Summer is upon us, and the farmers’ markets in Boston and surrounding communities are truly in full swing. There’s something about the markets opening in June: They have a festival-like atmosphere, with friends catching up, colorful foods and plants everywhere, music, activities for kids, and delightful treats fit for any kind of summer celebration.

Read on for the 411 on five of our favorite markets, plus a secret or two to make your family’s market shopping experience even more fun.

Our month-long focus on Riverdale and the surrounding neighborhoods continues with a look at family-friendly restaurants in the area. While Riverdale is not exactly known as a foodie hot spot (unless you love pubs), there are some great places to eat with kids in tow. From Jewish deli staples like matzoh ball soup and stuffed cabbage to perfectly prepared burgers to the best carrot cake in New York City, here are our top spots for families to eat in Riverdale.

It's all about you this weekend, Dad!  Time to roll out the red carpet because NJ has events that will put a smile on every fathers' face, be it a touch-a-truck fundraiser, airplane expo, Harbor festival or a day at the aquarium, or watching a historic baseball game in Hoboken. Or you can always pick another Father's Day event from our Mommy Poppins NJ article here. Read on for our top picks and remember you can find a listing of all NJ activities for kids in our Event Calendar.

With schools wrapping up their half days and blowing out the candles on those combo summertime birthday parties, we decided to keep the news short and sweet. Enjoy the start of summer break by cooing at a pair of baby lemurs, getting creative in the recently extended MoMA Material Lab, waiting in line so your kids can audition for a brand-new Broadway musical, and cheering (or booing, depending on your point of view) the war on junk food, which seems to be coming from all sides these days, not just Bloomberg.

With summer fast approaching, it's time to make plans for fun family trips and days out!  Or maybe the kids are asking for a day camp. But camp isn't always so affordable... A nice "solution" is to enroll your kids in a few vacation bible schools, informally known as VBSs.

The official start to summer is still ten days away, but this August-like weather has us all stripping down to our bathing suits already. With barbecues, summer camping trips and dips in the lake, the lazy days of summer can throw a wrench into our health routines. Staying safe and smart is sometimes easier said than done. Here are some helpful tips and valuable website links to start your summer out right!

When kids learn about the history of slavery in the United States of America, it is, of course, taught with a great deal of gravitas. But this month, New York City families can experience the jubilation of emancipation at various Juneteenth celebrations that commemorate the abolition of slavery.

A combination of the words June and nineteenth, the holiday of African-American independence dates back to June 19, 1865, when Civil War General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas to claim the state for the Union and make sure the slaves were freed. (This was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, believe it or not.) As of 2012, 41 states including New York recognize the occasion, and families can celebrate Juneteeth at various kid-friendly festivals and gatherings this month.