Picks of the Week: December 30-January 5

Start the New Year off right with these choice picks, any one of which is guaranteed to keep your holiday spirit alive. From arts and crafts to a beloved tale from the Grimm Bros., you and the junior set are bound to be amazed and entertained. Happy and Healthy 2014!

Thursday, January 2

The Craft Studio’s 20th Anniversary Party
The Craft Studio
5 pm-7 pm
This year, The Craft Studio is celebrating its 20th anniversary and you’re invited to the party! There will be snacks, dancing, adult beverages for parents, a red carpet for glamorous kiddies to walk down, photo ops, and, of course, plenty of arts & crafts. No RSVP required. This event is free.

Friday, January 3-Sunday, January 5

The Shell-Shocked Nut
The Ellen Stewart Theatre at La MaMa
Various times
What do you get when you cross E.T.Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker” with an original story about a war veteran who befriends an elementary school student? The East Village Dance Project’s production of “The Shell-Shocked Nut.” Featuring 25 East Village Dance Project performers between the ages of 4 and 19, and the music of Tchaikovsky, Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, and The Ramones, set against the bustling streets of NYC, “The Shell-Shocked Nut” is the perfect piece of theater for families looking for an imaginative escape. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students.

Saturday, January 4

Planet Hopping
Symphony Space
11 am
Journey through space with a young pilot and her robot second-in-command. “Planet Hopping,” a multimedia family production dreamed up by the puppet troupe Belle et Bête and children’s music band Lunch Money, combines live music, rod and marionette puppetry, sand drawing, and video feed projections to create an experience that all ages won’t soon forget. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for kids.

Little Red Riding Hood
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
11 am
That girl in the red-hooded cape and the sly big, bad wolf will be re-imagined in La Piccola Opera’s abridged presentation of “Little Red Riding Hood.” Critically-acclaimed, New York composer Seymour Barab has created a libretto and vocal score that enables young children to easily understand and appreciate opera. Plus, English narration ensures that none are left lost in the woods. This event is free.

Saturday, January 4-Sunday, January 5

Asian American Festival
The Children’s Museum of the Arts
10 am-5 pm
As part of its annual Multicultural Festivals series, the Children’s Museum of the Arts will host an Asian American Festival. This two-weekend fest kicks off this Saturday with an ancient Chinese Lion Dance performance from PS 124, a hula dance demo and workshop, live music from Project Hansori, and a Feed Me A Story Project with artists Theresa Loong and Laura Nova, who will relate Asian history utilizing traditional food. Free with museum admission.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Looking for something to do with the kids in New York City that is fun, exciting, and educational? The Intrepid Museum offers family-friendly activities and programs all year long that keep children engaged, entertained, and curious about history and science. Fun rain or shine, the Museum offers both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits and activities. With so many things to do and see, you&rsquo;ll never hear &ldquo;I&rsquo;m bored,&rdquo; when you climb aboard Intrepid. A non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world&rsquo;s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine.

British Swim School - Long Island

The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;