School Age

Your DD is like a little Eloise, turning ordinary trips to the library or playground into a land of make-believe — and she looks ever-so-stylish doing so.

Indulge her imagination: Children’s book The Super Adventures of Sophie and the City follows a little girl on her adventures in her dad’s office building, as she peeks into the glam worlds of fashion and design. The story is based on author Kelly Florio Kasouf’s childhood surrounded by the bright lights of Conde Nast, where her father was a longtime exec. This lighthearted trek through the famed 4 Times Square features cameos from style icons like Andre Leon Talley and Isaac Mizrahi, while detailed watercolor illustrations by Judit Garcia-Talavera feature fashions by the likes of Philip Treacy and Alexander McQueen.

Sophie’s trip through a glitz-and-glitter fantasyland may give your own pint-sized fashionista some wild ideas (enter the discussion why it’s not the norm for tots to attend to the Met Gala or New York Fashion Week, and why Manhattan office buildings don’t actually have magic elevators), but it does capture some of the wonder the big city holds for a young heroine (and may inspire you to bring your kids to your own less-than-enchanted office). Plus, the book’s new iPad app lets you explore Sophie’s world even more, with mini city guides based on some of the character’s favorite local NYC spots, an animated video tour of the book and behind-the-scenes looks, and a coloring section to customize some of the whimsical illustrations.

Cue the models.

Visit superadventuresofsophie.com.

Your preschooler has mastered the iPad, but you’re falling a bit behind when it comes to cool new tech. Time to get with the times before the holiday onslaught starts (and before your kindergartener needs to give you a tutorial on the Kindle).

Get your hands on the hottest gadgets and gleam a little expert advice at CNET Gotham, a five-day (free!) pop-up event that introduces NYC to the best new technology in a sleek downtown showcase, starting tomorrow. Check out the Nolita location to play with of-the-moment gadgets, attend how-to sessions and workshops, chat with CNET’s tech-obsessed editors and get a few ideas for your holiday gift list. Parents can download the scoop on family essentials like setting up social media privacy, video game suggestions for kids, and the season’s best cameras or phones (don’t miss the tricked-out living room, an interactive exhibit that shows how gadgets can work in the real world). Check out the online schedule of special events for the full lineup — including Saturday’s Adobe kiddie photo session that will give you a great professional portrait of your little one (ages 4+, 12-5pm) to share for the holidays.

It’s geek chic.

When: Wed.-Sun., 11/9-11/13, 11am-7pm; Free.
Where: Openhouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry St. (at Spring St.), cnet.com/gotham.

Chances are that perfectly behaved child at the next table didn’t just come out that way, but had a few pointers worthy of Emily Post. Give your kid a leg up when it comes to impeccable manners in an often less-than-polite world.

Socialsklz offers interactive workshops on how to best navigate today’s rapidly changing social atmosphere. For little ladies and gents ages 4 to 7, Socialkidz is a two-workshop series that teaches the basics of please, thank you and other important pointers through interactive games, a “dinner party,” and mini-excursions. Kids will learn the importance of how to be a great birthday party guest, greeting with a solid handshake, writing thank-you notes, making friends and other vital skills to take them from preschool to Princeton. For older kids ages 8 and up, try Socialtweenz or Socialteenz (plus a special empowering workshop for girls) — maybe the classes will even banish “like” and “um” from their vocabs. The Union Square-based company also offers adult classes, just in case the entire family wants to mind its Ps and Qs.

Pretty please.

Visit socialsklz.com.

See
Madeline and the Bad Hat
Enjoy an original musical production starring the happy-go-lucky Parisian heroine of Ludwig Bemelmans’ famous books. In this adventure by ArtsPower, Madeline sets off to save her new neighbor, and learns that first impressions are often misleading.
When: Sun. 2/13, 1pm & 3pm; $12.
Where: Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 718-760-0064, queenstheatre.org.

Hear
The Itty Biddies
CarnegieKids presents this energetic, interactive show of storytelling and song by the NYC all-female trio that takes kids on a journey through America and beyond.
When: Sat. 2/12, 1pm; Free.
Where: Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture, BPL Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, 718-230-2100, brooklynpubliclibrary.org.

Go
Manhattan Youth Ballet Dance Invitational
Budding ballerinas will love this performance by MYB dancers and students, joined by Off Center Dance Theatre, The Ballet School of Stamford and Dorothy’s School of Dance.
When: Sat. 2/12, 7pm; $30.
Where: Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, 248 West 60th St. (bet. Amsterdam & West End), manhattanyouthballet.org.

Visit
February Book Bonanza
Books of Wonder hosts author/artists Alex Beard, Brett Helquist and Vincent X. Kirsch, who will present their new picture books and sign copies.
When: Sat. 2/12, 12-2pm; Ages 4-8; Free.
Where: 18 West 18th St., 212-989-3270, booksofwonder.com.

Do
Eat for Kids 2011
To improve wellness and healthy eating in NYC public schools, Wellness in the Schools (WITS) has teamed up with 40 local restaurants like Babbo, Porter House, Esca, Magnolia Bakery and Tribeca Grill. Treat yourself to a delicious meal, and look for a card for select an amount to donate to the non-profit org devoted to serving students healthy food.
When: Through Sun., 2/20.
Where: See the website for participating restaurants; wellnessintheschools.org.

As we trudge through the snurt (snow/dirt), let’s try to remember the things we love about the city — like taking the kids to fun outdoor movies in the summer. It might not be July, but you don’t have to wait for rising temperatures to enjoy an al fresco flick.

Citi Pond at Bryant Park is in the midst of its Winter Film Festival, where seasonal, family-friendly movies are presented on a big screen overlooking the skating rink. This evening, catch the hilarious Will Ferrell comedy Blades of Glory (PG-13), or stop by next Monday, Feb. 14 for a Valentine’s Day viewing of the ’90s classic The Cutting Edge (PG) — maybe the competition scenes will even inspire little skaters to practice their toe jumps.

Bring your ice skates (or rent a pair at the pond) and take a spin on the rink with the outdoor cinema as a backdrop, or bundle up and camp out at the dedicated viewing area on the park’s upper terrace. Set up a picnic (don’t forget a warm blanket), or swing by the festival’s snack kiosk for hot chocolate, popcorn and sliders. Movies start at 6:30pm and are free, come snow or shine.

It’s almost like summer?

Visit bryantpark.org.

Your kids love to ham it up in front of the camera — and although the shots you snap with your iPhone are pretty priceless, you’d love for a professional to preserve the precious age they’re at.

Opening tomorrow on the Upper West Side, PhotoOp family photography studio is just the place to get your little ones in front of the lens. Led by creative director Brian Marcus (who has photographed a fair share of celebrity weddings, including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner), the studio has a team of senior-level photo stylists to capture your kids’ most memorable moments in both modern and classic family portraits. Take a spin though the sample closet for accessories such as a denim jacket or pink tutu to add pop to the photos, pick out a colorful backdrop like a candy wall, and strike a pose. A sitting fee includes retouching, editing and a digital slideshow, and there are plenty of packages and a la carte options to choose (depending on how many 8×10s the grandparents will want). The studio also offers birthday party options (you can’t go wrong with dress-up clothes, snacks and your favorite soundtrack) and photo-based keepsakes as a token of your star treatment.

That’s a wrap.

422 Columbus Ave. at 81st St., 212-362-1911, photoopnyc.com. 

Think you’ve run out of museums to visit this winter? Expand your horizons: The Museum of the Moving Image reopened in Astoria this weekend, after a 3-year, $67 million renovation that’s nearly doubled its size and capacity. Kids who have ever wandered past a movie set in the neighborhood or wondered exactly where their favorite NYC-based movie was filmed will get a kick out of the behind-the-scenes action.

If you’re looking for an MLK Day activity, swing by today for free admission. Otherwise, weekends are a great time to visit, with family-friendly film screenings of flicks like Coraline, and special workshops for little viewers. Most of the revamped exhibits are great for ages 8 and up: Kids will dig a demo of the first video game or viewing a replica of the first public movie-viewing machine (check the schedule for times), plus seeing more than 1,200 TV artifacts like fave dad Cliff Huxtable’s famous 1980s sweater and a real Yoda from Star Wars in the Behind the Screen hands-on core exhibition (you’ll feel a bit nostalgic, too).

That’s a wrap.

Visit movingimage.us.

Sesame Street was originally based on NYC’s urban landscape (the set culled inspiration from the Upper West Side, Harlem and the Bronx), so it’s only fitting for city kids to jump on board with the timeless show’s latest techie twist.

If your 4-year-old has already taught you the intricacies of the iPad, he’ll love playing around with the latest app. The Monster at the End of this Book, a classic children’s story starring lovable Grover, is now available as an app designed specifically for the iPad, with interactive animation, sound and music. In honor of the book’s 40th anniversary (the original first appeared in 1971, if you can believe it), the 2011 version still features everyone’s favorite furry blue monster as he hilariously tries to prevent little readers from reaching the end of the book. But this time you’ve got educational add-ons like word highlighting and activities that encourage critical thinking and listening skills.

Just don’t spoil the “surprise” ending.

Visit itunes.com/appstore.

City kids are hitting the playground 24/7 as a last-ditch effort for outdoor shenanigans before the deep freeze sets in.  Two words: Be Careful!

Hopefully the phrase “break a leg” will only be a wish for good luck, but just in case Junior takes a tumble from the monkey bars, Sling Couture has got you covered. The line of fashionable slings will cradle that less-than-fortunate arm and help brighten the experience. Available in sizes small, medium and large, the exclusive camouflage and denim hearts prints are lightweight, durable and easy to wear. Hopefully you won’t have a need, but just in case they’re available in NYC at Falk Drugs.

Tell him not to test his luck.

The intense private-school admission process (and sky-high tuition) is just not for you — that’s not to say that finding a great public school to stimulate your kid’s mind is a piece of cake, either. Finding a great neighborhood school, or gaining admission to a coveted citywide spot, brings back memories of applying to college.

Get help now: Tomorrow, educational consultant Robin Aronow, Ph.D., will moderate a panel of public school parents representing District 3 (Upper West Side), plus citywide options including Hunter, Anderson, NEST + M, TAG and others on “Life After Nursery School.” Hear what fellow parents have to say about their experiences and gain some insight on each school’s special qualities (parents in Districts 4, 5 and 6 may pick up a tip or two as well). Sign up online (do it now before the price goes up tomorrow), hire a babysitter, and take notes.

When: Tues., 10/26, 6:30-8:30pm (registration begins at 6:15); $35 through 10/25, $40 on 10/26.
Where: Ansche Cheshed, 251 West 100th St. at West End Ave., schoolsearchnyc.com.