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This Week: Community BBQs, Free Summer Concerts and Amusement Parks

6/11/15 - By Ravelle Worthington

With the year winding down for NYC public schools, we've got a week full of cool kids' culture, amazing eats and the start of one of our favorite seasonal series: SummerStage Family Days.

Heading to the Hamptons this summer? Our LI site has a roundup of the best community BBQs for families on the East End. Other tri-state-area fun includes day trips to nearby Connecticut for free summer concerts, many of which are at the beach or park, so pack a picnic and get ready for some sun and live entertainment! Also good to put on your radar: the Clearwater Festival (aka the Great Hudson River Revival) takes place in Westchester next weekend and promises a great time for the whole family with music, dancing, water activities and environmental education.

Our Travel site has details on Pittsburgh's popular Kennywood Amusement Park and the top things to do with kids in Atlanta.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Catch a FREE screening of Muppets Most Wanted on Friday at Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park in Queens.

We've got the scoop on the brand-new laser tag/paintball destination Indoor Extreme Sports on Staten Island.

You can't spend all your time outdoors this summer. When you need to come in from the heat, check out one of these new kid-friendly museum exhibits, including an interactive Hunger Games installation!

Our biweekly news roundup has info on a new online database for public school students, as well as fresh outdoor spaces and free fitness classes.

Danish design store Flying Tiger opened its first U.S. shop in the Flatiron District, and families seem to love its fun, affordable tchotchkes.

Go on a virtual culinary tour of Asia at Flushing, Queens' New World Mall Food Court filled with inexpensive eats from China, Taiwan, Japan and other nations.

Planning a summer road trip? We shared our favorite free story podcasts for kids.

Best bets for the weekend include the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, the Children's Museum of the Arts' mini Mermaid Parade and SummerStage Family Day in Betsy Head Park.

[Photo Credit: Flickr user Betty Tsang]