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!

If you want to have a wonderful party for your child (not at home!) but you’re overwhelmed by the choices and lack of information available, I have a gift for you: Recommendations for five great birthday party places in the Boston area, and everything you need to know about them. From what’s included to whether you can hang decorations and everything in between, I have the 411 for you here – no need to spend hours searching.

The five places I have featured – Boston Fire Museum, My Gym Boston, Dance Place of Arlington, Lanes & Games in Cambridge and Jump On In of Woburn – are different in many ways, but they all have some things in common: They have been recommended by local parents, they are indoors, they minimize the amount of work you have to do, and they offer parties that are active and fun for kids. So read on, pick a place, and have a party your child will be talking about for a long time to come.

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.