Blow their minds with an in-person dose of Jack’s Big Music Show.
A regular on Jack’s, Dirty Sock Funtime Band is putting on a free musical comedy perfomance; Madison Square Park, between Fifth and Madison Aves. and 23rd and 26th Sts. 10:30am; free.
Lure your kids to Ellis Island with Barbie.
Kids can see Barbie dressed in the national clothes of more than 40 nations at the 30th Anniversary of the Dolls of the World Exhibit. At the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, through Sunday, August 15th; 9am to 6pm daily; 212.363.3200.
Give ‘em a little taste of Broadway—minus the whole sitting-still-for-two-hours bit.
The casts of Avenue Q, Million Dollar Quartet, Freestyle Love Supreme, Fela!, and The Fantastics will be performing their respective show tunes as part of the Broadway in Bryant Park series. 12:30pm - 1:30pm, in Bryant Park, Sixth Ave between 40th and 42nd Sts; 212-768-4242; bryantpark.org.
Try Music for Aardvarks—for free.
NY Kids Club is hosting a free sample class of Music for Aardvarks, the program known for coining “kindie rock.” For ages 6 months to 3 years; 3:15-4pm at NY Kids Club, W. 68th Street; rsvp: 212-721-4100 or nykidsclub68@nykidsclub.com; OR 4:45pm-5:30pm at the W. 89th St. location; rsvp: 212-721-4400 or nykidsclub89@nykidsclub.com; space is limited.
Make that back-to-school haircut count.
Cozy’s Cuts For Kids is supporting Locks of Love by giving free haircuts to children who will donate their tresses to make hairpieces for underprivileged kids suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Through September, at all Cozy’s locations.
Stock up on Mary Janes and Oxfords.
Kids’ shoe authority Little Eric is expecting their big fall shipment today of the company’s beloved Italian-made classics. 118 Madison Avenue near 83rd St.; 212-717-1513
Give the whole mommy-and-me yoga thing a shot.
Karma Kids Yoga is hosting a free yoga class for moms with infants or toddlers. 11:30am-12:30pm at Karma Kids Yoga, 104 W. 14th St. RSVP at downdog@karmakidsyoga.com.
See what a $7.5 million playground looks like.
David Rockwell, the architect behind Nobu, W Hotel Union Square, and JFK’s JetBlue terminal, now has a playground in his portfolio: Imagination Playground opened last week, and is totally worth the schlep to South Street Seaport. Located at Burling Slip on John Street, between Front and South Sts.; open 9am-7pm daily.
Have a scoop of soft-serve and feel no guilt.
Newcomer Peeled serves up Fruizo, a soft-serve alternative to frozen yogurt that’s made with nothing more than fruit, water, and organic cane sugar. Yum. 1371 Third Ave., at 78th St. 212.794.2200; peelednyc.com
Do Disney, puppet style.
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater puts on its last performance of Sleeping Beauty. 10:30-11:30am in Central Park, at Belvedere Castle, Pier 1/Riverside Park South; free.
Learn how to make the nursery look like a cataglog spread.
Pottery Barn Kids is hosting a “Decorating the Nursery” class. 10-11am at PBK, 1311 Second Ave., 212.879.4746.
Set your DVR.
Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure (the movie) debuts at 8pm on Nick.
Squeeze some British plushies.
Anglophile baby present alert: a variety of adorable soft toys from the UK’s crazy-popular baby brand, Mamas & Papas, arrive at FAO Schwartz.
Make your own pancake mix.
Cupcake Kids is hosting a free open house to introduce families to their new kids’ kitchen studio: for five bucks, your tot can make a jar of pancake mix to bring home. Call 212.242.2248 to book a half-hour session in the kitchen, between 3:30 and 5pm. 109 W. 27th St.
Go to the movies, New York Public Library style.
The Children’s Center at the NYPL hosts It’s Showtime!, a viewing of short films based on favorite kids’ books. 2pm at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Bldg; Fifth Ave. at 42nd St., Ground Floor, room 84; ages 2 and up.
Rub elbows with Curious George.
The beloved monkey will be making character appearances at Pottery Barn Kids on August 21 (10am-Noon) and August 22 (Noon-2pm). PBK, 1311 Second Ave., at 69th St. 212.879.4746.
Give ‘em a reason to wear their super hero and princess costumes.
The Super Hero and Fairy Princess Kiddie Cruise (on the Hudson) offers a puppet show, face painting, sing-alongs, and art projects. Costumes are encouraged and lunch is included. Boarding begins at Noon from Pier 40 at West Houston and the West Side Highway; cruise ends at 2:30; $35 for adults, $30 for kids ages 2 and up; ticketweb.com or 212.987.9200, ext. 311.
Extend your tan.
Gotham Tan offers at-home organic spray tan sessions for $100 per person; discounts available when you book a session for more than one person (i.e., host a tanning party). Gothamtan.com; 858.212.1318.
Under Construction
The NYC Calendar is currently on hiatus. Stay tuned for more cool things to do every day.