Parents are always searching for family (and budget) friendly activities and places for the kiddies to blow off steam. Play places make for a good time--and so is the great outdoors (when it's warm enough)--but you can also find out-of-the-box fun at your local library. We looked into libraries across Nassau County that have over-the-top children's rooms and extraordinary activities to keep your family engaged and entertained. And don't worry about being silenced by the librarians here!

For other kid-friendly activities, check out our Inside Activity Guide and Long Island Events Calendar.

Children of all ages from toddlers to tweens love getting together with friends for playdates. And you love hosting them—except when the kids complain about being bored (yes, even with all those games and activity kits spilling out of the closet). The next time your child asks to have pals over, consider organizing a simple and fun service project that can be done at home to help people in need. It's a great way to keep the kids entertained while teaching them the importance of giving back to their community—and reminding them of how lucky they are to have a room overflowing with toys!

Whether you connect the project to something personal, like your child's birthday, or highlight a difficult social issue like homelessness, a service-focused playdate is a gentle way to incorporate helping others into your everyday lives. And of course, doing it with friends makes it feel all the more special.

Here's a list of easy projects for all ages that can be done at home, as well as charities that would love to accept your donations. Always remember to include a handmade card—a sweet personal message from a child can brighten anyone's day.

So far this month, we've told you about the best museum exhibits for kids, family theater shows and children's film festivals happening this winter. Now we wrap up our winter culture coverage with a list of the top 12 kids' concerts this season.

It's quite an eclectic roundup for music fans of all ages, even grown-ups. Preschoolers can get their sillies out grooving to interactive kindie rock groups like the Dirty Sock Funtime Band, and David Weinstone and the Music for Aardvarks Band. Older kids can learn about jazz great Dave Brubek and enjoy the offbeat Songs for Unusual Creatures. Meanwhile parents can take a nostalgia trip courtesy of a Rockapella reunion (of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego fame), and Macaulay "Home Alone" Culkin's pizza-themed Velvet Underground cover band (no, I didn't make that up—I only wish I were that creative). Here are a dozen cool concerts to catch with kids this winter.

I went back to work full-time this year after several years of working part-time as a high school teacher, and I spent the first few months feeling pretty inadequate at basically everything. By November, I started to feel a little more on top of things, just in time for cold, cough and stomach bug season. Here are some tips and ideas I wish I'd had back in August. (Note: I consider being a stay-at-home mom of young children full time work, so many of these tips are applicable whether you work in or outside of the home.) You might also want to check out the Poppins Parents profile on recent-blogging-award winner, yogi-extraordinaire Kristin Quinn for some inspiration (!) and tips on juggling work and family.

On the hunt for that perfect piñata for your kids' birthday party? If you've checked the local chain stores, you've probably found the same designs, the same small sizes and large prices, and the same styrofoam construction. If you're looking for something simple and traditional, check the neighborhood Mexican markets first. But if your need is for a black horse or a taxi cab or a specific character for a child's birthday party; for a one-of-a-kind custom piece for a themed event; for a larger piñata that won't open on the fourth whack of the stick, or for a traditional large Mexican star for Cinco de Mayo—then you need to go to one of these independent party stores that specializes in traditional papier maché piñatas.

We continue our month-long focus on New Rochelle with a look at places to play and learn in the area. New Rochelle has lots of options for kids and families including rock climbing and other indoor play spaces, beautiful parks and libraries with fantastic children's programming, cultural events and more. You'll also find bowling, mini golf, an arcade and a go-kart speedway--all under one roof! Read on for our top picks for places to play with kids in New Rochelle.

We like telling you about our favorite towns and all the fun things to do in them, towns like Montclair, Hoboken, and Long Branch. Today, it's Bloomfield, NJ and as the 18th largest township in New Jersey, Bloomfield is a growing, suburban community with plenty of history and even a moment of "Sopranos" celebrity. With its tree lined neighborhoods and historic district, it is less than a half hour from New York City and worth the trip. Here's 15 fun, family-friendly things to do in Bloomfield, NJ.