5 Suffolk County Libraries with Fun, Free Family Events This Summer!

Some of the best fun and free events this summer are being held in your own backyard at your local library. Library calendars are jam-packed with both fun and educational programs that cater to a wide variety of kid's interests from animals and outer space to American Girl and LEGOs. We've rounded up five Suffolk County libraries that not only offer wonderful programming to their own patrons but also generously open their doors to neighbors all over the Island for some very special free events. Also check out Great Free Fun at Long Island's Libraries and The Best Long Island Libraries.

Best Apps to Prevent "Summer Slide" for NJ Kids

Looking for summer educational fun in New Jersey or while traveling this summer? There is an app for that! Besides Summer Reading, another way to prevent the “Summer Slide” is educational apps. I try limiting the amount of time my children spend on devices in the summer, but rainy days, killing time in doctor waiting rooms, and long car rides are great opportunities to review core math and language arts skills.

This Week: Free Things to Do All Summer, 4th of July Fireworks, Festivals, Summer Camp Giveaway

We've had a really explosive week. Not only did summer break arrive, we also rounded up spectacular fireworks displays— in New York City and beyond. Although Macy's spectacular takes place on the Fourth of July, many towns in New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island celebrate Independence Day this weekend with their own awesome fireworks shows. If you're out of town over the holiday, don't worry: We've also rounded up free fireworks displays throughout the summer so you can still get a bang for no bucks.

Speaking of no-cost fun, we also posted a list of 100 free things to do this summer so you can have a fun-filled but budget conscious staycation. If you're looking for vacation inspiration, try browsing our Travel site. We just shared a slide show of our trip to Beaches Negril Jamaica, an all-inclusive Caribbean resort.

Here's what else we shared this week on our NYC site.

Free and Fun Things to Do With Kids in CT This Weekend: Parades, Vintage Baseball and Sand Jam

There’s nothing that kicks off the start of summer like a good Independence Day celebration. July 4th is a Wednesday this year, so the festivities begin this weekend and run all the way through to next weekend. I love a good fireworks show, but my favorite thing to do as those rockets blast off is to look down at the awestruck faces of my children as they light up with each burst of color. Check out our list of Firework Celebrations in CT or our specific links for  Fairfield County and Hartford County displays that are sure to dazzle your entire family.

Things to Do with Kids in Boston: Boston Harborfest, Fourth of July and More, June 30-July 4

Fourth of July activities overtake the city this week, as Boston Harborfest celebrations run from June 28-July 4. The War of 1812 Bicentennial is also underway, bringing visiting ships from around the globe to Boston Harbor on June 30 that are available for public viewing this week. Running in conjunction with the Bicentennial is Boston Navy Week, a series of events that includes ship visits, Navy Band concerts, Blue Angels shows, and more.

Boston’s Fireworks on the Esplanade have long set the standard for Fourth of July celebrations across the country, but if the prospect of the crowds seems a bit overwhelming to your family, there are plenty of other options - we’ve rounded up some of our favorites in towns around Boston. And if Harborfest events aren’t enough “history” for you and your family, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum opened this week and is an interactive experience about the events that started the whole Revolution.

Read on for Harborfest highlights and other special happenings this week, and be sure to check our events calendar for more ideas. And thanks to those who are helping build our list of free things to do this summer in Boston with kids - we'd love to hear what else you're planning!

Enjoy, and have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Please visit our Boston Harborfest post for updated information.

"The Magic Treehouse" Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Literary Act of Kindness To NJ Kids

Hard to believe, but it's been twenty years since Jack and Annie first rode their Magic Treehouse to adventure. In this case, it was some dinosaurs before dark, but our young friends have traveled everywhere from outer space to Hawaii to the deck of the Titanic. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the beloved and award-winning book series, author Mary Pope Osborne, recently made a wonderful donation to Newark-area schoolchildren.

Fun & Free Events for LA Kids this Weekend: Mega Take Apart, Levitated Mass and Early Fireworks! June 30-July 1

You can’t blame this weekend for feeling insignificant: it’s being overshadowed by a Wednesday of all things. A Wednesday! Well, in its defense, it is a rather big deal Wednesday. Birth of our country and all that. Fireworks, festivals, parades, Barry Manilow, and more fireworks.  It’s hard for simple weekend to measure up, even if it's got movies under the stars, a super-sized rock and Shakespeare in the park. Maybe a free blowout would help boost its self-esteem. 

But let's keep it real. Independence Day is the main event; you're gonna want to see fireworks. That's why you come to us. Not only do we have well over a dozen fireworks displays listed on our daily events calendar,  we've even compiled them for you in a single handy-dandy post. You're welcome. Guess we've earned that free blowout, too bad it doesn't start until after the 4th...

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for this weekend, and to find out about that free blowout...

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