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.

Our schedule last weekend: a Friday night soccer party.  Saturday,  soccer game # 1 at 8:00,  soccer game #2 at 10:00 and soccer game #3 at 10:15.  And yes, the soccer games were all in different towns.  Sunday: Soccer games at 9:30, 11:00, 1:30, 2:00, 3:30 and 4:00.  By Sunday afternoon I’d forgotten what my husband looked like, I was faint from the stench of shin guards (who knew little girls could create such stink!?) and I’d nearly left one child in Wilton.  Taken together, these seem to be signs that soccer season needs to be over.  And soon. Yup, three more weeks of soccer, and then we are off to start some NON-SOCCER related after school activities! Choosing those can be overwhelming too but we can help with that. Below you'll find some great after school activities in Fairfield County. The motherload can be found in our After School Classes Guide which is filled with even more options.

These days, kids can make movies using their cell phones. One look at YouTube is proof enough, but my older son's really into cinema and has sent me searching for film classes.

I'm well aware he may not turn out to be the next Scorsese, but he can learn lots of interesting skills in these programs. Many of them go way beyond the camera; he'll also get to try his hand at auditioning, storyboarding, editing and maybe even animation depending on which class he takes.

If nothing else, once he finishes, he can help me go through that hard drive of family footage I've amassed. Here are seven places that offer kids' film classes. Ready ... Set ... Action!

If you've been to Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk or the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, you know the hands-on science for kids niche is filled in Fairfield County. Unless, that is, you live in a town north of Bridgeport. Up here, these museums—great as they are—are a schlep. That's why the addition of Newtown's EverWonder Children's Museum is so welcome. Launched in 2011 in mobile form, the museum hoped to fill the STEM void between Bridgeport and Hartford's stellar Science Center. Now that it has a brick-and-mortar location, the EverWonder Children's Museum is well on its way to achieving its goal.

It is never too early to introduce your child to art. In the Hartford area, one tends to think of the grandiose Wadsworth, or perhaps the sleek New Britain Museum of American Art, but don’t overlook the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington. There, in the 1901 Colonial Revival house turned museum, both art and history come alive. The Hill-stead, however, is not just for grown-ups and art buffs: family-friendly events like First Sundays and seasonal community events on the estate’s magnificent grounds invite families and children to enjoy and learn from this cultural landmark right up the road. (Check out our Museum Guide for ideas of other CT museums to try with kids by county.)

Undoubtedly, the simplest of activities can often make the best memories for our young children. Visiting an area orchard or farm is an easy, low-cost outing and a great way to bring the little ones closer to nature. Highland Orchards, a Chester County farm market and pick-your-own field, provides fresh air, fresh food, and fun times for families all year round. During the warmer weather, families can take advantage of its outdoor activities, including pick-your-own strawberries, a playground, and a spot to feed animals. Fall is the height of apple picking and hayride season, and in the cold months, Highland Orchards continues its open hours in the farm market, where kids and grownups can enjoy the freshly baked pies and other baked goods (and other tasty free samples!)

This summer, don’t miss an opportunity to go to Highland Orchards for eating, playing, or even taking a structured tour of the grounds. Check out the top 5 reasons why it’s worth a drive to the Chester County countryside for a visit.

The high temperatures and humidity we've been experiencing say summer arrived weeks ago, but for NYC public school kids, break is just beginning. And we're celebrating with a variety of fun-filled events, from a School's Out Celebration in Coney Island, to a slew of free fests and concerts.

Heading to Long Island's East End this summer? Here's a roundup of super cheap (yes, really) activities for kids. There's also a ton of free fun to be had in nearby New Jersey. Plan a day trip to the Garden State for entertainment like the NJ Barbecue Championship, blueberry festivals and beach outings. For dino-obsessed kids, we've got a list of places to find the prehistoric creatures in Connecticut that's sure to be a hit.

Our Travel site has details on a blissful family farm vacation in New Hampshire.

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

During the summer, New Jersey parents are constantly on the lookout for day trips that are both entertaining and educational. The Garden State's great zoos and aquariums are always lots of fun, but if you're looking for a unique experience for your wildlife-loving kids, consider a trip to the Raptor Trust. Located in Millington, the Raptor Trust is primarily a medical facility for injured birds; however, it's also a permanent home for birds that cannot be safely returned to the wild. Visitors are given the opportunity observe these gorgeous creatures up close. I recently took my two children, ages 11 and 7, on a tour. Read on to see what this special destination has to offer.