OF, BY AND FOR THE CHILDREN : Bedknobs and mermaids: Disney shares the magic of its sea adventures

Two Disney specials take you under water and behind the scenes this week!

“Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” the 1971 fantasy movie that mixes live action and animation, stars Angela Lansbury as an apprentice witch during World War II. In her quest to find a magic formula that will help beat the Germans, she takes three children and a quack professor on some wacky adventures--including one at the bottom of the sea.

“Bedknobs and Broomsticks” Sunday at 7 p.m. the Disney Channel. For ages 6 and up.

In “The Making of ‘The Little Mermaid’,” a half-hour family documentary hosted by actress Alyssa Milano (of “Who’s the Boss”), you’ll peek at the making of the successful 1989 Disney movie, which is now available on video. The special includes a tour of Disney’s animation studios, an introduction to the actors who provided the voices in the movie, and a look at what makes this feature different from previous Disney animated classics.

“The Making of ‘The Little Mermaid”’ Monday at 7:30 p.m. the Disney Channel

For all ages 5 and up.

Note: As part of its “Holiday Preview,” the Disney Channel is offering eight days of free programming, Sunday through Dec. 2, to subscribers on participating cable systems and to satellite dish owners. Check with your cable operator.

MORE KIDS’ SHOWS

A comedy about growing pains, Many Happy Returns (Sunday at 8:30 a.m. KCET) tells the story of a 13-year-old girl’s unrequited love for a clown. For ages 8 and up.

It’s the 59th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (Sunday at 6 p.m. and repeated Thursday at 8 p.m. KTLA), with floats, marching bands and lots of holiday cheer. For all ages.

In the TV movie The Night They Saved Christmas (Sunday at 8 p.m. KTLA), a mom and her three children find themselves on a magical journey to the North Pole, where they help a bearded man in a red suit save his toy factory from destruction. For all ages.

Dawn and the Haunted House (Thursday at 4 p.m. HBO) is an episode of the new ongoing “The Baby-Sitters Club” series based on the popular books by Ann M. Martin. In this episode, a group of girls create their own baby-sitting business--and wind up suspecting one of their clients’ neighbors is a witch! For ages 12 and up.

Everybody loves Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Friday at 8 p.m. on CBS)--the story about misfit Rudolph and his elfin friend. For all ages.

Mysterious Island (Friday at 7:30 a.m. Cinemax) is based on the Jules Verne story about escaped convicts who find themselves stranded on an island inhabited by gigantic animals. For ages 9 and up.

In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Saturday at 2 p.m. Nickelodeon), an animated version of the Mark Twain classic, Tom and Huck witness a crime and hide out in mysterious caves along the Mississippi River. For 6- to12-years-olds.

The Light Brigade (Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Nickelodeon) is a touching story about two boys who bring Christmas cheer to their Canadian town. For 7-to15-year-olds.

Santa Bear’s First Christmas (Saturday at 6 a.m. Showtime) tells the story of a little bear cub who becomes separated from his family at the North Pole and makes some very special friends. For 5- to 11-year-olds.

Maybe he’s a distant relation of Frosty, because The Magic Snowman (Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. Showtime) is able to speak to anyone who believes they can hear him. For 5- to 13-year-olds.