Many families flee the city in August for end-of-summer vacations, but it's actually one of my favorite months to be in NYC. With summer staples like swimming, play fountains, and Governors Island, plus hundreds of free summer activities and only-in-August favorites like Summer Streets and Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, there's plenty to do if you stick around.

So we've rounded up a dozen FREE family-friendly festivals happening throughout the Big Apple in August to help you get the most out of NYC with kids during the last month of summer.

Fans of Poppy, Branch and Guy Diamond, hold onto your glitter-filled hats, because the Trolls are coming to New York City. Opening on Thursday, November 15, DreamWorks Trolls The Experience, an interactive Trolls extravaganza, will open a stone's throw from the only place befitting all its sparkle and shine—Times Square. While you’ll have to wait until the fall to shimmy down the rainbow path with DJ Suki, you can grab your tickets now (and have some indoor fun to look forward to when the weather turns cool).

Read on for details on all the glittery goodness.

In August, FREE outdoor movies can be found almost every night in New York City. Not all are family-friendly, though, so we've rounded up those that are. Behold: More than 100 FREE outdoor movies this August, most rated G, PG, or PG-13, organized by date. All you need to do is carve out time in your busy NYC summer schedule and pack a blanket and snacks.

Click through to our listings for details, including addresses and times. Arrive early to stake out a good spot—plus, some outdoor film series also include pre-screening fun, like kids' activities and music. In case of rain, movies may be canceled, so before heading out check the series' official websites for weather-related updates. 

From little two seaters to giant military helicopters, the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester (about 40 minutes east of Philadelphia), gives kids hands-on experience with rotary-winged aviation. Moms, dads, and grandparents alike will enjoy giving their little ones an hour or two of fun learning in a location that’s easy to get to, offers free parking, and isn’t a sensory overload. This museum is a regular on my list of things to do on hot summer days, rainy winter afternoons, whenever the grandparents come for a visit, or really anytime we want to get out of the house and look at fun “things that go.”

After having been to the American Helicopter Museum many times with my three children, here are my thoughts and some tips on making the most of your visit.

If you're looking for an escape from the city that costs nothing more than a MetroCard swipe, hop the bus to Denny Ferrell Riverbank State Park, one of a handful of state parks within New York City limits. Riverbank State Park occupies 28 acres on Manhattan's west side in Harlem, offering beautiful views and tons of options for outdoor fun. An afternoon here feels almost like an out-of-the-city day trip.

Whether you're in the mood for a dip in the pool, a run through the sprinklers, or a twirl around the rink in winter or summer, this complex has it all, plus plenty of reasonably priced classes, sports programs, and even an inexpensive summer camp.

In the summer heat, sometimes a playground or park just won’t cut it. Queens has plenty to offer when it comes to places to cool off, whether it be a museum, an indoor playhouse, or a food hall. Corona and Jackson Heights families can add Kidz Fun Palace to that list. Open since January 2018, the cute and fun-packed indoor playspace is a welcome addition to this family-friendly neighborhood.

My son and I found ourselves at the Kidz Fun Palace in Jackson Heights on a blazing June afternoon. Read on to hear about the highlights of our visit.

The Vanderbilt Museum, a marine and natural history museum in Centerport, recently reopened its Hall of Fishes, a spectacle of restored flamingos, shore bird dioramas, and an undersea painting.

Add this museum to your summer bucket list and to your list of top educational destinations in Suffolk County. Check off more with our 50 FREE things to do with Long Island kids. Of course, our Summer Fun Guide, is a comprehensive guide to all things warm weather and family-friendly.

Every summer, the Philadelphia Museum of Art becomes one of the city’s can’t miss destinations for children. The museum offers an impressive array of family friendly programming year-round, but the annual Arts Splash program kicks things up several notches. Outside, the heat and humidity may continue to rise, but inside the museum, Arts Splash offers all kinds of cool—a reprieve from the scorching sun, new ways for kids to engage with modern art while, and amazing opportunities for folks of all ages to make their own art.

Recently, Mommy Poppins was invited to check out Art Splash. Read on to learn what we thought about the space, as well as how families can make the most of their time at the exhibit.