Openings & one sad closing The mall-ification of Times Square continues as the former Colony Music becomes a brand-new Build-A-Bear Workshop. Considering there is also a build-your-own lovey outpost at 46th and Fifth, it seems like the bears rule midtown. Update: It was just a holiday pop-up. It's closed as of January 2015.

Get ready for some competition Fresh Direct and Peapod: Amazon recently launched AmazonFresh, which delivers same-day groceries and specialty foods to residents of Park Slope, with plans to expand to other Brooklyn zip codes soon. Amazon Prime members receive free shipping through the end of the year, and all customers can use the AmazonFresh App to make purchases on the go.

Also new in Brooklyn: a new location of Sprout at 376 Court Street, a children's boutique selling organic onesies, bedding, nursery furniture and toys. Based in San Francisco with another location on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the mini-chain encourages parents to learn about the dangers chemicals pose to children, and offers opportunities to take action via a variety of charities.

We were very bummed to hear that this Saturday, November 1 is the last day Cobble Hill's Micro Museum will have public gallery hours. After a dozen years of showcasing a wide range of kooky, interactive contemporary art on its ground floor, the owners say it's not financially feasible to stay open. Their nonprofit will, however, continue to exist and produce public art happenings in other locations, including the second floor of the building.

One of our favorite family theater companies has rebranded. Making Books Sing, best known for its hit musical Wanda's Monster with songs by Laurie Berkner, is now New York City Children's Theater to better reflect the breadth of the org's programming and educational outreach. The first show under its new moniker will be The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess, one of our top kids' theater picks for fall, which begins performances November 15.

How to snag Kids' Night on Broadway tix The next Kids' Night on Broadway (which really needs to be renamed Kids' Week on Broadway) will take place Friday, January 9 to Thursday, January 15, 2015. Children ages 6 to 18 can see a Broadway show for FREE when accompanied by an adult paying full price. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 5 at 11am and frankly, for popular shows like Aladdin, The Lion King, Matilda: The Musical and Wicked, you have to move fast. Find the complete list of participating shows on the website and set your alarm for next Wednesday at 10:59am!

Performing opportunities for kids If your child is more interested in being in the spotlight than sitting on the sidelines, we have three FREE opportunities for talented tykes:

Brooklyn Arts Exchange in Park Slope invites aspiring dancers, actors, songwriters and poets ages 8 to 18 to participate in YouthWorks, a series of weekend workshops throughout December and January that culminate in a pair of public performances on January 31 and February 1. Those interested must attend a mandatory orientation on Saturday, December 6. All young artists will be mentored by pros and create brand-new work.

Pink Pig Ballet is seeking children ages 8 to 14 to play rats and/or sugarplum fairies in the company's annual Nutcracker parody, In a Nutshell. No dance experience required! Just come to DANY Studios at 305 West 38th Street this Saturday, November 1 at 10am for the first rehearsal, followed by two more rehearsals prior to the November 22 and 23 performances.

Jugglers, clowns, magicians, acrobats and other aspiring circus stars under age 21 are wanted for the upcoming Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth in Coney Island. No audition necessary! Just email viveca@playfulproductions.com with the child's name, age, act description and any questions you have. The show takes place at Coney Island USA on Sunday, November 9 at 4pm and while there is no pay, kids get lots of applause and glory.

FREE ice-skating lessons Many of NYC's outdoor ice-skating rinks are already open for the season. But if your kid isn't yet steady on the ice, you can try for no-cost skating lessons with Brooklyn Ice at Lakeside in Prospect Park. The nonprofit is accepting applications from students in first through eighth grades. Proof of Brooklyn residence and school attendance are required.

Help feed the hungry With the holiday season coming up, many of us are thinking about ways to give back to those less fortunate. Here at Mommy Poppins, we're running a virtual food drive to benefit Feeding America. Another way to help others: Bring nonperishable food to donate to City Harvest when checking out the creative all-can sculptures at the annual Canstruction display in Brookfield Place, which debuts Thursday, November 6. In conjunction with the main exhibit, you can see past Canstruction favorites at four other NYC office buildings through Friday, November 14. All sites accept donations.