Trade the wine for juice boxes and flowers for crayons. You're going on a date with your kid. Some good news? The gift of chocolate still applies here — and (just to teach basic manners) must be shared. Whether it's your own children or a niece and nephew, bring some excitement into their lives this Valentine's Day and treat the young crowd to the pleasures of one-on-one attention. There is plenty of fun to be had and love to spread from Broadway shows to skate dates. If you do decide to stay in, order up a heart-shaped pizza, craft handmade Valentines and in the name of all that schmaltz just snuggle!

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Valentine's Skate
Millennium Park Ice Rink, 280 Romence Rd., Portage
Feb. 12, 6-8 p.m. / $10/per person
portagemi.gov, (269) 329-4522

Warning: You have reached maximum cuteness. The picture opportunities will be out of control at this Valentine's Skate held at Millennium Park Ice Rink in Portage. Parents can pair up as mother and son duos or fathers and daughters can spend time together on a skate date at the outdoor refrigerated ice rink. The $10 fee includes skating, shoe rental, dinner, juice and a floral gift. Look forward to dinner from Barrett's Smokehouse and quench your thirst with grape juice that is sparkling. "Ice skating time is a real family activity. It's an opportunity to be outdoors during the wintertime and socialize. It's a nice activity that's not too strenuous," says Tricia Keala of the Portage Parks Department. When you've reached your falling down limit, sit and chat while snacking on popcorn and hot chocolate. Preregistration is required for the dinner and skate event.

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Marvel-ous Mother Son Dance
East Rockford Middle School Cafeteria, 8615 Nine Mile Rd., Rockford
Feb. 17, 6:30-8 p.m.
$10 per person / rpssignmeup.com, (616) 863-6322

Who wants to wait for the wedding day mother/son dance? Moms now have the chance to groove and dance with their darling sons or embrace during a slow song at the Marvel-ous Mother Son Dance at East Rockford Middle School. This year's theme will be "Super Heroes Unite" and sons are asked to come dressed as their favorite alter ego or super hero. Costumes are not required but in the spirit of things, they should be a big hit. "It's so typical that boys have more bonding opportunities with the other parent, especially with sports," says Event Coordinator Kris Wolpert, "We were looking for something different, not just a formal dance." Head out to dinner before the dance, enjoy pictures at 6 p.m. and make sure to catch the night's special performance with the 61Syx Teknique group featuring break dancing moves and mini lessons after the show.

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Mary Poppins
DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Feb. 22-26, show times at 1, 2, 6:30, 7:30 and 8 p.m.
$28-$75 / broadwaygrandrapids.com, (800) 745-3000

 

Every good date should have a little bit of magic to it and you can thank Broadway Grand Rapids as it brings huge doses of it with the irresistible story of Mary Poppins. The musical is about family and features hum-worthy songs, spectacular stagecraft and delightful dance numbers. This is the perfect time for parents to introduce their children to theatre. Mary is "very funny and loving and warm. It's similar to the more modern story of Nanny McPhee," says Nicole King, director of marketing and public relations. Hearts will become full with the "magical aspect of the show and seeing how the children use their imagination." The Feb. 26 performance features a special kids' night event with buy one (adult) get one (child) free tickets. A night out on the town taking in an enchanted show filled with a flying nanny is, well, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

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Disney Live: Three Classic Fairy Tales
Wings Stadium, 3600 Vanrick Dr., Kalamazoo
Feb. 25, 1:30 & 4:30 p.m.
$14-$40 / wingsstadium.com, (269) 345-5101

Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as they bring the timeless fairytale adventures of Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to life right in your hometown at Wings Stadium. Take your funny little Valentine to a show filled with beloved storytelling, award-winning music, stunning costumes and glittering special effects. "From the colors to the music, it should be a really good show for the kids," says Event Coordinator Andrea Pluta. The prominently featured princesses should appeal to the little girls while the scary Beast and silly dwarfs bring boys around. Let your child into a world where dreams really do come true — it's the perfect sentiment during the Valentine's holiday.

 

Pictured: 61Syx Teknique group, who will be performing and teaching break dance moves at the Marvel-ous Mother/Son Dance. Photo byVince Dudzinski.

If you're the type to hop on the holiday train a smidge early, you'll be happy to know that there are events in the area just waiting for you and your children. Whatever you choose, you'll get a head start on the "most wonderful time of the year." Come December you might actually relax because you hit up the hot spots first, right?

SANTA'S WORKSHOP
Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Library
111 Library St. NE, Grand Rapids
Nov. 19
FREE
grpl.org, (616) 988-5400

Immediately following the Grand Rapids Jaycee's Santa Parade the Grand Rapids Public Library opens its doors to the public for a shot of holiday spirit. Warm up with hot chocolate, holiday treats and look into gift ideas and crafts for kids of all ages. Last year, holiday gifts were made at the event and you can expect a visit from Santa for some photo opportunities. "The whole idea behind the program is to move away from the commercial aspect of the holidays. The idea is to give from your heart and your hands-and we always love it when kids visit the library," says Marketing and Communications Manager Kristen Krueger-Corrado. But there's more. Extend your visit by checking into the library's new exhibit Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine, which examines important ethical topics such as the desire for knowledge, the effects of prejudice and the responsibility that comes with power.

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE
Miller Auditorium
2200 Auditorium Drive, Kalamazoo
Nov. 29 & 30, 7:30 p.m.
$55-$25
millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300

When it comes to the kids, holidays should be over the top. Kick start the seasonal frenzy with Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Miller Auditorium. The show reimagines the holiday season with an international cast of more than 30 talented costumed artists performing astonishing feats of disbelief. "The holiday backdrop and sets are so creative and give the show an out-of-this-world-type element," says Assistant Director of Marketing Bethany Gauthier. Enter a magical realm where gingerbread men flip through mid air, toy soldiers march on thin wires and snowmen become balancing daredevils all against scenery of gigantic gifts and colossal candy canes. Add an original musical score, classic tunes, spinning penguins, puppetry, soaring reindeer and well, you may have spoiled the kids, but this is the time of year to do it.

NUTCRACKER STORYTIME
Schuler Books & Music
2660 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids
Nov. 19, 11 a.m.
FREE
schulerbooks.com, (616) 942-2561

Story time is always a good time. It's a quiet time where children can (hopefully) settle down and lose themselves in stories rife with imaginative characters and settings. Perfect for the upcoming holiday season, the performers of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company dance their way into Schuler Books & Music for a sweet Nutcracker-themed story time. Ballerinas read the story while costumed dancers interpret the story through dance. Children receive balloons, view a showcase of specific dance moves and chat and interact with dancers after the program. "Children seeing ballerinas up close is the coolest thing for them, at that age some have aspirations of being dancers," said Program Coordinator Emily Stavrou. There's a chance to win tickets to the performance at DeVos Performance Hall. If you can't make this program date, check into the bookstore's Walker location on Nov. 12 at 11 a.m.

THE 50TH ANNUAL KALAMAZOO HOLIDAY PARADE
Parade Route: Lovell to Park, to Michigan, to Pitcher, to Lovell
Nov. 12, 11 a.m.
FREE
downtownkalamazoo.org, (269) 344-0795

Giant helium balloon alert! Head to Downtown Kalamazoo for this annual parade that has become a proud community tradition. View holiday community floats and wave to marching bands and clowns while you wait for Santa's finishing finale. "There are activities after the parade on the Kalamazoo Mall featuring arts and crafts, pictures with Santa-people can stay downtown and have lunch and make a day of it," says Emily Bringer, event coordinator with Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated. Back to the balloons: gracing the sky for a dazzling performance of flight are some famous characters such as Bob the Builder, Garfield, Felix the Cat, Theodore the Toy Soldier, The Holiday Christmas Tree and The Candy Cane as well. Another great thing about the parade is the food drive. Teach kids about the season of giving by encouraging them to participate in the food drive by donating canned goods for a good cause. It's a great lesson: you come to see the parade and have fun but you don't come empty handed. Fun and the spirit of giving — now that's a holiday tradition.

Bring out all your orange, eh, "close to orange," and "in the orange family" clothing and sleep with a nightlight, ‘cause October and (more importantly) Halloween are here! Everyone walks faster at night, looks over their shoulder quickly and manages to let a scream loose for the smallest thing. It's amazing how little black spiders, sheets with eye-holes and pumpkins become larger than life around this time. And this time is reserved for children parading as gypsies, firemen and the popular super hero of the moment (with simultaneous movie and merchandising). Find out what your city has in store for you whether it is pumpkin-lit trails and serious bug crafts in Kalamazoo or a pumpkin launch in Saugatuck. Even the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre woos teens with zombie culture — I'm sure the two can relate.

IRISH FEST OF KALAMAZOO
Arcadia Creek Festival Place, 145 E. Water St., Kalamazoo
Sept. 23, 4:30 p.m.-midnight & Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m.-midnight
Adults: $8, students with I.D.: $4, children 13 and under: free admission
kalamazooirish.org, (269) 372-7332

Immerse yourself in Irish culture at Arcadia Creek Festival Site. Twelve bands, Irish dancers, merchandise, beverages and a food and cultural area are all here. A staffed children's area is set up as a playground from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., "offering arts and crafts, games and prizes all to keep the kids occupied and supervised," says Ron Strzelecki, co-chair of the festival. Sign up for the contest at 3 p.m. to win "greenest eyes," "reddest hair" and "most freckles," judged by Liam the Extra Large Leprechaun and the festival's own St. Patrick.

 

THE FAMOUS PUMPKIN TRAIN
Coopersville & Marne Railway, 311 Danforth St., Coopersville
Sept. 24, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. and Sept. 25, 1 & 3 p.m.
Adults: $14.50, seniors: $13.50, children 2-12: $11.50, children under 2: free admission
MItrain.net, (616) 997-7000

A fall tradition and a guaranteed non-scary event for little ones, the Coopersville & Marne Railway's pumpkin train is famous for many reasons. Take a ride and be entertained by the wacky characters of The Great Pumpkin, Scarecrow and Little Crow as they sing, dance and tell jokes. The harvest-themed joyride is a great value according to the railway's General Manager Jerry Ricard. "This is usually the first time on a real train for kids. They are amazed at the size and sounds of the train." Parting gifts come in the form of a free, locally grown pumpkin that children may pick themselves from a pumpkin patch at the end of the ride.

ARTPRIZE: REFRIGERATOR DOOR ART
Minty Keen, 125 Ottawa NW, Suite 170, Grand Rapids
Sept. 21-Oct. 9, Tue, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wed & Thu, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
FREE; artprize.org, (616) 551-1613

The refrigerator door is the gallery of every home with small children. Wacky self-portraits and abstract scribbling co-exist in shows changing weekly, daily-even hourly. The Refrigerator Door Art showcase at Minty Keen is the perfect exhibition for parents and children. The piece, consisting of mock refrigerator doors, features framed, matted and mounted artwork created (in school and at home) by Emma, Kelsey and Meghan Hill. The Hill children's father, Jeff Hill, believes that "elevating the artwork to a gallery-type status on the fridge is a way to make kids feel proud about the creative stuff they do in school." Saving some masterpieces from the trash, Hill and his wife wanted to "support arts in the school and foster more of that creative work." Take a peek at the playful paintings with lots of color and start a discussion on your family's own in-home pop-up gallery.

HARVEST FESTIVAL
Downtown Rockford
Sept. 23-Oct. 8
FREE; rockfordmichamber.com, (616) 866-2000

Brace yourself for three weekends of fun with the Harvest Festival in Downtown Rockford. The kick-off weekend boasts an evening with the stars, featuring stargazing with meteorologist Bill Steffen Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The first and second weekends in October continue the celebration. All three weekends-Family Fun, Heritage and Children's Weekends-each have their own lineup of events sure to help families discover the fun of some good old-fashioned celebration. The Harvest Festival is all about everything fall offering hayrides, Make-It-And-Take-It Scarecrow Building and tons of family fun. Parents will love the chili cook off, Fiddle Fest competition and car show. Believe it or not, there's even a kids' tractor pull. For children, "this is some of the last outdoor fun," says Susan Bodenner, president of the Rockford Rotary.

DOWNTOWN BOOKS AND COOKIES
Dog Story Theater, 7 Jefferson, Grand Rapids
Sep. 24, 3-5 p.m. FREE (limited space/reservations required)
booksandcookiesgr.com

Off the shelf and out of the oven comes Downtown Books and Cookies. Community leaders read their favorite childhood stories alongside treats such as Wednesday Evening Cookies, Dave's Sweet Tooth and Vegan Cupcakes from Bartertown Diner & Roc's Cakes. This fresh, no charge event started with Program Director Dakota Shayne's interest in reading to kids. "My mother would read to me. My father and I would travel to cities and stay right downtown. It was so magical when I was young. I wanted to combine books, downtown — and the cookies are a plus!"