We love surprises, and we love them even more when they include one of our favorite kiddie crooners, Dan Zanes. In celebration of the release of his seventh children’s album, 76 Trombones, Zanes performs a free concert at Babesta Cribz in Tribeca. Not only will you get to enjoy an after-school dance party with your tots, you can also purchase the album, which drops today. Better yet, enter to win a copy of 76 Trombones here!

When trying to lull your babe to bed, the last thing you want hitting his sensitive ears are Axl Rose’s high-pitched squeals. But Rockabye Baby has found a way to turn Guns N’ Roses’ metal anthems into melodies intended to soothe, not stir. Like all of the series releases, this new album uses softer instrumentation. Tracks we’re most excited for: “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Knockin’ On  Heaven’s Door.” Add the album to your wishlist, or check out Rockabye Baby’s other remakes including AC/DC, Aerosmith and the Beach Boys.

I admit, I get a smile on my face every time I watch my four-year-old help the Imagination Movers solve one of their quandaries on their eponymous Disney Playhouse series. So I was stoked (seems like the verb to use here) to hear that, in addition to the pop band’s new CD, For Those About to Hop, the quartet is going on tour. On Sunday, November 8, Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty will hit NYC for a pair of practically sold-out concerts at the Nokia Theatre Time Square. We’re giving away a family four-pack of tickets to the 1:30pm show, along with a copy of the band’s new Walt Disney Records album. Click here for a chance to win!

You would think that as a father of four, Christian Jacobs would want to leave juvenile antics at home when he heads to work. Not so. This kidult–who regularly skateboards around the set–feeds off kids’ creative energy and fuses it with his love for music and pop culture to create Yo Gabba Gabba! Jacobs chatted with us about his inspiration, his family, his critics and all the celebs who want in on the Nick Jr. action.

Symphony Space kicked off its Just Kidding series this month, and as always the Upper West Side culture spot is showcasing some of our favorite family-friendly entertainers, including Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could and the tot rockin’ trifecta of Dan Zanes, Gustafer Yellowgold and Father Goose at the Super Duper Extravaganza. But some literary love is also on the roster: On Saturday, October 24, at 11am author-illustrator Ezra Jack Keats, of Snowy Day fame, will be celebrated in story and song, and Time Out Kids is giving away two family four-packs to the show. In addition to readings and big-screen projections of his colorful illustrations, the Deedle Deedle Dees and Randy Kaplan will croon Keats-inspired tunes. Click here for your chance to win tickets!

Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are hits theaters Oct 16. But you can check out the movie’s soundtrack, All Is Love, now—streaming in its entirety on imeem.com. The album has a sweet, offbeat lullaby quality—soft melodies carried by tinkling piano and mellow acoustic guitar. Singer/songwriter Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (who used to date Jonze) croons on all 14 tracks. She’s accompanied vocally by “The Kids,” a humble moniker for some big names from the indie music world, like The Raconteurs’ Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence, and The Bird and The Bee’s Greg Kurstin. Queue up the soundtrack in the twilight hours this evening with your brood, take a peek at our slide show of stills from the flick, and let your mind run wild with the big-screen possibilities.

Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrack

As an editor at Time Out Kids, I’ve come to appreciate all variety of cultural events—well, almost. You see, there’s still one form that I’ve never warmed up to: the musical spectacular based on a children’s TV program. Watching costumed characters sing boob-tube jingles to a packed arena always brings on nausea and a headache for me. But there are exceptions to every rule, and at last, I think I’ve found one to this.

For the first time ever, the smart, funky and musically brave children’s program Yo Gabba Gabba will put on a live show, called Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There’s a Party in my City. While few details have been released about the event, it looks promising: In the mix will be animation, games, singing and dancing—all the elements that make the TV show a hit—plus appearances from celebrity guests.

And here’s what there won’t be: a forced, moralistic, cheesy plot. Hurrah!

Tickets go on sale on October 9; the show plays November 21 at 11 am and 2pm at the Beacon Theatre.