Mini Land Play Gives Long Island City Tots a New Indoor Hot Spot

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on

Like most New York City parents, I’m always on the lookout for new indoor play spaces to occupy my active kid when the weather isn't great. So when I find a unique play area in a cool neighborhood that doesn’t eat up my entire entertainment budget for the month, I feel like an explorer who’s made a groundbreaking discovery. Mini Land Play in Long Island City, Queens is exactly this kind of rare find: a crazy-fun indoor playground with toddler-friendly rides that is only $12 for unlimited play during the week.

Read on to find out how you can discover this new neighborhood gem for yourself.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Earth Day, Brick Fest, Philadelphia Science Festival April 21-22

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on

Philly parents may be wondering what to do this weekend now that Mother Nature has finally brought some seasonally appropriate weather to the Delaware Valley. With Earth Day happening, the easy answer is get outside! Kids can join in a fort building contest at Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, clean up invasive plants at Green Lane Park, or throw mudballs filled with flower seeds from the Colebrookdale Railroad's Mudball Express. Other options include making eco-friendly crafts at The Handwork Studio, experiencing Earth Science STEM activities at the Delaware Children's Museum, and conducting experiments at the Academy of Natural Science.

In addition to Earth Day activities, there are some fun festivals happening this weekend. Food, music, and a health fair await at North Penn High School's International Spring Festival. LEGO fans can build to their hearts' content at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center's Brick Fest Live. The Philadelphia Science Festival boasts a Food Science event, Science in the Park programming, and Be a Scientist! activities throughout the region.

Still looking for other ideas on how to spend the weekend? Filter our events calendar by age, location, and tags to find the perfect activities for your crew. For now, read on for our top picks, and make sure to share this list with anyone who hasn't quite figured out their plans just yet for this nice spring weekend.

Earth Day Weekend Fun for CT Kids: Kites, Cosplay, and Parties for the Planet

Submitted by Donald Eng on

It's Earth Day weekend, and there are outdoor activities galore around Connecticut. Bring the family to historic Wooster Park in downtown New Haven for the 45th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. While you're there, double up on Elm City fun at the Yale Peabody Museum's annual Earth Day celebration. Earth Day celebrations are also taking place this weekend in Stamford, Bethel, and Simsbury. If you are in the southwestern part of the state, you can fly high at the annual Greenwich Kite Festival or check out the greatest show (and tell) on Earth at the Westport Makers Faire. 

If you're still looking for more, check our frequently updated Events Calendar, sign up for our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. 

New NJ Spray Park Will Provide Fun for Kids of All Abilities

Submitted by Elaine Paoloni ... on

Construction of a new spray park in Toms River was recently announced, and kids of all ages and abilities have something to celebrate. The park is slated to be all-inclusive, meaning accessible for children with disabilities. “We are focused on all abilities being able to interact with each other at this splash pad,” says Erica Cirillo, co-president of Fountains of Hope, the organization fueling the project.

Trash & Recycling Events: Sanitation Yard Open Houses for Kids Who Love Garbage Trucks

Submitted by Audrey M on

Vroom Vroom! Does the sound of the garbage truck coming down the street send your kids running to watch? Do they dream of grabbing a ride? Earth Day kicks off city yard open houses and recycling fair season, and these events are hugely popular with kids of a certain age. More than 6,000 residents attend an open house in an average year. If your kiddos have any curiosity about what goes on in a garbage truck, this is their chance to satisfy it.

Ten Things My Preschooler Loves at the California Science Center

Submitted by Jennifer Cook Nice on

We've talked before about our teen and tween favorite features at the California Science Center, but there are at least as many things to fascinate preschoolers and toddlers at LA's oldest, freest science museum. Never underestimate the appeal of science to the preschool set, and amazingly, with the exception of IMAX films and special exhibits, the California Science Center is free and open to the public 7 days a week, 362 days a year. 

Don Your Dresses and Crowns for a Medieval Fantasy Ball at the Please Touch Museum

Submitted by Lindsay Li on

On Sunday, April 22, Please Touch Museum is hosting a magical celebration with its annual Storybook Ball- Medieval Fantasy. This enchanted event transports guests back to the time of knights and ladies, princes and princesses. Step into a storybook ball and meet your favorite medieval characters like Sleeping Beauty, Maid Marian, and even a real knight in shining armor!

16 Great Parks and Playgrounds for NYC Kids' Birthdays

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

Savvy DIYers know that during the warmer months, New York City's parks make a stunning (and inexpensive) backdrop for a birthday bash. Granted, this type of party requires more work than booking one of those all-inclusive packages, but you get to control most of the details, including the cost (though sadly not the weather).

Find more party spots in our NYC Birthday Guide, including inexpensive room rentals for when bad weather threatens the fun.

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