7 Outdoor Museums for Long Island Kids

When the sun is shining and you want to inject some culture into your family's itinerary, head to one of these outdoor museums on Long Island. From hiking and exploring to hands on water fun and scientific mini golf, these places have it all. And for more seasonal activities, check out our Summer Fun Guide.

Weekend Fun for NJ Kids: Fairy Festival, City of Water Day, Comic Book Show, July 18-19

In every corner of our state, there’s something exciting to do this July weekend! So get out there with family and friends to soak up the summer sun and make great memories. Big festivals abound this time of year, so if you’re in the mood for delicious eats and lots of activity, check out Lucy the Elephant’s Birthday on the Boardwalk, the Asbury Park Blues & Brews Festival or the Burlington County Farm Fair. The fun continues with the return of the Fairy Festival at the Watershed Reserve, the Jersey Shore Comic Book Show and the City of Water Day in Hoboken.  

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.

Weekend Fun for Kids in the Hamptons & North Fork, July 17-19

From nature talks and fun runs to festivals and puppet shows, there is no shortage of family fun on the East End of Long Island. Two of our favorites happening this weekend include the Riverhead Fire Department commemorating the 80th anniversary of its drill team with a two-day celebration, and the sweet corn festival at Harbes Family Farm.

Of course, you can find even more activities on our jam-packed events calendar. And for other ideas on what to do in the area, check out our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Pluto Flyby & Artbeat, July 13-17

We at Mommy Poppins Boston have discovered another great spot to bring your kids during July: the Street at Chestnut Hill. You can find great activities for kids every Tuesday afternoon through the summer (pictured), as well as one-time events like the upcoming Table Tennis Tournament. Also starting on Tuesday, look for some events around town to celebrate the New Horizons flyby of Pluto. Young scientists aren't going to want to miss out! For those with their feet firmly on Earth, there's no shortage of fun summer festivals this week, whether music or art is your cup of tea. Have a great week, and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!

10 New NYC Destinations to Check Out with Kids This Summer

New York City is brimming with things to see and explore with kids, from world-class museums to the great outdoors. No wonder our town is called the city that never sleeps! And yet sometimes you fall into a rut, visiting the same old favorites over and over, never leaving your comfort zone.

Well, it's time to break that habit. We've rounded up 10 new-to-NYC destinations that are worth putting on your family's summer fun bucket list. Get ready to trade the familiar for the fresh!

Free Family Musical Skippyjon Jones Snow What Is a Perfect Little Kid Theater Experience

For my family, seeing Theatreworks USA's FREE seasonal kids' musical is as much a rite of summer as hitting the beach or the pool. And why not? For 27 years the national family theater company has been presenting high-quality productions every summer in a real Off-Broadway theater and given the tickets away!

This year's show is Skippyjon Jones Snow What, based on one of Judith Schachner's popular picture books about a quirky Siamese cat who goes on pretend adventures as his alter ego, Skippito Friskito, a sword-wielding, Zorro-like Chihuahua. Back in 2012, Theatreworks USA adapted the first title in the series to great acclaim so the troupe reassembled the same creative team for this sequel of sorts (it's not like you need to have seen the original show or even read the books to enjoy it). Although my jaded tween daughter is older than the target audience, Skippyjon Jones Snow What is so clever and jubilant that by the end she admitted it was the cat's meow. We've got the scoop on how to snag FREE tickets to this fun (and air-conditioned!) musical.

Queens Dance Classes for Kids: Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop

Hey Queens parents: Do you have a kid who's pleading for dance lessons but you dread the thought of schlepping to Manhattan or Brooklyn? That was my worry when my preschooler started begging for ballet. But after doing a little research and talking to many of my fellow Queens moms, I was happy to discover that I don't need to leave the borough to find quality dance studios for children. Bonus: Dance classes in Queens tend to be significantly less expensive than their Manhattan and even Brooklyn counterparts, and many offer scholarships or sliding-scale tuition for those who qualify.

Some Queens dance studios are local favorites that have been serving their communities for years, like Landrum in Whitestone and Heavenly Bodies Dance Studio in Ozone Park. Others, like Astoria's Sol Dance Center, are part of the wave of new kid-friendly businesses opening up throughout the borough. And if you have a dance-loving boy, don't worry: Most of these programs offer classes for boys, including ballet and hip-hop.

Here are 12 Queens dance studios offering classes for kids and teens who are serious about ballet, tap, modern and other dance styles. You can find other enriching programs in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

Weekday Event Picks for NJ Kids: Sandcastle Contest, Outdoor Movies, July 13-July 17

The summer’s heating up, and creatures of all kinds are taking the stage this week. Slither on over to Turtle Back Zoo for World Snake Day, celebrate everything crabby at Crabulous Crab Day or catch the buzz at  Great Swamp’s All About Bees. It’s a big week for free movies at Jets Movie Night and the State Theatre’s Free Summer Movie. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

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