I'll never forget the year I tried to do an ice-skating birthday party on the cheap by taking a bunch of kids to the rink at Bryant Park and then herding them over to a diner afterward for dessert. If I had known we could have a regular ice skating party for less than $350 I probably wouldn't have this nervous tic whenever I hear a Zamboni.

Read on for the real deals on ice skating parties all over New York City. We've even dug up all the hidden fees you might not have calculated so you can truly compare the costs at these seven ice skating rinks.

Beading is a really fun craft activity for kids of all ages and grown ups, too. In fact, it can be a great moms night out. Basic beading doesn't require any skill, but still gets your creative juices flowing as you piece together your own creation from a selection of beads.

We've written about hosting a beading party at home but there are several city spots that will host your party for you, too.

Nothing tops a pancake or waffle like that thick, amber-hued liquid, produced only here in the Northeast—maple syrup. Fortunately for Long Islanders, we don't need to travel to New Hampshire or Vermont to get a firsthand look at the process of converting maple sap into syrup and ultimately sugar. There are farms right here on the island that offer demonstrations and provide samples (yum!).

Lest you harbor a notion that I, as "Mommy Poppins," am some uber-organized, type-A, helicopter mom, let me dispel that myth for you right now with this story about my daughter's 10th birthday party. Yes, double digits, big deal birthday...and the morning of the party, what had I prepared? Nothing.

It was a dark and stormy night when wanderlust got the better of my son's bear Rusty. We were driving home from Northern California, but the bear decided to extend his stay. Grandma was able to recover and return Rusty the next day, and we kept my son's blues at bay by imagining the fluffy rogue’s exploits. (To this day Rusty has never satisfactorily accounted for all of his time away.) This week intrepid bears are offered a similar adventure at the Santa Monica Public Library. Tykes are invited to put on their jammies and bring their teddies down for story time—but when it's time to go, the plush pals stay behind for a sleepover. Kids pick them up the next day, along with a memento of their friends' nocturnal adventures.

Kids with special needs and their families have some fun options this week, from Pretend City’s monthly Family Autism event to Seeds2Sprouts’ Winter Wonderland at the Westside Pavilion to an AMC sensory friendly screening of Ride Along 2 for teens with autism.

But the biggest news? The most expensive grocery store in the “Whole” world is giving away free bags of samples and advice on entertaining at the soon to open Brea store.

Looks like winter has finally arrived, with a vengeance. Once you're thawed out, bring stir-crazy little ones to indoor storytimes this week, which are popping up in all kinds of settings; just make sure to call ahead for early week events to make sure they're still happening! Stop over at Bouncy Booktime at a library, Mommy & Me Storytime at a bookstore, Uptown Story Time at a museum and Alpaca Story Hour at a farm. Tweens and teens get in on the fun this week as well, at Funplex Scout Night and Teen Lock-In. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

As we shovel the snow from the Blizzard of 2016, it is time to focus on the week ahead. Since many Philly families were cooped up inside over the weekend, both parent and child are ready to get out. Thankfully, our Events Calendar can provide many options for the week.

Explore Morris Arboretum's Tu B'Shevat program, make a craft with Chester County Arts Association at Exton Mall's Mommy and Me, enjoy a winter walk at Briar Bush Nature Center's Magic Mornings, or listen to a Book in the Nook at Delaware Museum of Natural History. Be sure to check out indoor play spaces in Philly, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, as they can provide a much-needed escape from home this time of year.

Stay connect to Mommy Poppins Philly on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Enjoy the week ahead!

This week, there's lots going on at many of Long Island's libraries. Learn about groundhogs, get dirty with some sensory crafts and read about dinos. You can also get in touch with nature in Oakdale, as well as enjoy music and stories in Port Washington.

For more, check out our Long Island events calendar. You can also get the best events of the week sent directly to your inbox each week if you sign up for our newsletter.