As your child becomes a teen, creative birthday party ideas become more of a challenge. You can't satisfy them with balloons, ice cream, and pizza like in the early years. Bringing in the clowns won’t work, and you can forget about face painting and bouncy houses too! So, how do you engage them and create birthday memories? My teen loves the city for her birthdays; she can walk around the fabulous neighborhoods with her friends after the party. So check out these ideas for teen birthday parties in Boston, and find the right celebration for your not-so-easily-impressed teen.

See out our Top Attractions in Boston: Best Things To See and Do with Kids for more ideas on having fun in the city on their special day. And check out our Birthday Party Guide for Boston Kids for cake recipes, fun ways to connect virtually with loved ones, and much more.

There’s more to the month ahead than just Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day: February brings Black History Month, officially observed since 1976, though its roots date to 1926. From a walk on the Black Heritage Trail to a tour of the African Meeting House to tasting fine chocolates at Chocolate Therapy, we've got plenty of suggestions for ways to celebrate and support the dynamic Black-owned businesses and African American historical sites in Boston—not just in February, but all 365 days of the year.

For more great kid-friendly activities and events to celebrate Black History month, browse our Boston events calendar— and don't miss our list of Children's Books to Celebrate Black History Month.

When the weather is mild, it's easy to explore cities north of Boston with walkable downtowns, plenty of activities, and waterfront vistas. For Boston families looking to fill a day enjoying the salty air, the North Shore has a lot to offer. Although summer is over, is the sea still calling? A low-cost destination, walkable towns are particularly attractive for spending a crisp autumn afternoon or a spring day. So take out that baby stroller, grab a few snacks for the kids and some bottled water, and head to one of these historic downtowns. These coastal communities on the North Shore are great to visit on a Saturday or Sunday.

For more adventures with kids, see our lists of fun New England fall day trips, best fall activities in Boston, and great hikes near Boston.