Complimentary entertainment at city stores

Tykes make jewelry out of bottle caps and magazines at Sustainable NYC.

Photograph: Caroline Voagen nelson

Apple Store
Using computers may be second nature to 21st-century kids, but their skills have to start somewhere. Apple’s Youth Workshop Series, open to children ages six to 13, features a different 90-minute hands-on session each month. “Snap,” October’s class, focuses on editing, printing and sharing pictures with iPhoto. Another upcoming workshop, “Action,” teaches youngsters how to import footage and add special effects in iMovie. And “Jam” shows budding musicians how to use the program GarageBand to compose a song with loops, beats, even their own vocals. At the end of each session, participants will have a finished project to take home—and show off to their friends—as well as an instructional workbook for future reference. Space is limited; register in advance. Dates and times vary by store; visit apple.com for information.

Fantasma Magic
At this 4,000-square-foot magicians’ lair, kids can pick up a deck of trick cards, check out props once used by Houdini and, if they’re lucky, rub shoulders with illusionists like David Blaine, who’s a frequent visitor. Plan ahead and you can also see a scheduled show (October 25, November 22 and December 20 at 4:30pm)—for free when you mention Time Out Kids (otherwise $25). Performance details are shrouded in secrecy, but we’ll let you in on some highlights: One lucky audience member will be levitated in October, November’s stage will be graced by Rambo the Turkey (who’s actually a rabbit), and attendees in December will be treated to a holiday magic surprise. Reservations required; open to the first 75 kids who sign up. 421 Seventh Ave at 33rd St (212-244-3633, fantasmamagic.com)

Giggle
Give your voice a rest and introduce little ones to new titles at Giggle’s weekly storytime. Children of all ages are invited to take a seat on the carpet and listen to readings from books like Hug Time, There’s No Such Thing as Ghosts and Knuffle Bunny on Tuesdays at 4pm. Giggle staffers select the featured books only after getting a feel for the ages and interests of the crowd. Parents can sit, mingle or browse the store’s great finds for youngsters.
•120 Wooster St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-334-581, giggle.com);
•1033 Lexington Ave at 74th St (212-249-4249, giggle.com)

Home Depot
This home-improvement megastore has more to offer than hammers and nails—the staffers will show your Bob the Builder wanna-be how to use them. On the first Saturday of every month from 9am to noon, five- to 12-year-olds are invited to take part in a DIY workshop, where they’ll learn handyman skills and tool safety while they build their own wood creation. October’s project is a firehouse bank—perfect for teaching about saving money. The best part: Kids get to keep their pint-sized orange aprons and their finished creations. No RSVP necessary. 40 W 23rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-929-9571, homedepot.com)

Sustainable NYC
Everything about this 1,300-square-foot store is green: The illuminated sign out front is solar powered, the display fixtures are made from recycled materials, even the in-store café serves fair-trade, organic coffee. Owner Dominique Camacho works hard to get children on board with the cause. Camacho frequently teams up with RePlayGround—a group of recycling fanatics who can find a way to reuse anything—to offer crafting workshops. Little ones can turn an empty soda bottle into a soap dish, vase or picture frame (October 14), transform old cereal boxes into pencil cases and wallets (November 11), or make holiday ornaments with old bottle caps and cups (December 9). Craft time runs from 6 to 7:30pm. 139 Ave A between St. Marks Pl and E 9th St (212-254-5400, sustainable-nyc.com)

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