Every kid loves a birthday party! And we have a whole lot of information on different theme parties, party guides, and even party crafts. Sometimes, though, you just need a great park for the perfect party—a playground, grassy areas, picnic tables, a grill, and maybe a bounce house or piñata. These 10 Valley parks are all great for kids' birthday parties, all have bathrooms available (check the hours), and all are a bit different. Do you want shade? A fenced playground? Water features? Lots of grass? Plenty of table space? There is something here for you.

The countdown to the last day of school has begun—my daughter has been crossing out dates on the calendar with extra zeal. Over the past few weeks, we've gotten a jump on all of the FREE fun summer has on tap by visiting the just-opened Interactive Sculpture Garden and mini-golf course on Governors Island, and enjoying no-cost outdoor movies, kids' concerts and festivals.

If you're planning a NYC staycation this season like we are, you'll find plenty of things to amuse the whole family in our Summer Guide. However, if you're hoping for a vacation or two, our Travel site has in-depth posts about family-friendly travel spots around the country, like our just-published profile of laid-back California beach town Carmel-by-the-Sea, as well as international destinations like Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort in the Caribbean. Looking for a getaway that doesn't involve a plane ride? Our tri-state area sites are full of ideas, like the brand-new construction-themed amusement park Diggerland in New Jersey, the quaint waterside town of Captain's Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Long Island's activity-packed East End. With all of these cool possibilities, I think I may be as impatient for summer break to arrive as my daughter.

Here's what else we covered in NYC this week:

Saturday is the 10th annual CT Open House day, where state residents can visit art galleries, museums, theaters, historic and tourism venues for free or reduced rates when showing a CT driver's license. It is the perfect opportunity to get out there and explore the wealth of history and culture all around us. Be sure to check each individual's website to see specific offers and admission deals. 

Sunday is Father's Day, and how about checking out Captain's Cove Seaport in Bridgeport? It is a great spot, and we recently reviewed it to give you the inside information about what to expect.  When the pavement is dry and the weather warm, skaters rejoice. Check out some of these skateboard parks in Fairfield County.

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Here are some ideas for the weekend!

The next stop in our Great Small Town series is Red Bank. With an eclectic mix of small town charm and arts & entertainment mecca, Red Bank is the perfect destination for a New Jersey day trip. Located in Monmouth County, Red Bank is filled with restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries and parks. It’s located on the Navesink River and just five miles from the Atlantic Ocean, so it’s a short drive to several public beaches, including Sandy Hook and the Gateway National Recreation Area.

Providence is showing dads the love this weekend with freebies and discounts at family-friendly places around the city. Read on for some ideas for spending a fun day with your favorite father in Providence without breaking the bank – whether he’s the outdoors type, the academic sort, a grown-up kid, or just uniquely himself.

If you're looking for even more to do in Rhode Island, check out our Rhode Island Fun Guide for the skinny on taking the kids to a PawSox game, and day tripping to Newport or East Bay towns. If you'd rather stay closer to Boston, take a look at our list of 10 Things Dads Actually Want to Do for Father's Day in Boston. 

Even though I'm not a huge fan of sharing my personal space with bugs, I do appreciate being one with nature. Lucky for us, here in New Jersey we have many parks and natural areas to explore. If you want to make the most of a day outdoors, bring along some food and find a spot to picnic with your family.  You'll be glad to know that we've taken some of the guesswork out of “where” by listing some of the best picnic spots in NJ.