Activities

Go
Clifftord’s Heart-y Party
Cuddle up and listen to the Big Red Dog’s favorite Valentine’s Day books, make holiday cards and take a picture with the lovable pup.
When: Sat. 2/11, 3pm; Ages 3+; Free.
Where: The Scholastic Store, 557 Broadway (bet. Prince & Spring), 212-343-6166, scholastic.com.

Visit
J&R Jr.
To celebrate the opening of the kid-centric branch of the electronics mecca (baby gear, toys, classes and other goodies), the store indulges in a two-day extravaganza with live music, magicians, balloon twisters and photo booths. Check the schedule for performances by Laurie Berkner, Dan Zanes, Kidz Bop and others.
When: Sat.-Sun., 2/11-2/12, Free.
Where: 1 Park Row, 2nd floor, jr.com.

See
The Red Balloon
Kids will be mesmerized by a screening of the classic children’s film. Afterward, they’ll make their own valentines in the form of hot-air balloon mobiles.
When: Sat. 2/11, 11am; Ages 4-10; Free.
Where: Poets House, 10 River Terrace, 212-431-7920, poetshouse.org.

Shop
LRD (Little Red Dress)
A Valentine’s date with a baby bump can still be sexy — in time for Tuesday, pick up a festive red wrap dress with zigzag print or a pretty pink sleeveless belted sheath.
Where: Destination Maternity, 575 Madison Ave., destinationmaternity.com.

What’s cuter than a homemade valentine? Your little sweetie is already excited about giving out cards to everyone in class, but she’d like to make a few extra-special goodies for her most loved.

Kids can craft custom gifts for a crush, bestie or doting grandparent in time for the 14th at at Make Meaning’s special holiday sessions. Today and tomorrow, start with picture frame-making using painted hands and fingers, then move on to crafting a sweetheart candle for an eternal flame. Next week, create the perfect cupcake soap and decorate it to your heart’s content. Call to make a reservation, and start debating the merits of “love” vs. “luv.”

When: Tues. & Wed 2/7 & 2/8, Mon. & Tues. 2/13 & 2/14; $40 (RSVP required, no walk-ins, time and location varies).
Where: 329 Columbus Ave. bet. 75th & 76th St., 1501 Third Ave. bet. 84th & 85th St., makemeaning.com.

See
BAMkids Film Festival
The 14th annual fest brings 73 kid-friendly flicks from 26 countries — plus Q&As with filmmakers, music performances, puppet shows and snacks for little cinephiles. Check the schedule for times and age-appropriate picks.
When: Sat.-Sun., 2/4-2/5, $9/Kids, $12/Adults.
Where: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, 718-636-4100, bam.org.

Go
Groundhog Day Celebration
It’s been a mild winter, but when will it end? Staten Island Chuck, the city’s weather-forecasting groundhog, makes his prediction this morning.
When: Thurs. 2/2, 6:30-9am (ceremony 7am); Free.
Where: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, statenislandzoo.org.

Hear
Shine and the Moonbeams
Local kid-lovin’ NYC musicians infuse sweet songs with soul, R&B and rock.
When: Sat. 2/4, 11am; $20/Adults, $13/Kids.
Where: Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St., symphonyspace.org.

Shop
Show Your Lovey
For the month of February, book a one-hour family portrait session at PhotoOp for $100 (regularly $200) — they’ll donate 100-percent of the sitting fee to Baby Buggy, a nonprofit org dedicated to providing baby essentials to families in need. Kids are encouraged to bring their favorite “lovey” to the photo shoot.
When: Through 2/29; $100 sitting fee (additional cost for photos).
Where: PhotoOp, 442 Columbus Ave. at 81st St., 212-362-1911, photoopnyc.com.

Celebrity moms: They’re just like us. After searching for quality, eco-friendly baby products (or sending your assistant, nanny, other assistant, stylist and spiritual healer to do so) you’ve only found detergent that doesn’t really clean and body lotion that smells a little too eco for your taste.

One enterprising Hollywood mama, Jessica Alba, and former Healthy Child Healthy World CEO Christopher Gavigan have gotten together on a collection of safe baby products that actually work. The Honest Company features a range of diapers, wipes, skin care and household cleaners made from natural, non-toxic ingredients, prettily packaged and not-astronomically priced. The monthly delivery service lets you customize necessities (choose from stylish diapers printed with ice cream cones or stars, hand soap, sunscreen, healing balm, body oil and more) sent straight to your door. Sign up a favorite green mom-to-be as a great gift, or test it out with a free trial sample pack.

Or, just tell your assistant to report back.

Visit honest.com.

See
Carnival of the Animals
The Little Orchestra Society presents this special performance where the Lolli-Pops characters put their own twist on the narration of this classic story, while Peter H. Reynolds (best-selling author and illustrator of the Judy Moody books) draws as the orchestra performs. Kids will get a taste of how to both see and hear how music tells a story.
When: Sat.-Sun. 1/28-1/29, Sat. 10 & 11:30am, Sun. 1 & 2:30pm; Ages 3-5; $15-$40.
Where: The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, East 68th St. bet. Park & Lexington, 212-971-9500, littleorchestra.org.

Go
Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration
Celebrate the holiday with performances by gravity-defying acrobats, festive musical ensembles, costumed folk dancers and the lion dance. Kids can learn the traditional techniques of paper cutting, face painting and calligraphy.
When: Sat. 1/28, arts & crafts 1-2:30pm, performances 2:30-4pm.
Where: World Financial Center Winter Garden, 200 Vessy St., artsworldfinancialcenter.com.

Read
Sesame Street Children’s Library
Select titles, including Elmo Says Achoo! and Elmo’s Breakfast Bingo, are now available as ebooks from Random House, focusing on early learning and reading readiness.
Where: randomhouse.com/kids.

Eat
Pampano Botaneria
Date night alert: Check out the sexy new bar and lounge on the first floor of chef Richard Sandoval’s midtown Mexican restaurant. Small plates (ceviche, huaraches, tacos and other bites) and handcrafted Latin cocktails (including an extensive sangria menu) taste even better after the kids have gone to bed.
Where: 209 East 49th St., 212-751-4545, richardsandoval.com.

Forget the Valentine’s Day prefix menus — better to stay home on the 14th and make pink cupcakes and construction paper hearts with the kids. Save the romance for another night.

Instead, celebrate on the 4th, 16th, or 27th — for the entire month of February, The Pierre is offering a special winter romance package that makes the perfect date (over)night. Hire a babysitter and check into a suite, then slip down to the lobby for a few while the romance concierge brings up a Lover’s Trunk for your DH to stealthily select a “surprise” for you — a little La Perla lingerie, Godiva chocolate or perfect Prada little black dress. After you feign shock at his thoughtfulness, head down to the sleek Two E Bar to toast with chocolate cocktails, retire back to your room to order oysters and Tattinger from room service, then in the morning enjoy breakfast at Le Caprice before you’re tossed back to reality.

Now that’s amore.

Rates from $650. Visit tajhotels.com/pierre.

See
The History Mystery
TADA! Youth Theater’s Resident Youth Ensemble presents this musical time-travel adventure. Meet Martin Luther King Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, the Wright Brothers and other notable figures when they were children, and imagine how events from their youth may have shaped their futures. The production stars members of TADA’s Resident Youth Ensemble, ages 8 to 18.
When: Fri. 1/20 through Sun. 2/19 (weekends only); $25/adults, $15/kids.
Where: 15 West 28th St., 2nd floor, tadatheater.com.

VisitCamp Fair Tour
Get a preview of summer fun and meet dozens of camps for kids ages 3 to 17. The Director of Camper Placement of the American Camp Association will be on hand to answer questions and help guide your search.
When: Sat. 1/21, 12-3pm; Free.
Where: St. Jean Baptiste High School, 173 East 75th St. bet. Lexington & 3rd Ave.

Go
Celebrate Chinese New Year
Ring in the year of the dragon as Grace Chang and her dragon Jin Jin light up the stage with puppets, magical illusions, acrobats, miming and storytelling.
When: Sat. 1/21, 1pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, brooklynpubliclibrary.org.

Eat
Kids Food Fest
Help teach little ones about healthy choices through fun activities like silly workouts and music performances — plus of course, family-friendly samples. Check the schedule and pick up advance tickets ($25) for special chef demos like guacamole tacos with Sam Talbot, mango-stuffed French toast with Ellie Krieger, and crepes with David Burke. Or, just bounce kiosk to kiosk through your own balanced plate scavenger hunt.
When: Sat.-Sun., 1/21-1/22, 10am-6pm; Free.
Where: Citi Pond at Bryant Park, kidsfoodfestival.com.

Visit
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at CMOM
Stop by the museum for a day of events: Kids (ages 4 and under; 10am & 1pm) can help make a collage that celebrates NYC’s diversity, plus hear a performance by the world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir (3pm & 4pm).
When: Mon. 1/16; Free with museum admission.
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., 212-721-1223, cmom.org.

Do
Child First Aid & CPR
In this 2-hour class, learn the current A.H.A and Red Cross guidelines of child (ages 1-10) First Aid and CPR.
When: Sat. 1/14, 1pm; $75 (call to register).
Where: Prenatal Yoga Center, 251 West 72nd St., Suite 2F, 212-362-2985, prenatalyogacenter.com.

Go
Let’s Join Hands
Little ones can learn Martin Luther King’s message of friendship and love, explore the differences in various cultures and create a hand wreath to take home.
When: Sat. 1/14 2:30pm, Sun. 1/15 2:30pm, Mon. 1/16 11:3oam; Ages 5 and under.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Brooklyn, 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

See
Circus in a Trunk
Catch a trio of charming clowns, who decide to perform the circus themselves when the original troupe never arrives — even better, they pull out the entire performance out of an antique trunk.
When: Sat. & Sun. through 1/29, 2pm & 4pm; $20.
Where: Canal Park Playhouse, 508 Canal St., 866-811-4111, canalparkplayhouse.com.

Go
35th Annual Three Kings Day Parade
Join El Museo del Barrio’s colorful celebration with camels, music, puppets and dancing in a procession through the streets of El Barrio in East Harlem.
When: Fri. 1/6, 10:30am-12pm; Free.
Where: 106th St. & Madison Ave. to 115th St. & Park Ave., elmuseo.org.

Do
Big Apple Circus
Catch acrobats, jugglers, trapeze flyers, animals and more in the final NYC weekend of Dream Big.
When: Through Sun., 1/8, $15-$95.
Where: Lincoln Center Plaza, bigapplecircus.org.

Hear
The Power of Eight
Hear multicultural music at Carnegie Hall, as musicians, instruments and cultures from around the globe (including Israel, Syria and Jordan) come together to promote peace.
When: Sun. 1/8, 8pm; All ages; $35-$85 (40% off for kids 12 and under).
Where: Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, 154 West 57th St. at 7th Ave., 212-247-7800, listenforlife.org.

Shop
Polarn O. Pyret
The simple Swedish kiddie brand newly launched stateside is discounting its winter wear up to 50 percent off, in stores (UWS and Tribeca) and online.
Where: 200 Chambers St., 428 Columbus Ave., polarnopyretusa.com.

Let’s forget about trying to pass off a diaper bag as a Birkin, briefcase, or anything else. A diaper bag is what it is: a can’t-live-without-it carryall for wipes, bottles, books, pacifiers, snacks, spare onesies and everything else you need to get through a day (or an hour).

Embrace the “I’m with baby” look: Skip Hop’s diaper bag designs have gotten a 2012 makeover from Jonathan Adler, with his happy, graphic signature prints like cool waves, colorful chevron and urban black and white. With features like a strapping system that converts for a shoulder or stroller, and plenty of pockets to hold all the essentials, these bold, groovy bags mean you won’t mind looking like a mommy.

Adler’s next challenge: Retooling the bouncy chair?

Available at giggle.