ART ADVENTURES
Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art w/other kids, new themes each week w/group discussions; 92nd St. Y; 212-996-1100 for res. & info; Sun. 11-1 & 2-4, $55/adult & 1 child., mus. adm. incl. [through 5/13].
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN
Lisa Curran leads wearable African art workshop (Sat. at 3) & "Blacks & Jews in Conversation" discussion w/teens (Sun.); 212 W. 83rd St. (betw. B'way & Amsterdam Ave.), 212-721-1234; call for info, free w/mus. adm.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT FOR KIDS
Dancer Tysan Lerner teaches kids ages 8-12 various styles of dance; North Meadow Recreation Center, Central Park (midpark at 97th St.), 212-348-4867; Fri. 4-5:30, free [through 2/23].
FAMILY ART PROJECT
This week, learn about weather tools during "Wild Weather" workshop w/Kelli Crosby; Kerlin Learning Center at Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd St. (Indep. Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200; Sat. & Sun. 1-4, free w/grounds adm.
FAMILY ART WORKS
Art activity classes for children & parent, grandparent, friend or caregiver?this week, make secret treasure pouch at The Educational Alliance, 197 E. B'way (Jefferson St.), 212-780-2300, ext.316; Sun. 1-2:30, free [through April].
FAMILY PROGRAMS AT BMA
Weekend activities, drop-in programs, performances, dance lessons & movies incl. first Sat. of the month programs (Sat. 11-11) & New York Children's International Film Festival (Sun. at 1 & 3); Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Pkwy (Washington Ave.), Bklyn., 718-638-5000, ext.330; free w/mus. adm.
FREE FAMILY PROGRAM
The New-York Historical Society feat. weekly series for families. This week, walk through Central Park & learn history of 19th-century village of African-Americans & European immigrants during "Seneca Village" walking tour; 2 W. 77th St. (Central Pk. W.), 212-873-3400; Sat. 11-12:30, free w/mus. adm.
LEARN TO PLAY CHESS
Chess-in-the-Schools-Program sponsors chess program for kids ages six to 12; Seward Park Branch Library, 192 E. B'way (Jefferson St.), 212-477-6770 reg. req.; Fri. 3-5, free [through 2/23].
OPEN CLIMBING
Those ages 8-17 are invited to climb Adventure Room's new climbing wall; Central Park North Meadow Recreation Center, 97th St. (mid park), 212-348-4867; Sun. at 11, free [through 2/25].
OPEN KITCHEN
Afterschool program for kids, "Lava/Groundwork for Kids," teaches children about stretching & balancing through dance, acrobatics, rolling & building human pyramids; The Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-255-5793, ext.15; Mon. 3:30-4:30 (ages 5-9) & Mon. 4:45-5:45 (ages 9-14), $150 for ten sessions [through 4/16].
SATURDAYS ALIVE!
Family events incl. "ArtsPlay!" w/Beatrix Potter telling stories as the Hudson Vagabond Puppets dance around (11, $6); "Chinese Brush Painting Workshop" (12:30, $2); And music & dance performance by Kahurangi Maori Dance Theater of New Zealand (3-4, $6); Arts Connection, 120 W. 46th St. (betw. 6th Ave. & B'way), 212-302-7433; Sat.
SONY WONDER
Sony hosts weekly activities for families. This week, Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray screens (Thurs. at 6, free); And build a robot during "Build-A-Bot" workshop for grades 1-3 (Sun. 3-5, $10); Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave. (55th St.), 212-883-8100 or www.sonywondertechlab.com.
TAI CHI FOR KIDS
Kids 8-12 learn basics of this ancient martial art w/Master Derrick Trent; North Meadow Recreation Center, Central Park (midpark at 97th St.), 212-348-4867; Tues. at 4, free [through 2/27].
Things to See & Hear
BETSY BLUE
Or "I Was a Nine-Year-Old Blues Diva," musical about youngster who gets the blues when she finds out her mom's having another baby; Looking Glass Theater, 422 W. 57th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-307-9467; Sat. & Sun. at 2 & 4, $10, $8 child [through 2/25].
THE CELEBRATED JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERAS COUNTY
Adaptation of Mark Twain; Vital Theater Company, 432 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-592-4508; Sat. at 11 & 1, $10 [through 2/25].
GLOBAL KIDS!
Learn about community & global issues w/other high school students; Adelphi Univ., 75 Varick St., 2nd fl. (Canal St.), 212-226-0130; Fri. at 4, free.
THE LITTLE MERMAID: A MUSICAL
Will she choose a new love on land, or her old life in the sea? Pretend you don't know while your kids have fun; show's preceded by workshop at 1; YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-866-5170; Sat. & Sun. at 2, $15, $5 workshop fee [through 3/4].
MAYA THE BEE
Jazz puppet play for tykes 3-9 based on German book about bee who runs away from hive?remember the Nickelodeon show? Salon Theater, 45 Bleecker St. (Lafayette St.), 212-539-6644; Sat. at 2, $7-$15.
MCNY KIDS
Every Saturday MCNY Kids visit exhibition that focuses on history of NYC?gallery talks & some hands-on activities included, recommended for those ages 7-10; The Museum of the City of New York, 212-534-1672, ext.257 for reg. & location; Sat. 11-12:30.
MISS MAJESTY'S LOLLIPOP PLAYHOUSE
Sleeping Beauty (1:30); Hansel, Gretel & The Jolly Gingerbread Man (3:30); Grove St. Playhouse, 39 Grove St. (betw. Hudson & Bleecker Sts.), RSVP 212-741-6436; Sat. & Sun., $8.50 [through 2/25].
NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL
Fourth annual two-week festival feat. 44 shorts & feature length films for children & teens; Recess: School's Out kicks off the festival; DGA Theater, 110 W. 57th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-349-0330; Fri. at 6, $6-$15.
PUPPET PLAYHOUSE
This week, Vane & Company pres. the classic tale, Rumpelstilskin; Mazur Theater, Asphalt Green, 555 E. 90th St. (betw. York Ave. & East End Ave.), 212-369-8890; Sat. & Sun. at 10:30 & 12, $7 [through 3/11].
RAP WRITERS & PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP
Free seminar for teens on the history & business of rap music; Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave. (betw. 120th & 122nd Sts.), 212-870-6739; Fri. 7-9 p.m. [through 5/11].
RICKI TICKI TAVI
Follow the adventures of a family who adopt a mongoose in attempt to rid their garden of cobras; Vital Theater Company, 432 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-592-4508; Sun. at 12, $10 [through 2/25].
SPECIAL CAMP FAIR
Families w/disabled children are encouraged to stop by to learn about summer camps, travel programs & educational programs available; American Red Cross, 150 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 66th & 67th Sts.), 212-677-4650; Sun. 10-3, free.
THE TEDDYBEARBAITERS
Improv group makes Brecht's theories 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 1, $7, $3 kids.
WARM, WILD & WONDERFUL AT GEO ZOOM
Special holiday programming feat. Kwanza celebrations, movies & more plus continuing interactive exhibition w/exciting & educational activities that teaches kids about geography of themselves & others; Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (St. Marks Ave.), Bklyn., 718-735-4400; Sun. 10-5 [through 3/2001].