Today's post is what many area parents have been waiting for —it includes a couple great free activities for teens!

Tonight kids 8 and over are invited to the Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti) to make a Mardi Gras Float. From 7-8 p.m., kids and teens can celebrate Mardi Gras in style, creating their own parade float and eating paczkis. Pre-registration is required though, so call the library now at 734-482-4110 ext. 1340.

Does your child excel at creative writing, or maybe they want to work on it a bit more? Possibly you just want to get your teen some one-on-one attention for their writing skills for future success... Whatever the reason, on Tuesdays frp, 5:30-6:30 p.m. through May, teens can participate in a free creative writing class workshop at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti). Teens meet with Katie Jones of 826michigan weekly. Each session begins with a writing warm up, then teens share, edit and improve their creative writing. For more information and details, call 482-4110 ext. 1390.

For teens who have begun the college selection process don't miss the College Admissions Strategies at the Ann Arbor District Library (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor) on Wednesday March 9 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. This extremely popular program has returned yet again to help teens understand the three important pieces of the college selection and application process. For more information on this event, call the Youth Department at 327-8301 or visit AADL's website.

Tammy Mayrend is a Ann Arbor search marketing professional and mother of two who blogs on low-cost local activities, events, and Ann Arbor area freebies for families at annarbormom.com.