With school over and more free time available, summer is the perfect time to learn a new skill, though we know how pricey summer fun can be with camp tuition, pool membership, vacations and so forth. That's why we’ve identified several FREE class series to help you out.

Whether your kids are looking to indulge a newfound interest, or you simply want to find a productive way to spend free time, you and your kids are sure to find something from the list below that will add extra substance to the eventual “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” recap.

Interested in more? Our Events Calendar includes many other skills-building workshops that don’t require a multi-session commitment.

Where can you find a two-headed calf, Mark Twain's bicycle, and an alligator dangling from the ceiling? At Connecticut's Old State House, of course. It took us a while to “discover” this museum – because sometimes it’s difficult to persuade kids that anything featuring the word “old” in the title can be enjoyable – but once we visited, we realized that this Hartford County attraction is a historical treasure and a fun destination. In fact, the kids became so immersed in one activity (keep reading) that only a bribe persuaded them to leave.

We're just one week into summer break and already my kid has made her own chocolate, gone to her first commuter camp outside the city and changed her name to Blue. I can't wait to see what adventures the rest of the season has in store!

Two things I know we'll be doing this 4th of July weekend are stalking the Good Humor Truck that's giving out FREE ice cream and staking out a spot to watch Macy's Fireworks. But if your family is itching to hightail it out of town for a holiday day trip, our regional sites have posts about the most explosive Independence Day celebrations in Westchester, New Jersey, on Long Island and beyond, all probably much less crowded than Macy's.

Looking to plan out the rest of your month? We just published a roundup of the best things to do throughout July in NYC, and our Travel site has a list of awesome summer travel deals to destinations near (Boston) and far (Rome!), plus details on a Puerto Vallarta trip giveaway.

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

The words "Mommy & Me" don't always have to preface responsible activities like infant swim classes; Mommy & Me movies allow even the most devoted parents a chance to revel in adult pleasures. New moms and dads can get out and see a movie that they want to see - not an animated or children's film - without having to leave their baby at home or worry about their little one disturbing other guests. Participating theaters focus on making it work for babies, with amenities that include changing tables, soft lighting, and a place to park your stroller. And the best part: little ones can cry and nurse and fuss without fear of dirty looks or shushing. Plus, because the films are shown during the day, prices are of the lower, matinee variety - and the infants are free!

It's officially summer and what better way to celebrate than with ice cream—FREE ice cream!! Good Humor is marking the birth of our nation with not one, not two, but 12 days of complimentary ice cream all over downtown Manhattan. Moving throughout the area, one neighborhood at a time, the newfangled Good Humor Truck and a lineup of pedicabs and cars will be spreading joy with no-cost treats for all. We've got the scoop on how you can catch up with the Good Humor Man and get your free frozen treat.

Happy Fourth of July! With no shortage of fireworks and other celebrations this weekend, it's easy to find tons of potential outings for your family. The hardest part might be narrowing it down to only a few!

While most events this weekend focus on Independence Day, including those celebrating local history, summer is in full swing with ongoing activities at Faneuil Hall, Frog Pond, and the Harbor Islands. I personally can't wait to storm the fort on Georges Island with my family. And just in time for all this outdoor fun, the City of Boston has launched a pilot program that provides free sunscreen dispensers in Boston parks, including at Boston Common and Christopher Columbus Park. 

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• How amazing is the newest exhibit at the Museum of Science? Read our review of The Science Behind Pixar to find out.
• The July GoList is up with our don't-miss picks of things to do for the month.
• Strawberry season may be coming to a close, but you won't have to wait long to start picking blueberries!

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

When the sun is blazing and the temperatures are soaring, you'll likely find yourself looking for a quick way to cool down. Beaches are great; however there’s often something just a little easier about dealing with swimming pools vs. a beach: no waves to contend with; no rip tides to worry about; no mucky river bottoms to grimace over. And while Westchester offers many options for poolside fun, Hil-Mar Lodge in Orange County has become my family's go-to for a day at the pool. At just under an hour from central Westchester, Hil-Mar makes a great day-trip destination from anywhere in the Lower Hudson Valley area.

One of our favorite go-to places to hang out when we need to get out of the house is our local Bridgeport zoo, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo.  We’ve never been disappointed with a trip to visit the animals.  The manageable size of this zoo makes it a doable day trip with just me and the three kids (and a stroller). Even at the peak of the summer season the zoo doesn’t feel over-crowded, although sometimes at its busiest you need to get creative with parking in the small lot.