The unofficial start of summer — Memorial Day weekend — is nearly here, which means lots of parades and backyard barbecues. But for those looking for something a little different, taking a day trip with the family can be the perfect way to get away while still staying close to home. We've created a list of 8 fun places to spend a day over Memorial Day weekend. And for more kid-friendly activities and events, be sure to check out our Long Island Calendar, as well as our roundup of Memorial Day Events.

Even though Memorial Day weekend is next week, we're gearing up for summer's unofficial kickoff a little early. (After the winter we all endured, we can't help fantasizing about warm weather fun.) Check out our Spring Guide and you'll find posts about seasonal attractions opening on the holiday weekend, like the newly expanded Governors Island and Central Park's beloved tot spot Victorian Gardens amusement park. We also rounded up a bunch of great family getaways in New Jersey for Memorial Day weekend or any summer weekend.

Speaking of getting out of town, our regional sites are full of travel inspiration, whether you're looking for a quick day trip or a bona fide vacation. New Jersey just posted about pick-your-own strawberry farms and you can find even more berry-picking spots in our Farm Guide. Even though we've got mini golf right here in NYC, the ones in Westchester have a lot more bells and whistles (and ponds and windmills). Or commune with nature by visiting NJ's beautiful tree-filled arboretums.

Of course you don't need to skip town to have fun. In fact, this weekend you'll want to stick around since there are so many amazing family activities going on, including a Laurie Berkner concert, the annual Dance Parade New York and Queens' World's Fair Anniversary Festival. Plus you'll find the Mommy Poppins' gang at the New York Baby Show, where we'll be giving away some awesome prizes and showing kids how to make these adorable WeeWork Clothespin Creatures.

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

This weekend is all about art, books and festivals in Westchester. With several of our May Go List picks going on, there's lots of fun in store. Celebrate National Children's Book Week at the 23rd Annual Community Storytelling Festival, attend Children's Book Week Author Readings or meet another well-known children's author at the Candy Fairies Book Event

Feeling artsy? Try your hand at fashion design at Designing Girls: Doll T-Shirt Creative Workshop, participate in one of the many workshops at Family ArtsBash or work with clay at One with the Clay.

Festival, anyone? A highlight for this weekend is Discover Pinkster!  which replicates colonial-era celebrations of African culture with a rich agenda of dancing, drumming, cuisine and more. Also this weekend--the Second Annual Kite Day and Lightscapes, the beautiful light-nature art installation, continues this weekend.

Read on for our top weekend picks--many of which are FREE. As always, if something piques your interest, be sure to click through to the event listing for full details. And don't forget to check out our Events Calendar for more events this weekend and beyond!

If you are looking for action-packed adventures, the circus comes to Boston this weekend in the form of the Boston Pops Cirque de la Symphonie -- a show full of musical and physical acrobatics. And its a great weekend for children's literature. On Saturday, take your pick of four special author events celebrating Children's Book Week at independent book stores in Brookline, Cambridge, Dedham, and Medford. Mother and Father Goose both share their favorite stories at the Puppet Showplace Theater this weekend, and the children's classics The Secret Garden and The Jungle Book both come to the stage for theatrical adaptations this weekend. If you want to celebrate our beautiful, fragile planet, head on down to Earth Fest at the Hatch Shell or check out Endangered Species Day at Franklin Park Zoo or Stone Zoo. And we wouldn't be  Mommy Poppins Boston if we missed this opportunity to say "Let's Go Fly a Kite" at the Franklin Park Kite and Bike Festival.

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

• Farmer's Market Season is upon us--see how to make the most of the markets' educational possibilities.
• Tara helps navigate all the amazing possibilities offered by the Highland Street Foundation's Free Fun Fridays.
• Anna shares her recipe for Lemon Curd as part of our Wee Work series. To get Wee Work in your inbox, click here.

As always, have a great weekend! With a calendar full of events, I'm sure you'll find something fun to do.

This is getting serious, guys. This is our last weekend before Memorial Day. You know what Memorial Day means? The beginning of summer. (Not in a solstice kind of way, but in an unofficial start to the season way, and a bunch of free outdoor concert and movie series are starting up and I think maybe you can wear white again way.)

But it doesn't feel like summer or anything; nope, no sweltering temps here. Denial may be a river in Egypt, but who needs rivers when we've got the beach, the waves, and delightful sea creatures? Sure, the mercury may be rising so high it'll knock you into the Renaissance era... twice... but we can enjoy it while breakfasting with gibbons and snacking on strawberries. Yes, you may get to the rink and find the ice has melted, but no worries, you can go roller skating!

Then, of course, there's no better way to get your mind off your own steamin' pile o' troubles than to help others. Luckily this is Big Sunday Weekend, so there are projects all around that need your special touch to get them done.

Keep reading for the hottest activities to be found this weekend...

Ever since I learned that a doughnut has less fat and fewer calories than a muffin (as long as they stick to one), my kids have had an easier time convincing me to buy them these treats. And since Dunkin' Donuts, Krispy Kreme and a few other treat spots will be handing out FREE doughnuts this Friday, June 6 in honor of National Doughnut Day (no, I am not making that up), I'm sure we'll be indulging in a few.

But while the rest of America may run on Dunkin', in NYC we don't have to settle for mass-produced doughnuts. There are many local spots that serve delicious homemade doughnuts in a variety of exotic flavors. While we'll let the foodies argue about which NYC doughnut shops are truly the best, we've highlighted seven of our favorites. Read on for our picks and the scoop on how to snag your FREE doughnuts on Friday, June 6.

Every time we visit Point Pleasant, our favorite summer destination, my kids declare that they will throw their next birthday party in the amusement area (sorry October girls!). Lucky for summer celebrators, New Jersey’s amusement parks provide the backdrop for an unforgettable, warm-weather birthday bash, with rides, games and fun. With so much built-in activity, party hosts can sit back and enjoy the ride without worrying about details. Most outdoor theme parks offer party packages from Memorial through Labor Day and require a backup rain date. Have a thrilling birthday celebration at these great New Jersey amusement parks. And for more fantastic party ideas, check out Mommy Poppins NJ's Birthday Party Guide.