Take it from a summer birthday kid -- just because the weather and water's fine, doesn't mean your birthday will be unforgettable.  It can actually seem like you're getting the shaft with friends away on vacation, off at camp, or spending the summer at dad's house.  No cupcakes at school, no teacher putting a paper crown on your head announcing exactly where the center of attention is.  Parents of summer babies have a tougher job than it seems when it comes to party planning! Here are some fun ideas in Fairfield County. For more party ideas check out our Party Guide!

Some of the best fun and free events this summer are being held in your own backyard at your local library. Library calendars are jam-packed with both fun and educational programs that cater to a wide variety of kid's interests from animals and outer space to American Girl and LEGOs. We've rounded up five Suffolk County libraries that not only offer wonderful programming to their own patrons but also generously open their doors to neighbors all over the Island for some very special free events. Also check out Great Free Fun at Long Island's Libraries and The Best Long Island Libraries.

Looking for summer educational fun in New Jersey or while traveling this summer? There is an app for that! Besides Summer Reading, another way to prevent the “Summer Slide” is educational apps. I try limiting the amount of time my children spend on devices in the summer, but rainy days, killing time in doctor waiting rooms, and long car rides are great opportunities to review core math and language arts skills.

We've had a really explosive week. Not only did summer break arrive, we also rounded up spectacular fireworks displays— in New York City and beyond. Although Macy's spectacular takes place on the Fourth of July, many towns in New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island celebrate Independence Day this weekend with their own awesome fireworks shows. If you're out of town over the holiday, don't worry: We've also rounded up free fireworks displays throughout the summer so you can still get a bang for no bucks.

Speaking of no-cost fun, we also posted a list of 100 free things to do this summer so you can have a fun-filled but budget conscious staycation. If you're looking for vacation inspiration, try browsing our Travel site. We just shared a slide show of our trip to Beaches Negril Jamaica, an all-inclusive Caribbean resort.

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

There’s nothing that kicks off the start of summer like a good Independence Day celebration. July 4th is a Wednesday this year, so the festivities begin this weekend and run all the way through to next weekend. I love a good fireworks show, but my favorite thing to do as those rockets blast off is to look down at the awestruck faces of my children as they light up with each burst of color. Check out our list of Firework Celebrations in CT or our specific links for  Fairfield County and Hartford County displays that are sure to dazzle your entire family.

Fourth of July activities overtake the city this week, as Boston Harborfest celebrations run from June 28-July 4. The War of 1812 Bicentennial is also underway, bringing visiting ships from around the globe to Boston Harbor on June 30 that are available for public viewing this week. Running in conjunction with the Bicentennial is Boston Navy Week, a series of events that includes ship visits, Navy Band concerts, Blue Angels shows, and more.

Boston’s Fireworks on the Esplanade have long set the standard for Fourth of July celebrations across the country, but if the prospect of the crowds seems a bit overwhelming to your family, there are plenty of other options - we’ve rounded up some of our favorites in towns around Boston. And if Harborfest events aren’t enough “history” for you and your family, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum opened this week and is an interactive experience about the events that started the whole Revolution.

Read on for Harborfest highlights and other special happenings this week, and be sure to check our events calendar for more ideas. And thanks to those who are helping build our list of free things to do this summer in Boston with kids - we'd love to hear what else you're planning!

Enjoy, and have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Please visit our Boston Harborfest post for updated information.

Hard to believe, but it's been twenty years since Jack and Annie first rode their Magic Treehouse to adventure. In this case, it was some dinosaurs before dark, but our young friends have traveled everywhere from outer space to Hawaii to the deck of the Titanic. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the beloved and award-winning book series, author Mary Pope Osborne, recently made a wonderful donation to Newark-area schoolchildren.