This is a great week for young music fans, especially those who like to participate! In fact, participation is the theme for most of our picks this week. Kids can exercise their vocal chords, try out instruments, or don hats and masks as part of a show.

The first of several outdoor movie series also starts this week. With many more free flicks to come at different venues this summer, I'm already starting to pencil in my top choices. Read on for our picks of the week, and don't forget to check out our full Event Calendar!

This is my kids' last full week of school, and our days are chock-full of picnics and field days and end-of-year celebrations. So if we're going to do something extra this week, it better be great! Luckily (or is it unluckily?), there are lots of fabulous things going on this time of year, whether it's family Zumba classes or beach-side concerts or pizza-tossing lessons.

We only highlight one event per day in this post, but there are many other options in our Event Calendar. For additional activity ideas, check out our Summer Fun Guide.

June is bursting with activities for Westchester families, and the coming week is no exception. In addition to straight-up fun, like the Greek Food Festival and a FREE SummerFest Kids' Concert, there are great opportunities for skills development, such as cooking with herbs for the younger set.

Read on for all of our top picks and remember, our Event Calendar has many more options to choose from in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

One of our all-time favorite free family fests, the Museum Mile Festival, is coming up this Tuesday evening. My kid and I go every year! This week, families can also enjoy free alfresco performances by the hilarious Story Pirates in Hudson River Park and kindie rock songstress AudraRox in Madison Square Park.

Although we only highlight one activity per day in this post, you can find plenty of other options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

Car time has become synonymous with screen time. It’s just so easy to keep the kids occupied in the backseat with a smartphone or tablet, that the "I'm boreds!" and "Are we there yets?" of our childhoods almost seem like a thing of the past. But I also remember the fun of long car rides: talking to each other, reading stories, playing car games and just looking out the window. Recently I have wondered whether my kids will ever know the pleasure of staring out a car window as the countryside goes by.

That’s why I have come to love podcasts. They are the ideal compromise: digital entertainment that keeps kids' eyes off their screens. And because we can all listen together, we can share the experience and have discussions about what we hear.

With summer coming, it’s the perfect time to discover some new podcasts to keep everyone in the family entertained whether you’re in the car, on a plane, a train or even at home. There are science podcasts, educational podcasts and many other types appropriate for children. I’ve rounded up my seven favorite storytelling podcasts that both kids and adults will enjoy.

June brings the start of some of our favorite FREE concert series and festivals, plus a pair of new NYC family attractions: the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Discovery Garden and One World Observatory with panoramic views.

As you start planning your summer, remember New Jersey is a short day trip away and promises great beaches and fun-filled fests. Or head to Long Island where the kids can get their hands dirty at interactive museums and farms. And we know traveling overseas with kids can be hard, even more so if your child has a chronic illness. Our Travel site has tips for vacationing with a kid with type 1 diabetes.

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

Who are the people in your neighborhood? And no, I'm not talking about Ernie and Grover (though they're cool, too); I'm talking about the people that you meet... in Pasadena, or when you're walking down the street... in Long Beach.

This weekend is all about spending time in your neighborhood or, if you don't like your area, checking out someone else's. There's a carnival in Palos Verdes, music in the streets of Pasadena, community shindigs in South Robertson and West LA's Pico, and a celebration of Northeast Los Angeles.

Want to look further afield? The Ocean Institute dives into the world's oceans, the Aquarium of the Pacific turns its attention to the Pacific Islands, and the Hammer is making plans to settle the Moon. (It's a nice place to visit; not sure I'd want to live there.)

Keep reading for some of our hometown picks for this weekend...

There is so much going on this weekend, it may be hard to choose what to do! Go on boat tours and trolley rides at Port Washington's annual HarborFest, taste some sweet strawberries at Benner's Farm, or enjoy rides, games and entertainment at the Eisenhower Park Family Festival.

If you're looking for indoor fun, catch a live performance of Puss in Boots at Theatre Three, or get all dressed up for an Elegant Tea Party.

Remember, you can find even more options in our jam-packed Event Calendar. To receive our posts in your inbox, subscribe to our free newsletters.