My son is mad about Minecraft, the video game that lets players break apart virtual blocks and use the cubes to build anything they can imagine. While normally I am a bit of a screen-time stickler, I don't mind him playing Minecraft. Unlike some other popular video games, it isn't gory or even realistic (the graphics are intentionally crude), and it's about creating not winning or losing.

Minecraft came out in 2011 and quickly became an obsession for many kids (and adults too—my husband plays all the time!). But as addictive video games go, it's pretty enriching. You need to read and use math to build these intricate virtual worlds, and collaborating with other players online encourages cooperation, teamwork and community. There are so many educational aspects to Minecraft that some teachers are using it in their classrooms.

While our suburban neighbors have lots of organized Minecraft clubs where kids can play together, surprisingly, there isn't a lot of that in NYC. But a few places are starting to host Minecraft events for kids like Brooklyn maker space Pixel Academy, Staten Island MakerSpace and RoboFun on the Upper West Side. We've got the scoop on where NYC kids can play Minecraft (besides your living room) and tips for forming your own Minecraft club.

In this edition of our biweekly links roundup, we've got the scoop on a brilliant new service aimed at the parents of Lego-obsessed kids, a new high-tech way to apply to kindergarten, the extension of a super-popular family attraction and why audiences will be leaving their iPads on at Disney's rerelease of The Little Mermaid. Plus, some improvements are coming to the South Street Seaport and Randall's Island, and why New York City's latest No. 1 status isn't a compliment.

There's nothing better than letting kids run around and burn off some energy on a beautiful day. The Hamptons and North Fork offer great parks and beaches for nature hikes, but sometimes kids just want to climb, seesaw, and swing. Most towns on the East End have a playground tucked away along Main Street's local parks or beaches. Here's a list of some of the best recreational areas in the Hamptons and North Fork.

Each year, two of our favorite local theaters - the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline and the Regent Theatre in Arlington - host special Saturday and Sunday morning shows just for families. The series, geared primarily to kids ages three to 10, run most weekends from October through April.

Many of the offerings are concerts, but there are also films, children's entertainers and dance performances. While there are a lot of well-known, local names on the rosters this season, there’s enough variety to keep families entertained throughout the season. Both theaters recommend purchasing tickets in advance, although you can try your luck at the door. Read on for details.

We continue our month-long focus on the East Village with a look at the best places to shop with kids in the neighborhood. While there are certainly some wonderful independent children's boutiques and toy stores in the area, including geek emporium Toy Tokyo and one of our favorite kids' consignment spots, Jane's Exchange, there are also "grown-up" shops that are fun for families to explore like punk mecca Trash and Vaudeville and gift bazaars Pink Olive and Random Accessories. Bonus: A few of our East Village kids' shopping picks feature play areas where children can romp while parents browse. Here are our top 14 places to shop with children in the East Village.

I wasn't into sports as a kid. However, as a parent, I see a lot of value in having my kids participate in organized sports. As a result, I have spent many hours washing uniforms, sitting through practices, juggling schedules, and watching my kids’ games. I’ve even coached their soccer and t-ball teams. Because I want my children and their teammates to get the most out of their sports-playing experiences, I’ve tried to learn a few things about being a good spectator over the years. It hasn’t been easy (I am ûber-competitive and can be very intense when it comes to my kids), but I do have some tips to share. This is my list of do’s and don’ts for watching kids’ sports. Feel free to pass it along to other parents, grandparents, and coaches, too.