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Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Spiderman, Texas Fest, Imomsohard, July 29-30

Submitted by Shary G-P on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 10:04pm

It's the last weekend in July and Summer 2017 is flying by. Don't miss a minute of summertime fun this weekend with a movie on the green, a concert at the park, or enjoy a visit to a local festival. Head over to our summer guide for the best family-friendly beaches, nearby water parks, and 30 free things to do this summer in Houston.

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

We have the scoop on where to take the kids on a boat ride in and near Houston.
Before summer is over, check out a dolphin sight-seeing tour in Galveston.
Entertain the kids at home with 25 fun water games you can do in the backyard.

Summer is in full swing! Check out our July GoList or the complete event calendar to find the best things to do this month. Did you know can also submit your own events? Have this post delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Now let's check out what's going on this weekend:

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Car Show, Fantastic Beasts, Outdoor Fun July 29-30

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 9:30pm

As the month of July slips away, Philly families can savor plenty of summertime fun that can be found in our overloaded event calendar.

For families interested in music, check out Camden Waterfront's weekend-long XPoNential Music Festival with an extensive line-up of talent taking the stage throughout the weekend. Love classic and custom cars? Then, be sure to head to South Philly for the annual Car Show & Street Festival. Tween and teen fans of the book, Fantastic Beasts, can dream up their own magical worlds while little kids can listen to mystical stories at the Big Blue Marble Bookstore's Fantastic Beasts Weekend.

Perhaps your clan wants to get outdoors. Put on a life jacket and paddle down the Schuylkill River. Show off speed and agility at Your First Mud Run at Morey's Pier. Grab some binoculars to look for feathered friends in the sky or wait until nightfall to view stars and other celestial bodies. Finish up the weekend with delicious ice cream treats at Reading Terminal Market.

Still looking for a quick day trip or weekend getaway? Consider exploring a local waterfall or underground cavern, swimming in a nearby lake or a free Jersey beach, taking a road trip to Pittsburgh, or crossing the river for some amusement park fun. Whatever you choose, make it a great weekend!

Weekend Fun for Boston Kids: Family Fun and Play Dates; July 29-30

Submitted by Lucie T on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 8:00pm

"Family fun" may be an overarching theme over here at MP but this weekend is really all about it! With two Family Fun Days on Peddocks Island and also Marshfield, there's also a special ICA Play Date for families which includes activities both at the Institute for Contemporary Art and across the harbor in East Boston with a ferry shuttling guests to a special concert, sailing, and art activities (for free!). Looking for more culture? Visit Lowell and their annual folk festival, explore a type of Indian folk art, and celebrate an entire continent of diverse culture at the African Festival of Boston.

Don't forget to spend quality time with the grandparents, and if you're looking for a quieter activity, you can always look up at the stars.

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

Playgrounds that are worth the drive.
See? Food! Our favorite North Shore post-beach hangouts.
How to get the most out of Waterfire.

Need more family fun ideas? Check out our full events calendar.

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: County Fair, Lighted Boat Parade, Insane Inflatables

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 6:00pm

A bounty of festivals and other summer fun continues this weekend for Westchester and Hudson Valley families, with a mix of live performances, carnival action and a few twists.

The Putnam County Fair has all the trappings of carnival amusement, live animals and other fun stuff. The annual Lighted Boat Parade returns to illuminate New Rochelle harbor. For more exotic entertainment, experience South America at Paraguayan Harp and Folk Music. It might not be March, but Erin Go Bragh at the Irish Heritage Celebration. And if your family is into extreme anything, you won’t want to miss the Insane Inflatable 5K—not your toddler’s bouncy house, for sure!

Read on for more details and more great options to choose from—then consult our Event Calendar for our daily selection of activities. Also check out our Summer Fun Guide, which has ideas for every aspect of the season!

Weekend Fun: Robots, Double Dutch, Lollipops for Breakfast

Submitted by Andy Fenwick on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 4:00pm

There's plenty of adventure and athletics on tap for kids in New York City this final weekend in July. On Saturday, July 29, kids can take a free ride on the zip line at Alley Pond Park Adventure Course's 10th-Year Extravaganza, or enjoy a FREE hula-hooping event in Bryant Park. All weekend, Lincoln Center celebrates the art of double Dutch. If you can't make those, or just want unscripted, outdoor physical play, see our guide to the New York City p laygrounds with the most shade.

If athletics isn't your thing but being outside is, check out the 7th Annual New York Poetry Festival on Governors Island on Saturday and Sunday, especially its Children's Festival. On Sunday, there's an art party on the roof of the Brooklyn Children's Museum, and on the same day, in Fort Greene Park, kids can learn how to make a glass mosaic.

Keep cool as we enter the dog days of the summer, aka August, with our Guide to Best Beaches, Pools, Splash Pads and Water Parks. Please continue to avail yourself of our packed Summer Fun Guide, and maybe even begin to peek at fall events via our Event Calendar.

Don't forget to check out our brand-new local DEALS page where you can score discounts on camps, classes, birthday party packages, and more for NYC kids. Check back often as we're constantly adding new ones.

Diggerland: A NJ Amusement Park for Construction-Loving Kids

Submitted by Jaime Wisz on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 3:10pm

If your kids can't get enough of trucks and dirt, head to Diggerland USA, a construction-themed amusement park in West Berlin. Diggerland is a child's construction-site fantasy, with a setup designed to fulfill the dreams of little builders ages 2 and up.

My 2-year-old son and I recently took the ride to West Berlin to see what it was all about, and we had a blast. However, we'll probably wait another year before returning so as to avoid the temptations of the rides he wasn't big enough to go on just yet. That said, if you're looking for a unique alternative to traditional amusement parks this summer, a trip to Diggerland is definitely in order.

Weekend Fun: Carousel Stories, Pirates, and Connecticut's Coney Island

Submitted by Donald Eng on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 12:46pm

Summer is racing by at breakneck speed, with the last weekend of July already upon us. In addition to the numerous fairs and festivals this weekend there are a number of unique events perfect for a family with kids. For starters how about spending a day as a pirate? You can also learn about the history of carousels and their animals, and even celebrate reaching summer's halfway point. As always, in the event of rain, be sure to check that your intended activity is still on before jumping into the car.

We hope you'll follow Mommy Poppins Connecticut on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and subscribe to our newsletters to stay in touch. Have a great weekend!

Weekend Fun: Birds of Prey, Theater, a Barn Dance, Free Music

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 12:35pm

Hawks and owls and kestrels—oh my!

Head to Sagamore Hill National Historic Site this weekend as it hosts resident birds of prey from Sweetbriar Nature Center. See how Freckleface Strawberry attempts to clear her face of pesky freckles on stage at the Engeman Theatre. Or bee-bop around to the sounds of beats made by garden veggies at the Vegetable Orchestra.

Check out our July GoList for the best family events for the rest of the month. For more seasonal activities, pop over to our Summer Fun Guide or our d ay trips guide. Check out our guides to Long Island playgrounds or amusement parks and water parks for more family adventures.

Of course, our Event Calendar is loaded with fun, daily happenings for Long Island kids. Don't see a great event here? Add it to our calendar yourself.

Get Moving: Free Outdoor Workouts for Philly Families this Summer

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 10:00am

Whether you're trying to get back into shape or stay in shape, working out is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only does it keep parents happy and healthy, but it teaches kids how to keep moving and be healthy. If you're looking for a little extra motivation, check out these FREE workouts around the city this summer- bring your little kids with you in the stroller or have older kids join in!

Looking for mommy and me classes? Check out our round-up of Where to Get Fit With Baby.

20 Things Your Kid Can Do to Support the Paris Climate Accord

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 10:00am

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." -Dr. Seuss

When it comes to making a difference in our world, even grown-ups can feel pretty small sometimes. It's hard to imagine that a single act could really change much of anything. But looking at the big picture can help. Imagine if everybody on your street did the same small things every day. And imagine if each of those neighbors told a friend, who started doing those small things, too. Before long, all of those individual little acts start to add up to big change. With the U.S. government's recent decision to back out of the Paris Climate Accord, an agreement in which individual countries pledge to do their part to curb global warming, now more than ever we need to think of ways we can start living a little lighter. Set aside a half-hour with your child and read this list of simple things kids and parents can do, together, to support the efforts and spirit behind the Paris Climate Accord.