We recently rounded up free outdoor film screenings for New York City families. But with temperatures stuck in the 80s and 90s, there are days when all you want to do is spend a few hours in a nice, dark, air-conditioned movie theater—you just don't want to shell out $30-plus to do it.

Happily you don't have to. Wonderful family flicks are playing at a theater near you, and the tickets are free (or inexpensive). Now all you have to do is dip into your 401K to pay for that popcorn.

One of the things about raising your kids in NYC is that your neighbors are just as likely to be famous writers, artists or scientists as they are to be the more run-of-the-mill, US Weekly celebrities. In our building, giggling teenage girls hang out in the lobby hoping to get help with their physics homework from our resident celebrity astrophysicist.

Besides homework help, having a resident astrophysicist means you know about all the really big, life-shaping astrological happenings. So I share with you, my faithful readers, the astrological tip of the month.

When it comes to Mother's Day, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to giving presents. Some moms prefer a massage at the spa ("I need some alone time!"), while others want to go out for a big family brunch ("I don’t want to cook!"). But if there's one thing we mamas are all suckers for, it's a handmade gift from our kiddos. Don't worry if you're not the artsy type who can whip up something awesome at home on your own. Check out these places in NJ where kids can get creative, have fun and give mom a truly one-of-a-kind gift come Mother's Day morning.

You know it's spring when the festivals and fairs come to town! And that's not all happening this week. We've got a slew of family entertainment, with block parties, a dance parade and a big museum opening.

Get ready for some seasonal fun this Saturday at the Cherry Blossom Fest on activity-packed Randall's Island. Or take advantage of the beautiful weather with a fishing trip to Long Island. Kids can also compete in the Dogwood Dash or Mini Dash races at the 80th Annual Dogwood Festival in Connecticut, complete with live music, arts, and crafts. Got a football fan at home? Well, you won't want to miss the Jets Draft Family Fun Day in nearby New Jersey. Kids can watch the remainder of the 2015 NFL Draft, get player autographs and even tour the locker room! Also on tap, the opening of Lightscapes, a walk-through art and light installation, in Historic Hudson Valley. The illuminated garden fantasy features larger-than-life handmade sculptures of flora, fauna and whimsical creatures.

Looking for a family weekend of outdoor fun? Our Travel site has details on the best things to do with kids in the Lake Regions of New Hampshire.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

Big things are happening this weekend: big, big, big. I know they're big because they have "big" in the title, and that's not a word we use lightly around here. We've got The Big Parade, in which Angelenos walk all over town (Angelenos walking—that's big news). We've got Big Sunday Weekend, with thousands of families working together to help make the world a better place.

Another big thing is Cinco de Mayo, very big in these parts, and I know it's big because cinco is five and you need all the fingers on one hand to count that high. You'll need way more than five fingers to count all the Cinco de Mayo celebrations going on. (Lucky for you we've got them listed in our handy-dandy Event Calendar).

And what big thing should we close with? The Big Grand Butterfly Release? Big Bird Day LA? Breakfast with the Bigguns Gibbons? I'm going to go a different way: next Sunday is Mother's Day, and I want something big. You have been warned.

Keep reading for our biggest picks for this weekend.

April showers bring May flowers as the saying goes. However, May also brings a variety of spring celebrations and festivals to the Philadelphia area. This weekend you can enjoy South Street's Spring Festival, the Peddler's Village Strawberry Festival and Pottsgrove Manor's Annual Colonial Fair, which are all full of family fun.

You can also watch or run races this weekend. Families can visit Winterthur to see professional steeplechase races at Point-to-Point, while kids can participate in a variety of children's activities including stick pony races. Or cheer on the ten-mile Broad Street runners, and then hit the Kids' Fun Run, where children can watch a magic show, check out a petting zoo and participate in a "Fun" Miler.

Free activities in the area include the Delaware Museum of Natural History's Bank of America Museums on Us (free for Bank of America card holders), a Mother's Day-themed Home Depot Kids Workshop and Horn's Punch & Judy show at Sundays on Stage.

Find more options in our Mommy Poppins Event Calendar, and check out our top weekend picks below. 

This weekend is all about getting outside and enjoying the season. Celebrate spring at Benner's Farm's May Day Festival, or take in the beautiful blooms at the annual Tulip Festival in Huntington. If you've got a wannabe Superman or Wonder Woman at home, head over to the Whaling Museum's National Superhero Day Celebration! to meet fictional and real-life heroes, and make themed crafts.

Remember, you can find even more options in our jam-packed Event Calendar. To receive our posts in your inbox, subscribe to our free newsletters.

What a great weekend for spring festivals in the Boston area! There's something for everyone to celebrate: creativity at the Harvard ArtsFirst Festival (pictured), Boston's diversity at the Wake Up the Earth Festival, and the great outdoors at Springfest. On top of all of these gems, the 20-mile Walk for Hunger on Sunday is a great way to get some springtime exercise while teaching kids about giving back to the community.

Performances this weekend include The Emperor's New Clothes puppet show in Brookline and Sesame Street Live in Boston. Families can also catch a Bay Youth Symphony Spring Concert in Duxbury or a Pop Ups concert in Natick.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Our May GoList can help you plan your family's activities for the whole month!
• Find out how to enjoy some Outdoor Family Fun in New Hampshire's Lakes Region.
• The 10 Coolest Stops for Kids on the Freedom Trail brings history to life for your family.
• Fingerprint Heart Necklaces make great homemade Mother's Day gifts.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out our full Event Calendar!