Picks of the Week: November 11-17

The Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden; photo by asterix611 on flickr

We’re getting into the holiday spirit early this year by highlighting a few annual holiday events for the impatient ones in your brood. Visit Whoville and the Grinch at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, take a stroll down Gingerbread Lane at The New York Hall of Science, or ride the rails of The Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden. Fa-la-la-la-la!

Through Tuesday, December 31

The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan
10am-5pm
There’s plenty to do in the Grinch’s Holiday Workshop this season. All ages can listen to How the Grinch Stole Christmas and other Dr. Seuss classics, “sock skate” on the museum’s indoor rink, create crafts like rhyming hats, tree ornaments, and Grinch masks, and much more. Free with museum admission.

Tuesday, November 12-Sunday, November 17

Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!
Barclays Center
Various times
Mickey and Minnie Mouse are celebrating in style with all of their Disney friends at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn! During this Disney On Ice show, your family’s favorite Disney characters will skate through a variety of holiday parties such as Alice and the Mad Hatter’s Very Merry Unbirthday Party, a Valentine’s Day Ball thrown by the Disney princesses, and a villainous Halloween spectacle with Disney villains galore. Tickets start at $34.

Begins Friday, November 15

Feet Don’t Fail Me Now
The New Victory Theater
Various times
Minnesota’s Rhythmic Circus is bringing its new show, “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,” to The New Victory Theater this Friday. The dance troupe will be joined by a human beat box and a seven-piece brass band that’ll be turning up the volume and getting kids ages 6 and up tapping along to the beat during this hour-long dance-a-thon. Tickets start at $14. Runs Fridays through Sundays until December 1.

Begins Saturday, November 16

The Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden
Various times
All aboard the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden! An annual holiday favorite, the Train Show features more than 140 model NYC landmarks (Yankee Stadium, Radio City Music Hall, and more) made out of tree bark, twigs, pine cones, and other natural materials. More than a dozen electric trains will zoom around a nearly quarter-mile of track, making this train show one of the biggest and best in the city. In the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, kids can explore activity train stops, a craft studio where they can make their own trains and passengers (open weekends only) and participate in an “All Aboard with Thomas and Friends” sing-along and performance (beginning January 1). Plus, just this Saturday, hit up the garden for a holiday tree lighting and carols by the Westchester Chordsmen at 4pm. Free with an All-Garden Pass; through January 12.

Begins Sunday, November 17

Gingerbread Lane
New York Hall of Science
Various times
Once you visit Gingerbread Lane at the New York Hall of Science, you’ll never want to leave. Chef Jon Lovitch has created a model town made entirely of gingerbread, royal icing, and candy! This 300 square-foot village is a Guinness Book of World Records contender for “largest gingerbread exhibit” and features 152 houses, a subway system, cable cars, and more. Check the hall’s website for gingerbread-making workshop dates. Free with Hall admission; through January 12. .

Instituto Cervantes

Children and teenagers learn to understand and express themselves in Spanish, while improving their communication skills through a dynamic immersion program taught by NATIVE TEACHERS that combines CLASSES, ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS and FUN ACTIVITIES! All of our high-qualified teachers are native Spanish speakers who adapt the structure of the class to the needs and levels of each group while conducting the classes entirely in Spanish. We offer both Spanish Summer Camps and Regular Courses for children along the year to foster language learning and multicultural understanding.

Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;

Young Actors at Strasberg

Young Actors at Strasberg&nbsp;offers a comprehensive array of acting programs for students in grades 2 &ndash;&nbsp;12. Classes provide kids and teens with a foundation in Lee Strasberg's Method Acting and the tools to succeed in the professional industry &ndash;&nbsp;all while maintaining a fun and playful environment. Programs are tailored to encompass students at all levels, from those just beginning their acting journey to Broadway veterans and professional child actors. Young Actors at Strasberg alumni include Lady Gaga, Sophia Lillis, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Rosario Dawson! Young Actors&nbsp;Programs are available online and in-person at our New York Campus, located in Union Square. Saturday, After-School and Online classes are offered during the traditional school year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) and Monday through Friday day camps and intensives are held in&nbsp;July and August. About The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute: Founded in 1969 by Lee and Anna Strasberg, The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute is the only school that teaches Lee Strasberg's work in its complete and authentic form. The Institute's goal is to provide students with a craft that will help them create a reality and respond truthfully in imaginary circumstances, regardless of the style or form of material being used. LSTFI is proud to have award-winning alumni from around the world working as writers, directors, and actors in all mediums.