Do you ever fantasize about living in a perpetual state of June?

Think about it: In what other month on Long Island are the flowers blooming so brightly; is the sky a more colorful blue; are the temperatures quite so, temperate?   

June on Long Island is a month of transition—from spring to summer, from the end of the school year to the beginning of vacation time. But it also a month of remarkable possibilities, 30 days to celebrate all we love about life on our overcrowded, traffic-strewn stretch of real estate.

At the start of the month, a mere four weeks remain in the school year. That’s still plenty of time to cherish dad, enjoy a seasonal festival, tap into your inner STEM self, or even join in the celebration of our most celebrated literary celebrity. Whatever your preference, there’s plenty to keep you and your kids engaged until the school year concludes.

Say goodbye to the school year and hello to the summer as June heats up with amazing, warm-weather events. Most of NJ's amusement and water parks are now open for the season, and Jersey Shore beaches are ready for summer revelers.

June also brings a fresh crop of fairs and festivals, along with strawberry picking, Father's Day fun, and the start of free summer movies. You can listen to local bands, celebrate fireflies and fairies, and travel back in time to the Italian Renaissance and the American Civil War.

Of course, you can always find more fun in our Event Calendar, and in our Summer Fun Guide for NJ Kids, including where to find the Best Water Playgrounds and Splash Pads in the state.

Read on for 15 of our favorite family events of the month. Enjoy the start of summer, and happy June!

In Western New York, hugging the shores of Lake Erie, awaits Buffalo, the second largest city in the Empire State. Famous for its spicy chicken wings, this vibrant area is also known for its history, art deco architecture, great restaurants, and plenty of family-friendly fun, indoors and out. The nearby Niagara Falls usually attracts the most tourist attention, but do not skip a visit to Buffalo, which makes the list for being one of our favorite family getaways in upstate New York.

Below are nearly two dozen suggestions of kid-friendly activities for a great family trip to Buffalo, New York.

If camping is on your summer bucket list, you’re in luck: There are lots of campsites both in and around Westchester and the Hudson Valley, which means you’ll never be at a shortage for places to pitch your tent for a few nights.

Next time you’re ready to pack up your sleeping bag and s’mores provisions, consider staying at one of these area campgrounds, some of which offer even more fun activities for kids, like playgrounds and beaches.

Prefer something a little different? Check out these alternative camping ideas—and our entire summer activity guide!

Note that campground openings and closures are changing frequently in the 2020 season; click through to the campground website for the most current information.

New Jersey has a growing number of parks and playgrounds that cater to every outdoor adventurer, particularly children with special needs. Every child has a right to play in his or her own special way, so we’re recognizing some of the best all-access playgrounds the state has to offer.

Featuring ground-level playthings, wide ramps for wheelchairs, belts and buckles for added protection, and plenty of rest and reflection areas to retire to between bouts of fun, these playgrounds are beyond special and well-deserving of their shout-outs!

And now that summer is on the horizon, find more inclusive outdoor fun at the Watchung Sensory Trail, and at Van Saun Park's Harmony Playground, featuring a pond-themed, ADA-accessible splash pad. 

If you listen to podcasts as much as I do, you’ve probably heard ads for the weight loss program Noom, which says it uses psychology to help you lose weight and keep it off for good. I was curious to try it for myself, so when Noom reached out, I jumped at the chance to review it. I’ve used the program for two weeks now and below are the pros and cons of my experience so far.

Noom is not a diet and it doesn’t promise you’ll lose tons of weight fast. The goal of Noom is to teach you how to make better choices and build habits that you can maintain for permanent weight loss and better health.

First and foremost, Memorial Day is about the members of the armed forces who gave their lives in our nation’s service. Their sacrifice is unimaginable, our debt to them beyond measure. To those lost, and to those who serve our nation and all it stands for, we salute you.

The weekend is not all somber reflection; Memorial Day also means a long weekend, and the unofficial start of summer. Festival is the word of the day: throughout the Southland folks gather to enjoy yummies and winged wonders, and to celebrate different cultures (including Greek, Scottish, and Topangan). Discovery Cube opens new exhibits that explore the different sides of super powers. (It's just science.) The Aquarium of the Pacific opens a new wing that encourages us all to be super heroes for the ocean.

And, of course, Memorial Day weekend closes with tributes to our fallen heroes. Ceremonies are being held at the Nixon Presidential Library, in Burbank and Canoga Park, and at Woodlawn and Forest Lawn Cemeteries.

Read on for some of our favorite picks for this three-day holiday weekend...