KIDS/ SNEAK PEEK : POSTAL SERVICE SEEKS KIDS' STAMP OF APPROVAL.

Byline: Nancy Hewitt

Hey kids! How would you like to put your own stamp on history? Here's how. The United States Postal Service is asking kids nationwide to choose their favorite subjects covering the 1970s through the 1990s as part of its ongoing Celebrate the Century Education Series, which runs through the year 2000.

The Celebrate the Century Education Series serves as a tool to teach children about the people and events that have shaped the 20th century. And by allowing children to vote for their favorite stamp subjects, it teaches them the importance of being responsible voters.

The two-year program provides teachers with free curriculum covering the decades between the 1900s to the 1990s, although stamps to be voted on begin with the 1970s in September 1998. The program is designed primarily for third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders and provides hands-on activities that integrate history with art, geography, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and computer technology.

To receive more information or curriculum kits, teachers can call [phone] or write to Celebrate the Century, U.S. Postal Service, P.O. Box 44342, Washington, D.C. 20026-4342. Curriculum information also can be retrieved online via the Microsoft Encarta Schoolhouse at http://encarta.msn.com/schoolhouse/ on the Web.

Play time

Discovery Zone opens enrollment for its two interactive weekday programs for infants and toddlers. Playorena is a series of developmentally appropriate classes for 3-month-olds to 2-year-olds that combine bright, fun colors with soft play equipment and music to foster a child's natural inquisitiveness and promote social interaction. Toddlers will enjoy the balancing, running, jumping and dancing activities.

Playorena Plus is geared to 2- to 4-year-olds and includes the same activities as Playorena but adds arts and crafts, story time and rhythm instruments.

Free trial classes are available on Sept. 8, 9, 11 and 14 at the West Hills FunCenter, 6633 Fallbrook Ave., No. 420. Information and registration: [phone].

Creative story time

Help create a woolly mammoth and hear wonderful tales about these extinct beasts during story times at 10 a.m. today and 2 p.m. Saturday at the La Crescenta Public Library, 4521 La Crescenta Ave. [phone].

Dance, dance, dance

Enjoy some lively foot-stompin' Mexican music and learn how to perform bailes - Mexican dances - from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage.

Admission is $8 for adult members, $5 for children of members; $10 for adult nonmembers, $7 for children of adult nonmembers. Children under age 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration is required: [phone], Ext. 341. The museum is at 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles.

Family mini concert

Robb Zelonky a k a Robbo performs songs from his new album for kids ages 3 to 8 - and their parents - at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pages Books for Children and Young Adults Inc., 18399 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. Information: [phone]. A $2 per person admission charge may be applied to the purchase of Robbo's tapes and CDs.

A looney Martian

Celebrate Marvin the Martian's 50th year on Earth at 11:30 a.m. Saturday on the Kids' WB, (KTLA, Channel 5).

In honor of TV's favorite resident alien's anniversary, three of Marvin's classic shorts, ``Haredevil Hare,'' ``Hareway to the Stars'' and ``Duck Dodgers in the 24-1/2 Century,'' will be shown.

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PHOTO The U.S. Postal Service is asking kids to choose their favorite subjects as part of its Celebrate the Century Education Series.