The Garden State is home to many children's writers who introduce educational and whimsical new stories to today's kids. As we continue to ease into Spring, why not head to your local library, bookstore, or Web site and surprise your children with a cherished book written by a NJ-based parent? These new releases are fun reads for the whole family and delving into them will support those nearest and dearest to us--our fellow New Jerseyans.

There are several fun festivals this weekend sure to engage the whole family. The kids can also interact with various sea and land creatures at the Fish Hatchery Festival in Cold Spring Harbor, learn about chickens, farming and wool making at Chick-a-Palooza at Garden of Eve Farm in Aquebogue, check out the Arbor Day Festival in Oyster Bay, which will feature a kid's tree climb, planting clinics and other fun activities, or celebrate Earth Day at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

It's never too early to plan ahead for Mother's Day! Most restaurants are taking reservations, so check out our roundup of Mother's Day Brunches on Long Island.

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The Boston Ballet gives free workshops for children and teens this weekend, and the Lumanarium Modern Dance company wraps up its DANCE+ Series. Show your appreciation for Mother Earth with the Musketaquid Earth Day activities and Franklin Park Zoo's Party for the Planet (for more Earth Day fun see our Earth Day 2014 Activities Post).  And if you think your kiddo is the cutest, bring them down the the Crowns for Cures Pageant fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Plus, the stage adaptation of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon continues playing at Wheelock Family Theatre; Tara has the scoop on what you need to know before you go. 

Also on Mommy Poppins this Week:

• Tara finds five kid friendly feasts to help you celebrate Mother's Day.
• Kristin highlights 20 things to do with kids in Charlestown. 

Enjoy!

Due to rain on Saturday, some outdoor events may be canceled or end early. Check the official websites for schedule changes before heading out. The spring season kicks into high gear this weekend with six of our top family event picks for April happening in two busy days. Gawk at gorgeous flowers and funky fashions at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival, introduce the kids to pogo sticks, hula hoops and hippity hops at Street Games in East Harlem, enjoy all kinds of FREE fun at the Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair, celebrate the kid-lit classic The Little Prince at the Morgan Library & Museum's Spring Family Fair, watch a giant dragon parade at Staten Island's St. George Day or catch a high-art fireworks display in Prospect Park.

Plus there are cool kids' concerts from the Deedle Deedle Dees and Natalie Merchant, new family shows at TADA! and the New York Children's Theater Festival, and much more. All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Spring Fun Guide. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

Every Earth Day for the last few years, Disneynature has given families a movie event to look forward to, and this year's treat is an all-ages celebration of the most kid-centric of mammals: Bears. In the tradition of other Disney Earth Day releases, which have included Chimpanzee, African Cats, and Oceans, the film Bears offers a breathtaking cinematic journey - and a peek into the world of Alaskan brown bears that seems almost impossible in its close-up detail. Not to mention, it is almost unbearably adorable. Read on to see just how adorable - and to find out if it's your little bear-lover's cup of tea.

As you all know, pizza was one of the four major food groups, before they had to go and mess it all up with that MyPlate thing. Just kidding.  It’s a national comfort food though, and certainly has its place in the dinnertime lineup from time to time.  When you’re up to venturing out with the family, we’ve identified at least a dozen establishments cranking out legendary pies in the blurry pizza territory between New York City and New Haven known as Fairfield County.

We’re in full on spring mode here in New Jersey and it sure does feel wonderful! Our state has a ton of family-friendly ways to celebrate Earth Day so check out Liberty State Park’s “Green Cities” fair, Wild Earth Fest at Trailside Nature Center or Daffodil Day at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum. For more springtime fun, sign up for a muddy Farm Run at Fernbrook Farm, attend a Teddy Bear Picnic at High Point State Park or sit back and enjoy a performance of Sid the Science Kid – Live! at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, or find a full list of weekend activities on our Event Calendar.