This Week: Amazing Weekend Events for NYC Kids, Easy School Fundraising Ideas, Focus on Carroll Gardens & Cobble Hill

Although we moved our clocks ahead back on Sunday, I still feel like I'm playing catch up (I've even had trouble getting my kid out of bed in the morning). But my daughter and I are loving the longer days, just look at that beautiful shot of Central Park at sunset, our view as we walk home from after-school.

We definitely want to get our energy up for this weekend, which is jam-packed with super-cool things to do including four of our top family event picks for all of March. Personally, we're planning to hit a Purim party, see the opening night of the new kids' musical Peace, Love and Cupcakes and maybe catch The Muppets sing-along at the New York International Children's Film Festival. It's definitely not a weekend to hang around at home!

Researching summer camps is also on our agenda. I whittled our possibilities down to eight (hey, I started at 30) using Mommy Poppins' new-and-improved Camp Directory. All of our regional sites have overhauled Camp Guides as well in case you want to see what kind of summer programs are offered in Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week.

Weekend Fun for Kids in Westchester: St. Patrick's Day Parades, Music, Dance and More, March 15 & 16

It’s all things green this weekend as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You'll find parades in Peekskill, Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown, Buchanan and Eastchester. If parades aren't your thing, head to Westchester Community College for Tomaseen Foley’s Irish Times where folk entertainers charm audiences with laughter, music and dance. A Celtic Concert by the Westchester Harp Ensemble is also being held at the New Rochelle Public Library.

Other St. Patty's Day themed fun includes a Family Hobbit Hike: Looking for Leprechauns--part art outing, part scavenger hunt. Or head to Trailside Nature Museum's In Search of the Color Green

Read on for our top picks for fun this weekend in Westchester. If you see something that piques your interest, click through to the event listing to view full details. Looking for more options? Check out our March Go List which has additional picks for this weekend. Also, be sure to check our Event Calendar for more even more fun happening this weekend and beyond. 

Weekend Fun for Boston Kids - International Pi Day, Purim, St. Patricks Day and More, March 15-16

This weekend is book-ended by the quirky International Pi Day on Friday and St Patrick’s Day on Monday (celebrated in Boston on Sunday with the traditional South Boston Parade, starting at 1pm). In between, we’ve got the Boston Flower Show in Boston, a Maple Sugaring Festival in Ipswich, a book launch in Dedham, Purim carnivals, and plenty of other events and activities for Boston families.

Also this week, our first roundup of 2014 April Vacation Week camps highlights programs that get kids outdoors, exploring nature. These camps also give campers a preview of the traditional summer camp experience. Looking ahead to summer? Be sure to check out our new and improved Camps Directory, offering multiple ways to search for quality camps in and around Boston that your child will love.

Enjoy!

Fun & Free Events St. Patrick's Day Weekend for LA Kids: Purim, Airport Art, and Parades, Mar 15 - 16

Holy Hamantaschen: it's St. Patrick's Day! That doesn't sound quite right... Let me try again. Erin go Purim. Okay, that's even more mixed up. I'm dressing up as Esther for the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and chowing down on corned beef and cabbage for the many Purim Carnivals around town. Now shake your noise maker at that pesky leprechaun, and let's get to partying, because this holiday weekend is two- two - two holidays in one!

Not to mention the imminent approach of spring. Only days away, and well-deserved after the thrashing we received this winter (need I remind you it rained that one time?). The onset of spring means summer can't be far behind. Check out our new 'n' improved Summer Camp Guide, now with minty fresh search features.

As usual, there is plenty of non-holiday-affiliated fun to be had as well. You can check out art at the airport, monsters at the zoo, say farewell to a local favorite, and look at a really big plant. You might even find that pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow.

Read on for our favorite picks for this weekend…

Long Island Kids' Activities March 14, 15 & 16: LEGO Sculptures, St. Patrick's Day Events, Incredible Kid Day and More

With the warmer weather descending upon us and St. Patrick's Day being celebrated across Long Island, it's the perfect opportunity to break free from the snow boots and down jackets and bask in the sunshine. Of course, if you're still waiting for the mercury to rise a bit more, there are plenty of indoor activities for the whole family as well, such as a LEGO sculpture event at the Heckscher Museum of Art or Incredible Kid Day at the Long Island Children's Museum. 

Here's a guide for this weekend's happenings across Long Island. Don't see your event listed here? Add it to our events calendar. And if you don't already receive this post in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter.

Our New Camp Guide & Business Listings with Improved Search & Features

Last fall, we asked our readers to take a short survey and share their thoughts about how to improve our Summer Camp Guide. Overwhelmingly, we heard that you wanted a combination of our editorial recommendations, plus the ability to search listings and find recommendations from other parents.

So we're happy to debut our newly updated Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, now featuring an improved search, parent reviews and star ratings, and other enhancements. Even better: Our overhauled Directory isn't just for camps. We have listings for party places and servicesenriching classesindoor play spaces and special needs services, too.

Read on to find out more or head straight to our Day Camp GuideSleepaway Camp Guide and Directory to browse the listings and leave reviews for your favorite programs.

Our New Camp Guide & Business Listings with Improved Search & Features

Last fall, we asked our readers to take a short survey and share their thoughts about how to improve our Summer Camp Guide. Overwhelmingly, we heard that you wanted a combination of our editorial recommendations, plus the ability to search listings and find recommendations from other parents.

So we're happy to debut our newly updated Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, now featuring an improved search, parent reviews and star ratings, and other enhancements. Even better: Our overhauled Directory isn't just for camps. We have begun bringing you listings for party places and services and enriching classes, too.

Read on to find out more or head straight to our Day Camp Guide and Directory to browse the listings and leave reviews for your favorite programs.

Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: St. Patrick's Day, Purim Parties, Cool Kids' Theater Shows March 15-16

It's a busy season for cool kids culture. Four of our top family event picks for March take place this weekend: the premiere of Vital Children Theatre's new page-to-stage musical Peace, Love and Cupcakes, the 20th anniversary revue by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, the annual Purim carnival at the JCC in Manhattan and the second weekend of screenings at the New York International Children's Film Festival.

And that's not all! Other highlights include family-friendly St. Patrick's Day parades in Brooklyn and the Bronx, additional Purim celebrations at Jewish culture spots throughout Manhattan, a Baby Loves Disco dance party, plus The Queens Courier's FREE Girls World Expo in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where the Mommy Poppins gang will be giving away summer camp sessions.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar.

Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app—now also available for Android—so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

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