Now that the excitement of the Fourth of July has past, it is a great time to revisit the many museums in the Boston area. Whether you make your own lip-balm or record a song at the Boston Children's Museum, explore the harbor at the New England Aquarium, ride in a Fiat at the Larz Anderson Microcar show, or participate in a family basket-bombing workshop at the Fruitlands Museum you are sure to have fun and learn something new. The Boston Children's Museum also has a Morningstar Access Program this weekend, allowing children with special needs to visit the museum without the usual crowds.  Free and affordable summer movies continue this weekend with Despicable Me showing in Arlington, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory playing in Somerville, Monsters' University playing at the Prudential Center, and Field of Dreams showing at Christopher Columbus Park.  If you prefer live-action entertainment, check out the Puppet Showplace Theater's rendition of Pinocchio or enjoy a free performance of A Midsummer Nights Dream. As you can see from our event calendar, even a quiet weekend in Boston is anything but!

Also on Mommy Poppins this Week:

• Tara highlights free summer story times for Boston kids.
• Alina gives ideas for DIY Kid-Lit Summer Camp.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to keep us posted on how you are spending your Summer of Play!

A free weekly Eco Junior Program starts this weekend to get your little explorers up close and personal with nature. Also free is The Funny Man Show, being performed at The Caumsett Foundation.

Catch a flick under the stars in Long Beach or watch the night sky aglow with fireworks again in Rockville Centre or Shelter Island.

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Summer, summer, summer, so much to to do! Not only does this weekend offer the OC Fair, Ringling Brothers Circus, fútbol, and dinosaurs; we have an outrageous assortment of movies and concerts under the stars, free Shakespeare and theater for kids, drumming, and dance and the chance for your kid to become a star (or at least get tattooed like one). I know I say this every week, but we can only fit so many events in our newsletter, so be sure to check out our events calendar to make sure you don't miss anything because there is just so much going on and... 

Hello? Are you listening to me? Oh, really? Then what did I just say? Mm hmm, that's what I thought! You should.... (I'm not going to say it for you)... check out our... (you're on your own here, buddy!)... it's that thing with dates on it... (so close!)  Events calendar! Check out the events calendar! (That's it!) And what will your reward be for clicking through? Insight into kids clubs, and art projects, and kids clubs with art projects. The scoop on train rides, and fishing classes, (but no train rides that are fishing classes, though that sounds pretty cool).

And oh yeah,  there are those freebies coming up that might, say, give you a sugar-fueled brain freeze, or leave you looking like a million bucks. Those are the kinds of gems our calendar is filled with. If you like that sort of thing. (And I bet you do!)

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for this weekend ....

Summer in the Hamptons and the North Fork is in full swing with more than a few family-friendly events happening from the South Fork to the North Fork. We've come up with 10 must-attend events this weekend.

Be sure to check out our Long Island Calendar or more kid-friendly activities, as well as our Hamptons and North Fork Guide. And don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you can receive our roundup of fun things to do delivered directly to your inbox.

A summer in New Jersey would not be complete without a trip to the Garden State's family-friendly, barrier island known as Long Beach Island.  "The Island", as it is called by locals, is home to some of the best beaches on the east coast.  When the family grows tired of playing in the sand, LBI is choc full of kid friendly destinations as well.  From amusement parks to museums, Long Beach Island has something for everyone.  Check out our list of "must-do" family attractions.  For more barrier island fun, check out our posts on Seven Mile Island's small town, Stone Harbor.

This weekend is jam-packed with awesome things to do, including five of our top event picks for the month, four of which are FREE. Take a no-cost boat ride at the annual City of Water Day. Celebrate French culture at the Bastille Day Festival on the Upper East Side. Learn some new moves at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing Kids Dance and enjoy top-notch entertainment at SummerStage Bronx Family Day.

Our fifth July Go List pick, TADA! Youth Theater's show Unsung & Heroes, debuts this weekend and you can catch a FREE New York Philharmonic concert on Staten Island. Plus, the long-awaited Roller Rink at Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park is open for business.

Whatever you do this weekend, be sure to share your family's playful pics on social media for a chance to win great prizes in our SUMMER OF PLAY CHALLENGE, a season-long initiative encouraging families to spend quality time playing together.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

Not all summer entertainment for children has to come with a hefty price tag. In fact, several shows across Suffolk County on Long Island are being offered for free. We've rounded up those local concerts--now all parents need to do is grab a lawn chair or picnic blanket and get ready to shimmy, shake and smile with the little ones!

If you can get enough free entertainment for your kiddies, cross the border and view our Nassau County version. Looking for more cool things to do together? Check out our Summer Fun Guide of the Best Things to Do With Long Island Kids.

Earlier this year, we told you about science and technology camps in Fairfield County and throughout the state, but did you know that Apple and Microsoft offer FREE computer camp workshops at their retail stores?  Spaces are still available for programs that range from movie making to game design. Kids can sharpen their computer skills with plenty of time leftover to head to the beach. Check it out!