When my kids were little, they treated their strollers like rolling food carts. So now that they're big, I'm not surprised they're gaga for gourmet food trucks. No stale pretzels or hot dogs for them; they want high-end on-the-go eats, be it dumplings or desserts.

Getting grub from a food truck has many advantages. There's a huge selection of cuisines to choose from, often there's no wait (or a reasonably short one), and your kids don't have to worry about their table manners or using indoor voices.

The downside, of course, is that there aren't tables or bathrooms. But in the summer, many of them strategically park near green spaces, so you've got an instant picnic.

Here are my family's picks for the top twelve food trucks in New York City.

It's been a whirlwind of hellos (what's up, summer?) and goodbyes (see ya, school). Tuesday marks the last day of classes for public school students, and since most camps don't begin until after the Fourth of July, we know you'll be looking for things to do next week—and beyond. That's why we rounded up 100 free things to do this summer, with ideas for every single day through the end of August.

Next week's picks include cool concerts, no-cost admission to the Staten Island Children's Museum and the Children's Museum of Manhattan, and SummerStage's Bronx Family Day. Click here for the complete list, and start planning your summer staycation.

We also wanted to highlight two new additions to our site. We're now posting slide shows. That way when we do something extra-cool, like rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders, you can actually see how much fun we had. Also, if you've been wondering who the mommies of Mommy Poppins are, check out our revamped About page. There you'll find links to bios for our current contributors, and other great info about the site.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut.

It has begun! Summer officially started this week and for many children this was the last week of school. We want to kick your summer off right with a great weekend lined up with some amazing events and activities! Whether it’s a puppet show, a fun summer carnival or building sand castles we want this weekend to set the tone for your entire summer... fun!

And don't miss our first Long Long Island Perk, more than 50% off at Le Play Cafe, an oasis for parents and children. Haven't been yet? This is the perfect opportunity to check it out.

This weekend is the breather between school ending, and camp and other summer activities beginning. It’s that time when we collect our children in our arms in disbelief that they are a year bigger and smarter. A lovely time for a family weekend enjoying some art, nature, Dora, and the racing pigs and fried food that is State Fair Meadowlands.

By Julie Ross, M.A.

Each year in Connecticut, parents pay lots of money to send their children to camp. Most children go willingly and happily. Others experience anxiety and distress. Some refuse to go, some exhibit physical symptoms like stomach pain or headaches, others become morose and withdrawn. With thousands of dollars at stake, or with no place else to put your child during the summer when you work, what should you do? Fortunately there are solutions.

Say hello to the first weekend of summer! If you're planning an all-season staycation, there's plenty to do in NYC. We've got lots of options in our Summer Fun Guide, which features roundups of free concerts, free outdoor movies and free storytimes, as well as a list of 100 free things to do this summer, with ideas for every single day through the end of August, plus anytime activities.

This weekend's no-cost amusements include Morris-Jumel Mansion’s Family Day, a pair of fishing festivals, the colorful Hunts Point Fish Parade and Festival, an outdoor concert by Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band and the South Street Seaport's annual Children’s Day celebration, starring Gordon and Elmo from Sesame Street.

Read on for this weekend's best bets and remember, the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar contains many more options.

New Jersey abounds with festivals–music, food, art–you name it. Well, here’s a type of festival that not only entertains, but also teaches history and culture. A festival that originates in the beginning of people and land: the Pow Wow. A modern pow wow involves both Native American and non-Native American people meeting to dance, sing, and honor American Indian culture. Since New Jersey’s original inhabitants were Lenni Lenape people:  the Unami (Lenape) tribe; the Minisink (Munsee) tribe and the Unalachtigo tribe–their festivals continue here, and throughout the tri-state area, today.  Take in a pow wow with the family, and celebrate history, life and spirit all in one!

Yes, you can hit a local beach or water playground to stay comfortable this season. But sometimes NYC gets so sticky in the summer, all you want to do is bask in the glory of-air conditioning.

Even if you're lucky enough to have central air, the kids won't tolerate being cooped up all day. Luckily, New York City offers lots of indoor spots where families can cool off while having a cool time.

Many of these frosty havens served as toasty destinations during the winter. My what a difference a few months make.