Activities

The words “back to school” have your kids in a tizzy. But September can mean more than homework (for them) and headache (for you).

On Labor Day, head to Fort Greene for a Back to School Bash hosted by the Brooklyn Public Library and Habana Outpost. The lineup includes a DJ, face painting, eco-friendly crafts, readings and a kiddie dance party. And since the event is to encourage literacy, make sure your family signs up for a library card to kick off the school year.

Not to exclude adults, there will also be frozen drinks and Cuban snacks. Parade-goers will be hard pressed to find anything better.

When: Mon. 9/1, 12-5pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Habana Outpost, 757 Fulton St. (at South Portland Ave.), Brooklyn, 718-858-9500.

With all the out-of-town trips this summer, you’ve hardly noticed that the neighborhood is changing.

Dimples Baby popped up among a strip of stores on Avenue U, with a neighborhood-appropriate selection of gear, diaper bags and toys from Netto Collection, Orbit Baby, Jeeto and Boon. Founded by two moms (and what isn’t these days?) the boutique has a special area dedicated to play, with plasma TV and imported toys to occupy the kids while you browse.

Good thing you’ll be staying in town more often.

Open Mon.-Thurs. 10:30am-5:30pm, Fri. 10:30am-1:30pm, Sun. by appointment (closed Sat.). 361 Avenue U, Brooklyn, 718-449-2229, dimplesbaby.com.

You need help, like, now. Maybe you’re pregnant and have no idea what stroller to buy. Perhaps you’re returning to work and overwhelming with finding a nanny.

Stork, a custom baby planning service, is giving the inside scoop in a series of free seminars. Get the 411 on baby gear must-haves, how to hire a nany and the basics of going green. Instead of trial and error or taking advice from friends (who don’t even have kids!) let the experts do the talking.

The first session is tonight: Talk about immediate gratification.

When: Mon. 8/25, 7:30pm; Tues. 8/26, 1pm; Mon. 9/22, 7:30pm. Free; RSVP at 212-353-1947 or info@maternalfitness.com.
Where: Spabebe, 108 East 16th St., 4th floor, storkplan.com.

Your daughter loves tennis primarily for the cute outfits. Mommy loves it primarily for Roger Federer. But this Saturday presents a chance for both of you to focus on your serves and spend quality time on the court.

The annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day opens the U.S. Open tomorrow. Hop a subway to Queens, and hit up the free festival on the grounds where the Open takes place. Catch demos by the biggest names on the court, try new techniques at clinics, test your skill in games, and enjoy standard summer-festival fare like face-painting and hair-braiding (a sure favorite among future Venuses and Serenas). Stars of their caliber are even known to hold court during Kids’ Day, signing autographs and posing for photos.

Later in the afternoon, stick around to watch pros practice, or head inside to catch the giant, televised stadium show. This year’s lineup features tween favorites like Demi Lovato and Menudo (yes, they still exist); it’ll sell out fast, so buy tickets in advance at ticketmaster.com. And the big names in the tennis game will make appearances.

Better bust out your cutest tennis outfit.

When: Sat., 8/23, 9:30am-4pm (activities until 1pm); $10-$20 General Admission, Activities free.
Where: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Grounds, Flushing Meadows, Queens, usopen.org.

Unwilling to have the same pram as the rest of the city’s stroller-pushing pedestrians, you want the latest buggy in babyland.

Maclaren’s Soho store is introducing its newest limited edition line featuring the designs of Mina Perhonen, the house headed by forward-thinking Japanese designer Akira Minagawa. The stroller is based on Maclaren’s popular Quest, and boasts a signature butterfly embellished print in navy and white for boys, and fuchsia and turquoise for girls (inspired by the Perhonen’s Finnish nomenclature).

Get it now, while you still have a leg up on your friends in Fort Lee.

Open Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 12-6pm. 150 Wooster St. (bet. Houston & Prince), 212-677-2700, maclarenbaby.com.

You’ve eaten so much frozen yogurt this summer, you’re thinking about naming your first born Pinkberry.

Switch up your routine with bubble tea. Murray Hill has gotten its fix with Tease, a new shop serving the beloved brew. The menu offers black, green and red teas, and a slew of flavors like taro, strawberry and peach — peppered with giant gummy tapioca “bubbles.”

And you won’t have to trek down to Chinatown to enjoy tea time.

Open Mon.-Fri. 8am-10pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am-10pm. 379 Third Ave. (bet. 27th & 28th), 212-889-8727.

You’re tired of the same old street fair: lukewarm lemonade, cheap silver bracelets and unidentifiable meat on a skewer.

Try something new at the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s 35th Annual Street Festival. Enjoy performances from guest artists and students, shop for local art, snack on uptown treats and finish off the afternoon with face painting.

Plus, your little ballerina will get a boost from seeing dance outside her usual pink tutu realm.

When: Sat. 8/9, 12-7pm; All ages; Free.
Where: West 152nd St. (bet. Amsterdam & St. Nicholas Ave.), 212-690-2800, dancetheatreofharlem.org.

This weekend: Sein, sing or sandbox.

Go
The MoxieSpot
This family-friendly restaurant hosts a disco party for kids and adults to do the hustle, complete with mirror ball and hula skirts.
When: Sat. 7/26, 5:30pm; Free
Where: 81-83 Atlantic Ave. at Hicks St., Brooklyn, 718-923-9710, themoxiespot.com.

Do
Seining
Find out what lives in the waters under the Manhattan Bridge, as experts use a 30-foot seining net to catch fish and other East River creatures.
When: Sat. 7/26, 10am-12pm; Free; Call 718-802-0603 x18 to reserve a spot.
Where: Beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park, brooklynbridgepark.org.

See
Babies & Books
Brooklyn Public Library invites little ones to enjoy books, songs and rhymes.
When: Fri. 7/25, 10am; Up to 18 months; Free.
Where: Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth St., Brooklyn, 718-686-9707.

Hear
StarFish
The five-piece rock band gives kids a low-volume concert experience at CMOM.
When: Sun. 7/27, 2 & 3pm; All Ages; $10.
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., 212-721-1223.

Visit
Sandbox Sing-along
Moey’s Music Party passes out pompoms, maracas and inflatable guitars to jam along to citified children’s tunes.
When: Thurs. 7/24, 11am; Free.
Where: Central Park, East 100th St. Playground, centralparknyc.org.

An influx of fro-yo shops means you’ve got plenty of choices. There’s tart, tangy or creamy; mango or mochi; a two-block stroll or a five-block trek.

But the new 16 Handles offers the most options, with 16 self-serve flavors like mint, mango, peanut butter and pistachio. A buffet of all the usual toppings — fruit, nuts, crushed cookies and sprinkles — is yours for the taking, then your selection is weighed by the ounce.

The verdict? Your cup runneth over.

153 Second Ave., bet. 9th & 10th St., 212-260-4414, 16handles.com.

As curator of your home’s artwork, you’re looking for something inspired — not insipid — for your child’s room.

Check out Charmingwall, a West Village gallery with an online seleciton of enchanted animation. Kid-friendly prints from artists like Dan May, Daria Tessler and Wendy Crabb come on photo-quality paper, and offer a nice alternative to the usual juvenile motifs (here, birds and fairies take a more imaginative turn).

It just might spark a whole new look.

Available at charmingwall.com.