New York City always seems to hum with so much excitement at this time of year. Schools are back in session, vacations are over and local museums and cultural institutions unveil their new exhibits for the fall season.

As the temperatures get cooler (starting this weekend we hear), families will be looking for places to play indoors. Happily, this season's crop of exhibitions includes many interactive installations that are perfect for kids, from preschoolers to tweens.

Families can blast off into outer space at the American Museum of Natural History, join Peter on his Snowy Day adventures at the Jewish Museum and learn about staying healthy at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Plus, Soho's Children’s Museum of the Arts moves into its new Hudson Square digs in October, and the New York Historical Society debuts its Children's History Museum and Library in November. We're even got a handy list of free museum hours so you can figure out when you can visit at no cost.

And that's just a bit of what's going on in the art world. Here are nine great exhibits for NYC kids this fall.

As an avid reader and writer, I'm very excited that my two-year-old is finally big enough to enjoy some of the free offerings at the annual Brooklyn Book Festival. I've gone every year since it debuted in 2005 to see my favorite authors read, and to buy way too many books from the vendors that set up shop. I even read there when my own novel came out, which was quite a dream come true.

Although the Brooklyn Book Festival isn't aimed at kids, there are events and activities for bookworms (and aspiring readers) of all ages. In fact, there are two specific areas specifically for kids: the Target Children's Area, a cute tent featuring craft projects and excellent readings by top kid-lit authors, and the more mature Youth Stoop with lots of workshops and readings for tweens and teens,

While there are random "bookend" events taking place around the borough during the days leading up to the festival, the main event happens on Sunday, September 18 around Brooklyn Borough Hall. There's so much going on, it really pays to plan. We've highlighted the family-friendly events we're most looking forward to (including a reading by Mo Willems), and we've got tips on how to make the most of your day at the Brooklyn Book Festival.

Mommy Poppins is growing, but before I tell you where we are going, I want to take a moment to look back.

I started Mommy Poppins almost five years ago as a New Year's resolution. As I began to write about raising my children and things to do with kids in NYC, I realized that I was quite passionate about the amazing opportunities for families in this city. And for the past four and a half years, I have worked on the site feverishly, with a burning energy I cannot really explain—trying to provide the very best, most unique information for parents on a well-organized and easy-to-use site that doesn't waste your time with a lot of nonsense.

I know that some people come to the site and probably think there is some big corporation behind it, but for a long time I was actually doing everything myself. Then I started having other moms write posts and run the sites. I have been fortunate to find amazing people who are now helping to make the site better than I could have all by myself. (You can read about our team on our About Page).

When it comes to after school programs, one typically thinks of the YMCA or programs held in schools that offer the usual activities:  homework help, arts and crafts, movies, games, and on nice days, possibly a trip to the playground or a walk outside.  But if you dig a bit deeper into the world of after school, you can find some alternate and unique programs for your child.

Head out to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire for a unique family outing this Fall. I'm told it's even better if you dress yourselves up in period costume like the cute little bumpkin in this photo. Best part is that you can WIN FREE TICKETS right here. If you've never been to a Renaissance Faire - here's the scoop:
 
The Connecticut Renaissance Faire recreates a medieval English village at festival time, and their guests of honor are none other than King Arthur and Queen Guinevere themselves. Meet the royal couple, sing and dance along to period music, check out a variety of handmade wares in the medieval marketplace, partake of a juicy roasted turkey leg, test your skill as a warrior at the Hitting & Stabbing Emporium or in a safe and friendly contest of arms, and watch armored knights jousting on horseback.
 
In addition, the Connecticut Renaissance Faire is hosting a number of special events and theme weekends, including its popular “Halloween Knights” featuring safe trick-or-treating with our merchants and a nighttime flaming joust. Read more for directions on how to enter the drawing.

While it's true that the season of free outdoor kids' concerts is over, there's plenty of music to look forward to this autumn. That's why we're kicking off our fall culture preview with a roundup of awesome New York City family rock concerts, featuring some of our favorite local kids' bands.

In addition to picking the best bets from well known kids' concert series like 92YTribeca's Bring Your Own Kid, we did the research and found a bunch of cheap and even free live shows. Out of the 14 we're highlighting, three are $10 or under per person and five are absolutely free! 

With big names like Grammy winner Dan Zanes, Princess Katie & Racer Steve and Gustafer Yellowgold playing, we're looking to these shows as much as our kids are. So get ready to move and groove at the best kids' rock concerts in NYC.

It already feels like fall, and if the rain can just hold back we have a beautiful weekend is ahead of us. If you are looking for meaningful ways to commemorate September 11th with your family, we found some places where you can gather. We've also rounded up some other activities for you this weekend, including festivals, a tomato contest, a bug hunt, and a road race that benefits kids. We wish you a peaceful and glorious couple of days.

School may have started this week but the fun is still going strong for Los Angeles families!   Mommy Poppins LA is here to point you towards some of the best local events.  

Summer hasn't had its last hurrah just yet. There's one more Twilight Dance concert on the Santa Monica Pier and a final fiddle from the winners of the Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Contest at the Peter Strauss Ranch. If you're looking to get your beach on, the shores of Malibu will be lined with surfers at the Malibu Surfing Association's MSA Classic.

This Sunday also marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.   It can be difficult to know how to address the anniversary of such a profoundly tragic event with children.  Several local institutions offer options that are both life-affirming and respectful; the ZImmer Museum has an event particularly geared toward families with young children, while the Museum of Tolerance event might be more suited to kids with a better understanding of the day.

Read on for some of our favorite choices this weekend.