CRAFTS
Program recommended for children ages 8-12; Bloomingdale Branch Library, 150 W. 100th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 212-222-8030, reg. req.; Tues. at 4, free [through 1/30].
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, George Crespo's shadow puppet show, "Tropical Paradise" at 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 PROGRAMS AT BMA
Weekend activities, drop-in programs, performances, dance lessons & movies incl. Singin' in the Rain (Sun. at 3); Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Pkwy (Washington Ave.), Bklyn., 718-638-5000, ext.330; Sat. & Sun. 11-5, free w/mus. adm.
FUN FOR "BABY BOTANISTS"
Learn how plants react to weather during "Winter Woodlands Family Fun" workshop (daily 1-4, through 1/28); Storytelling w/Jill Olesker (Sat. & Sun. at 1); NY Botanical Garden, 200th St. (Southern Blvd.), Bronx, 718-817-8700; call for more info.
INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY SERIES
Learn about the solar system & other common phenomena; Henry Luce Observatory, Belvedere Castle, Central Park, 79th St. (midpark), 212-772-0120, reg. req.; Thurs. 6:30-8, free.
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 1/26].
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
Treva Offutt hosts poetry & performance workshop for teens; The Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-255-5793; Sat. 1-3, free.
PLACE FOR JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS
Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts interactive classes incl. art writing workshop "Kaleidoscope" w/Felicia Blum; 1000 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 212-570-5121 to reg.; Thurs. at 3:30, free w/mus. adm.
SEAWORTHY SATURDAYS & FAMILY FESTIVALS
Utilize maps & compasses to learn about geography & navigation during "Where in the World?" workshop at Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, W. 42nd St. (12th Ave.), 212-957-7055; Sat. 12-2, free w/mus. adm.
SONY WONDER TECHNOLOGY LAB
Weekly workshop for families. This week, build a lamp during "Creating w/Light" workshop at Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 56th St. (Madison Ave.), 212-833-8100, res. req.; Sat. & Sun. 2-5, $5.
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].
WINTER WATERFOWL
Staff members help kids ages six & up identify birds & about their eating & sleeping patterns; Dana Discovery Center, Central Park, 110th St. (5th Ave.), 212-860-1370 to reg.; Sat. 1-2:30, free.
Things to See & Hear
CINDERELLA
Popular story told in different versions; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-621-0636, res. req.; Sun. at 3, free.
GROWING UP WITH OPERA
Metropolitan Opera Guild pres. series devoted to families. This week, "Once Upon an Opera" based on fairy tale classics like Cinderella, Paul Bunyan & Hansel & Gretal; DiCapo Opera Theater, 184 E. 76th St. (Amsterdam Ave.) 212-769-7008; Sat. & Sun. at 11, 1 & 3, $7.
KIDS CO.
In honor of Dancewave's anniversary, tykes perform Twyla Tharp's "Deuce Coupe" set to music of the Beach Boys, champagne toast follows (Fri. preview at 7, $50); Then on Sat. & Sun., Brooklyn Music School & Playhouse host festival feat. more than 150 kids from the city & beyond in "Decue Coupe," w/jugband, Porkchop; 126 St. Felix St. (betw. Lafayette Ave. & Hanson Pl.), Bklyn., 718-622-1810; Sat. & Sun. at 3, $15, $9 kids.
THE LITTLE HOUSE OF COOKIES
A playhouse full of candy eating, parent dodging kids, brought to you by the TADA! musical theater troupe; TADA! Theater, 120 W. 28th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-627-1732; call for times, $15, $6 kids [through 1/21].
THE LITTLE MERMAID: A MUSICAL
Will she choose a new love on land or her old life in the sea, 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 2/25].
MAYA THE BEE
Jazz puppet play for tykes 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 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 seven to ten; 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].
PUPPET PLAYHOUSE
This week, "The Puppet Company: Al E. Gator Show"; 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; Sat. at 11 & 1, $10 [through 2/25].
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.
THEATERWORKS/USA 20001
Weekly performance for young audiences incl. "Jekyll & Hyde" (Sat. at 12:30) & "Freedom Train" (Sun. at 12:30); Auditorium at Equitable Tower, 787 7th Ave. (betw. 51st & 52nd Sts.), 212-627-7373; $19.
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].