The History Mystery – Chelsea
Through Sunday, February 19. Visit the website for the complete schedule.
TADA! Youth Theater
15 West 28th Street between Broadway and Fifth Avenue
$20-$25 for adults, $8-$15 for children
Ages 5 and up
It's always fun for kids to watch their peers put on a show, and that's what happens at this wonderful youth theater. Casts are made up of local children ages ages 8 to 18, and all of the musicals are original. This educational show is a series of vignettes about historical figures like Martin Luther King, Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt and the Wright Brothers when they were young.

Brazil! Brazil! – Midtown West
Friday, February 10-Sunday, February 26. Visit the website for the complete schedule.
The New Victory Theater
209 West 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues
$14-$38
Ages 5 and up
The New Vic already had one fabulous dance show this season, and this story-less celebration of South American street moves looks like it will be just as exuberant. The one-hour party (because that's what it sounds like) mixes rhythmic music with soccer-inspired dance, and even features a real-life Brazilian football—we mean soccer star.

Clifford the Big Red Dog Live! – Tribeca
Saturday, February 11 at 1:30pm
Tribeca Performing Arts Center
199 Chambers Street between West and Greenwich Streets
$25
Ages 3-7
This page-to-stage adaptation is a good bet if you're looking for a first-time theater experience for your preschooler. Everybody's favorite crimson canine and his pals learn the usual lessons about sharing and working together in this engaging musical, aimed at Clifford's young fans.

Perfect Catch – Tribeca
Saturday, February 11-Sunday, February 12 at 1 and 4pm
Canal Park Playhouse
508 Canal Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets
$20
Ages 3 and up
My daughter and I saw this wordless juggling show last fall, which returns for a special Valentine's Day weekend engagement at the very intimate Canal Park Playhouse (the performers are almost in your laps!). Subtitled, a "throw-mantic comedy," it follows a pair of lonely office workers who silently bicker then bond over their shared love of juggling. Kids will love the creative routines—our favorite bit was when the guy juggled hoops from ear to ear (hard to imagine but seriously awesome)—and parents will be charmed by the sweet story and soundtrack filled with old '80s songs.

The Hundred Dresses – Midtown West
Sunday, February 19-Sunday, March 11: Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30am
Signature Theater’s Peter Norton Space
555 West 42nd Street at Eleventh Avenue
$20 for adults, $10 for children under 13
Ages 5 and up
We're huge fans of Atlantic for Kids. This winter, the troupe mounts this musicalization of Eleanor Estes’ 1944 picture book about an immigrant girl who's taunted for wearing the same dress to school every day. It's a heavy story that elementary schoolers should relate to. And if past productions are any indication, the performers—all students at the prestigious Atlantic Theater Company—will present this with their usual skill and lack of condescension.

The House – Soho
Unfortunately, this show has been canceled.


Ramona Quimby – Upper West Side
Saturday, February 25 at 2pm
The Calhoun School
433 West End Avenue at 81st Street
$10 for adults, $5 for children
Ages 5 and up
Not many people know about this family performance series hosted by the Upper West Side private school. The tickets are cheap, the productions are great and the shows are open to the public. This musicalization of Beverly Clearly's iconic book series about a precocious third grader comes from TheatreworksUSA, which produces quality children's theater throughout the country, so we expect it will be a cut above the usual book adaptations.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Midtown West
Friday, March 2-Sunday, March 11. Visit the website for the complete schedule.
The New Victory Theater
209 West 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues
$14-$38
Ages 8 and up
Mark Twain's classic 19th-century American novel is adapted for the stage. Tom, Huck, Becky and their friends come to life in this critically acclaimed production filled with lessons, love and mischief. Parents should note, this production is very faithful to the original text, meaning certain words and scenes that are often censored (Huck Finn smoking and derogatory terms for different ethnic groups) will be included.

The Beauty of the Ballet – Midwood
Sunday, March 11 at 2pm
Brooklyn Center Performing Arts Complex
Campus Road and Hillel Place
FREE
Ages 4 and up.
Students and teachers from the renowned School of American Ballet put on a "class" sure to captivate aspiring ballerinas. Kids will learn all the positions and watch excerpts from famous ballets.

Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth – Lower East Side and Coney Island
Sunday, March 11 at 3pm at Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie Street between Rivington and Delancey Streets
Saturday, March 31 at 4pm at Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Avenue at West 12th Street
$15 for adults, $10 for children
Ages 4 and up
Local troupe The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus mounts two shows starring the next generation of variety, vaudeville, sideshow and circus acts. All of the performers are under 21, and their talents include comedy, acrobatics, magic, unicycling, snake charming and hula hooping. Bonus: Your kids can audition to be part of the action since the Bindlestiffs are currently seeking young performers. Find out more on the website.

Nate the Great – Tribeca
Sunday, March 18 at 3pm
Tribeca Performing Arts Center
199 Chambers Street between West and Greenwich Streets
$25
Ages 5-9
My first grader loves Marjorie Weinman Sharmat's book series about an intrepid young crime solver, so she's super-excited about this show. Nate sets out to help his neighbor Annie find a missing painting, but he realizes he needs a little help along the way. Another musical produced by TheatreworksUSA, this show should be a treat for fans.

The Neverending Story – Greenwich Village
Thursday, March 22-Friday, March 23 at 7pm; Saturday, March 24-Sunday, March 25 at 2 and 7pm
NYU Skirball Center
566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South
$20-$30
Ages 8 and up
The Roseneath Theatre of Toronto brings its critically acclaimed stage adaptation of the classic German novel (which is better known in the U.S. as a 1984 family film) to the Skirball. The show follows the adventures of a shy bullied boy who loses himself, literally, in a fantasy book. If your kids love the Narnia saga, this should be a big hit.

MacHomer – Greenwich Village
Friday, March 30 at 8pm; Saturday, March 31 at 2 and 8pm
NYU Skirball Center
566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South
$20-$32
Ages 8 and up
This Simpsons-Shakespeare mash up sounds like lots of fun for older kids (not to mention adults). Performer Rick Miller plays Macbeth as Homer with hilarious results. This show's been a big hit overseas, and retains about 85% of the Bard's text. Bet your kids won't complain that it's boring.

Pasta! A Pop Ups Musical – Upper West Side
Saturday, March 31 at 11am
Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th Street
$20 for adults, $13 for children
Ages 3 and up
Equal parts pop concert and interactive puppet show, Pasta! is great fun for young kids. My daughter and I saw it last year at the Soho Playhouse, and we loved the songs so much I bought the album (and I've been known to listen to it when my child's not even home). No other kids' band is able to span different genres as successfully as this Brooklyn duo, who do reggae, dance, pop, indie and show tunes. The story revolves around their search to make the perfect pasta dinner with the help of a host of quirky New York characters. It's silly but tasty fun.

Read about other cultural offerings for kids this winter, including puppet shows, family film festivals and rock concerts.