February Vacation

Costumed Crabs at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn about crabs and their ability to disguise themselves at this Glo

Maritime Gloucester invites kids to a vacation week session about crabs - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation!. Did you know that some crabs like to play dress up? We’ll learn all about decorator crabs by making some fancy crab crafts decorated with shells and sea glass. We’ll also explore the different types of crustaceans as we study tiny horseshoe crabs, gigantic lobster claws, and an unusual Caribbean spiny lobster. We’ll end the day with a story about our favorite costumed crustaceans!

When:

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 1-3pm

Location:

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Fish Facts and Shark Socks at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn about what makes a fish a fish at Maritime Gloucester!

Maritime Gloucester invites kids in pre-k through first grade to a vacation week session about fish and the similar traits all fish have in common - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! What makes a fish a fish? You might be surprised by just how much a great white shark and a guppy have in common! By hearing a story and looking at models and pictures, kids will learn all about the fishes that live in Cape Ann and beyond. Using ordinary socks, children will craft their own toy sharks and colorful fishes to take home!

When:

Friday, February 21, 2014 10:30am - Noon

Location:

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Jellies and Coral at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn about coral and jellyfish, then make their own at Maritime Glouc

Maritime Gloucester invites kids in pre-k through first grade to a vacation week session about Jellyfish and Coral - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! Did you know that the biggest jelly is found right here in Massachusetts and can have tentacles longer than four school busses? Found in every ocean, from the dark depths to the sunny surface, jellies are amazing animals! We will learn about jellies and corals and make jelly crafts to take home. We’ll highlight our adventure with a story about Jenny Jellyfish and the challenges she faces in her ocean home.

When:

Thursday, February 20, 2014 10:30am - Noon

Location:

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Spaghetti Skeletons at Maritime Gloucester - Canceled

Kids will get up close and personal with fish skeletons at Martime Gloucester

Canceled due to weather. 2/17/2014

Maritime Gloucester invites kids in pre-k through first grade to a vacation week session about marine skeletons - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! What supports a fish, whale, or sea turtle as it swims through the ocean? Its skeleton! We will learn all about the skeletons of sea creatures working with some fun pasta shapes. Kids will create their own sea creature skeletons to take home! We’ll learn about more about skeleton sizes by comparing fish and giant whale bones.

When:

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 10:30am - Noon

Location:

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Ice and Snow Science at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn about the unique properties of ice and snow at Maritime Gloucest

Maritime Gloucester invites kids to a vacation week session about the unique properties of ice and snow - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! Does this time of year have you thinking of ice and snow? Students will learn all about ice through a variety of icy experiments, challenges, and projects. After looking at how salt affects ice, students will create saltwater paintings to take home. We’ll also learn about how arctic and Antarctic sea creatures have adapted to survive at extreme temperatures.

When:

Thursday, February 20, 2014 1-3pm

Location:

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LEGO Bakers Light Make & Take

Get a LEGO replica of the Bakers Island Light at the Salem Visitor Center

Calling all LEGO lovers! Join us on Wednesday, Februrary 19th during school vacation for an exciting LEGO Friendship "Make & Take" event co-hosted by Essex Heritage and the National Park Service! Participants will have the chance to make and take home their very own lighthouse keeper minifigure and mini Bakers Island Light. Space is limited, so reservations are required. Come celebrate the maritime heritage of Salem through the art of LEGO building!

When:

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 10am-Noon

Location:

Salem Maritime National Historic Visitor Center

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IRWS School Vacation: Carnivores Dining Out

Kids ages 5-11 are invited to Ipswich river Wildlife Sanctuary during February Vacation to learn about carnivores

Winter is a great time to look for predators and the evidence they leave behind. Today, we'll look at animal bones, fur, scat, tracks, and chews. Then we'll hike the sanctuary in search of hawks, foxes, fishers, river otters, and more. We'll investigate how these animals are able to hunt prey in the cold winter weather.

When:

Thursday, February 20, 2020 8:30am-3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Open House Mornings for Families: Backyard Birds in Winter

What birds come to your yard in the winter? Find out at Joppa Flats Education Center during February Vacation!

Joppa Flats Education Center vacation programs offer a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities while we keep minds active and hands busy during school break. Beat the winter blahs during school break! Drop in for an hour or stay all morning, either one or both days, for a vacation destination that suits your schedule. Drop in for family fun! You'll see winter bird banding demonstrations and try out science and art activities. "Miss Lisa" invites you to join her at 11:00 for an energetic educational presentation where everyone particpates in the fun of an interactive mult-media show. After the presentation, weather permitting, we'll go outside for a group game.

When:

Thursday, February 20, 2020 10:00am-Noon

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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IRWS School Vacation: Maple Sugaring

Learn how to harvest Maple Sap and convert it to Maple Syrup at IRWS during February Vacation!

Today we'll learn about one of nature's tastiest treats: maple syrup. We'll discover how to distinguish a sugar maple from all the other trees in the forest and tap one to collect the sap. After a visit to the sugarhouse, we'll know how sap is converted into syrup and try some on our very own pancakes. We'll see who can tell the difference between store-bought syrup and the real stuff!

When:

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 8:30am-3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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IRWS School Vacation: Winter Homes

Build igloos and learn how to find winter homes for animals at IRWS's workshop

Can you imagine living outside through the entire winter? We'll explore the woodlands, wetlands, and field edges for nests, cavities, burrows, dens, and lodges to discover how birds, mammals, and insects find homes in this challenging season. We'll build an igloo or shelter and see how warm it can be inside.

When:

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 8:30am - 3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Read to a Dog at APL

The Amesbury Public Library invites kids to come read to a dog at the Library! Read to a dog to help improve reading skills and get comfortable with reading aloud with only a very cuddly dog to hear you! This program will have Gus, a certified reading dog, and his caretaker at the library in our...

Where: Amesbury Public Library

3:45 pm to 4:30 pm

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Dungeons & Dragons at the G.A.R. Library

Come to this ongoing campaign using The Dragon of IceSpire Peak. Bring your own character, play one of ours, or we can help you create one. All are welcome.

Where: The G.A.R. Memorial Library

4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

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Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later. When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs

Where: Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College

7:00 pm

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Wednesday, February 18

Giant Candy Land at IPL

Ipswich Public Library invites kids and families toto take part in some February Vacation Fun! Play a Giant Candy Land game throughout the library! Work your way with your group of family and friends throughout the library on the giant gameboard. Hopefully you won’t spin and land on the black dots...

Where: Ipswich Public Library

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

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Dungeons & Dragons at the G.A.R. Library

Come to this ongoing campaign using The Dragon of IceSpire Peak. Bring your own character, play one of ours, or we can help you create one. All are welcome.

Where: The G.A.R. Memorial Library

4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

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Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Where: Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College

7:00 pm

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Thursday, February 19

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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February Vacation Programs for Kids at Danvers YMCA

Looking for fun plans during February vacation week? The Danvers YMCA is hosting Vacation Break Adventures from February 16–20, offering a full week of engaging, hands-on activities for kids. There are themed days full of arts & crafts, science fun, gym games, swimming, and more. Highlights...

Where: Danvers Community YMCA

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

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February Vacation Week at Appleton Farms

In the winter, many people hunker down to stay indoors, but at Appleton Farms, we make the most of the cold, quiet season. There is no better place to spend winter farm days than in exploring in the snow and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to...

Where: Appleton Farms

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

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Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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StoryWalk at Halibut Point

Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Self-guided reading pages posted along a lovely Park trail near the visitor center. Connect with nature and each other while enjoying the...

Where: Maudslay State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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February Vacation at MIT Museum

Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities planned for the week of February 14-22, including extended Maker Hub and Learning Lab hours, tours, gallery cart demos and family workshops. With the...

Where: MIT Museum

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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February Vacation

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Wednesday, February 18

Thursday, February 19