Before having kids one of my favorite weekend activities was catching an early dinner before heading to an evening theater production or concert. Happily, post baby, that hasn't changed much (well, unless you consider that strollers, stuffed animals and gigantic characters in neon costumes are now part of the equation). Theater and music are fun, creative and enriching outlets for kids of all ages—and their parents! And while living so close to New York City makes it easy to catch a show anytime, there are plenty of venues in Westchester County that cater to young audiences with top-notch kid-friendly performances. We've rounded up the best live theater venues and performing arts centers that offer quality productions for kids in Westchester!

If you’re planning a family vacation to Scottsdale, Arizona, there are plenty of wonderful resorts with large pool complexes for plenty of fun in the sun—and there’s lots of sun. But, don’t go all the way to Arizona just to jump in a pool. Scottsdale offers loads of cultural and natural attractions to explore the unique Southwest. We visited to experience it for ourselves so we could share the best things to do with kids in Scottsdale.

The salty sea air, the sweet smell of pizza, and the giggles of children.  This is what awaited us in Mystic, Connecticut last week.
Mystic is a charming New England village nestled on Long Island sound, 1 hour southeast of Hartford, 3 hours east of New York City, and 2 hours south of Boston.

If your child’s birthday falls during the summer months you have hit the jackpot in terms of party options. Let’s face it, keeping 20 little munchkins, or your entire extended family, happy outside is a much more appealing option than in your living room, right? If your own backyard isn’t suitable there are a plethora of choices for hosting an outdoor event such as a birthday party or family reunion in the Hartford area.

Shaun the Sheep Movie, the latest feature from Britain's Oscar-winning Aardman Animation team behind Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and The Pirates!, opens nationwide this week. The film is mostly charming, frequently hilarious, and likely to be a great choice for many families to see together. We got an early peek, so we can help you decide if it's right for your flock.

Every year around this time of summer, I start to wonder if my family and I are the only New Yorkers left in town. Judging from my social media feeds, everyone I know is away! If you too are suffering from vacation envy, there's an easy cure: take a family day trip. Hit a nearby beach, explore a quaint upstate town, go peach picking, get doused at a recently expanded New Jersey water park or see how many rides you can stomach at a Pennsylvania amusement park. Don't worry if you're car-challenged, many of these destinations are accessible via public transportation.

Can't get it together to get out of the city? Go on a virtual vacation to Kiawah Island, South Carolina courtesy of our Travel site. Once you click through our slide show of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort Sanctuary Hotel, you may be inspired to put in for some real time off, not just a weekend.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is set to embark on a $25 million expansion that will add another building with gallery spaces and a cafe, as well as upgrades like new balcony seating in the Harvey Theater. The former president of the Fort Greene cultural institution and performing arts center told The New York Times the plan is "the last piece of the BAM campus." Construction could begin as soon as this summer, with financing coming from a combination of public and private sources, according to The Wall Street Journal.

In other Brooklyn news, renovations at Prospect Park continue in anticipation of its 150th anniversary in 2016. Six projects are underway by the Prospect Park Alliance, which manages the park, including a restoration of the rose garden and several footpaths such as the one that leads from the zoo to the Zucker Natural Exploration Area (aka, kid play zone), according to DNAinfo.  

And so it begins. (Or ends, depending on how you look at it.) As early as this week, the school year begins anew for some. Beverly Hills, Glendale, La Cañada – all of them are getting ready to say adios to summer and aloha, new semester.

Except of course that it is totally still summer. Have you looked at all the sun-kissed fun that awaits you this weekend?  Open streets from the beach to Culver City (where you can soak in the sun and free theater at the same time), the county fair (in your choice of counties),  and you can look at the stars and watch a movie at the same time. And, oh my goodness, how many outdoor concerts are there this weekend?  (Many. There are many.)

If you want to go back to school, there are a few events to help you get in the mode. But I prefer a la mode (nom nom, free ice cream, dudes).

Keep reading to get schooled in our favorite picks for this weekend...