Now’s a Good Time to Get Out and Fly Like a Beagle

April showers families with plenty of options, including the countywide Imagination Celebration, a family arts festival. It’s a great time to shake off the winter doldrums. Spring to it.

Imagination Celebration performances, exhibits and workshops--many of them free or low-cost--continue through May 2. Highlights are indicated here with a *; for a complete listing, call the hotline at (714) 556-2787, Ext. 6071, or visit their Web site: www.ocartsnet.org/icoc.

Today

Cirque Eloize, a theatrical circus, continues tonight at 8. Also Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Irvine Barclay Theatre (4242 Campus Drive). $17-$23. (949) 854-4646.

Friday

“How to Eat Like a Child (and Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown-Up)” takes a cockeyed look at the do’s and don’ts of childhood. Based on the Delia Ephron book of the same title, the irreverent musical is performed by the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theater at the Moulton Theater (606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach) through April 11. Younger than 5 not admitted. $11-$14. (949) 497-2787.

Sunday

The Easter Beagle’s on the lam, and kids 3 to 11 can snoop him out at Knott’s Berry Farm’s Easter EggMazeMent. Through April 11, visitors can trek through themed mazes, chat with Peanuts characters and bag spring treats. Free with park admission: $13-$29 for Southern California residents in ZIP codes 90000 through 93599. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. (714) 220-5200.

Opera Pacific makes grand opera a little less daunting with a Youth Night performance of Donizetti’s “The Daughter of the Regiment.” Designed for high school students, this final dress rehearsal includes a preperformance lecture. 5 p.m. at the Orange County Performing Arts Center (650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa). $15 for youths; $25 for accompanying adults. (949) 474-4488.

Tuesday

Orange County Museum of Art (850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach) has workshops to keep the kids hopping through spring break. The two-hour sessions cover such topics as rag baskets and 3-D constructions and are offered through April 9. $15-$30. (949) 759-1122, Ext. 204.

April 8

The Bard’s hot with teens these days, thanks to “Shakespeare in Love.” Make the most of it by taking them to see the comic “Twelfth Night,” presented by the Acting Company at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (12700 Center Court Drive). Performances are today and Friday at 8 p.m. $22-$37; $11.50 for students and teachers. (800) 300-4345.

April 11

Legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Mark Morris Dance Group play together in “Falling Down Stairs,” a family-oriented program that includes a post-performance talk from the stage with the artists. At 3 p.m. at the Irvine Barclay Theatre (4242 Campus Drive). $18-$25. (949) 854-4646.

April 17

* The Imaginarium, an outdoor arts event that has in the past been held at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, has been replaced this year by ImagUtopia in Anaheim. Hands-on activities and live performances include the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theater’s touring production of “By the Great Horn Spoon!” Noon to 5 p.m. at Pearson Park (400 N. Harbor Blvd.) (949) 833-8500.

* Very Special Arts Festival at MainPlace/Santa Ana (2800 N. Main St.) celebrates the works of disabled children and adults with exhibits and performances. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (714) 547-7000.

* Steve DeNaut’s “Fairy Tale Reunion,” a fractured fable for young audiences, will be performed by South Coast Repertory’s Youth Players today and Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m. on SCR’s Second Stage (655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa). $5. (714) 708-5555.

April 18

* “Hip! Hot! Happening!” arts activities for families from noon to 4 p.m. at the Orange County Museum of Art (850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach). Free. (949) 759-1122.