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Things To Do on February Winter Break in Boston: Museum Exhibits and Camps

1. Celebrate national engineers week by constructing projects from recycled materials. —Acton

2. See arrangements of thousands of living flowers at Patterns in Bloom, An Orchid Exhibition at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. —Boylston

3. Visit the Cape Ann Museum for Black History Month and enjoy activities centered on mariners and quilt-making.—Gloucester

4. Got a boat lover? Head over to the USS Constitution for the Maritime Lego Festival happening all week long. Get inspired by the different ship designs on display and build your own ship with Lego and Duplo Bricks.—Charlestown

5. Travel back in time and participate in an assortment of family activities at the Cocord Museum.—Concord

6. Explore fantastical works of art at the Raqib Shaw: Ballads of East and West exhibition at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.—Boston

7. Head to Boston's Chinatown for a Lunar New Year Celebration where the Pao Art Center will welcome the Year of the Dragon with festivities .—Boston

8. There are drop-in, artful animal projects and story hour every day at the Museum of Fine Arts.—Boston

9. Teach your kids about climate change at this interactive exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.—Cambridge 

10. The Museum of American Bird Art Education Center is hosting a Gel Printmaking Family Workshop. —Canton

11. If you'd simply like to explore some cultural institutions you've never visited (or haven't in a while), several local museums offer free admission for children (accompanying caregivers in most cases still pay regular admission). 

Things To Do on February Winter Break in Boston: Skating, Winter Hikes, and Outdoor Fun

12. Boston Common hosts the annual Children's Winter Festival, a free event with music, treats, crafts, and more! —Boston

13. Sneak at peak at snowy owls hiking the dunes of Crane Beach.—Ipswich

14. If prowling for owls isn't your style, taking the kids on a hike or a winter walk are certainly great ways to shake off cabin fever.

15. Pop over to either the Franklin Park Zoo or Stoneham Zoo and get wild with winter-themed crafts, scavenger hunts, and zookeeper chats.—Boston & Stoneham

16. Lace up for free skating at these local indoor rinks or low-cost skating at these charming outdoor rinks across Greater Boston.—Boston

Shake those winter blues away with these fun activities in Boston over February winter break! Photo courtesy of Winterfest

17. Sip hot chocolate, cozy up by the fire, or jump into a game of curling at Winterfest on the Plaza. —Cambridge

18. Wonder what Peddocks Island is like in the winter? Sail on over for guided tours, hot chocolate, and junior ranger activities. —Boston

19. Head to New Hampshire and explore the crystaline creativity of Ice Castles. —North Woodstock, NH

Things To Do on February Winter Break in Boston: Winter Sports

20. Hit the slopes at one of these nearby ski hills, all worthy of a day trip.—Various locations

21. Don't want to ski? Hit the slopes to go snow tubing instead!—Various locations

22. An even simpler way to make the most of cold weather: Snowshoeing at one of these local parks, which is great fun (and great exercise).—Various locations

Things To Do on February Winter Break in Boston Shows and Performances

23. Sing along to your favorite Disney movies including The Little Mermaid, Frozen II, and Moana.—Brookline

24. Catch up with everyone's favorite wascally wabbit at the Bugs Bunny Film Festival.—Cambridge

25. Disney on Ice is back featuring characters from Frozen, Encanto, Toy story, and more. Kids will thrill at this exciting on-ice spectacular.—Boston

26. Watch Mystery Max and the Case of the Missing Creature, a puppet show at the Puppet Showplace Theatre.—Brookline

27. The Walpole Children's Theatre is putting on a performance of Rapunzel, a classic tale with a new twist.—Walpole

28. Get ready to be amazed at the President's Day Magic Show at Jam Time Natick (as well as Maynard and Norwood). —Multiple locations

 
Things get creative (and delicious!) this February winter vacation. Cooking Camp photo courtesy of Taste Buds Kitchen

Things To Do on February Winter Break in Boston: Camps and Vacation Play Spaces

29. The Blue Hills Ski Area is vacation camps for skiiers and riders from 7 to 15 during vacation week. —Canton

30. Get kids outdoors and into nature with Mass Audobon Camps for kids age 5 to 14, with habitat hikes, crafts, and more. —Multiple Locations

31. Bring young children to the Vacation Week Playspace, featuring art, music, snacks, and play time with other little ones. —Newton

32. Budding chefs can whip up some tasty treats inspired by their favorite stories at Taste Buds Kitchen.—Beverly, North Andover 

33. Parkour Generations Boston has February vacation programs that will definitely keep the kids active over the break!—Somerville

Originally published on 2/8/2016. Updated by Lucie T. on 2/13/2017 and 2/11/2018 and 1/31/2020. Updated by N.Ferreira 2/9/2023