Well look at what the sun is up to! Staying out super late, giving us the longest day of the year (and shortest night), and all around putting the sol back in solstice. Our favorite star is leaving no doubt that summer is here.  (And in case you needed any reminders, how about the seemingly endless stream of outdoor concerts and moonlit movie screenings that pop up for the season.)

Though why you would need a reminder with your kids lazing around the house filling your days with sunshine is beyond me. You can fill their days with sunshine (and water play and bike rides) with the sweet summer activities listed in our Summer Fun Guide. 

Those school-less Mondays through Fridays are going to leave you with a lot more hours to enrich. Hey, what’s that Mommy Poppins has in our magic bag of tricks? Ho ho here you go: our new weekly feature that highlights the best of our, say what, Monday to Friday events. It’s like we read your mind.

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for this weekend...

My kids finished school for the year on Wednesday, and believe it or not, I've already heard a few choruses of "I'm bored." The pressure is on to make the summer fun begin--the sooner the better! Our CT Summer Fun Guide will provide lots of great tips to keep everyone happy this summer. This weekend we're hoping to fit in some strawberry picking (with weather as warm as it was this week, the berries won't stick around for long) and some beach time. If you need some inspiration, check out our guides to affordable beaches and learn-to-sail or learn-to-row programs in Fairfield County. Our CT Beach and Water Fun Guide has loads of great ideas for every area in CT. You'll be sure to find some way to hit the water that appeals to the whole family.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Pinterest in order to get updates on events, contests, and free giveaways. Our event calendar is updated constantly with the best activities around the state. Make sure you subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you won't miss a thing!

Have a great weekend!

This Saturday is the longest day of 2014, and there are plenty of ways you can celebrate the Summer Solstice in the Boston area. Go stargazing in Cambridge, enjoy a bonfire in Topsfield, and eat ice cream in Walpole. Strawberry lovers have lots of opportunities to celebrate with strawberry festivals this weekend and enjoy the peak of strawberry picking season at Boston area farms. Sports fans can check out the free skateboarding demonstration outside the Children's Museum or watch the Red Sox on the big screen at Franklin Park. And this weekend in theater, we have The Wind in the Willows at the Wellesley Summer Theater Company, and closing weekend for South Pacific and Harlequin Mother Goose: A Higgledly Piggledy Panto. The Juneteenth celebrations also continue through the weekend. 

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

• For summer fun on a budget, Tara updates 50 Free Things to Do in Boston with Kids This Summer for 2014 and brings us the latest on free summer concerts in the Boston area.
• Karyn teaches us 50 simple science experiments to do with kids (and yes, you can try them at home!)
• Our Wee Work series gives instructions for Corn Husk Paper and Two Ingredient Ice Cream Muffins.

Enjoy the first official weekend of summer and be sure to check out our calendar for fun events happening all summer long.

I will never forget my first bike—it was a yellow Schwinn with pink ribbons around the handlebars. My patient father showed me how to cycle around our suburban New York neighborhood when I was seven! New Jersey is a very active state for bike enthusiasts of all ages. Below is a list of bike shops in New Jersey that sell bikes for girls and boys of all ages—with and without training wheels. And, of course, do NOT forget your helmets when bike riding with family and friendly. Safety first; no exceptions! For even more summer awesomeness, check out our New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide.

The kids are almost done with school, and this coming weekend is a great time to treat them to a special event or two on the East End for all their hard work throughout the year. There are a number of family-friendly events happening in the area, and we;ve compiled our top 10 for the weekend.

Be sure to check out our Long Island Calendar for more kid-friendly activities, as well as our Hamptons and North Fork Guide. And don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you can receive our roundup of fun things to do delivered directly to your inbox.

Summer officially arrives this weekend and there are lots of FREE ways to celebrate. Put on your best sea-themed costumes for the iconic Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, enjoy no-cost outdoor concerts as Make Music takes over the five boroughs, or hop on a vintage vessel at the North River Historic Ship Festival in Tribeca.

There's some great culture on tap, too, including SummerStage Brooklyn Family Day featuring France's Barolosolo Circus Company, the Jackson Heights Arts Festival and the final weekend of the New Victory Theater's The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk. And looking ahead, since NYC public pools open for the season next Friday, the Parks Department is currently holding its online lottery for FREE summer swimming lessons for all ages.

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. 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.

Of all the things I've experienced, little could compete with the ruggedness and romance of learning to sail.  It is unfettered adventure in the eye of face-whipping, fresh air -- exactly the sort of thing you associate with living in Fairfield County, and precisely the full-sensory experience our over-digitized millennials need.  On the flip side, learning to row on one of the county's many Sound-bound rivers could provide the tranquility and focus your particular tween or teen is lacking.  Either way, several clubs are available to unfurl the fun these sports can provide for a lifetime.

Not all summer entertainment for children has to come with a hefty price tag. In fact, several shows across Nassau County on Long Island are being offered for free. We've rounded up those local concerts--now all parents need to do is grab a lawn chair or picnic blanket and get ready to shimmy, shake and smile with the little ones! And we have a roundup of free Suffolk shows, too.

Looking for more cool things to do together? Check out our Summer Fun Guide of the Best Things to Do With Long Island Kids.