The kids are almost done with school, and this coming weekend is a great time to treat them to a special event or two on the East End for all their hard work throughout the year. There are a number of family-friendly events happening in the area, and we;ve compiled our top 10 for the weekend.

Be sure to check out our Long Island Calendar for more kid-friendly activities, as well as our Hamptons and North Fork Guide. And don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you can receive our roundup of fun things to do delivered directly to your inbox.

Summer officially arrives this weekend and there are lots of FREE ways to celebrate. Put on your best sea-themed costumes for the iconic Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, enjoy no-cost outdoor concerts as Make Music takes over the five boroughs, or hop on a vintage vessel at the North River Historic Ship Festival in Tribeca.

There's some great culture on tap, too, including SummerStage Brooklyn Family Day featuring France's Barolosolo Circus Company, the Jackson Heights Arts Festival and the final weekend of the New Victory Theater's The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk. And looking ahead, since NYC public pools open for the season next Friday, the Parks Department is currently holding its online lottery for FREE summer swimming lessons for all ages.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

Of all the things I've experienced, little could compete with the ruggedness and romance of learning to sail.  It is unfettered adventure in the eye of face-whipping, fresh air -- exactly the sort of thing you associate with living in Fairfield County, and precisely the full-sensory experience our over-digitized millennials need.  On the flip side, learning to row on one of the county's many Sound-bound rivers could provide the tranquility and focus your particular tween or teen is lacking.  Either way, several clubs are available to unfurl the fun these sports can provide for a lifetime.

Not all summer entertainment for children has to come with a hefty price tag. In fact, several shows across Nassau County on Long Island are being offered for free. We've rounded up those local concerts--now all parents need to do is grab a lawn chair or picnic blanket and get ready to shimmy, shake and smile with the little ones! And we have a roundup of free Suffolk shows, too.

Looking for more cool things to do together? Check out our Summer Fun Guide of the Best Things to Do With Long Island Kids.

It’s official- summer kicks off this weekend! The kids are done with school, camp’s around the corner and parents need some warm-weather fun to fill the gap. Look no further.  Mommy Poppins has the recipe for a jam-packed weekend. Blast off the summer at the Meadowlands energetic New Jersey State Fair. Brighten up the weekend at Terhune Orchards’ Firefly Festival. Put on your party hats and Celebrate New Jersey’s 350th Birthday at the New Jersey State Museum and Planetarium. Chill out at the theatre with family-friendly performances of The Little Engine That Could or the Frozen Movie Sing-A-Long, where it’s okay for kids (and adults) to belt out “Let It Go.” Check out the full list of weekend activities on our Event Calendar.

For NYC kids, one of the greatest pleasures of summer is getting all wet in pools, at beaches and on boats. However, for children with special needs like my son, water play can spark a variety of anxieties and sensory issues.

Happily, the tri-state area is home to a number of adaptive water sports programs specifically tailored to children with autism and other special needs. So they can learn to swim, sail and even water-ski in a supportive and understanding environment. Bonus: Many of these special needs water play programs are FREE or inexpensive.