After a rainy and chilly spring, I think it’s safe to say that most of us are jumping for joy that summer is finally here! Get a head start on summertime activities this weekend, whether you try your hand out with bait and a pole during My First Fish at Turkey Swamp Park, bring the whole gang to watch jugglers and sword fights at the NJ Renaissance Faire or venture down south to the Horseshoe Crab Festival in Fortescue. Looking for a little entertainment? Take in a performance of West Side Story at the State Theatre or jam to the Bobby Beetcut Family Concert at SOPAC, or find a full list of weekend activities on our Event Calendar.

Yonkers is a fantastic city teeming with things to do for kids and families. So far this month, we've shared the best of what Yonkers has to offer families, including picturesque parks, green spaces and nature trails, as well as a dozen indoor destinations for families.

Now onto the thing I happen to love most about Yonkers--the shopping! I might be dating myself, but I remember my mother taking me shopping in Yonkers (Alexander’s anyone?) and now it’s one of my must stop shopping destinations for my daughter. When shopping for kids (and adults), Yonkers has it all. We are shining the spotlight on three premier shopping destinations in Yonkers that not only offer toys, shoes, clothing, games and more, but also places to play, kid-friendly restaurants and exciting events held all year round! So read on for Yonkers’ hottest children’s shopping spots and make a day out of it with the entire family.

Acrobatic Angelenos no longer have to run away to join the circus. Classes offering big fun under the big top are available for all ages and abilities in many neighborhoods in and around town. The lithe and limber and even the physically challenged have multiple options for learning and practicing the circus arts. Classes in clowning, contortion, tight rope walking, high wire flying, and Wushu, can be found in multiple locations.

This edition of our biweekly news post is all about summer fun, most of it FREE. We've got the scoop on a brand-new water play area in Prospect Park, a soon-to-open mini-amusement park on Staten Island, .50-cent carousel rides in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and how to register for FREE kids' golf lessons and a two-day football camp. Plus, check out a few cool new kids' businesses and get the skinny on a great scholarship program that helps NYC kids pursue their passions.

Reeling in a big fish for the first time will, for sure, bring a smile to any child's face, but creating that memory doesn't have to involve heading out to the store to purchase rods, reels, lures and bait or even obtaining a permit—the East End of Long Island has plenty of charter services that will make any family fishing expedition simple and a whole lot of fun.

These charters that cater directly to families provide everything needed for day of trolling the Atlantic Ocean including fishing guides, a boat with a captain, rods and bait. All families need to bring is a packed lunch. The following is a round-up of East End fishing charters that accommodate families and are now booking for 2014 spring and summer dates. And for more fun in the area, be sure to check out our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide.

What's more fun than visiting a playground or zoo on a warm, sunny day? How about a zoo within a playground? Get the best of both worlds at New Jersey parks that have awesome play areas plus farm animals or mini zoos. Even better, these zoos are all free. Visit some furry friends and spend the day without spending a dime on admission fees.