Thanks so much to all who participated in the first ever Mommy Poppins Long Island Bestie Awards. The contest is now closed. Winners will be announced via Facebook live on November 9th. Follow us on Facebook so you don't miss the broadcast.

You may have spent a spring break (or two) in Panama Beach City, Florida, or lived vicariously through the revelry broadcast on MTV Spring Break, which drew thousands of college kids to this beach town for a decade. But now that you’ve traded shot glasses for strollers, this classic spring break locale has luckily grown up right with you.

Today, families with young children flock to its sandy shore, and with an international airport just 20 minutes away, it’s easy to get to. We visited this 27-mile stretch of beach along the Gulf of Mexico this summer with a toddler in tow and were impressed with the entertainment options. Read on for 25 things to do with kids in this Florida haven, including where to eat and play on your family’s next vacation.

When my kids wanted a fun place to visit, they rarely (okay, never) asked: “Can we go to Torrington?” But that has changed since our first visit to KidsPlay, a children’s museum located downtown in Litchfield County’s largest city. After just one visit, KidsPlay became a favorite destination, and these days, the museum is better than ever after a recently completed expansion that doubled the square footage and play space. From the moment you enter through its doors (monitored by security cameras), the amount of creativity and fun details will leave you impressed and little adventurers giddy. The museum is designed for ages 2-8, and without a doubt, the persons behind its establishment know what makes children happy and how they learn best through play.

Keeping up with your ever growing children's clothing needs can take a toll on the family bank account. A great way to save money is purchasing clothes (and even toys and other baby gear) at consignment stores, or better yet, massive sales. Houston has several consignment sales happening around town this fall. Check out the below events - organized by date - to find one near you.

We're forever amazed by the things kids are learning to do these days. From coding to building robots, today's kiddos are mastering critical 21st century skills that will help them excel in school and, ultimately, their careers. And the best part of all is that places like Sylvan Learning have figured out how to make engineering, coding, and even math, fun. Sylvan Learning believes that engaging and interactive experiences during this pivotal time help nurture an early love of STEM, which can literally serve kids for a lifetime.

We recently took a bunch of kids to try out a Sylvan EDGE STEM program for an afternoon, and we couldn't believe what they created. Check out the video to see what your little learners could be doing at Sylvan.

Ever since I first saw the TV show Gilmore Girls, I have been searching for the fictional town of Stars Hollow—the quintessential New England small town, where everyone knows everyone, and you can walk (or bike) to just about anywhere you’d want to go. I had no idea that after years of looking, I would finally find a real-life Stars Hollow on the Lower Cape: Chatham, Massachusetts.

Chatham is a beautiful and enchanting town, rich in history and tradition. One of my favorite things about the place is its walkability. Main Street is bustling with adorable shops and good restaurants, and the beach and parks are just a short distance away.  It may not be practical to live in a town like Chatham year round, but for a weekend getaway, I daresay it’s the perfect place. Read on for 25 fun things to do while you’re there, in the summertime and beyond. Whether you feel like getting in touch with nature, catching a ball game, sampling some treats, or having some quiet time in a museum or bookstore, there's something here for everyone in the family.

Short Hills, New Jersey, might be most famous for its luxury brand–filled mall, or as one of the country’s most affluent towns. But tucked among its winding backroads, you’ll find one of New Jersey’s most charming public gardens, Greenwood Gardens.

The seasonal 28-acre garden is filled with little nature trails, water features, sculptures, and even a few barnyard animals.

If you’re looking for a sweet, low-key, non-commercial day trip with Jersey kids of any age, Greenwood Gardens is a great bet. Bonus: It’s free for kids under age 12. Read on for our full review, and find more zoos and gardens in our local New Jersey guide for families.

Fall is my favorite season: there are so many fun activities available in the greater Hartford region in that short stretch of comfortable weather punctuated by New England foliage. Inevitably, by the time November rolls around, there are at least ten things that I wished I’d done but either I didn’t think of them, or I didn’t get around to them. To help you make the most of this fall season, we've compiled a list of fall favorites (including some indoor activities for those rainy days). If you get around to all of them, you’re my hero.