Summertime means beach time, but while there are lots of shores near and even in NYC, some are more family-friendly than others. After packing up all your gear and schlepping the kids by car, train, bus or ferry, the last thing you want to find out is that your chosen beach has no bathroom or that bathing suits are optional. Skip the guesswork with our roundup of the top five beaches for NYC families, including detailed info on attractions, food, bathrooms and hidden costs. All are within 90 minutes of Manhattan by car but they're easily accessible via public transportation, too.

If you have children, you know the hours between 4pm and 6pm are particularly difficult. Referred to as "the witching hours" by many parents, this stretch of time (after naptime, but before dinner and bath time) can be hard to fill, leading to bored, whiny kids and grouchy moms and dads. If you're tired of wracking your brain for late afternoon activities, it might be time to take advantage of your local eateries Happy Hour specials. Enjoy a cocktail and some kid-friendly appetizers with a few friends. The kids will love the change of scenery and parents will enjoy the discounted treats and time to socialize. We've put together a great list of family-friendly restaurants where you can turn the "witching hour" into a happy hour for the entire family.

There's still plenty of time this summer to sneak away from the sticky city heat for a little weekend trip. A relaxing family jaunt to coastal Maine, a mountain town in Vermont, the sun and sand at the Jersey shore are all great getaways when you're looking to skip town. We've rounded up five of our favorite family weekend destinations for summertime fun.

One of the hardest aspects of parenting that I didn't truly appreciate until I was in the thick of it was something that feels a little embarrassing to admit: how do you make friends, not for your kids, but for yourself? We moved to Fairfield County when my kids were toddlers, leaving behind the community we had built for ourselves after 15 years in New York City, and though I was excited to explore our new home, between juggling nap schedules, and kid activities, the idea of building a new support system for myself was daunting.

Luckily, there's a huge range of groups for moms organized by interest (fitness, breastfeeding, community, and more) or children's age. This is a collection of some of our favorite programs, but you will find others listed in our events calendar.

At the end of a fun-filled summer weekend in the Hamptons, what could be better than a family brunch? In fact, for many families returning to the city after a few days of sun and surf, it’s the final ritual before boarding the Long Island Rail Road or challenging the Long Island Expressway.

Scores of restaurants on the East End offer a brunch menu, particularly on Sundays and holidays, but not all are suitable for children. So we've rounded up six of our favorites that offer a combination of location, ambiance and selection that make them ideal choices for parents eager to share a final weekend meal with the family.

For more on what's going on in the area, take a look at our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide.

As August temperatures begin to soar, take an air-conditioned breather at cool indoor events this week, including State Theatre’s free showing of Night at the Museum-Secret of the Tomb, Kean University’s Rumplestiltskin and New Jersey State Museum’s Maker Space Program. And when you’re ready to get outside, rejoice in summer fun at the Middlesex County Fair and Festival of the Sea. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

As astute Mommy Poppins readers will have noted, a new month usually means lots of free “firsts.” In case you missed it last month, the LEGO Store monthly model build is now on the first Tuesday and Wednesday. That’s right, two opportunities to pick up a free LEGO. The “little old lady in Pasadena” has lots of free stuff to do the fist week of the month, too: The Huntington, Kidspace, and Pasadena Museum of California Art all have a day that is gratis (grandmas, start your engines!). Debbie Allen Dance Studios has free hip hop classes, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium’s Free First Wednesdays program continues.

A first I often forget about (much to my daughter’s chagrin) is First Friday on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, a festive evening of food trucks, crafts, and Venetians. While my kid is drawn to hipsters, others (preschoolers especially) are fascinated by the firemen and other community service members. Finally, this week the communities of Burbank, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica host a “National Night Out.”

Be sure to check out our Event Calendar for more free and discounted activities.

Now that it's August, it's time for a reality check on summer reading assignments. To keep up with their daily reading logs, my kids have been enjoying visits to the library, where there are some great summer programs. Storytimes with ReadBoston in BPL branches and other neighborhood venues are only going on for a few more weeks, so look for one near you before it's too late.

My family has also been loving all the activities at local parks. In addition to ReadBoston storytimes, there are free craft workshops and outdoor movies. Take a look at these and other picks for the week, and don't forget to check the full Event Calendar for more fun happenings!