Is it hot in here, or is it just me? (Because, you know, I’m a mom who’s got it going on like that.)  But no, it’s That Hot, as in You Might Even Think It’s Still Summer hot (which technically I suppose it is, but no it isn’t because Back to School and Labor Day.) You might want to consider some indoor, AC-assisted events for the weekend. You can let down your hair with Rapunzel in the breezy El Capitan,  stroll with Dinos at Staples, and jam with Mickey and Minnie at the Terrace Theatre in Long Beach. You can also learn a thing or two at the Green Festival (like maybe a way to cut back your global-warming carbon footprint so we can lower the temps a degree or two).

Of course, there’s plenty of outdoor activities that are worth going out for. The lobsters and puppets are hanging out close to the water; I’m guessing they got a tip that it’s cooler there.  If you wait until the sun goes down, you can party with Bart Simpson or the moon. And the LA Zoo wisely scheduled its Cool at the Zoo event for this weekend, with ice sculptures and misters and free treats to keep things copacetic. (Coincidence or evil genius plan?)

Whatever you do, be sure to wear sunscreen and drink lots of water. (I may be a hot Mom, but I’m still a mother!) 

Keep reading for our coolest picks for this weekend....

The idea of a gated playground is quite appealing. Sometimes we need the boundaries we set to be literal. Containment, especially when you’re dealing with toddlers, is the name of the game. That said, my daughter was a runner and no park fence would have been enough to keep her nearby if there was something on the horizon that caught her attention. Nevertheless, for some families a closed gate is all it takes to make a park visit work; and for the rest of us it is occasionally nice to have at least the illusion of security that an enclosed playground provides. Here are a few nice ones in the Valley (to add to our popular list of Westside gated playgrounds):

Due to expected rain on Saturday, some outdoor events may be canceled or rescheduled. Before you head out, check the event's official website for updates. One of fall's biggest and oldest celebrations, the 88th annual Feast of San Gennaro, takes over Little Italy this weekend with rides, vendors and delicious food. Meanwhile, you can go fly a kite at the annual fest in Brooklyn Bridge Park, sample delicious sweets at Rockaway's NYC Honey Fest or find out about everything the 92nd Street Y has to offer families at its StreetFest on the Upper East Side.

There's some great culture on tap, too, including the National Ballet of Canada’s interpretation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at Lincoln Center, a FREE screening of Dolphin Tale 2 in Soho and an awesome $20 ticket deal on some of the best Off-Broadway shows for kids.

All of our best bets for this weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Fall Fun Guide. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

Is that a chill in the air? The bright, sunny days of summer will slowly be giving way to shorter, cooler days as we near fall. This can be a beautiful time of year to explore the outdoors and spend some quality family time together. So pull on those sweaters and check out all that Jersey has to offer this weekend like the much loved Apple Day at Terhune Orchards, a cozy Fall Crafters’ Market at Allaire Village or the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with live music at Boyd Park. And for one last summer hurrah, head down to Atlantic City for their huge seafood festival! And remember, you can check out the full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

There is a perfect pick your own pumpkin farm for everyone in the Garden State! Whether you’re looking for pumpkin picking adventures for preschoolers, a pick your own pumpkin patch that won't bore your 10 year old, a pumpkin picking group tour, or just a quiet old-fashioned farm without all the gimmicks, you can find it all in New Jersey. And we've narrowed down the search for you.
 

The fall is one of the best times of the year to plan a visit either to the Hamptons or the North Fork  of Long Island— the air is crisp and cool, it's less crowded and there are plenty of things to do for families of all ages. So check out our Top 10 must-do activities in the Hamptons and on the North Fork this fall. And for more to keep you busy this season, be sure to visit our Long Island Events Calendar.

Have you ever looked at a kid's birthday party haul and wondered what kind of message it sends? All those shiny new toys and clothes and books stuffed into a clear garbage bag with a ribbon on top so they can be carted home with ease. There's no way the birthday child will ever use (or even open!) all of them. No wonder a lot of families have taken to asking for charitable donations in lieu of presents.

But there's a way to give cool creative gifts while also giving back to those in need. There are several New York City children's stores as well as online retailers that donate a portion of their proceeds to various charities. So the impact of your gift continues long after the wrapping paper has been thrown away.

This fall, the Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashanah (New Year) begins the evening of Wednesday, September 24th, and ends in the evening of Friday, September 26th. Because it's a festive holiday, some parents and relatives like to give children gifts as they ring in the Jewish New Year with traditional plates of apples and honey. If you're looking for the perfect Rosh Hashanah gift for the special kids in your life, check out what these NJ-based shops are carrying! Below is also a list of kosher bakeries in New Jersey that carry sweet treats for the High Holy days.