Weekday Picks for Westchester Kids: Children's Film Festival, Coding for Teens April 13-17

Although Easter and Passover are behind us, there are still plenty of fun family activities for Westchester families this week. You’ll find diverse offerings in our Event Calendar, including our top picks, like the start of the New York International Children’s Film Festival: Westchester, a 10-day cinematic sensation featuring movies from all over the globe. Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Ha Shoah) is sure to provide a provocative reflection on a dark time in history, with lessons and reminders for family audiences. April is also National Poetry Month, and we found a fun celebration that focuses on children’s books written in verse.

Remember to check out our April GoList for the best things to do throughout the entire month. If you haven't already, subscribe to our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered right to your inbox.

Weekday Event Picks for NYC Kids: Imagination Playground, Séquence 8, Cool Theater April 13-17

The kids head back to public school this week, but you can still carve out a little time for fun. Head to the American Museum of Natural History to see its latest exhibit, Life at the Limits, or enjoy the Brooklyn Museum's play workshops with Imagination Playground. There's also some awesome family theater on tap, like the acrobatic spectacle Séquence 8 at City Center, Egg and Spoon at BAM and The Earth and Me at Brooklyn College.

Although we only highlight one event per day in this post, you can find plenty of other options in our Event Calendar and our Spring Fun Guide.

Tribeca Film Festival for NYC Kids: Family Street Fair and Other Free Fun

One of NYC's best known spring events, the Tribeca Film Festival, is set to take over downtown from Wednesday, April 15 through Sunday, April 26, and as always there are lots of awesome FREE activities for families. The main kids' event, the Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair, takes place on Saturday, April 25. While the crowds are huge, there are tons of surprises, cool experiences and great entertainment that make it a must-do.

In addition to the Family Festival Street Fair, there's Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day, plus a series of outdoor "drive-in" movies, an indoor screening of Back to the Future and other family fun—all 100% FREE.

6 More Great Camping Sites for Long Island Families

Once the warm weather arrives, many families want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Camping happens to be a wonderful way to enjoy nature, along with some bonding time with the kids. From fishing and swimming, to making s'mores and sleeping under the stars, camping can create memories you'll treasure for years to come (or, at the very least, give you some good stories to tell).

Long Island is home to quite a few prime camping sites, so you don't need to go far to take a family vacation this summer. We've covered many beloved campgrounds in the past (see our roundups of 5 great campgrounds on Long Island and 5 more great campgrounds). But, believe it or not, we've found six more worthy of checking out. Enjoy!

Paint-Your-Own Canvas Studios for Kids (and Parties) in the Philly Area

If you are planning a birthday or fun outing for a young artist, the newest trend in creative parties may be for you. Paint-your-own canvas parties are popping up all over the Delaware Valley, in stand-alone studios and as add-ons in pottery workshops, and a few even come to you. In addition to kids' parties and art classes, many studios also host Girls' Night Out events where moms can bring their own wine and snacks, and channel their inner artist.

We've rounded up a list of paint-your-own studios that offer children's birthday parties and, in many cases, camps, classes and drop-in sessions, too. Party hosts are usually allowed to bring their own food, the studio does all the cleanup and guests leave with their own masterpieces!

Step Back in Time at Shady Glen Diner & Dairy Store

When you walk into Shady Glen, you feel as if you have stepped back in time to the 1950s. Waitresses wear old-fashioned green dress uniforms with white aprons, and cooks sport pointy paper hats. Kids can slide into booths or spin on the counter stools arranged around a bustling kitchen and soda fountain. This classic burger joint and ice cream shop has been featured on the Travel Channel for its unique cheeseburgers, although it began as a dairy store and scoops are still its main draw. The grub is not fancy, but it is good solid comfort food served in a fun atmosphere. Top it all off with homemade ice cream and this Hartford area classic is a sweet outing to try with kids!

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