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 swimming 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 workshops & performances by Jonathan Cunningham & Harry V. Scott, Jr. (Sat. 1 & 2:30, respectively); Learn where chocolate comes from during chocolate week (Weds. at 10:30, Thurs.-Sun. at 2); "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].

 

TEN STAR ALL STAR BASKETBALL CAMP

Boys & girls ages 7-19 can apply, participants chosen by invitation only; 704-372-8610 for info.

 

Activities

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.

 

CREATIVE SOUND WORKSHOP

Interactive/hands-on experience for children to collaborate with musicians; Pink Pony, 176 Ludlow St. (betw. Houston & Stanton Sts.), 228-5509; Tues. 5-6, free.

 

FAMILY ART PROJECT

Weekly series. This week celebrate Puerto Rico?percussion instrument making & live music; Kerlin Learning Center at Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd St. (Indep. Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200; Sat. & Sun. 1-4, free w/grounds adm.

 

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; Weds.-Fri. 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: "Masks & Faces;" Uris Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 570-3932; Sat. at 11, Sun. at 12:30, free w/mus. adm.

 

NATURE WORKSHOP

Learn about the evergreen during "The Secret World of the Arthur Ross Pinetum;" Nature Observatory, Belvedere Castle, Central Park (midpark at 79th St.), rsvp 772-0120; Sun. at 1, free.

 

OPEN KITCHEN

Poetry & performance workshop for teens, hosted by Annie Lanzillotto & Treva Offutt; The Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 255-5793; Sat. 2-4, free.

 

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.; Tues. 1:30-3:30, free [through 3/2].

 

SATURDAYS ALIVE!

Make animated video with artist Charles Dennis (12:30-2:30) & watch four performers utilize rap as they bring African American poets, Langston Hughes, Paul Lawrence Dunbar & Maya Angelou to life (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; Weds.-Fri. 1-4, free w/mus. adm.

 

SONY WONDER

Sony hosts holiday activities for families. This week, help create "Video Capsule 2000"?recommended for grades 6 & up; Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave. (55th St.), 883-8100; Sun. 3-5, $25.

 

TALLY LECTURE SERIES

Introductory discussions, sketching & art projects for ages 6-12 & accompanying adults, this week's focus: "The Oba & His World;" 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. folktales from Africa feat. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema; Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 253-0810; Sat. at 2, free.

 

CHILDREN OF UGANDA

Group of children who have AIDS perform traditional song & dance at World Financial Center Winter Garden, West St. (betw. Vesey & Liberty Sts.), 945-0505; Thurs. at 12:15, 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

Movies For Kids series screens Yellow Submarine; Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 875-5600; Weds.-Fri. at 10:30 a.m., $5, $9 incl. lunch & concert.

 

GUIDED FAMILY TOUR

Tour of multimedia exhibit The Worlds of Nam June Paik at the Guggenheim Museum, 1071 5th Ave. (88th St.), 423-3500; Sun. at 12, free w/mus. adm.

 

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, $8, $5 child. [through 4/2].

 

LAVA/GROUNDWORK FOR KIDS

Workshop incorporates dance, acrobatics & circus stunts; The Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 255-5793 ext.21; Mon. at 3:30 (ages 5-9) & Mon. at 4:30 (ages 9-14), $150 for ten sessions [through 3/27].

 

GARY MCGOWAN

Author reads from Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence about African burial ground in NYC; South St. Seaport Museum; Children's Center, 165 John St. (betw. Front & Water Sts.), 748-8758; Sat. at 2, 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].

 

READING RAINBOW STORY TIME

Celebrates PBS series Reading Rainbow; Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble, 1972 B'way (66th St.), 595-6859; Weds. at 4:30, free.

 

JON SCIESZKA

Author reads from Math Curse at Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 794-2264; Thurs. at 10:30, 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.

 

TEEN TALENT SHOWCASE

Children ages 14-21 sing, dance & read poetry at Prospect Park's Picnic House, Prospect Park W. (3rd St.) Bklyn., 718-965-6931; Fri. 5-10, free.

 

WEST END CHILDREN'S THEATER

Don Miller's wacky magic show; West End, 2911 B'way (betw. 114th & 113th Sts.), rsvp 877-6115; Sat. & Sun. at 3, $12 [through 3/5].