Fools Company's NY School for Performing Arts seeks NYC residents ages 16-21 looking to develop their creative & communication skills; 423 W. 46th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 307-6000; Thurs. 4:30-6:30, free [through 6/00].
the BIG SWIM
Free swim meet for 1000 kids ages 6-16, must register by March 29 for April 15th event, benefits their "Waterproofing" program which offers free swimming classes to kids; Asphalt Green, 800-NYC-SWIM for info & reg.
Children's Programs at the NY Botanical Garden
"Has Spring Sprung?" exploration of flowers, pussy willows & life in ponds (Weds.-Fri. & Tues. 1-4, Sat. & Sun. 10-4, through 3/31); "Prelude to Spring: The Winter Flower Show" showcases beautiful plants, shrubbery & trees (through 4/23); "Early Bloomers: Spring Bulbs" hands-on exhibit (through 4/23); NY Botanical Garden, 200th St. (Southern Blvd.), Bronx, 718-817-8700 or www.nybg.org Weds.-Sun. & Tues. 10-6, $2-$7.
Activities
LEARN ABOUT FISH
Monthly science spectacular: this week, learn about & dissect fish at the 92nd St. Y; 996-1100 for res. & info; Sun. 10-12, $35/adult & 1 child., $10/additional person.
LOOK AGAIN
Introductory discussions, sketching & art projects for ages 5-12 & accompanying adults, followed by a short film; this week's focus: "Asian Flora;" Uris Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 570-3932; Sat. at 11, Sun. at 12:30, free w/mus. adm.
rock climbing classes
Offered by Central Park Conservancy, free for ages 9 & up?learn rope management, anchor set-up, knot tying & more; North Meadow Recreation Center, 97th St. (midpark), 348-4867, res. req.; Thurs. & Tues. at 3:30, Sat. at 1:30, free [through 3/30].
TALLY LECTURE SERIES
Introductory discussions, sketching & art projects for ages 6-12 & accompanying adults, this week's focus: "The Time of the Three Musketeers;" Uris Tiered Seating at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 570-3932; Fri. at 6, free w/mus. adm. [through 3/31].
WALL CLIMBING
Climb an indoor wall?climbers must pass a belay test; North Meadow Recreation Center, 97th St. (midpark), 348-4867, res. req.; Sun. 11-1, $50 for year pass [through 3/26].
Things to See & Hear
AESOP'S FABLES
Young girl has her imaginary friend help her do a book report; Vital Theater, 432 W. 42nd St., 3rd Fl. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 592-4508; Sat. at 10:30 & 12:30, $10 [through 5/6].
AUTHUR, A LIVE ADVENTURE
Bedtime story adapted for stage; Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Ave. (51st St.), 307-7171; Weds.-Fri. & Tues. at 7, Sat. at 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun. at 11 & 2:30, $22.50-$40 [through 4/2].
caroline's kids klub
NYC clown & magician, Silly Billy performs at Carolines, 1626 B'way (49th St.), 757-4100; Sat. & Sun. at 2, $14.
EL BRONX REMEMBERED
Urban Youth Theater pres. drama about growing up in El Bronx, NY; Henry St. Settlement, 466 Grand St. (Pitt St.), 598-0400; call for times, $5, $4 st. [through 3/24].
THE FROG PRINCE, THE POET & THE RENT
20th-century rendition of classic fairy tale (Sat. at 10 a.m. & Mon. at 7) & one-hour farce about making rent, respectively (Sun. at 10 a.m. & Mon. at 9); Atlantic Theater, 336 W. 20th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 633-2643; $10, $5/ under 12.
HANSEL & GRETEL
Puppetworks' presentation of classic fairy tale about two children who get lost in the woods & bump into a witch; Greenwich Village Center, 219 Sullivan St. (betw. Bleecker & W. 3rd Sts.), rsvp 718-965-3391; Sun. at 1:30 & 3:30, $8, $5 child. [through 4/2].
HUNTER FOR HUNTER GREEN
Sam Forman's drama about 20-somethings on Spring Break?sex, drugs & rock 'n' roll, baby!; Manhattan Theater Source, 177 MacDougal St. (8th St.), 539-7553; Weds.-Sat. at 8, $10 [through 4/8].
LAVA/GROUNDWORK FOR KIDS
Workshop incorporates dance, acrobatics & circus stunts; The Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 255-5793 ext.21; Mon. at 3:30 (ages 5-9) & Mon. at 4:30 (ages 9-14), call for price [through 3/27].
THE LEGENDS OF THE ENCHANTED TREASURE
LES puppet & children's theater for Latino children?shows in Spanish on Sat. & English on Sun.; SEA @ Los Kabayitos Puppet & Children's Theater, 107 Suffolk St., 2nd Fl. (betw. Rivington & Delancey Sts.), 260-4080 ext.14, Sat. at 3:30, Sun. at 2, $8, $6 kids.
MISS MAJESTY'S LOLLIPOP PLAYHOUSE
King Authur's Enchanted Sword (1:30) & Rapunzel (3:30); Grove St. Playhouse, 39 Grove St. (betw. Bleecker & Hudson Sts.), rsvp 741-6436; Sat. & Sun., $8.50 [through 4/23].
SONY WONDER
Sony hosts activities & movie screenings for families. This week, see Dick starring Teri Garr & Jim Breuer; Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave. (55th St.), rsvp 883-7858; Thurs. at 6, free.
SWEET SIXTEEN
TADA! Youth Theater's musical about turning 16; TADA! Theater, 120 W. 28th St. (betw 6th & 7th Aves.), 627-1732; Thurs. at 7, Fri. at 7, Sat. & Sun. at 2 & 4, $12, $6 kids [through 3/26].
WEST END CHILDREN'S THEATER
West End's Children Theater pres. Hilary Chaplain in "Clowning & Magic;" Bank St. College of Theater Aud., 610 W. 112th St. (betw. B'way & Riverside Dr.), 877-6115; Sat. & Sun. at 3, $12.