It happens every year. I whine and moan about the end of summer, and the incomprehensibly early start of school. Finally Labor Day comes and even I have to admit, it’s time for Back to School. And then I realize: no one in my house is in school yet. We're still at the pre-school phase. September, Shmeptember, it's all the same to us. Yay, problem solved. But then this year I realized, this is our last year pre school.  Our last chance to enjoy weekday activities (free museum days! Kids clubs at the malls!)  Time is ticking on free entry to museums and theme parks and the Metro. 

It’s not just about getting in free, it’s also about buying into the magic. Right now, my child truly believes that costumed character in front of her is the same animated friend she loves on TV. And this month alone I can take her to see the Octonauts, Doc McStuffins,  the Wiggles, and for the pièce de résistance Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Sofia the First in one show. (Seriously, if you’re bucking for Mommy of the Year, get your kids tickets to this one.)

Lucky you, no matter how old your kid is, you can still enter to win awesome back-to-school bootie in our Swagapalooza Giveaway. A few of the drawings have closed already (you snooze, you lose) but there’s still plenty of time to enter for a Target gift card, a Motorola MBP26 Baby Monitor and a $250 Sears Optical Gift Certificate, to name a few.

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for the weekend…

It may be difficult to believe, but it’s the first weekend of (unofficial) fall, and with a beautiful weekend on tap, Boston offers kids and families plenty of festivals and other outdoor activities to enjoy, events like the Cambridge Carnival International, Boston Charter Day Celebration, Verrill Farm’s Barbecue & Farm Day, the Natick Food Truck Festival, and more. Our best bets for the weekend are below, and you can check our Event Calendar for lots of other options.

This is also the first good weekend for picking apples; check out some of our suggested orchards in the area (plus some recipes for using all those apples). And while most “big” kids are focused on the new school year, if you’re feeling like you need a little structure in your days with the younger set, we’ve rounded up a few nice playgroups for tiny tots. Working on the after-school schedule? Quite a few of our favorite local kindie musicians are also amazing teachers - check these music classes out.

Finally, our big back-to-school giveaway continues through September 15. Enter to win a slew of incredible prizes like Schwinn kids' bikes, a Disney Junior package, a $50 Target gift card, $250 to spend at Sears Optical and more. Each prize has a separate entry form and ends on a different date, so start clicking!

It's the final countdown! NYC public school students are headed back to school on Monday so this truly is the last weekend of summer break. Both days are jam-packed with FREE annual events we look forward to every year like the West Side County Fair in Riverside Park South, Arthur Avenue’s Ferragosto in the Bronx and the NYC Honey Fest on Rockaway Beach. Plus there are mutlicultural celebrations in honor of the Jewish New Year and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.

As we head into fall, there's a whole new crop of seasonal fun like apple picking near NYC and our big back-to-school giveaway, which continues through September 15. Enter to win a slew of incredible prizes like Schwinn kids' bikes, a Disney Junior package, a $50 Target gift card, $250 to spend at Sears Optical and more. Each prize has a separate entry form, so start clicking!

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar. And if you're looking to plan out your entire month, check out the latest edition of our NYC Go List, which highlights the absolute best things to do with kids throughout September. With annual favorites coming up like Maker Faire at the New York Hall of Science, the Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park and the Dumbo Arts Festival, it's truly a banner month, so make sure you have your calendar handy.

Summer is winding down and many kids head back to school on Monday but the weather is gorgeous and there are great ways to squeeze in lots of outdoor fun while its still warm out. Friday Mamaroneck Shares hosts their final block party in the summer long series. Saturday there's the annual Yonkers Riverfest or Take Me to the River Music and Art Fest in Hastings-on-Hudson. Sunday the weekend long White Plains Jazz Fest comes to a close with the White Plains International Food & Jazz Festival and Greenburgh Nature Center is hosting their Harvest Party.

Read on for our top weekend picks for families in Westchester. If you see something that piques your interest, be sure to click through to the listing for full details. And be sure to check our Event Calendar for more events happening this weekend and beyond. 

This weekend, it's festivals galore on Long Island, many of which are featured on our September Go List. Check out the East Northport Annual Festival, the Grande Festa Italiana, and the Fiddle And Folk Fest. Theatre Three in Port Jefferson has a spellbinding evening on tap as The Amazing Kreskin hits the stage. In the mood for one last dose of summer fun? Then head out to the East End and check out the Shelter Island Beach Blast. As always, check our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family.

Our Back to School Swagapalooza Giveaway is in full swing. We have some amazing prizes up for grabs. Brand new bikes, a year's supply of school uniforms and vitamins, backpacks, books, gift cards, and school supplies. Pay attention though, as each giveaway ends on a different date. Good luck!

Now that school is back in full swing and kids are adjusting to their new schedules, homework, and teachers, it's also time to search for after school programs. From tutoring centers to educational classes, there are many options available for additional enrichment. Children sharpen their skills while engaging in fun and interactive activities. Read on for our picks for after school classes and activities. For additional suggestions, see our Classes and Activities Guide for Long Island Kids.

Even though school is in full swing for most of us, the weather is still balmy, so why not enjoy just a little more outdoor fun? Check out beautiful butterflies at Pyramid Mountain’s Monarch Festival or learn all about planes and helicopters at the Aviation Museum’s Open Cockpit Day. Or get into the autumn spirit with a day of apple picking and hay rides at Alstede Farms. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

When our children were born, my husband and I diligently opened college savings accounts on their behalf (if you haven’t done, so I recommend checking out the CHET college savings plans).  We realized that we would one day be faced with whopping education bills.  We did not realize, however, that those whopping bills would start coming in PRE-SCHOOL!!!!  Yes, as many of you know, pre-school these days ain’t cheap.  There are, however, options to consider as you debate the merits and expenses of pre-schools in Fairfield County.