Cinderella, a robot, and a dinosaur walked into a bar… it sounds like a joke but it’s just business as usual here in LA, where the air is so thick with things to do that they’re calling in a smog alert. Seriously, you can follow two different roads to Oz,  embark on cultural expeditions to learn about Hopi art, Korean dance, or crafts from Papua New Guinea,  build a school organizer, a crawly caterpillar, or a chalk work of art. You’ll be so busy, you won’t even notice that school is starting… NYAH NYAH NYAH I CAN’T HEAR YOU MY FINGERS ARE IN MY EARS, NO SCHOOL HERE.

After all, maybe it’s true. Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who has one or two or maybe even three weeks of summer break remaining. (If you’re not sure, check here). Maybe you don’t need our tips on how to keep the summer going because for you, summer’s still in full swing.  Maybe you’ll glance at our back to school guide with polite interest, instead of the frenzy of a drowning man reaching for a life preserver.

Whatever your story, remember this: they may rule your Monday through Friday, but the weekend is all yours, baby. And with that in mind, may we suggest our favorite picks for your weekend...

Don’t let the back-to-school madness bum you out. There are three more weekends of summer break to go, so there's still time to hit the beaches, the pools and the sprinklers, and enjoy other seasonal fun. This weekend brings the New York Botanic Garden’s Global Gardens Harvest Celebration, Riverside Park South's annual kite festival FlyNYC and the final Summer Streets (that’s my boy pedaling up Park Avenue at last Saturday's installment). Other family fun includes annual favorites Great Jazz on the Great Hill and Harlem Week.

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

If your kids haven't started back to school yet, they will soon.  You already have their supplies and clothes. What's next? The before-school craziness. In the morning rush of packing lunches, getting dressed and locating shoes, finding homework and clean gym clothes, and meeting the carpool on time, breakfast often comes last. But we all know that kids (and adults) should start the day with a healthy breakfast—with a full stomach, kids can concentrate better in school be ready to learn, and be in an overall better mood.

Breakfasts can be elaborate or easy, hot or cold, sit-down or portable. They don't need to consist of pre-made items that get pricey quickly with kids' appetites. And if you keep just a few basic items ready to go, your kids can never tell you there is nothing to eat or that they are out of time! With the addition of some fruit and a glass of milk, even the simplest bowl of cereal becomes a complete meal. Need even more ideas, or maybe you're dealing with a special diet? Check out these recipes.

This weekend it's all about making the most of these glorious summer days with your family. Luckily there's so many great events to choose from, such as the Greenwood Lake Air Show, Canal Day Festival, EARTH Center Field day, a woodland walk, a jazz and blues festival and even a celebration for a pony!  Read on for all our top picks and remember, you can find a listing of all NJ activities for kids in our Event Calendar.

Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have some great libraries. Long Island also has some pretty amazing bookstores. Several years ago, I fell in love with Books of Wonder in NYC, a truly amazing place to while away a few hours with a kid. Now, every time I explore a new town, I look for an independent bookstore to duck into and enjoy. Despite the movement toward digital books and educational apps, the look and feel of a beautifully illustrated book has not yet been replaced and there are some fantastic indies, as well as chains, on Long Island that specialize in providing this experience.   

Two years ago when my son was about to start kindergarten we started a family tradition.  The week before school starts has been declared "kids choice week"  in our house.  Every year for the entire last week of summer vacation and  before we're back at the bus stop each morning, I don't plan a single thing to do.  The kids are in charge.  Each day they get to choose something they'd like to do before saying goodbye to summer.  One thing that always seems to make their request list is mini golf.  They love it, even if they do speed through the course at record speed (and cheat like crazy too).  If your kids are big fans of the game we've got a list of Places to Play Mini Golf in Fairfield County for you.

Bring out your child's inner speed demon at Pole Position Raceway in Jersey City, New Jersey. Pole Position packs a wallop of exhilarating fun in an awesome setting for kids and parents. Authenticity, acceleration and safety are the core values of this family-owned and inspired indoor electric go-karting experience. Easily accessible from Manhattan, Pole Position offers more than just racing!