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 sing-a-long Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Regent to a kid-friendly tour of the 19th-century Gore Place and a model train show at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington.

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 25 events and activities taking place during February School Vacation Week.

If you find yourselves looking for a new dining option over the break, please see our review of Burton’s Grill - an allergy-friendly restaurant that welcomes kids! And if there’s a birthday girl or boy to plan a party for, Part I of our birthday party series - 5 Great Indoor Birthday Party Places - may just offer the perfect solution.

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

Enjoy!

You know what keeps me up at night this time of year? Summer camp. Every February I feel like I have to start the whole process over again. It's tough to find a program that balances my child's interests with my strict budget, which is why I've spent many a winter asking friends for recommendations, hitting camp fairs and, when I was really desperate, googling.

I know I'm not alone. All moms and dads go through this seasonal stress. That's why we created the Mommy Poppins Camp Guide, to help parents like you (and me) find the programs that best fit our families. Here's some of what you'll find in our 2012 Camp Guide.

It's just our humble opinion, but we think that every kid should see the circus at least once in their lifetime. Even in this age of interactive video games and 3-D movies, the spectacle of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is surprising and captivating, inspiring a jaw-drop on the most jaded of juveniles. It is our pleasure here at Mommy Poppins to be able to offer a family four-pack of tickets to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents DRAGONS.  Read on for how to enter this great giveaway contest!

Okay so I’ll be honest the first thing that comes to mind for me about President’s Day Weekend is the great sales. Yes, just another excuse to shop. Unfortunately my little girl has not yet developed a shared love for shopping so instead we will be spending the weekend learning about what President’s Day is all about…our great country and the forefathers who have led it. With plenty of fun activities in the Hartford county area we will have no problem staying away from the outlets.  I’m sure my wallet will appreciate that.

We continue our series of posts on Jackson Heights with a look at the area's best places to eat with kids. Although many people think of Jackson Heights as the place to get Indian food (they don't call it Little India for nothing), the neighborhood's diversity is reflected in its wide array of cuisine.

Last week, a Jackson Heights mom took readers on a colorful walking tour of her nabe, and not surprisingly she included many of her favorite restaurants for families. Eating is a big part of the culture here, and locals are as passionate about their top spots as they are about their borough's beloved Mets. So get ready to go on a culinary adventure: Here are 15 family-friendly restaurants, bakeries and take-out spots in Jackson Heights.

What is it with all the closings? Last time it was Moomah. Now it's a bunch of schools (18 to be exact).

But not all the news is grim. We've got the scoop on a sweet new chocolate shop on the Upper West Side (the perfect go-to spot if you need a last-minute Valentine's Day gift today), autism-friendly Broadway matinees and a family lawsuit with a number that rivals our national debt.

My family has so many food allergies and sensitivities, dining out has become more of a chore than the pleasant, relaxing experience I would like it to be. At different times in my life, going out to eat has been a celebration, an escape from the drudgery of the kitchen, a gastronomic adventure, or an opportunity to share a stress-free meal with friends and family. After visiting Burtons Grill in Burlington, I have hope that it can be those things for us once again.

We've already shared our picks for the best concerts and stage shows for families this winter. Now we turn our attention to the best kid-friendly exhibits coming your way.

While three of the installations are at familiar tot spots—the American Museum of Natural History, the Children's Museum of the Arts and the New York Hall of Science—we've also scoped out cool kid-friendly exhibits at the Rubin Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum and the Intrepid. And we've got an up-to-date list of free museum hours so you can figure out when to visit at no cost.

From bioluminescent creatures to Tibet in popular culture to a major Keith Haring retrospective, here are six exhibits to take the kids to this winter.