The Enchanted Forest 85 Mercer Street Manhattan (212) 925-6677 Recommended ages: 1 and up Passing by this store, you might never know that this is home to wild things.

Pen Pals Recommended ages: 7 and up Having a pen pal, whether it's one from Guatemala or Iowa, is almost a childhood rite.

Bicycle Paths Liberty State Park Wolf Drive, Jersey City Recommended ages: 4 and up Urban bicyclists are always looking for untrammeled places to pedal.

Mantis' Sculpture Riverside Park at 84th Street Manhattan Recommended ages: 2 and up Sitting on the back of a praying mantis may not be every child's fantasy.

The Drawing Center 35 Wooster Street SoHo (212) 219-2166 Recommended ages: 4 to 8 Sunday "Nightlight for Kids!"

Clark Studio Theater Lincoln Center (212) 769-7008 Recommended ages: 5 and up Through Dec. 13 What's opera music without foibles like jealousy, flirting and seduction?

(Note: Different experts recommend different starting ages.)

'The Beloved Dearly' Tada 120 West 28th Street Chelsea (212) 627-1732 Recommended ages: 6 and up Through Sunday A comedy for children about dead pets?

Babybug Magazine Carus Publishing Company 315 Fifth Street Peru, Ill. 61354 (800) 827-0227 Recommended ages: 6 months to 2 Does baby need a magazine?

For eight books on the preceding shortlist (2011), judges had recommended ages that ranged from 3+ to 8+.