Even though most children have a week or two of school left, the summer fun begins this weekend with lots of festivals and free family events.  It's CT's 8th Annual Open House Day this weekend which means that museums, galleries and parks all over CT are opening their doors for free. Many are doing special events for families all weekend long. The Community Cooperative Nursery School in Rowayton is holding its 50th Anniversary Art Show this weekend featuring over 75 artists. Looks like a great way to add quality local art to your home as well as raise money for a great school. Bring your pooch to the Canine Carnival and Dog Walk at Stepping Stones Museum this weekend. There will be games for families and dogs, face painting, performances and a best dressed contest.

On Saturday June 9, Connecticut is opening its doors to the public for the 8th annual open house. Residents are invited to explore the state’s arts, history and tourism with this exciting event for the whole family. Many of the local spots participating in this open house are offering discounted or free admission, free gifts, special exhibits, and fun activities. While participating sites will be hosted throughout the entire state I have listed here the spots located in Hartford County. The only hard part will be trying to decide which location to visit!

Welcome to another weekend full of free (or cheap) outdoor fun. Enjoy awesome eats and cool activities at Madison Square Park's annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party and the Lower East Side's Egg Rolls & Egg Creams Festival. Or head to Governors Island for the funky interactive arts fest Figment, which we attend every year.

Other highlights include going for a free spin on the Prospect Park Carousel in honor of its centennial, checking out old patrol cars at the New York City Police Museum's Vintage Car Show, cycling in the annual Long Island City Bike Parade and catching the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and other cool kids' acts at SummerStage: Brooklyn Family Day.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. And don't forget, this is your last chance to grab one of our amazing summer camp deals. 

If you thought last weekend was filled with free festival fun, you haven't seen all events scheduled for THIS weekend! Yes indeed, we're at the height of festival and fair frenzy and this weekend you'll find such great ones as the NJ Seafood Festival , Privateers and Pirates Festival, Victorian Fair, Spring Festival of Children, Rubber Ducky Festival and more!  So pack your appetite and your family and get out and enjoy the fun! For even more June festival fun make sure to check out the Mommy Poppins article here.  Read on for our top picks and remember you can find a listing of all NJ activities for kids in our Event Calendar.

Summertime's here, and thoughts are turning to vacation plans. But there's no reason to leave the Island for summer fun. Long Island is where it's at come summer. So all summer long, we'll be spotlighting great Long Island towns for staycations. First up: Montauk.

Since the 1970s I've been visiting Montauk. My dad is a fisherman there and we all just love it . Known as "the fishing capital of the world," Montauk is just that and so much more. It's the place to savor the splendor of the sea and the pristine natural beauty of the East End. Every summer, as my family makes the drive to Montauk, mile by mile, I shed my worries and stress and feel my whole body relaxing. The road becomes surrounded by the dense wild greens of the island, the blue sea comes into view, and all is well in the world. By the time we arrive, I'm feeling like I'm in another country and the fresh air and wide-open spaces are both invigorating and relaxing at the same time. My kids are yearning to get out of the car and run!

The area is a nature lover's delight with 5,000 acres of parkland and wildlife to explore and much more. From rolling dunes, hiking trails, and horseback riding, to world-class entertainment, spas, shopping, and activities for the family, Montauk has it all and then some.

It's not news that New York City is a very bike-friendly town. But you may not have heard about NYC's newest cycling spot, Pier 54, which is specifically aimed at people who want to practice riding a bike. Located at 13th Street in Hudson River Park, this learn-to-bike zone is great for families with kids who aren't yet completely comfortable on two (or three or four) wheels. Plus this June, Bike New York will be offerings free bike lessons at Pier 54 for children and adults.

Once your kid's mastered biking, NYC has many wonderful, safe, car-free routes for families to bike together. Last year we shared our favorite places to bike in Manhattan. Today we're sharing our top cycling spots for families in the five boroughs and beyond.