New York City

We started the week with an awesome slide show of our day on Governors Island at the fabulous Figment festival. This creative arts fair won't return to NYC until next year, but one look at our pics and we bet you'll want to mark your 2012 calendar.

Happily, the inflatable sculpture garden Rainbow City, which has two totally free bouncy houses, stays up through July 5, so you have time to check it out with your family.

The Children's Museum of Manhattan's interactive Curious George exhibit is sticking around even longer through September.

Although it's been unseasonably cool this week, it's supposed to heat up again this weekend, so it's a great time to try some exotic frozen treats.

If you've got a baby, here's another great way to cool off: swimming lessons for infants and parents.

If you're looking to do a day trip this month, consider Staten Island. We spotlighting 13 great family activities on the isle, five of which you can enjoy at a discount this June.

Free storytimes in NYC parks kick off this month, and we shared a dozen kid-lit series we love.

A father weighed in on The Kids Grow Up, Doug Block's new daddyhood doc that premieres on HBO this Sunday.

And we shared our best weekend events for families, which include lots of Father's Day fun, as well as annual favorites like the Mermaid Parade, the kickoff for the River to River Festival and Morningside Park's NY KidsFest.

New Jersey

Over in NJ, we rounded up perfect picnic places, including Liberty State Park and Estell Manor Park.

And we've got pools. Cool Garden State swimming havens to be exact.

Weekend highlights include the Butterfly House Opening at the Buttinger Nature Center in Pennington and  Art All Night in Trenton.


Long Island

LI is also all about packing your own spread. Favorite picnic spots include Wildwood State Park and Gerry Pond Park.

Ideas for celebrating Father's Day include options for sporty, artsy and foodie dads.

Weekend events include the Strawberry Harvest Festival at the Shinnecock Museum and the Kings Park Day Town Fair.


Connecticut

Father's Day festivities in CT include the Big Apple Circus and the rodeo.

Meanwhile, the roundup of weekend events features lots of Saturday activities, like Dora The Explorer at the Maritime Aquarium and a Dance Baby Dance! Party. This is super cool: a literary road tour of New England (parts of CT and MA to be precise). Visit homes that were once inhabited by Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emily Dickinson and other amazing authors.

Cool Deals and Giveaways

Our Sizzling Summer Camp Sale is coming to a close at Poppins Perks. Save up to 50% on 13 cool camps. We've got all kinds of programs, day and sleep away, for all ages. These deals will soon expire so if you're interested, now's the time to buy. Plus you get to feel really great about the bargain: 10% of the proceeds of our sale will help send NYC kids in need to summer camp, too.

You also have one more day to enter to win a family four-pack of tickets to New York Hall of Science's Circus! Science Under the Big Top. Click here for details on how to enter.