Outdoor

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.

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.

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.

Happy New Year!

Visit
Happy 2012 at CMOM
Kids can stop by on Saturday to create colorful noise makers and add their wishes to the museum’s mural.
When: Sat. 12/31, 10am-12pm & 1-4pm; All ages; Free with museum admission.
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., 212-721-1223, cmom.org.

See
NYE Fireworks at Prospect Park
It’s not quite as balmy as July, but this special holiday fireworks display includes entertainment and toasty drinks.
When: Sat. 12/31, 11pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza (check the website for best locations), prospectpark.org.

Go
Golden Dragon Acrobats
Cheer on this world-famous Chinese cirque featuring death-defying acrobats, jugglers and contortionists.
When: Through Sat. 12/31, 2pm & 7pm; $32 or 4 for $100.
Where: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Avenue South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, 718-760-0064, queenstheatre.org.

Eat
Family Twilight New Year’s Eve Party
Neely’s Barbecue Parlor hosts an early supper for families to ring in the new year. Toast 2012 with sparkling mocktails, a three-course kids menu, pinata ball drop, cupcake decorating and a kiddie dance floor. For the adults, executive chef Wade Burch is whipping up a menu featuring unique takes on classic Southern dishes.
When: Sat. 12/31, 4pm; $12.95/Kids, $59.95/Adults.
Where: Neely’s, 1125 First Ave., 212-832-1551, neelysbbqparlor.com.

Visit
Santa’s Winter Garden
Head downtown to take a holiday photo with Santa, and meet his reindeer and Elves. Proceeds benefit the Brooke Jackman Foundation.
When: Fri. & Sat. 12/9-12/10 10am-7pm, Sun. 12/11 10am-5pm (Santa breaks from 1-2pm); All ages; $20 and up.
Where: WFC Winter Garden, 200 Vesey St. at West St., artsworldfinancialcenter.com.

Go
New York Family Camp Fair
Start making camp memories now: Check out more than 60 summer programs for ages 3 to 17. Experts from the American Camp Association will be on hand to answer questions and help direct families to the right choice.
When: Sun. 12/11, 12-3pm; Free.
Where: Ethical Culture Fieldston School, 33 Central Park West (bet. 63rd & 64th St.), newyorkfamilycamps.com.

Do
Holiday Extravaganza
Meet in front of the Greenpoint Y for a parade, followed by pancakes, kiddie crafts, and of course, Santa. Stay for an afternoon performance by PS 34 Children’s Choir.
When: Sat. 12/10, 11:30 parade, 12-2 brunch, 2pm chorus; Free.
Where: Greenpoint Y, 99 Messerole Ave. (Manhattan Ave./Lorimer St.), townsquareinc.com.

Hear
Suzi Shelton Band’s Rockin’ Holiday Party
This third annual event features holiday cheer and fun tunes from Suzi and kiddie-rocker friends like Kira Wiley, the Gumdrops and Baze and His Silly Friends. Plus catch the debut of Suzi’s new music video, Tomboy in a Dress.
When: Sun. 12/11, 11:30am; $12 (under 2 free).
Where: The Bell House, 149 7th St., Brooklyn, 718-643-6510, suzishelton.com.

Shop
Love and Care
Holiday gift alert: Stock up on gorgeous art and coffee-table books from publishers PQ Blackwell, Abrams and Chronicle Books at these temporary pop-up book shops with Meatpacking District and South Street Seaport locations. Add themes like interior design, travel, beauty, music and nature to your family’s library — at a discount.
When: Through 12/30, Mon.-Sun. 11am-8pm.
Where: 334 West 14th St. (corner of Ninth Ave. & Hudson) and 12 Fulton St., pqblackwell.com.

‘Tis the season for tree lightings — one of the perks of keeping your fam city-fied — but the insanity of Rockfeller Center is too overwhelming.

For a more manageable option, bundle up your brood and head to Madison Square Park this afternoon for a festive tree-lighting fete. The fun kicks off with the New York Life Singers, with kiddie fave Audra Rox closing out the holiday happening. Gather around the gorgeous 30-foot Fraser Fir all aglow, and snuggle up with a warm treat. The kid-friendly, neighborhood vibe is sure to produce an “I heart NY” moment. (A bit of trivia for young history buffs: Madison Square Park was actually home to America’s first community holiday tree in 1912).

Now that’s a calmer stretch of Fifth Ave.

When: Tues. 12/6, 4:30-6pm; Free.
Where: Madison Square Park, Northern Plaza (enter on 25th St. & 5th Ave.), madisonsquarepark.org.

Visit

Holiday Lighting in Central Park

Families can celebrate the season at this annual event on the northern end of the park. Take a photo with Santa (bring your camera), make holiday crafts and decorate cookies before caroling and of course, the big tree-lighting ceremony at dusk.
When: Sun. 12/4, 4-5:30pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, East 110th St. bet. Lenox & Fifth Ave., 212-860-1370, centralparknyc.org.

Go
Annual Holiday Family Day
Venture up to Pelham for storytelling, crafts, shopping, caroling and photos with Santa. Don’t miss the Christmas trees inspired by children’s holiday stories throughout the house.
When: Sat. 12/3, 10am-1pm; $20 ages 1+ (free for adults and kids under 1).
Where: Bartrow-Pell Mansion Museum, 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, 718-885-1461, bartrowpellmansionmuseum.org.

See
The Reluctant Dragon
Catch this adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1898 English fantasy that tells the tale of a little girl and the poetry-reading creature she befriends.
When: Sat. & Sun. through 12/18, 12:30 & 2:30pm; Ages 3+; $8/Adults, $7/Kids.
Where: Puppetworks, 338 Sixth Ave. at 4th St., Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-965-3391, puppetworks.org.

Shop
REI SoHo
Just in time for ski season, the outdoorsy retailer opens its first Manhattan store this weekend in the Puck Building. Bring your bike or skis for a quick diagnosis at the ground-level bike and ski stop, then check out the three floors of gear and apparel.
When: Opens Fri. 12/2, 10am.
Where: 303 Lafayette St., rei.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

See
Angelina Ballerina, The Very Merry Holiday Musical
See the adorable little mouse twirl her way through saving a special holiday pageant.
When: Sat.-Sun., 11/26-11/27, 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Through 1/2; Ages 3-12; $29.50-$49.50.
Where: McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway at 76th St., 4th floor, angelinaballerinathemusical.com.

Hear
The Mistletones
Get into the spirit with these high-energy, hipster singers and their classic holiday tunes.
When: Fri.-Sun., 11/25-11/27, 1-3pm; Free.
Where: South Street Seaport, partysingers.com.

Visit
Jim Henson & Fantasia
Catch fifteen iconic puppets from Miss Piggy to Kermit the Frog in the exhibit Jim Henson’s Fantastic World (through Jan. 16; guided tours Sat. & Sun. 2pm). Then, stay for a screening of the magical Disney animated film Fantasia.
When: Screening Fri. 1/25 7pm, Sat.-Sun. 1/26-1/27 3pm; Free with museum admission.
Where: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Ave., Astoria, 718-777-6888, movingimage.us.

Go
The Muppets
A childhood favorite, redone in 2011 style. This latest caper is set in sunny LA, as the puppets and their pals (Jason Segal, Amy Adams and others) stage the Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever. Rated PG.
Where: Select theaters, disney.com.go/muppets.

Shop
8moms
Forget the crowds on Black Friday. Sign up for daily deals and discounts, from beauty to organic gifts, on this new mom-centric site.
Where: 8moms.com.

Go
CNET Gotham
Check out the latest tech and gadgets at this pop-up, pre-holiday showcase. Attend special workshops on photo editing, the best apps and gift advice, plus stop by on Saturday for a kids portrait session.
When: Through Sun. 11/13, 11am-7pm; Free.
Where: Openhouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry St. (at Spring St.), cnet.com/gotham.

Do
Bryant Park Family Day
Kick off the holidays a bit early at this second annual special event. Enjoy a book reading by Christmas Feet author Maureen Sullivan, a character appearance by Carlos the French Bulldog, performances from Freckleface Strawberry and face painting. The first 100 kids (ages 12 and under) will receive free skate rentals for Citi Pond.
When: Sat. 11/12, 12-4pm; Free.
Where: Citi Pond at Bryant Park, bet. West 40th & West 42nd St. and 5th Ave. & 6th Ave., citipondatbryantpark.com.

Visit
New York Family Camp Fair
It’s not too soon to think about summer for your kids. Preview more than 60 camps, and get expert guidance from the American Camp Association.
When: Sat. & Sun., 11/12-11/13, 12-3pm, Free.
Where: Sat. at St. Jean Baptiste High School, 173 East 75th St. (bet. 3rd Ave. & Lex); Sun. at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 West 83rd St. (bet. CPW & Columbus Ave.), newyorkfamilycamps.com.

See
Birdie’s Big-Girl Dress
Author, illustrator, Brooklyn native and mom Sujean Rim reads from her new picture book, a lighthearted take on kids expressing their own style. Chanelling Rim’s own fashion background and love of vintage, main character Birdie searches for something special to wear for her birthday, only to find what she’s looking for right in her attic. Stay afterward for a drawing demonstration and cupcakes.
When: Sun. 11/13, 4pm; Ages 4-8.
Where: powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St., Brooklyn, powerhousearena.com.

Hear
A Happy Family
The Little Orchestra Society presents a musical world where treats and instruments meet. Get a tour of the orchestra led by the Lolli-Pops characters while listening to music led by guest conductor Jeffrey Grogran including Debussy’s Cakewalk.
When: Sat. 11/12 10am & 11:30am; Sun. 11/13 1pm & 2:30pm; $15-$40.
Where: The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, East 68th St. bet. Park & Lex, 212-971-9500, littleorchestra.org.

Visit
Eric Carle Storytime
Curl up with a good book: Enjoy a selection of Eric Carle’s beloved children’s stories, read by Elisha DeMaria.
When: Thurs. 11/3, 11am; Free.
Where: NYU Bookstore, 726 Broadway, 212-998-4667, bookstores.nyu.edu.

See
The Celebration Team
See National Dance Institute kid dancers (ages 9 to 15), drawn from schools throughout the NYC metro area. This joy-filled, energetic performance will feature new pieces performed to the music of Stevie Wonder’s Overjoyed, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and the finale to the musical Hairspray, plus other selected works.
When: Sat. 11/5, 2pm; $25/Adults, $15/Kids.
Where: Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St., 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org.

Hear
The Suzi Shelton Band
Catch original songs, including “Smile In My Heart” and “Tomboy In A Princess Dress,” as these kiddie faves are joined by Shelton’s 6-year-old daughter Emma and backup singers The Gumdrops.
When: Sun. 11/6, 11am; $15, babies under 2 free.
Where: 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St., 92y.org.

Do
NYC Marathon Music
Bop along to more than 130 bands, from R&B to alternative, that will entertain runners and spectators along the marathon’s 26.2-mile route.
When: Sun. 11/6.
Where: Marathon route, ingnycmarathon.org.