In the spring, activities for New York City families with young children are plentiful. This season, youngsters can visit a country-style fair, attend a slumber party at the American Museum of Natural History, watch a play about a heroine of contemporary children’s literature — Junie B. — and more, as detailed below.

DANCE

WHERE BARNEY IS BANNED Disco isn’t just for human relics of the 1970s anymore. Baby Loves Disco presents its monthly dance party for children and adults at the music venue Southpaw. The purple television star Barney is banned, as music is spun by a DJ and bubbles float over the dance floor. Egg shakers and a child-friendly open space with pillows, books, toys, and puzzles are sure to entertain when the little ones feel like taking a break from the dance floor. Snacks for both kids and adults, and a bar for adults, will be available. Saturday, April 5, 2–5 p.m., Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave., between Sterling Place and St. John’s Place, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-230-0236, $12.

EARTH DAY

WORLD IN HAND The Central Park Zoo’s resident polar bears, Gus and Ida, are the honorary hosts of an Earth Day event at the park. Children are invited to become acquainted with the park wildlife and learn how they can help to preserve the environment. Little ones may enjoy craft activities or a chat with the zookeepers as Gus and Ida play with their very own Earth Day globe.

Saturday, April 19, to Sunday, April 20, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Central Park Zoo, 830 Fifth Ave. at 64th Street, 212-439-6500, $8 for adults and children 13 and older, $3 for children ages 3–12.

EXHIBIT

TASTY TREATS The New York Botanical Garden invites children to explore the flavorful side of its orchid show in “Chocolate and Vanilla Adventures,” in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. With lenses and microscopes, children examine live vanilla orchids, their seedpods, and vanilla beans to learn about the flavor’s origins. They also embark on a vanilla jelly bean taste test and an expedition into the “rainforest corner,” before grinding their own ingredients to make an ancient Mayan dessert drink. Through Sunday, April 6, Monday – Friday, 1:30–5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road, the Bronx, 718-817-8716, $20 general, $18 students and seniors, $7 children, free for members.

FESTIVALS

BARNYARD DANCE It is a well-kept secret that a farm exists in the city. With its expansive barn, greenhouse, roaming livestock, orchard, and herb garden, the Queens County Farm Museum is a refuge for those who have discovered it. At the museum’s annual Children’s Carnival, families can get their fill of country living during a weekend of games, hayrides, magic shows, and a stop at the petting zoo. Refreshments are also on offer, including kebabs, hamburgers, funnel cake, fried Oreos, and ice cream. Saturday, April 12–Sunday, April 13, and Saturday, April 19–Sunday, April 20, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway at 74th Avenue, Queens, 718-347-3276, $9.

BROOKLYN BLOOMS Few things say “spring” as eloquently as 200 flowering trees. In May, visitors can flock to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, or “Sakura Matsuri,” at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for a barefoot romp across the freshly cut lawns, where a rich program of events awaits. Among the scheduled activities are traditional Japanese music and dance, taiko drumming, ikebana-style flower arranging, presentations on Japanese manga art, tea ceremonies, craft demonstrations, and workshops for all ages. Saturday, May 3–Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave. at Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, 718-623-7200, $8 general, $4 for children ages 12 and over, free for children ages under 12.

FILM

CRASH The American Museum of Natural History presents “Cosmic Collisions,” an IMAX film that teaches viewers about the outer-space crashes that have a transformative effect on the universe. The film, which is narrated by Robert Redford, features computer simulations developed by astrophysicists at the museum and scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-763-5100, $15 general, $11 students and seniors, $8.50 children, free for members, showtimes at amnh.org.

FOOD

CHEFS IN TRAINING Get Fresh, a Park Slope establishment that prepares meals with ingredients that are locally grown, and antibiotic- and pesticide-free, introduces “Delectables for Ducklings: Cooking Classes for Kids and the Ones who Love Them.” Children and their parents and caregivers can learn to make a variety of delicious, healthy foods, while adults get tips on ways to encourage their children to eat healthy fare. Youngsters are entertained by an art project while the food cooks. Classes are taught by a certified holistic nutritional counselor, Laura Fischer-Harbage, of Maitri Health. Fridays, March 14, April 11, and May 9, for children ages 3–6, Wednesdays, March 28, April 18, and May 16, for children ages 6–9, 3:30 p.m, Get Fresh, 370 Fifth Ave., between 5th and 6th streets, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-360-8469, $40 for child and caregiver.

LITERARY

PRESCHOOL POETRY The New York Public Library’s Mulberry Street Branch and Poets House host National Poetry Month for Kids. Events, led by New York City-based poets Annie Wright and Mike Romanos, are designed to provide toddlers with early exposure to poetry.

Fridays, April 4, 11, and 18, 2 p.m., NYPL, Mulberry Street Branch, 10 Jersey St., between Lafayette and Mulberry streets, 212-966-3424, free.

MUSEUMS

MAKE YOUR OWN MASTERPIECE At “Hello, Met!” children and their adult companions are given an introduction to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s vast holdings. A discussion follows, and youngsters are invited to try their hand at sketching some of the masterpieces on view. Recommended for children ages 5–12. Sunday, 11 a.m–12:30 p.m., Metropolitan Museum of Art, Uris Center for Education, Carson Family Hall, 1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd Street, 212-535-7710, free with suggested museum admission, $20 general, $15 seniors, $10 students, free for members and children under age 12.

NATURALLY NOCTURNAL Although dozing under the stars has its appeal, sleeping underneath a 94-foot-long blue whale isn’t too shabby. At the American Museum of Natural History, families are welcome to come in for a night of nocturnal adventure, as part of the Night at the Museum program. Adventurers can take in a movie at the IMAX theater, tour the museum’s galleries by flashlight, get tickled by butterflies at the conservatory, and then crawl into a sleeping bag for some rest before a hearty breakfast is served. Sleepovers conclude the following day at 9 a.m.

The museum schedules the program two times a month during spring and summer. For complete information and to register, go to amnh.org/kids/sleepovers. Dates vary, AMNH, 200 Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-769-5200, $109 a person.

SPECIAL EVENT

WALRUS COMES OF AGE The first walrus ever born in the New York Aquarium, Akituusaq, celebrates his first birthday in June. Visitors are invited to join the calf’s proud parents, originally from St. Lawrence Island in Alaska, in a “Big Baby Bash” for the bouncing 300-pluspound boy. There, children can get a good look at the tusked animals and enjoy activities such as face painting, decorating an enormous birthday card, and a game of “Guess the Walrus’s Weight.” Music and games are hosted by Rock the House Productions, and storytelling by Lu-Ann Adams is also featured. Saturday, June 14–Sunday, June 15, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., New York Aquarium, 602 Surf Ave. at 8th Street, Brooklyn, 718-265-3474, $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 3–12, free for children ages 2 and under.

THEATER

STRINGING THEM ALONG Puppetworks presents Charles Perrault’s fairy tale, “Cinderella,” adapted for marionettes by director Nicolas Coppola. Mr. Coppola created Puppetworks in 1980 as a way to preserve classic puppet theater with an emphasis on hand-carved wooden marionettes. Reservations are required. Saturday and Sunday, through April 13, 12:30 and 2 p.m., closed Easter Sunday, 338 Sixth Ave. at 4th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-965-3391, $8 general, $7 children, $5 for groups of 20 or more.

JUNIE ONSTAGE Based on Barbara Park’s beloved children’s books, “Junie B. Jones” returns to the stage in this musical adaptation by TheatreworksUSA. The show combines memorable moments from four volumes of the series. Families can join the spunky Junie as she faces the first grade head-on: making new friends, playing in a kickball tournament, and documenting the whole experience in her “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal.” The hour-long show is recommended for those ages 5 and up. Through May 5, times vary, Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher St., between Bedford and Bleecker streets, 212-279-4200, $25.

MAKING A SPLASH “The Little Mermaid” is the latest in a string of Disney animated films to get the Broadway treatment. The fish tale features an extravagant set — the play’s heroine, played by Sierra Boggess, is submerged for part of the time in waist-deep water in an enormous turquoise-and-gold orb. The plot follows a headstrong mermaid, Ariel, who risks her life vying for the love of Prince Eric, played by Sean Palmer. The musical’s libretto preserves tunes familiar to the movie’s fans, such as “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Kiss the Girl.” George Tsypin is set designer, and a veteran of the operatic stage, Francesca Zambello, directs the tale based partly on a story by Hans Christian Andersen. Open run, 8 p.m. Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St. at Broadway, 212-307-4747, $51.50–$121.50.

A VELVETEEN CLASSIC Margery Williams’s 1922 tale of “The Velveteen Rabbit” is revived in this musical by Literally Alive, a children’s theater company. Join stuffed rabbit Pete and other toys from the nursery as he tries to understand what it means to be a “real” rabbit. Children learn about love and find out what toys dream about when their owners are fast asleep. Literally Alive also offers a pre-show workshop where children can learn about the process of creating a theatrical performance from a book.

Through Sunday, May 11, performance days vary, noon, Players Theatre, 115 Macdougal St., between Minetta Lane and West 3rd Street, 212-475-1449, $25 adult, $20 children, $25 for children attending pre-show workshop.

BILINGUAL FAIRY TALE Los Kabayitos Puppet and Children’s Theatre presents “Los Tres Cerditos/The Three Little Pigs,” a bilingual interpretation of the fairy tale. Children can show off their Spanish as they join Mama Piggy on an action-packed adventure featuring a vegetarian wolf and enough salsa music to keep parents and little ones dancing in their seats throughout the performance. Saturdays, April 19 through May 3, 3 p.m., Teatro SEA @ Los Kabayitos Puppet and Children’s Theatre, 107 Suffolk St., between Delancey and Rivington streets, 212-529-1545, $15 adults, $12.50 children.