With the U.S. Open on Long Island in June 2018, maybe you think you have a little tour pro on your hands. Or maybe you just want to introduce your son or daughter to golf minus the windmills.

There are five par-3 golf courses on Long Island that offer young players a chance to experience the game with more than just a putter. For less than $20 per round on average, beginners can manage their way around with a light bag, a few balls, tees, and plenty of enthusiasm.

More experienced players will enjoy the opportunity to enhance their short-game precision. Either way, it’s a great opportunity for parent-child bonding over one of Long Island’s signature activities.

So tee it high and let it fly. All five of these courses are in Suffolk County; a few short-length courses exist in Nassau, but some of their par-4 holes might be unreachable for young players. Note: Most par-3 courses require adult supervision of pre-teen players. All players should practice on-course etiquette, including allowing faster groups to play through.

A Day Out With Thomas the Tank Engine at the Essex Museum is a right of passage in many homes. There is nothing like seeing the face of your toddler light up when he sees that familiar bright blue train from Sodor. When the voice and train your child has become so familiar with is all of a sudden sitting on a track in front of you, it's pretty mind blowing! Thomas will be in Essex for two more weekends before chugging along (April 29-30 and May 6-7, 2017).

Step aside spring blooms. There's a new diva hijacking your spotlight this season at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. It's sparkly, magical, and comes in almost as many eye-popping shades as your petals.

The just-opened CHIHULY outdoor art installation features more than 20 glimmering pieces by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. It spans more than 40 years of his career. Special tours, events and programming are planned around the exhibit, which opened Friday, April 22.

Read on for our review of the latest exhibit at the beloved NYC garden, including whether or not you can bring your kid, or even a toddler, without fear of them crashing and smashing their way through the show. 

Everybody knows that nursing your baby is a special experience that not only nourishes your baby’s body but also strengthens the mother-child bond. But when you're out and about, it can tricky to find a clean, comfortable, and effective place to breastfeed—particularly if you have a curious infant who reacts to noise and light—not to mention pump milk if you're separated. As we enter the heart of spring and start planning fun outings to museums, ballparks, and other popular places around town, we're scoping out cushy spots where you can escape the elements, crowded seating, and leering eyes to take care of your baby's needs in peace. (Note that Massachusetts state law permits women to breastfeed openly in any public space or establishment, and imposes a $500 fine for harassing a nursing mom.)

Nothing says spring in the suburbs like a team of rubber ducks bobbing and bumping down a river. The annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day and Rotary Duck Derby, a four-hour affair at Sleepy Hollow’s Patriot Park, is a family favorite of ours. The event typically draws more than 1,500 people, all of whom come to enjoy the live music, vendors, crafts, entertainment and, of course, hordes of rubber ducks. 

This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017, 11am - 3pm, and we have what you need to know. Looking for more spring family fun? Check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook.

There are so many wonderful ways to welcome spring in and around Philly, and Cinco de Mayo is one of the best. This list includes area events and specials, plus crafts, books, and even recipes that are creative, family-friendly ways to celebrate the holiday while teaching kids about Mexican culture and tradition.  

Choosing a preschool for your young child can be anything but easy. There are so many choices—bilingual or language-immersion, Montessori, cooperatives—that it’s hard to know where to begin. 

If you’re looking for a preschool that allows parents to actively participate with things like helping in the classroom and shaping school policy, then a cooperative preschool may be right for you and your child. Also know as a co-op, these schools’ educational philosophies can vary, but one thing remains the same: Parents are an integral part of the running of the school. Recently, we looked at co-op options in the west suburbs. This week, we’ve rounded up preschool co-ops in Cambridge and Somerville where teachers and parents work together to nurture little learners.

Evelyn's Park officially opened on April 22, 2017, with an Earth Day celebration and community picnic. It was a gorgeous day with live music, art activities, food trucks, beer and wine tastings, a mini farmers's market, and fitness activities. The park was filled with people enjoying the sun, the food, and the sense of community and connection that Evelyn's park was created to foster.