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.

Aaaaah, spring is in the air! It’s like the entire world is waking up from a long winter’s nap and is ready to party. You and your family can join in on the fun with these festivals, fairs, and special events located around Fairfield County this season.  If all that fresh air has awakened your sense of wanderlust, make sure you hop over to Westchester and check out some of their Spring Festivals  too!

My family and I love books, and luckily for us, Boston is a great city for bookish fans. Both libraries and bookstores appear among the top 100 Things to Do with Boston Kids Before They Grow Up, and there's no debating the wonderful options for book lovers in the Boston area. With children's bookstores from Faneuil Hall to Harvard Square to farther afield, families can keep even the youngest of readers happy at any of these fantastic spots.

Got a little gamer on your hands? Broaden his or her Minecraft world of neat row houses and green trees with these camps and classes offered by professionals. And the kids don't even have to know they might learn a little math in the process! For more classes on Long Island, visit our Classes & Enrichment Guide.