Who says there’s no such thing as a free meal? Restaurants throughout Central New Jersey offer free kid meal promotions nearly every night of the week. You’ll never cook again. Dining out is a fun way to spend time with the family, but the bills can eat into your budget. Visit your favorite establishment on a kids-eat-free night, and you won’t have to worry overspending on kids’ entrees, especially the ones that are barely touched. Check out some of these Central New Jersey restaurants that feature free kid meals on certain nights of the week.

Complimentary meals are with the purchase of an adult meal, unless otherwise noted.

If you were raising your kids in, say, Utah—or any other place that doesn't have a Mommy Poppins daily calendar to point you in fun directions—you'd have to work a lot harder to keep your summer days playful. Our SUMMER OF PLAY partner, KaBOOM!, works with community leaders around the country to create more spaces and ways for kids to enjoy balanced and active play. Mother of three and registered nurse, Cyndalynn Tilley, is one of these community leaders in Woods Cross, Utah, and she's shared some of her favorite ideas for finding opportunities to play while doing ordinary daily activities. Backyard games are great when you have the time and space, but what about when you have to bring kids along to do chores like shopping and laundry? Even then grown-ups can help kids get the play they need to thrive.

What are your secrets for finding play in mundane situations? Share pics of your inventive playtime ideas on social media for a chance to win great prizes in our SUMMER OF PLAY CHALLENGE. Then for even more inspiration, check out our SUMMER OF PLAY photo gallery on Facebook to see what others are posting.

Fishing is an inexpensive, family-friendly activity that is fun to try with kids. Not long after they learn to toddle they can practice holding a pole; as kids get older and their attention span increases, they can learn to set up the rod and reel, hook a worm, and wait for a catch. Some of the best fishing spots for kids are also swimming holes in  state or local Hartford parks, so you can pack your rods, towels, and a picnic lunch for a fun summer day. 

Summer heat is on. Let the little ones cool off at the movies, but be sure to embrace the treasures of the Pacific and celebrate our Southern California Beach Culture. This week, the grunion are running in San Pedro and The South Bay is full of surfers. If you need to head indoors, the Norton Simon is just one of many museums offering free admission.

The first day of school has been creeping farther and farther back in recent years, cutting deeper and deeper into summer. For many schools, August is part of the school year now, while other districts still cling to the time-honored "never before Labor Day" approach. All of this can make summer camp complicated to maneuver for some families, while others are knee-deep in homework.

From Baldwin Park's August 11 start date to Torrance’s September 4, don't just assume you know when school starts based on last year! Check our list of start and finish dates for the 2014-2015 school year (and all days off in between) in and around LA County...

Summer is in full swing, and my kids and I love to spend as much time outdoors as possible. But when we get hit with a rainy day (or the heat and humidity is simply unbearable), I need to find an indoor option so they can work up all of that energy that comes with being 5 and 3 years old. Of course, I always check out our Long Island Events Calendar for ideas, but I also love hearing about new places from other moms. And that's exactly how I discovered Sandbox Playspace.