Now that the weather is getting warmer, it can be dizzying trying to figure out what to do with the kids. The options are endless, and thanks to Mommy Poppins CT, we help you break it down. Our list of Best Things to Do in Connecticut: May 2013 will help you plan your calendar for the month so you don't miss any of the fun happenings around the state.

Are you ready for some free fun? Because there's plenty of it this weekend. Spring festival season kicks into high gear with the return of the New Museum's biennial IDEAS CITY StreetFest, Hippo Playground's annual spring fair, a slew of school fairs and the NYC Irish Dance Festival, which kicks off this season of Summer on the Hudson.

Lots of our top event picks for the month of May take place this weekend as well, like the Super Sonic Kindie Music Festival, citywide volunteering initiative It's My Park Day and the New York Road Runners' no-cost Youth Jamboree. Plus there are free concerts by Gustafer Yellowgold and Sugar Free Allstars, the annual Cinco de Mayo Mexican Parade and free comic books will be given away in all five boroughs.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Spring Fun Guide. And if you're looking to plan out your entire month, check out the new edition of our NYC Go List, which highlights the absolute best things to do with kids throughout May.

Planning a toddler birthday at your house can be stressful, especially if you are like me, (a bit of a perfectionist) and want everything to be just so. There are two pieces of advice I can give here: (1) expect nothing to go “just so” and (2) hire entertainment. Here‘s some insight on the latter...

This weekend, head on over to the Peconic Family Fun Day at the Children's Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton where you'll learn about the environment, as well as enjoy games, arts and crafts, seed planting, music, and more.  The Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank is hosting their Baby Animal Day where you'll enjoy food, crafts, wagon rides, and games.  At the Garden of Eve Organic Farm & Market in Riverhead partake in the Cinco De Mayo Festival where you'll enjoy tacos, tamales, virgin fruit daiquiris, and Mexican music.  In Huntington at Heckscher Park the Town Of Huntington's 13th Annual Tulip Festival boasts face painting, cheddar cheese sampling, arts and crafts, health and wellness consultations, live music and dance performances, and more.  Also on tap: the 30th Annual Dutch Festival at Hofstra University's South Campus in Hempstead, and the 29th Annual Sheep To Shawl Festival at the Dr. Daniel W. Kissam House Museum in Huntington.  As always, check out our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family!  Long Island is home to many beautiful parks so please be sure to check out our articles on Suffolk County Parks and Nassau County Parks.

Who ever came up with the idea of breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day as a special treat for mom? Both my kids love to cook, but I would never turn over my kitchen to them for them to fix a surprise meal for me (even with Dad supervising). Plus, as much as I enjoy eating together, sharing the time in the kitchen is at least as special.

This year, we’ve found a way to have our cake and eat it, too (see dessert!). What follows is simple Mother's Day meal kids can put together almost all by themselves. With a guiding hand from mom (or dad), kids can get almost everything prepared on Saturday, and add the finishing touches just before serving on Mother’s Day. Thanks to our grandma for the inspiration!

Hello May! With chilly temps (hopefully!) behind us and hot weather still a ways off, now is the time to enjoy the mild weather we wait for all winter! Try a photo scavenger hunt at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, fly a kite at Terhune Orchards, check out the 6th annual Dinosaur Day at Newark Museum or take in games on horseback at Lord Sterling Stables. Read on for our top picks and remember, you can always find a listing of all NJ activities in our Event Calendar.

Photo: Future Stars Summer Camp

Long gone are the lazy days of summer making s'mores and singing Kumbauya around the campfire. Kids are used to busy schedules and crave those organized activities in the summer too. Why not look into registering at one or two of the cool camps offered on the East End?

Mother's Day always feels like so much pressure. Where will you brunch? Will the kids like it? Will you ever be able to pay off the credit card bill? With Mother's Day fast approaching on Sunday, May 12, it's time for you (or your partner) to start planning (although what's the old adage? If you want something done right...).

Our NYC Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide is filled with fantastic family restaurant recommendations in all five boroughs, including eateries with family entertainment. We even have two posts dedicated to traditional Mother's Day brunch options, both swanky spots and reader favorites. But if you're looking for a unique Mother's Day brunch experience, one that comes with more than just a meal, we have five offbeat ideas that include arts and culture, a cool waterfront foodie tour and fun at an iconic racetrack.