Manhattan's only outdoor amusement park, Victorian Gardens, is now open for the 2019 season. It's one of those annual summer attractions you think all New York City families know about and go to—until you realize a bunch of your friends have never even heard of it.

Victorian Gardens is especially wonderful for younger children, which is why we included it in our roundup of best theme parks for preschoolers, although elementary schoolers will enjoy themselves, too. The rides are contained in a small, enclosed space so you don't have to worry about kids wandering off (like at Coney Island), and there's little walking between attractions. Most of the rides are gentle (a few have height requirements), and there aren't any teens rushing through the crowd. Plus, you can't beat the location at Wollman Rink in Central Park, just steps from the zoo, Heckscher Playground and the carousel.

School lets out early these days, which means pretty much all the weekends of June count as summer. Summer movie series are already lighting up the Southland night; the beaches are hopping, and the water parks and splash pads are open. If you're ready to kick off summer with the biggest, most once-a-year-ish events happening in June, then read on. We'll continue to send our weekly picks, of course, and we'll keep adding to our Event Calendar daily; but consider yourself on notice for these June favorites—many of which are free!

Summer days mean extra sunlight, lots of time with friends and filling our days with as many engaging and entertaining activities as possible. However, thrifty is in my genes - and being primarily a one income family, is a necessity for us - and while I love to plan full days of fun with my kids, I also love to primarily plan days that don't require opening my wallet often, if at all. To help any other families who may want to save a buck without sacrificing any fun, here's a bucket list of 50 FREE activities we'll be taking advantage of this summer - but make sure to check our event calendar every day for more family-friendly fun around Houston.

Are your kids obsessed with graphic novels? News flash: They're far from alone. If you're a parent of a child in elementary or middle school, you're probably already aware that we're living in a veritable golden age for graphic novels aimed at children, thanks to talented author-illustrators like Raina Telgemeier (of Drama and Smile fame), Kazu Kibuishi (author of the massively popular Amulet series), Cece Bell (author of the Newbery Award-winning El Deafo), and even graphic novel adaptations of classic tales from A Wrinkle in Time to Greek mythology.

If your young reader is interested in creating a graphic novel or illustrated story of their own, there are plenty of classes and camps in NYC designed to encourage young storytellers. "Comic books and visual arts, in general, have become much more understood as viable paths for young people that have talent in visual art," says A.K. Lovelace, a professional illustrator and instructor at the Harlem School of the Arts. Whether your child is just starting out in cartoon Illustration or you have a child preparing their portfolio for high school or contests, here are a few programs to support your budding artist throughout their creative development.

June ushers in summer, Father’s Day, and the end of school, as well as loads of outdoor fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. This month, be on the lookout for cultural celebrations, carnivals, campouts, and music and movies under the stars.

The beloved Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival returns for more inspiring music, environmental activism, food trucks, boating, and amazing activities for kids. On the subject of good causes, the Autism Speaks Westchester/Fairfield Walk continues to serve the community of people on the spectrum with fundraising, consciousness-raising, and camaraderie.

June is a peak time for summer fairs and festivals, among them the annual Ukrainian Heritage Festival, whose added appeal is the cultural immersion. We also love the American Roots Music Festival, a multi-“stage” outdoor performance of feel-good music in a lovely setting. If you’re looking for the Children’s Earth and Water Festival, note that it will not take place in 2019.

These are just a few of our top picks for June—there’s a ton to do! Read on for our favorites for the month and find many more options on our Event Calendar. To stay in the know, sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook! 

This spring may have brought lots of rain, but now we turn our warm sunny thoughts to summer where kids can stay outside and play all day. From strawberry picking, splash pads and splaygrounds, to free outdoor movies and concerts, Mommy Poppins is your go-to for what-to-do in the Philly area this month. 

Headed to the shore? We've got things to do with toddlers, best boardwalks, and best beaches. Looking for day trips to historical places or planning a big trip to celebrate summer vacation? We've got those, too. 

Get started on your June planning with 13 of our Top Picks below, and from everyone here at Mommy Poppins Philadelphia...Welcome, Summer!! 

With its beautiful sandy beaches, activity-filled boardwalk, and delicious kid-friendly restaurants, Cape May is a long-time beach vacation favorite for families. Located at the southern tip of the Jersey Shore, the iconic lighthouse and bayside sunsets provide picture-perfect memories off Exit Zero, while gingerbread-style Victorian houses and horse-drawn carriage rides add to the town's historic charm.

With all the makings of a perfect beach getaway at your fingertips, all you need for a Cape May vacation is a hotel reservation, and The Grand Hotel — an oceanfront hotel with awesome amenities — is a great choice for families. Read on to find our recommendations for the best things to do, best places to eat, and the best spots to stay in Cape May, NJ, and your next family beach vacation could be just a click away.

One of the best things about raising kids in New York City is that a unique cultural experience is usually just a short walk, bus, or train ride away. Most cultural institutions in NYC host special family programming, festivals, workshops and language programs, and NYC's Japan Society, formed in 1907, offers a varied and rich calendar of events for kids, all set against a beautiful backdrop of indoor gardens, including a waterfall.

If you are fascinated by Japanese food, film, and folklore, but short on time or money to travel abroad, the Japan Society is an affordable alternative for the culture-seeking family. During my visit, one Japan Society member and father of two children ages 3 and 4 put it best, “It gets me as close as I can to experiencing Japanese culture without having to go to Japan.”