If you’ve been searching for the right show to introduce your tot to theater, you can’t go wrong with Hatched. This sweet interactive children’s puppet show from Treehouse Shakers has just returned its dancing baby-animal barnyard to the NYC stage.

Playing this week at BAM in Brooklyn and next week at Alvin Ailey in Manhattan, Hatched follows a day in the life of a “just-hatched” chick, from its literal hatching forth from the egg onstage to the sun setting over the farm at day’s end.

We’ve recommended this show for first-time theatergoers in the past. But after catching it May 1 at BAM’s Fisher Hillman Studio, we wanted to share this full review with our readers.

Spring is in full bloom, and it’s the perfect time of year to dig into gardening. Planting flowers or vegetables is a hobby the whole family can enjoy together. Through gardening, young growers can learn about nature, the environment and nurturing living things. And, of course, they’ll love playing in the dirt. Check out these opportunities throughout our Garden State for children learn gardening basics and develop a green thumb.

Mother's Day seems like such a great idea, but for single moms it rarely delivers. Who's going to bring us breakfast in bed—a toddler?

There are many paths to single motherhood, and I think among my friends we cover them all. Whether we were surprised by motherhood, by divorce, or just by everything that came after the sperm bank, one thing we all share is that Mother’s Day is not all it's cracked up to be. That’s not because we don’t love being mothers—being Mom is the part we love best. And the concept of celebrating motherhood is a fine thing. But being responsible for teaching someone else—someone small and self-centered—to make a fuss over us? That feels like more trouble than it's worth. Or, to put it as concisely as one of my friends does, “Kids ruin Mother’s Day.”

Of course we're joking. Kind of. How could kids ruin a day all about our joy in having them? Maybe it's because Hallmark builds this thing up as big as Valentine's Day and makes us think that someone is supposed to shower us with champagne breakfasts and roses. In a two-parent home, the responsibility for living up to that fantasy at least falls on an adult. Of course, friends readily tell me how often the adult can fall short (I don't think the Mother's Day deep fat fryer episode ended my one friend's marriage, but it clearly didn't help). Enough dads do seem to get it right, though, to leave a single mom feeling like she's alone in a world of mimosa drinkers come Sunday morn.

One of the things that makes living in Philadelphia unique is the dedication to green and clean spaces. This month, from May 7-14 Philadelphia celebrates the annual Love Your Park week. Whether you live near a tiny parklet, or near some of the cities major park attractions, families can get involved with making their space a little nicer, giving back to their community and sharing in a family-friendly event that teaches about the environment, and neighborhood impact. In addition to clean-ups, this city-wide event features family-friendly festivals and guided nature hikes to add an extra dose of fun to your service day!

Practically since they could walk, my kids have loved to dance. As they've gotten older, however, it's become pretty clear that they're just dabblers, and sometimes the commitment to an after school dance class is just too much to add into a busy schedule.  Happily, while there are many camps that offer summer intensives for enthusiastic dancers to hone their skills, there are a range of camps around Fairfield County--some as short as one week--that give budding dancers to try something new, be it ballet, hip hop, Irish dance, and more. Here are some of our favorites:

Nothing says summer like a round of miniature golf.  Growing up, I spent many a summer evening enjoying a game of putt-putt with my sisters.  These days, I delight in the nostalgic feeling I get watching my kids fill out their scorecards with that tiny pencil.  Whether you are headed down the shore, or are looking for a local activity, there is sure to be a great course nearby.  New Jersey is home to more than 50 miniature golf courses, and we've highlighted a few of our favorites below.  For more options, check out our original list of the Best Miniature Golf Courses in New Jersey.

Mothers usually put their children and everyone else first, before even thinking of themselves. So why not take full advantage of the one day that is dedicated just to moms and celebrate being a very special lady! Kick back, relax, and enjoy being a top mom at one of these fun events as your family shows appreciation for all that you do. Click here for fun ways to celebrate this week in Fairfield County too.

For parents and kids who love video games, there's a new must-do. The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, Long Island, is now home to a retro video game exhibit where, for a flat fee, you get a 90-minute window to play as much Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Mortal Kombat II as you can.

The Arcade Age exhibit consists of over 50 authentic video game machines from the 1980s. Atari, Midway and Sega are in heavy rotation here. You'll find popular throwbacks like Dig Dug, Pole Position, Missile Command and Breakout that will defintiely take you back. It's also fun discovering some of the more eclectic games you may have missed and your children certainly have never heard of before now. Read on for more on our recent visit.