Weekend Fun with LA Kids: Book Festival, Star Wars and Earth Day April 18-19

We here at Mommy Poppins are all about mothers, and this weekend, we’re celebrating the biggest mother of them all: Mother Earth. We are blessed to live in a region full of outdoor destinations, many of which host Earth Day festivities. Naturally, we’ve compiled a guide to the best Earth Day celebrations in the area.

Of course, mothers with slightly less girth are celebrated as well. Club MomMe's Spring Family Fest is a chance for all mom and dads to explore the latest in parenting and enjoy a little pampering, while kids get their play on.

Nothing would make your Momma prouder than to see you spending time with a few good books. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is one of the biggest literary events of the year, with celebrities, authors, celebrity authors, and author celebrities, including Malcolm Gladwell, Octavia Spencer, Joyce Carol Oates, and Scooby-Doo. You can read all about it, (or have someone read it to you if you're still working on your sight words).

Keep reading for the most mom-o-rific events this weekend.

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Earth Day, Film Festival, Sound of Music April 18-19

Westchester is teeming with family-friendly events and activities this weekend, including an array of Earth Day celebrations, a children’s film festival and the return of the beloved Sheep-to-Shawl Festival.

Since Earth Day falls midweek (April 22), there are lots of activities this weekend and next. This weekend we have White Plains Earth Week, Earth Day Nyack and an Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration to choose from.

Cinema fans rejoice as the New York International Children’s Film Festival: Westchester kicks off this weekend, with screenings for all ages. And, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the movie that made the von Trapps famous, your family is invited to a Sing-a Long-a Sound of Music.

If you’re looking for live performances, there's Disney’s Choo Choo Soul with Genevieve and a stage adaptation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites.

We’ve highlighted our top weekend picks below. Remember, these are just a few of the many fun family activities in our Event Calendar. You can also use our April GoList to plan out the rest of your month!

Make: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

If you like peanut butter and jelly, you'll love these super-easy-to-make, healthy, gluten-free and protein-packed cookies. All you need is three ingredients and about 20 minutes. I made this recipe up, and while these cookies aren't going to win anyone a place on Iron Chef, they make for a great after-school snack with a glass of milk. You could even eat them for breakfast. Why not?

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Earth Day and Museums Apr 18-19

Earth Day, which officially falls on April 22, is almost here and our Mommy Poppins Event Calendar is full of celebrations this weekend. Whether families want to gain a deeper respect for nature or make a difference by taking care of Mother Earth, there are activities for all ages.

Search for turtles and toads at Great Valley Nature Center's Pond Pondering & Nature Walk. Learn about the importance of trees at Briar Bush's Earth Fest. Help preserve our precious planet at Schuylkill Canal Park's Earth Day Clean-Up or Norristown Farm Park's Earth Week Habitat Restoration. (Note: Some events are rain or shine while others are not, so please check official websites for weather-related updates.)

After enjoying the great outdoors, consider exploring one of our local cultural institutions. Penn Museum is hosting its World Culture Series: Rome's Birthday event. The Barnes Foundation is offering Family Tour: ArtSee Highlights for its visitors. And the Delaware Children's Museum is featuring Grand Adventures created especially for grandparents and their grandchildren.

New activities are added to our Calendar every day, and you can even submit your own event if you're planning one. Be sure to subscribe to our FREE newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Weekend Fun for LI Kids: Barnyard Babies, Earth Day, The Littlest Pirate April 18-19

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.

Weekend Fun for Boston Kids: Patriots' Day & Spring Break, April 18-20

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:

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

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