickets add up). But what makes an amusement park outing even more challenging for us than money is our teen with special needs. Unlike his siblings, he's not a fan of rides, screaming children, roller coasters or that big bucket that dumps water on everyone's heads. So it takes a lot of planning to have a successful theme park experience with my brood.

Luckily, there are five wonderful theme parks near New York City that can accommodate my son with special needs while still delivering a thrilling time for the rest of my family. Most are within a two-hour drive of Manhattan (also good if your children with special needs hates being cooped up in a car, like mine). A few have park-wide special needs programs in place; the others host special needs-friendly days when the usual sensory triggers (all the screaming and loud music and lights) are kept to a minimum. Here are five special-needs friendly amusement parks near NYC.

A few weeks ago I let my daughter bring a pair of binoculars on our weekly hike. She is not always the most enthusiastic hiker so I was pleasantly surprised when she immediately perked up. The next week I picked up a birding book and she started checking off all of the different birds we saw. Turns out, bird watching can instill a real appreciation of nature in children. New Jersey's wide variety of distinct habitats and location on the Atlantic Flyway make it a great place for bird watchers to enjoy over 400 different species of birds. Kids naturally gravitate toward nature when given the chance, so give them a pair of binoculars and open their eyes to the wonders of birding at one of these great birding spots and sanctuaries. For more outdoor fun, check out our post on family friendly hikes in Central New Jersey.

Cooking is a favorite pastime in our house, so my daughter has been in the kitchen since day the day she came home--first in a sling, then in a bouncy seat and, eventually, on a stepstool at the kitchen counter. I’d like to say she’s willing taste everything she cooks, but she’s willing to at least touch it.

Whether your kids are just getting started on their culinary adventures or ready to step out of the home kitchen and work with the professionals, Mommy Poppins has you covered. Westchester County is chock full of classes for the littlest helpers, seasoned sous chefs and talented teens.

Looking for more fun ideas? Check out our Spring Activity Guide. 

This weekend you can honor the men and women who have lost their lives in military service to their country by visiting the Garden of Flags on the Boston Common or doing patriotic crafts at the USS Constitution (for more ideas, take a look at our Memorial Day events roundup). Several new exhibits open this weekend at area museums, including the summer Play on the Plaza and Tree Canopy Walkway at the Ecotarium in Worcester and the 2theXtreme Math Alive! and Grossology exhibits at the Museum of Science. LEGOLAND also opens its doors this weekend. Music lovers have a lot to celebrate this weekend: The Boston Calling Music Festival returns to City Hall Plaza, Alastair Moock sings at the JFK library, and families get together for a Pete Seeger Sing-a-long to raise money for Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders.  As always, check out our full event calendar for even more ideas.

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

• Anna gives us the scoop on the Bing in the Classroom and Bing Rewards programs.
• The Appalachian Mountain Club shares Four Up-Close Animal Encounters in New England.
• Stephanie gives instructions for Marble Painting with your Preschooler as part of our Wee-Work series. To get Wee-Work activities in your inbox, click here.

Enjoy your weekend!