February Vacation Week Programs for Boston Kids – It’s Not Too Late!

Have you noticed how February Vacation Week has been creeping up on us, so quiet and stealth? Recently, when I asked a few parents about their families’ vacation week plans, they looked completely panic-stricken. If you’re feeling a little panicky yourself, don’t worry – you can still register your child for an enriching vacation program.

The options are plentiful and varied, ranging from an hour to all day, one day to a full week, indoors to outdoors, drawing to playing sports. No need to panic – yet. If one of these programs looks right for your child, don’t wait until it’s too late to register! Of course, there are plenty of fun things to do during vacation week that don’t require planning weeks in advance. If impromptu is more your style, be sure to check our calendar for drop-in activities.

Boston Children’s Theatre, Boston
February Vacation Week Workshops

If your child seems to have caught the theater bug, the remedy may be vacation week workshops offered by Boston Children’s Theatre. Younger kids explore theater through games, storytelling and improv, focusing on a different theme each day and culminating in a short performance on the last day. Bet your bottom dollar that the sun will come out for older kids when they take classes in acting, voice, and movement all week. They will show off their new skills on Friday in a performance based on the musical “Annie”.

February Vacation Workshop for Ages 4-7
Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, February 20-24
Fee: $200

February Vacation Workshop: Annie Jr.
Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, February 20-24
Ages 8-13
Fee: $325

Location: 316 Huntington Ave, Boston MA 02115
Contact: 617.424.6634 or info@bostonchildrenstheatre.org

Mass Audubon, Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
February Vacation Week: Exploring the Winter World

Summer isn’t the only time for outdoor fun! Mass Audubon encourages kids to get outside and explore the wonders of winter through experiments, games, and arts & crafts. Kids ages 5-14 are separated into four different groups for age-appropriate activities: Owls (ages 5-6), Hawks (ages 6.5-8), Falcons (ages 9-10) and Adventurers (ages 11-14).

Tuesday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM, February 21-24
Ages 5-14
Fees: $275 members, $340 nonmembers, fees are based on a sliding scale
Location: 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan, MA 02126
Contact: To request a registration packet, call 617. 983.8500 or email bnc@massaudubon.org

Franklin Park Zoo, Dorchester
February Vacation Week Program: Animals in Winter

Franklin Park Zoo’s four-day program is just right for kids who are wild about animals but don’t want to spend their vacation days out in the cold. They will learn how the zoo’s animals adapt to the weather and will even get the inside scoop on how the staff care for the animals – who knows, maybe this vacation week program will light the spark that leads your child to a career in zoology!

Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, February 21-24
Ages 6-10
Fees: $150 for members, $175 for nonmembers
Location: One Franklin Park Road, Dorchester, MA 02121
Contact: 617-989-3742 or education@zoonewengland.com

Watertown Recreation Department, Watertown
February Vacation Program

Kids get to be kids at the Watertown Recreation Department’s vacation program. They burn off all their excess energy playing indoor sports, and when they need a break, there is down-time for arts & crafts, board games and movies. Early drop-off and extended day are available.  Sounds like fun – best of all, the price is right.

Tuesday – Friday, 8:45 AM – 2:30 PM, February 21-24
Grades 1-8
Fees: Regular Hours $60.00 resident or $90.00 non-resident
Early Drop-Off $15.00, Extended Day $35.00
Location: Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverley Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472
Contact: 617.972.6494 or recreation@watertown-ma.gov

Studio Art for Children with Talin Megherian, Watertown
Fashion Illustration

Parents rave about art teacher (and artist) Talin Megherian. Take a look at the work produced by kids in her classes, and you’ll see why. During February vacation week, she is adapting her popular Fashion Illustration class (usually for ages 10 and up) for younger artists. Students will make a portfolio of illustrations and will get to create some designs of their own.

Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, February 21-24
Ages 6 and up
Fees: $80
Location: 69 Poplar Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Contact: info@talinmegherian.com or 781-718-6607

A Chocolate Dream, Belmont
Fun Activity Days

The vacation-week programs at A Chocolate Dream make me wish I were a kid again. It’s an hour-and-a-half of pure chocolate bliss. Don’t worry, although they will be dipping chocolate, the kids will also do arts & crafts and play games – it won’t be a nonstop sugar high! Choose one of four sessions being offered on Tuesday and Thursday, drop off the kids, and enjoy some me-time in Belmont Center. Don’t forget to treat yourself to one of A Chocolate Dream’s many delightful confections.

Session 1: Tues. Feb. 21, 10:30-Noon
Session 2: Tues. Feb. 21, 3-4:30pm
Session 3: Thurs. Feb 23, 10:30-Noon
Session 4: Thurs. Feb 23, 3-4:30pm
Ages 5-12
Fees: $20
Location: 68 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA 02478
Contact: 617.484.4119 or vicki@achocolatedream.com