Parenting is full of things you say are for your kids but are actually all about you. (“Her hair was in her eyes, so I had to cut bangs.”)

Add Apple Park’s beanies and booties to the list. You’ll buy the cuter-than-a-button toppers and slippers in the name of encouraging imaginative play, but secretly it’s just to make you smile.

Representing all the Picnic Pals — bunny, monkey, cubby, lamby, and ducky — the coordinating combos are crafted from organic cotton and natural silk-blended hemp. Cozy booties in the shape of animal feet slip on without a struggle. And the soft beanies have a Velcro-like closure that fastens under the chin without inducing a case of the itchy-scratchies.

In fact, our usually antihat 1-year-old completely forgot she was sporting a lamb up top as she played around the house.

Much to our delight.

Available online at applepark.com, $24-$28.

SPARKLE
Mardi Gras Masks
What: Create a disguise with sequins, pom-poms, and jewels.
Why: Much tamer than Bourbon Street.
When: Sun., 2-3:30 p.m.
Where: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118 N. Broad St. (215-972-7600). Philadelphia School District families, free; Non-Philadelphia School District families: adults, $10; teens, $8; under 13, free.

LEAP
The Peking Acrobats
What: The talented troupe performs gravity-defying feats with the greatest of ease.
Why: Get wowed by Gumby-like contortionists.
When: Sun., 3 p.m.
Where: Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside (215-572-7650). Tickets at 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. Adults and children 13 and up, $27.50; children, $17.50.

DISCOVER
How Things Work Weekends
What: See science experiments, make paper by hand, and other interactive fun.
Why: Check out the Van de Graaf generator for a hair-raising experience.
When: Thru Mar. 27. Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St. (215-448-1200). Adults and children 12 and up, $15.50; children 4-11, $12; under 4, free.

Photo: Courtesy of Apple Park