The much anticipated Minions Movie, prequel to the popular Despicable Me movies, opens this weekend in a burst of yellow. Kids and their grown-ups love Minions – the movie and the characters. The audience I watched with was thoroughly enchanted by the Minions, who are indeed adorable. Their silly gibberish, peppered with recognizable words and a smidgeon of Spanish, is hilarious. But what do they get up to in this prequel to Despicable Me, and is it suitable for your kids? We'll try to help you decide.

Summer is in full gear as Philadelphia families enjoy backyard barbecues, rounds of flashlight tag and weekend trips to the shore. Yet there is always more fun to be had during these carefree summer days. Delaware Valley residents can rely on the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar to keep the entire family entertained with unique and interesting activities.

Stop by Penn's Landing to celebrate Latino culture at the Hispanic Fiesta, visit Morris Arboretum to see Thomas the Tank Engine and his Sodor friends hit the railways or dance to the tunes of the Imagination Movers at Sesame Place. Or, check out one of the many blueberry events being held this weekend. Peddler's Village, Linvilla Orchards, Oasis Family Farm and Camden's Children's Garden all have festivals honoring this sweet summer fruit.

Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to keep up-to-date on the latest fun in Philadelphia. And, don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Pinterest and Twitter. Have a great weekend!

After a spectacular Fourth of July weekend here in Boston, my family is ready to head a bit farther afield into the great outdoors. One of the options we're considering is the new interactive art installations on Georges and Spectacle islands. What a neat idea! Of course, there's a ton going on right in town as well, including a party with some favorite PBS friends and an evening of free fun, games, and music in the park. Plus, along with lots of great concerts, don't forget all the free outdoor movies you can find around Boston for a fun, budget-friendly night out.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Faneuil Hall isn't just for tourists! We share our favorite activities for kids at one of Boston's top attractions.
• These 10 books can help explain marriage equality to kids asking questions about the recent prevalence of rainbows.

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

This weekend, visit the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington as it celebrates its 95th anniversary with free admission and various events, including a selfie booth, caricatures and Lego artist.

Then on Sunday, Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay opens their new Sensory Garden for children, who can touch, taste and smell the surroundings. Afterwards, enjoy a scoop of homemade ice cream, compliments of ingredients gathered from the on-premise garden.

Remember, you can find even more options in our jam-packed Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. To receive our posts in your inbox, subscribe to our free newsletters.

Summer celebrations are in full swing throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. This weekend, you'll find festivals—like the Hudson Valley Balloon Festival, the Haverstraw RiverArts & Music Festival and the Pleasantville Music Festival, to name a few. Plus, pirates invade Tarrytown at Pirates of the Hudson: The Greatest Pirate Story Never Told!.

Once you’ve had your fill of fanfare (balloons, pirates, festivals…) take the hoopla down a notch and enjoy silly fun at Adventures of Captain Underpants.

Read on for details and for additional weekend highlights—then explore our Event Calendar for many more options for fun events throughout the weekend and all summer long! 

This weekend is packed with awesome things to do, including five of our top event picks for the month, three of which are FREE. Celebrate French culture at the annual Bastille Day Festival on the Upper East Side, try an alfresco dance lesson at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing: LC Kids Dance and enjoy top-notch entertainment at SummerStage Bronx Family Day.

Just gotta have air-conditioning? You can catch cool kids' shows indoors at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and TADA! Youth Theater. And if you happen to be out in Manhattan around dusk on Sunday, be sure to check out the setting sun for the biannual sight known as Manhattanhenge.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

Any business that already has regulars just weeks after opening must be doing something right. Recess d.u.m.b.o., a brand-new play space in Dumbo, Brooklyn, certainly qualifies. While NYC has no shortage of indoor play spaces, especially in Brooklyn, we're always game to check out fresh ones around town. As soon as my 5-year-old and I walked in to Recess, we were hooked! This unique romping spot is a welcome addition to Dumbo's kid-friendly offerings. We've got the scoop on what to expect from the nabe's newest drop-in indoor play space.

There’s plenty to do with the kids during the summer on Long Island--and even the island's littlest residents can get in on the fun. After all, your baby’s first summer is an exciting time, so you want to get out there and explore as much as possible. We’ve rounded up a list of 10 things you can do with your little one this summer. And for more activities and events happening in the area, check out our Summer Fun Guide.