With temperatures reaching the high 50s this week, it has felt at times more like spring break than February school vacation. But no matter what the weather brings, winter break wraps up this weekend, and with it, a full slate of activities for kids and families in Boston. Many of the special events we highlighted in our February vacation roundup continue through the weekend, like A Model of a Good Time at the USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown, Family Program: Mexican Flag Day at the Peabody Museum, Cambridge, and Everybody Loves Pirates at the Puppet Showplace Theatre, Brookline. And read on for more events taking place this weekend, from Family Day at the Mass College of Art and Design to shows like the A.R.T.'s Wild Swans and Wheelock Family Theatre's Wizard of Oz.

If having kids at home this week has started you thinking that you really want to lock in your summer plans now, we’ve added a new summer camp post to our series about local camp options. We also have some ideas of where to go with crafty kids for arts and crafts workshops and classes in Cambridge, Brookline and Somerville.

Enjoy!

Looks like there should be plenty of sunshine this weekend. This Spring like weather has us out taking lots of walks and hikes. We aren't complaining....Check out our post on a day trip to see the Connecticut College Lacrosse Team. This week we also listed performing arts summer camps for kids in Hartford. Planning to take the kids skiing or snowboarding? Check out our lowdown on where to go. Below you will find our event listing of things to do this weekend with the kids all around Connecticut. For a daily listing of events check out our calendar.

Who hasn't seen one of the many "I Spy" books for children? The Bruce Museum has a new exhibit of Walter Wicks' photographs  in large scale. Sure to provide hours of visual entertainment for the kids.  If you are in Litchfield County you won't want to miss the Kid's Expo where you can learn about all of the summer camps and activities available for your children from local businesses. The Harlem Globetrotters are in Hartford this Saturday and you can get $7 off your ticket by using our code. You'll find ice carving, dog sledding and horse drawn wagon rides at the Lyman Orchards Winterfest all weekend. Stepping Stones is having their Winter Wonderland Ball on Saturday night. Why not dress up the kids and take them out for a dance? 

Congratulations to our Harlem Globetrotters and Wizard of Oz Maritime Aquarium giveaway winners! We'll have a new prize from Stepping Stones Museum coming up next. 

Please join us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. We are always sharing all sorts of great info there as well. Read on for all of the fun events and enjoy this beautiful weekend!

When you’ve all got cabin fever, it’s time to get out, make something fabulous, and have fun. We recently highlighted some great places for arts and crafts in Boston; here are five great places to create art and get crafty in Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville.

There is no greater star in the children’s literary world than Dr. Seuss, (aka Theodor Geisel).  His March 3 birthday is honored as National Read Across America Day, and the festivities are already starting this week.  So grab your well-worn copy of Cat in the Hat and get ready for a wild weekend. Oh the places you'll go...

Like skiing perhaps? Mommy Poppins has a snowtastic review of the children's ski school at Mountain High. (I wonder if they'll take on a Mommy with two left skis?)

Next we take you off the slopes and into the kitchen, with the latest in our continuing series on summer camps. This week we whip up a list of the finest culinary camps for kids.  But you don't have to wait if you're hoping for pancakes; we can tell you where to score some for FREE!

Read on for our favorite picks for this weekend, and to find out about those free pancakes…

February break is winding down but you can end it with a bang this weekend. Rock out to concerts by Lloyd Miller of the Deedle Deedle Dees or Seattle trio Recess Monkey. If theater's more your thing, you can choose from a fairy tale puppet show, a musical based on the Beezus and Ramona book series or a kids' comedy show.

Other fun includes celebrating the Himalayan New Year at the Rubin Museum, and a Muppet movie marathon in conjunction with the Museum of the Moving Image's Jim Henson exhibit, which closes soon. Speaking of closing, it's your last weekend to go ice-skating at Bryant Park; the free rink shutters for the season on Sunday.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar or our Winter Fun Guide.

Some babies are early talkers, some are early walkers. My second child was a precocious jokester. He told his first (nonverbal) joke at about six months. Since he's my second child I don't recall the actual joke, but I remember making a mental note that I had a little comedian on my hands. Years later the comedy continues... to the chagrin of his teachers, I'm sure.

Of course, exposing him to age-appropriate funny business hasn't been easy. Let's face it, if you tried to take kids to your average comedy show, you'd spend most of the evening covering their ears (and possibly their eyes) with your hands. But there are a handful of family-friendly comedy shows and great kids' comedy classes in New York City, so you can see your own wisenheimer on the stage.

My son and I attended a couple of these shows, and he also took a few improv and comedy classes. Read on to find out what they're like, and find out details about a series of free kids' comedy classes that start next week.

Are your kids climbing the walls and jumping from couch to couch? When it's too cold for your favorite park there are plenty of places to blow off steam indoors in Northwestern New Jersey.  Many of these venues offer open play or classes geared from little ones to tweens and most offer birthday party packages as well. Each is $10 or less per child and most offer group rates. The mommy bonus of indoor open play? Bring a box of joe and some juice boxes and make your own party- without the clean up!

This time of year, I am always ready for the arrival of spring.  I know, I know...we haven’t REALLY had winter this year, but still!  February vacation is coming to an end, the groundhog has come and gone, the Superbowl has passed….time to bring on Spring!  And to kick off Spring in this family, we like to pack up our car take a day trip to New London’s Connecticut College for an early season lacrosse game.

Why Connecticut College, you ask?  Well – for several reasons.  Their New London campus is right on the water, and nothing makes me feel like Spring more than an ocean breeze blowing.   Plus, the convenient New London location makes it an ideal spot to meet up with Boston friends who might be heading south to catch the game.