If you’ve got a little one under the age of four, you know that toddlers and preschoolers are an energetic, curious and spirited bunch! After a long winter cooped up indoors, it’s time to get our wee ones out of the house for some fun and learning. Lace up your sneakers, pack some snacks and get ready to make great family memories by trying one (or more!) of these awesome outdoor activities in New Jersey. For more seasonal fun, don't forget to check out our list of 25 Things We Can't Wait to Do with Kids This Spring in NJ.

Carnival games, thrilling roller-coaster rides, and fried dough are just some of what's on tap this Mother's Day weekend. Quassy Amusement Park and Lake Compounce are honoring moms by offering them complimentary day passes with the purchase of a child's ticket.

Many other attractions throughout the state are offering free admission for moms on Sunday as well; they are listed below. Plus we've rounded up top Mother’s Day events in Hartford County and Fairfield County. For other areas, be sure to browse our Event Calendar which has a wide array of suggestions.

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Mommy Poppins Westchester is excited to announce that we are bringing back our news posts, which highlight items of interest for local families. So—in addition to our extensive coverage on where to go and what to check out with kids—we'll give you the skinny on grand openings, new services for families, and other useful tidbits for raising kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

This week, we’ve got the scoop on Caramoor’s new partnership with Lincoln Center, the highly anticipated opening of Candy Rox’s second sweet shop, and two hot new family-friendly destinations; plus details on a few new services and, sadly, the closing of a local favorite. Read on for the full report and, if you haven't already, be sure to sign up for our free newsletters to get our posts delivered straight to your inbox!

With Mother's Day upon us, I've been thinking of fun, bonding activities with the kids that also provide some pampering for mom! A relaxing afternoon at the nail salon is a great way to enjoy quality time with your kids, where you can focus on each other and chat—maybe they'll even answer a few of your questions, if you're lucky. And let's be honest, it's a treat for you as well.

However, as much as I love mani-pedi dates with my daughter, I worry about the chemicals in the polish and the odor of the salon bothering her. (I don't love it either.) Despite having the technicians use a kid-friendly polish that I bring, I always leave feeling more worried than relaxed. So you can imagine my excitement upon discovering an organic salon in my neighborhood, with a wide variety of non-toxic polishes, plus a quiet and calm atmosphere. My daughter is also a fan, especially because of the wide variety of nail polish options. She was happy to see that there was not just one pink, but "tons!" She loved the experience, our nails looked great and I felt good about being there. Bonus: she even told me how her day was!

As you might imagine, organic salons tend to charge more and take longer to do your nails than a traditional salon. If you're not up for spending the extra time or money, you can buy a few organic polishes and create your own spa day at home with the kids. But, for those special events or days when you want to treat both yourself and the children, here are five NYC salons that offer organic mani-pedis with special services and prices for kids.

It looks like it's going to be bright and beautiful this Mother's Day weekend! Spend as much time as you can outside at events like the Beautiful Butterflies, Birds, & Cinco de Mayo fest at Camden Children’s Garden, the Secaucus Green Festival at Secaucus Xchange or Historic Smithville’s Children’s Festival down south. And of course, Mother’s Day events are happening all over New Jersey. Whether you want to make a craft with mom at Imagine That! Children’s Museum, enjoy a big family brunch at Alstede Farms or take a laid-back nature walk at Tenafly Nature Center, we’ve got you covered, mamas! For even more weekend activities, check out our Event Calendar.

As the locavore and farm-to-table food movements continue to grow, it's no surprise that kids are increasingly interested in farming. Luckily, Fairfield County is home to quite a variety of small (and not-so-small) farms, some raising animals, others growing vegetables and fruit, and a handful doing a little of both. The programs we've collected here include a few that spend the entire summer focused on farming, along with more traditional camps that offer special farm-themed sessions. Take particular note of the age restrictions: older kids tend to have more opportunities for hands-on work than younger children. For more enriching summer programs, check out our Camp Guide.

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, special occasion, or just want to treat your kid to something extra cool, New Jersey offers a host of over-the-top experiences. There are kids-only salons, arcades that come to your house, and even a helicopter ride, and we've rounded up some of the best for your next bash. While some of the experiences listed below may seem a wee bit extravagant, just remember—you're only a kid once!

Find more out-of-this-world kids' party ideas in our Birthday Party Guide.