This year, March 21 is the second official day of spring, but also the holiday of Nowruz (new day), the Iranian, or Persian, New Year. For those unfamiliar with the tradition, this 3,000-year old holiday, celebrated at the time of the vernal equinox, is rooted in the pre-Islamic traditions of the Zoroastrian religion. Friends and family spend quality time together and enjoy delicious Persian food. Houses are deep-cleaned, gifts are exchanged, and symbolic traditions are brought to life.

In New York City, there are family-friendly Nowruz-themed events galore to ring in spring in a truly unique and memorable way. Here are seven great ways to celebrate Nowruz with your little globalists, exposing them to a beautiful and centuries-old culture.

Looking to learn more about Muslim culture? Take little ones to the America to Zanzibar interactive exhibit on Muslim cultures across the globe. It was recently extended for another year.

If you have a crafty kid, you already know his or her No. 1 birthday party wish probably involves pots, pans, paint, and pottery. DIY birthday parties are on the rise and proving to be a treat for children of all ages, who get an opportunity to learn a craft and take a project home with them. These eight party spots on Long Island either offer venues where kids can create and build or boast experts who come to your home to entertain guests with a special project. 

Don't forget to check our directory and Long Island Birthday Party Guide for more ideas. 

It's hard to believe that only a few decades ago many LA kids could pat and even ride horses in their own neighborhoods. My friend who hails from Brentwood remembers feeding carrots to front yard horses just blocks from the now bustling and trendy San Vicente Blvd. Wouldn't that be nice? If you have a little rider-wanna-be but no riding ring next door, don't despair: there are many horseback riding summer camps with lessons for kids right around the corner.

Along with our recommendations for the LA area's best art camps, classic outdoor summer camps, science camps, and cooking camps, we offer our picks for LA and Orange County's best summer horse riding camps. (Be sure to check our camp guide periodically for more camp categories being added all the time!)

Connecticut is an outstanding place to raise a family (no bias here, right?) and Mommy Poppins Connecticut readers are crème de la crème. That's some simple, reliable math. Best place to be + best readers and parents = insight into the absolute best places to visit with children. 

In January, we sought your expertise and asked all of you to help us choose our Besties: vote for the best museums, family businesses, entertainment venues, and other categories that add magic to childhood in Connecticut. You graciously answered our request and now the results are in. You chose from 10 nominees in 23 categories (and two voters were picked at random to enjoy great prizes from our wonderful sponsors). The contest is now over, but you can learn about it by browsing Besties FAQ.

We have grouped the results into three winning categories: Best Places for Family Fun, Enrichment Programs, and Parenting Resources. 

Here's your chance to learn a bit more about each winner of the 2017 Connecticut Besties! 

Best Enrichment Programs | Best Parenting Resources

Nestled in the southwest corner of the Naugatuck Valley, at the edge of Fairfield County, Shelton is a hidden gem. Forget for a moment that downtown is currently experiencing a major renaissance with small restaurants popping up all along the main streets, many of them sourcing from local farms and breweries. Shelton is also brimming with things to do with kids. There is something for every season, age, and interest from ice cream to ice skating, hiking to hula hoops. Be sure to tune into our Facebook Live event Saturday at noon to find out who the winners are in our first ever CT Besties Awards! A few of these Shelton area businesses are finalists!

While the largest St. Patrick's Day parade in New York State may be held in Manhattan, Westchester and the Hudson Valley boast sizable marches as well.

Below we’ve rounded up the 2017 St. Patrick’s Day parades in our area, all of which, of course, are FREE. With options ranging from Saturday, March 11, through Sunday, March 19, the holiday becomes a nine-day affair. Read on, wear your green and Erin Go Bragh! 

Looking for St. Paddy's celebrations that extend beyond parades? We have those too!