September may not seem like the obvious time for a family vacation, but there are excellent travel values this time of year and, with school holiday weekends, it can be a great time for a family getaway. It’s one of the least crowded times to visit Orlando’s theme parks, enjoy the still warm Ft Lauderdale beaches, or journey to Southern California for a Disneyland deal. Consider a staycation in trendy Brooklyn, or explore Chicago. Farther away, luxuriate in Mexico or discover Patagonia. If your plans include London or Paris, a new airline is offering business class fares for a fair price. Once you’re in Europe, score a discount on tours that will escort you to some fascinating sites.

Sure, sports birthdays are awesome, and your toddler is sure to have a hit at an indoor play space, but why not try something a little different this year and have a party at a museum? Perfect for preschool and older children, museum parties can tap in to a wide range of interests, whether it’s art or animals or outer space.

We’ve gathered a selection of kid-friendly museums that welcome birthday parties in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley. Be sure to take a look at our Party Planner Guide for even more birthday ideas!

You can see stars all over Boston. No, we're not talking about spotting Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen at the playground with their kids. The stars we're seeking are in the sky over Boston every night – even if the city lights make them a little difficult to see. Stargazing in the city can be very rewarding if you know where to look and you have access to the right instruments, which is where local observatories and planetariums come in. Take your kids to these places to make the whole family feel closer to the stars. 

Take advantage of these balmy, glorious summer days while you still can, Jersey! The return of school and schedules will soon be upon us, so make some warm weather memories with the family this weekend: for big family fun check out the Honey Festival at Oasis Farm or the Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival. For a dose of nature in the great outdoors, round up the troops for a Family Photo Scavenger Hunt at the Haggerty Education Center, the Cape May Family Birding Cruise or Discovery Saturday at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For even more activity options, check out our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

With Labor Day on the horizon, you might assume things would slow down a bit on the East End of Long Island this weekend. That assumption would be  wrong.

This weekend, parents and kids can experience the glamor of the Hampton Classic Horse show, take a railroad trip back in time, catch some fish together and even race a rubber duck or two at the East End’s most recognized landmark, the Big Duck.

So start to get your last licks of summer fun this weekend. Check out our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide for the best in local entertainment, and with back to school looming be sure to see our Long Island Classes Guide for the best in after-school programs Islandwide.

I  loved our recent bowling post because it was generated by a child’s passion and his mother’s quick response. My daughter is crazy for sea life. She never tires of a trip to the aquarium, and aquariums around these parts certainly are plentiful. While many aquariums offer hands-on opportunities for our young marine biologists, there are other ways to experience sea life in Southern California as well: the sea lions molt in Cambria; tide pools abound; the California Science Center is screening an IMAX movie about humpback whales, and–no surprise to Mommy Poppins readers–the grunion run in San Pedro. Southern California has a plethora of sea animals. This summer, I've been indulging my daughter’s fascination with the life aquatic.

Kids on Manhattan's West Side just gained a brand-new jungle gym. The playground sprung up earlier this month near the ongoing Hudson Yards redevelopment project, which is transforming a 28-acre section of Midtown West into shiny new high-rise offices, high-end shops, residences, hotels, restaurants and a public school, as well as access to the 7-train extension when completed. The development is expected to create 14 acres of open space, including multiple green spaces. The newly opened neighborhood park, which houses the newest NYC playground, is a city park operated by the Hudson Yards/Hell's Kitchen Alliance.

We've tested out the new playground, which includes a cool canopy for fending off the summer heat, so read on for our review of this new kid-friendly green space and jungle gym.

Even for those who live for summer, the heat and humidity can take its toll--and make you not want to leave the house. But the weather doesn't have to keep you from enjoying all the East End has to offer. In fact, there are plenty of ways to beat the heat here, and we've rounded up 10 of our favorites.

Need more ideas? Be sure to check out our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.