If Barney and Elmo are driving you bananas and MJ has worked his magic, there are alternative sounds for the kids and – and more importantly – for you, as well.

They Might Be Giants – “Here Comes Science”
Available from iTunes ($9.99) and Amazon.com ($7.99)
They Might Be Giants weren’t originally a band for kids, but their sound translates well. Following the successes of “Here Come the ABCs,” and the Grammy-award winning “Here Come the 123s,” “Here Comes Science” is all about the world around us. Sure, it’s educational but it’s also fun, catchy, and taught me a thing or three about photosynthesis, circulation, and the solar system.

Various Artists – “For the Kids Three”
Available from iTunes ($9.99) and Amazon.com ($8.99)
This compilation of original songs and re-worked classics like “Wheels On The Bus” and “My Darling Clementine” wouldn’t normally stand out, but delivered by some of your favorite indie bands including Of Montreal, Great Lake Swimmers, Barenaked Ladies and Moby, it’s hard not to keep it on repeat. “The Poopsmith Song” by Over The Rhine could be a true work of genius, sending a hilarious message that “poop goes in the potty.” This song alone is reason enough to buy the album.

Putumayo Kids Presents: World Music Series
Available from Amazon.com and Putumayo.com
Putumayo Kids is a series of albums dedicated to inspiring children through world music. The album includes songs by artists like Manu Chao and Buckwheat Zydeco, which have been compiled into a celebratory and danceable kid-friendly collection. This colorful series breaks the barriers of language, and takes junior global citizens and their parents on musical journeys around the world. Have fun with the whole family hula dancing, maraca shaking and bongo drumming. Though the albums aren’t available for download, a percentage of the sales go to international charities so it’s worth the wait to get them by post.

Johnny Cash – “The Johnny Cash Children’s Album”
Available from iTunes ($9.99) and Amazon.com ($9.99)
When I think of Johnny Cash, what immediately comes to mind are his dark and brooding ballads. So I was amazed to discover Cash singing these light-hearted and witty melodies. There’s “Old Shep,” about his lifetime canine companion, a non-sensical alphabet song called “Ah Bos Cee Dah,” and a silly explanation of “Why a Fire Engine is Red.” For adult fans of Cash, this album boasts his signature style, but it’s still sweet and good-natured enough for kids. If the youngsters take to this, you might also introduce them to the humorously adapted “Folsom Daycare Blues” by Ralph’s World.

Ziggy Marley – “Family Time” and Bob Marley – “B is for Bob”
Available from Amazon.com ($7.99) from iTunes ($9.99)
The whole family will be jammin’ to these tunes by the first family of reggae. On “B is for Bob,” Ziggy Marley took a dozen of his father’s hits, and re-imagined them for kids. “Family Time,” meanwhile, is original reggae that allows you to take the children far beyond The Little Mermaid soundtrack. Here, the Marleys prove that reggae is timeless and can appeal to all ages.

Beethoven’s Wig: Sing Along Symphonies
Available from iTunes ($9.99) and Amazon.com ($9.99)
If you’re a parent who loves classical music but don’t know how to share it with your kids, Beethoven’s Wig can quickly bridge the gap. This sing-along series adds lyrics to famous classical compositions, illustrating them with witty stories that hint at the original title of the piece. One example that keeps me giggling is from Beethoven’s Fur Elise: “Here is a short Beethoven piano piece. He wrote this piece – just for Elise. It’s all about a fellow named Maurice, who came from Greece – with a valise.” You may never hear Beethoven the same way again, but your kids won’t be able to get enough of these re-mastered classics.

Last weekend I had psyched myself up for a Sunday afternoon trek to “Happy Snow and Ice Season” at the Bird’s Nest, but woke to a dismal sight: deserted streets, the wind whipping up a snowy gale, and foiled plans. So much for my excursion to a winter wonderland. I’d watched Bolt to the point of memorization, and the snow was too fluffy to make a proper snowman. What to do now?

If I couldn’t make snowmen outdoors, then I’d make them indoors instead!

Time to bring out the big guns: “Cake Pops,” scrumptious morsels of cake stuck on the end lollypop sticks. I’m yet to master the manufacture of these sweet spheres, but the fun is in the making as opposed the perfecting.

Cake pops are (almost) infinitely variable, and they can be used for any occasion – or indoor day. With just a bit of imagination and you can have anything from witches to chickadees to UFOs.

The most intimidating ingredient for this recipe was Mini Oreos which I (miraculously) found at April Gourmet. And remember, improvisation is most welcome.

Ingredients:
1 box cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can frosting (453g)
Wax paper
Lollipop sticks
White candy melts
Black confetti sprinkles
Orange sunflower seeds
Black edible ink pen
Regular Oreos
Miniature Oreos
Toothpicks
Styrofoam block

Recipe:
1. Prepare the hats first. Separate Oreos and remove the creme center. The miniature Oreos can get a lot of crumbs stuck to the side of the creme center, so take a toothpick and scrape the surface off for a white edge.
2. Melt chocolate in the microwave per directions on package. (30sec intervals, stirring in between.)
3. Use some of the melted coating to attach the miniature Oreo to the regular size Oreo half and set aside.
4. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
5. Mix thoroughly with 1 can frosting. (I use the back of a large spoon, but it may be easier to use fingers to mix together. But, be warned, it will get messy. Also, you may not need the entire can of frosting, so start out by using almost the entire can and add more if you need to.)
6. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50)
7. Dip the tip of your lollipop stick in a little of the melted candy coating and insert into the cake balls (insert a little less than halfway).
8. Place them in the freezer for a little while to firm up.
9. Once firm, carefully insert the cake ball into the candy coating by holding the lollipop stick and rotating until covered. Once covered remove and softly tap and rotate until the excess chocolate falls off. Don’t tap too hard or the cake ball will fall off, too.
10. While the coating is still wet, attach the sunflower seed nose and the Oreo hat and let dry.
11. Then attach the confetti sprinkle eyes by dotting on a small amount of coating with a toothpick and attach the sprinkles.
12. Draw the mouths with the edible ink pen and let dry standing in a styrofoam block.

For more fun recipes, check out Bakerella.com

Michelle Woo is a Beijing-based writer, editor and art-lover

Photo taken from www.bakerella.com