Is it me, or did June just fly by? July starts mid-week, and summer fun is in abundance. Independence Day rules with Jenkinson's Annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair and Fireworks in the Park. Or take an air-conditioned breather at Touch the Music, Kid Painting Party and Incredible Origami Animals. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

Summer is high season for travelers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t nail a deal. Boston, Washington, D.C. and Providence are excellent cityscape getaways for families living in the Northeast. If you crave the countryside, a lakeside vacation in Vermont will satiate your need for fresh air. Bound for Orlando’s theme parks? Kids save big on Amtrak’s Auto Train. Out West, there are good rates in steamy Arizona, scenic Santa Fe and seaside Pebble Beach. If Rome, Barbados or Grenada is on your wish list, now might be the time to think big. Dreamy Puerto Vallarta is offering a Mexican vacation, including hotel and airfare, to three lucky families. 

School is out for summer--let the fun begin! Many parents need to find ways to keep the kids occupied before camp starts, and this week there's movies at the Beach, festivals and fireworks leading up to the 4th of July that the entire family can enjoy.

For even more activities going on around LI, be sure to check out our Event Calendar. Spending some time on the East End? Take a look at our Hamptons & North Fork Guide.

As we turn the calendar page to July, the MDC pools are now open for business every day of the week! While waiting for our local pool's opening day, my family definitely hit the beach, but we also used the time to take advantage of some other fun summer activities in town. One of our favorite stops in the past few days was the new Lounge space at Faneuil Hall (pictured). With structured activities and entertainment for kids, along with well-stocked drop-in art and game areas, it's a great place to keep kids busy.

We're also leading up to the big Fourth of July celebrations here in Boston, both with fireworks and without, so be sure to check out all the offerings popping up at the end of the week and into the weekend. Whatever you choose, have a great week, and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!

Summer is now in full swing and if the kids aren't busy in camp this week our weekly round up can help you out. We have lots of special fun on tap, including a magic show, free movies, and an Ice Cream Social. Check out our guides for beaches to comb, daytrips to take,  and museums to investigate with the kids this summer.

Highlighting just one activity per day in this post, you can find many other options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. Be sure to join us on Facebook where you can keep up with everything happening for families in CT.

We wrap up our month-long focus on Little Neck, Queens with a roundup of the best places to play in the bucolic neighborhood. As a Queens native, I frequently take my kids to the area to explore the attraction-packed Alley Pond Park and to feed the animals at the Queens County Farm Museum. If you're looking to get a taste of country life without leaving the city limits, Little Neck is a great day trip filled with lots of wonderful, green places to explore. You won't believe you're in NYC!

My children and I were lucky enough to attend the press preview of the new Pixar exhibit at the Museum of Science, and boy, do I mean lucky, because everything about it exceeded our expectations. From the moment we walked in, the dazzling lighting made us feel like we were walking right onto a movie set. After a short film featuring Pixar employees and the creative challenges they've overcome in some of the films we know and love, we opened the doors to an amazing scene.

Read on for some of the exhibit's highlights, as well as a few tips to get the most out of your visit.

Unfortunately, on July 5 the company announced that The Marvel Experience tour has been suspended until further notice, so Philadelphia was its last stop. It will not be coming to NYC in August. It's hard to escape Marvel superheroes. With the Avengers movies, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show (and its Agent Carter spin-off) and real-world branded experiences like the Marvel Universe Live! arena show, chances are your kids (and you) know all about Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Black Widow, Nick Fury, Coulson and all the other characters that make up this multifaceted and high-tech fictional universe. Now there's a new immersive attraction that invites audiences to become part of the action. At The Marvel Experience, you don't just watch these heroes, you join them as you're recruited to help save the world. My kids and I decided we were up to the challenge. Here's what we thought of our virtual Marvel adventure, plus important tips for families who plan to go.