In what seems like the blink of an eye, first smiles, first words, and first birthdays fly by leading up to one of the biggest firsts of all: The first day of preschool! So many factors play a prime role in determining what is best for a family when it comes to choosing a preschool. Price is definitely a major consideration that many families must make. Finding the perfect place for your little one to call their home away from home for a few hours a day can prove to be just a bit overwhelming…but it doesn't have to be. To make this big decision just a little easier, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite affordable preschools in Southeast Houston.

Do you know there's a piece of plastic in your wallet that helps you save money, rather than spend it? (No, not that DD credit you got at Christmas and forgot about.) We're talking about  your Boston Public Library card! BPL (free) membership allows you to check out some pretty terrific books, yes, but it also entitles you and your family to a lot of discounts and fun activities you might not know about. Bonus: Many of these perks can be accessed 24/7, from the comfort of your own couch. So next time you or the kids are craving some interesting entertainment, flash that BPL card—think of it as parenting platinum.

Also, for some of the best free fun around, don't forget to look at our daily calendar for storytimes and events among the stacks. What would we do without our libraries?!?

I've wanted to take my kids river rafting since my teenage son was a toddler, yet we never managed to get around to it—until this summer. After spending a wonderful day on the Delaware River in the Sullivan Catskills, my only regret is that we didn't go sooner.

With three kids ranging from 8 to 13, finding an outing we can all enjoy is sometimes a challenge. River rafting hit the mark beautifully, providing a completely unplugged experience that's fun for all ages. Plus, clocking in at just under two hours from New York City (and even less for Westchester residents), rafting in the Catskills is an easy day trip or a quick weekend getaway. We opted to make a weekend out of it, so we've got the scoop on where to go rafting and what to expect, plus where to stay overnight.

For more weekend getaway ideas, consult our Day Trips & Getaways Guide and sign up for our newsletters.

When my Canadian husband and I moved to Connecticut, we were overwhelmed with the abundance of agricultural fairs and festivals that cap off summer in the nutmeg state. The amount of time, preparation and volunteer power that goes into these longstanding events is a wonder. From the Big E to the neighborhood church carnivals, there are plenty of fairs to choose from across the state. You can’t go to them all, so my recommendation for families with kids is our favorite: the Haddam Neck Fair.

Thanks so much to all who participated in the first ever Mommy Poppins Long Island Bestie Awards. The contest is now closed. Winners will be announced via Facebook live on November 9th. Follow us on Facebook so you don't miss the broadcast.

You may have spent a spring break (or two) in Panama Beach City, Florida, or lived vicariously through the revelry broadcast on MTV Spring Break, which drew thousands of college kids to this beach town for a decade. But now that you’ve traded shot glasses for strollers, this classic spring break locale has luckily grown up right with you.

Today, families with young children flock to its sandy shore, and with an international airport just 20 minutes away, it’s easy to get to. We visited this 27-mile stretch of beach along the Gulf of Mexico this summer with a toddler in tow and were impressed with the entertainment options. Read on for 25 things to do with kids in this Florida haven, including where to eat and play on your family’s next vacation.

When my kids wanted a fun place to visit, they rarely (okay, never) asked: “Can we go to Torrington?” But that has changed since our first visit to KidsPlay, a children’s museum located downtown in Litchfield County’s largest city. After just one visit, KidsPlay became a favorite destination, and these days, the museum is better than ever after a recently completed expansion that doubled the square footage and play space. From the moment you enter through its doors (monitored by security cameras), the amount of creativity and fun details will leave you impressed and little adventurers giddy. The museum is designed for ages 2-8, and without a doubt, the persons behind its establishment know what makes children happy and how they learn best through play.

Keeping up with your ever growing children's clothing needs can take a toll on the family bank account. A great way to save money is purchasing clothes (and even toys and other baby gear) at consignment stores, or better yet, massive sales. Houston has several consignment sales happening around town this fall. Check out the below events - organized by date - to find one near you.