FAMILY Activities BACKGAMMON After school sessions of that game you always ...
BACKGAMMON
After school sessions of that game you always wanted to learn w/champion Aleksander Rasic; Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City (Liberty St.), RSVP 212-267-9700; Mon. 3:30-5:30, free [through 8/27].
BASKETBALL CLINIC
Practice for tournaments held Mon. through Thurs. till Sept. 7; North Meadow Recreation Center, Central Park (midpark at 97th St.), 212-348-4867; Thurs. 6-8:30, free.
CLAY CREATIONS
Workshop challenges kids to create an alien that can survive in a specific environment; New York Hall of Science, 47-01 Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 718-699-0005; Thurs.-Sun. at 2 & 3:30, $3 [through 9/2].
FAMILY ART PROJECT
This week, create your own sunglasses during "Shades of Summer" workshop at Kerlin Learning Center at Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd St. (Indep. Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200; Sat. & Sun. 1-4, free w/grounds adm.
KIDS PROJECT SUMMER CAMP: COME AS YOU ARE
Awareness program for disabled kids using activities & disabled puppets; Columbus Branch Library, 742 10th Ave. (betw. 50th & 51st Sts.), 212-586-5098; Thurs. at 3:30, free.
ILLUSTRATING BOOKMAKING: DINOSAUR POP-UP
Create your own book & dig up dirt; Kips Bay Library, 446 3rd Ave. (31st St.), 212-683-2520; Thurs. at 3, free.
INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET
Basic instruction, class limited to eight participants because the Internet is tired; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-621-0636, res. req.; Sat. & Tues. at 10:30, free.
MINIATURE ROCK GARDENS
Learn about rock gardening & how to create a pond only using sand; Henry Luce Observatory, Belvedere Castle, Central Park, 79th St. (midpark), 212-772-0210; Sat. at 1, free.
OPENING GAMBITS
Chess for teens, advanced players & wannabe hustlers; Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City (Liberty St.), RSVP 212-267-9700; Tues. 10-1, free [through 8/28].
ORIGAMI FUN
Learn how to make objects out of paper & get paid for it?no, wait; American Craft Museum, 40 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-956-3535; Fri. 10:30-12:30, $5.
PRESCHOOL FAMILY PLAY
"Interactive play with imaginary toys" at Wagner Park; Batter Park City, West Side Hwy. (Battery Pl.), 212-528-2733; Sun. 2-4, free.
SONY WONDER
Sony hosts weekly activities for families. This week, Labrinth starring Jennifer Connelly screens (Thurs. at 6, free); And create cool accessories during "Create Your Own Circuit-Wear" workshop (Sat. 2-5, $5); Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave. (55th St.), 212-883-8100 or www.sonywondertechlab.com.
SUMMER KIDS DANCE
Broadway Dance Center hosts summer program for kids ages 3-12 interested in learning forms & techniques & things; 221 W. 57th St., 5th Fl. (B'way), 212-582-9304; call for days & times [through 8/11].
TEEN ART
Drawing, painting, sculpture & pin-hole photography instruction helps teens develop their portfolios; Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City (Liberty St.), RSVP 212-267-9700; Tues. 3:30-5:30, free [through 8/28].
TOY-TESTING
Nearly 800 children play w/toys to determine the hottest offerings of 2001; Toys "R" Us, 24-32 Union Sq. E (15th St.), 212-681-0910 to find out more; Tues. at 8 a.m.
Things to See & Hear
ARTHUR'S WORLD
Artist Marc Brown, creator of Arthur series, exhibits his work at the Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St. (betw. Amsterdam & B'way), 212-721-1234; call for times, $5 [through 8/31].
CHILDREN'S STORYTIME
Weekly readings followed by dance performance. This week, Deborah Blumenthal reads from Aunt Claire's Yellow Beehive Hair; Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; Weds. at 5, free.
EXTREME CHOICES
3-D laser show exposes kids to dangers of nicotine & smoking; Liberty Science Center in NJ, 201-200-1000 for info; daily, $3-$3.50 [through 6/2002].
HANSEL & GRETEL
Puppet show recommended for kids ages 4-8; New Amsterdam Branch Library, 9 Murray St. (betw. Church St. & B'way); 212-732-8186; Tues. at 4, free.
HARRIET THE SPY
Movie screening recommended for kids ages 7-12; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-621-0636, Weds. at 11, free.
MAYA THE BEE
Entertaining families for more than a year now, jazz puppet play for kids 3-9 is based on German book about a bee who runs away from her hive; Salon Theater, 45 Bleecker St. (Lafayette St.), 212-539-6644; Sat. at 2, $7-$15.
OHMLAND LIVE
Interactive musical combining theater, world music & yoga; 45 Bleecker Theater, 45 Bleecker St. (Lafayette St.), 212-206-1515, www.ohmland.com; Sat. at 11, $15, $7 child [through 9/1].
TALES IN THE PARK
Children's theater group, Once Upon a Time Inc., pres. Little Red Riding Hood; Queens Museum of Art, New York City Bldg., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 718-592-9700, www.queensmuse.org; Sat. at 3, free [through 8/19].
SUMMERTIME STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Annual storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen statue, feat. professionals reciting a different tale each week from around the world, Central Park, 72nd St. (5th Ave.), Weds. at 11, free.
TOY STORY
Screening for kids ages 5-10; Riverside Branch Library, 127 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 65th & 66th Sts.), 212-870-1810; Weds. at 2:30, free.
WISEACRE FARM
A birthday on the farm at Thirteenth St. Rep, 50 W. 13th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-675-6677; Sat. at 1, $7.