There's been lots of fun to be had this week, as NYC public schools are on spring break through Sunday, April 12. From new museum exhibits to a contemporary circus spectacular, even this rainy weather couldn't keep us down.

The good news: we should finally get some sun this weekend, which is perfect for a day trip (maybe two!) to Essex County's Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, where families can enjoy live performances and other kid-friendly activities, or a Family Senses Night Hike in nearby Long Island that will give new meaning to the term "night owl." Kids can also enjoy a day of farming and hanging with the chickens, goats and pigs at Common Ground in Connecticut. Also on tap: Nyack's SpringFest, complete with carnival rides, games and over 300 vendors.

If you're starting to think about summer vacation plans, our Travel site has all the details for planning a great family trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

Our house is a twin summer birthday house.  Everything, times two! Guest list, goodie bags, cakes...everything requires double everything, including planning time.  It may be 6 months out, but we're already on the case to find a fabulous birthday party destination near our friends and family in Litchfield County.  Here are ten of awesome spots we've found so far. And don't forget to check out our CT Party Guide which also offers some great ideas and options.

You know we can't fit all the events going on this weekend in one post, right? I mean, we could, but it would just be too long, and you'd have to keep scrolling and scrolling and scrolling. It would be like reading through my kid's birthday list (seriously, how much can one kid want?), and by the time you got to the end, the weekend would be over.

So instead, we choose highlights—not hard to find on a weekend like this. Hello, Marina del Rey turning 50 (prime of your life, MdR, you never looked better); butterflies are in season at the Natural History Museum (shout out to my pupae); and the biggest thing to happen in the YA world since that whole Jacob/ Edward thing. Obviously, all of those need a mention.

There's also a major Powwow, a puppet festival you have to see to believe, art on the streets of Burbank... but not every activity is larger than life. You can fly a kite, learn about siblings, hear some really great music (in some really cool places), and moms, don't forget to look after yourselves.

But that's just the beginning. There are awesome art projects, a family 5k, a complimentary car seat checkup, and a by-teens-for-teens night out. Not all of it can make it into our highlights post. It just can't. But don't worry, that's what our Event Calendar is for.

Keep reading for way too many things to do this weekend..

Philly families have plenty to keep their children entertained this weekend. Our Event Calendar is filled with a variety of outdoor fun and indoor performances.

With a minimal chance of April showers, families can enjoy the great outdoors. Take in the beauty of the cherry trees at Morris Arboretum's Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival. Watch for birds and search for their nests at the John James Audubon Center's Saturday Bird Walks. Or discover the difference between frogs and toads at Tyler Arboretum's Froggy Madness.

Those looking for indoor activities have a plethora of events to choose from. The Delaware Museum of Natural History is hosting NanoDay featuring hands-on activities about the science of small. Or consider seeing a show. The Golden Dragon Acrobats bring Cirque Ziva to the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, John Cassidy: Balloon Freak takes the stage at the Sellersville Theater and Rainbowtown plays Act II Playhouse.

Read on for more of this weekend's top picks. If you haven't signed up for our FREE weekly newsletter yet, be sure to subscribe so you can have all of our posts delivered to your inbox. No matter what you decide to do with your family, have a great weekend.

Now that we're deep into the spring thaw, it's a good time to plan out the rest of the month with our April GoList. Some picks this weekend include events to commemorate Patriots' Day and more chances to catch the Big Apple Circus. Other great activities that take advantage of the warmer weather include Bird Park Spring Clean-up Day in Walpole, a Spring Hike with PJ Library at Habitat in Belmont, and Animal Craze Mitzvah Day at Wards Berry Farm.

Families looking for live entertainment have tons of options this weekend. On Saturday, the African Children's Choir (pictured) performs with the Pure Treble and Pure Harmony choruses, and the musical adventure O, Ship! Aboard the Ship! opens at the Boston Center for the Arts. On Sunday, enjoy free concerts all afternoon at the Boston Symphony Orchestra Open House or a Family Folk Chorale Concert celebrating Carole King and Joni Mitchell. All weekend long, families can catch students from the South Shore Conservatory in their Performathon fundraiser at the Barnes & Noble in Hingham.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Young Boston sports fanatics can become card-carrying members of local Sports Fan Clubs for Boston Kids.
• Looking for something fun to do with the kids during April vacation? See our top picks.
• Chocolate-covered pretzels make easy (and delicious!) homemade gifts.
• Toddlers love making pipe cleaner bird feeders, and the birds love them, too.
• Send your children to an April vacation week camp that will get them outdoors and connecting with nature.
• Your kids won't need crayons and coloring pages to keep them entertained at these 5 Boston Restaurants Where the Meal is the Entertainment.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out our full Event Calendar!

Spring has finally sprung, and folks are enjoying the outdoors for the first time in what seems like forever. Head to downtown Port Jefferson for harborside views, and tinker around at the Maritime Explorium. Families can also take a drive to Setauket or Islip for guided family hikes, or sail aboard a seal watching cruise out of Freeport. There's also a FREE spring festival in Syosset.

Remember, you can find even more options in our jam-packed Event Calendar. To receive this post in your inbox, subscribe to our FREE newsletters.