News: $20 Off-Broadway Tickets, How to Register for Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play, Goodbye to Gus the Polar Bear

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In honor of back-to-school season, our news post this week is organized like the big first day. So read on to see what's on the schedule, including how to register for Nickelodeon’s FREE Worldwide Day of Play in Prospect Park, details about a $20 Off-Broadway ticket deal, where to find school enrollment centers for kids still in need of placements, a thrilling Luna Park reward for good grades, a sad goodbye to one of the Central Park Zoo's most beloved residents, and other news that will give you something to chat about with your fellow parents before that first school bell rings.

Back To School Shopping: The Best Kids Clothing Stores In The Hamptons & North Fork

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Back to school shopping is in full swing. There are outlet malls and big box stores, but nothing beats shopping at small, independent shops for unique clothing for kids. We searched for the top local stores that are filled with popular brands and off-beat options. These stores are perfect for little fashionistas who want to go back to school in style. Read on for our top ten picks for clothing stores for kids in the Hamptons and North Fork. Check out our Back to School Guide for more shopping ideas.

Lockwood in Astoria: A Brand-new Lifestyle Shop with Lots of Cool Stuff for Kids

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While we don't write a ton of posts about shopping in NYC—we're all about things to do, not buy—we do have a soft spot for local ma-and-pa stores for kids. And we get particularly excited when a new one opens up, especially if it's more than just a place to shop and is a true community destination.

That's the case with Lockwood, a brand-new 1300-square-foot shop in Astoria, Queens that's chock-full of designer women and kids' clothing, baby gear, vintage furniture, and unique gifts and knickknacks. The owner, longtime Astoria resident Mackenzi Farquer, calls Lockwood a "lifestyle store" because you can find a little something for every facet of your life at her shop. Plus there's a backyard and basement that will be used for kids' classes, parties and special events.

East Village with Kids: Top 40 Things to Do for Families

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Even though I was raised on the Upper West Side, I feel like I grew up in the East Village. From the day I first turned the Astor Place Cube back in the early '80s, I knew the neighborhood was my kind of place. I loved all the cool street art and performers, funky second-hand and punk-rock shops, old-world eateries, community gardens blooming with flowers and sculptures, and the fact that its scary reputation freaked out my uptight uptown parents.

Like much of New York City, the East Village has undergone a drastic transformation over the past few decades. Today the only thing scary about the area is the never-ending influx of chain stores and NYU students. But you can still find traces of the old neighborhood if you know where to look. Plus new businesses and amenities like the beautifully renovated Tompkins Square Park, and listservs like East Village Parents and Bowery Babes make the nabe decidedly more kid-friendly than it was back in the day.

Throughout September, we'll be highlighting everything the East Village has to offer families. For the purposes of our posts, our boundaries are Broadway to the East River between Houston and 14th Streets. We have lots of posts coming up about the best places to eat, shop and play in the area but we're kicking off our coverage with the top 40 things to do in the East Village with kids.

After School Enrichment in Avon and Farmington

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It’s that time of year again…back to school! Many families have gotten prepped for the return of the school year with clothes shopping, school supplies and backpack shopping. For many families, the end of the school day signals a time to move onto after school enrichment like art, homework help and robotics. We've rounded up some great options in Hartford County, mainly in Avon and Farmington, here in this post.

This Week: Labor Day Weekend, Back-to-school Giveaway, Summer's Last Hurrah

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The beauty of Labor Day is leaving the labor behind—which is exactly what our NYC editor, Raven, has done this week to celebrate the end of summer. Never fear, though: If you're counting on Mommy Poppins to guide you on your own labor-free way this holiday weekend, there are plenty of us left here to shine a light on all that is fun, festive and/or FREE this week, in easy reach of the city. Not only that, we're kicking off back-to-school season with one heck of a bang: $2,000 worth of fabulous prizes in our Back-to-School Swagapalooza! Awesome prizes include two Schwinn kids' bikes, $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronicle Books, a Disney Junior package, a $50 Target gift card, $250 to spend at Sears Optical and oodles more. You enter for each prize separately, so start clicking!

Care to escape the city for, say, Elizabethan England? It's never too late (or at least not until late September); the New York Renaissance Faire is still going strong in Tuxedo Park, including the holiday Monday. Or spend a few corny hours in Sleepy Hollow for Philipsburg Manor's CORNucopia celebration in Westchester. (Speaking of Westchester, our Westchester site is looking to hire a new Events Editor, in case you know just the person.)

If you're headed for the Hamptons this weekend, there's a Pow Wow worth stopping in on, and our New Jersey team has several suggestions for day trips in the Garden State. If you've got a pooch you don't want to leave at home, bring him along for a special doggie day out at the Ocean Oasis Water Park. Connecticut has fairs and festivals popping up all over this holiday weekend, including a life-affirming Labor Day parade in Newtown.

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

Best Back to School Books for Grades Preschool - 7

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The smell of freshly-sharpened pencils and the crunch of a fresh apple -- it's time for school again! There are so many books out there to get your kid in the mood for everyday academia. Kids starting school for the first time may be experiencing excitement peppered with anxiety over separation from parents. First graders may be having trouble with the transition to longer days, new teachers and new friends. Starting a new school year can be tough on kids of any age. Try some books that use humorous storylines and positive ideas to help ease your child's transition into a new year. Check out our list of the best back to school books for your NJ kids preschool - 7 grade.

22 Things to Do With Kids at Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI

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If Boston Common and Central Park got together and had a baby, it would probably look a lot like Roger Williams Park in Providence. A 435 acre urban oasis with ponds, hills, and lots of history, Roger Williams Park (RWP) has the beauty of the Public Garden combined with the kinds of attractions you would find in Central Park. The park is home to a zoo, natural history museum and planetarium, botanical center, year round carousel, fully accessible playground, and Temple to Music. During the warmer months, you could easily spend a full day in the park and still not see everything. If you visit in the winter, complete your day with playtime at the Providence Children's Museum or a culinary adventure at the Culinary Arts Museum. 

No matter the season or weather, there are lots of things to do with kids in Roger Williams Park. Here are 25 ideas for outdoor and indoor family fun:

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