This year, the festive holiday of Purim begins in the evening of Wednesday, March 23rd, and ends in the evening of Thursday, March 24th. Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia who escaped the wrath of Prime Minister Haman. The holiday honors a brave Queen named Esther, her defiant but dedicated cousin Mordechai, and King Ahasuerus, who protected the Jewish people from Haman. A Purim custom is for children (and adults!) to dress up and disguise themselves—an allusion to the fact that the miracle of Purim was disguised in natural garments.  Below is a list of Purim events in New Jersey the whole family can attend. Have fun dressing up and don't forget to pick up some hamantaschen!

For parents’ of kids with special-needs, sometimes it helps to know you’re not alone and to talk to someone else who gets it. But finding support from parents who know what you’re going through can fall to the bottom of a long to-do list. We’ve gathered some of the best support resources—both online and in-person—for parents of New York City kids with special needs.

Flashing lights, energizing music, giggles galore, and beloved characters that defy generational boundaries – this pretty much sums up the Sesame Street Live! Let’s Dance show, a high-energy experience that has children and adults alike dancing in their seats.

West Hartford is home to many child-friendly attractions, such as The New Children’s Museum, Westmoor Park, and Veterans Memorial Skating Rink. In the bustle of outstanding libraries, beautiful parks, and delightful eateries, it is easy to overlook a very special destination: Noah Webster House, the childhood home of one of America’s most influential personalities.

Long Island families can celebrate Purim at one of these fun-filled events. There will be costumes, songs, games and hamantaschen. And for other activities in the area, be sure to check out our Long Island Events Calendar.

St. Patrick's Day may be officially on March 17, but the festivities span at least a week in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Our Event Calendar is just jigging with family-friendly activities for all ages! From leprechaun crafts and bodhran-making to Celtic music and Irish step dancing, there’s a satisfying array to choose from—not to mention the many St. Patrick’s Day parades of all sizes.

Below we've rounded up our top 10 picks (excluding parades) to help you hone in on how best to celebrate your Irish heritage (or just pretend you're in the tribe). Added bonus? Most of these are FREE!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

All parents are busy, but there’s something about parenting in New York City that makes things feel even more hectic. Luckily, there are plenty of city-founded family-friendly services here to take some of the load off from an online baby gear subscription service to a class sampling "passport" to a family meal-delivery service.

We’ve rounded up five newcomers, all founded here in NYC, to help you to start crossing things off your to-do list now. 

Have you ever dreamed about enjoying a hot cup of coffee while the kids were engulfed in creative play? You know, a cup that you don’t have to reheat 3 times? Get caffeinated while the kids burn energy at Giggles, a brand new indoor activity center in Cranford, NJ that offers both a multi-faceted play arena for little ones and an adjacent coffee bar for grownups. The cafe’s seating is in direct view of the enclosed play area, allowing kids up to age 6 to run free while adults chill out. Open play is pay-as-you-go, with no membership fees. Check out why Giggles is an ideal venue for playdates, mom meet-ups, parties or a little sanity break.