As astute Mommy Poppins readers will have noted, a new month usually means lots of free “firsts.” In case you missed it last month, the LEGO Store monthly model build is now on the first Tuesday and Wednesday. That’s right, two opportunities to pick up a free LEGO. The “little old lady in Pasadena” has lots of free stuff to do the fist week of the month, too: The Huntington, Kidspace, and Pasadena Museum of California Art all have a day that is gratis (grandmas, start your engines!). Debbie Allen Dance Studios has free hip hop classes, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium’s Free First Wednesdays program continues.

A first I often forget about (much to my daughter’s chagrin) is First Friday on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, a festive evening of food trucks, crafts, and Venetians. While my kid is drawn to hipsters, others (preschoolers especially) are fascinated by the firemen and other community service members. Finally, this week the communities of Burbank, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica host a “National Night Out.”

Be sure to check out our Event Calendar for more free and discounted activities.

Now that it's August, it's time for a reality check on summer reading assignments. To keep up with their daily reading logs, my kids have been enjoying visits to the library, where there are some great summer programs. Storytimes with ReadBoston in BPL branches and other neighborhood venues are only going on for a few more weeks, so look for one near you before it's too late.

My family has also been loving all the activities at local parks. In addition to ReadBoston storytimes, there are free craft workshops and outdoor movies. Take a look at these and other picks for the week, and don't forget to check the full Event Calendar for more fun happenings!

We're heading into the last few weeks of summer vacation before school starts, so let's make the most of it. This week, there's magic, outdoor movies, swimming and more. And that's just the beginning--there is so much more on our Long Island Events Calendar.

For more ideas on how to enjoy the season on Long Island, check out our Summer Fun Guide. And if you're spending any time on the East End, visit our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.

Can you believe it's August? It's the last gasp of summer, and I confess I'm feeling the pressure to make memories and make every moment count. But it's also hot and steamy, and sometimes the goal of keeping everyone cool and entertained for a whole afternoon--nevermind a whole day!--seems challenging indeed. We've rounded up some of our favorite activities for the week from across the state, sure to entertain kids of all ages and interests, from a magic show that will delight kids and their parents to a rock concert just for teenagers to a car show for the whole family, and so much more. Check out our Event Calendar for even more suggestions. Have a great week!

With temperatures soaring, New Yorkers everywhere are looking for ways to beat the heat. The city's outdoor public pools are a great, FREE way to cool off, but they can be tricky to navigate with a baby or young toddlers. I recently visited McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg with my 10-month-old and while we had a great time, there are definitely some things to keep in mind when visiting with your youngest kids. We've got details on McCarren's recently renovated outdoor pool, plus tips to help make trips to NYC pools more enjoyable for baby—and parents!

My kids are water park fanatics, so when we were invited to check out the new and improved Splashplex in East Hanover, they had their goggles on faster than you can say "cascading waterfall pool". And the Splashplex upgrade did not disappoint--read on for Mommy Poppins New Jersey's review of the newly-expanded summer companion to one of our favorite indoor amusement parks, the Funplex.

Like many other little girls her age my three year old daughter is currently all about Princesses and dressing up. For her most recent birthday party we celebrated with a ballerina theme and all the guests dressed up in tutus. Now she has already started planning for her next soiree which is nine months away. To make your own child’s birthday festivities just as magical try out one of these fun choices in Hartford County and it will be a fancy gala your little Princess will always remember. For more party ideas check out our Party Guide!

Located on the northeast edge of New Haven County, Cheshire has twice been named by Money magazine as one of "100 Best Places to Live", and for good reason. Packed in an area of 33 square miles, you will find charming neighborhoods filled with tree-lined streets, history, art, culture, playgrounds, delicious places to eat, Connecticut's tallest single drop waterfall, and one awesome cartoon museum. Whether you choose to spend a day in town, or just a few hours, there is plenty to do here.