Quality Times : Miss the kids now that school’s started? Here’s what to do.

Now that you’re firmly entrenched in the back-to-school chaos, do you find yourself longing for those lazy days of summer? Steal away for a few hours of unfettered family fun. Here’s a quick roundup of activities from the lively arts to the art of getting along:

You Gotta Have Art

The oldsters may love fine arts and antiques, but the kids go gaga for computer graphics. At “Show Me the Culture--An Arts Night in the East Village,” there’s an artistic style to suit nearly everyone’s taste.

Visitors are invited to drop in at 20 galleries, museums and art-related businesses in downtown Long Beach, where they can chat with artists, view exhibits or take in mini-performances. Photography, sculpture, collage, tattooing, as well as arts and musical performances from various cultures, will be showcased at this annual event hosted by the Public Corp. for the Arts and the Downtown Long Beach Associates. Shuttle service is provided. A good starting point for your self-guided tour is the Link, 117 Linden Ave.

“Show Me the Culture--An Arts Night in the East Village Arts District,” will be held Friday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the area bordered by Ocean Boulevard, Alamitos Avenue, 7th Street and Long Beach Boulevard. Free. (562) 570-1930.

Strings Attached

Marionettes and hand puppets stage a child-size circus Saturday at the Children’s Museum at La Habra. The lighthearted performance, “Barnum and Baloney,” features the Miniken Puppets and is suggested for preschoolers and up. Older siblings may better appreciate the interactive museum’s newest exhibit, “Math Magician.”

“Barnum and Baloney” will be presented Saturday at noon at the Children’s Museum at La Habra, 301 S. Euclid St., La Habra. Free with museum admission of $4; children under 2 free. (562) 905-9793.

Fairy-Tale Ending

Preteens and teens may identify with Drew Barrymore’s feisty heroine in “Ever After,” but young romantics often favor the dreamy, happily-ever-after stuff of Charles Perrault’s classic “Cinderella.” Actors from the Saddleback Children’s Festival serve up the tale of a lovely but beleaguered miss rescued by an empathetic fairy godmother in a staging at their storefront theater at the Mission Viejo Mall. Closes Sunday.

“Cinderella,” adapted by Charlotte Chorpenning and directed by Kathleen Cannarozzi-Harris, will be performed today and Friday at 5 and 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Saddleback Children’s Festival Theatre on the first level of the Mission Viejo Mall (Interstate 5 at Crown Valley Parkway). $6. Reservations (949) 582-4656.

In Step

Stepparents get a bad rap in “Cinderella,” but on Sunday, an event in Los Alamitos celebrates a more positive and realistic view on blended families. Hosted by the Los Angeles chapter of the Stepfamily Assn. of America in recognition of Stepparent Day, the family picnic will feature children’s activities, volleyball games and free stepparenting tips from a panel of four professionals.

Stepparent Day picnic will be held Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at Rossmoor Park, 3232 Hedwig Road, Los Alamitos. Free. BYO picnic; cold drinks and light refreshments available for a small donation. (562) 598-2223.

Run for Your Life

You say your kids never stop running? You can put all that youthful vigor to good use at the seventh annual Orange County Race for the Cure. The fund-raiser includes a one-mile kids’ run/walk for ages 12 and under, plus a women’s 5K run/walk, a co-ed 5K run/walk, entertainment, raffle and a health, fitness and children’s expo, all at points along Newport Center Drive in the Fashion Island center.

Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Sponsorship forms are available at several O.C. locations, including your local post office, Target and JCPenney stores.

Orange County Race for the Cure will be held Sunday. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. at the corner of Newport Center Drive and Santa Cruz Drive. First race steps off at 8:15, and the kids’ race (for ages 12 and younger) starts at 10:30 a.m. Registration fees are $12 to $30. (949) 224-0290.