Even once little girls get over the whole princess fantasy, they still enjoy being pretty and pampered. So a spa birthday party can be a real treat, especially for kids and tweens who get a big kick out of dressing up, getting mani-pedis and having their hair styled. (Somehow once you become a mom, these all become chores you can't find time to do!)

If going to an adult spa or salon seems a bit much, there are lots of kid-centric spots that offer in-house party packages, as well as local providers that will bring the whole shebang right to your apartment: nail polish, facial lotions, hair extensions, robes, magazines, the works. Hey, this might be the perfect opportunity for you to get a makeover, too.

Most summers, my kids have very few organized activities on their schedules.   They each pick one session of camp, and other than that, they focus on making an unholy mess out of our playroom and catching frogs in our stream.  Occasionally a frog gets welcomed into the playroom, but that’s for another post…

But alas, this is not most summers, as we are moving!  And in an effort to keep my three little banshees occupied, out of the house, and away from the moving mayhem, I’ve been somewhat maniacally investigating ways to keep them occupied.   Amongst the coolest activities that I’ve found are the many movies events offered in Fairfield County.    Most are free (always music to my ears) and some are even outdoors – very cool!

Eating outdoors on a balmy day can be a wonderful family dining experience—unless you're stuck inhaling bus fumes at a tiny sidewalk table so crammed with dishes that you're lucky if a passerby doesn't inadvertently knock over your drink with a swinging handbag.

Luckily there are a bunch of kid-friendly restaurants in New York City with wonderful alfresco dining areas that aren't right by the curb. From lush backyard gardens to rooftop gems with panoramic views to eateries located smack-dab in the middle of parks, here are 20 of our favorite NYC spots for outdoor dining in the summer.

Father's Day is the main event on all of our sites this week. Out in New Jersey, you can take dad hiking or for a swanky wine tasting; on Long Island activities include skydiving and sports; and in Connecticut there's a cool car show. Plus our Boston site shared four easy recipes kids can prepare for the man of the house.

Here in NYC, there are plenty of fun family events to choose from this weekend like National GeekDad Day at the New York Hall of Science and a Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island. My family and I visited the isle for the first time this season just last weekend, and this year's sculpture garden and mini-golf course are really exceptional. Now located on the grassy Parade Grounds, the artwork is truly eye-popping, like a life-size Statue of Liberty head sticking out of the ground and a giant TV you can climb inside. Plus there's a giant treehouse with a slide, biking, strolling, picnicking and amazing views. Seems like the perfect Father's Day staycation.

Looking ahead to summer, which officially arrives next week, we rounded up the best free outdoor movie series for families and posted about 4th of July fireworks cruises. And if you're planning any big vacations over break, be sure to check our family travel site for a slew of awesome suggestions.

Here's what else we shared this week on our NYC site.