Outdoor

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.

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.

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.

When the sun goes down, the city parks become urban drive-in (or rather stroll-in) theaters. Below is a roundup of this year’s outdoor family films. So forget cozying up in the back seat of a car — those days are behind you anyway. Just bring a blanket, a killer picnic and of course, the kids.

Riverflicks for Kids
In addition to gentle river winds and a view of the New Jersey skyline, Pier 46 is also the spot for Friday night family films and free popcorn. This includes films like Bee Movie and Shrek.
When: Through 8/22, movies begin at dusk around 8:30pm; Free (beverages and snacks are available for sale; bring something to sit on).
Where: Hudson River Park at Pier 46, Charles & West Streets, hudsonriverpark.org.

Movies with a View
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s series offers a collection of films for adults and kids. Some of the films may not be child-friendly (The Shining), but you can bring the little ones along for a viewings of Wallace and Gromit: Curse Of The Were Rabbit (July 24). The fun starts at 6pm with music from some of New York City’s best DJs. Local eatery Rice offers dinners on site. All this, plus spectacular views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges and the downtown skyline.
When: Thurs., through 8/23; movies begin around 8:30pm; Free.
Where: The Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, Brooklyn, between the Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges, enter off of Water Street, or at Main Street in Dumbo, brooklynbridgepark.org.

Movies Under the Stars
Yes, you’ll have to leave the city for this one, but the quick and breezy ferry ride to Hoboken is all part of the adventure, not to mention a great way to beat the heat on a sticky Wednesday evening. The summer schedule is chock-full of family fare, with Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix and Surf’s Up on the schedule. Bring a blanket or low-backed beach chair, and enjoy the best of the Garden State.
When: Wed., through 8/27, around 9pm in July, 8pm in August; Free.
Where: Pier A Park, First & Frank Sinatra Drive (east end of Park on the Great Lawn), Hoboken, NJ, 201-420-2207, hobokennj.org. For NY Waterway Ferry schedule, go to nywaterway.com.

HBO Summer Film Festival
You may have to get a sitter to see the grown-ups-only flicks at Bryant Park’s Monday-night tradition. Highlights from this year’s lineup include The Apartment and Arsenic and Old Lace. The park opens at 5pm so you can stake out a spot for your blanket. Throw in a picnic and a bottle of wine, and you and hubby can enjoy a (cheap) date night. Or, have him watch the kids and meet up with friends like you used to.
When: Mon., through 8/18; movies begin at dusk (8-9pm); Free.
Where: Bryant Park, bet. 40th & 42nd St. and 5th & 6th Ave., bryantpark.org.

Ah pizza, the great unifier between parent and child, temper tantrum and total obedience. You’ve probably argued with friends and neighbors over the best spot for pizza — although any joint that solves your Friday night dinner request pretty much does the trick.

To put any future disputes to rest, join Scott’s Pizza Tours walking tour of NYC’s rich pizza history. The 3-hour jaunts meet every Wednesday at 11am in Little Italy, and commence with slices from the likes of Lombardi’s, Ray’s and Fornino.

Now that’s amore.

Visit scottspizzatours.com.

Mondays used to mean packing your tot off to preschool and enjoying a few precious hours of free time. Now that it’s summer, Monday means scrounging to line up another week’s worth of activities to keep him entertained. July 4th just ended, and you’re already at a loss. (Sure, Petland is kind of like an air-conditioned zoo/aquarium, but the cashiers are starting to give you dirty looks.)

Thankfully, this particular Monday brings sweet relief for kiddies spending summer in the city. The Police Athletic League has opened more than 100 safe-play sites throughout the five boroughs, closing off streets to create open spaces where children can enjoy outdoor games, make new friends from the neighborhood, and splash around in the open fire hydrants. There’s also a supervised day camp program, so you can take off for errands or just a little “me” time.

Unlike the water park or the museum, the play sites are free (aside from a nominal sign-up fee), so you can go up to five days a week. An array of classic street games and other activities keep the days from feeling redundant: double-dutch, hopscotch, music and dance, street hockey, basketball, and arts and crafts projects. There’s even a mobile library where kids can borrow books.

Sign up by visiting your local PAL summer play street. And save the next Petland excursion for Saturday.

Visit palnyc.org.

The Fourth of July brings out the kid in all of us — the ice cream, the hot dogs, not to mention the fireworks. Catch some the biggest shows in the country right here in the area. Below are some top picks for Friday:

NYC
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
The nation’s largest celebration kicks off with a big bang — and big crowds. Get there early to snag a spot, and tune to 1010 WINS for musical accompaniment.
When: Fireworks start around 9pm; Free.
Where: East River bet. 23rd & 42nd St. Enter the FDR Drive at 23rd, 38th and 42nd St. only. Or explore the view from South Street Seaport, Long Island City, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park or Greenpoint, macys.com.

Roosevelt Island Fireworks Festival
Skip the chaos and head to Roosevelt Island’s Southpoint Park to watch the fireworks on the East River. Kids will enjoy entertainment like face painting, balloon twisting, juggling and music.
When: Gates open at 5pm; $20 (advance purchase required).
Where: Southpoint Park, Roosevelt Island, rioc.com.

Long Island
Fireworks Spectacular at Jones Beach
Long Island’s biggest and best display includes vibrant colors and awesome sounds simulcast to a musical array of patriotic songs.
When: Fireworks start around 9:30pm; Free.
Where: Jones Beach State Park, Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, nysparks.com.

New Jersey
Oceanfest
The biggest seasonal event on the Jersey Shore happens every year in Long Branch. The annual family-friendly festival starts with crafts, carnival acts, sand sculpture, live music and food vendors, and ends with a thrilling fireworks display.
When: 10am-10pm, fireworks at 9:30pm.
Where: The Promenade, Long Branch, New Jersey, longbranchchamber.org.

No country home? Don’t fret. Let us not forget that NYC is essentially island living.

Enjoy some of that precious, uh, coastline. The Red Hook Waterfront Arts Festival kicks off tonight, with a family sunset picnic. Bring dinner and enjoy a serenade under the stars by accordionists. Tomorrow’s activities for kids include music and dance by the likes of pirate puppets and acrobatic salseros, not to mention free canoe and kayak rides. And pick up some living green tips — everything from composting to underwater exhibits — from local community organizations.

It’s almost a day at the beach.

When: Fri. 6/6, starting at 7pm, & Sat. 6/7, 11am-7pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Valentino Park& Pier (Coffey & Ferris St.), Brooklyn, redhookfest.org.

With your 401K and disposable income both heading south, it may not seem like the time to party. But you can’t let junior down when her best friend just celebrated her second birthday with a “small gathering” of 100 in a wing at the Met. Below are some ways to ensure that your little darling has a happy birthday without spending thousands on cringe-worthy entertainers.

One Singular Sensation: Babies
A first birthday is all about the photo op. Your kid sure as heck isn’t going to remember this party, so keep it simple. Spend $25 for a park permit and host the soiree in Central Park. Supply blankets, some large playground balls and plenty of bubbles for guests. Forget the chichi bakeries with beautiful confections that taste like cardboard. Order a cake from Food Emporium — shockingly delicious and adorable. As for favors, buy a few bags of basic bath toys — ducks, pirates, dinosaurs — and hand out one to each kid.

Terrible Twos Plus: Toddlers
Instead of hosting a costly fiesta at your child’s dance studio or play gym, hire his instructor to run a class in your building’s party room or the local park (remember the permit). Many of these teachers are recent college grads and/or out-of-work actors who are happy to earn $150 for an hour of work. Bake a few dozen cupcakes and have kids decorate them with sprinkles and colored sugar mixes. As guests bid adieu, let them choose an item from the “Boodle Bag” — a pillowcase or decorative sack with small wrapped presents like books or inexpensive toys.

Small City Slickers: Pre-Schoolers
Keep in mind that many of those spectacular party venues are merely taking a basic idea and slapping an expensive price tag on it. So DIY, and host a pizza-making party at a local neighborhood joint. Have the dough ready for kids to toss on the sauce, cheese, pepperoni, etc. To entertain the masses while the meal cooks, offer a quick and easy art project (try Oriental Trading for supplies). Then, chill out with an ice cream cake from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory or Maggie Moos.

Pace yourself. You’ve still got the Sweet 16 to think about.

When it comes to movies, kids prefer to be in the middle of the action, not just watch it.

Tomorrow, the Tribeca Film Festival takes over a seven-block stretch of Greenwich Street for a day of family fun. Dancers, stilt walkers, storytellers, arts and crafts and face painters fill the fair, with a main stage featuring performances by the likes of Legally Blond: The Musical and New American Youth Ballet. The list goes on: kite flying, bubble making, chess playing, movie filming, tennis at the ESPN Sports Day and more.

Keeping in line with what the fest is all about – movies – the Tribeca Film Center’s screening room will be showing family flicks throughout the day at 375 Greenwich St. (first come, first serve). Most appropriate for little eyes is Meerkat Manor (ages 5+), a documentary about a family of wild African meerkats, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg.

Surely the festival will pique an interest in the big screen – if not being on it, at least watching it.

When: Sat. 5/3, 10am-6pm, All ages; Free.
Where: Greenwich St. (bet. Hubert & Duane), tribecafilmfestival.org.