Don't Miss Circus Smirkus; The All Youth Troupe Will Knock Your Mismatched, Polka-Dotted Socks Off

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I’ve probably seen more than my fair share of circus shows, reviewing just about every one that comes through town. I’ve watched as the rise of cirque nouveau, popularized by Cirque du Soleil, has reinvigorated the old three-ring model and rejuvenated children’s theater with amazing new performance troupes. But, even Cirque has started to fall a little flat for me. I’ve been waiting for something new to knock my clown socks off. What I didn’t expect? That the people to finally do that would be a bunch of kids in rural New England.

Circus Smirkus is a youth circus troupe based in Greensboro, Vermont where kids aged 8-18 train and perform in a traveling big top tour each summer. We were able to catch their show, Anchors Away for Atlantis, in Essex Junction, Vermont last week. Both my son and I were blown away by what we saw.

Brooklyn Bike Park Brings Mountain Biking to NYC Kids

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This bike park is now closed. The organizers hope to open a new one nearby in May 2015. We'll update this post if that happens. New York City never ceases to amaze me with its seemingly endless expansion in the “you can do that in NYC now?!” department. The people who don’t understand why we raise our kids in the city just don’t get the true awesomeness of the ever-changing playground in which we live. Stage combat, trapeze, cheerleading, Chinese—whatever your kids are interested in, there's probably a place to do it, plus the opportunity to discover new things they didn’t even know they were into located around every corner.

I like to think I know most of what’s going on in the city, but my jaw dropped the other day when I stumbled upon Brooklyn Bike Park, an incredible, dirt track, mountain biking park that sits on a full block on South Williamsburg’s industrial waterfront. It was such a great find and since it's moving at the end of this summer, I just had to share right away.

Set Sail with Jersey Shore Pirates, NJ's Original Pirate Adventure

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Want an adventure unlike any other? How about an honest-to-buried treasure sailing trip? Captain Kidd once roamed our coast—in fact, legend has it that his treasure still remains to be found in NJ. While you may not be lucky enough to find Kidd’s booty, Jersey Shore Pirates makes it possible to go treasure-hunting with daily Pirate Adventures or even have a pirate birthday party—a family-friendly outing that is perfect for a hot summer day. I recently had the chance to check them out myself…read on for the details, if ye dare!

This Week: Water Fun in NYC: Best Playgrounds for Getting Wet, Top Family Boat Rides, 25 Water Games, Water-Filled Day Trips

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Water, water, everywhere, all over our Mommy Poppins sites. We updated two super-popular posts in our Water Fun Guide: the best boat rides for NYC families and our list of the top 20 water playgrounds throughout the five boroughs, including the brand-new Lakeside Splash Pad in Prospect Park. Plus we shared 25 water games you can play anywhere, from your local park to your own backyard.

Looking to get wet outside the the city? Our Long Island site has a roundup of the best beach playgrounds in the Hamptons, while Westchester highlighted six destination parks featuring all kinds of water fun like beaches, pools and water slides. And if your family is really up for a full-fledged water-filled adventure, our Travel site recommends the Grand Solmar Land's End Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Warning: Do not click here unless you're prepared to be jealous.

We're smack-dab in the middle of summer break and our SUMMER OF PLAY CHALLENGE. What has your family been doing to make the most of the season? Share your playful pics on social media for a chance to win great prizes. Every week, we're giving away a KaBOOM! Go Out and Play Pack and in late August, we'll be awarding one lucky reader with an Ultimate Summer of Play Bash. So submit your fun photos and then click through all of the entries for new play inspiration.

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

Walking with Dinosaurs: See a Life-Size T.rex & Other Extinct Creatures Up Close at this Arena Spectacular

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When Walking with Dinosaurs first roared into NYC in 2009, there was nothing else like it around. But since then, animatronic dinosaur attractions have been popping up everywhere, from the Bronx Zoo's Dinosaur Safari to Secaucus, New Jersey's Field Station: Dinosaurs to Dutch Wonderland's recently-opened Exploration Island. So, with all of those other dinos vying for your kid's attention and your hard-earned dollars, does Walking with Dinosaurs still hold up?

Absolutely. In terms of sheer spectacle and scale, Walking with Dinosaurs is in a class by itself. Its extinct stars are life-size and incredibly lifelike—right down to blinking eyes and loud farts (my son loved that part). And unlike the creatures at the outdoor parks, these guys don't just move their heads and arms, they actually walk around—and eat, and snort and fight.

Weekend Fun With Westchester Families: Youth Orchestra, Comedy, Song Circle and More July 19-20

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So many performances are worth seeing this weekend, it’s hard to prioritize! Two are by national troupes—the National Youth Orchestra, an ensemble of kids under the auspices of Carnegie Hall, and The National Comedy Theatre, which is sure to provide a good laugh for young audiences. As an adjunct to this month’s Seeger Fest, join in the Song Circle and Potluck Supper in Honor of Pete and Toshi Seeger to pay tribute to the Hudson Valley’s beloved champions. Returning this week for the second of the four-part series is Puppet Shows in the Amphitheater.

There are also great workshops scheduled for Saturday that are both artsy and practical (and adults would love them too!). One is Create Your Own Blog or Website, and the other is Art & Reuse in the Studio, where participants upcycle used materials.

Keeping kids busy in the summer when school is out can be tricky—but not with the Mommy Poppins event calendar! There you'll find daily listings of options throughout the county, many of which are FREE. If you're willing to venture beyond Westchester, we also have editions in NYC, Connecticut, Long Island, and New Jersey.

Read on for our top picks for this weekend, then click through for further details and additional events. Also be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep current with our latest posts, news and events.

Long Island Kids' Activities July 19 & 20: Free Magic Show, Laurie Berkner Concert, Family Fair at CMEE & Live Theater

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With summer in full swing, you might find yourself planning your family's days down to the hour. Events and activities abound on Long Island, providing nonstop entertainment for the whole family.

Head north to Lloyd Harbor for a free show, Magic in the Walled Garden, hosted by The Caumsett Foundation. Or head south for some cool tunes at the Great South Bay Music Festival, which will feature a performance from Laurie Berkner on Sunday.

You can also enjoy a live performance of The Wizard of Oz in Garden City, Peter Pan in Smithtown or Alexander and the Terrible, No Good Very Bad Day in Northport.

Don't see your event listed here? Add it to our events calendar. And if you don't receive this post in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter.

Weekend Fun For Boston Kids: July 19-20

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Celebrate cultural diversity this weekend with the Summer Moon Pow-Wow celebrating Native American cultures and the Festival Betences celebrating Latin American cultures.  And take in the local culture at Artbeat in Somerville with live music, craft vendors, and more. Beach goers can marvel at the Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival.  If you are in the mood for some live music, Alastair Moock is playing the Regattabar Kids' Series this week, and Karen K. and the Jitterbugs are doing a Family Jam on Georges Island.

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

Whatever you do this weekend, don't forget to take photos of you and your family playing together! Share them with us via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and you can win great prizes from KaBoom.

As always, our calendar is full of great events to help you enjoy the weekend.

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