If you missed last weekend's Sand Sculpting Festival at Revere Beach, this weekend offers plenty of other opportunities for local family-friendly festivals. Some great options include celebrations of boats (pictured), Puerto Rico, and seafood. For something more low-key, kids are sure to enjoy the outdoor movies and concerts rounding out the weekend, with something just right for everyone.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Celebrate a free and festive month with all the cool events in the August GoList.
• Get the scoop on everything you need to know before heading out on a whale watch with the kids. 

Enjoy your weekend, and stay cool with our ideas for ways to beat the heat. Don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar for even more family fun!

It’s August! With days getting shorter and less than a month to go before most students return to school, it’s tempting to feel sorry for ourselves and denounce the fleeting summer season. But summer isn’t quite over. In fact, there’s still much to look forward to: vegetables and fruits abound, sunflowers are aglow, and plenty of beach days remain.

The summer is heating up and there's still a month left. Pack in the fun this weekend in Glen Cove at Garvies Point Day. Or head on over to a cultural Native American Pow-Wow in Babylon. Be enchanted under the stars with a family-friendly movie in Lido Beach.

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.

As we welcome August, we also usher in a whole slew of new fun activities for Westchester and Hudson Valley families! You'll feel like you've traveled the globe (and back in time) after attending the beloved New York Renaissance Faire, which returns this weekend, the Native American Heritage Celebration or the Indian Heritage Festival.

For an ornithological good time, head to Bear Mountain for the Bird Festival, and move over sand painting—here comes the annual Sand Castle Competition.

Read on for more details on our top weekend picks, and view our hot-off-the-press August Go List for our best bets for the whole month. Be sure to also check out the many weekday and weekend events we've captured in our Event Calendar—where you'll find no shortage of fun things to do the rest of the summer!

The first weekend in August kicks off with two of our top family event picks for the month: Manhattan's car-free Summer Streets and Staten Island's very first SummerStage Family Day, both of which are FREE. Other highlights include the Hindu Lamp Ceremony in Brooklyn Bridge Park, a Summer Stroll in Sunnyside, Queens and the activity-filled Kids Rule Weekend in the Bronx.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. And if you're looking to plan out your entire month, check out our brand-new GoList, which spotlights the absolute best things to do with kids throughout August.

If you're headed on the highway and looking for adventure with your thrill-seeking kids, we've got some hot spots for you. Walk the plank, take a fast ride or slip and slide at these places that can give the entire family the ultimate adrenaline rush. And for more family fun, visit our Long Island Summer Guide.

August kicks off with fantastic food, outdoor festivals and plenty of sizzling, hot-weather fun. Chow down on homegrown Garden State treats at the Just Peachy Festival, Tomato Festival and A Very Berry Festival. Spend quality outdoor time at Sail, Sail Your Boat, New Jersey State Fair and Summer Shorebird Walk.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For even more activity options, check out our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

Nothing says summer like mini golf -- it’s pretty much a requisite activity, along with swimming and ice cream. One of these courses, Farmington Miniature Golf & Ice Cream Parlor, marries two of these things perfectly! There are several other courses in the Hartford area and each have their own unique flavor, so when you are ready to try out your putter, check this guide to choose one your kids might be most interested in. Better yet, work your way down the list and then report back which one was your favorite! We've also rounded up mini golf in Fairfield County.