Trains, Planes, Automobiles and More - Things to Do in Boston with Kids, February 16-17

2/14/13 - By Audrey Trieschman

February school vacation kicks off this weekend, and Boston offers plenty of ways to keep kids busy throughout the break. Options this weekend range from special movie events like the annual Bugs Bunny Film Festival at the Brattle Theatre and a weekend of science activities at the Hynes to a trip to Georges Island and three (!) model train shows.

National Engineers Week is this week; check out the special events that will keep kids interested in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. We’ve also highlighted over 30 museum programs and special activities taking place throughout February School Vacation Week.

And if you find yourselves wishing for a relief from the snow over the break, please see Tara’s roundup of indoor gardens - you don’t have to travel far to leave winter behind!

Read on for things to do this weekend, and be sure to visit our calendar for more ideas.

Enjoy!

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Family Science Days - Hynes Convention Center, Boston
Sat 2/16 - Sun 2/17
FREE

Browse interactive tabletop exhibits, learn about cool science jobs, and have your questions answered by experts convened by AAAS. At Family Science Days, visitors can dig for artifacts; paint with bacteria; trick your brain; explore nanotechnology in everyday objects; tour the universe; meet cool scientists, and more.


Commerford Kids Fun Fair - Aleppo Shriners Auditorium, Wilmington
Sat 2/16 - Sun 2/17
In advance $10; At the door $13. Children 12 & under FREE       

The Commerford Zoo brings its animals - including horses, elephants, camels, ponies, kangaroos, and other exotic animals - and rides - a super-slide, carousel, and games - to Wilmington for a fun fair.


N-Scale Model Train Show - National Heritage Museum, Lexington
Sat 2/16-Sun 2/17
$7/family        

Kids who love trains will be fascinated by the model scale railroad displays set up by Northeast NTRAK Modular Railroad Club during a train-filled weekend of fun.


Mexican Flag Day - Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Cambridge
Sat 2/16
Free with admission        

February 24 is Mexican Flag Day. Families explore the history of the flag and the Aztec origin of the eagle and the cactus in the flag’s coat of arms. Enjoy the story of the founding of Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, and learn more about the Mexica people. Plus a make-and-take-home project.


Georges Island Winter Fortress - Boston Harbor
Sat 2/16
Adults $20; Children 4-12 $15. Includes ferry ride        

Explore the winter wonderland of Georges Island during February vacation. If it gets too cold outdoors, warm up in the Visitor Center, and enjoy a short film as well as the exhibits about the island's history. Boston Harbor Island Rangers lead youth in Junior Ranger activities and seasonal crafts.

You can depart from either Long Wharf, Boston, or Quincy Shipyard at the times below. Remember to arrive at the dock at least 20 minutes early to allow time for boarding.

Quincy Shipyard: Depart 10:15am, return at 2:30pm; Long Wharf, Boston: Depart at 11am, return at 2pm


Wenham Museum's LEGO Train - Wenham Museum, Wenham
Sat 2/16 - Sun 2/17
Free with admission        

A super-spectacular room-size model train layout features all things Lego, from city sky scrapers to country cottages. The model train treat features trains, tracks, tunnels, and towns all made out of Lego bricks and accessories.


New England Model Engineers Show - Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, Waltham
Sat 2/16
Adults $7; Children (6-12) $5        

The festival features model engineers showcasing their working creations – steam engines, gasoline engines, aircraft engines, Stirling cycle engines, clocks, locomotives, moving puzzles, mini machines, pinhole cameras, wooden vehicle modes, model boats, and much more. There are 100+ working machines on display, as well as hands-on experiments to learn from.


Bugs Bunny Film Festival - Brattle Theatre, Cambridge
Fri 2/15-Sat 2/23
Tickets: $6.75-$9.75        

The annual festival features three programs:

  • Looney Tunes Revue, a special weekend matinee program featuring a completely different program and a few surprises.
  • That Fantastic Friz, featuring the rest of the Looney Tunes, as well as Bugs, in some of the best shorts directed by Friz Freleng; and
  • The All Bugs Revue, featuring everybody's favorite wascally wabbit;

See the website for film times and schedule.


Kids' Show: Josh and the Jamtones - Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline
Sun 2/17
Tickets: $8 children, $10 adults        

Josh and the Jamtones is a new (and sometimes hilarious) Boston-based rock and roll family band offering a unique and original music experience that parents can enjoy together with their children.


Cars, Crayons, and Creativity! Family Fun Day - Larz Anderson Auto Museum, Brookline
Sun 2/17
Free with admission        

In conjunction with the museum's Britain Can Make It exhibit, children follow the British roadway and learn what it took for car manufacturers in Britain to bring their cars 3,000 miles to America. They travel through four stations that bring the exhibit to life, from making their own British car, to making their own car banner and selling it in America.