I have loved witnessing the evolution of dining options in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn over the past few years. While new restaurants are nice because that means the neighborhood is growing, it's equally wonderful to watch old-school eateries that have served the community for decades continue to thrive. There are a handful of fancy places, but most restaurants here welcome families—some even have children's menus and play areas.

Whether you want to indulge in a chocolate egg cream at one of Brooklyn's oldest diners or enjoy some of the best brick oven pizza around, the food in Prospect Heights is sure to please parents and kids alike.

Eastern Long Island boasts some of the Northeast’s most captivating beaches, perfect for summer fun. However, parents of young children may want to invest in swimming lessons from qualified instructors in order to put themselves at ease amid all the oceanside activity. Happily, there are some affordable kids' swim programs on both forks. Classes do fill up quickly, though, so you'll want to enroll your children ASAP.

Note: Most town-sponsored, outdoor programs begin in July. YMCA and Southampton Youth Services programs continue year-round.

Having just concluded the fourth grade science fair, I have a hypothesis that kids really enjoy science… especially if it involves a rubber hand and a hammer. This week, children can pursue scientific investigation with LEGO at the library in Studio City. Junior marine biologists will want to know that the grunion continue to run at a fishy festival on Tuesday, and young physicists can peruse the planets at both the Garvey Observatory and Vista Hermosa Park.

For parents, Patty Fitzgerald of Safely Ever After brings Safe Smarts to the Westchester Public Library. I’ve seen Patty speak several times on the topic of keeping our children safe and informed, and have always been impressed by her practical and down-to-earth approach. But wait; there's more! Read on for our top picks this week.

May is the perfect time to learn about gardening, and many of this week’s picks focus on trees and plants, including Toddler Trek: Tree Time, Garden Discoveries and Little Sprouts Spring Gardening Club. Intriguing free library programs are also featured this week such as Story & Science and Meet a Fire Fighter. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options.

You don't need to wait for the upcoming holiday weekend to have some fun with the kids. This week, little ones can bounce around at Toddler Time or watch Goodnight Moon come to life, while the entire family can enjoy an activity-filled carnival.

And remember, this is just a sample of what's happening across Long Island this week. For more, take a look at our Event Calendar.

My kids and I love museums, and there are some excellent free events at a couple of our favorites this week: the Museum of Science and the Harvard Art Museums. Most local parents know that visiting the Museum of Science with kids is always a fun time, but my girls also enjoy the three Harvard Art Museums. From the triangle sculpture in the indoor courtyard (pictured) to famous paintings and ancient treasures, there's plenty to hold the attention of young art fans.

Another fantastic pick this week is a parent book talk with Ron Lieber about his bestseller, The Opposite of Spoiled. With its compelling cover photo of "give," "save," and "spend" jars, this book is definitely on my must-read list.

Whatever you choose to do, have a great week, and don't forget to check out our full Event Calendar!

Memorial Day weekend is coming up and there's lots going on this week to get you ready for the holiday. It might be nice to take a moment to explain to your kids what Memorial Day is about, and why it's important to honor those who died while serving our country. With summer right around the corner, check out our CT Beach and Water Fun Guide for fun ideas about where to cool off.

We only highlight one event per day in this post, but there are many other suggestions in our Event Calendar. Camps still have spaces open so be sure to check out our Camp Guide for info on day and sleepaway camp options.