There's nothing better than letting kids run around and burn off some energy on a beautiful day. The Hamptons and North Fork offer great parks and beaches for nature hikes, but sometimes kids just want to climb, seesaw, and swing. Most towns on the East End have a playground tucked away along Main Street's local parks or beaches. Here's a list of some of the best recreational areas in the Hamptons and North Fork.

Each year, two of our favorite local theaters - the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline and the Regent Theatre in Arlington - host special Saturday and Sunday morning shows just for families. The series, geared primarily to kids ages three to 10, run most weekends from October through April.

Many of the offerings are concerts, but there are also films, children's entertainers and dance performances. While there are a lot of well-known, local names on the rosters this season, there’s enough variety to keep families entertained throughout the season. Both theaters recommend purchasing tickets in advance, although you can try your luck at the door. Read on for details.

We continue our month-long focus on the East Village with a look at the best places to shop with kids in the neighborhood. While there are certainly some wonderful independent children's boutiques and toy stores in the area, including geek emporium Toy Tokyo and one of our favorite kids' consignment spots, Jane's Exchange, there are also "grown-up" shops that are fun for families to explore like punk mecca Trash and Vaudeville and gift bazaars Pink Olive and Random Accessories. Bonus: A few of our East Village kids' shopping picks feature play areas where children can romp while parents browse. Here are our top 14 places to shop with children in the East Village.

I wasn't into sports as a kid. However, as a parent, I see a lot of value in having my kids participate in organized sports. As a result, I have spent many hours washing uniforms, sitting through practices, juggling schedules, and watching my kids’ games. I’ve even coached their soccer and t-ball teams. Because I want my children and their teammates to get the most out of their sports-playing experiences, I’ve tried to learn a few things about being a good spectator over the years. It hasn’t been easy (I am ûber-competitive and can be very intense when it comes to my kids), but I do have some tips to share. This is my list of do’s and don’ts for watching kids’ sports. Feel free to pass it along to other parents, grandparents, and coaches, too.

Are you planning a trip to the LA County Fair? This is #72 on our LA Kids' Bucket List! If you have been before, you know there is so much to see and do, and so much fun to be had. There are rides and midway games, cow milking and sheep shearing shows, bacon donuts and deep fried everything, school project exhibits, arts and crafts exhibits (kids and adults), farm animal competitions and displays, kids' indoor play areas, and so many possibilities for shopping. Of course, you also know it's big, it's crowded, it's hot, and it can get expensive quickly! But it doesn't have to (OK, the heat can be hard to avoid—though many of the shopping buildings have a/c if you want a quick cool down). And there are some free, kid-friendly hidden gems within the fairgrounds that you do not want to miss.

So, you're off and running.  Brand new backpacks and bento boxes.  Everyone's shoes fit.  Jackets are at the ready for those cool mornings at the bus stop.  And there you all stand.  Waiting.  And waiting.  It's refreshing in September.  By December, it's gonna be annoying (in my case, add a rammy toddler and a baby to the bus stop entourage -- yowza).  But lucky us, we're raising kiddos in the age of apps.  For better or worse, most of us have a smartphone in hand at all times, and with that weapon you can suss out your school bus, keep track of your car pools, or line up playdates for the wee ones in your life.  And when the stars align, and free time actually lurks on your family's radar, our newest family member -- the Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app -- will be ready to help you figure out where to have some fun!