In New York with children, some fun things to do:

• At the Sony Wonder Technology Lab (550 Madison Ave., between E. 55th and E. 56th streets) meet b.b. wonderbot, a robot made of wire and microchips that entertains waiting guests outside the lab (b.b. had an answer for every question we could think up). Once inside the interactive museum, enter your name, have your picture taken and record your voice to obtain your personalized "swipe card." Don't be surprised to see your own image or hear your own voice as you wind your way through the exhibits. Take part in a television production, record your own jam session, and visit the Environmental Command Center where you gather and analyze data with the latest technology. Admission is free.

• Take a walk through Times Square after dark. Nighttime is the best time to experience the giant, flashing advertisements on Jumbotron screens that make you feel like a character inside a video game. Pass people on the sidewalk speaking any number of foreign languages while street musicians sing or play electric guitars. Stop for an evening ride on the three-story Ferris wheel inside the Toys "R" Us megastore in Times Square. Before heading back to your hotel, visit Hershey's Times Square for free mini chocolate bar samples.

• Times Square is also where you find Disney's Broadway blockbusters. "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast" were both unforgettable productions. Purchase theater tickets as far in advance as possible. Sign up for free membership at playbill.com and buy prime $100 orchestra seats for $65.

• Head to Central Park for more than 840 acres of green oasis. Enjoy free entertainment, horseback riding, ice and roller skating, see a puppet show, ride a 100-year-old carousel, visit a zoo, or climb on the rocks.

• See the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline by way of the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry, in operation for 100 years, offers free 20- to 30-minute rides across New York Harbor and leaves about every half-hour.

• Ice skate at Rockefeller Plaza. The rink is small, but the experience is spectacular. It sounds cliche, but during our recent skate famous crooner Tony Bennett (impeccably dressed, of course) sat lunching at the Rock Center Cafe that overlooks the rink. Ice skating is open from mid-October through mid-April, depending on the weather. The best time to skate is early in the day.

The small ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Center, seen in so many movies, is fun to visit and a good place for sighting celebrities. Jolie Zimmerman • Special to The Advertiser

Central Park offers free entertainment, a carousel and the chance to walk or run off excess energy. Advertiser library photo • Aug. 23, 2004

GameCube or N64 platforms. Choose from five huge flat-screen televisions in the free video gaming area, where PokŽmon trainers of all ages line up to battle. The store is currently closed for renovation, with reopening planned for this spring.

• At Tannen Magic Company (24 W. 25th St., between Broadway and 6th Ave.) you will likely meet memorable sales staff and customers. Professional and amateur magicians frequent the store. You can find magic coloring books, wands, crystal balls, sword chests and top hats.

• Try a sophisticated chocolate at Richart Design et Chocolate (7 E. 55th St., between 5th and Madison avenues) The Richart family of Lyon, France, is known for artfully designed, intensely flavored chocolates divided into seven flavor families: balsamic, roasted, fruity, citrus, floral, herbal and spiced.

• For trendsetting children's clothes, check out Space Kiddets (46 E 21st St., between Broadway and Park Avenue) in the Flatiron District. A charming, casual boutique, with a warm and friendly staff, Space Kiddets clothing is often featured in the New York Times Sunday magazine. You'll see Austin-Powers-style pink velvet bell-bottoms, popular Paul Frank tops, shoes, jewelry, and other clothing items suitable for everyday wear. A sale rack in the back of the second floor offers significant discounts for out-of-season items.

After a while you will begin to feel a need to collect your bags and fly home. Back in Hawai'i, sleep in. Go to the beach, sit in a chair and stare out at the ocean.