Car time has become synonymous with screen time. It’s just so easy to keep the kids occupied in the backseat with a smartphone or tablet, that the "I'm boreds!" and "Are we there yets?" of our childhoods almost seem like a thing of the past. But I also remember the fun of long car rides: talking to each other, reading stories, playing car games and just looking out the window. Recently I have wondered whether my kids will ever know the pleasure of staring out a car window as the countryside goes by.

That’s why I have come to love podcasts. They are the ideal compromise: digital entertainment that keeps kids' eyes off their screens. And because we can all listen together, we can share the experience and have discussions about what we hear.

With summer coming, it’s the perfect time to discover some new podcasts to keep everyone in the family entertained whether you’re in the car, on a plane, a train or even at home. There are science podcasts, educational podcasts and many other types appropriate for children. I’ve rounded up my seven favorite storytelling podcasts that both kids and adults will enjoy.

June brings the start of some of our favorite FREE concert series and festivals, plus a pair of new NYC family attractions: the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Discovery Garden and One World Observatory with panoramic views.

As you start planning your summer, remember New Jersey is a short day trip away and promises great beaches and fun-filled fests. Or head to Long Island where the kids can get their hands dirty at interactive museums and farms. And we know traveling overseas with kids can be hard, even more so if your child has a chronic illness. Our Travel site has tips for vacationing with a kid with type 1 diabetes.

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

Who are the people in your neighborhood? And no, I'm not talking about Ernie and Grover (though they're cool, too); I'm talking about the people that you meet... in Pasadena, or when you're walking down the street... in Long Beach.

This weekend is all about spending time in your neighborhood or, if you don't like your area, checking out someone else's. There's a carnival in Palos Verdes, music in the streets of Pasadena, community shindigs in South Robertson and West LA's Pico, and a celebration of Northeast Los Angeles.

Want to look further afield? The Ocean Institute dives into the world's oceans, the Aquarium of the Pacific turns its attention to the Pacific Islands, and the Hammer is making plans to settle the Moon. (It's a nice place to visit; not sure I'd want to live there.)

Keep reading for some of our hometown picks for this weekend...

There is so much going on this weekend, it may be hard to choose what to do! Go on boat tours and trolley rides at Port Washington's annual HarborFest, taste some sweet strawberries at Benner's Farm, or enjoy rides, games and entertainment at the Eisenhower Park Family Festival.

If you're looking for indoor fun, catch a live performance of Puss in Boots at Theatre Three, or get all dressed up for an Elegant Tea Party.

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

Now that it's almost officially summer, many of the best offerings on our calendar take place outdoors. Welcome, warm weather! This weekend's picks include several great festivals that celebrate fine and performing arts, including the Salem Arts Festival (pictured). This is also a good time to attend a summer camp open house. Even if you've already decided on a program for the kids, an open house offers a great opportunity to visit the actual site and meet the staff. Other weekend picks include a fishing festival, a painting workshop, and some family-friendly outdoor theater.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Now that June is upon us, use our GoList to plan out your family's must-do activities for the month.
• Check out our list of 25 things to do with kids in Harvard Square to see why it's one of our favorite neighborhoods for family activities.
• Even little kids can help with this Easy No-Wax Batik craft project.
• If you're still searching for the perfect camp for your child, peruse our list of Boston summer camps with availability.

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

Behold the beautiful month of June! The days are longer and warmer but not yet scorching, and nature is dressed in a bright shade of green. Opportunities to explore our state's great outdoors abound at Connecticut Trails Weekend, part of the National Trails Day celebration. So put on your hiking boots and make a day of it.

Literary-minded families can enjoy a book sale or all the adventures planned for Tom Sawyer Day at The Mark Twain House. In New London County, you can let loose at the four-day Cajun Zydeco Festival at Strawberry Park.

If you'd rather stay indoors, you can get crafty at Home Depot's Kids' Workshop. Or peruse our jam-packed Connecticut Summer Fun Guide and let your kids plan a few family outings.

Whatever you decide to do, we hope you have a wonderful weekend. Be sure to check out our Event Calendar for more kid-friendly activities throughout the state. And if you're still figuring out summer, see our list of camps that still have openings. To keep up with everything happening in CT, subscribe to our FREE newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

A bunch of our top family event picks for June are happening this weekend, and we're trying to figure out how many we can hit since we can't seem to choose. There's Governors Island's Figment Arts Festival, the Egg Rolls & Egg Creams Festival on the Lower East Side, the debut of Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Discovery Garden and Celebrate Brooklyn!'s annual Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert. The best part? They're all FREE.

But wait—there's more! Like a Pokémon concert, Long Island City's annual Bike Parade and the New York Aquarium's World Oceans Celebration.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. As always, you can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

The weekend ahead is brimming with terrific events for families in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, so get ready to make some tough choices!

There’s no shortage of fairs and festivals, such as the Bronxville Spring Sidewalk Sale & Street Fair, RiverFest and the Children’s Earth & Water Festival, just to name a few. Other fun includes rocking out to the kindie band Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets and introducing kids to the classic Pink Panther cartoons. And to support a good cause that affects millions of Americans, you and your family can Walk Now for Autism Speaks.

But that’s not all! Read on for our top picks, and check out our Event Calendar and June GoList for even more options. Want to get our posts in your inbox? Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletters.