New Brooklyn Play Space with Babysitting, Free Theater Classes for Kids, Pop-Up Toy Repair, Rubik's Cube & Lego Tables

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Last week we updated our roundup of drop-in indoor play spaces in Brooklyn and would you believe one of our readers just told us about a brand-new one? (One of the many reasons we love our in-the-know fans.) Plus, we've got the scoop on FREE theater classes for kids in Harlem, the return of a pop-up repair place that fixes toys, an app that helps you locate Girl Scout Cookies and a new Greenpoint furniture shop where you can finally buy that Rubik's Cube coffee table you never knew you wanted.

Ice Suncatchers Craft for Kids

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For most of the country this winter seems to be never-ending. If we have to put up with permafrost, we might as well try to get something out of it. Making an icicle sun catcher studded with natural materials is a favorite winter activity for my son. With just a some water,  natural materials, freezing temperatures and a little time, kids can create an unexpected, glistening decoration to brighten up the doldrums of winter inside your home or out in the yard.  It isn't just pretty, this simple project offers some great added benefits.  Searching for the leaves and twigs will force the kids to leave the house and venture outside on a gloomy winter day and waiting for the project to freeze hard is a great way for them to experience delayed gratification. If you don't have freezing temps (lucky) you can also just toss this in the freezer.

BRIC House Party: Free Family Fun the Second Saturday of Every Month in Brooklyn

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There's a new FREE monthly family party in town at Brooklyn's newest culture spot: BRIC House. Last fall, BRIC Arts Media (the nonprofit organization behind annual summer favorite Celebrate Brooklyn!) moved into its cool new Fort Greene digs: a 40,000-square-foot interdisciplinary art and media center featuring a performance space, an art gallery, a public access television studio, a cafe, classrooms and The Stoop, a gathering place for no-cost events. Although most of the programming is aimed at grown-ups, on the second Saturday of every month, BRIC House hosts a FREE afternoon all-ages party. While the theme changes for each edition, there are always a nice variety of hands-on activities like art projects, performance workshops, games and scavenger hunts, and free time for kids to horse around in front of the TV cameras.

My sons and I went to check out the BRIC House Party last month and we all had a blast. It's usually hard to convince my boys (a six-year-old and 19-month-old) to play together because of their age difference. But when the folks at BRIC House say it's an all-ages party, they mean it. We found plenty of fun things we could do as a family.

Best March Plays, Theater and Live Shows for Families in NJ

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I always enjoyed live theatrical performances as a child and am so grateful my parents took the time to take me to various productions—from the circus to community theater. Now, as an adult and a mom, I’m excited to share the power of performance with my daughter—seeing family-friendly shows is a great way for loved ones to bond over the arts. Here’s a list of March 2014 live shows the family can appreciate and enjoy these next few weeks.

WeeWork Kids Craft: Pom Pom Creatures

Submitted by Amelia Eigerman on

There's something about pom poms that just brings out the inner child in all of us.  I have no idea what it is about these balls of fluff, but somehow they can make just about anyone stop, drop, and play.  Little kids (and big ones too!) will love getting to make something so fun basically on their own.  Turning these adorable pom poms into cool creatures that you can play with for ages is just the icing on the cake.  

Purim Parties for NYC Kids: Put on Your Costumes and Make Some Noise in Honor of the Festive Jewish Holiday

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You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Purim. Often called the Jewish Halloween, Purim is a super-fun holiday when kids can do some of their favorite things, like dress up, play games and eat treats.

Inspired by the great biblical tale of Queen Esther, who saved the Jews from annihilation by standing up to her husband's evil adviser Haman, Purim is celebrated by reading the Megillah (Esther's story), noshing on hamantaschen (triangular fruit-filled pastries meant to represent Haman's ears—gruesome but tasty) and rejoicing in a carnival-style atmosphere.

This year, Purim officially begins on the evening of Saturday, March 15 and ends at sundown the next day, but Jewish cultural institutions are marking the holiday both this weekend and next. So get your Halloween costumes out of the back of your closet and get ready to make some noise: Here are the top 10 Purim celebrations for New York City families.

Best Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Planning Advice from NJ Experts

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When a Jewish teenager turns 12 or 13, they’ll sometimes have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. (‘Bar’ for a Jewish boy; ‘Bat’ for a Jewish girl). A Bar or Bat Mitzvah marks the transition from child to one who makes more mature, adult-like decisions.  Thus, in Jewish tradition, a boy or girl who becomes a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is now morally and ethically responsible for his or her decisions and actions. Sometimes, a celebratory party will follow the ceremony and that party is also called a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Five top-notch New Jersey event planners and party experts weigh in on new trends in Bar/Bat Mitzvahs…and ways to keep the whole family stress-free during this exciting time. And for more party ideas and tips, check out our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

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