And... action! As summer kicks off, a familiar annual scene is playing out at locations throughout the Southland: the season of free, nearly free, and gloriously cheap outdoor summer movie series has started rolling. At museums, parks, beaches, and malls, indoors and outdoors, in the early morning and by the light of the moon, families can catch both recent blockbusters and timeless classics for free or close to it. (While free is awesome, we think a dollar is still pretty good!)

Below you can find our comprehensive guide to free (and darn close to it) summer movie screenings and festivals. Click on the event names for more details, including movie titles. And keep checking back, because we'll continue to post more listings as they are announced, throughout the 2017 summer movie season.

If your dream vacation is one where the kids are out of their minds with fun, while you sip piña coladas by your private plunge pool, have I got a place for you. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, gives little ones all the fun of a theme park visit while providing adults with a luxurious, all-inclusive vacation that doesn’t leave you needing another getaway when you get back.

From the best rooms, pools, experiences, and eats, read on for our review of everything you need to know to enjoy your Caribbean family vacation at Nick Resort Punta Cana.

Most children are fascinated by all creatures, whether they are furry, slimy, scaly, or prickly. With their colorful feathers, quirky personalities and ability to fly, birds are especially captivating. My young explorers love to grab their binoculars and pretend to be ornithologists. Of course, just venturing outside in a suburban backyard will lead to a bird sighting or two. But for a more exciting experience, try visiting one of Hartford County's many nature centers, which go the extra mile in welcoming and educating young bird enthusiasts.

Bird-watching is a great hobby for many reasons. Kids get the opportunity to engage in physical activity outdoors (usually for free!), sharpen their observation and listening skills, and increase their patience. It can also inspire other fun activities like making a bird feeder, collecting materials from nature and trying to replicate a nest, or creating art projects. So go ahead: follow the sounds of birdsong and visit one of the following places.

Adding to the long list of summer family fun to be had on Governors Island, visitors will now be able to ice skate with a view of the Statue of Liberty. Opening Saturday, May 26, Mel’s Rink Governors Island, gives New Yorkers the chance to ice skate during the summer months thanks to a synthetic material specifically designed for metal ice skates, offering an “ice-like” feel.

Maybe you and your preschooler have squeezed every last drop of fun from Travel Town or have soldiered through every stroller-friendly hike within driving distance. You're itching for a dose of culture that doesn't include a kiddie museum, stuffed animals, or squeaky toys (not that there's anything wrong with them); but at the same time a real museum seems daunting. Should you brave LA's iconic Getty Museum with the under-five set? Short answer? You definitely should. 

Nothing says summer like a round of mini-golf and honing your putt-putt game is even better when it comes cost-free—so we're pretty excited about the Google Mini Golf pop-up now open in NYC's West Village.

At long last we have reached the very precipice of summer: Memorial Day weekend! I have dug the beach chairs out of the garage, taken the grill out for a test run, and I can't wait to plant my feet in the sand and perhaps even in the Sound. There's all kinds of non-beachy fun to be had this weekend too from fairs and carnivals to animal encounters, special concerts, and more.

Whatever your plans, the significance of Memorial Day should not be forgotten. If you're looking for an educational way to honor the men and women who died in service to our nation, our Event Calendar features many kid-friendly parades and ceremonies, including the Revolutionary War Encampment in Wethersfield, the Decoration Day event at Mystic Seaport, or even the screening of Saving Private Ryan in Bridgeport. To keep up with everything going on in CT, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Wishing you the very best Memorial Day weekend!

Sunny weekends are perfect for family-fun festivals, and New Jersey has a variety this June. Whether your crew loves classic carnival games, art, music, or food, this month's festival lineup has something for everyone.

Little swashbucklers will enjoy National Marina Day, music lovers can dance the day away at Garwood Rocks, and Garden State kids can satisfy their sweet tooth at any one of the many farm-style strawberry fests this month. For carnival games and thrills, don't miss the 31st annual State Fair Meadowlands, and make sure to show Dad some love at several street and shore fairs fitting for Father’s Day.

Read on for 23 fairs and festivals happening throughout NJ in June. And be sure to check out our Event Calendar for even more family happenings this month.