There are plenty of fun and free things for families to do in and around Boston during this, the last weekend in July. Circus Smirkus comes to Gore Place in Waltham, and Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys, the Airborne Comedians, and Ben Rudnick & Friends perform at the Summer Arts Festival on Copley Plaza. Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming Festival kicks off with Old Fashioned Sunday, and Figment Boston brings large-scale art making to the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

For more outdoor fun, why not get the family together for a round or two of mini golf. Family movie night? Read Tara’s review of Turbo and find out if it’s right for your kids. And if you’re headed to the Cape and find yourself facing a rainy day, we’ve found some places to explore that you may have otherwise overlooked.

Our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional things to do in our Events Calendar. And follow us on Twitter or Facebook for more updates and information.

This weekend, celebrate the opening of Extreme Origami at the Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University. In this exhibit, the ancient art of paper folding is elevated to a whole new level. Feeling inspired to belt out a Gene Kelly song, or two? Then head over to the Gateway Playhouse for a production of Singin' In The Rain. Learn about nanotechnology and all things small at Brookhaven National Laboratory through informative discussions and hands-on exploration. Get in touch with nature at The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor. At this soil soiree, grab a magnifying glass and look for critters, along with planting seeds in a decorated pot. Also on tap: Finding The Loch Ness Book Signing at Jungle Bob's Reptile World, and Plaza Theatrical Productions Presents Beauty And The Beast at Long Island Children's Museum. As always, check our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family.

Sandcastles, carnival rides and great kids' concerts are all on the schedule this summer weekend. Head to Rockaway Beach and get creative at the annual sandcastle competition. Soak up some cool outdoor culture at Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day, including a FREE concert by Dan Zanes. Hit Staten Island's Greenbelt for the annual Children's Day Extravaganza at the Carousel for All Children. Or gasp at Quidam, the latest Cirque du Soleil extravaganza, which is playing at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

Looking ahead to next weekend, have you booked your tickets to our Mommy Poppins Family Cruise yet? Our inaugural Manhattan by Sail voyage in June was such a success, we just announced four additional New York Harbor sails on the Clipper City Tall Ship featuring enriching kids' activities and stunning views. Our first excursion, Stories and Tales of the Sea with master storyteller Bill Gordh, takes place next Sunday, August 4. Purchase your tickets today so you don't miss out.

All of our best bets for this weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

Between vacation, camp and day trips, summer can burn a hole in the pocket. Not to mention the daunting electricity bill from running the A/C constantly. We have over a month left before school starts, and if you still want to have adventures that won't break the bank, check out Ten Free Family Activities in New Haven County and Free Events and Activities in Southern CT This Summer. 

There are some wonderful free, family hikes this weekend including Giant Adventure at Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, Salter's Pond Adventure in Manchester and the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center. CT has 618 miles of coastline, and Our CT Beach and Water Guide will simplify that search on where to go.

Last night, we piled into the car (along with our lawn chairs and lots of bug spray) and headed out to the Mendon Twin Drive-In to see a double feature: Turbo and Monsters University. We enjoyed both movies, and all around it was a fun family night out.  Our friend, Toby, at Mommy Poppins in LA has already written a review of Monsters University, so I’m focusing on Turbo, the tale of a snail with an impossible dream. For parents, the big question is always: Is it really a good film for kids? Read on to find out.

Whoever said summer is a slow season clearly wasn’t talking about New Jersey! There’s a ton to do in the Garden State this weekend, from big family fun at the QuikCheck Festival of Ballooning or the New Jersey Peach Festival to educational outings like Grossology at the Liberty Science Center or Open Cockpit Day at the Aviation Hall of Fame. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

If your family harbors a Shakespeare aficionado, then summer just isn't summer without a dose of Midsummer. For families who approach classical theater more hesitantly, A Midsummer Night's Dream performed among the trees and the owls may be the perfect introduction, and Shakespeare Center LA's annual summer stint in the VA's Japanese Gardens delivers all that Shakespeare in the park should .