Lots of cool family arts and culture news this week, including new open hours for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a call for kids' drawings to be used in the set of an Off-Broadway show and an offbeat exhibition of work by lauded children's book author/illustrator Oliver Jeffers. Plus, an Upper West Side rec center reopens after a revamp, a political action committee dedicated to NYC public school reform and a sad goodbye to a longtime Bronx Zoo resident.

Hurricane Sandy devastated our precious Jersey Shore. Beaches were battered, boardwalks destroyed and people displaced. The Star Jet roller coaster in Seaside Heights, which still sits in the Atlantic Ocean, is an eerie reminder of the landscape- and life-changing storm. It has taken some time, but the shore is rebuilding and coming back in a major way. Many businesses are open or beginning to open and most beaches plan on being open to the public by Memorial Day weekend. Here’s some information to help your NJ family plan for a spring and summer at the Jersey Shore plus resources on how to help. Let’s all lend a hand in “restoring the shore!”

I had the opportunity to visit Kidville of Wellesley with Paigely, my two-year-old, this week. I learned that Kidville was started by a mom in New York City who was sick of taking her child to classes with no kid-conveniences available, like a place to park a stroller. She dreamed of a one-stop shop that made the lives of families with young children easier. Hence, Kidville was born. Offering world-class development programs, birthday parties, shopping, indoor play-spaces, and a mini-salon; the NYC mom absolutely succeeded.

If you enjoyed our post on the farms of Long Island, you may be excited to hear that there are also farms in Westchester that you can visit with kids. Seriously, less than an hour from New York City your kids can be gamboling with sheep, rounding up chickens, and milking cows.

Hippity hopping Easter's on its way! Yes, Easter is almost here and it’s early this year! Spend the time celebrating by going to a traditional Easter egg hunt or at one of these fun holiday events. I’ve gathered together a few choices that should help to keep you busy during the long holiday weekend in Hartford County.

Our monthly GO! List has quickly become one of Mommy Poppins NJ's most popular features, probably because wise New Jersey parents like to plan ahead. We carefully choose 8 to 10 of our absolute faves for the upcoming month, and April is full of festivals, special shows, one of our favorite exhibits that's drawing to a close, and flowers, flowers everywhere. Happy Spring and GO, New Jersey!