I was besotted by horses when I was a child so it was not at all surprising when my daughter spotted a grazing pony from the car window one day and asked if she could have a horse of her own. The answer to horse ownership was, regrettably, no (an answer that had to be repeated several times a day for the next few months), but we did agree to horseback riding camp, and we were happy to find so many options close by. There's no way around it: full-day camp options tend to be quite pricey, but some of the part-day programs are very reasonable (and tend to book up quickly).

I've written in the past about my family's love of baseball, which extends well beyond just playing. My son, a die-hard Yankees fan, has seen games in six big-league ballparks. With spring in the air, and Opening Day only days away (the Yankees are back in the Bronx on April 6, the Mets at Citi Field on April 13), I've been looking for tickets that can get my family of five into a game without breaking the bank. Read on for the scoop on wallet-friendly ticket deals, and my tips for enjoying America's favorite pastime with your brood in tow.

Hello, April! Even if you are a little rainy, we happily welcome the springtime weather and return of outdoor fun. If you’re looking to get the gang out of the house to celebrate Easter, NJ has lots of holiday happenings this weekend. Check out the Bunny Chase at Terhune Orchards, go for a traditional Easter egg hunt at historic Allaire Village or greet the holiday rabbit when he lands in an airplane at Solberg Airport's Easter Bunny Flies event. For some fresh air fun, head to Surprise Story Time at the beautiful Deep Cut Gardens or take a guided nature walk at Tenafly Nature Center. For even more weekend fun, check out our Event Calendar.

It's a short school week, with Good Friday and the first night of Passover falling on the same day. Speaking of the upcoming holiday, NYC public schools may be adding another day off to its calendar soon. We've also got news of a program expansion at the South Street Seaport Museum and the chance for students to win $1,000 for their school library. Also, you'll want to hold on to your boas and tiaras, kid-lit icon Fancy Nancy is going to be a TV star!

Now that spring is (finally!) in the air, we can't wait to make the most of milder temps and sunshine-filled days. All winter long (as we played with every toy in the house and exhausted every possibility in our arts and crafts bin), we've been dreaming of April, fresh flowers, birds chipping and, more than anything, open space to play and run! Our great state is filled with nature centers that make exploring the outdoors both educational and fun in any season. Usher in spring with these awesome festivals and classes at New Jersey nature centers:

As March comes to a close, let’s give a (hopefully) warm welcome to April with a week of holiday festivities and springtime fun. Grab your baskets and go egg hunting galore at Marlboro Whole Food’s Eggstravaganza and Oasis Farm’s Easter Egg Hunt. Celebrate Passover at Matzah Mania. Have slumber-style fun at a Rainbow PJ Party or a Stuffed Animal Sleepover. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more weekday and weekend activities.

This week brings a variety of kid- and family-friendly activities and events. Head over to White Post to hunt for Easter eggs and take a photo with the big bunny, jump around at Bouncers & Slydos and enjoy a sensory-friendly performance at the Long Island Children's Museum. And with spring break approaching, be sure to check out our roundup of fun things to do during school recess.

Keep in mind that this list is just our top picks—be sure to check our Event Calendar for more options. And to receive this post in your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters, which go out twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays).