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 9/00].
children's museum of the arts
Museum feat. daily activities & exhibitions incl. children's' art shows & art studio, interactive computer art station, creative playroom, actor's studio, costume shop, community group workshops, after-school art programs, summer art camps & birthday parties. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar Workshop," followed by storytime at 2:30 [Weds. at 1]; Make bird puppets & decorate eggs during "Bird & Nest [Thurs.] & "Wind Chimes" workshop [Fri.]; 182 Lafayette St. (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), 274-0986; Weds. 12-7, Thurs.-Sun., 12-5, $5, s.c. & kids under 1 are free.
the NY Botanical Garden
19th annual Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates Spring with children's activities, dance, crafts, arts [Sat. & Sun. 10-6]. "Children's Gardening Program," reg. to tend plants, flowers & herbs?718-817-8157 for info [Weds.-Sun. & Tues. 1-6]; Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden feat. sunflower house, bean tunnel & pumpkin patch; NY Botanical Garden, 200th St. (Southern Blvd.), Bronx, 718-817-8700 or www.nybg.org Weds.-Sun. & Tues. 10-6, $2-$7.
PROSPECT PARK
UniverSoul Circus [$9-$25, 800-316-7439 for info. & times, through 5/7]. Earth Day 2000, call 718-965-8999 for schedule of events. While you're there experience a ride on the 1912 carousel or visit Lefferts Homestead Children's Historic House Museum & the Prospect Park Zoo; Flatbush Ave. (Empire Blvd.), 718-965-8951; call for more info.
Activities
DINO DAYS
Family day with the American Museum of Natural History; World Trade Center, Winter Garden, West St. (Church St.), 945-0505; Fri. 12-3, Sat. & Sun. 12-5, free.
GALLERY TALKS
The Jewish Museum hosts talks for children every Sunday at 2:30?recommended for ages 5 & up, limited to 25 participants; 1109 5th Ave. (92nd St.), 423-3225; Sun. at 2:30, free w/mus. adm. [through 5/28].
MOMMY, DADDY & ME
Learn about Jewish life through games, stories & songs; Town & Village Synagogue, 334 E. 14th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 780-0800 ext.244; Sat. 10-11 a.m., free [repeats 6/11].
RAP WRITERS & performance WORKSHOP
Free seminar for teens on the history & business of rap music; Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave. (betw. 120th & 122nd Sts.), 870-6784; Fri. 7-9 p.m. [through 6/23].
SAVE OUR GARDENS
Giant puppet- & costume-making workshop, part of Rites of Spring: Procession to Save Our Gardens series at Earth Celebrations, 638 E. 6th St., 3rd Fl. (betw. Aves. B & C), 777-7969; Sat. 1:30-4:30, free [through 5/13].
WRITING WORKSHOPS FOR TEENS
Learn how to generate ideas & explore different writing styles with filmmaker K. Wise during today's "Casting Your Net" workshop, "Writing & Producing the Screenplay" with Adam Nadler, "Making the Zine" taught by Marcelle Karp & "Slamming the Poem" instruction with Regie Cabico?ages 13 & up; Writer's Voice at the West Side YMCA, 5 W. 63rd St. (Central Pk. W.), 875-4124; call for times, free [through 5/31].
Things to See & Hear
AESOP'S FABLES
Imaginary friend helps young girl complete her 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].
CHILDREN'S MUSIC "SUPERSTARS"
NY branch libraries feat. international musical acts catering to children; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 621-0636, res. req.; Sat. at 11, free, tkts. req. [through 6/1].
KINGDOM OF THE SUN
Play about a girl named Harold who wishes to become a knight; Manhattan Theater Source, 177 MacDougal St. (8th St.), 501-4751; mat. Sun. at 2, $7 [through 5/21].
RUMPLE WHO?
Revival of children's classic "Rumplestilskin" at Thirteenth St. Rep, 50 W. 13th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 675-6677; Sat. & Sun. at 3, $7.
SHOOTBACK
Photo exhibit on the slums of Nairobi, taken by Kenyan children; Staff USA, 495 B'way, 5th fl. (betw. Broome & Spring Sts.), 925-9700 ext.117; Weds.-Sat. & Tues. 11-6 [through 5/6].
the TEDDYBEARBAITERS
New Theater Co. pres. improvised theater works for children; Waterloo Bridge Theater, 203 W. 38th St., 5th Fl. (7th Ave.), 330-8879; Sun. at 11, $7, $1/child. w/adult.
WISEACRE FARM
A birthday on the farm at Thirteenth St. Rep, 50 W. 13th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 675-6677; Sat. & Sun. at 1, $7.