Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: Opening Day, Spring Wings & Children's Carnival April 11-12

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Spring break is coming to a close this weekend for public school kids, but there are still a few seasonal activities to enjoy in the city before it's back to class on Monday!

This weekend, outdoor fun includes the Queens County Farm Museum's Children's Carnival, Wave Hill's bird-themed Spring Wings and Little League Opening Day.

Although NYC's fabulous parks and playgrounds beckon, there are some indoor events worth considering, like a musical adaptation of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at the Queens Theatre or a screening of the beloved movie A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

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

Harold and the Purple Crayon: The Target Storybook Series New Season at Brooklyn Center

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As part of its 60th anniversary season, the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is presenting four interactive and affordable theater shows for young children and their families. The Storybook Series, sponsored by Target, includes adaptations of childhood literary classics like The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon, which kicked off the series last weekend, and The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley.

My kids (who are huge fans of Crockett Johnson's popular Harold books) and I were there for the debut!

5 Boston Restaurants Where the Meal Is the Entertainment

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We Boston parents are lucky to have our pick of restaurants that offer built-in entertainment for the kids. Sometimes, grabbing brunch at a place like Full Moon Restaurant in Cambridge is the best choice for the whole family. The kids can play with the train table and toy kitchen, and the adults can catch up on some grown-up conversation.

Other times, however, I want my kids to focus on their food or to expand their horizons with something different and surprisingly delicious. What better way to tempt them than with an outing that leaves the bag of crayons, stickers, and notebooks untouched? The restaurants below offer culinary experiences that hold kids' attention with food that comes at them fast and with flair.

Weekend Fun for NJ Kids: Dino Day, Superhero Sunday & Tea Parties April 11-12

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Springtime temperatures are on the rise, and so are outdoor festivals and fun. Family-friendly fests are popping up throughout the state. Celebrate creatures from the past and present at Camden Children’s Garden's Dino Day & Bug Bonanza Festival or have a ball at TD Bank Ballpark's Somerset Patriots Fan Fest. If you have a child who loves tea parties, you've got three to choose from this weekend: Liberty Hall’s Fancy Farm Girl Tea Party, a Teddy Bear Tea or Alice in Wonderland’s Post-Performance Tea Party. For even more weekend fun, check out our Event Calendar.

Cool New Public Art Exhibits for NYC Kids: 9 Displays Debuting this Spring

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We recently told you about the season's new museum exhibits. However, you can check out amazing art in NYC's public plazas and parks, too. Spring means a whole new crop of incredible public art displays and this season's roundup is particularly impressive.

Madison Square Park is currently installing a canopy of gold-hued mirrors in its treeline; meanwhile, Brooklyn Bridge Park is set to host 18 pieces of interactive art, and an enormous plant-filled pyramid will soon sprout up along the East River in Socrates Sculpture Park. Bonus: all of these exhibits are in public places so they can be enjoyed for FREE. Read on for nine must-see public art installations debuting in New York City this spring.

Morningside Heights with Kids: Top 25 Things to Do and Places to Explore

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Superficially, Morningside Heights hasn't changed much since I was growing up nearby in the '70s and '80s. Sandwiched between the Upper West Side and Harlem, the neighborhood is still dominated by Columbia University and its students, as well as college kids from the many other schools in the area (hence the neighborhood nickname "Academic Acropolis"). Meanwhile, the gorgeous, neo-Gothic Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine and Riverside Church attract worshipers and tourists in equal measure.

Although the area's architecture may be the same, its businesses and vibe are completely different. While some old-school eateries like Tom's diner and the Hungarian Pastry Shop have survived, there seem to be sleek new restaurants on every corner with farm-to-table menus, and most of the ma-and-pa stores of yesteryear have been replaced by chain banks, bars or fast food dining. These days, families almost seem to outnumber undergraduates, as they take advantage of the area's two major, amenity-filled green spaces, Riverside Park and Morningside Park, and large prewar apartments.

Throughout April, we'll be writing about the best places for families to see, eat, play and experience in Morningside Heights. For the purposes of our posts, our geographical boundaries are 106th to 125th Streets between the Hudson River and Columbus Avenue/Morningside Drive. We kick off our coverage with the top 25 things to do in Morningside Heights with kids.

Toddler Nature Craft: Make Pipe Cleaner Bird Feeders

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Spring has sprung, and we're anxious to discover new life outdoors. This easy-to-make bird feeder is perfect for toddlers and little ones. They can practice their dexterity by stringing the cereal onto the pipe cleaner, and then the fun really starts. Sit by the window to see who comes to nosh on your bird feeder, and watch nature put on a show.

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