Acrobatic Angelenos no longer have to run away to join the circus. Classes offering big fun under the big top are available for all ages and abilities in many neighborhoods in and around town. The lithe and limber and even the physically challenged have multiple options for learning and practicing the circus arts. Classes in clowning, contortion, tight rope walking, high wire flying, and Wushu, can be found in multiple locations.

This edition of our biweekly news post is all about summer fun, most of it FREE. We've got the scoop on a brand-new water play area in Prospect Park, a soon-to-open mini-amusement park on Staten Island, .50-cent carousel rides in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and how to register for FREE kids' golf lessons and a two-day football camp. Plus, check out a few cool new kids' businesses and get the skinny on a great scholarship program that helps NYC kids pursue their passions.

Reeling in a big fish for the first time will, for sure, bring a smile to any child's face, but creating that memory doesn't have to involve heading out to the store to purchase rods, reels, lures and bait or even obtaining a permit—the East End of Long Island has plenty of charter services that will make any family fishing expedition simple and a whole lot of fun.

These charters that cater directly to families provide everything needed for day of trolling the Atlantic Ocean including fishing guides, a boat with a captain, rods and bait. All families need to bring is a packed lunch. The following is a round-up of East End fishing charters that accommodate families and are now booking for 2014 spring and summer dates. And for more fun in the area, be sure to check out our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide.

What's more fun than visiting a playground or zoo on a warm, sunny day? How about a zoo within a playground? Get the best of both worlds at New Jersey parks that have awesome play areas plus farm animals or mini zoos. Even better, these zoos are all free. Visit some furry friends and spend the day without spending a dime on admission fees.

Every Thursday we draw your attention to the best of the best things to do with kids around LA over the weekend, to make sure that the most intriguing activities on our events calendar don't pass you by. We also kick off each month with a Go List highlighting the weekend events worth planning ahead for. We talk about weekends a lot. But what about weekdays? Don't parents of toddlers crave fun outings all week long? Don't school aged kids love being picked up with an adventure to embrace? You could take them to see the Pompeii exhibit at the California Science Center. You could take them on a scavenger hunt at the Santa Monica Pier. Or you could take them to do one of the following five things that we think make this week different.

Our month-long highlight of Yonkers continues. We've given you the scoop on the best things to do with kids in Yonkers and filled you in on the city's best parks and green spaces. Now we're taking a look at indoor play places for kids in Yonkers.

There's so much to see and do in this city, it was hard to narrow it down, but here it is! We've rounded up our top one dozen picks for family fun in Yonkers. Residents and visitors alike will find that Yonkers is a fantastic family destination. From extraterrestrial explorations and Lego-mania to uneven bars and feature films, Yonkers is simply out of this world.

Though the weather hasn’t exactly been cooperating, it’s finally Memorial Day weekend and the beginning of warm-weather fun. That’s when things really gear up for us at Mommy Poppins, and we love sharing all the festivals, beach days, day trips, outdoor events, water fun and good times with you. You’ll soon see our Summer Guides filled with loads of ideas to keep you and your brood busy all season long.

The first marker of our summer content is the launch of our second annual Hamptons and North Fork Guide. We’ll be updating it weekly with the best things to do on the East End of Long Island. If you aren’t subscribed to the Hamptons and North Fork newsletter, you can sign up here to get weekly updates, weekend picks and activity suggestions sent straight to your inbox.

Looking for a fun way for your child to get some exercise while learning a fun skill? Have your child cha-cha their way to a new interest with ballroom dancing. According to some dance enthusiasts, young dancers learn to develop body coordination, a sense of rhythm, and an understanding of how to learn. Dancing can be a fun, rewarding experience for children. Whether it's an amateur interest or studying for a professional competition, ballroom dancing can help with socialization, focus, expression and confidence.

So if your little one's endless stream of energy has them moving and grooving all over your house, steer those happy feet in the right direction with these ballroom dance classes offered throughout Long Island. And be sure to check out our After School Programs, Classes and Activities Guide.