Something magical has come to Morganville, NJ: Magic Sky Play, a new indoor play facility for young children (8 and under). 

Magic Sky is a 2017 Mommy Poppins Bestie Awards Winner, for good reason. Its bright, open layout and creative activities are perfectly suited to a young child's imagination (and the needs of his or her parent). I recently visited with my 6- and 3-year-olds, and we had a blast exploring this sweet new spot. 

Some of summertime's best family memories are made at festivals, fairs, and carnivals. This month you can experience classic carnival fun, cultural opportunities, or musical entertainment. Whether you attend an all-time family favorite venue or try a new event, be sure cotton candy, funnel cake, live music, and fireworks are a part of your family fun this month!

Free museum admission is not just for kids in the summer months. More than 2000 museums across the country have joined the Blue Star initiative, offering free admission to active military personnel and their families* all summer long, from Memorial Day (Monday May 29 through Labor Day (Monday September 4). Spread the word; if you don't have active military in your own family, let your friends know that from the Automobile Driving Museum to the Santa Monica Aquarium and a whole slew in between, the men and women who protect all of our families can treat their families this summer.

Scenic, protected waterways are abundant on eastern Long Island. It’s one of the reasons we love living or visiting there, especially in the summer.

If your family enjoys kayaking, canoeing, surfing, or paddle boarding, why not head to the East End, where there are plenty of bucolic spots to enjoy your favorite water sport. From Westhampton to Montauk and all over the North Fork, local shops rent gear and offer instruction. Always call ahead for availability and to make reservations.

For other suggestions on how to enjoy the East End this summer, check out our guide to the Hamptons and North Fork. Visit our Summer Fun Guide for more ways to celebrate the season, and if you're feeling especially ambitious take on a few of our 100 Things to Do With Kids on Long Island.

Kick off the July 4th holiday early this weekend with classic carnival rides, Jersey-fresh berries, or a FREE art show. The NJ State Fair Meadowlands is in full swing with daily live music, a petting zoo, thrill rides, and food; ripe summer berries will be served with breakfast at Alstede Farms; and Bank of America is sponsoring free family museum days in NJ. 

If your weekend stretches into Monday, check out our picks for weekday activities, including on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4. Plan a family picnic, or head out on a day trip to a favorite amusement park, water park, or spray ground. Then stake out your family's spot for fireworks at one of New Jersey's best July 4th celebrations.

 For even more ideas, check out our guides to Summer Fun and the Jersey Shore. 

This is the third post in our series about why it's great to be a mom in different towns around the Hub. Got pride in your 'hood? Let us know at boston@mommypoppins.com, and your town could be featured in a future post.

Whether they're stopping by for history, culture, or the food, most tourists put the North End on their list of places to visit in Boston. But you don't have to wander far from the hustle of Hanover Street to realize there is a lot more to the neighborhood than pasta and cannoli. The North End is a mix of residents whose families who have lived in the borough for generations, professionals of all ages who like the proximity to the financial district and downtown, and young families. On the surface, the small apartments, high rents, and limited parking options might not seem like the ideal place to raise kids, but ask just about mom and she'll tell you she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I've lived in the neighborhood for four years and fell in love with it long before I welcomed my first child in January. But now that I'm a mom, I love the neighborhood even more. Here are a few reasons why...

My kids love art (and walking) so what could be better than a stroll this summer down Main Street in Stratford to check out the 20 lighthouse sculptures in the "Stratford Light the Way" art exhibit? This is Stratford's second street art exhibit, following on its popular "Share a Chair" art benches in 2015. This summer, Main Street in Stratford is dotted with six foot tall fiberglass lighthouses, designed and painted by local artists. Those who love art, lighthouses, and strolling down Main Street will be pleased!

Sea legs. You either have them or you don't. For some, there's nothing more relaxing than drifting along the open water, catching a sea breeze, spotting marine life. For others...not so much. If you and your family fall into the former category and are hoping to get out on the water this summer, this post is just for you. Check out some of the fantastically fun family friendly (whew, say that five times fast) boat tours Connecticut has to offer and, when you're landlocked again why not grab a bite somewhere along the shore.