When we rounded up the best children's concerts this fall, we neglected to include anything on Symphony Space's Just Kidding lineup. That's because we wanted to write an entire post about our favorite offerings in this awesome family performance series, like this Sunday's kickoff event: a free concert by Trout Fishing in America in honor of the kids' band's forthcoming CD-picture book Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important.

Symphony Space's Just Kidding series runs most weekend through the end of April. Although most of the offerings are concerts, there are also a few children's shows and dance performances. Admittedly, tickets aren't cheap: The average price is $20 for adults and $13 for kids, but the talent is stellar, and you get a break if you buy tickets to four or more events in advance. As a dad and avid kids' music lover, I don't think there is a finer collection of youth-focused events at any single location anywhere else in the city.

Here are the details on this Sunday's no-cost Trout Fishing in America concert, and our picks for Symphony Space's best Just Kidding offerings throughout the season.

Many families are searching for ways to cut back on expenditures in order to stay within the family budget. Tutoring is one of those things that some children absolutely need yet it can be quite expensive. Parents should check into their local library to see if they offer services of some kind. For example, The New Milford Library has a homework help page that includes coverage of most topics including math, science, history and music. They even have a long list of homework help links. At the New Haven Free Public Library they provide reference assistance, homework help and readers advisory at the Young Adult desk weekdays after school. Call Sunnie at (203) 946-8130 ext. 234 for assistance.

The Fairfield Public Library launched a new program this Fall for students of all ages: live, one-to-one help from certified tutors online 24/7. Any patron with a valid Fairfield Public Library card can access the online services from the library or right from home.  A resume writing service is also available. The service is completely free for the Fairfield community.

Families who head to the Life is good Festival on Saturday and Sunday (9/24-9/25) can enjoy great music for kids and adults, an array of games and activities, diverse local food, and hands-on art projects. Performers include nationally known musical talent and popular children’s performers.

The festival aims to raise $1 million to benefit the Life is Good Playmakers, the action arm of the Life is good Kids Foundation, whose mission is to help children overcome life-threatening challenges, including violence, illness and extreme poverty.

Now that the kids are back in school, it’s time to start driving them all over the place for swimming, soccer, and pogo-stick practice, or if your kid is artsy, ceramics, beading and sewing. A recent rise in the popularity of crafting — knitting, it’s not just for Great Aunt Bertha anymore — means many kids are a part of the trend and NJ has no shortage of captivating shops. Some are drop-ins, some are multi-week courses, and they aren’t cheap, but then neither are Junior’s sword-swallowing lessons.

You know how sometimes a piece of clothing can bring back a past conversation or experience? From a white wedding veil to a black funeral dress to a sequined dance recital leotard, our wardrobes and our memories are intertwined. It's a girl thing and it unites women everywhere.

That's what makes the show Love, Loss, and What I Wore such a great way to spend a moms' night out. A series of vignettes about the ups and downs of various women using clothing as the connecting thread, the hit Off Broadway show will celebrate its two-year anniversary on October 1, and it doesn't look like it's going out of style anytime soon.

While my previous moms' night out suggestions, like cool dance and art classes, and a downtown scavenger hunt, were more interactive, Love, Loss, and What I Wore is really engaging and moving, and inspires meaningful post-show conversations. Plus, at select performances, you can add on childcare for just $15 per kid. So gather your girlfriends, put on something fabulous and get ready to bond.

Ahhhh, date night. Just the mere thought of this rare event can bring parents right to their happy place. You know, that place where you can finish your sentences without interruption, only cut up your own food, enjoy an activity without whining or reprimanding and most importantly, spend quality time with your significant other. Pure bliss, indeed. As lovely as this is, date night can often be a challenge to plan. Coordinating (or even finding) a babysitter can be a feat in itself and then there’s the task of planning the actual night out. Not to fear, weary parents, we’ve done some of that research for you and there are many options for quality and super fun childcare in the evenings. Let us get you and your significant other out on the town!

The Los Angeles Grail, the Great Quest of the Southland, may well be the search for the ultimate family weekend getaway. The vacation that gives the most pleasure for the least effort. The highest decadence to travel time ratio. And I am here to share the news that Nirvana is only an hour away down an Orange County stretch of the 405 to Huntington Beach.

Yes, you read that right: surfing nuns. I know you're intrigued, so read on to find out about those ladies of the cloth and their saintly surfboards. If you'd prefer non-religious sports, try wending your way through the corn maze at Terhune Orchards on Apple Day. Or if you're looking for a good old fair, there are country fairs, folk fairs and a clown hoopla to choose from. And remember, the first official day of fall is next week, so enjoy your last weekend of summer!