Kids interested in samurai culture will find plenty to intrigue them at the Hono­­lulu Museum of Art’s free Family Sunday event “Samurai Heaven.”

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, it’ll be a day of fun inspired by the museum’s newest exhibition, “Lethal Beauty: Samurai Weapons and Armor,” on display through Aug. 18.

After taking in the exhibit, keiki can learn to dress like a samurai by creating their own suit of armor using paper, yarn and ribbon, completing the look with a helmet and family crest, or “mon.”

Japanese entertainment will be provided by the Taiko Center of the Pacific Youth Group (11:15 a.m. to noon), the Ken­shi­kan Kendo Club (12:15 to 1 p.m.), taiko drumming by students of the Pacific Buddhist Academy (1 to 1:30 p.m.) and Okinawan entertainment by the Naka­sone Dance Academy (1:45 to 2:30 p.m.).

In another corner of the museum grounds, Susie Roth will read children’s books and perform magic tricks every hour starting at 11:30 a.m.

Escape the heat at the nearby Doris Duke Theatre, where a 54-minute program of animated short films called “Short and Sweet” will screen at 11:10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ($3 admission, $1 for children 12 and younger).

Highlights include several music-driven films, such as the knitted animation of Charlotte Blacker’s “Stompy the Bear,” Britta Johnson’s painted “King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki Me O” (sung by Laura Veirs) and the charming stop-motion video for the Bombay Bicycle Club’s “How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep,” plus something titled “Chocolatando,” made by eighth-grade students in Portugal.

Two films, “Rainy Day Friends” and “Chip and Dory,” will be in Mandarin with English subtitles.

— Gary Chun, Star-Advertiser

Bike racing track to open to children at Sand Island

Children can enjoy a free day of bicycle riding on the undulating Sandbox racing track at Sand Island on June 22.

The official USA BMX-sanctioned dirt track is run by Island BMX, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. The track is one of 370 competitive tracks in the country.

June 22 will be both a celebration of BMX racing as an Olympic sport and BMX bicycling’s potential as a family activity.

“We are dedicated to guiding the youth of our community with a healthy sport that promotes and builds family togetherness, responsibility, inner confidence and character-building,” said spokes­woman Mary Lohman, whose son Max is a top rider in the boys division.

While the track is constructed for BMX racing, any type of bicycle will be allowed on the track that day, provided it has brakes. Kickstands and reflector lights must be removed for safety.

Riders must wear a helmet, long pants and a long sleeves.

For those participating in BMX races later in the day, registration will be between 3 and 4 p.m. Strider races, for children ages 2 to 4 riding bikes with no pedals, will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Race registration fees will be waived that day, Lohman said.

A limited number of bikes and some safety gear will be available at the track.

— Gary Chun, Star-Advertiser

Take the first step to discern children’s developmental rate

Are you worried about whether your keiki are hitting all of the right developmental milestones?

Easter Seals Hawaii offers a free online screening tool for parents of kids up to age 5 as part of its “Make the First Five Count” campaign.

The seven-page “Ages and Stages Questionnaire” is available online at www.makethefirstfivecount.org to help parents determine whether their child is developing on schedule. It should take less than 20 minutes to complete. Click on the “submit” button when done, and someone from Easter Seals will get in contact with the parents.

Every year, more than 1 million children enter school with unidentified speech, learning and motor problems, putting them behind their peers. Easter Seal Hawaii’s “Make the First Five Count” campaign emphasizes getting children the support they need in the critical years before turning 5.

Call Easter Seals Hawaii at 536-1015 or visit www.eastersealshawaii.org.

— Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser