If you've been to Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk or the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, you know the hands-on science for kids niche is filled in Fairfield County. Unless, that is, you live in a town north of Bridgeport. Up here, these museums—great as they are—are a schlep. That's why the addition of Newtown's EverWonder Children's Museum is so welcome. Launched in 2011 in mobile form, the museum hoped to fill the STEM void between Bridgeport and Hartford's stellar Science Center. Now that it has a brick-and-mortar location, the EverWonder Children's Museum is well on its way to achieving its goal.

It is never too early to introduce your child to art. In the Hartford area, one tends to think of the grandiose Wadsworth, or perhaps the sleek New Britain Museum of American Art, but don’t overlook the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington. There, in the 1901 Colonial Revival house turned museum, both art and history come alive. The Hill-stead, however, is not just for grown-ups and art buffs: family-friendly events like First Sundays and seasonal community events on the estate’s magnificent grounds invite families and children to enjoy and learn from this cultural landmark right up the road. (Check out our Museum Guide for ideas of other CT museums to try with kids by county.)

Undoubtedly, the simplest of activities can often make the best memories for our young children. Visiting an area orchard or farm is an easy, low-cost outing and a great way to bring the little ones closer to nature. Highland Orchards, a Chester County farm market and pick-your-own field, provides fresh air, fresh food, and fun times for families all year round. During the warmer weather, families can take advantage of its outdoor activities, including pick-your-own strawberries, a playground, and a spot to feed animals. Fall is the height of apple picking and hayride season, and in the cold months, Highland Orchards continues its open hours in the farm market, where kids and grownups can enjoy the freshly baked pies and other baked goods (and other tasty free samples!)

This summer, don’t miss an opportunity to go to Highland Orchards for eating, playing, or even taking a structured tour of the grounds. Check out the top 5 reasons why it’s worth a drive to the Chester County countryside for a visit.

The high temperatures and humidity we've been experiencing say summer arrived weeks ago, but for NYC public school kids, break is just beginning. And we're celebrating with a variety of fun-filled events, from a School's Out Celebration in Coney Island, to a slew of free fests and concerts.

Heading to Long Island's East End this summer? Here's a roundup of super cheap (yes, really) activities for kids. There's also a ton of free fun to be had in nearby New Jersey. Plan a day trip to the Garden State for entertainment like the NJ Barbecue Championship, blueberry festivals and beach outings. For dino-obsessed kids, we've got a list of places to find the prehistoric creatures in Connecticut that's sure to be a hit.

Our Travel site has details on a blissful family farm vacation in New Hampshire.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

During the summer, New Jersey parents are constantly on the lookout for day trips that are both entertaining and educational. The Garden State's great zoos and aquariums are always lots of fun, but if you're looking for a unique experience for your wildlife-loving kids, consider a trip to the Raptor Trust. Located in Millington, the Raptor Trust is primarily a medical facility for injured birds; however, it's also a permanent home for birds that cannot be safely returned to the wild. Visitors are given the opportunity observe these gorgeous creatures up close. I recently took my two children, ages 11 and 7, on a tour. Read on to see what this special destination has to offer.

It's summertime (for reals this week!), and the fun is coming fast and furious. Time to indulge in your post-solstice favorites: Hollywood Bowl will have you singing all the way back to the future, or you can just bowl.  You can wherefore and wilt thou with the Shakespearean troupe in Griffith Park (free all summer long). Speaking of free, there are a ton of free movies and free concerts and, really, aren't the best things in life free?

Here are a few: Free fan fest. Free pirate invasion. Free bike ride. (Free bike expo). Free Chinatown Summer Nights. Free movie. Free movie. Free movie. Free concert. Free festival.

And our favorite free, the Land of the Free, has its special day coming up. Nothing says summer like the Fourth of July!  We've got the scoop on America's birthday and all the best fireworks next week, (and one display this weekend, if you want to get an early start).

Keep reading for our favorite picks for this weekend...

Ah, the summertime bucket list. You know, activities that every family plans to do over school break? Since this weekend concludes the month of June, it's a wake-up call to start crossing a few off your list with the help of our Event Calendar.

Hit a summer fest such as the New Castle County Ice Cream Festival. See an outdoor concert at Roxborough's Gorgas Park, Bryn Mawr's Gazebo or Media's Rose Tree Park. Or explore nature with a trip to the Schuylkill Environmental Education Center's 50th Anniversary Picnic or Riverbend Environmental Education Center's Stream Stomp.

Read on to see the rest of our top picks for the weekend so you can make every moment of summer count. Have fun!

School's out for summer! I'm looking forward to kicking back and relaxing at a local spray pool to ease into vacation, but celebrations are also in order, especially with Independence Day on the horizon. Why not get a head start at one of the early 4th of July celebrations happening this weekend?

If you prefer to wait for the actual Fourth for your festivities, there are plenty of alternatives for a good time this weekend, including filling up on summer's best dessert or catching the Seine boat races. To round out the weekend, two highly-anticipated events include a release party for a local musician and an incredible peek into the science behind some of our favorite films for kids (pictured).

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• The Fourth is just around the corner! We share some great ways to celebrate without fireworks.
• Visiting the Harvard Museums with kids is even more fun when you know what to expect.
• If you're looking for a different type of getaway, consider a family farm vacation in New Hampshire.
• Our roundup of local 4th of July fireworks (not on the Esplanade) might help you discover a new favorite spot.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!