Local mom and “Outdoors with Kids Boston” guidebook author, Kim Foley MacKinnon, shares her best family outing tips and picks with you as part of our guest blog series with the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Kids Outdoors Boston free online community.

Young children are insatiably curious, and nature centers offer a great way to indulge their interest about the world around them. From birding kits to aquariums, to nature-themed games and special programs, several Boston-area centers have plenty to keep youngsters engaged. Here’s our pick of the top ten within an hour or so of the city.

Sure, your cozy fourth-floor walk-up or historic, buckling-at-the-foundation brownstone has a certain amount of New York charm, but when you add kids to the mix, charm doesn't always cut it in this city. From steep stoops, to sub-par schools, to a sheer lack of space, there are plenty of not-so-family-friendly hurdles that never even cross your mind when you sign on for a pre-parenthood apartment.

"As a parent, living in New York City can definitely have its fair share of challenges," said Raphael DeNiro, when we sat down to chat about what moms and dads should really be looking for in an NYC home. With help from Douglas Elliman's DeNiro, one of the agents representing the new amenities-filled, luxury Tribeca building, 111 Murray Street, we put together a list of eight building perks you didn't even know you and your family should be looking for. (Oh, and, surprise, surprise, 111 Murray Street actually has them all...).

Harry Potter isn't the only reason to head to Universal Studios Hollywood these days. A trip to the theme park in the Hollywood Hills also gives Hello Kitty fans a chance to indulge their cravings, as the iconic pop culture feline is the big star of the brand new Universal Studios' Animation Studio Store. 

It sits on a harbor and is named after a president. But Port Washington is not Port Jefferson.

You won’t find in Port Washington ferry access to New England or a celebration of Charles Dickens each holiday season. Those belong to Port Jefferson, of course, the more popular tourist destination of Long Island’s two North Shore “ports.” But if you want a kid-friendly maritime lifestyle a half-hour or so from Manhattan, Port Washington is a Nassau County delight.

While circuses like Ringling Brothers, The Big Apple Circus and Cirque du Soleil are household names, the lesser-known Royal Hanneford Circus ranks on the list of must-see circuses. We took it upon ourselves to check things out at a recent visit in Westchester, N.Y., and have what you should know about its upcoming visit to Wilmington, Mass.

Read on for the inside scoop, and be sure to sign up for our newsletters to receive stories like this in your inbox!

Astoria and Long Island City have seen a tremendous leap in child development venues over the past five years, including play spaces and sports centers. Yay! But even so, there are a few nooks and crannies of these two Queens neighborhoods that are still activity deserts, in need of family-friendly fun.

Nestled on the border of these two neighborhoods is Okabaloo, a new child-enrichment center and play space that brings art, music, and discovery to the neighborhood. Read on to find everything you need to know before you head over.

Tucked away in the sleepy mountain town of Altadena lies a delightful oddity: the world's largest collection.... of bunny objects. I recently had the hare-raising joy of visiting this curious destination. And it has to be said: if you're making a list of things that are truly only in LA, somewhere between sand sledding and Angelyne you'd have to include The Bunny Museum.

The Easter bunny is back, and he's packed his basket full of more than just eggs. While traditional pictures at the mall are always an option, we've found a bunch of events in Houston that offer more than just your standard four-by-six family keepsake. This year take your bunny photos up a notch by incorporating some family fun and food throughout the morning to go along with them. For some extra special Easter activities, check out these events around town, including massive Easter egg hunts, crafts and games and breakfast with your favorite bunny make these Easter Bunny photo ops a hop above the rest!

For more season fun, check out our Spring Fun Guide for Houston Families!