We moved our family from New York City to Long Island. Any doubts I harbor about the decision quickly dissipate the moment I see my children playing in their own backyard. Whether playing at the water table, on the swing set, or in the dirt, knowing that they have their own special place in nature makes it all worthwhile. And speaking of backyards, there's tremendous satisfaction in creating a garden.

Summer truly is the season of FREE NYC fun, especially for families. So far we've told you about free film screenings, free kids' concerts, free play streets, free sports programs and even free camps. Now we've got a new summer freebie to add to our ever-growing list: free classes for middle school students through the Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center in Tribeca.

While these programs—which run the gamut from performing arts to sports to science and math—give priority to students at I.S. 289, the organization believes there will be space for children from other NYC schools. Read on for details about all the FREE activities on offer, and how your rising sixth to ninth graders can apply for a spot.

Now that I’m looking out the window and seeing…sunshine, I want to capitalize on it.  I’m not sure how long this sunshine is planning on sticking around, so we are heading out the door immediately to cram in as many outdoor activities as we possibly can.  Happily, the Fairfield County area offers no end of possibilities for those interested in biking, beaching, or hiking.

First on our list…a hike.  Water bottles are filled, snacks are packed, and One Direction is queued on my playlist (why, yes, I do have pre-teen girls…).  We are headed for an afternoon of hiking at one of our favorite spots: Ward Reservation. Ward Reservation is just over the New York border in Pound Ridge, about a 30 minute drive from lower Fairfield County.  Or, according to my eldest, 9 Taylor Swift songs away from our house.

I only have two kids, but at times I've had the likes of four or five. You know the drill: offer to take your friend's kids to the park, and the bodies multiply. Even crazier, all those little legs start running in multiple directions. Gah! Suddenly you're dashing around like a crazy woman wondering whom to rescue first: the kid dangling from the tree branch, or the kid who's booking it to the distant ball field to watch the Little League game? CLINK! "Foul Ball!" Thankfully, there are many area playgrounds with locked gates. (Oh, the peace that comes with children contained!) So, until they learn how to climb the fence, consider bringing your herds to these paddocks, err, parks on the Westside.

Water was our theme this week in NYC—specifically sailing on it. We posted about this weekend's FREE North River Historic Ship Festival in Tribeca, where you can tour and ride on vintage vessels. For landlubbers there's the new Shipwreck! exhibit at Discovery Times Square filled with interactive stations that give kids a peek at historic life on the high seas. And of course we're particularly excited about the very special family cruise we're hosting next Saturday, June 29. Join the Mommy Poppins gang on the Clipper City Tall Ship as we sail through New York Harbor and enjoy songs and stories by Bill Gordh, an eye-spy scavenger hunt led by educators from the DiMenna Children's History Museum and other nautical activities. Space is limited so book now. Bonus: If you buy your tickets by Monday, June 24, you'll be automatically entered to win great prizes like passes to the Liberty Science Center and a family four-pack to Wanda's Monster the Musical.

Outside the city, we were all about summer fun. Our brand-new Westchester site posted about a series of FREE summer block parties in Mamaroneck, while our Long Island site uncovered cool kid-friendly activities at grown-up destinations like the Belmont Racetrack and South Fork Wineries. Of course you can find plenty of other seasonal inspiration on all of our sites and in our NYC Summer Guide.

It's your last chance to enter this week's giveaway, which is particularly awesome: Four orchestra tickets to A Christmas Story the Musical at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. I saw it with my seven-year-old last year and it's great fun even if you've seen the movie a million times. And there's just a few more days to contribute to the Mommy Poppins Kids' Activities App. We're 60% funded and, if everyone who reads this contributes $2, we will make our goal. Donate more and you'll earn some really cool rewards like brand-new Mommy Poppins T-shirts and tote bags.

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

There are many reasons for families to vacation in Virginia. Major cultural attractions like Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello and Mount Vernon help bring classroom history lessons to life in an entertaining fashion. Families looking for an urban getaway can explore Richmond or Norfolk, which both have plenty of big city verve, festivals galore and revitalized downtowns.  There is tremendous geographical variety, from the sandy shores of Virginia Beach to the lush Shenandoah Mountains. Outdoors enthusiasts have plenty of options, from hiking and biking to white water rafting and surfing.  Those looking for manmade thrills gravitate towards Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion, where they can enjoy dozens of amusement rides. 

If you are planning a Virginia vacation, there are several resorts that cater to families who want to see the sites and attractions, while enjoying the activities and amenities of a large, family-oriented hotel.  The following six resorts offer so much to do that you could never leave the grounds and still have a great vacation.

Summer officially arrives on Friday - can the start of summer vacation be too far behind? Whether your kids will go to camp all summer (there are still some last-minute opportunities available) or take part in a sports program (Kristin has 10 reasons Super Soccer Stars works for her family), or your family likes to just take it day by day, the next few months offer ample opportunity to explore all that’s going on in and around Boston.

We’ve highlighted a few of our suggestions for the coming weekend below, including The North Shore Music Theatre’s Sound of Music, EurekaFest at the Museum of Science, a birthday bash at Barefoot Books and the three-day RiverFest in Concord. Free Friday Flicks begins this week; read our roundup of this and other outdoor film series. Another sure sign of summer? The multitude of Farmers’ Markets that families can visit. And be sure to check out our 50 Free Things to Do this Summer - great stuff, and all free!

Read on for more of our weekend picks, and be sure to check out our events calendar for more ideas. You can also keep track of all that’s going on this summer by checking our Summer Activities Guide - we’ll be updating it throughout the summer.

Enjoy!

Okay,  I know I said it was summer last weekend, but now it's really summer. Official like. The whole summer solstice, northern hemisphere most inclined toward the sun*, first-day-of-summer summer. So now you really ought to go out and do summer things. Go on a picnic. (We can help you with that). Go berry picking. (Covered). Frolick outdoors and pop some ollies and grinds on your skateboard,** (you're a bit old for frolicking, don't you think? But we can help with the skateboarding).

In fact, it is so very summer that we are already talking about the Fourth of July.  Did you know you can watch fireworks from boats? Well, you can, and we can help you set sail everywhere from Dana Point to Lake Arrowhead to watch them bright sparklies.

One of my favorite perks of the summer is the many ways to see a movie for free. (Besides sneaking in the exit door, that's not playing fair). We can fill you in on the free (or almost free) kids' matinees, free movies under the stars, in the parks, at the beach and more. There are so many freebies you almost have to wonder why anyone would pay to see a movie. Scratch that, I know why: because Mike and Sully are back!

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for the weekend ....