The high temperatures and humidity we've been experiencing say summer arrived weeks ago, but for NYC public school kids, break is just beginning. And we're celebrating with a variety of fun-filled events, from a School's Out Celebration in Coney Island, to a slew of free fests and concerts.

Heading to Long Island's East End this summer? Here's a roundup of super cheap (yes, really) activities for kids. There's also a ton of free fun to be had in nearby New Jersey. Plan a day trip to the Garden State for entertainment like the NJ Barbecue Championship, blueberry festivals and beach outings. For dino-obsessed kids, we've got a list of places to find the prehistoric creatures in Connecticut that's sure to be a hit.

Our Travel site has details on a blissful family farm vacation in New Hampshire.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

During the summer, New Jersey parents are constantly on the lookout for day trips that are both entertaining and educational. The Garden State's great zoos and aquariums are always lots of fun, but if you're looking for a unique experience for your wildlife-loving kids, consider a trip to the Raptor Trust. Located in Millington, the Raptor Trust is primarily a medical facility for injured birds; however, it's also a permanent home for birds that cannot be safely returned to the wild. Visitors are given the opportunity observe these gorgeous creatures up close. I recently took my two children, ages 11 and 7, on a tour. Read on to see what this special destination has to offer.

It's summertime (for reals this week!), and the fun is coming fast and furious. Time to indulge in your post-solstice favorites: Hollywood Bowl will have you singing all the way back to the future, or you can just bowl.  You can wherefore and wilt thou with the Shakespearean troupe in Griffith Park (free all summer long). Speaking of free, there are a ton of free movies and free concerts and, really, aren't the best things in life free?

Here are a few: Free fan fest. Free pirate invasion. Free bike ride. (Free bike expo). Free Chinatown Summer Nights. Free movie. Free movie. Free movie. Free concert. Free festival.

And our favorite free, the Land of the Free, has its special day coming up. Nothing says summer like the Fourth of July!  We've got the scoop on America's birthday and all the best fireworks next week, (and one display this weekend, if you want to get an early start).

Keep reading for our favorite picks for this weekend...

Ah, the summertime bucket list. You know, activities that every family plans to do over school break? Since this weekend concludes the month of June, it's a wake-up call to start crossing a few off your list with the help of our Event Calendar.

Hit a summer fest such as the New Castle County Ice Cream Festival. See an outdoor concert at Roxborough's Gorgas Park, Bryn Mawr's Gazebo or Media's Rose Tree Park. Or explore nature with a trip to the Schuylkill Environmental Education Center's 50th Anniversary Picnic or Riverbend Environmental Education Center's Stream Stomp.

Read on to see the rest of our top picks for the weekend so you can make every moment of summer count. Have fun!

School's out for summer! I'm looking forward to kicking back and relaxing at a local spray pool to ease into vacation, but celebrations are also in order, especially with Independence Day on the horizon. Why not get a head start at one of the early 4th of July celebrations happening this weekend?

If you prefer to wait for the actual Fourth for your festivities, there are plenty of alternatives for a good time this weekend, including filling up on summer's best dessert or catching the Seine boat races. To round out the weekend, two highly-anticipated events include a release party for a local musician and an incredible peek into the science behind some of our favorite films for kids (pictured).

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• The Fourth is just around the corner! We share some great ways to celebrate without fireworks.
• Visiting the Harvard Museums with kids is even more fun when you know what to expect.
• If you're looking for a different type of getaway, consider a family farm vacation in New Hampshire.
• Our roundup of local 4th of July fireworks (not on the Esplanade) might help you discover a new favorite spot.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!

What a weekend to kick off summer vacation! You can sling some dirt at International Mud Day at the Suffolk County Farm, or catch various versions of Cinderella onstage in Garden City, Oakdale and Smithtown. If you're looking for a bang for no bucks, there are fireworks in Eisenhower Park (rescheduled to Monday, June 29) and Point Lookout this weekend, too.

Families can cap off their Saturday with a free outdoor movie in Long Beach, or explore lavishly decorated greenery at Old Westbury Gardens.

Remember, you can find even more options in our jam-packed Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. To receive our posts in your inbox, subscribe to our free newsletters.

Summer break kicks off with a slew of awesome activities this weekend. In addition to NYC public pools opening on Saturday, there are many annual favorites like the ride-filled Astoria Park Festival, the interdisciplinary Harlem Arts Festival and Park Slope's Puppetry Arts Festival.

Of course all of those picks are outside but, if you believe NY1, we're looking at a monsoon this weekend. So we're highlighting plenty of indoor events, too, like riding on vintage subway cars in honor of the 100th anniversary of the BMT and hands-on Lego fun at Brick Fest Live! at the New York Hall of Science.

All of our best bets for this weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

School's out for the summer, and Mommy Poppins has you covered! This weekend features a robust lineup of fabulous performances, eclectic festivals and more great fun for Westchester families. The fire-eating and sword-fighting antics at A Night on Fire are sure to dazzle, and who doesn’t love the Big Apple Circus? Outdoor festivals this weekend include Sidewalk Chalk Art, American Roots Music and Irish Heritage.

For more seasonal fun in and around Westchester, check out our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide, where you'll find plenty of ideas—many of which are FREE. Check back often, as new listings are added frequently. And be sure to sign up for our FREE weekly newsletters to get our posts delivered to your inbox.