My mom grew up as a certified country child, riding horses and watching the rodeo circuit. And though she raised a family of city kids, we always spent a lot of time on my grandparents' farm. Although our family farm is no more, I try to keep my kids connected to our country roots. In NYC, we can hit a petting zoo or trek out to the Queens County Farm Museum. However, one of our favorite ways to spend a spring day is by taking the short train ride to Belmont Park on Long Island to see the horses, watch some live racing and enjoy family-centric fun.

I've got three kids with three decidedly different personalities; even though my youngest is just a toddler, it's clear she's a daredevil at heart, never content to sit still for long and always looking for a challenge sure to scare me. She's already got me thinking of activities to thrill her spirit—safely of course. If you've got a like-minded child who refuses to keep her feet on the ground and operates at hyper-speed, New York City is filled with activities to satisfy young thrill seekers, from rock climbing to surfing to trapeze and more. Read on for 10 activities that will get kids' hearts (and yours!) pumping.

I've written in the past about my family's love of baseball, which extends well beyond just playing. My son, a die-hard Yankees fan, has seen games in six big-league ballparks. With spring in the air, and Opening Day only days away (the Yankees are back in the Bronx on April 6, the Mets at Citi Field on April 13), I've been looking for tickets that can get my family of five into a game without breaking the bank. Read on for the scoop on wallet-friendly ticket deals, and my tips for enjoying America's favorite pastime with your brood in tow.