February school vacation week is right around the corner. This list is full of entertaining, local ideas for kids of all ages. At the time of publication all of these events had spots available for registration (if applicable). You can find these and more on our Calendar too.
Fun February Vacation Activities (2025)
Camps/Drop-Off Programs
- DIScover Vacation Camp at Danvers Indoor Sports
Dates: 2/17-2/21
Ages: 3.5-12
Cost: $40 and up
Details: This camp at Danvers Indoor Sports features a variety of sport specific games, different variations of tag, dodge ball, board games and more. Half & Full-Day Options. Advanced registration required. - Painting & Sculpture Workshops at Artcie in Hamilton
Dates: 2/17-2/21
Ages: Kindergarten – 5th Grade
Cost: $45/session
Details: This is a drop-off program. Advanced registration is required. - February Vacation at Appleton Farms, Ipswich
Dates: 2/17-2/21
Ages: 5-11
Cost: Member Child: $530/week; Nonmember Child: $610/week
Details: This is a drop-off program for kids who are looking to make friends, explore the forests and fields of the farm, and learn about life in New England in winter, including learning about a type of winter farming – maple sugaring! Every day will include an outdoor adventure of hiking, snowshoeing, or other farm explorations. Advanced registration required. - February Vacation Fun at Maritime Gloucester
Dates: 2/17-2/21
Ages: 5-10
Cost: $15/day
Details: Join Maritime Gloucester’s educators for fun hands-on activities exploring different marine life found in Gloucester while discussing the importance of the ocean! This is a drop-off program for 2 hours, with a group for ages 5-7 in the morning from 10am-12pm and then a second group for ages 8-10 from 1-3pm. Advanced registration required. - February Adventure Days at Ipswich River Sanctuary in Topsfield
Dates: 2/18-2/21
Ages: 5-12
Cost: $330/week for members; $400 for nonmbers
Details: Four sessions of hands-on, age-appropriate nature based activities and games to explore the natural world in winter. Sharpen your observation skills as we locate and learn about winter animals and tap a sugar maple tree to make syrup. Drop off program, advanced registration required. - Fun Art Workshops at Art’s Cool in MIddleton
Dates: 2/17-2/21
Ages: 4.5-13
Cost: Starting at $55
Details: Advanced registration is required. - Kids Learn to Ride Series
Dates: 2/17-2/21, 9am-12pm
Ages: 3-7
Cost: $55
Details: This play-based program will use fun games and activities to create independent and confident little bike riders. Advanced registration required. This program is hosted by The Ride Cafe and held indoors at the First Congregational Church in Melrose.
Daily Activities
ONGOING
- Gametime Northshore
Dates: Open daily
Cost: Varies by activity
Details: Enjoy bowling, the arcade, billiards, axe-throwing, shuffleboard and more at the North Shore’s newest indoor entertainment venue. Located at the Northshore Mall in Peabody. - Hike & Seek Magic in the Winter Forest at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in North Andover
Dates: 2/16-3/1
Cost: $9 Member Family, $15 Non-member Family
Details: Join this self-guided winter themed family-friendly bundle for use along the Stevens-to-Stevens trail in North Andover to discover the magic within the Winter forest. Participants will be emailed an activity bundle to help them look for clues along the trail and work as a team to discover the tiny world beneath their feet and under their nose. This is a self-guided program. Pre-registration required to receive downloadable bundle of winter themed created activities, including maps, scavenger hunt, crafts, additional reading list and recipes. - Kids Free Week at Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester
Dates: 2/17-2/21
Cost: $0
Details: Little ones can embark on an animal-themed adventure designed to keep them engaged throughout the Museum. Older kids will love engaging with our digital panel featuring original games inspired by Hammond and his contemporaries’ groundbreaking innovations such as our newest addition, Frequency Hoppers, which brings history and science to life in a fun and interactive way. Let them experiment with sound in the whispering gallery, marvel at Hammond’s inventive spirit, and explore the Museum’s unique passages and rooms showcasing a blend of science, history, and art. - Special Hours & Programs at North Shore Children’s Museum in Peabody
Dates: 2/18-2/23
Cost: $12
Details: North Shore Children’s Museum will be open Tuesday, 2/18 with two play sessions: 9am–12pm and 14pm. Included with regular admission the following fun events will also be happening at the Museum:
Wed 2/19: Art with Kate. Join art teacher and NSCM staff member Kate for a fun morning of crafting. This program is appropriate for pre-k aged guest and older.
Fri 2/21: Join Miss Shelley for kids yoga and mindfulness this Friday at 10AM. Take some time during this busy week to breathe and move your body.
Sun 2/23: Sunday STEAM Club for ages 5+. Come explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please add a participant ticket to your cart along with admission for your entire party. - Glow Mini Golf at Aloha Mini Golf in the Northshore Mall
Dates: Open daily
Cost: Ages 4-12, $11.99 for 3 rounds of gold (18 holes), $14.99 for ages 13+. - Cowabunga’s in North Reading
Dates: Open Tues-Sun
Cost: $15/hr, $20/2 hrs, $29.99/3 hours & kids meal
Details: This huge, indoor, inflatable playground in North Reading, encourages families to climb, jump, slide and play together. - Hit the Arcade or Ropes Course at In the Game in Peabody
Dates: Open daily
Details: Play laser tag, climb the Ropes Course and Rock Wall and hit the arcade. Half-price games on 2/17 and 50% off laser tag on Tuesdays. - Golf Lounge 18 at the Northshore Mall in Peabody
Dates: Open daily
Cost: Bay rentals start at $35
Details: Book a bay for the whole family to golf at one of over 210 courses worldwide on Trackman 4 Technology at Golf Lounge 18. You can also enjoy food, drinks, and music at this fun indoor golf lounge. - Nova Adventure in Lynnfield
Dates: Open daily
Cost: $17
Details: Bounce on the trampolines, jump in the foam pit and play in the arcade. Attractions for all ages in this indoor trampoline park. - Immersive Gamebox at the Northshore Mall
Dates: Open daily
Cost: $29.99+
Details: Dive into a world where you and your group control the action through interactive, tech-driven adventures. Try Tetris, Angry Birds, Ghostbusters and more games.
Saturday, 2/15 & Sunday, 2/16
- Happy Hearts Teddy Bear Tea Party
Date: 2/15, 10am-12pm
Cost: $34.50 toddlers, $48.50 ages 3+, $58.50 adults
Details: Held at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem and hosted by The Good Witch of Salem. Party will include creating your own teddy bear and customized t-shirt, crafting love potions and Valentines and tea and treats. Advanced ticket purchase required. - Children’s Maple in the Barnyard at Appleton Farms, Ipswich
Date: 2/15, 10:45am-3pm (mult. sessions)
Ages: 3-11 with adult
Cost: $9 Members, $15 Non-members
Details: Maple Season is here! This special program will focus on the magic of maple from start to finish. We will discover this tradition by observing trees, tasting sap, learning the tools involved, and finally, tasting the sweet product. We will make sure to have time to visit our barnyard animals! Each session is 45 minutes. Please dress for the weather as the program is held outdoors. Advanced tickets required. - LEGO Train Weekend at the Wenham Museum!
Dates: 2/15 & 2/16, 10am-4pm
Cost: $12 nonmember child/senior, $17 nonmember adult, free for members
Details: Come see a rainbow colored, L-gauge model train speeding along a brick track as it races by soaring skyscrapers, country cottages, mountainside ski slopes and much more. The LEGO Train is designed by the New England LEGO Users Group (NELUG). Advanced tickets required. - Taylor Swift Extravagana – Author Visit & Dance Party at Peabody Institute Library, Danvers
Dates: 2/15, 2-3pm
Cost: $0
Details: Meet local author Erica Wainer, who will present and sign copies of her book, Taylor Swift: Wildest Dreams! After the Author Talk & Book Signing, join the dance floor for an intergenerational Taylor Swift Dance Party & Singalong. There will also be a Taylor Swift photo station, coloring pages and activities such as friendship bracelet making. No registration required.
Monday, 2/17
- February Vacation Cooking Class with Bloom Kitchen, Peabody
Date: 2/17, 10-11am for ages 5-7 & 12-2pm for ages 8-11
Cost: $40
Details: Join us for a fun class where we will work on some knife skills and create a couple recipes. Advanced registration required. - DIY Treasure Chest at Smolak Farms, North Andover
Date: 2/17, 10-11am
Cost: $15
Details: Ahoy, mateys! Join us during February Break for a special event featuring the story How I Became a Pirate. After the reading, kids will get to decorate their very own treasure chest to take home. Tickets are $15 per child (with one adult included) and include a donut, the story, a treasure chest with all the supplies needed to decorate it, a 10% off coupon for the Farm Stand, and animal feed for visiting our friendly farm animals. - Pizza Decorating for Kids at Davio’s Lynnfield
Date: 2/17, 5-10pm
Cost: $25
Details: Little Chefs celebrate the art of authentic pizza making using the freshest ingredients! Each child receives pizza dough, san marzano tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni & their own Davio’s Apron! While the pizza is baking, kids get a mini pizza dough ball to play with! Pizza Kits are also available for pick up after 5 pm on Mondays!
Tuesday, 2/18
- Tie Dye Bags at Smolak Farms, North Andover
Date: 2/18, 10-11am
Cost: $20
Details: Tie Dyeing Bags! For just $20 per child (with one adult included), you’ll receive a white drawstring bag to dye, two coloring bottles for your tie-dye creations, an apple cider donut, a 10% off coupon for the Farm Stand, and animal feed to enjoy with our friendly farm animals. - Movie Matinee – Harold & The Purple Crayon at the Hamilton-Wenham Library
Date: 2/18, 1:30-3:15pm
Cost: $0
Details: Families of all ages are invited to watch Harold and the Purple Crayon (2024, PG, 89 min.) on our big screen! Adventurous Harold can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. However, when the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of his creativity to save both the real world and his own! All ages are welcome. No registration needed. Drinks will be provided, just bring your own snacks! - Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals at Boxford Library
Date: 2/18, 2-3pm
Ages: 4-7
Cost: $0
Details: Kids are invited to join puppeteer Lindsay Aucella for a participatory, comic show starring her handmade oversized puppet pals! Registration required.
Wednesday, 2/19
- DIY Slime at Smolak Farms, North Andover
Date: 2/19, 10-11am
Cost: $12
Details: Kids can enjoy a donut, create your own slime with all the materials provided, and get a container to take it home. Plus, you’ll receive animal feed to visit our friendly farm animals!
Thursday, 2/20
- DIY Racecare at Smolak Farms, North Andover
Date: 2/20, 10-11am
Cost: $15
Details: We’ll be diving into a car-themed story and getting creative as we decorate our own toy cars. Tickets are $15 (per child and one adult) and include a donut, storytime, one toy car to decorate with all the supplies, a 10% off coupon for the farmstand, and animal feed to give to our friendly farm animals. - The World of Owls – Wingmasters at Wenham Museum
Date: 2/20, 10:30am & 1:30pm
Ages: 5+ (guests must be able to remain seated for the 50-min presentation)
Cost: $10 Members, $15 Non-members
Details: This indoor program shows how owls use their specialized powers of sight, hearing and flight to survive and thrive. A wealth of fact and folklore about these masters of the dark explains the natural and unnatural history of owls, while a variety of live owls provides the focus of the presentation. Advanced registration required. - Henry the Juggles at the Hamilton-Wenham Library
Date: 2/20, 3:30-4:30pm
Cost: $0
Details: Henry Lappen defies the laws of gravity juggling balls, clubs, rings, and flaming torches! He walks on a wire and balances strange things on the end of his nose! Henry does it all wordlessly, using mime and gestures, inviting lots of audience participation in his unique and hilarious show. No registration required. - Craft Club at Salem Library
Date: 2/20, 4-4:45pm
Ages: Kindergarten +
Cost: $0
Details: Make a different craft every week at our Craft Club! Paper crafts, paintings, cardboard projects, you name it. All materials provided. Advanced registration required.
Friday, 2/21
- Silly Slime Time with Ari at Peabody Institute Library, Danvers
Date: 2/21, 10-11am
Ages: 7-11
Cost: $0
Details: Kids, make slime with Ari! Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a little messy. Take your slime home with you! Advanced registration required.
Saturday, 2/22 & Sunday, 2/23
- Children’s Maple in the Barnyard at Appleton Farms, Ipswich
Date: 2/22, 10:45am-3pm (mult. sessions)
Ages: 3-11 with adult
Cost: $9 Members, $15 Non-members
Details: Maple Season is here! This special program will focus on the magic of maple from start to finish. We will discover this tradition by observing trees, tasting sap, learning the tools involved, and finally, tasting the sweet product. We will make sure to have time to visit our barnyard animals! Each session is 45 minutes. Please dress for the weather as the program is held outdoors. Advanced registration required. - Salisbury Beach Carousel Frozen Adventure
Date: 2/22, 11am-1pm
Cost: $30 per child, $20 per chaperone (1 chaperone can be for up to 5 kids)
Details: Join us at the Salisbury Beach Carousel for a magical experience filled with winter wonder. Step into a world of enchantment as you ride the carousel and meet your favorite Frozen characters, Elsa, Anna, and Olaf! There will be sing alongs with the characters, reading of the Carousel Caper, sweet treats, carousel rides and a 10% savings of all items at the merch counter during the event! Advanced registration required.