My daughter, like many other little girls, loves to dress up and pretend to be a Princess. This is probably just the start of many years to come of her wanting to get pampered. Really, what woman doesn't enjoy a day at the spa?! As she gets older I envision many special mom and daughter day trips to the salon getting our nails done together. For the little girl, adolescent or even teen who enjoys getting all dolled up, a spa party with her friends would be a perfect way to celebrate a birthday. There are some great selections in the Hartford County area that cater to just that kind of party! If a spa party in Fairfield County might be more convenient for you we've covered some options there as well. For even more great party ideas check out our Party Guide.

Apples and pumpkins aren't the only things ripe for the tasting on Long Island this fall harvest season. The bucolic North Fork is home to many family-friendly wineries that make for great day trips. Adults can indulge in a variety of fine vintages, while children picnic and frolic in the wide-open fields.

The gorgeous Sparkling Pointe Winery in Southold, Long Island is a particularly sweet destination for NYC families. Though it's less than two hours by car from Midtown Manhattan, it feels worlds away thanks to its grand opulence and wide selection of sparkling wines. And because it's just a short drive away from many other family attractions, including a working lighthouse and pick-your-own apples, you can make a fun day of it with the kids.

The new littleBits electronics maker space in Soho is fast winning over New York's littlest tinkerers and inventors. The homegrown startup's first NYC store lets grade-school kids (and adults) play, invent and build for FREE using its electronic building blocks that snap together via magnets, making it simple for all levels to follow these STEM-inspired lesson plans. Of course, no need to tell the kids you approve of such tech play. Why spoil their fun?

The only problem? It's a pop-up shop, so though you can find littleBits at its West Broadway location through the 2015 holidays, it plans to close up in January. 

Read on for the Mommy Poppins review of NYC's newest maker spot.

Los Angeles has received a stupendous gift: The Broad Museum is the newest addition to our cultural landscape, and admission is always free. As long as the museum is new and exciting, plan on booking those free tickets in advance, though. More details on that below.

Art can be tricky for kids; they know that, like vegetables, it’s supposed to be good for them, so they sometimes resist. If you don’t catch them in the right mood, a day at the museum can be torturous for everybody involved. There’s nothing worse than plunking down admission fees and realizing ten minutes later that you already have to leave, or choosing to stay and realizing two hours later that nobody saw, engaged with, or enjoyed any of the art. Thanks to founders Eli and Edythe Broad, our new museum is free and always will be. It is a gift to the public of epic proportion.

For most people, spending a day at the farm evokes images of milking cows, harvesting corn, or shearing sheep. At Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in Lancaster County, the day involves food, laughter, games, a corn maze, and pig races, as well as an educational experience on a working farm. Plus, there’s even a good chance visitors can get a glimpse of a passing train from the Strasburg Railroad. Kids and grown-ups alike can find an unending amount of fun during the summer, spring, and fall seasons, making Cherry Crest Adventure Farm worth the drive for Philly area families. Find out why!

The award-winning New Victory Theater in the heart of Times Square has long been a local favorite to catch entertaining and affordable productions for all ages, but it's much more than just a place to go see a show. Through a range of interactive educational activities like performance workshops and camps, the organization is raising the next generation of theatergoers.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary season, the New Victory is bringing back popular past productions, as well as showcasing new works by theater companies behind former favorites. So Mommy Poppins is particularly excited to partner with the New Vic for the third year in a row. Throughout the season, we'll be giving you access to its incredible lineup of shows, ticket discounts and a pair of exclusive events for Mommy Poppins readers. We kick off our partnership with a preview of the New Victory's 2015-2016 season, including show recommendations for every age and stage, tips on how to save on tickets and clips from the upcoming productions.

Few places celebrate their musical heritage quite like Long Island. From rock’s Lou Reed to pop’s Ashanti and hip hop’s LL Cool J, Long Island has cultivated its own unique sound and celebrities. But even the legendary Billy Joel had to start somewhere.

Parents in Suffolk County have a number of options should their child express a musical inclination. From group clinics to at-home instruction, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite places for your developing virtuoso. See websites for current programs and pricing. Parents who’d prefer to cross the county border can see our post on music classes in Nassau. And don’t forget our Long Island Classes Guide for other after-school options.

This week is all about museums. Scientific discovery begins with curiosity, and no one has more of that than a springy monkey called George. The Discovery Cube LA opens a new exhibit dedicated to this rapscallion and his long suffering friend in the yellow hat.

The mummies have arrived at the Natural History Museum. Mummies are indeed fascinating but can sometimes be a bit scary for little ones, so tread cautiously. In Santa Ana, The Discovery Cube debuts Hot Wheels: Race to Win, an investigation of the science behind speed. Two museums that don’t need special scheduling are The California Science Center in Exposition Park and our new contemporary art museum, The Broad, both of which are always free.