Lately, I've been privileged to forge some amazing partnerships. Last month we helped promote the Partners in Preservation effort that awarded $3 million in grants to local historic landmarks. Apple has asked us to present some of our recommendations for educational apps at the company's Upper West Side store (more info on that to come). And we have another fun event coming up with a large company whose name (sort of) rhymes with doodle. So things are really hoppin' around here!

But today, I want to announce a new partnership I am particularly excited about: the East River Ferry. Last summer, I wrote about my experiences riding on the East River Ferry and all the fun things my family and I did at the different stops. Not only is the East River Ferry a pleasant way to get from one place to another, an all-day pass is an awesome way to explore the different neighborhoods it services (Midtown, Long Island City, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Dumbo and Lower Manhattan). This year, the folks at the East River Ferry and I teamed up to expand on the idea of my original post by creating a free pamphlet with 101 things to do along the East River Ferry route.

Is one of your kids a science junkie? Are you constantly looking for places to dig up fossils or examine shipwrecks? Maybe you’re just looking for some unique local activities for your family. Science Near You is a new web-based application from our pals at the Liberty Science Center that can turn your day into an adventure. Grab your NJ kids and get online to check this cool tool out!

A few decades ago, Gay Pride in New York City was mainly an adult affair, with a big Manhattan march followed by parties until dawn. While those events continue today, a lot has changed about Pride and for the LGBT community as a whole. Many gay couples are now married (legally!) with children and want to celebrate Pride as a family. Plus the festivities aren't limited to Manhattan; now the outer boroughs host notable Pride events, too, with their own vibes and attractions.

Last year, my son and I spent several happy hours eating, shopping and playing our way through the Brooklyn Pride Festival right off Bartel-Pritchard Square. It was mellow and fun, and with Pride Month upon us again, we're looking forward to checking out other kid-friendly Pride celebrations throughout June. While some gatherings are still just for grown-ups, we've found a bunch that are great for the whole family. Bonus: They're all FREE.

As far as I’m concerned, summer doesn’t officially start until the backseat of my car has a fine layer of melted popsicles and smooshed cotton candy covering it.  To that end, I’m on the hunt for some local fairs and festivals, where I hope to find said ice cream and cotton candy – amongst other things.  Happily, the month of June has numerous local Fairfield County fairs scheduled – surely I’ll find some sticky sugar at one of them!

In my pre-parenting days, I worked down the block from Madison Square Park and I remember waiting on line for Shake Shack when it was just a food truck grilling up dogs. Once I became a mom, the park became my go-to destination with my noisy, active toddler, and I recall arriving super early so we could avoid the Shake Shack lunch rush.

Much as my son and I still love the outdoor eatery's burgers and shakes, it's not the only choice for hungry families in the neighborhood. Over the past few years, a whole new crop of casual, kid-friendly restaurants have opened up around park, plus my family and I discovered a golden oldie that predates Shake Shack by, oh, 75 years. So this summer, after you hit the fantastic playground, check out the cool public art and groove to the free kids' concerts, skip the Shack and try one of these other dining destinations near Madison Square Park.

The music scene for teens is huge this summer in New Jersey! Disney Channel alums such as Demi Lovato and Ross Lynch are breaking away from their cable television shows and heading out on tour. It’s a tough call for parents as to when their tweens are the right age for their first concert; however, many of these upcoming shows feature bands with a more “wholesome” act. It helps that they are widely popular with younger fans as well! Enjoy!

After a taste of that New Jersey summer weather, I'm already fantasizing about the end of school and the beginning of carefree summertime fun. We have a few more weeks of responsibility left, but thankfully there's lots of great outdoor fun to keep me in that almost summer mode.  This weekend there's some really huge fairs and fests like Riverfest in Red Bank, Greek Fest in Westfield, and Strawberry Festival in Hackettstown. Of course there's also a slew of indoor events, like the popular "Baby Loves Disco" tour that is finally making a stop in NJ. Read on for our top picks and remember you can find a listing of all NJ activities for kids in our Event Calendar.