From history celebrations to marine ecology classes to creative arts and crafts, educational programs abound on the East End this weekend. Whether you're on the North Fork or South, you’re sure to find an activity that inspires your child’s intellectual curiosity—and maybe even yours, too.

Do you know from where the first Southampton settlers came? Or why ancient cultures celebrated the summer solstice? Or how horseshoe crabs survived the dinosaur extinction? If not, check out some of these weekend picks with your kids. And for more fun on the East End, peruse our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.

Kids (and parents, too) will go crazy for Flying Tiger, the new ultra-affordable Danish design store that recently opened its first U.S. location right here in New York City. The 5,000-square-foot Flatiron shop is bright, colorful, fun and, for my two kids, instantly addictive. They wanted one of almost everything, which was okay since 85 percent of the merchandise is under $10.

Here you'll find everything from soup bowls to socks, place mats to Post-its, bike bells to a bevy of brushes—that's paint, tooth, hair, dish and toilet bowl brushes, that last one in the shape of a potted flower, no less. Even kids who usually think shopping is a chore will enjoy browsing this tchotchke paradise.

Father’s Day is more toned down than Mother’s Day, and most dads I know would say that’s a good thing. There’s no pressure to have a perfect day, just license to take some time off, relax, enjoy a hearty breakfast, and goof off a little with the kids.

When you ask the dads in your life what they want to do to celebrate, they often draw a blank. So last year we rounded up 10 things dads actually want to do for Father's Day for inspiration. This year, we're sharing 10 more ideas to help you plan a fun outing for the whole family—but especially for the man of honor.

Most independent schools are wrapping up the academic year this Friday, and while public school students still have a couple of weeks to go, summer is definitely on the horizon. Get ready for lazy mornings, later nights and more time to explore the city! We've got the scoop on a few cool new outdoor spaces to try, fresh museum exhibits to investigate and free classes to attend, as well as a popular play spot to avoid. Also, before you forget all about homework and grades, public school parents should take note that the DOE is launching a new online system to track student progress—so log on before you check out. 

My favorite summertime memories involve the beach, ice cream, and roller coasters. As a kid, I visited just about every amusement park in our area with my family; and now I’m able to create new memories with my own kids—who have finally reached the minimum height requirement! If we can make a weekend out of it and sneak in a visit to a city with plenty of other family-friendly activities and attractions, even better.

Kennywood Amusement Park in Pittsburgh has been one of America’s most popular parks since it first opened in 1898. Located just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, the park draws loyal fans from all over to experience its 31 major rides for kids of all ages. Visitors are also rewarded with a slew of special events planned for this summer—including its first annual KidsFest.

Summertime and the living in Southern California is easy. While parents all around the country are looking for seasonal vacation destinations, those of us lucky enough to live in SoCal are already here. There is nothing quite like our local beaches, and no better way to spend the summer months than on our shores.

Of course, taking very young ones to the beach can feel like a lot of work. Vigilance is especially necessary when the ocean looms, and keeping the kids in shallow waters is a full-time job, albeit a fun one. Who doesn’t love digging for sand crabs, building drip castles, and running screaming from the surf? Sometimes, though, it is nice to enjoy the beach in a more relaxing, contained manner. Fortunately, many of our beaches from Santa Barbara to San Diego have playgrounds, which is the perfect way to experience the beach without even needing to get your feet wet.

While summer is the season of outdoor fun in NYC, sometimes you need a break from the parks, beaches, sun and sweltering heat. Going to a kid-friendly museum exhibit is an engaging and enriching way to spend a humid afternoon soaking up some culture along with cool air-conditioning.

Not only are most of the spring exhibits we highlighted still on view, there's also a fresh batch of kid-pleasing installations opening as well as a few new permanent attractions. We've got the scoop on where kids can get up close and personal with live spiders, learn American history, party like a rock star and make like Katniss from The Hunger Games. Plus, One World Observatory is finally open and a must-see.

Anglophile Angelenos have much to celebrate this week. The Discovery Cube in Orange County debuts The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes, a special installation dedicated to the art and science of deduction. Young sleuths work with a detective’s notebook and other hands-on crime-solving activities. Britain's most famous detective follows on the trail of Britain's most famous bard: For a user-friendly introduction to classic theater this week, take the family to the Rogue Artists Ensemble's Shakespeare(ish).

If you prefer to embrace our American heritage, specifically here in the West, this is the week for the Autry's free day. And with summer here (or nearly, depending on your school schedule), music and movies are all over the place. Read on for our top picks for the week.