A haunted ship, a monster mash, a lot of pumpkin beautification and some arias for a famous story about chocolate. Happy Halloween!

Climb Aboard
Spooktacular at the Intrepid
The newly renovated Intrepid will feature a haunted house, pumpkin painting, magic shows, stilt walkers and scarecrows. Free admission for visitors in costume.
When: Sat., 10/31 and Sun., 11/1, 11am-4pm; magic shows at noon and 2pm; free with admission. (Ages 3-12)
Where: The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, 46th St. and 12th Ave., intrepidmuseum.org.

Go
American Museum of Natural History
Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Miffy are just a few of the characters that will be on hand to greet costumed kids as they arrive for the museum’s 14th annual Halloween celebration. Children can wander the halls and go trick-or-treating. The festivities will include live performances, stilt walkers and a master pumpkin carver.
When: Sat., 10/31 from 2pm-5pm; $10. Tickets can be purchased at amnh.org.
Where: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th St.

Do
Monster Mash Fest at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
A Mad Scientist’s Lab, Creepy Crawly Creatures plus Wee Little Monsters (fun, scary stories for the five-and-under set). A costume parade closes down the party each night.
When: Fri., 10/30 and Sat., 10/31 from 5pm-8pm; $10 per person. Recommended - purchase tickets ahead of time at the museum’s admissions desk. (All ages)
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Mark’s Ave. 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

March
The Scholastic Store’s Halloween Costume Parade
Head down to Soho to accompany your little goblin in a parade “around Soho” (about a 1/2 a block). Kids can make goodie bags in preparation for evening trick-or-treating. Storytime features a reading of There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Bat.
When: Sat., 10/31, 3pm; free. (All ages)
Where: The Scholastic Store, 557 B’way (bet. Prince and Spring St.).

Taste
Chocolate Show
For when the trick-or-treating haul simply doesn’t suffice. The KidZone at the 12th Annual Chocolate Show will host the Chocolate Club @ UCF. Members of the University of Central Florida’s club will teach Chocolate 101. Kids can learn how chocolate is made and what the difference is between white, dark and milk chocolate. (Entry to the Chocolate Club requires a small donation to Share Our Strength, a national organization dedicated to ending child hunger.) Also in the zone, check out edible arts ‘n’ crafts and catch a sneak peak of The Golden Ticket, a new opera based on Roald Dahl’s beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Oompa Loompa.
When: Fri., 10/30, noon-8pm; Sat., 10/31, 10am-8pm; Sun., 11/1, 10am-5pm. Advance tix, $28 per adult, available online at ticketmaster.com. Adults, $30 at door, kids under 5 are free, kids 5-12 are free with adult (2 kids per adult with each additional child costing $8).
Where: The Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. chocolateshow.com.

When we commit to live here and raise a family, we pretty much know what we’re signing on for regarding the cost of living- that just about everything will be more expensive (sometimes way more expensive) than in most other parts of the country. And, yet, even we can get sticker shock.

Consider museum admission prices, which at many of the biggies will run you around $20 per adult and $9-$12 per kid, unless you have a membership. (The typical U.S. museum charges $7, and 41% of American museums are free.) Well, tomorrow the Guggenheim will be free. “Guggenheim Free Day” celebrates the golden anniversary of the museum; 50 years ago, the doors of the Frank Lloyd Wright building were opened to the public. So carpe diem and catch the Kandinsky retrospective. Vasily Kandinsky, the Russian-born, abstract art pioneer, is one of the artists most closely associated with the museum. His work has been collected by the Guggenheim since its inception and is said to have “inspired the creation of the building.” The Guggenheim will be hosting an entire day of special activities, including:

Story Circle - Readings of picture books, including I’d Like the Goo-Gen-Heim. (Runs on the hour from 11am-3pm.)

Guggenheim Cookies - At 3pm, the museum will put out 1,000 free “GuggenheimKids” cookies, a sugar rush to reinvigorate kids after they’ve trekked up the museum’s giant spiral.

Just Drop In - Interactive stations throughout the museum where kids can view art and give an artistic response.

Anniversary Eye Tours - Interactive tours conducted by museum educators and offered in five languages.

Harry Winston Jewels - For one day only, HW’s diamond jewelry inspired by the museum will be on display in the Guggenheim Store.

Wed., 10/21, 10am-5:45pm, “Guggenheim Free Day” at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave. at 89th St., 212-423-3500, guggenheim.org.

Kandinsky photo credit: Red Spot II (Krasnoe Pyatno II), 1921. Oil on canvas, 137 x 181 cm, Stadtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich. Copyright 2009 Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris

The butterflies are back in town as is Harold and a certain-colored crayon. The Shake Shack goes Bavarian while an African folktale goes hip-hop. Plus Boo at the Zoo for you.

Go
The Butterfly Conservatory:
Butterflies Alive in Winter
Twelve years ago, The American Museum of Natural History held what was supposed to be a one-time event featuring fluttering members of the Order Lepidoptera. The exhibit proved to be so popular that AMNH has hosted an annual exhibition of live butterflies ever since, explains Hazel Davies, Manager of Living Exhibits at the museum. The Conservatory’s butterflies hail from farms in Florida, Costa Rica, Kenya, Malaysia, Ecuador and Thailand. Because the butterflies typically live only two-three weeks, the museum receives about 500 pupae (AKA replacement butterflies) per week, via DHL and FedEx no less, during the run of the exhibit. They’re released into the vivarium once they emerge. Note: dress (undress) appropriately. It’s 80 degrees inside the vivarium with 75% humidity.
When: Starts Sat. 10/10 and runs through 5/31/10. (Open daily 10am-5:45pm). Time-specific tix for exhibit include general admission: $24 adults, $18 seniors/students, $14 children (2-12). Available online at amnh.org.
Where: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St.

See
Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth
The Hip-Hop Theater Festival brings us a modern adaptation of classic African folklore. The plot: Zomo must perform three tasks before he can receive the ultimate power from The Sky God. Set in NYC, the story leads to the celebration of hip-hop culture.
When: Fri., 10/9 at 3pm; Sat., 10/10 at 3pm; Sun., 10/11 at 1pm. $20 per ticket, available at theatermania.com. (Ages 4 and up)
Where: Ohio Theater, 66 Wooster St., bet. Spring and Broome Sts.

Eat
Shacktoberfest
The Shake Shack is honoring Oktoberfest with specials inspired by the Bavarian festival. Think sausages done Shake Shack style, Apple-Strudel- and German-Chocolate-Cake-flavored Concretes (a super dense custard shake) plus seasonal beers. The Shack’s signature burgers and fries, plus all other items on the regular menu, are also available for your consumption.
When: Now through Sun., 10/11; 11am-11pm. shakeshack.com.
Where: Madison Square Park- SE corner of Mad. Sq. Pk, near Madison Ave & E. 23rd St.
UWS - 366 Columbus Ave. at 77th St.

Do
Boo at the Zoo
For the next four weekends, the Bronx Zoo is going all out for Halloween with the Haunted Safari, mask making from recycled materials, a hay maze, bats and cats, plus more. Kids ages 3-12 who come in a wildlife costume are admitted free with an adult who is paying a full-priced admission.
When: 10/10-10/12, 10/17-10/18, 10/24-10/25 and 10/31-11/1. Check bronxzoo.com for specific activity times.
Where: Bronx Zoo, Fordham Rd. and Bronx River Parkway.

Watch
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
As part of its 2009-2010 Target Family Fun series, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts presents The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon, based on the book series by Crockett Johnson. The Enchantment Theatre Company’s production features life-size puppets, music, masks and magic.
When: Sun., 10/11 at 2pm. Runs approx. 50 minutes. $6 per ticket. Available online at brooklyncenteronline.org or by calling (718) 951-4500. (Ages 5 and up.)
Where: Brooklyn Ctr for the Performing Arts, Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College, 2900 Campus Rd. & Hillel Place (1 block west of “The Junction.”)

Photo credit (Butterfly): AMNH\D.Finnin.

Rock out with They Might Be Giants and a giant whale. Shop for a cause. Check out the latest and greatest in all things baby. Get your dill on. And visit the mother of all street fairs in Brooklyn.

Shop
Moms Shop
Think pink. Shop pink. Divalysscious Moms, along with Cookie Magazine and the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District, launch the 10th Annual Madison Avenue Pink Ribbon Project with Moms Shop in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Children’s stores on Madison, including Cozy Cuts for Kids, Baby CZ and Petit Bateau, will open early and have entertainment for your brood so you can get some power shopping done. Sammie and Tudie, the Funky Divas and Broadway Babies are just a few of the acts lined up. Each participating retailer along the avenue will choose a “pink item” from its collection. Ten percent of the proceeds from the pink item sales will be donated to breast cancer organizations.
When: Sat., 10/3, 9am-12pm; free kids’ activities.
Where: Madison Ave. from 57th St. to 87th St., momsshop.com.

Shop (Again)
The Baby Show NYC
Check out the latest in baby products and services at this show which celebrates pregnancy and new motherhood. Visit the show’s nursery design showroom and the stroller test-drive track. Seminars at the show will cover subjects including cord blood banks, doulas, pelvic health and greening for baby.
When: Sat., 10/3 from 11am-7pm and Sun. 10/4 from 10a-6pm. Register online at thebabshownyc.com, $20 for a one-day ticket, $30 for a two-day ticket. $30 for a one-day ticket and $40 for a two-day ticket at the door.
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (bet. 6th and 7th Aves.).

Hear
They Might Be Giants
at The American Museum of Natural History
TMBG at the AMNH. Grammy-winning rockers John Flansburgh and John Linnell perform songs from their latest album, Here Comes Science, as part of the museum’s “Sunday under the Whale” series. What better way to learn about the elements in the periodic table, our solar system and photosynthesis.
When: Sun.10/4, 11am and 2pm. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Lines will begin forming in the Hall of Biodiversity starting at 10:15 for the morning show and at 1:30 for the afternoon performance. Free with the price of museum admission.
Where: Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., 212-769-5100, amnh.org.

Taste
Ninth Annual NYC Pickle Day
Set in the heart of the old Pickle District of the Lower East Side, this festival pays tribute to a quintessential old NY food. Sample pickles from around the world and around the corner. Kids can partake in pickle arts and crafts, face painting and more. Exhibits and illustrations detail the science of pickling.
When: Sun., 10/4, 11am-4:30pm; free.
Where: Parking lot on Broome St. bet. Essex and Ludlow, nyfoodmuseum.org.

Do
35th Annual Atlantic Antic Street Festival
When it comes to music and food choices, you’ll have a lot on Atlantic Avenue this Sunday. Ten live musical stages will feature everything from rock and R&B to kids’ music and belly-dancing. Treats from around the globe, including baklava and funnel cake, plus all of your favorite street fair fare will be on offer. Face painting, pony and inflatable rides are also part of the day’s festivities running through the heart of brownstone Brooklyn.
When: Sun., 10/4, 10am-6pm; free.
Where: Atlantic Ave. from Hicks St. in Brooklyn Heights to Fourth Ave. in Boerum Hill, atlanticave.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

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.