School may be just around the corner - or even already started, for some - but there’s still plenty for families to do as they savor the last glorious days of August, from Saint Anthony’s Feast in Little Italy to the final weekend of the Marshfield Fair. Our list of best bets for the weekend follows, and be sure to check our Event Calendar for more activities.

Also this week, Tara discovers a hidden gem; read about her visit to the Southwick Zoo. And we have 10 great places in and around Boston that make easy hikes for preschoolers, thanks to our friends at the Appalachian Mountain Club Kids Outdoor Boston.

Plus, meet one of our favorite kindie musicians, Alastair Moock, and read about his family's extraordinary story in our newest Poppins Parents post.

Finally, to help welcome in the new school year, get ready for Swagapalooza - our Back to School Giveaway that’s loaded with great prizes, like two Schwinn kids’ bikes, $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronicle Books, A Disney Junior package that includes Disney bedding and a backpack, $100 off at Famous Footwear, and a year’s supply of French Toast school uniforms. The giveaway begins August 28.

Enjoy!

Local mom and “Outdoors with Kids Boston” guidebook author, Kim Foley MacKinnon, shares her best family outing tips and picks with you as part of our guest blog series with the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Kids Outdoors Boston free online community.

If you want to instill a love of hiking in your preschooler, make your trips truly enjoyable for everyone. Start off slow and easy, with hikes that have quick payoffs, such as waterfalls, ponds, bridges, boulders or trees to climb, chances to encounter animals (like at farms), and even playgrounds.

As your young hikers get more comfortable, introduce longer hikes, with goals like how long you hike for or how many miles you go. Get your kids involved in the whole adventure from the start, from choosing where to go to helping plan the route. Even if your kids can’t read a map yet, they will love having one anyway, as well as being in charge of their own gear. Get them an appropriately-sized backpack and have them at least carry their own water bottle and snack. They’ll feel empowered, and you’ll be ready to go!

This weekend, festivals abound on Long Island. Check out the Annual Seafood Festival in West Sayville, the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson, and The Feast Of Mother Cabrini in Brentwood. Watch pigs race at the Long Island Game Farm. Enjoy a good ol' fashioned block party at the Huntington Arts Council. As always, check our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family.

T-minus 12 days until most Long Island kids head back to school. Our upcoming Back to School Swagapalooza is just the thing to get everyone into the school spirit. Prizes include 2 Schwinn kiddie bikes, $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronicle Books, a Disney Junior package that includes Disney bedding and a backpack, $100 off at Famous Footwear, and a year's supply of French Toast school uniforms. Good luck!

Late August always makes me a little sad. I find myself thinking about all the summer fun my family had and, inevitably, all the things we didn't get a chance to do. That's why we try to make the most of the last two weekends before fall unofficially arrives.

This weekend families can kick off the US Open with free kids' tennis clinics at the annual Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, catch Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell in concert, learn about migrating shorebirds before they fly south for the winter and get caught in a fun VW traffic jam on Governors Island.

Beaches and pools aren't the only attractions closing soon. Many wonderful outdoor destinations and exhibits are also about to end their runs, including MoMA PS1's refreshing Party Wall (last day: Saturday, August 31), MoMA's interactive Art Lab: People (Saturday, August 31), the Bronx Zoo's Dinosaur Safari (Sunday, September 8) and Central Park's tot-friendly amusement park Victorian Gardens (Sunday, September 8). You have a little longer to hit Governors Island, where you'll find the fabulous Fête Paradiso—the isle closes for the season on Sunday, September 29.

Those are just a few of the fun things to do this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

For many Nutmeggers, this is the last weekend of summer before school starts. If you would like to cram in as much fun as possible, but need to get errands done, we are here to help. Tax-free week ends Saturday, and our guide of Back to School Shopping in Fairfield County and Eastern Connecticut provides some ideas. I'm always searching for new nourishment for my son's "surprise plates" so I'm going to check out our post on Food Shopping for After School Snacks in Fairfield County.

To celebrate, Mommy Poppins is having a Back to School Swagapalooza Giveaway. Prizes include Two Schwinn Kids Bikes, $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronical Books, A Disney Junior package that includes Disney bedding and a backpack, $100 off at Famous Footwear, and A Years Supply of French Toast School Uniforms. But before we get in full school mode, let's enjoy some activities this weekend. Our suggestions on things to do are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our guides to CT Beaches and Water Fun, Swimming Holes in Hartford County, Best Playgrounds with Water Play and Splash Pads in Eastern CT, CT Day Trips and Indoor Play Guide. Our CT Go List of ideas is a monthly round up to help you plan ahead for the remainder of August. 

It's hard to believe summer is winding down, but there's still lots of fun happening this weekend in Westchester County. If you're feeling a little blue about back to school, we've got a Back to School Swagapalooza coming up that should help get you in the spirit. This national giveaway will include prizes that include $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronicle Books, a year supply of school uniforms from French Toast and a Disney Junior package that includes Disney bedding and a backpack, just to name a few. More details are coming soon.

In the meantime. Rye Playland continues its Summer Concert Series with Jake Miller on Friday and the Dutchess County Fair is in full swing now through Sunday. For all the creature lovers out there, young and old, head to Hudson Highland Museum on Saturday to see Sky Hunters in Flight or check out the Slithery Serpents at Teatown Lake Reservation. On Sunday, grab your favorite fairy gear and head to Muscoot Farm for their popular Victorian Faerie Walk.

If you see something that piques your interest, be sure to click through to the listing for all the details. And don't forget, our calendar of events has even more to do this weekend in Westchester!

Cooking classes are semester-long classes. Kids learn how food connects to culture, the proper way to handle food and kitchen tools, as well as how to measure properly and follow a recipe. Classes for young children include stories and songs, while older children learn about multicultural food and nutrition. Classes range from cookie and cake decorating to four course meals. Nothing cures a child with a picky palate more than involving them in the process. Don't be surprised if a fussy eater is suddenly offering to help plan family meals. Classes discuss proper table etiquette as well. For additional class suggestions, see our Classes and Activities Guide for Long Island Kids.

New Jersey is definitely closing out summer with a bang! Our state is brimming with family-friendly activities, like the Seafarer’s Weekend in Cape May and the Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival. And for one last fix of the great outdoors, check out Bats for Beginnings at Tenafly Nature Center or pick some juicy late-season fruit and spread out a picnic at Fresh and Fancy Farms. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

And to ease you back into the school year, we have a national Back to School Giveaway coming up, a Swagapalooza that will include prizes like Schwinn bikes, $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronicle Books (think Ivy & Bean and other great titles), a years supply of school uniforms from French Toast and $100 gift card at Famous Footwear. More details coming soon, now on to summer events.