We can get so caught up in daily city life that we forget to enjoy what’s in our own backyard. Sometimes you just need to play tourist for a day (while foregoing the out-of-towner’s requisite trip to Times Square to dine at some ginormous chain restaurant with picture menus).

First stops: the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. New audio tours created specifically for kids are now available. The Statue of Liberty “guide” is a character named Frances Falcon. Marty the Muskrat helms the Ellis Island tour. These Discovery Audio presentations are geared toward kids ages 6-10. The Lady of Liberty tour is 30 minutes. It explains the statue’s history and its significance as a worldwide symbol of freedom. Meanwhile, Marty the Muskrat’s Ellis Island “dialogue” (both tours are interactive) uses first-hand immigrant accounts to enable young visitors to relive the “new arrival” experience. Tours are offered in nine languages. The rental fee is $8 for adults and slightly less for kids. Each tour includes a “quiz” with fun facts. Speaking of which, pop quiz time. How thick is Lady Liberty’s skin? The depth of a phone book or the height of two stacked pennies?

Hint: As many hard-core New Yorkers know, less is more. And Lady Liberty is no exception.

Visit ellisisland.org.

Visit a museum without spending a penny. Blast off with children’s writer Meghan McCarthy. Or check out The Selfish Giant. Oh, baby, it’s a Wilde world.

Go
Smithsonian magazine’s Annual Museum Day
You can visit hundreds of museums around the country for free on Saturday thanks to Smithsonian magazine. Just go to smithsonianmag.com and download a free admission pass for you and a guest. Local participating museums include: the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, The Jewish Museum, the New York City Fire Museum and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Visit Smithsonian magazine’s site for a full list of participating museums in our area.
When: Sat., 9/26. Check individual museums for times; free.
Where: Participating museums.

Do
New York City Police Museum’s Family Day
The museum is hosting its 5th Annual Family Day. Little ones can pose for pics in a police uniform, meet members of New York’s Finest, sample food from local restaurants and enjoy live performances.
When: Sat., 9/26, 10am-5pm; free.
Where: The New York City Police Museum, 100 Old Slip (bet. Water and South Sts.), 212-480-3100, nycpolicemuseum.org.

Hear
Book reading & signing with Astronaut Handbook’s Meghan McCarthy
The always entertaining Meghan McCarthy will read from her Astronaut Handbook, a non-fiction book detailing the strenuous training four astronaut recruits must endure before being able to blast off. McCarthy’s earlier books include Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse and City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male.
When: Sun., 9/27, 4-5pm; free. RSVP to rsvp@powerhousearena.com.
Where: The powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St., Brooklyn, 718-666-3049.

See
Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant
Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s 1888 fairytale, as well as his life, this Literally Alive Theatre production takes us on a whimsical journey inside the mind of the great Irish playwright, poet and author as he leads us into the tale. The show’s original music has its roots in traditional Irish tunes, which will be performed live by a percussion trio. Prior to each performance is an interactive arts workshop. Families will have the chance to meet the show’s playwright, composer, choreographer and actors.
When: Starting Sat., 9/26 and running through 10/25; workshop at 10am, performance at 11am; an additional 2pm performance this Saturday and 10/3. (No performance on 10/4.) Tickets range from $25-$40 and include the workshop. Tix available at ovationtix.com or call 212-352-3101 or 1-866-811-4111. (Ages 3 and up)
Where: The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St. (bet. West 3rd and Bleecker Sts.).

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Interpid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

An inverse relationship appears to exist between the prices of children’s classes around the city and the state of the economy. It seems as if many of the programs are getting pricier just as your financials are getting dicier. But as New Yorkers - natives and transplants alike - we’re nothing if not resourceful. There are plenty of good-quality, free activities to keep you and Junior entertained. Seek and you shall find.

Chic downtown newcomer Bundle is hosting free monthly children’s book readings and signings. Former Wall Streeter and Bundle boutique owner Allison MacCullough is working with the Society of Illustrators to bring in well-known and talented New Yorkers to share their work. Here’s the line-up, starting with an event this Thursday:

Betsy Lewin - Thu. 9/24 at 4pm. Lewin has been on the New York Times Best-Seller List. She’s a Caldecott Honoree (for Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type) and recipient of numerous awards. Lewin will be reading from her book Thump, Quack, Moo, the latest in the Click, Clack, Moo series.

Edel Rodriguez - Thu. 10/15 at 4pm. Rodriguez will share Sergio Makes a Splash and Sergio Saves the Game. Then he’ll conduct a drawing workshop where he’ll show kids how to draw Sergio. Hey, it’s a chance for your bundle of joy to learn to draw from a guy whose work is held by the Smithsonian.

Randall and Peter de Seve - Thu. 11/12 at 4pm. Artist Peter de Seve has created covers for the New Yorker and been published in nearly every major American magazine. He has also designed characters for animated feature films, including A Bug’s Life and Ice Age. Randall de Seve is the author of the best-selling Toy Boat. The de Seves will read from The Duchess of Whimsy, which will be released later this fall. Stay tuned to see if the husband-wife team behind this book will have the Duchess of Whimsy and the Earl of Norm become an item.

A bonus - attendees will receive a 15% discount at Bundle on reading days. The clothing store carries stylish lines such as Splendid, the vintage-inspired Acoustic as well as Velvet & Tweet at recession-friendly prices.

Bundle, 128 Thompson St., bet. Prince and W. Houston Sts., 212-982-9465, bundlenyc.com.

A big homecoming of sorts on the art scene. Yogis go big in the name of peace. Plus livestock in NYC. Just a typical weekend here.

See
Kandinsky
Few artists are more closely associated with the Guggenheim than the Russian-born Vasily Kandinsky; his art has been collected by the museum since its inception. So it’s fitting that the Guggenheim is mounting an exhibition of the works of this abstract art pioneer to coincide with its 50th anniversary. This exhibit represents the first full-scale retrospective of Kandinsky’s oeuvre in the U.S. since 1985.
When: Opens 9/18 and runs through 1/13/10; museum admission is $18/adults, $15/seniors and students with valid ID and free for kids under 12. The museum has pay-as-you-wish admission set-up on Saturday evenings from 5:45-7:45pm.
Where: Solomon R.Gugenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave. at 89th St., guggenheim.org.

Do
Global Mala - Yoga for Peace
Om Shanti! Karma Kids Yoga is organizing a special children’s area for this event in Battery Park. Participants complete 108 Sun Salutations, or “mala” in Sanskrit. Yogis around the world - think Croatia, Italy and Argentina - will also be doing their 108 SSs. The purpose of the event is to demonstrate how a group can bring peace in unison through yoga.
When: Sun. 9/20, noon-3pm; suggested donation of $20 in advance, $25 the day of. Register at yoga-for-peace.org. (All ages)
When: Battery Park, Center Lawn.

Visit
27th Annual Queens County Farm
Farm in the city. Check out this traditional county fair at the Queens County Farm Museum, which boasts the “largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland” (47 acres) in NYC and is the “only working historical farm in the city.” Carnival rides, hayrides, a petting zoo, Big Apple Circus Variety acts and the Amazing Maize Maze are all part of the festivities. Other activities include competitions in livestock, produce and home crafts.
When: Sat. 9/19 and Sun. 9/20, 10am - 6pm; $7/adults and $4/kids under 12. Additional charges apply for some activities.
Where: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, 718-347-3276, queensfarm.org.
Accessible by subway and bus.

Watch
Peter Pan & Adventures in Never Land
A fresh re-telling of J.M. Barrie’s classic about the boy in green tights and his BFFs at the Swedish Marionette Theatre in Central Park. This version is set in NYC.
When: Through 9/27, Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm (plus performances from 10/6 - 11/8); $8/adults, $5/children, reservations required. Call 212-988-9093.
cityparksfoundation.org.
Where: The Swedish Cottage, Central Park at 79th St. and West Drive just South of the Delacorte Theater.

Photo credit: Vasily Kandinsky, Improvisation 28 (second version) (Improvisation 28 [zweite Fassung]), 1912
Oil on Canvas, 43 7/8 x 63 7/8 inches (111.4 x 162.1 cm)
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, By gift. 37.239

Your iPhone/BlackBerry has gone a long way in streamlining your life. Your MP3 player has helped you organize decades of music, including finding a home for all the songs from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack. But the whole pregnancy thing has thrown you for a loop, and no little piece of technology can help you navigate this strange new world. Time to go low-tech with some face-to-face interaction with live human beings … and a hula hoop.

This Wednesday, The Pregnant New Yorker is hosting an “alternative health event” featuring a panel of experts who will discuss tips for labor and delivery, breastfeeding, prenatal massage and yoga, and acupuncture. Joanna Lindenbaum, the woman behind Soulful Coaching for Busy Women, will be on hand to advise moms-to-be on managing their time and energy in the first few months of life with baby. (There’s no app for that.) And the piece de resistance - a prenatal hula hooping demo. It’s called Pre/Postnatal Hoopnotica Hoopdance and combines hula hooping with dancing. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Long live the 50s … minus the saddle shoes.

When: Wed. 9/16, 6:30-9pm; $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Register at thepregnantnewyorker.com.
Where: Yummy Mummy, 1201 Lexington Ave. (bet. 81st and 82nd Sts.)

The city will be even more alive than usual tonight. Many stores, including those below, will be open until 11pm with special events and activities to celebrate Fashion’s Night Out (FNO). After doing your part to stimulate the local economy, you can spend the weekend learning about the guy who basically put NYC on the map, or check out some of the city’s many Arts offerings for kids.

Baby CZ (FNO)
Carolina Zapf has just opened her first brick and mortar store to showcase her classic clothing lines for babies and children, including the luxury two-ply cashmere apparel for which she’s known. Now you can get in on the act; Zapf has launched a line of cashmere sweaters for women. Tonight, shop the fall collections and register to win a $500 shopping spree. The designer will also be on hand.
820 Madison Ave. (bet. 68th and 69th), 212-288-8030, babycz.com. (6-11pm)

Blue Tree (FNO)
Phoebe Cates’ charming UES boutique will be serving champagne and macaroons as shoppers peruse her eclectic mix of home goods, gifts, toys and kids’ clothing from around the world.
1283 Madison Ave., (bet. 91st and 92nd Sts.) 212-369-2583, bluetreenyc.com. (Open until 11pm)

Destination Maternity (FNO)
Massages, reps from 7 for All Mankind, “Mama Glow” prenatal yoga sessions (6:30pm & 7:30pm) and supermodel Veronica Webb are all part of Fashion’s Night Out at Destination Maternity’s flagship store on Madison. Webb, along with yoga instructor Latham Thomas and DM’s head designer, will take part in a panel on health, beauty and fashion that will be run by Vogue Senior Editor Abigail Walch (8-9pm).
28 E. 57th St. at Madison, 212-588-0220, destinationmaternity.com.(Open until 11pm)

The Upper Breast Side (FNO)
New York’s go-to breastfeeding resource center will have a special sale for one day only. Dessert snacks will be on offer as well as goodie bags, until supplies last. Throughout the evening, lactation consultants and doulas will be mingling with guests.
135 W. 70th St., (bet. B’way and Columbus Aves.), 212-873-2653, upperbreastside.com. (Open until 11pm)

For the weekend, when you’re done giving your plastic a workout or have had it with window shopping …

See
Jemima Puddle Duck
Hudson Vagabond Puppets presents its production of Beatrix Potter’s tale of an absent-minded duck who ventures out to find a place to lay her eggs. What she finds is trouble.
When: Sat. 9/12 at 1pm & 3pm, Sun. 9/13 at 1pm; adults $15, kids $10. Tickets available at theatermania.com.
Where: The West Side YMCA’s Marjorie S. Dean Little Theater at 5 W. 63rd St. Enter on 64th St.

Visit
New Amsterdam Village
See Bowling Green Park done up like a Dutch village. It’s all in the name of celebrating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Henry Hudson when he was working for the Dutch East India Company. Wooden shoe making, glass blowing and a floral workshop are some of the craft activities set up in the village. Sample Dutch cheese, herrring and sirup waffles and check out live performances throughout the week.
When: 11am-7pm daily through 9/14; free. (All ages) Download a schedule of events at ny400.org.
Where: Bowling Green Park.

Do
New Island Festival on Governors Island
Also part of the NY400 events, the New Island Festival celebrates Dutch theater, dance and music. Events include a waterwalk, an archaeological dig,”Flying Piano” performances and a show featuring a cow that jumps through a hoop.
When: Fri. 9/11-Sun. 9/13, 11am-11pm; many of the events are free, but for others you’ll need a pass - $35 for an all-access, one-day “Passport.” For specific event times and directions, visit newislandfestival.com.
Where: Governors Island (free ferry available).

Try
WeBop! Jazz at Lincoln Center
Trial these classes which allow kids to explore jazz through movement, song, storytelling and play.
When: Sat. 9/12 11:30am (4-5 yrs) and 12:30pm (3-5 yrs); free. (Trial classes for younger children are already full.)RSVP to Xenia Rubinos at 212-258-9835.
Where: Louis Armstrong Classroom at the Irene Diamond Education Ctr. in Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, at B’way and 60th.

Create
The Jewish Museum’s Sculptural Honey Vessels Workshop
Craft a one-of-a-kind honey container in preparation for Rosh Hashanah.
When: Sun. 9/13, 12-4pm; free with museum admission. (Ages 4 and up)
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., 212.423.3200, thejewishmuseum.org.

It may be the unofficial end of summer, but lemonade season has gotten an extension in NYC thanks to a new children’s boutique.

Lemonade has just filled one of the numerous vacant storefronts and opened on the UES. The store’s well-edited selection is sure to quench your thirst for stylish but streamlined clothes (that are likely to get some mileage beyond this season) for your DCs. With easy cotton leggings, skirts and two-toned dresses plus floral blouses and knitwear, Lemonade has items suitable for everything from playdates to preschool interviews. Speaking of which, Lemonade owner and mom Maggie Eigen is a former former nursery school teacher. She describes her stock as “not too conservative and not too glitzy” and carries brands including Chase ‘n’ Sky Hawaii, L.A. Made, Hiho Batik and Oeuf. For boys, there’s also Appaman - the “street cred” line inspired by pop culture and named after the designer’s childhood toy ape. And if that sounds too wild for Junior, Lemonade also offers tamer Kule polo shirts and cords. Overall standout items: Kule’s off-white and pink tweed shorts for girls, Oeuf’s dark gray knit dress with black heart pockets, Oeuf’s Bat Boy hat, days of the week barrettes and the burp cloths listing the day’s meals.

Unlike some of the other shops in the nabe, most of Lemonade’s apparel (ages 0-8) and accessories are priced at recession-friendly levels. So even if this economy has given you lemons, you can still make lemonade.

Lemonade, 1038 Lex. Ave. (at 74th St.),212-585-4371.

Got a hankering for this summer favorite? Check out a delicious lemonade recipe at our sister site chow.com.

It may be Labor Day weekend, but there are still a few things to do around the city.

Go
Howl! Kids
Part of the Howl! Festival, the Lower East Side’s annual cultural arts fest, Howl! Kids offers free wall painting and sculpture classes plus various performances, including Taikoza Japanese drumming, Riverdancing and the City Parks Department’s Mobile Puppet Theater Production of Sleeping Beauty. The Downtown Orchestra Chamber will be on hand to introduce kids to instruments used in classical music.
When: Sat. 9/5 and Sun. 9/6; free (all ages). Check howlfestival.com for event times.
Where: Tompkins Square Park, bet. 7th and 10th Streets and Avenues A & B.Eat (and maybe Shop)
American Girl Grandparents’ Day
DD can take her Nana or Grandpa (and AG doll) to American Girl Place and enjoy a special meal. Then browse. So many little shoes, so little time. Commemorative pic included.
When: Sun. 9/6 at 5:30pm; $54 per person (ages 6 and up). RSVP to 1-877-247-5223.
Where: American Girl Place, 609 Fifth Ave. at 49th St., americangirl.com.

Hear
Summer HD Festival: La Boheme and more
The Metropolitan Opera wraps its Summer HD Festival, a 10-night run of productions from its Emmy- and Peabody-Award winning series, Live in HD. Watch opera under the stars. Productions are presented on a gigantic screen outside the opera house. Tonight’s featured production is Peter Grimes. La Boheme will show on Friday, Orfeo ed Euridice on Saturday, Il Trittico on Sunday and Madama Butterfly on Labor Day.
When: Thu. 9/3 - Mon. 9/7, starting nightly bet. 7:45 and 8PM; free. Check metfamilyopera.org for specific times.
Where: Lincoln Center Plaza in front of The Metropolitan Opera House. 2800 seats available.

Do
Raising Citizens: My Dream Job
As part of its Raising Citizens program, The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is hosting its My Dream Job series over Labor Day weekend. Kids and their families have the opportunity to meet NYC professionals and learn about what inspired these featured workers to pursue their chosen careers. A professional clown who has performed with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and firefighters from Station 74 are just a few of the featured guests. Check cmom.org for schedule of other professionals.
When: Fri. 9/4-Mon. 9/7; no cost on Target Free First Friday night. All other days, patrons must pay museum admission. (Ages 5 and up)
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St. (bet. B’way and Amst.), 212-721-1234.

As people summering away from the city head back into town, and kids head back to school, it’s easy to overbook yourself and your family in September. Well, before the calendar in your BlackBerry/iPhone/Filofax accumulates too much print, consider these events:

Biggest Baby Show Ever
A “must” before you have your own urban baby. Big City Moms and Cookie magazine are throwing a baby shower that’s probably twice the size your wedding was. Four-hundred moms-to-be can wine (mocktails!), dine and peruse the latest essentials for a modern parenting lifestyle. Cybex, Bugaboo, Born Free, Giggle and Skip Hop are just a few of the companies that will be represented there. The shower will also feature baby seminars, including one on greening your home and life for baby, and a section highlighting mompreneurs. And just like at the Oscar parties, there will be swag (translation: freebies).
When: Tue. 10/6, 7:30-9:30pm (6:30pm start time for Super Pass holders), $65 for a basic ticket, $85 for a Super Pass (which includes a gift bag as well as the 6:30pm early entrance). Tickets are starting to go, so now’s the perfect time to motivate and purchase one.
Where: The American Girl Place, 609 Fifth Ave. at 49th St. RSVP to events@bigcitymoms.com or call 917-488-8542. For more info., visit bigcitymoms.com.

Citibabes Scarsdale
This chic Soho parenting mecca is opening a location in Westchester. Enjoy two free trial weeks at Citibabes’ Northern outpost from 8/31-9/13 and sample all the club has to offer. Also, Citibabes Scarsdale is hosting a Grand Opening Party on Sat. 9/12. Festivities will include cupcake decorating, face painting, balloon art, live music, a Think Tank Science Room with exploding volcanoes, arts ‘n’ crafts with the Westchester Children’s Museum and complimentary spa treatments.
When: Trial Weeks, 8/31-9/13. For a class schedule and registration, contact kim.proal@citibabes.com. Grand Opening Party, Sat. 9/12, from noon-5pm. RSVP by 9/8 to kim.proal@citibabes.com.
Where: Citibabes, 7 Popham Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583, 1.800.697.0107. citibabes.com.