Summer fun heats up this weekend with a bunch of great outdoor activities including two of our top picks for May: the action-packed Ultimate Science Street Fair in Washington Square Park and the funky IDEAS CITY StreetFest on the Lower East Side. The best part is that both are 100% FREE.

Other weekend highlights include astronomer-led stargazing in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the New Victory Theater's final show of the season, Paper Planet, a massive ladybug release in Washington Market Park and the grand reopening of the Bronx Zoo Children's Zoo.

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.

It’s hard to believe that May is already winding down. Since temperatures have yet to soar, now’s the perfect time to enjoy all the outdoor family fun happening throughout Westchester.

This weekend, two great programs will take you back in time: the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, which includes period recreations and commemorative ceremonies, and a hike to the historic Spencer Optical Factory site, which offers a peek at the past.

Immerse yourself in another culture at the Asian Heritage Festival or Albanian Heritage Festival. If a nature program is more your speed, you can Shout Out for Snakes or ask Polly if she wants a cracker at Parrots of the World.

Other weekend highlights include the White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival, the ICS Carnival and your last chance to see Lightscapes.

Read on for all of our best bets, many of which are FREE. To stay in the know, sign up for our FREE weekly newsletters, and don't forget to check out our Event Calendar.

I've had a blast exploring Prospect Heights with my kids and getting to experience all this sweet Brooklyn neighborhood has to offer. From kid-friendly restaurants to family activities, it's got attractions for all ages. We continue our month-long spotlight on the area with a roundup of our top 10 places to play in Prospect Heights, both indoors and outside, from parks and gardens to chess and billiards.

We began our month-long focus on Warwick with a list of our top 25 things to do with kids in the agriculturally rich community in Orange County. Now we're digging into some of our favorite places to run amok in this Hudson Valley town. Whether you're looking for an organized activity or just a wide-open space for unstructured cavorting, there are lots of wonderful spots to play outside in Warwick.

He's fixed the kids' broken toys, endured hours of piggyback rides, and maybe even been brave enough to teach the teens to drive. Whatever dad's done for the family, he's worthy of celebration. Father's Day is a great time to honor all the men who play a part in your children's lives: fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, uncles, brothers or your special man. Whether your father figure appreciates the arts, sports, nature or food, we've got suggestions for how to plan a memorable Father's Day weekend. And for more family-friendly activities, be sure to check out our Event Calendar.

Warm days, balmy nights and lots of outdoor family fun has arrived. Late May in New Jersey means strawberries are in season, so get your fill of the sweet fruit at Oasis Family Farm's Strawberry Festival or Alstede Farm’s Strawberry Harvest Festival. For more summer-style adventures, head to the Rubber Ducky Festival in Passaic River Park, get your blood pumping at Trailside Nature Center's Saturday Outdoor Adventure or Be a Field Biologist at Manasquan Reservoir.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy the wonderful weather with family and friends. For even more activity options, check out our Event Calendar.

Soaring temperatures send some people to the beach. For my family, a night at the ballpark is the ultimate summer outing. While big league tickets are pricey (someday I may have the extra cash lying around to purchase season tickets, but not this year), catching a minor league game is a much more affordable option.

Both the Yankees and Mets have farm teams in New York City. The Brooklyn Cyclones play their home games at MCU Park on the Coney Island Boardwalk, while the "Baby Bombers," aka the Staten Island Yankees, use Richmond County Ballpark as their home base. Both teams play short-season Class A ball from June to September. While you can expect to see decent ball, since the product on the field doesn't match Major League play, neither do the prices. Tickets range from $9 to $18! Once you're in the door, not only will you see a ballgame, but you'll also be privy to some silly entertainment, zany giveaways and crazy stunts. Often, baseball is just an afterthought. Here are 10 promotions planned to get fans of all ages through the minor league gates.

Nature is in full bloom on the East End of Long Island. Families on the North or South Fork have an abundance of outdoor activity options this weekend, including nature hikes, bird-watching, aquarium fun and more. Reservations are recommended for most of these East End events, all of which are sure to open your child’s eyes and mind to the wonders of our natural world.

Whether you’re visiting for the weekend, renting a place for the summer or live on the East End, you’ll want to check out our Hamptons & North Fork Guide. And for fun on the rest of the island, take a look at our Event Calendar.