There's lots of indoor and outdoor fun on Long Island this weekend. Got a Fancy Nancy fan at home? Stop by the Dolphin Bookshop for story time and a tea party. The Long Island Toy Show takes place at Hofstra University. Don't forget to come dressed as a favorite comic book or movie character. Bouncers, water slides, and art, oh my! Stop by the Arts and Crafts Festival in Long Beach and enjoy a warm summer's day. As the day turns to night, stop by Heckscher State Park for great live music and a fireworks show that is dedicated to those rebounding from Superstorm Sandy. This event is featured on our July Go List. As always, check our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family.

If it pours, some of our outdoor picks may be canceled or postponed. In the event of rain, check the organizers' official websites before heading out. This weekend is jam-packed with awesome things to do, including a bunch of our top event picks for the entire month. Head to Governors Island for a double dose of family fun: the opening weekend of vintage French carnival Fête Paradiso and the FREE Come Out & Play Family Field Day. Celebrate la France at the annual Bastille Day Festival on the Upper East Side or learn some new moves at Lincoln Center's FREE Midsummer Night Swing Kids Dance in Damrosch Park.

It's also a great weekend for kids' culture with the debut of two cool family musicals: TADA! Youth Theater's Sleepover and a return engagement of Wanda's Monster with songs by Laurie Berkner. Plus the Intrepid's Space Shuttle Pavilion is back in business for the first time since Hurricane Sandy.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide, including our favorite FREE public pools, beaches and water playgrounds.

This past week was what we call in New England a “scorch-ah.” At 7 months pregnant carrying around a 30-pound toddler, I make it my mission to seek out indoor, air-conditioned play time. We live close to the Aquarium and make good use of our membership there. Even during the renovations when everything was covered in drapes, we would still go to check out the make-shift tanks, hopeful for the day when it would be back to full throttle.  

Walking into the Aquarium during the re-opening was a little bit like walking through the parade of The Emperor’s New Clothes. I kept looking for the dramatic changes but couldn’t detect anything that special. The newly painted and decorated walls are nice but our beloved Curious George toddler station was taken away and replaced with, well, nothing (just like that naked Emperor.) Although I left with a general feeling of disappointment, I know a lot of work was done to improve the aquarium. I don’t want to be a negative Nelly, so here are three highlights of the renovations (plus an old favorite) that your toddler might enjoy: 

Now that Independence Day is over, it's time to get back to plain ol' mid-July hot-weather fun, air conditioning not included. So if you're up for the great (toasty) outdoors, you have the choice of a Fairy Festival, a Butterfly Release, a ride with Thomas or some Shakespeare under the stars, here are our picks for this coming weekend. And remember, you can always find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Mommy Poppins Long Island is always expanding and is looking for a new freelance blogger or two to join our team. Someone who is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Long Island and the things that make living in the suburbs with kids so great. Someone who wants to share their knowledge with our readers and has a talent for picking out the cool, unique, and the off the beaten path destinations and activities. Read on for additional information about this opportunity, as well as instructions on how to apply.

Every now and then, some enterprising person bangs his or her head against the same wall we've all encountered time and again - and comes up with a totally new and inspired solution. Meet Nanny in the Clouds. If you've ever flown alone with small children, or avoided flying because you couldn't face flying alone with small children, your head will start to buzz when you find out what this company does. You may even check your frequent flyer balance before you go to sleep tonight - because these folks have an easy, affordable way to take the stress out of traveling with toddlers. Skeptics, read on!

School's out; the days are long, and it's time to get out and enjoy summer. Watch a movie under the stars; see a live performance; learn about local history, or curl up with a good book. Whether indoors or out, we've compiled a list of some of Long Island's coolest places for family fun. The best part is, all of the activities on this list are completely free. Be sure to check our events calendar for even more free events.