Parenting takes a village. Finding the right parent group can give you an instant support network to share the highs and lows of parenthood, especially if you’re new to the game and especially if you live in a busy, overwhelming urban area like New York City! Many parent groups host events and social gatherings, while some offer valuable seminars and discussions. Other groups serve as classifieds where you can swap and sell baby gear, and many offer a place to simply connect with like-minded people.

We've pulled together a sampling of some of the city’s best neighborhood and citywide groups for moms and dads. Fortunately, there are so many great ones that we had a hard time whittling down the list. Most are free or include low annual dues. Read on for more details, and be sure to check out our NYC Baby Guide for more ideas for exploring and enjoying NYC from pregnancy to preschool.

The answer is yes: Yes, it is worth paying a visit to the latest in LA's series of selfie-inspired "museums"—the recently opened Candytopia in Santa Monica Place. Yes, kids of all ages love this place, and yes, you'll feel like you got your money's worth.

Westchester has tons of classes for kids of all ages—and babies are no exception. Whether you’re interested in introducing your little one to yoga and gymnastics, or even have her start learning a foreign language, you’ll find something in our area. Here we’ve rounded up a few classes to try, for babies anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months old.

Looking for even more first-year fun? Read our round-up of Mommy & Me music classes—and be sure to check out our Event Calendar for daily events. 

Taking a road trip just to go on a sleepover probably isn’t something you’d think to do, but that’s about to change with the Smithsonian’s Sleepover Series. This summer, kids can experience an overnight adventure at one of three Smithsonian museums, each with its own adventure. Just a two hour drive from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. means you and your elementary- and middle school-aged children could solve a mystery, explore outer space, or sleep beneath a 50-foot whale.

April showers bring May flowers, and along with all the colorful blossoms come an array of springtime celebrations. The Hartford and New Haven areas are bursting with exciting outdoor family festivals in April, May, and June. These eleven events feature crafts, delicious treats, family-friendly activities, and boundless fun. So head outside with the children and enjoy all that spring in Central Connecticut has to offer.

It's finally mid-April again, and Boston’s time to shine. Marathon Monday brings out the best of Boston, as half a million people come together to cheer on competitors from around the world. With 26 miles to choose from, it’s hard to know the best places to go to get the best view, while staying away from rowdy crowds. Here are a few spots along the marathon route where you can get a great view, while staying close to transportation and places to eat. If watching fife and drum brigades, battles, and other historical enactments is more your family's speed, check out these other Patriots' Day activity ideas.

It's all martial arts, NINJAGO, and 4-D cinematic fun for two weekends in April as LEGOLAND Discovery Center celebrates the release of a new 15-minute NINJAGO movie. Read on for our review of the movie and highlights of these special event weekends.

With more and more indoor play areas for kids opening in Queens, it can be hard for new spaces to stand out in the crowd. But Little Neck’s Little Dreamers Kingdom is doing just that by exclusively focusing on toddlers and preschoolers. With a smaller space and tot-sized playthings, caregivers can keep an eye on their little ones without hovering. It also offers a variety of fun toddler class offerings and birthday parties.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the space, including hours and recommended ages.