By Mike Larkin

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It is always hard to keep children happy in the midst of a divorce.

But Katie Holmes is clearly trying to do the best she can for daughter Suri, as she bought her toys and treated her to a face painting session in New York today.

No doubt the Dawson's Creek favourite will have been hoping giving the six-year-old some gifts would be a good distraction amid the upheaval of her separation from Tom Cruise.

Talk about a handful: Suri Cruise carried some new toys after a visit to FAO Schwarz with Katie Holmes in New York today

Talk about a handful: Suri Cruise carried some new toys after a visit to FAO Schwarz with Katie Holmes in New York today

The pair enjoyed some quality time together at swanky toy shop FAO Schwarz, where the Batman Begins star could not resist indulging her little princess.

She also took her and a young friend for a lunch at Manhattan coffee shop Via Quadronno.

It appears Suri has similar tastes to her playmate, as they wore almost identical face paint, and chose similar toys.

The youngster seemed particularly taken by a unicorn, perhaps because the mystical creature was a central plot device in her devout Scientologist father's 1985 cult fantasy favourite film Legend, in which he played woodland elf-like character Jack o' the Green.

Security detail: The A-lister's daughter was closely watched by a burly guard as they made their way around town

Security detail: The A-lister's daughter was closely watched by a burly guard as they made their way around town

Painted little lady: The six-year-old revealed her detailed design

Painted little lady: The six-year-old revealed her detailed design

It is to her credit that in the midst of the turbulence in her private life, Katie seems resolutely focused on just one thing, her daughter's well being.

Earlier in the day she treated her little girl a visit at the Children’s Museum of the Arts in New York today.

It's Suri's fourth play date this week alone - she has visited Chelsea Piers for a gymnastics class, met animals at the Central Park Zoo and enjoyed the desserts on offer at Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper East Side.

As the pair headed off today, it seemed she just wanted to be in the comfort of her mother's arms and Katie complied, scooping her up and carrying her to their destination.

Busy day: The pair visited Children's Museum of the Arts earlier in the day

Busy day: The pair visited Children's Museum of the Arts earlier in the day

Carried away: It seems Suri wanted a lift from her mother instead of having to walk

Katie was dressed casually for the day out in a pretty white top, pale skinny jeans and her favourite camel ankle boots.

Her daughter was sporting a cute dress embroidered with colourful flowers, along with a pair of pink flip flops.

Suri has not seen her father Tom Cruise, who is currently filming his new movie Oblivion in California, in around three weeks.

The two speak on the phone and the actor's lawyer said yesterday that the action star plans to see the child 'very soon'.

Mummy's girl: Katie scooped the six-year-old into her arms

Mummy's girl: Katie scooped the six-year-old into her arms

Bert Fields told Radar Online: 'Tom loves his Suri very, very much, as he does his other two children. Tom is a family man, and dedicated to his children. They are the center of his world.'

Meanwhile, speculation still surrounds the estranged couple's divorce settlement.

It was reported by TMZ today that Tom has not paid Katie a lump sum in the deal.

However sources have allegedly told the website that Tom will pay ‘more than $10 million’ in child support for Suri until she is 18.

Dressed down: Katie looked pretty, if a little tired, in a white top and pale skinny jeans

Dressed down: Katie looked pretty, if a little tired, in a white top and pale skinny jeans

Katie has sole custody of Suri as part of the settlement agreement, but the actor will have substantial visitation rights.

Speaking about their split, Scientologist Tom and Katie - who registered at a Catholic church in New York this week - released a statement saying: 'We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests.

'We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other's roles as parents.'

Keeping busy: Tom, pictured yesterday, is still working on his new sci-fi film Oblivion in California

Keeping busy: Tom, pictured yesterday, is still working on his new sci-fi film Oblivion in California

Time apart: Tom's lawyer said the actor plans to see his daughter 'very soon'

Time apart: Tom's lawyer said the actor plans to see his daughter 'very soon'

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

STOP SHOVING A CAMERA IN HER FACE FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!! SHE IS A CHILD!!! SHE NEEDS A NORMAL LIFE!!!!

I wish she's buy a house with a garden where suri could just stay at home and play in the garden with her friends and maybe a dog and be far away from the media madness.

Such a scruffy purse and those boots - gawd they are bizarre footwear in the summer heat!

Poor Suri must be really scared by all those paparazzi taking pictures of every step, every move she makes. I will never ever read an article about her. The less clicks, the less interest in pictures of Suri, the less paparazzi haunting this little girl. Enjoy live and have fun with your friends, Suri :-)

I'd be more then happy to carry my daughter in my arms to know that she feels safe with all the paps around...

It's so odd that the little girl ALWAYS wants to be carried! At that age, I find it strange.

This child is never happy!!!!!

Does that child ever smile!

Sooner she gets into a school and learns some manners, rules and boundaries the better

This poor little girl can't cope with being hounded by paparazzi , no wonder she wants to hide in her mummy's arms all of the time.

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