Brooklyn

If only shopping could be a more cerebral experience. Sure, sweaters can be stimulating, but you’d like a little more composition with your kid’s cords.

Get the best of both worlds: Park Slope boutique Pink Olive presents “Somersaults,” original acrylics-on-wood by Brooklyn-based artist Kristiana Parn. Inspired by Parn’s childhood in Estonia, the whimsical style centers around arctic animals like polar bears and foxes. And the picture-book feel of her happy fish, birds and bunnies are a natural addition to a nursery or child’s bedroom.

Next stop: MoMA Design Store.

When: Through 12/31/08.
Where: 167 5th Ave., Brooklyn, 718-398-2016, pinkoliveboutique.com.

Where Brooklyn at? This Sunday, it’ll mostly be on Atlantic Avenue.

That’s right, it’s time for the Atlantic Antic, the 34-year-old street festival so notorious it’s referenced in a Beastie Boys song (that would be “Shadrach,” on “Paul’s Boutique”).

As for Brooklyn’s under-4-foot contingency, it’ll be at the children’s drag complete with pony rides, face painting, puppet shows and art activities. Check out the Gumbo Stage (Atlantic Ave. bet. 3rd Ave. & Nevins) for kid-oriented live dance performances, drumming, storytelling and songs throughout the day.

Once the kids have worn themselves out, mommies and daddies will be seen throughout brownstone Brooklyn cheating their diets with baklava and pulled-pork sandwiches while catching some live music (blues, rock, belly dancing) at one of 10 stages.

So hit the streets on Sunday and fight for your right to party.

When: Sun. 10/5, 10am-6pm.
Where: Atlantic Ave. from Hicks St. to Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, atlanticave.org.

Attention yogis: September is National Yoga Month. So if you’re a newbie to the world of downward dog, now is the time to start — even if you’re pregnant.

NYC’s Prenatal Yoga Center recently opened a satellite studio in Cobble Hill (the other four locations are in Manhattan), with classes that link yoga postures with breath to build strength and a connection to your baby.

If that isn’t enough to get you stretching, PYC founder Deb Flashenberg says that yoga helps moms-to-be strengthen the uterus and pelvic muscles (less chance for tearing or the need for an episiotomy), aids digestion (bye-bye heartburn), and alleviates back pain, fluid retention and carpal tunnel.

Om.

Visit prenatalyogacenter.com.

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.

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.

The kids are begging you to see The Little Mermaid or Mary Poppins this summer, but decent seats are hard to come by.

A long wait on a Times Square corner is now a thing of the past (unless you’re into that). TKTS opens its new Brooklyn branch tomorrow at 11am, offering same-day evening and next-day matinee tickets for Broadway, off Broadway and local Brooklyn arts for up to 50-percent off.

Get some culture on the cheap.

Open Mon.-Fri., 11am-6pm. 1 MetroTech Center (corner of Jay St. & Myrtle Ave.), Brooklyn, tdf.org.

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.

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.

Ever wonder where you can get a Pinot Grigio and a PB&J? Brooklynites are in luck.

New neighborhood joint Abigail Cafe and Wine Bar just opened in Prospect Heights. Chef Abigail Hitchcock (of Camaje and 85 MacDougal St.) and her husband Jason offer a small, seasonal menu complete with local music and poetry readings.

Looks like this is good for date night as well as a bite with (very well-behaved) kiddies. In addition to cheese and charcuterie, the menu offers child-friendly faves like mini burgers and chicken bites.

Raise a glass to that.

807 Classon Ave. at St. John’s Place, 718-399-3200, abigailbrooklyn.com.