Weekday Picks: Beach House Picnic, Grunion Run, and Crawfish Festival, July 24-28

Submitted by Kathie Bozanich on

It's a shore thing this week for families looking for summer fun. Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica is hosting its Annual Community Picnic on Thursday, featuring games, dancing, crafts, and an epic tug-of-war. Families are invited to pack a picnic and join the revelry at this free event.

For fishy fun, you can start the week looking for grunion to come ashore in San Pedro. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium plays host to its last Grunion Run of the season Monday. Your family is invited to spend the night learning about the legendary fish and then head to Cabrillo Beach to watch for them. July is open season, so grunion may be caught by hand only, if you're lucky and catch a run.

You can then end the week at the Long Beach Crawfish Festival, which kicks off Friday. Besides a Louisiana-style feast, families can enjoy Zydeco, Cajun, and New Orleans-style music (there's a kids' stage, too), and other activities. The festival continues through the weekend.

After you've gone through this list, head over to our Event Calendar and July GoList to find out about more goings-on.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Circus, Fenway Movie Night, and a Fitness Challenge; July 24-28

Kelley Heyworth's picture Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on

It's the heart of Sox season, so it's not unusual that our beloved Fenway is in the spotlight. But this week, think art—not baseball. On Monday, a famous children's illustrator helps kids imagine what it would be like if aliens battled the Green Monster. A few days later, all eyes in Fenway will be on the screens, not the field, as the Sox organization brings perhaps the most feel-good, family-friendly baseball flick to a special movie-night audience.

The rest of the week, Boston is celebrating bodies in motion. There's a Flamenco troupe introducing kids to Latin dancing at the Mary Baker Eddy Library, and teenage wunderkinds flipping out under our region's most impressive little Big Top. At week's end, New Balance is inviting kids to Harvard's Cumnock Field, where a roster of pro athletes will be running a variety of fitness challenges. If that doesn't get your heart racing, check out our Events Calendar for other exciting events this week and beyond.

Weekday Picks for Westchester Kids: Firefly Festival, Mexican Dance, Fidget Spinners

Submitted by Susan Miele on

One of the (many) great things about summer is the longer days and the easy schedule. With no need to race home to do homework or wake up early for school, it's the perfect time to linger late and soak up the fun. Most of our top picks this week are evening programs!

As mentioned in our July GoList, the Dancing at Dusk series has returned, with a dazzling lineup of exotic music and dance performances that also include instruction. This week’s edition introduces families to Mexican performing arts. Another hallmark of summer is catching fireflies, and the Annual Firefly Festival is devoted to that joy (along with some ice cream). And if your kids are obsessing over fidget spinners, you’ll all be glad to create your own (for FREE!) at Design and Print Your Own 3D Fidget Spinner (only a few spots are available).

So pack a picnic and push back bedtime—the fun runs till all hours! Check out our Event Calendar for many more activities at all times of day, and follow us on Facebook!

Weekday Fun: Magic, Yoga, Movies, and Books

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on

July’s not over yet. There are still plenty of fun things to do with kids this month, and we’ve compiled some of the best right here.

Check our JulyGoList for more suggestions of summertime activities happening this last week of July. Looking for some nighttime family fun on Long Island? See our guide to the best FREE outdoor movies and our list of great outdoor dining spots.

Here are our top picks for this week, including nature exploring and fitness classes.

Weekday Picks: Animals, Yoga, and Bubble Mania, July 24-28, 2017

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on

We are officially at the halfway point in our summer: my kids head back to school in six weeks. I'm not going to sugar coat it: some of the days have been loooooong, but I'm taking stock of our summer bucket list goals, and I'm making plans. Lots of plans. This week, we're planning to take in a little bubble magic at either the Otis Library on Monday or the Ivoryton Playhouse on Friday, and we're going to chill out with a little yoga in Greenwich, before enjoying some animal encounters in Coventry and New Canaan.

For more options, be sure to check our events calendar, which we update constantly with the latest and greatest local fun, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram so that you don't miss a thing. Have a great week!

Weekday Fun: Monmouth County Fair, Music Festival, Christmas in July

Submitted by Laurie R on

This last full week of July is rockin’ with live music, carnivals, and even a little Christmas (yes, Christmas!). The fun-filled Monmouth County Fair kicks off this week in Freehold, and don’t miss great outdoor concerts such as XPoNential Music Festival and Music Beyond Borders.

You can celebrate a super-early holiday season at Somers Christmas Party in July, or catch a showing of A Christmas Story at Cape May’s Movies on the Beach.

Read on for our best children's events the week of July 24–28, and don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar and July GoList for even more late-July fun.

Weekday Fun: Reptiles, Native American Pow Wow, Cupcake Club

Submitted by Andy Fenwick on

Events for New York City kids include a heap of dancing this week! Boogie to the celebration of great music by women at NPR's outdoor Turning the Tables concert on Wednesday, July 26. Dance along with the American Indian Thunderbird Pow Wow at the Queens County Farm Museum on Friday July 28, or cut a grass rug to the City Stompers in Bushwick on Thursday, July 27. And don't forget: the Children's Museum of Manhattan celebrates the art of dance all summer long.

Cool off after all that outdoor dancing with our guide to the best water playgrounds in New York City. Leaving the city? See our guide to the best water parks for toddlers near New York City. As always, check our July GoList for the month's best events, and keep our Summer Fun Guide close. Our Event Calendar also stands at the ready with things to do and see into the far future. 

Check out our local DEALS page, too! We've created a spot for some of our favorite NYC businesses to give you a deal on their services, including camps, classes, and even birthday party packages. Check it out, and check back often as we're constantly adding new ones.

Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: Balloons, Magic, Fairs, Carnivals July 24-28

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on

Summertime means laid-back schedules and no schoolwork for Philly kids. However, for Philly parents, this carefree time of the year can present a dilemma... How can I keep the kids occupied (especially if there's no camp this week)? Leave it to Mommy Poppins Philly to round up some great ideas for the week ahead.

See entertaining balloon tricks at the Colonial Theater or watch spectacular juggling and magic acts at White's Road Park. Try your luck at carnival games at the Midway Fire Company Carnival or the Cochranville Fire Company Carnival. Head to the Kimberton Fair for rides, 4H demonstrations, and even pig races! Sing and dance along at an outdoor concert held at Narberth Playground, Central Park, or along the Camden Waterfront.

Need more ideas? Browse through our event calendar to find all the summer fun that is to be had.

10 Great Beach Day Trips in Connecticut

Submitted by Sherry Pardy on

As a lifelong resident of Connecticut, the list of my state's redeeming qualities is lengthy.  Among the attributes of living in the Nutmeg State, is our close proximity to water.  No matter where in Connecticut you find yourself, you're likely within an hour's drive of a beach!  And, in the summer, with anxious, energetic kiddos, the less time spent in the car, the better.  So, we've compiled a list of 10 great beach day trips within Connecticut.  There's sure to be one close to you! Make sure to check out our list of 8 Affordable Connecticut Beaches too. And for more summer fun check out our CT Summer Fun Guide.

24 Festivals, Fairs, and Carnivals for Philly Families this August

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on

If visiting a summertime festival, fair, or carnival is on your summer bucket list and it has yet to be crossed off, look no further. Here is our round-up of Delaware Valley's August fun. These festivals, featuring entertaining live music, delicious foods, rides, and culture, will not disappoint. So take a look and be sure to visit some of these events with your family this month.

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