FAMILY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS Museum feat. daily ...

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; 182 Lafayette St. (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), 212-274-0986; Weds. 12-7, Thurs.-Sun., 12-5, $5, s.c. & kids under 1 are free.

 

BOOK FOR KIDS FOUNDATION

Starbucks Coffee Company hosts annual All Books for Children Drive, donate new & gently used children's books to nearest Starbucks, Sept. 6th-Oct. 3rd.

 

ON-LINE HALLOWEEN CONTEST

Submit photos of your little ghosts & goblins (with permission), email address, & paragraph explaining history or reasoning of each costume. Winners' photos displayed on sight starting Oct. 9, more info at www.parents-talk.com. Submit info to: Talk Halloween Costume Photo Contest, c/o Circle 1 Network, 131 W. Seeboth St. Milwaukee, WI 53204 by Oct. 13.

 

Activities

THE BEST BUY VOLUNTEEN CENTRAL TEEN FAIR

One-day fair gives teens from all boroughs an opportunity to become involved wi/non-profit organizations such as Rock the Vote, YMCA, Central Park Conseravatory & more. Guest speakers incl. Queen Latifah & Miss Teen USA. Teens can sign-up to volunteer, hear live music, enjoy free refreshments & have chance to win prizes; Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, 5th Ave. (72nd St.), 212-496-4346; Sun. 12-4, free.

 

FAMILY ART PROJECT

Wave hill pres. "The Enchanted Circle" journey to the land of fairies lead by on-site artist Sylvia Benitez. Activities incl. making "fairy rings" out of clay mushrooms, storytelling & spore prints to take home; 675 W. 252nd St. (Indep. Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200; Sat. & Sun. 1-4, free w/grounds adm.

 

FOREST PROJECT

Prune & plant w/foresters plus repair wooland trails during this study in conservation; Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd St. (Indep. Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200; Sat. 1-4, free w/grounds adm. [through 10/28].

FREE GYMNASTICS

Every Friday night middle & high school students ages 12-19 are invited to attend free gymnastics classes held at McBurney YMCA Chelsea Center, 122 W. 17th St. (betw. 16th & 17th Sts.), 212-643-9013; register at 6.

 

HP INVENTOR CENTER

Exhibit lets kids learn about & discuss some of USA's prominent inventors & construct their own gadgets; Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St. (betw. B'way & Amsterdam Ave.), 212-721-1223; Weds.-Sun. & Tues. 10-5, free w/mus. adm. [through 11/30].

 

NYC TEENS

CitiKids Coalition hosts weekly discussion & exploration of various issues that youths confront; The CityKids Foundations, 57 Leonard St. (betw. Church St. & W. B'way), 212-925-3320; 6, free.

 

Things to See & Hear

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD , THE LITTLEST MERMAID

Miss Majesty's Lollipop Playhouse offers two productions as alternatives to the boob tube; Grove St. Playhouse, 30 Grove St., 212-741-6436; Sat. & Sun. at 3:30, $8.50 [through 11/19].

 

ARABIAN NIGHTS

The Young Vic Theater Co. of England performs classic for families; New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St. (B'way), 212-239-6200; Fri. at 7, Sat. at 1 & 7, Sun. at 12 & 6, $10-$25 [through 10/22].

 

CHILDREN'S SCULPTURE GARDEN

One-hundred & twenty bronze miniatures surround 40-ft. high peace fountain; Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. (112th St.), 212-932-7347 for days & times; free.

 

THE CONFINO FAMILY APARTMENT

Take tour through space based on immigrant family's first home in 1916. Actress plays teenage Victoria Confino & answers questions; LES Tenement Museum, 90 Orchard St. (Broome St.), 212-431-0233; Sat. & Sun. at 12, 1, 2 & 3, $6-$8.

 

GALLERY TALKS

The Museum of Modern Art feat. guided walks & discussion. This week, Up, Down, All Around: Sculpture; 11 West 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves), 212-708-9400; sign-in at 9:45 a.m., $5 per family.

 

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

Storytelling at Hans Christian Andersen statue is annual event loved by New Yorkers of all ages, feat. professional storytellers reciting a different tale each week; Hans Christian Andersen Statue, 72nd St. (5th Ave.), 212-260-3674; Sat. at 11 a.m., free [through 9/30].

 

IMAGINATION

Play about kids who get a life when there's nothing on tv; Looking Glass Theater, 422 W. 57th (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-307-9467; Sat. & Sun. at 2 & 4, $8-$10 [through 10/8].

 

MAYA THE BEE

Jazz puppet play for tikes 3-9 based on German book about bee who runs away from hive; Salon Theater, 45 Bleecker St. (Lafayette St.), 212-539-6644; Sat. at 11, $7-$15.

 

92ND ST. Y OPEN HOUSE

Kids & teens are encouraged to check out art, dance & music classes today plus try first session for free; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-996-1100; Sat. 12-3, free [through 10/00].

 

TALES OF ANANSI

Special program presented by Mut Neferieth Amenechi for ages 5 & up; The Museum of Modern Art, 20 W. 53rd St. . (betw. 5th & 6th Aves), 212-621-0636, res. req.; Sun. at 3, free.

 

THE TEDDYBEARBAITERS

Improv group takes Brecht's theories & makes them a reality for your children in attempt at extreme interactive theater; Waterloo Bridge Theater, 203 W. 38th St., 5th fl. (7th Ave.), 212-330-8879; Sun. at 11, $7, $3 kids.

 

UNWANTED: THE UGLY DUCKLING

Follow adventures of Ted & his gorgeous sister as they brave hunters, the Olympics & more. Plus hands-on workshop prior to each show; YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), RSVP 212-866-5170 for days & times; $15 [through 9/29].

 

WISEACRE FARM & RUMPLE WHO?

A birthday on the farm & a classic at Thirteenth St. Rep, 50 W. 13th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-675-6677; Sat. & Sun., call for times, $7.