After a spectacular Fourth of July weekend here in Boston, my family is ready to head a bit farther afield into the great outdoors. One of the options we're considering is the new interactive art installations on Georges and Spectacle islands. What a neat idea! Of course, there's a ton going on right in town as well, including a party with some favorite PBS friends and an evening of free fun, games, and music in the park. Plus, along with lots of great concerts, don't forget all the free outdoor movies you can find around Boston for a fun, budget-friendly night out.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Faneuil Hall isn't just for tourists! We share our favorite activities for kids at one of Boston's top attractions.
• These 10 books can help explain marriage equality to kids asking questions about the recent prevalence of rainbows.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!

This weekend, visit the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington as it celebrates its 95th anniversary with free admission and various events, including a selfie booth, caricatures and Lego artist.

Then on Sunday, Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay opens their new Sensory Garden for children, who can touch, taste and smell the surroundings. Afterwards, enjoy a scoop of homemade ice cream, compliments of ingredients gathered from the on-premise garden.

Remember, you can find even more options in our jam-packed Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. To receive our posts in your inbox, subscribe to our free newsletters.

Summer celebrations are in full swing throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. This weekend, you'll find festivals—like the Hudson Valley Balloon Festival, the Haverstraw RiverArts & Music Festival and the Pleasantville Music Festival, to name a few. Plus, pirates invade Tarrytown at Pirates of the Hudson: The Greatest Pirate Story Never Told!.

Once you’ve had your fill of fanfare (balloons, pirates, festivals…) take the hoopla down a notch and enjoy silly fun at Adventures of Captain Underpants.

Read on for details and for additional weekend highlights—then explore our Event Calendar for many more options for fun events throughout the weekend and all summer long! 

This weekend is packed with awesome things to do, including five of our top event picks for the month, three of which are FREE. Celebrate French culture at the annual Bastille Day Festival on the Upper East Side, try an alfresco dance lesson at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing: LC Kids Dance and enjoy top-notch entertainment at SummerStage Bronx Family Day.

Just gotta have air-conditioning? You can catch cool kids' shows indoors at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and TADA! Youth Theater. And if you happen to be out in Manhattan around dusk on Sunday, be sure to check out the setting sun for the biannual sight known as Manhattanhenge.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

Any business that already has regulars just weeks after opening must be doing something right. Recess d.u.m.b.o., a brand-new play space in Dumbo, Brooklyn, certainly qualifies. While NYC has no shortage of indoor play spaces, especially in Brooklyn, we're always game to check out fresh ones around town. As soon as my 5-year-old and I walked in to Recess, we were hooked! This unique romping spot is a welcome addition to Dumbo's kid-friendly offerings. We've got the scoop on what to expect from the nabe's newest drop-in indoor play space.

There’s plenty to do with the kids during the summer on Long Island--and even the island's littlest residents can get in on the fun. After all, your baby’s first summer is an exciting time, so you want to get out there and explore as much as possible. We’ve rounded up a list of 10 things you can do with your little one this summer. And for more activities and events happening in the area, check out our Summer Fun Guide.

After the big barbecues and fireworks of July 4th weekend, it’s time to kick back, relax and just enjoy these lazy days of summer! Blueberries are the official state fruit of New Jersey and you can get your fill of them during Blueberry Bash at Terhune Orchards or the BlueBeary Blast at Camden Children’s Garden. For even more great family outings, check out awesome LEGO creations at Brick Fest Live, listen to live tunes during the Front Porch Bluegrass Festival or snap your pic with Ironman during Superhero Day at the Lakewood Blueclaws minor league baseball game.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For even more activity options, check out our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

Summer gains momentum on the East End of Long Island in the weeks following July 4. Barbecues and beach parties are in full swing and nature lovers find an abundance of trails ripe for the hiking.

This weekend parents on the North Fork can entertain their children with nature games and tractor pulls, while those on the South Fork can enjoy boat building, baseball, historical celebrations and a night of marine discovery that just happens to coincide with the end of television’s “Shark Week.” And for more fun in the area, don’t forget our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide.