FAMILY the BIG SWIM Free swim meet for 1000 kids ages ...

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 swim classes to kids; Asphalt Green, 800-NYC-SWIM for info & reg.

 

Children's Programs at the NY Botanical Garden

Celebrate African-American Heritage Month with performances, workshops & music by Roy Campbell, jr. & Tazz (Sat. 11-3); Learn where chocolate comes from during chocolate week (through 2/27); "Prelude to Spring: The Winter Flower Show" showcases beautiful plants, shrubbery & trees (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.

 

PROSPECT PARK'S WOLLMAN RINK

Daily ice skating at Brooklyn's outdoor skating rink in Prospect Park, Parkside Ave. (Ocean Ave.), Park Slope, 718-282-1226; $4, $2 child/s.c., $3.50 skate rentals [through 3/00].

 

Activities

ARTSWORKER APPRENTICES

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].

 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH DANCE SERIES

African American dance workshops with Central Park Conservancy; North Meadow Recreation Center, Central Park (midpark at 97th St.), rsvp 348-4867; Sat. 1-2:30, free [through 2/26].

 

FAMILY ART PROJECT

Weekly series. This week, learn the art of papermaking; Kerlin Learning Center at Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd St. (Indep. Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200; Sat. & Sun. 1-4, free w/grounds adm.

 

FITNESS WORKSHOP

Learn the importance of exercise & proper nutrition; North Meadow Recreation Center, Central Park (midpark at 97th St.), 348-4867 to reg.; Sat. 11-1, free.

 

KID'S WEEK

Five-day marathon of boat building, space exploration, airplane flying contest & other activities; Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, Pier 86, W. 46th St. (12th Ave.), 245-0072; Mon.-Weds. 12-3, call for price [through 2/25].

 

LOOK AGAIN

Introductory discussions, sketching & art projects for ages 5-12 & accompanying adults, followed by a short film; this week's focus: "Perfect Documents & African Art;" Uris Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 570-3932; Sat. & Sun. at 11, 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. 3:30-5:30 & Tues. 1:30-3:30, free [through 3/2].

 

SATURDAYS ALIVE!

Explore the history of American Kachina Doll (12:30-2:30) & observe Native American/inter-tribal drumming & dance (3-4); Arts Connection, 120 W. 46th St. (betw. 6th Ave. & B'way), 302-7433 ext.1440; Sat., $2-$6.

 

SCHOOL VACATION WEEK

Feel like you're in Bermuda with classes, workshops & activities involving the coral reef & marine life of Bermuda. And preview To Bermuda: A History of the Bermuda Race exhibit before it opens on Feb. 26; South St. Seaport Museum, 207 Front St. (Fulton St.), 748-8758; Sat.-Weds. 1-4, free w/mus. adm. [through 2/25].

 

SONY WONDER

Sony hosts holiday activities for families. This week, explore robots during "Bulid-a-Bot" workshop?recommended for grades 1-3; Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave. (55th St.), 883-8100; Sat. 11-1, $10.

 

TALLY LECTURE SERIES

Introductory discussions, sketching & art projects for ages 6-12 & accompanying adults, this week's focus: "The Time of Washington;" 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].

 

Things to See & Hear

BARNES & NOBLE JR.

Storytime feat. Katy & the Big Snow by Virgin Lee Burton; Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 253-0810; Sat. at 2, free.

 

THE ENCOUNTER OF JUAN BOBO & PEDRO ANIMAL

LES puppet & children's theater for Latino children?shows in English & Spanish; 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 [through 3/12].

 

FILM SOCIETY AT LINCOLN CENTER

Movie's For Kids series screens Yellow Submarine; Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 875-5600; Mon.-Weds. at 10:30 a.m., $5, $9 incl. lunch & concert [through 2/25].

 

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, Mon. at 1:30 & 3:30, $8, $5 child. [through 4/2].

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. PRESIDENT

Tour of museum's Washington in Glory: America in Tears exhibition & screening of 3-part mini-series on our first President; Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl St. (Broad St.), 425-1778; 10-4, $2.50, $1 st./s.c., free for child./under 6.

 

JUDGE JUDY

Author discusses new book Win or Lose by How You Chose; Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 794-1962; 6:30, free.

 

MISS MAJESTY'S LOLLIPOP PLAYHOUSE

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs (1:30) & Pinnochio (3:30); Grove St. Playhouse, 39 Grove St. (betw. Bleecker & Hudson Sts.), rsvp 741-6436; Sat. & Sun., $8.50 [through 3/5].

 

MS. FIZZLE

Comes to storytime at Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 794-1962; Sat. at 11, free.

 

MUSICAL STORY TIME

New York Philharmonic performs with students from P.S. 199?recommended for ages 3 & up; Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble, 1972 B'way (66th St.), 595-6859; Weds. at 4:30, free.

 

NOONIE'S MASTERPIECE IN PURPLE

Children's play about a pre-teen who revamps her family's portrait in art class & not everyone is pleased; Looking Glass Theater, 422 W. 57th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 307-9467; Tues. & Mon. at 7, mats. Sat. & Sun. at 2, $8, $5 child. [through 2/20].

 

PETER RABBIT

Shares a Beatrix Pottrer tail or two during storytime at Park Slope Barnes & Noble, 267 7th Ave. (6th St.), 718-832-9066; Sat. at 11, free.

 

THE UGLY DUCKLING

Musical recommended for children ages 3-10, preceded by "inter-active" workshop at 3; West Side Y, 5 W. 63rd St. (Central Pk. W.), 541-8831; Sat. & Sun. at 4, $20 [repeats 2/26 & 2/27].

 

WEST END CHILDREN'S THEATER

Magician & comedian Magic Al; West End, 2911 B'way (betw. 114th & 113th Sts.), rsvp 877-6115; Sat. & Sun. at 3, $12.