For those of you with train-loving kids, an afternoon at Whippany Railway Museum will float their boats (or kick their cabooses, maybe?). We spent Father's Day riding the rails, looking at cool old train stuff in a tiny, wonderfully packed-to-the-gills museum, and generally stepping back in time, sans electronic devices.

Read on for the highlights of our fun day spent in the company of Southern Railway steam locomotive No. 385 and friends.

City kids hadn't even had a chance to dive into the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation's 55 pools before the Parks commissioner graced them with a special announcement: For the first time, many of the city's favorite swimming pools will remain open beyond Labor Day, closing the 2016 season on Sunday, September 11, and giving all New Yorkers an extra week to cool off.

The good news didn't end there, though, in addition to more time to enjoy the city's FREE pools, local beaches will again remain open past the traditional end-of-summer holiday. After last year's first successful extension of the beach season in 2015, the city's public beaches, specifically Rockaway Beach in Queens, Coney Island and Brighton Beaches in Brooklyn, Midland and South Beaches in Staten Island, and Orchard Beach in the Bronx, will also close for the season on September 11.

Mommy Poppins has been covering the best of kids in NYC for just about ten years—and so have our kids, who have grown up helping us review it all. In honor of the 20th anniversary of The New Victory Theater in Times Square, we wanted to pay tribute to a wonderful theater that has been a big part of our kids' lives. Opened in 1995, The New Victory Theater is a non-profit performing arts venue that provides high-quality performances in a stunning theater for kids of all ages—seriously, you'll find shows for your baby and your teen and every age in between—at affordable prices. Its diverse lineup includes circus performances, dance shows, and theater productions from around the world, as well as workshops, camps, and theater engagement activities—and our kids have done it all.

So here's what the theater-going kids (and moms) of Mommy Poppins have to say about the New Victory Theater on its 20th birthday:

Thought there were a lot of FREE family concerts in June? Well, NYC's no-cost kiddie music scene really heats up as summer continues. For July, we've rounded up 14 complimentary concerts for families that are worth the time, energy, and effort. The entertainers range from big names to local bands who reflect the diversity of our city.

Most of these performances take place in NYC's attraction-filled parks, meaning you can make a day out of it. So pack a picnic, stake out a spot, lay down a blanket, and soak up some no-cost culture. You can find more family fun in our jam-packed Summer Guide or our list of 100 Free Things To Do This Summer in NYC.

With the school year at an end, parents are eager to find enriching activities for kids to keep their young minds stimulated over the summer months. If you're worried about couch potato syndrome setting in too soon, consider taking your budding activist or future politician to the new feature exhibit at the U.S. Constitution Center.

Although The BFG isn't as well known as some of Roald Dahl's other books (like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda), it definitely has its share of rabid fans. If your family is among them, you'll be happy to hear that Steven Spielberg is quite faithful to the source material in Disney's new CGI/live-action hybrid, The BFG—though some of the Dahl darkness has been replaced by the director's signature wide-eyed wonder. Even so, for parents of younger children the question is, just how terrifying are those tot-eating giants? We've got the answer (and a photo in case you want to see how your preschoolers react), plus the scoop on whether it's worth splurging for IMAX 3D.

Staten Island, the oft “forgotten” borough of New York City, may not offer the hustle and bustle of that other island, and that works just fine for isle residents. Staten Island has its own rich, vibrant community, and summer is the perfect time to explore it when FREE fun and outdoor activities are on tap for kids in every corner of the borough.

The ferry docks in St. George, home to the Staten Island Yankees, Snug Harbor, Staten Island Museum, and more. Head further inland with the kids to discover gorgeous parks and greenways, community events, beaches, fairs, and parades, as well as destination play spaces, museums, and even NYC's first indoor trampoline park and the city's only indoor skate park—all adding up to a summer full of family-friendly activities.

As a Staten Island resident raising two boys, I love discovering new ways to enjoy the isle with my family. Read on for our top picks for summer fun with kids on Staten Island. And be sure to check out NYC Summer Fun Guide for more summer planning ideas, and the 100 Free Things to Do in NYC This Summer.

Little girls want to grow up to be just like their mommies, right? Whether it's playing dress-up or feeding her baby doll, your adorable mini-me just can't get enough of pretending to be you. So why not invite her to tag along the next time you indulge at the nail salon? We can't think of a better way to put a smile on your princess's face than going out for a real mani/pedi together. Orange County is home to kid-friendly spas from Costa Mesa to Garden Grove, where mothers and daughters can pamper themselves with tandem treatments for their tootsies. We've hunted down some that make a point to cater to their youngest customers; here are our favorites: