If you’ve been itching to try to decipher signage in a foreign language, step into a market that smells like 15 kinds of sausage, and stuff your face with foods from the Old World, then all you and the kids need to do is hop on over to Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Somehow, despite the fact that neighboring Williamsburg has become the poster child for rampant development and gentrification, Greenpoint has managed to maintain its charm and Polish flavor. That’s not to say that the neighborhood hasn’t changed or that skyrocketing rents haven’t impacted local families, but many of the shops along Greenpoint’s main drag, Manhattan Avenue, are still locally owned markets and restaurants often specialize in Polish foods. If you have Eastern European roots, locals might even address you in Polish. All this makes a day in Greenpoint feel like a trip to the Old Country.

Greenpoint is just one of many ethnic foodie thoroughfares in the city. We aim to help you travel the world airfare-free with the Mommy Poppins Passport Series. We'll spotlight the best international streets in all five boroughs. Introduce kids to the diverse food and fun that immigrants have brought to New York City’s streets, including in Astoria, Manhattan's Chinatown, and even at a Queens mall.

As March winds down and the city blossoms into springtime, there are few better ways to celebrate than by getting outside at one of Boston’s fun, family-friendly festivals. With so many to choose from, it seems like the whole city is cheering the warmer, sunnier days with music, art, flowers, and food. And the best part? Many of these special events are free. Mark your calendars now and enjoy the anticipation of balmier, more festive days ahead!

With last year's opening of National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey and the much-anticipated opening of Ocean Wonder: Sharks! at the New York Aquarium this summer, there seems to be a renewed interest in our oceans—and with good reason. Oceans cover 70 percent of the earth's surface and new science and technological advances have allowed marine explorers to learn more about our oceans than ever before.

The American Museum of Natural History is at the forefront of oceanic exploration and discovery, and its newest exhibit, Unseen Oceans, is designed to take visitors deep beneath the surface of the sea to a world scientists are just now beginning to understand—all presented in a series of family-friendly, easy to understand, visually stunning galleries.

Spring is always a fun time of year to visit local farms in the Philly suburbs—plants are starting to grow, baby animals make appearances, and Easter celebrations abound. Visitors may find egg hunts, hayrides, and photo ops with the Easter Bunny at some of these local events. Whether or not the groundhog was right about spring, all this fun on the farm will certainly remind families that real springtime weather is just around the corner.

Be sure to check our events calendar for even more Easter and spring break activities.

Before children, I would mock those parents who sat in their car waiting in the drive-through line at Starbucks. While I had the luxury of walking right up to the counter and ordering my foamed caffeinated beverage, they would sit in their cars and wait. On the way out, I would walk by and smugly think “beat ya”, to myself while they still waited in their cars. 

My, how times have changed. Nowadays, if there is a drive-thru within a ten mile radius I will drive to it. When the nurse asked me which pharmacy I use, I automatically chimed “CVS, the one on Willard. You know, the one with the drive-thru”. Drive-thru dry cleaning? Sign me up! Stuck in the car during nap time? Curbside delivery it is!  Thankfully, Fairfield County has its fair share of drive-thru, drive-in, and delivery establishments that go beyond Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds. 

Being home to one of the longest continuously held St. Patrick's Day parades, Philadelphia certainly knows how to celebrate the luck of the Irish during the month of March. However, it's not all about pub crawls and green beer. Throughout the Delaware Valley, there are opportunities to learn about Irish history, see Irish step dancing, listen to Celtic music and Irish stories, search for hidden leprechauns, and, of course, watch a traditional St. Patrick's Day parade! We have rounded up a list of exciting activities worth a pot of gold. So, get the family ready and have some fun this St. Patrick's Day. Sláinte!

Calling all junior special-ops hopefuls and history buffs: Spyscape is Midtown Manhattan's newest destination for spy fans. Using immersive technology, interactive challenges, and true stories, this new museum explores the exciting, daring, and groundbreaking work of intelligence agencies and spies worldwide.

My 14-year-old son and I couldn't wait to check it out, and we were not disappointed. This family-friendly destination—not too far from Gulliver's Gate and National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey—offers a unique experience, especially for your older kids and teens. Read on for full details.

This year Easter falls on Sunday, April 1–April Fool's Day–but we're not fooling you when we say we've rounded up the best Easter egg hunts and bunny visits on Long Island. With some venues preparing thousands of eggs, with the help of the Easter Bunny, of course, kids will delight in searching for and collecting every colorful, candy-filled egg.

We're glad to see so many venues have scheduled hunts by age, to give both little and big kids a fair shot at filling their baskets. Remember to bring a basket (or a bag) for the kids to hold their collected treasures, and pack your camera for Easter Bunny brunches and photo-ops. (If there's a threat of rain, be sure to give a call first.)

For more kid-friendly fun, check out our Long Island Events Calendar and March GoList.