Although park weather feels like it's still a ways off, it will come eventually, so the city is examining all our playground equipment in an effort to prevent accidents (and lawsuits). Another new city policy: Expect some new public school holidays on the calendar next academic year. Plus, we've got the scoop on a cool volunteering opportunity for teens, a day dedicated to no screen-time, high-school placements for next fall, a big move for a little urban farm and more.

March is an in-between month, with winter winding down but the mild weather of spring still a few weeks away. Luckily, there are plenty of events in NJ to keep families busy as we wait out the last of the snow and cold. St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and the festivities and parades are already starting: head down the shore and check out the Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade or the Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade. For some fun mixed in with learning, drop by Manasquan Reservoir for a slithery Snake Meet & Greet, visit Sesame Street Presents: The Body at Liberty Science Center or sign up to help create the city of Montclair out of LEGOs during the Building Montclair workshop at MAM. For even more weekend fun, check out the full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

It can be hard for someone who lived in Soho as a kid to see the neighborhood clearly now. Mostly we see what it’s not anymore as we think back to the days of abandoned streets, five-floor walk-ups to unfinished lofts, and the artists and art galleries that occupied the area. Today, the heart of Soho has become NYC’s biggest outdoor shopping mall and, especially with the closing of the Scholastic Store, it doesn’t seem like the most kid-friendly corner of the city. However, just as we can look past the shiny new storefronts to see the beautiful old cast-iron facades that sit above them, there are some wonderful experiences for families in this historic neighborhood—if you know where to look.

Throughout March, we'll be writing about the best places for families to visit, shop and eat in Soho and adjacent neighborhoods Little Italy and Hudson Square. For the purposes of our posts, our geographical boundaries are Houston to Canal Streets between the Bowery and the Hudson River. We kick off our coverage with the top 35 things to do in Soho and its surrounding environs.

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.

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.