Summer vacation ain't what it used to be. The majority of SoCal school districts now opt for an August start date, with only a few South Bay stragglers sticking with the old-school, post-Labor Day start. And beware assuming that school starts and finishes roughly when it did last year, because schedules seem to change all the time. This year Alhambra is first out of the gate, leading the back-to-school race with a pool-party-pooper start date of August 10; Torrance kids still get the most out of summer with their September 6 first day.

Wondering where your district fits in, and how much time you have left for these 50 Free Things To Do in Summer? Bookmark our list below with start and finish dates for the 2018-2019 school year all over LA County. And if what you read makes you wonder about what other school options are available to you, maybe our school guide can help.

It's the last month before summer break ends and all your kiddos head back to school. You want to have fun, but you don't want to go broke! After all, that school shopping list is looming over your head. Mommy Poppins has put together a fun list of FREE events happening in Connecticut - there's something for everyone. And of course, don't forget to close out your fun summer with our CT Summer Guide!

Houston Restaurant Weeks 2018 is here. Are your taste buds ready? From Aug. 1-Sept. 30, dozens of Houston's best eateries offer specialty menus at a set price with proceeds benefiting the Houston Food Bank. While all of the participating spots make for great date nights, there are plenty of kid-friendly spots as well! Here are our favorites. All still offer regular menus throughout the month as well as staple kids' menus.

Restaurant week menu prices are the same no matter where you go, with brunch and lunch at $20 and dinner for $35-$45, depending on the establishment. Make sure to ask for the special Restaurant Weeks menu! So, what are you waiting for? Get to eating! 

When it comes to fairs and festivals, August in New Jersey is like one big party! Flutter over to Pennington for a Butterfly Festival, indulge in sweet summer peaches at Princeton's Just Peachy Festival, or enjoy classic fair fun like carnival rides and games at a county fair. With so many options, the family calendar will be packed all month long.

Read on for our top picks, and find more ways to make the most of August with our Summer Fun Guide.

There are so many opportunities for fall fun in Litchfield County. Apple picking, hiking, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches always hit the mark. Enjoy this list of fun things to do in Litchfield County and for even more fall fun, check out our CT Fall Fun and Halloween Guide.

What do you call it when alpacas take over the world? The Alpacalypse! What did the alpaca say to the blade of grass? Nice gnawing you! What do you call it when alpacas sing? Alpacapella...I could go on all day! But I won't. Instead I'm going to encourage you to grab the fam, hop in the car, and visit Southwind Farms in Watertown where you can meet and greet...wait for it...alpacas! Ooh, road trip? Alpaca my bags! (Sorry, sorry).

Many families flee the city in August for end-of-summer vacations, but it's actually one of my favorite months to be in NYC. With summer staples like swimming, play fountains, and Governors Island, plus hundreds of free summer activities and only-in-August favorites like Summer Streets and Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, there's plenty to do if you stick around.

So we've rounded up a dozen FREE family-friendly festivals happening throughout the Big Apple in August to help you get the most out of NYC with kids during the last month of summer.

Fans of Poppy, Branch and Guy Diamond, hold onto your glitter-filled hats, because the Trolls are coming to New York City. Opening on Thursday, November 15, DreamWorks Trolls The Experience, an interactive Trolls extravaganza, will open a stone's throw from the only place befitting all its sparkle and shine—Times Square. While you’ll have to wait until the fall to shimmy down the rainbow path with DJ Suki, you can grab your tickets now (and have some indoor fun to look forward to when the weather turns cool).

Read on for details on all the glittery goodness.