As a bona fide foodie, I love going on culinary adventures in NYC. My picky 10-year-old? Not so much. There is no way he would ever hoof it through Queens sampling an array of ethnic eats like Anna and her family recently did. A doughnut crawl, however, was a much easier sell! After all, doughnuts are the new cupcakes, with shops ranging from been-there-forever classics to hot new hipster hangouts in far-flung corners of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Armed with a well-researched list of doughnut shops and a MetroCard, my son, his pal and I set out to sample the city's best rings of fried deliciousness. We hoped to visit more shops, but our goal was bigger than our stomachs. Still, we had a ball trying and will definitely attempt part two soon!

So embrace your inner Homer Simpson and read on to see where we went and how to plan your own doughnut crawl with your family.

My husband and I trekked to the top of the Empire State Building following our City Hall wedding, and we've hauled our entire family up to the Top of the Rock. So when the Freedom Tower unveiled One World Observatory, I jumped at the chance to be among the first to check out its stunning panoramic views.

Mother Nature seemingly didn't share my excitement, however, for we arrived at 10am to see that the top of One World Trade wasn't visible from the ground. Despite this downer, my toddler and I still headed for the entrance and all the way to the top.

Bookstores and libraries abound on the North and South Forks, and some of our country’s most popular writers have called the region home. But while our children may not yet be able to appreciate Truman Capote or Nelson DeMille, kids' storytime sessions offer them an introduction to age-appropriate literature—and a fun one at that. Almost every East End library hosts some manner of children’s storytime, but a handful offer their own unique approaches. We've rounded up our favorites. And for more activities in the area this summer, check out our Hamptons & North Fork Guide.

So, your kids are longing for swimsuits, sprinklers and slides. Make their dreams come true, whether the weather is cooperating or not. Load up the iPod, the towels and the kids and take a short road trip to Sahara Sam’s Oasis in West Berlin, N.J. This (mostly) indoor water park is less than two hours from New York City and the 286,000 gallons of water keep 11 rides and tons of kids wet and wildly entertained, rain or shine!

We traveled with four parents, three boys and three girls ranging from 2 to 8 years old, so believe me, the place was well-tested. The kids were awed into silence (SILENCE, I SAY ) as we stepped through the door. But after those two seconds, they immediately got busy.

When a new month starts, chances are lots of things will be free. First Tuesdays, in particular, offer many gratis admissions. There is nothing wrong with paying for the activities we enjoy with our children; sometimes you have to, and sometimes it is truly worth it. Sometimes, though, if you plan well, it is possible to pay for nothing.

The library is almost always free and often has something fun scheduled, like the Pajama Storytime in Silver Lake on Monday. The first week of the month also brings no-cost LEGO fun and free admission to some of our fabulous museums, like The Huntington. Finally, and this only happens a few times a year: on Friday Krispy Kreme is giving away doughnuts. Believe it or not, this is a national and significant holiday. May the culture surpass the calories.

This week we give a warm, hot welcome to June with outdoor celebrations galore, including Junebug Artfest, the Big Greek Festival and Wonder’s Birthday Bash. Enjoy outdoor exploration with the preschool set at Terhune Orchards’ Read and Pick and Pyramid Mountain’s Summer Scavenger Hunt. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

June is here and the countdown to the end of school has begun. But you don't have to wait until summer vacation to have fun with the kids. This week, there are indoor and outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy. Families can roller-skate or sample fresh fruit at a strawberry festival. For some fun inside, make suncatchers or a tie-dye masterpiece.

For even more activities going on around LI, be sure to check our Event Calendar. Spending some time on the East End? Take a look at our Hamptons & North Fork Guide.