Big Sunday Weekend (May 1-3, 2015) is a time for residents all over Southern California to come together to serve the community; more than 50,000 volunteers are expected to participate. The weekend offers a fabulous opportunity to introduce children to volunteering; even toddlers and preschoolers can help weed, pick up trash, draw cards for troops, and feel the joy of helping others. And you could check off #61 on our list of 100 Things to Do in LA With Kids Before They Grow Up by helping out on a beach clean-up as a family! The weekend is special—spirits are high; people are excited; a huge variety of projects is available for all age groups (see a small sample below), and work is done. And if you've ever noticed people wearing Big Sunday t-shirts in past years, that's because everyone who volunteers gets a free tee.

It's been a very exciting week here at Mommy Poppins, and not just because Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday. On Tuesday, our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app was highlighted on The Katie Couric Show as one of the best apps for busy moms. We also shared an inspiring video shot at our kids coding workshops last weekend featuring girls as young as age 6 learning how to program. And our media blitz continues this Friday, when Shari from our New Jersey site will appear on Fox's Good Day New York to chat about all things mom.

But that's enough screen time for us—the spring weather means we're all spending as much time as possible out and about. If you've been looking for day trip destinations, our Long Island site just posted about pick-your-own strawberry farms and family-friendly campgrounds. Westchester rounded up 30 fun things to do with kids in Yonkers, home to the Legoland Discovery Center, the Hudson River Museum and the Science Barge. And New Jersey continued its series on great small towns with a profile of the quaint seaside community of Stone Harbor. Want to go a little further? Our Travel site has a list of spring travel deals that includes Universal Orlando, Disney and even Hawaii.

Our giveaway has great odds this week: We're giving away 100 family tickets (good for two adults and up to four children) to the annual New York Baby Show, which takes place next weekend in Midtown West.

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

As I approach my ninth mother's day, I confess that I'm still not entirely sure what constitutes the ideal celebration. Is it breakfast in bed? Brunch out at a fabulous restaurant? A walk in the woods with my nearest and dearest? If you're still looking for inspiration, we have collected some of our favorite Mother's Day ideas in Fairfield County here.

Of course, sometimes the best mother's day gift is knowing that, as we stare down the barrel of summer vacation, our kids have summer plans that they're excited about, and our Summer Camp and Day Camp Guide includes many terrific options for every age and budget. If summer birthdays are on your mind, check out our Birthday Party Guide, particularly the suggestions for Throwing a Great Summer Birthday Party in Fairfield County.

For an easy, low-stress day trip with kids, check out our recent Train Ride to the Springdale Diner, which was a terrific midday adventure for all concerned. For more fun activities this month, don't forget to check the CT Go List, our own handpicked collection of  events you won't want to miss.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and you'll be sure to get this weekend round up in your inbox every Thursday. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Pinterest in order to get updates on events, contests and free giveaways. Our event calendar is updated constantly with the best activities around the state.

Happy Mother's Day!

With an area of less than two square miles, the adorable seaside town of Stone Harbor showcases small town charm at its best.  With the Intercoastal Waterway to the West and the Atlantic Ocean to the East, this barrier island town offers unlimited opportunities for water sports and recreation.  From sunrise to sunset, visitors can find make themselves as busy or relaxed as they choose.  Peaceful beaches, a quaint downtown and exceptional restaurants make Stone Harbor one of the most appealing destinations at the Jersey Shore.  To learn about more great small shore towns, check out our posts on Ocean Grove and Cape May.

Unfortunately FAO Schwarz closed in July 2015; we're looking into whether the make-your-own-toy experiences located there will move elsewhere. Shopping for toys is fun, but creating your own customized plaything is a much cooler and memorable experience. While NYC is filled with craft spots where kids can walk away with cute, homemade creations, there are only two places in town where children can drop in and make their own high-quality toys that look like they were just plucked from the retail shelf: FAO Schwarz and the Build-A-Bear Workshop. At these two megastores, kids can design their own dolls, cars, stuffed animals and more, usually not for much more than these items would cost anyway.

These make-your-own-toy experiences can also be turned into over-the-top birthday parties. Not only do the kids have a blast designing their own playthings, they go home with a party favor they'll truly treasure instead of those awful plastic-filled goody bags that always end up in the landfill.

Considering a camping trip, but the thought of sitting in the car for hours has you hesitating? Ditch the "are we there yet?" moans and groans and camp out right here on Long Island! There are plenty of campgrounds nearby that offer sweeping views, boast family-friendly features and get your up close and personal with nature. Here is our list of five more campgrounds on Long Island. Check out the first five campsites we've already featured.

Much like telephones and VW Beetles, birthday parties look a whole lot different than they used to. Here in LA, I've seen kids' parties that looked like they had wedding planners, guest lists that go higher than the child can count, and party favors with bigger price tags than the gifts. I've also seen parents say, "Oh, stuff it," and run away to Disneyland. Whether you're on the birthday party fast lane or have no qualms about keeping it sweet and simple, a few tips from party experts can only make things better, so we asked some party professionals to share their insider tips.