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If you weren’t lucky enough to score tickets for the first-ever ticker-tape parade for a women's athletic team, you still have a few more days to try to catch up with some free ice cream. Plus, we’ve got the inside scoop (ha!) on this week’s school news, including a new school holiday, the closing bell to apply for public pre-K and why the mayor is mad about mayoral control of NYC schools. Your news by neighborhood includes a new play spot in Park Slope, how to shop Zabar's from home, a possible new home for FAO Schwarz and more.

Around here we're totally enjoying our summer and not even thinking of school start dates next month. Why would we?  It's July!  There's tons to do!  Summer favorites are starting up, the Circus is in town,  you have your choice of kids' summer blockbusters,  and so many opportunities to learn about the stars, which will really go over well with your kids'  teachers when school starts up next month...

... which is not what we're talking about now, because, hello, summer, enjoying our break.  More free things to do than you'll ever have time for, (what with school starting in a matter of weeks), and plenty of things that are worth the price of admission.  Comic Con is early this year, probably because they didn't want it too close to the end of summer break. Free Slurpees this weekend! Does anything say summer like an ice cold Slurpee?

So we hope you fill your days with fun and frivolity, music and movies. And if in the process your kids happen to learn about archeology and history, marine biology, life in space, the traditions of other cultures and appreciation of the Bard, well, mores the better.  After all, school starts up before you know it.

Keep reading for our most educational picks for this weekend...

The much anticipated Minions Movie, prequel to the popular Despicable Me movies, opens this weekend in a burst of yellow. Kids and their grown-ups love Minions – the movie and the characters. The audience I watched with was thoroughly enchanted by the Minions, who are indeed adorable. Their silly gibberish, peppered with recognizable words and a smidgeon of Spanish, is hilarious. But what do they get up to in this prequel to Despicable Me, and is it suitable for your kids? We'll try to help you decide.

Summer is in full gear as Philadelphia families enjoy backyard barbecues, rounds of flashlight tag and weekend trips to the shore. Yet there is always more fun to be had during these carefree summer days. Delaware Valley residents can rely on the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar to keep the entire family entertained with unique and interesting activities.

Stop by Penn's Landing to celebrate Latino culture at the Hispanic Fiesta, visit Morris Arboretum to see Thomas the Tank Engine and his Sodor friends hit the railways or dance to the tunes of the Imagination Movers at Sesame Place. Or, check out one of the many blueberry events being held this weekend. Peddler's Village, Linvilla Orchards, Oasis Family Farm and Camden's Children's Garden all have festivals honoring this sweet summer fruit.

Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to keep up-to-date on the latest fun in Philadelphia. And, don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Pinterest and Twitter. Have a great weekend!

After a spectacular Fourth of July weekend here in Boston, my family is ready to head a bit farther afield into the great outdoors. One of the options we're considering is the new interactive art installations on Georges and Spectacle islands. What a neat idea! Of course, there's a ton going on right in town as well, including a party with some favorite PBS friends and an evening of free fun, games, and music in the park. Plus, along with lots of great concerts, don't forget all the free outdoor movies you can find around Boston for a fun, budget-friendly night out.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Faneuil Hall isn't just for tourists! We share our favorite activities for kids at one of Boston's top attractions.
• These 10 books can help explain marriage equality to kids asking questions about the recent prevalence of rainbows.

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

This weekend, visit the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington as it celebrates its 95th anniversary with free admission and various events, including a selfie booth, caricatures and Lego artist.

Then on Sunday, Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay opens their new Sensory Garden for children, who can touch, taste and smell the surroundings. Afterwards, enjoy a scoop of homemade ice cream, compliments of ingredients gathered from the on-premise garden.

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 celebrations are in full swing throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. This weekend, you'll find festivals—like the Hudson Valley Balloon Festival, the Haverstraw RiverArts & Music Festival and the Pleasantville Music Festival, to name a few. Plus, pirates invade Tarrytown at Pirates of the Hudson: The Greatest Pirate Story Never Told!.

Once you’ve had your fill of fanfare (balloons, pirates, festivals…) take the hoopla down a notch and enjoy silly fun at Adventures of Captain Underpants.

Read on for details and for additional weekend highlights—then explore our Event Calendar for many more options for fun events throughout the weekend and all summer long! 

This weekend is packed with awesome things to do, including five of our top event picks for the month, three of which are FREE. Celebrate French culture at the annual Bastille Day Festival on the Upper East Side, try an alfresco dance lesson at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing: LC Kids Dance and enjoy top-notch entertainment at SummerStage Bronx Family Day.

Just gotta have air-conditioning? You can catch cool kids' shows indoors at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and TADA! Youth Theater. And if you happen to be out in Manhattan around dusk on Sunday, be sure to check out the setting sun for the biannual sight known as Manhattanhenge.

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.