Staten Island

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.

Back in 2000, we had the Big Apple CowParade. Five years later, the fluttering, orange fabric panels of The Gates took over Central Park. This summer, we’ve got pianos …

Make Music
Play Me, I’m Yours
Sixty pianos are stationed around NYC for your fingertips. British artist Luke Jerram and the non-profit arts group Sing for Hope comprise the team responsible for bringing the installation “Play Me, I’m Yours” to the city. (It’s being presented simultaneously in London.) On his Web site, Jerram writes that the purpose of this public art project is “to provoke people into engaging, activating and claiming ownership of their urban landscape” and to serve as a “catalyst for conversation.” The street pianos can be played by anyone who happens upon them. And you will notice them. With their bold colors and whimsical designs, the embellished pianos are the works of established as well as up-and-coming artists. The one pictured above was painted by Sophie Matisse, Henri’s grand-daughter.
When: Now through 7/5, 9am-10pm daily. (All ages)
Where: Check the maps at streetpianos.com. The pianos are located in all five boroughs. Some of the places you’ll find street pianos are: Lincoln Center (4 pianos), Madison Square Park, Central Park, Times Square, Chelsea, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Coney Island boardwalk.

Go
CBS Radio Expo
Junior can grab free autographs from Darryl Strawberry, John Starks, Harry Carson and other local celeb athletes. The expo will feature performances by Kat DeLuna, Macy Gray, Kris Allen and Eddie Money. Also on the itinerary: face painting, balloons, a US Army football toss, Speed Pitch, DJ Hero, Dance Dance Revolution plus more.
When: Sat., 6/26, 9am-5pm. $5 per ticket (free for kids under 4). Purchase tickets at cbsradioexpo.com or on Saturday at the stadium.
Where: Yankee Stadium, One E. 161st. St, the Bronx.

Do
Clifford’s Annual Beach Festival
Join the big red dog at The Scholastic Store for conga lines, the limbo and craft-making with sand.
When: Sat., 6/26 at 3pm. (All ages)
Where: The Scholastic Store, 557 B’way (bet. Prince and Spring Sts.). Stroller entrance is at 130 Mercer St.

Try
Learn to Ride - Kids
Bike New York
Bike New York, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging bike riding and bike safety, is offering free lessons in Prospect Heights this weekend. (check bikenewyork.com for a full schedule of lessons throughout the city through September) Junior can learn the cycling basics, and you don’t have to run behind the bike! (This is the group that organizes the TD Bank 5 Boro Bike Tour.)
When: Sun., 6/27, noon-3pm. Free. Pre-register at bikenewyork.com. (Ages 5 and up).
You’ll need to bring a bike and helmet. If rain’s in the forecast, call Bike New York’s weather hotline at 212 932 2453 x115 for class status updates.
Where: Vanderbilt and St. Marks Aves.

Photo credit: Luke Jerram

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.