Sony Wonder Technology Lab458

A hands-down favorite for kids of all sizes, and it's 100% free!

We were dubious at first; too many people said, "You have to go, it's great!" But they were right - it is, and it's great for all the right reasons. Kids get hands on time with fun equipment, a little subliminal tech education, and if there's also a little subliminal, or not-so-subliminal, Sony-oriented advertising, that's just fine.

The line to enter may be long (go inside and get your tickets before waiting in the atrium line), but a robot - who speaks and notices things about everyone - entertains the kids while you wait. When you finally enter the building, with ticket in hand, you'll be led to a small holding area and given bar-coded cards to swipe and activate before entering a glass elevator to the 4th Floor.

Another short line in a star-scaped setting leads to the log-in area, where kids will be walked through a short process involving having their picture taken and leaving a voice print. From then on, anywhere they swipe their cards, their picture will appear.

As you walk down the ramp, make sure the kids notice another robot, and a Sony technician, with head mike and monitors, operating the robot down in the atrium.

You'll reach a landing, with several card-swipable machines and two activities: Image Lab and Audio Lab. If there are lines, you can skip these without feeling you've missed too much, but if it's a slow day these are worth playing. Image Lab allows kids to work with images: stretching, changing backgrounds, etc. If you have a home computer with an art program, this will be old hat to most, and there are only three stations, which can mean a long wait. Audio Lab has five stations and allows kids to sit at monitors and manipulate sounds in a piece of "music" (and we use the term loosely, because once barking dogs, doorbells, and crying babies have been added, the music just about disappears). The program runs about five minutes, so calculate your wait time before you decide to stand in line.

Down another ramp you'll find a very cool area, where kids can manipulate medical instruments (take a trip down the esophagus and remove some polyps), operate a heat-sensitive device overhead, and work with other kids to produce an "Entertainment" show, complete with blue screen - one kid to operate the camera, a lighting director, two actors, etc. On this level, there's also a 72 seat, High Definition TV screening room, which doubles as a theater for live events on occasion.

The high def shows run approximately 10 minutes; it's great to take a rest if you've been running around, but otherwise the high def experience can be passed over.

Down a flight of stairs, the new play area features enticing game stations where kids can try the latest in PlayStation programs, make a movie, play with music, and more.

When you log out, you'll receive a certificate print-out, including a copy of your "face print" and list of what you've played/accomplished. Leave your bar-coded cards in the basket for recycling.

Bathrooms (on the 4th floor and just before log out) are clean and well-maintained.

Wheelchair and stroller accessible. The ramps run from the 4th floor (your starting point), down to the theater level, where you can catch an elevator down to the last level. One mother we encountered said she would have preferred to be stroller-less (hard with the crowds), but grateful that Sony was so wheel-friendly.

Last entrance is 30 minutes before closing. Closed Mon and major holidays.

Birthday party options include the Big Birthday Bash (packages A - After Hours Exclusive, $2500 and up - or B - Lunchtime Party, $1000 and up) and the Little Birthday Bash (package C - $1000 and up) for children ages three to five. Birthday party reservations must be made at least six weeks in advance, and holiday and special event dates are excluded. A 50% deposit is required two weeks prior to the party. Call 212.833.7858 for reservations or information.