Nothing says spring in the suburbs like a team of rubber ducks bobbing and bumping down a river. The annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day and Rotary Duck Derby, a four-hour affair at Sleepy Hollow’s Patriot Park, is a family favorite of ours. The event typically draws more than 1,500 people, all of whom come to enjoy the live music, vendors, crafts, entertainment and, of course, hordes of rubber ducks. 

This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017, 11am - 3pm, and we have what you need to know. Looking for more spring family fun? Check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook.

There are so many wonderful ways to welcome spring in and around Philly, and Cinco de Mayo is one of the best. This list includes area events and specials, plus crafts, books, and even recipes that are creative, family-friendly ways to celebrate the holiday while teaching kids about Mexican culture and tradition.  

Choosing a preschool for your young child can be anything but easy. There are so many choices—bilingual or language-immersion, Montessori, cooperatives—that it’s hard to know where to begin. 

If you’re looking for a preschool that allows parents to actively participate with things like helping in the classroom and shaping school policy, then a cooperative preschool may be right for you and your child. Also know as a co-op, these schools’ educational philosophies can vary, but one thing remains the same: Parents are an integral part of the running of the school. Recently, we looked at co-op options in the west suburbs. This week, we’ve rounded up preschool co-ops in Cambridge and Somerville where teachers and parents work together to nurture little learners.

Evelyn's Park officially opened on April 22, 2017, with an Earth Day celebration and community picnic. It was a gorgeous day with live music, art activities, food trucks, beer and wine tastings, a mini farmers's market, and fitness activities. The park was filled with people enjoying the sun, the food, and the sense of community and connection that Evelyn's park was created to foster.

What's not to love about brunch? A magical marriage of all the best things served up with a mimosa and a slice of cantaloupe, brunch is arguably the most indulgent meal right out of the gate. Maybe that's why it has become something of a tradition to spoil the ladies who work tirelessly making sure everyone is cared for by taking them out to these panoplies of decadence on Mother's Day. We are extra spoiled in Connecticut because of our epic food scene so finding a brunch fit for a queen isn't hard at all. So pick a spot, make a reservation, gussy up the fam and treat mom! She deserves it.

Ahh! The delicious agony of having to research the best ice cream shops in Fairfield County! And what a wonderful way to enjoy these hot summer days. Why not take time out for a quick trip to an ice cream shop that’s more like a mini-vacation?

Of course, we all have our personal favorite ice cream shops from when we were kids. If we still live in the general vicinity, we may find ourselves being mysteriously drawn back to our ice cream memories. But how fun it is to find a new ice cream parlor we’ve never tried before on a Sunday afternoon as we explore neighboring towns! Here are a few places that you can just happen to pass by during your summer meandering. And if you happen to be in Farmington Valley,  New Haven County or New London County, we've done roundups there, too!

Connecticut offers its share of shoreline fun in the sun and we list loads of beaches in our CT Beach & Water Fun Guide, but one of our family favorites, Ocean Beach Park is tucked away in the southeastern corner of the state, in New London, and has something for everyone!  For more beachy summer fun check out our CT Summer Fun Guide.

For more than a century, carousels have added magic to childhood and nostalgia to our adult years. Racing for the most bedazzled horse or the one with the fanciest saddle is a right of passage since many children are naturally drawn to the whimsical figurines, whether they sparkle and shine, stand stoic in the breeze, or gracefully glide up and down to the sounds of carnival music. Being immersed in countless lights and bright colors, while the sense of flight is perpetrated by the circular motion, makes it seem like one is living in a musical water globe, if only for a few moments. Carousel rides are synonymous with summer breezes, but many can be enjoyed year-round. Below are 11 recommendations for where to catch a carousel ride in Connecticut...or close to the state border.