The spring weather has finally arrived, so head outdoors for some fun in the sun, and to celebrate our planet with various Earth Day festivities across Long Island. For adventure-seeking families, there's harbor-front roller-skating in Port Jefferson, a family night hike in Setauket and woodsy fun in Islip.

Interested in the arts? There's a mommy & me painting session in Bellmore, eco-friendly crafts at the Whaling Museum and various programs at the Nassau County Museum of Art.

Remember, you can find even more options in our jam-packed Event Calendar. And to receive this post in your inbox, subscribe to our free newsletters.

The most exciting holiday of the year for many local history buffs has arrived! Patriots' Day weekend offers multiple chances to catch battle demonstrations, historic ride reenactments and parades. Other fantastic outdoor activities for families include Junior Ranger Day on Georges Island (pictured) and the Swan Boats Opening Day in Boston's Public Garden. Together with the Cambridge Science Festival and the start of April School Vacation Week, our Event Calendar is chock-full of great activities for families.

Shrek the Musical at Wheelock Family Theatre opens this weekend; look for a review from Michelle next week. For older kids, Anne Frank opens in Boston, and the Ethan Rossiter & the Jamberries concert is a great option for the younger set.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Celebrate the planet next week with our list of local Earth Day Activities.
• Kids become gardeners by making these Fairy and Gnome Mason Jar Terrariums.
• Use recycled materials to craft these Earth-friendly Wind Chimes.
• Michelle shares some great venues for Birthday Parties for Kids Who Love Animals.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!

It's a great weekend for cool kids' culture in NYC. Families can sing along with Broadway greats at Carnegie Hall's Family Concert, marvel at the Little Orchestra Society's lush musical fairy tale Cinderella & the Prince Who Slays the Magic Dragon or watch acclaimed storyteller David Gonzalez's retelling of Sleeping Beauty at Lincoln Center's new kids' series. Plus there are three circuses on tap: the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret, Séquence 8 and Catch Me.

Other fun includes great outdoor events like the Queens County Farm Museum's annual Children's Carnival and hawk watching on Staten Island.

These are just a few of the awesome things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Spring Fun Guide and our Event Calendar.

Pick-your-own is not just for apples and pumpkins! Westchester and neighboring counties offer many options for getting down in the dirt (or up in the trees) to pick all kinds of fruits and veggies. This can be a great way to show kids where their food comes from--you might even get them to try a new vegetable or two. Plus, it just doesn't get any fresher than when you pick it yourself. It's been a long winter, but the taste of spring is finally here.

Read on for more about our top "picks" in the area. Also be sure to check out our post on strawberry picking farms in lower Hudson Valley.

Trumbull, CT. located in Fairfield County, without question, is a bedroom community.  But that doesn’t mean the only option for residents is to bounce out to neighboring towns for something ’to do’ -- there are plenty of hidden treasures, and several parks for you and your family to enjoy. We've made a list of 25 fun things to do with kids while in Trumbull!

Lincoln Center is NYC's preeminent cultural hub. Mommy Poppins readers already know about the family-friendly performances and free fun on its 16-acre campus, but we're thrilled to announce the new Lincoln Center Kids (LC Kids) series, launching on Saturday, May 9. Our sponsor, Lincoln Center Kids, is offering family programs, special events and membership privileges, making world-class performing arts more accessible to children and families. Read on to learn more about the new programming, and how you can win great prizes in a contest celebrating the debut of LC Kids.

If you're looking to make your child's next party extra special, consider hiring a company or individual to provide fun entertainment that will be sure to put a smile on the face of the birthday boy or girl (and all of the guests). There are a wide variety of entertainers to choose from on Long Island, including characters, magicians, animal handlers and more.

For more inspiration, be sure to check out our LI Party Guide.

Before the advent of the e-mail lists, websites, apps, perk programs and loyalty cards, a kid’s best bet for a free birthday treat was a white candle in a scoop of ice cream and an embarrassing rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung by waiters and waitresses who had planned on making it big on Broadway.

Luckily, young people today have a lot more options available to them. From toys, desserts and cupcakes to entire breakfasts, lunches and dinners, there is a FREEbie just waiting out there for kids of every age (HINT: Grown-ups can sign up for the majority of these programs too!). Read on to learn where to score FREE birthday meals, gifts and more while you're out and about in Westchester. Speaking of free, don't forget to sign up for our FREE newsletter to have our latest news, reviews and tips delivered right to your inbox!