Take advantage of the beautiful weather and warm breezes while you still can! New Jersey is packed with fun this weekend, so get out there and make some summer family memories. Check out the Peach, Princess & Pirate Party at the Camden Children’s Garden, head to the Butterfly Festival at Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed or squeeze in an educational outing at Morris Museum’s Money Madness event. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

The first day of school has been creeping farther and farther back in recent years, cutting deeper and deeper into summer. For many schools, August is part of the school year now, while other districts still cling to the time-honored "never before Labor Day" approach. All of this can make summer camp complicated to maneuver for some families, while others are knee-deep in homework.

From Glendale's August 12 start date to Torrance’s September 6, don't just assume you know when school starts based on last year! Check our list of start and finish dates for the 2013-2014 school year (and all days off in between) in and around LA County...

Family movies aren't the only big things opening for kids this month (though we are really excited about Planes.... the 3D One Direction flick? Not so much). There are also three tasty kid-centric businesses making their debuts in NYC this month, including a cake pop mecca in Park Slope, a new allergen-friendly treat shop on the Upper West Side and a delicious creperie in Soho. We also bid goodbye to a few old favorites, and look at a few exciting upcoming play projects, Plus, ELA and Math Assessment scores are about to be released and one Queens restaurant is serving up FREE pancakes for kids! (From what we hear, after you see the scores, you may need a carb binge.)

From a very young age, I learned that some of the most rewarding experiences come as a result of doing for other people.  More specifically, giving your time or energy to a project or cause without expecting anything in return.  Since my parents instilled this valuable bit of life knowledge in me at a young age, I wanted to do the same with my kids.  It's paid off for the folks we've helped and for our little family ten-fold.  Not sure where you can donate your time with the kiddos?  There's a few places in need right in Eastern CT. And if you are looking for opportunities in Hartford, Fairfield, or Litchfield Counties we have that covered too.

My kids have visited enough museums in their short lives that they now actually look forward to exploring new exhibits, taking part in scavenger hunts, workshops, guided tours and the like. So when I brought up the idea of learning about art but also staying outside and playing, they were more than game. The good news? Accessible, diverse, entertaining (and mostly free!) exhibits can be found throughout the Boston area, all appropriate for visiting with children.

The beauty of looking at outdoor, public art with kids is that, depending on your child’s mood, you can stop and investigate or just take it in at a glance as you pass by. For insights on making any public art encounter with children a good experience, Mommy Poppins Boston spoke with art expert Wyona Lynch-McWhite, Executive Director of Fruitlands Museum in Harvard. Read on for Lynch-McWhite’s thoughts as well as places in and around Boston where parents can take children for a great public art experience.

When celebrating a child's birthday, or in need of a craft project for a rainy afternoon, a visit to the local, independently-owned toy store is an enjoyable outing. We searched for the best toy stores that carry major brands, as well as classic and wooden toys, unique gifts, and specialty items like kites and miniatures. Read on for our top picks on where to shop for toys in the Hamptons and North Fork. For more shopping fun, check out Top Ten Candy Stores In The Hamptons & North Fork.

Many families move to Long Island for its wonderful amenities, such as ample backyards, beautiful parks, and great schools. So it shouldn't come as any surprise that many cultural resources for kids exist here too. Looking to enroll a budding dancer in a great ballet class? Long Island is home to several schools, which are founded by professional dancers. These schools offer a variety of excellent programs for children of all ages. Here is a list of the most notable schools. And for more classes on Long Island, check out our After-School Programs, Classes and Activities Guide.

Here we are halfway through summer break and I'm finding that my eight-year-old son is getting a little too much screen time. Long rides in the car (or on the subway or bus) to reach far-flung destinations, waiting on lines for various activities and even playdates all inspire him to beg for my iPhone or iPad. And of course when we're at home, the TV, the laptop and the Wii all beckon.

Of course the issue of limiting screen time for kids isn't unique to summer. I'm a stickler about it year-round (even though I admit I check my own email every ten minutes). While the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests school-age children spend no more than two hours a day engaged with "entertainment media"—TV, computers, smartphones and other electronic devices—I try to keep his screen consumption to 30 minutes a day. And usually, I manage to do it without my son devolving into fits. Here are 9 easy-to-implement ideas that will help get your kids—and you!—to turn off all those screens.