A summer in New Jersey would not be complete without a trip to the Garden State's family-friendly, barrier island known as Long Beach Island.  "The Island", as it is called by locals, is home to some of the best beaches on the east coast.  When the family grows tired of playing in the sand, LBI is choc full of kid friendly destinations as well.  From amusement parks to museums, Long Beach Island has something for everyone.  Check out our list of "must-do" family attractions.  For more barrier island fun, check out our posts on Seven Mile Island's small town, Stone Harbor.

This weekend is jam-packed with awesome things to do, including five of our top event picks for the month, four of which are FREE. Take a no-cost boat ride at the annual City of Water Day. Celebrate French culture at the Bastille Day Festival on the Upper East Side. Learn some new moves at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing Kids Dance and enjoy top-notch entertainment at SummerStage Bronx Family Day.

Our fifth July Go List pick, TADA! Youth Theater's show Unsung & Heroes, debuts this weekend and you can catch a FREE New York Philharmonic concert on Staten Island. Plus, the long-awaited Roller Rink at Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park is open for business.

Whatever you do this weekend, be sure to share your family's playful pics on social media for a chance to win great prizes in our SUMMER OF PLAY CHALLENGE, a season-long initiative encouraging families to spend quality time playing together.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

Not all summer entertainment for children has to come with a hefty price tag. In fact, several shows across Suffolk County on Long Island are being offered for free. We've rounded up those local concerts--now all parents need to do is grab a lawn chair or picnic blanket and get ready to shimmy, shake and smile with the little ones!

If you can get enough free entertainment for your kiddies, cross the border and view our Nassau County version. Looking for more cool things to do together? Check out our Summer Fun Guide of the Best Things to Do With Long Island Kids.

Earlier this year, we told you about science and technology camps in Fairfield County and throughout the state, but did you know that Apple and Microsoft offer FREE computer camp workshops at their retail stores?  Spaces are still available for programs that range from movie making to game design. Kids can sharpen their computer skills with plenty of time leftover to head to the beach. Check it out!

When you and your little ones need some downtime from summer sun and fun, story time may be just the thing. There are indoor and outdoor story times all over the Boston area, almost every day of the week throughout the summer. So, drop in to one of these free story hours we’ve rounded up for you – then sit back, relax, and enjoy listening to someone else read to your child for a change. 

We've got news both good (a new Staten Island carousel!) and bad (the demise of Bowlmor Union Square) to share today. But we may be most excited about the new baby at the New York Aquarium! (Once you see the pic, you won't be able to stop "awww-ing.") Plus, help NYC kids in need by donating school supplies to Operation Backpack, be part of a massive Times Square multimedia art installation, the downtown Lego Store needs more time to assemble and Brooklyn has an intriguing new museum dedicated to death. (What? Like you'd expect such a museum in any other borough?)