When asked to come up with a list of ten fun things to do during "Screen-Free Week," my first instinct was to come up with suggestions of fun, eclectic outdoor activities (which already abound on Mommy Poppins) that would act as fresh-air substitutes. Then I paused. In our house, screen time doesn't preclude physical, outdoor, or hands-on activities. As computer-savvy parents who take the time to use wonderful resources like this parenting website, we are highly aware of both the dangers and advantages of including some screen time for children. We've read the reports about the effects of too much television on brain development, and we're cognizant of the negative impact of substituting screen time for real human interaction. Sometimes in a two-parent family, there are even discrepancies between what we deem appropriate. It's a quest for balance.

Ugh…over the past six months I've gotten way too practiced in trying to explain tragedy and evil to my kids.  And who am I kidding?  I have no idea why some jerk feels the need to kill and maim hundreds of innocent people as they partake in the festivities at the Boston Marathon.  But while I can’t understand the motivations of those who choose to hurt, I do know what makes me feel better in the face of evil: adding to the goodness in the world through volunteerism.   It seemed a natural assumption for my husband and me that being a part of the “good” could also make our kids feel less scared, more empowered, and more engaged in the world - particularly when events like the Newtown shootings and the Boston Marathon bombing leave them feeling scared and vulnerable.

It’s not always easy to find ways that kids can partake in volunteerism in a meaningful way.  But here are a few that we’ve found:

What happens when Spring Break is not so much a spring-y warm break? Indoor  family fun! This New Jersey family of four decided to venture right over the border to party in the Palisades. Read on after the jump about how we turned a chilly Spring Break day into an adventure in the Palisades region of New York that included an indoor trampoline romp, a 5 story ropes course, a ferris wheel  and a kid-friendly dinner. I would also recommend this day trip for a rainy day!

It's been an incredibly emotional week, from the tragic attacks in Boston to the new ELA Assessments to the gun control craziness. Even though Mommy Poppins' mission is to help families go out and have fun in NYC and beyond, we can't help but acknowledge these concerns since they're weighing on our minds. We suspect you're thinking about them, too.

And yet in stressful times, it's particularly important to find ways to enrich our lives by enjoying ourselves and spending quality time with our kids. Happily, spring is a time of renewal and celebration. There are lots of outdoor festivals, kids' concerts and new family-friendly shows this season. Plus with Earth Day coming up on Monday, there are many ways to honor our planet and give back to nature in NYC, New Jersey and on Long Island.

Since the weather looks iffy this weekend, it may be a good time to explore the new Legoland Discovery Center in Westchester—just make sure you buy your tickets in advance. And if you've already been there, our New Jersey site has a roundup of cool places to play with Legos, besides your kid's room, of course.

Looking ahead to May, our Travel site has a slew of great getaway deals for Mother's Day and beyond that sure beat even the fanciest NYC brunch. And if your child's a movie fan who attended screenings at last month's New York International Children's Film Festival, check out this cool kid critic contest our LA site has going. If your brood saw any of the flicks playing at the Los Angeles Children's Film Festival when they screened in NYC, they can enter the contest, too and get published on the site to boot.

Whatever you end up doing this weekend, even if it's just hanging around the house, we hope you and your kids are able to relax and enjoy each other's company. That's my family's goal! Here's what else we covered in NYC this week:

Monday’s tragedy has hit many Boston communities hard, and it has hardly been business as usual for our Mommy Poppins Boston family this week.

Patriots Day activities started the day in a proud and upbeat way, kids looked forward to their school break, and families made plans for the week ahead. The shock and horror of the afternoon quickly stopped us in our tracks; but just as quickly, we jumped back in, pitching in to help where we could.

In the weeks ahead, there will be many ways to help - we’re donating to the One Fund Boston; we know Boston families are reaching out however they can. And while we’re still in disbelief, we know we have a responsibility to our kids, our city, and ourselves to get back in the race (see Tara's plans to literally get back in), and there’s no better place to do this than right here in Boston.

So read on for some great family activities happening in and around Boston, check out our special Earth Day activities, take inspiration from the Fairy Houses exhibit at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, and take a look at Kristin's roundup of the best places to eat near the Boston Children's Museum, complete with dining tips and her favorite dishes at each!

No matter where your path takes you this weekend, we're sending kind words, hugs, and prayers your way.

Yes, they don't feel great when you step on them in your bare feet, but other than that, who doesn't love LEGOs? From confidence building to fractions, creativity to party-play, to the plain old joy of building something cool, the world of LEGOs continues to grow in popularity.  Based on the famous LEGO brick, these New Jersey activities and classes combine play time with learning. So put on your shoes and head out for fun!

We here at Mommy Poppins are all about mothers, and this weekend, we’re celebrating the biggest mother of them all: Mother Earth. We are blessed to live in a region full of outdoor destinations, many of which host Earth Day festivities. Naturally, we’ve compiled a guide to the best Earth Day celebrations.

What’s more natural than kids and garbage? Earth Day ushers in the season of Sanitation Open Houses. Kids can tour sanitation yards, attend recycling fairs, visit landfills, and even ride in a garbage truck.

Oh, mama, wait til you read what our kid critics have come up with! Check out their reviews of some of the films in the upcoming Los Angeles Children's Film Festival. Be sure to leave comments on your favorites: the critics with the most comments win exciting prizes. (Plus, if you use the links in their reviews to purchase your festival tickets the school of your choice gets a donation!)

And, of course, our thoughts are with the people of Boston and now Waco. We are inspired by the resilience of these communities, and by the courage and strength of those who run towards the disasters to assist others.

Keep reading for our favorite picks for the weekend…

This weekend, get ready for Earth Day with some great events!  Head on over to the Garden of Eve Organic Farm & Market in Riverhead for their Chick-A-Palooza: Backyard Homesteading Festival, where you’ll partake in workshops on chicken-keeping, beekeeping, and gardening, along with farm tours, fiber arts, sheep shearing, and cooking demos.  The Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City is presenting Our Changing World - Earth Day Celebration, where you’ll honor and find out how you can help more than 41,000 plants and animals that are on the brink of extinction.  Celebrate Earth Day at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor where you’ll help create a gigantic group sculpture using recycled materials with artists from the NYC based art collective Free Style Arts Association.  Super Science Focus: Build A Biome To Celebrate Earth Day is taking place at the Maritime Explorium in Port Jefferson, where you can create a habitat of your own using recycled water bottles.  Also on tap: Wacky Wednesday and The Diary of Anne Frank at Theatre Three Productions in Port Jefferson.  As always, check out our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family!