Restaurants & Bars

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.

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.

Your BFF is expecting her first bundle, and you want to throw her a shower that will give her a moment of calm before the insanity starts.

Head to a downtown oasis: The Spa at Trump SoHo will now help you plan the perfect pre-baby bash at its sleek hotel. The selection of party themes is especially enticing to pamper a mom-to-be and her pals: Baby Shower Brunch, where the ladies can indulge in mini 15-minute spa treatments like a seated aromatherapy massage or organic spray tan; Beauty Bar Baby Shower with makeup applications, oxygen facials and hand exfoliations; or Happy Baby Hour, an after-work fete with mocktails and cocktails, and 30-minute treatments like reflexology and scalp massage. Each option includes yummy treats and spa gifts for guests. Parties take place in chic Bar d’Eau, or in the spa’s serene relaxation room or pretty private outdoor area, depending on the size and season.

Nothing but luxe for the baby bump.

Visit trumpsohohotel.com.

Go
Llama Llama Red Pajama! Storytime
Preschoolers will giggle at Anna Dewdney’s stories about everyone’s favorite llama.
When: Thurs. 10/6, 3:30pm; Ages 2-5
Where: Bank Street Bookstore, Broadway & 112thSt., 212-678-1654, bankstreetbooks.com.

Hear
The Funkey Monkeys Broadway Spectacular
Sing along with the monkeys as they rock their way through beloved songs from Broadway shows like Fiddler on the Roof, Mary Poppins, Annie and The Sound of Music and more
When: Sun. 10/9, 11:30am & 2pm; Ages 2-6; $11/Kids, $13/Adults.
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd St., 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.

Visit
Elmo’s World: Let’s Play Music
Reserve a spot in today’s special screening and see Elmo learn how to play the conga drums, hold a violin and explore different types of music. Stay after the movie for a special family workshop (hint: kids will take home their own maracas).
When: Thurs. 10/6, 12pm; Free.
Where: 550 Madison Ave. at 56th St., 212-833-8100, sonywondertechlab.com.

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: 10/7-10/16.
Where: Various locations, shakeshack.com.

Go
DUMBO Arts Festival
Enjoy local, national, and international art beneath the Brooklyn Bridge at this annual family-friendly happening. Check the schedule of music, dancers, poets and other performers for kiddie standouts: See the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, bring a pie to share in the Bubby’s Pie Social, make puppets and flags, learn the basics of making pop-up books, and ride a classic restored carousel.
When: Fri.-Sun., 9/23-9/25, Fri. 6-9pm, Sat. 12-8pm, Sun. 12-6pm.
Where: DUMBO, Brooklyn between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, including the Waterfront, dumboartsfestival.com.

Hear
Trout Fishing in America
Join Grammy-nominated kiddie faves Trout Fishing in America, plus special guests, for songs and stories from the Secret Mountain series. Little ones will love the tales and tunes from popular Secret Mountain releases, and a sneak peek of new material from Trout Fishing’s upcoming book/cd release Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important.
When: Sun. 9/25, 3pm; Free.
Where: Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St., 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org.

Visit
SoulCycle
The UWS is buzzing about the spin mecca’s new studio on 77th St. Reserve a bike, and get your pre-baby body back.
Where: 350 Amsterdam Ave. at 77th St., 212-787-1300, soul-cycle.com.

Eat
Mexicue
The popular food truck of BBQ-meets-Mexican flavors has expanded with a casual new nook on the LES. The mini BBQ chicken tacos and pulled pork sliders are the perfect kid size
Where: 106 Forsyth St. (bet. Broome & Grand), 646-559-4100, mexicue.com.

Shop
Zadig & Voltaire
It doesn’t get any cooler than the casual-chic kids’ cashmere sleepsuits, velvet pants and cotton tees at this French label’s sample sale. Get up to 80-percent off women’s, men’s and kid’s.
When: Through Sun. 9/25, Thurs. 9am-7pm, Fri. & Sat. 10am-7pm, Sun. 11am-4pm.
Where: 260 Fifth Ave. (bet. 28th & 29th St.), zadig-et-voltaire.com.

Your kids love to play tea party at home, but after attending many an afternoon fete you’ve decided it’s time to step up the pretend brew and plastic scones to a chic special occasion.

If you love making the high tea rounds, from Alice’s to the Palm Court, add this to your list. Introduce kids to the art of sipping and socializing at The Russian Tea Room’s updated Children’s Tea, offered every day from 2pm to 4:30pm. Little ladies and gents (under age 12; $35) can feast on a fun, kid-friendly carousel tea tray of treats like PB&J on blini, a little-pig-in-a-blanket, grilled cheese trio, and other memorable goodies. Rather than the lukewarm stuff kids serve in their Fisher-Price pot, sip on one of six delish decaffeinated teas like raspberry or mint, or The Russian Tea Room’s signature hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows. Of course, then comes dessert, featuring a decadent tray of chocolate mousse with mixed berries, red velvet cupcake, warm scone, and crisp apple slices with creamy caramel. Warning: You may be too stuffed to move for the rest of the day. (And yes, there is caviar and champagne on hand for the chaperones.)

Something’s brewing.

Visit russiantearoomnyc.com.

Do
Fashion District Kite Flight
Bring your kite to the top of Port Authority Bus Terminal for kite making, flying, crafts and music.
When: Sun. 9/18, 11am-4pm; Free.
Where: 8th Ave. at 40th St., fashioncenter.com.

See
The Lion King 3D
Even if you’ve heard the songs a thousand times, kids will be pumped to give it another go: The beloved Disney musical returns to the big screen in 3D.
When: Opens Fri., 9/16.
Where: Select theaters.

Go
85th Annual Feast of San Gennaro
Stop by the annual celebration for the Patron Saint of Naples and sample Little Italy treats. See the festival’s giant 2,000-pound birthday cake (and stay to sample a slice) this Saturday from 2-4pm.
When: Through 9/25.
Where: Grand St. bet. Mulberry & Mott, sangennaro.org.

Visit
Brooklyn Book Festival
See favorite children’s authors like David Ezra Stein and Mo Willems read, draw and discuss their books in Brooklyn Heights.
When: Sun. 9/18, 10am-6pm; Free.
Where: Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St., Brooklyn, brooklynbookfestival.org.

See
There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly And Other Heroines That Reach For The Sky!
As part of Fringe NYC’s FringeJR festival, see this original kids’ musical that pays tribute to long-lost folk and fairy tales from around the world. Heroic females are in the forefront, as three actresses portray almost 30 characters.
When: Thurs. 8/18, 5pm; Ages 5-7; $15.
Where: The Studio at Cherry Lane Theatre, Commerce St., fringenyc.org.

Go
Tangled at RiverFlicks for Kids
This retelling of the classic Rapunzel tale is good clean fun (recommended for ages 5+). Get there early for a good spot at the outdoor movie — bring your own chairs and blankets, and snack on free popcorn.
When: Fri. 8/19, dusk (usually around 8:30pm); Free.
Where: Pier 46, Hudson River Park at Charles St., riverflicks.com.

Do
Food Truck Rally
Snack your way through the day: Sample some of the city’s best food trucks, like Cupcake Stop, Rickshaw Dumpling and The Eddie’s Pizza Truck, at Grand Army Plaza. Plus catch live entertainment by the Wahoos (12-3pm).
When: Sun. 8/21, 11am-5pm.
Where: Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, brooklyn.com.

Visit
Brooklyn Heights Scavenger Hunt
Test your knowledge of the Brooklyn Heights area and its history in this fun family-friendly hunt. Participants who successfully complete the hunt before 5pm are eligible to win borough-centric prizes like hats, neighborhood guides and postcards.
When: Sun. 8/21, 12-5pm; Ages 5+; Free.
Where: Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn, brooklynhistory.org.