FAMILY Activities CHINESE NEW YEAR CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS Hands-on learning experience ...

CHINESE NEW YEAR CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

Hands-on learning experience for kids ages five to ten. This week, greet the year of the snake with "Lanterns & Red Envelopes" festival at China Institute, 125 E. 65th St. (betw. Park & Lexington Aves.), 212-744-8181, ext.141; Sat. at 3:30, $15 for adult & child, $5 add. child.

 

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, create collages during "Gather the Colors of Winter" workshop 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. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (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.

 

KIDS 'N COMEDY

Free workshop/audition for kids ages 8-15 interested in performing in "Kids 'N Comedy Series" at Gotham Comedy Club, 34 W. 22nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-877-6115, reg. req.; Sun. at 4.

 

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

Afterschool program for kids, "Lava/Groundwork for Kids," teaches children about stretching & balancing through dance, acrobatics, rolling & building human pyramids, begins today; 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].

 

ORIGAMI

Learn popular Japanese paper-folding method; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-621-0636, res. req.; Sat. at 3.

 

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.

 

SATURDAYS ALIVE!

Family events incl. "Cartooning" w/illustrator & cartoonist Dwayne Ferfuson (12:30-2:30, $2); "East Indian Dance" (12:30, $2); And live music by Luis Bonilla & Trombonilla (3-4, $6); Arts Connection, 120 W. 46th St. (betw. 6th Ave. & B'way), 212-302-7433; Sat.

 

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].

 

WHY DID THE LION CROSS THE ROAD?

Celebrate Chinese new year w/puppet-making & crafts activities at Museum of the Chinese in the Americas, 70 Mulberry St., 2nd fl. (Bayard St.), 212-619-4785; Sat. at 12:30, $10, $8 child.

 

Things to See & Hear

GROWING UP WITH OPERA

Metropolitan Opera Guild pres. series devoted to families. This week, "Opera: Under Construction" looks at what it takes to make a production come to life; DiCapo Opera Theater, 184 E. 76th St. (Amsterdam Ave.) 212-769-7008; Sat. & Sun. at 11, 1 & 3, $10.

 

INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARD WINNERS

See award winning programs from around the globe incl. "The Magician's House" (2), "Smack the Pony II" (3) & "All Stars: All Men Are Brothers..." (3:30); Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (5th Ave.), 212-621-6600; Sat. & Sun., $6, $4 st./s.c., $3 child under 13.

 

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 3/4].

 

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, "Linda Russell, Early American Balladeer" entertains kids w/her amusing stories of "long-ago America"; 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.

 

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].