As residents of the "hub of the universe," we Bostonians have a lot to be proud of, and Boston kids are just as proud of their city. At a young age, most Boston kids can recite important local historical events from the American Revolution to the Red Sox World Series wins, and have probably hit most of the items on our list of 100 Things to Do in Boston With Kids Before They Grow Up. They love our bustling harbor and sailboat-choked river, and have experienced their share of the arts, culture, and nature of the surrounding areas. Read on to find our fun list of the top 25 skills most of our local kids can claim by their tenth birthdays.

It’s pretty easy for both kids and parents to get swept up with birthday party fever when that special day rolls around each year. And why not? Birthdays are an excuse for gooey cake, fun food, family & friends. But some of these so-called kids’ parties can get out of hand pretty quickly. By the time you book a venue, hire entertainers and maybe even have the food catered, these little get-togethers have turned into over-the-top extravaganzas. I still recall the look on my husband’s face when I told him the cost of hosting an equestrian-themed party complete with pony rides!

A new month is upon us, which means free days at museums and other venues this week. And if it’s Tuesday, it must be time for the free LEGO monthly model build. Eat well and do good with free pancakes at IHOP’s hospital fundraiser. Wash them down with a half priced cup of coffee from Peet’s, available any day after noon through March 11. And while there are several fun things to do listed here, don’t forget to check our event calendar for even more. 

Without a doubt, March is coming in like a lion. Let’s hope it goes out like a lamb! Get through the lion days of March with this week’s warm activities, including meeting baseball great Cal Ripken Jr. at Barnes and Noble and topping off a busy week at iPlay After Dark’s festivities. Enjoy free fun at Bergen County Zoo’s Playtime, Thompson Park’s Pottery Open House and Slimy Seuss Art at the Hazlet Library. And don’t forget to check out our event calendar for even more weekday and weekend events.

March is finally here and we're that much closer to spring. The cold and snow has given many kids a serious case of cabin fever. Until the winter finally says bye bye, we'll have to find ways to keep the kids busy indoors. This week, there's storytime and art at LICM, a Purim Extravaganza, Hula Hoop and more.

Of course, this list is just our top picks--be sure to check out our Long Island Events Calendar regularly as it is always being updated. And to receive this post right into your inbox, sign up for our newsletter, which is now going out twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays).

It looks like March will certainly come in like a lion with yet more snow that has arrived on Sunday. Hopefully these picks for the week will inspire you, whether the days are filled with snow or sun. We only highlight one activity per day in this post, but you can find plenty of other fun options each day in our Event Calendar and March GoList. This week you can enjoy some yoga, cooking, and a crafty story time.  For even more ideas, our Winter Fun and Indoor Play Guide are terrific resources. Editor's Note: Some of these events may be canceled or postponed by the occasionally unpredictable winter weather. Always call the venue first to confirm. Stay warm and safe!

Spring is finally in the air as temperatures start to rise above freezing this week, giving stir-crazy families a much-needed break. There's still plenty of time to enjoy the snow, though. With the warmer air, it might be more enjoyable to take the kids to one of the local sledding and tubing hills. However, hiding out and waiting for spring's true arrival at one of the indoor play spaces in the area is another great option.

To get a head start on planning the month, our March GO List highlights events you won't want to miss, including Free Film Fridays at the Museum of Science starting this Friday.

Special events this week include a free Blizzard Voices concert at Jordan Hall, an ARTfull Play program for preschoolers at the DeCordova, and Raccoon Tales puppet show in Brookline. Read on for our picks of the week, and don't forget to check out the full events calendar!