Are your kids obsessed with graphic novels? News flash: They're far from alone. If you're a parent of a child in elementary or middle school, you're probably already aware that we're living in a veritable golden age for graphic novels aimed at children, thanks to talented author-illustrators like Raina Telgemeier (of Drama and Smile fame), Kazu Kibuishi (author of the massively popular Amulet series), Cece Bell (author of the Newbery Award-winning El Deafo), and even graphic novel adaptations of classic tales from A Wrinkle in Time to Greek mythology.

If your young reader is interested in creating a graphic novel or illustrated story of their own, there are plenty of classes and camps in NYC designed to encourage young storytellers. "Comic books and visual arts, in general, have become much more understood as viable paths for young people that have talent in visual art," says A.K. Lovelace, a professional illustrator and instructor at the Harlem School of the Arts. Whether your child is just starting out in cartoon Illustration or you have a child preparing their portfolio for high school or contests, here are a few programs to support your budding artist throughout their creative development.

June ushers in summer, Father’s Day, and the end of school, as well as loads of outdoor fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. This month, be on the lookout for cultural celebrations, carnivals, campouts, and music and movies under the stars.

The beloved Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival returns for more inspiring music, environmental activism, food trucks, boating, and amazing activities for kids. On the subject of good causes, the Autism Speaks Westchester/Fairfield Walk continues to serve the community of people on the spectrum with fundraising, consciousness-raising, and camaraderie.

June is a peak time for summer fairs and festivals, among them the annual Ukrainian Heritage Festival, whose added appeal is the cultural immersion. We also love the American Roots Music Festival, a multi-“stage” outdoor performance of feel-good music in a lovely setting. If you’re looking for the Children’s Earth and Water Festival, note that it will not take place in 2019.

These are just a few of our top picks for June—there’s a ton to do! Read on for our favorites for the month and find many more options on our Event Calendar. To stay in the know, sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook! 

This spring may have brought lots of rain, but now we turn our warm sunny thoughts to summer where kids can stay outside and play all day. From strawberry picking, splash pads and splaygrounds, to free outdoor movies and concerts, Mommy Poppins is your go-to for what-to-do in the Philly area this month. 

Headed to the shore? We've got things to do with toddlers, best boardwalks, and best beaches. Looking for day trips to historical places or planning a big trip to celebrate summer vacation? We've got those, too. 

Get started on your June planning with 13 of our Top Picks below, and from everyone here at Mommy Poppins Philadelphia...Welcome, Summer!! 

With its beautiful sandy beaches, activity-filled boardwalk, and delicious kid-friendly restaurants, Cape May is a long-time beach vacation favorite for families. Located at the southern tip of the Jersey Shore, the iconic lighthouse and bayside sunsets provide picture-perfect memories off Exit Zero, while gingerbread-style Victorian houses and horse-drawn carriage rides add to the town's historic charm.

With all the makings of a perfect beach getaway at your fingertips, all you need for a Cape May vacation is a hotel reservation, and The Grand Hotel — an oceanfront hotel with awesome amenities — is a great choice for families. Read on to find our recommendations for the best things to do, best places to eat, and the best spots to stay in Cape May, NJ, and your next family beach vacation could be just a click away.

One of the best things about raising kids in New York City is that a unique cultural experience is usually just a short walk, bus, or train ride away. Most cultural institutions in NYC host special family programming, festivals, workshops and language programs, and NYC's Japan Society, formed in 1907, offers a varied and rich calendar of events for kids, all set against a beautiful backdrop of indoor gardens, including a waterfall.

If you are fascinated by Japanese food, film, and folklore, but short on time or money to travel abroad, the Japan Society is an affordable alternative for the culture-seeking family. During my visit, one Japan Society member and father of two children ages 3 and 4 put it best, “It gets me as close as I can to experiencing Japanese culture without having to go to Japan.”

With summer camp registration starting before you've even put the families' winter coats away for the season, it's really easy to fall behind. Fortunately, even if you haven't spent a single minute thinking about camp, there's no need to panic—yet. 

Sure, some programs fill up quickly with returning campers who get first priority, but there are so many awesome programs that still have availability. You'll find specialty camps for every interest, camps for preschoolers and toddlers, cooking camps, tech camps, arts camps, and traditional, general interest country day camps where your kids will breathe fresh air all day and come home dirty and tired...you name it. We've rounded up over 25 of our NYC area camp partners that still have spots for summer 2019 as of this writing. To find by location, click to open the map at the bottom of the post.

For even more New York City-area camps, check out our comprehensive Summer Camp Guide and browse hundreds of programs by location, age, and type in our NYC Summer Camp Directory.

Summer is finally here! Don't get stir crazy - there are lots of things to do with the kids this month, like checking out a brand new super hero exhibit at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts, kayaking on Kinder Lake at Disccovery Green, hanging out with dinosaurs at the Houston Zoo, and celebrating Father's Day in unique ways dad will love. Miller Outdoor Theatre also has a great lineup of children's performances you can enjoy for free all month, or you can catch a movie at Studio Movie Grill for just $1.

This month you can also cool off at a Houston area splash pad, or if you're feeling adventurous, head to a nearby water park. For the movie fanatics, be sure to check out our roundup of free and cheap summer movies. If you are still looking for last-minute summer camp options (no judgment), check out our comprehensive camp guide for ideas from art camps to science camps. Read on for more family fun this month.

As the last day of school breathes down our collective necks, there are those among us who—dare I say it—have not yet figured out summer camp. No shame here; you are among friends. In fact, we'd like to help by sharing a few great summer camps that we happen to know still have space available. Open the map at the bottom of the page to search by location. And remember, we have more camps to peruse in our camp guide and directory!