Weekly Wrap Up: Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, Used Kids' Books and Fun in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

We were so happy to wake up to (almost) blue skies today. Although rain may return tomorrow, we're looking at a gorgeous (and not-too-hot) weekend. Let's hope the weather holds out for the final few weeks of summer break. There's so much we haven't done yet—we haven't even gotten to all of the activities on our Hot List.

That's because we've been busy running all over Van Cortlandt Park, researching film classes and browsing used book stores that sell kid lit. Plus we're still working on our upcoming sister sites in Boston, Los Angeles and Orlando, now tentatively scheduled to debut in September. To make sure you're notified when they launch, sign up for the newsletters now.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut.

Fun & Free Things To Do With Kids This Weekend In CT: Milford Oyster Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Teddy Bear Fest 8/20-21

Here we are, the second to last weekend in August. School days are right around the corner so savor these last days of summer while you can. There's plenty of fun to be had this weekend including one of the largest annual festivals in CT: Annual Milford Oyster Festival. In Hartford the Riverfront Dragon Boat and Asian Festival looks like a great cultural event and the Peach Festival at Lyman Orchards gets me craving warm peach pie just thinking about it.

PS Don't miss out on our $50 Give Away at Three Monkeys & Me Children's Boutique and Toy Store. Drawing ends Thursday night.

Here's our list of best bets for the weekend. You can always check for more on our calendar.

Your NJ Weekend August 20-21: Bike Racing, Blues Bands, Metal Making, Modern Dance, and More, Mostly FREE!

If after these last few drippy days, you’re ready to wring out your clothes, dry your shoes, and get on with a great (hopefully) dry family weekend, we’ve got the goods!  There’s potatoes to be harvested in Lambertville; Blues to be sung in Morristown; bikes to be raced in North Caldwell; open-air theater to watch in Titusville; and metal to be made at Cooper Gristmill!  If you’re looking to just wander in the long-lost sunshine, head to Augusta for a sunflower maze, or Ringwood for a family botanical walk.  Any way you go, wish for the sun.  We’re right there with you.

Free and Fun Things to Do This Weekend for NYC Kids: Festivals, Global Gardens, Maker Days, FlyNY, Harlem Day August 20-21

These rainy summer days have been a real drag, especially since the back-to-school countdown is on. As of now, it looks like this weekend won't be a washout (like last Sunday, which was awful). So if the weather holds up, we plan to make the most of this second to last weekend of August.

There's plenty of outdoor fun: Explore international vegetables and herbs at the Global Gardens Harvest Celebration, fly a kite at FlyNY, enjoy the last installment of Summer Streets or party uptown at the annual Harlem Day festival.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide and our Event Calendar.

Notable News: Sex Ed in NYC Schools, Backpack Buying Tips, Sesame Street and STEM

This week it's all about sex, bags and Sesame Street! (Yes, quite a far cry from sex, drugs and rock and roll.)

As summer draws to a close, we turn our attention back to school. There's so much to do... and even more to buy. We've got info on how to choose the right backpack, the scoop on sex education in NYC public schools and the 411 on a brand-new doctor hotline just for parents.

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