Despite the mild winter we’ve had, it’s always exciting to anticipate the arrival of spring. Beyond warmer weather and longer daylight, the caliber of events ratchets up, particularly the fairs and festivals that depend on these conditions. Westchester is buzzing with many such events all season long, promising fun-filled outdoor events for the entire family.

We've rounded up our favorite spring festivals, street fairs and celebrations happening throughout Westchester, many of which are free. Be sure to check out our Spring Activity Guide for more seasonal fun and sign up for our newsletters and consult our Event Calendar to stay informed of more great family events!

With the popularity of Netflix’s Stranger Things and nerd-comeback, I’m excited to see a resurgence in my childhood favorite hangout: the arcade. There are plenty across NYC, serving up everything from skee-ball to racing games, but we’re happy to introduce Queens’ latest addition.

Laser Bounce joined The Shops at Atlas Park, in Glendale, in February 2018. This is the second Laser Bounce location in the area; the original is located in Levittown, Long Island.

The spring is always a great time for family theater, but this season looks particularly exciting. There are page-to-stage adaptations of cool kid lit (The Little Red Fish for toddlers and Seedfolks for tweens); wordless spectacles to captivate all ages (clown show Air Play and underwater spectacle Symphonie Fantastique); and Lincoln Center's Big Umbrella Festival, the first-ever monthlong performance fest for children on the autism spectrum.

While on Broadway it's all Frozen, Harry Potter, and Mean Girls mania, there's no need to shell out big bucks to give your kids a memorable live entertainment experience in NYC. Most of the 17 shows we're spotlighting are just $25—or less—per ticket.

If you thought festive spring fun simply revolved around egg hunts and Easter Sunday events, think again. The Egg House, a new interactive pop-up, hatches on the Lower East Side on April 7 and runs through late June.

Spring is here and so is festival season. Philly families look forward to a springtime season filled with festivals, fairs, and carnivals. Whether you're in the city or the 'burbs, it is definitely worthwhile to put some of these events on your family's calendar. The variety is remarkable- from science to art, from nature to culture, from food to fitness, there is truly something for everyone. Bad weather can impact some of these outdoor events so be sure to check directly with the venue if the weather seems questionable. 

For more fun things to do this season, check out our Spring Fun Guide for Philly Families. Now, browse through our list below and get ready for a great spring!

Local mom and “Outdoors with Kids Boston” guidebook author, Kim Foley MacKinnon, shares her best family outing tips and picks with you as part of our guest blog series with the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Kids Outdoors Boston free online community.

Young children are insatiably curious, and nature centers offer a great way to indulge their interest about the world around them. From birding kits to aquariums, to nature-themed games and special programs, several Boston-area centers have plenty to keep youngsters engaged. Here’s our pick of the top ten within an hour or so of the city.

Sure, your cozy fourth-floor walk-up or historic, buckling-at-the-foundation brownstone has a certain amount of New York charm, but when you add kids to the mix, charm doesn't always cut it in this city. From steep stoops, to sub-par schools, to a sheer lack of space, there are plenty of not-so-family-friendly hurdles that never even cross your mind when you sign on for a pre-parenthood apartment.

"As a parent, living in New York City can definitely have its fair share of challenges," said Raphael DeNiro, when we sat down to chat about what moms and dads should really be looking for in an NYC home. With help from Douglas Elliman's DeNiro, one of the agents representing the new amenities-filled, luxury Tribeca building, 111 Murray Street, we put together a list of eight building perks you didn't even know you and your family should be looking for. (Oh, and, surprise, surprise, 111 Murray Street actually has them all...).

Harry Potter isn't the only reason to head to Universal Studios Hollywood these days. A trip to the theme park in the Hollywood Hills also gives Hello Kitty fans a chance to indulge their cravings, as the iconic pop culture feline is the big star of the brand new Universal Studios' Animation Studio Store.