February Vacation Programs

It feels like the kids just went back to school and now we’re only a few weeks away from February Vacation Week.  I can’t believe how fast the year is flying by!

      Here is a list of many of the vacation week programs offered in our area.  These programs span all sorts of topics and interests – there really is something out there for everyone.  As always, please don’t forget your local library!  Many libraries will offer special children’s programming during school vacation weeks.  Please see the Children’s Entertainment page for the many other places you can visit during vacation week to include our local museums and science centers and indoor play spots (to name a few!).

*Note: Remember to also check with your local library for discounted museum and science center passes for use during vacation week.

 Actors:

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Dover, NH:
  • Kids in the Spotlight: Program is for children ages 4.5 – 8 years old.  This is a three-day introduction to acting camp from February 26-28 from 9:00am-2:00pm each day.  The camp will culminate in a performance for friends and family at 2:00pm on February 28.  The cost is $105 for museum members and $120 for non-members.  Visit the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s website for additional information.

• Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH:
  • Winter Camp – Uh oh! We Shrunk the Campers!: The theme of camp will be “We Shrunk the Campers!”  Students in Grades 2-8 learn about all aspects of theatre including singing, dancing, acting, costumes, set painting, games, and much more! Camp runs from Monday through Friday (February 25-March 1) from 9:00am-4:00pm.  There will be an afternoon production scheduled at the end of the week.

• Peacock Players, Nashua, NH:
  • February Vacation Camp: Aspiring young actors will rehearse and perform a workshop production during February vacation week.  For additional information please visit the Peacock Player’s website or email Peacock Players Education Department at .

Animal and Nature Lovers:

• Amoskeag Fishways, Manchester, NH:
  • Vacation Programs:  There will be two half-day programs for children in Grades 1-5 on February 27 and February 28.  The topics will include patterns in nature and animals in winter.  Please see their website for more information and program cost.
• McLane and Massabesic Centers, Manchester, NH:
  • February Fun Vacation Camp: Camp will from February 25-March 2 from 9:00am-4:00pm and is for children ages 6-12. Various themes covered during the camp will include feathered friends, slime and scales, winter wonderland, mammal mayhem and creepy crawlies.  Themes will be explored through outdoor excursions, games, crafts, stories, live animals, songs, and conservation projects.  Please see their website for more information and program cost.
• NHSPCA, Stratham, NH:
  • From February 25-27 the NHSPCA Humane Education department holds several one day camps for children ages 6 to 12 years old. The NHSPCA will offer many different games, activities and crafts as well as give the children some time to spend with the animals!  Vacation Camps will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25th, 26th and 27th from 9:00am-3:00pm. The cost is $50 per day and campers may sign up for one, two or all three days.

• Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, Laconia, NH:
  • WildQuest Winter Camp: This program offers participants the chance to do some animal tracking, snowshoeing, sledding, play winter games, build ice sculptures and more!  The camp runs from February 25-March 1 and is intended for children in grades K-7.  Please see their website for additional details and pricing.
• Zoo New England:
  • During February vacation week the Franklin Park Zoo will hold programming and events in their Tropical Rainforest.  The festivities will include zookeeper encounters, daily storytimes, crafts and more!  On February 18th there will be a birthday party for Little Joe (a western lowland gorilla who is turning 20).  There is no additional cost for these events.  Please see www.zoonewengland.org for additional information.
  • A Tour of the Animal Kingdom: From February 19-22 The Franklin Park Zoo will offer “A Tour of the Animal Kingdom.”  This program will include a combination of animal encounters, arts and crafts, behind-the-scenes tours, games and activities.  This programs is held from 9:00am-3:00pm each day and is designed for children ages 5-10.  Program cost is $200 for members and $250 for non-members.

Artist:

• Currier Art Museum, Manchester, NH:
  • Free Samurai Vacation Week: Spend your week exploring the way of the warrior in conjunction with Lethal Beauty: Samurai Weapons and Armor special exhibition. Museum admission is free during School Vacation Week, February 25-March 1. Please visit the museum’s website for a listing of all the free events and activities for the week.

• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA:
  • Dive into Art is a FREE drop-in program that runs from February 18-22 from 10:00am-4:00pm (10:00am-8:00pm on Wednesday).  Discover creative ways artists have used materials to make their work. Use tape, paint, paper and letters in inventive ways to make your own masterpieces to take home.  The week’s projects include tape tricks, free-moving paint, monochromatic moonjar and an op-art opportunity.  (Kids 6 and under always get FREE admission to the MFA, and kids 7 to 17 are free during non-school hours and vacation week. See Visiting with Kids for more information.)
  •  Story Hour: is at 10:30 and 1:30pm.  Drop in to enjoy stories about making art and thinking creatively. Stay for one story or for the whole hour.
  •  Family Tours will take place every 15 minutes from 10:15 am–Noon; ASL interpretation Wed at 10:15 am and 11:15 am.
  • Weekly Journeys Through Art: Your young artist can take one of several week long courses to include intensive art, toy making and secrets of the ancient world.  Please see their website for additional information and cost.

• Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA:
  • Game Time!  A weeklong celebration of the many ways that people play around the world.  From February 18-22, 2013 there is drop-in art and activities from 10:00am-4:00pm.  These activities are included in the regular admissions price.

• Sharon Arts Center, Sharon, NH: Salem, MA:
  • The Sharon Arts Center is offering vacation week programs for children from the tot age to teenagers.  Please see their website for details and pricing.
• The Refrigerator Door, Concord, NH and The Studio, Bedford, NH:
  • The Refrigerator Door is offering a vacation camp from February 25-March 1 for young artists.  Please see their website for details and pricing.

Athletes:

• Amazement Actions Play Center, Harverhill, MA:
  • Amazement is holding a week long camp that runs from 9:00am-3:00pm with pool activities, arts and craft activities, games and relays and more.   Please see their website for additional details and pricing.
• Ski Programs:
  • Visit www.skinh.com to see what the local resorts are offering.  Many offer special weeklong children’s ski programs for February Vacation Week.

• Tri-Star Gym and Dance, Dover, NH:
  • Tri-Star Gym offers a weeklong program from February 25-March 1, running from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm each day.  The program is designed for children ages 5-13.  Please check their website for additional information and pricing.

Dancers:

• Vouli Dance, Amherst, NH:
  Vouli Dance is offering February Vacation Dance Camp from February 25-March 1, 2013.  Please see their website for additional details.

Scientists:

• McAuliffe Shepard Discovery Center, Concord, NH
  • Winter Star Stories: On Thursday February 21, 2013 from 10:00-10:45 the Discovery Center’s Little Explorer’s group will be looking at Winter Star Stories.  Learn about the constellations of the winter during this fun story time, then make and take home your own constellations.  Little Explorers is for children ages 3-4 and is an additional cost of $5 per person.

• Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH:
  • Treks for Tots: This program is for children ages 3.5-5 years old.  There are two sessions of the program, the first running from February 20-22 and the second from February 27-March 1.  Both sessions run from 9:00am-3:00pm each day.  This program is an exploration program that encourages children to develop their minds while connecting with nature.  Daily themes are “This Weather is for the Birds!” “Snowbound” and “Slip, Slide, it is a Wild Ride.”  Please see their website for additional information and program cost.
  • Seaside Safari: This program is for Grades K-5.  There are two sessions, the first runs from February 18-22 and the second runs from February 25-March 1.  Daily themes include “Shipwrecks”, “Crustacean Curiosities”, “Secrets Beneath the Ice”, “Amazing Sharks and Skates”, “Arctic Adventures.”  Please see their website for additional information and program cost.

A Few More Fun Ideas:

• Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA:
  • There will be activities and explorations inspired by the Museum’s exhibit Blue Man Group-Making Waves! Think outside the box. Use everyday objects in unexpected ways. Paint with things that roll. Build a bridge out of paper. Make your own musical instruments out of recycled materials. Build your own playground, paint yourself to glow under black lights and more.  Please see their website for additional information and pricing.
• Stonewall Farm, Keene, NH:
  • Winter Vacation Camp—Farm Art: A full week of winter fun on the Farm with an artistic twist will run from February 25-March 1.  Sign up for one day or the entire week.  $175/week or $40/day for Farm members.  $200/week or $45/day for non-members. Please see their website for more information.

• Lowell Kids Week, Lowell, MA: Lowell Kids Week is a week of fun, free family activities that takes place at many locations around Lowell during February school vacation week. As part of Lowell Kids Week 2013, Lowell National Historical Park and the Tsongas Industrial History Center will offer a daily series of events. Events will include a musical performance, arts and crafts, games from around the world, folktale puppet shows, invention workshops, a mural project, the chance to weave your own cloth, and lots more fun surprises!
• Wenham Museum, Wenham, MA: The Wenham Museum is hosting a few events during school vacation week to include a Legopalooza.  Please see their website for additional details.