February Vacation Activities for Kids
From stargazing to ocean adventures, local activities the whole family can enjoy.
Meet Darwin the Diamondback Terrapin at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol and enjoy other fun activities during February vacation week, Feb. 19–23. (Photo by Camilla Ledezma)
Editor’s note: This article has been updated from a previous version posted in 2022.
School is almost out, and that means the kids (and Mom and Dad) will be itching for something to do until classes resume on Feb. 26. You don’t have to look far for family-friendly, daytime fun in Rhode Island. All of the organizations and businesses here have activities appropriate for a range of ages, and many of them are offering special programs for school vacation week. Be sure to check the websites in advance for information on fees or potential weather closures. And don’t forget your local library — most offer their own lineup of programs during school vacation for younger children and teens.
Audubon Society
The Audubon Society of Rhode Island has plenty of opportunities for kids to go a little wild this week at their locations in and around the state, including the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol, Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge in Smithfield and Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk, Mass. Every day during February vacation week the Nature Center and Aquarium will offer a nature craft table and nature story at 10 a.m. as well as animal interviews at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Special programs for children six and older will take place at 1 p.m., including sessions on birds, turtle races, a trail walk and owl pellet dissection. Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge will have special sessions on reptiles, owls and hawks, and Caratunk Wildlife Refuge will host reptile and owl meet-and-greets. Some programs require advance registration. asri.org
Winterfest Story Time at the Breakers
The Breakers Stable and Carriage House will host story time for the little ones as part of the Newport Winter Festival. An annual tradition, the event welcomes families to listen to a winter-themed story and participate in a craft while viewing the historic carriages on display. Stories include “The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett (Feb. 20), “The Tea Party in the Woods” by Akiko Miyakoshi (Feb. 21), “Winter Dance” by Marion Dane Bauer (Feb. 22) and “Winnie Loves Winter” by Tiffany Obeng (Feb. 23). The program is run by the Preservation Society of Newport County and appropriate for ages four and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Story time is free, but advance registration is required. newportmansions.org
Providence Children’s Museum
The Providence Children’s Museum is offering extended hours for school vacation week, with two sessions daily from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 25. On Monday, the museum is hosting Mad Science of Southern MA & RI for two sessions of whacky science experiments around Newton’s Laws of Motion at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Thursday, the Stupendous Mr. Magichead will offer a silly magic show for the whole family at 10:30 a.m., and on Saturday, all ages are welcome to a performance by Raffini of the Rhode Island Black Storytellers. Visit the website for details on programming or to reserve tickets. providencechildrensmuseum.org
Providence Children’s Film Festival
The Providence Children’s Film Festival is back in person this year with ten days of family-friendly, independent films and interactive workshops. The festival kicks off on Friday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. with a screening of “Dancing Queen” at the Fleet Library at the Rhode Island School of Design. Over the next ten days, twenty films will be screened at a variety of locations including the Wheeler School Gilder Center, South Providence Library, Mt. Pleasant Library and Newport Art Museum. Visit the website for times and ticket prices. providencechildrensfilmfestival.org
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Roger Williams Park Zoo is open for extended school vacation hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Visit all your favorite zoo critters and enjoy half-priced winter admission through February 29. The Carousel Village will also be open daily during school vacation week from noon to 4 p.m. Timed entry requirements remain in effect, so be sure to get your tickets early. rwpzoo.org
Museum of Natural History
While you’re in the park, head over to the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium for Mission Space family fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., February 17 to 23. Activities are free with museum admission and include space crafts, a Mission Space museum quest and more. On Saturday, Feb. 17, through Monday, Feb. 19, learn all about meteorites and hold a space rock in your hand with “Meteorite or MeteorWRONG?” from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Venture on a whirlwind trip through the solar system during daily planetarium shows. providenceri.gov/museum
New Bedford Whaling Museum
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is celebrating both school vacation week and Black History Month with a series of programs revolving around the story of Captain Paul Cuffe, a seafarer and whaling captain from Massachusetts who was among the wealthiest African American men of his day. Every day from Monday, Feb. 19, to Friday, Feb. 23, families can participate in educational activities inspired by Cuffe’s life. Between 10 a.m. and noon, children can enjoy Black history story time and crafts, and between 1 and 3 p.m., they can participate in a DIY silhouette portrait activity. On Friday Feb. 23, admission to the museum is free courtesy of the Highland Street Foundation. whalingmuseum.org
Yawgoo Valley
With between eight and twelve inches of snow in the forecast this week, next week is a great time to hit the slopes at Yawgoo Valley. Rhode Island’s only ski area, Yawgoo offers twelve trails of beginner, intermediate and expert terrain for skiers of all levels. Those who prefer a slower pace can check out the weather-dependent tubing park. Visit the website for ticket prices and the latest ski trail and tubing park status. yawgoo.com
Save the Bay Seal Watch Tours
December through April is the perfect time to spot seals in Narragansett Bay, and Save the Bay is offering an expanded schedule of seal watch tours for school vacation week. Hop aboard one of the organization’s education vessels and cruise through Newport Harbor to observe seals resting on the rocks. Tours depart from downtown Newport, and proceeds support the organization’s educational programs. savebay.org
R1 Indoor Karting
Kids ages six and older can meet their need for speed at R1 Indoor Karting in Lincoln. Along with go-karts, the venue offers an arcade, ax bar (for the grown-ups) and TimeMission, a time machine-themed gaming experience that will put your skills to the test. Tickets can be purchased online or in person, but reservations are recommended to guarantee a spot. r1indoorkarting.com
Biomes Marine Biology Center
The Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown bills itself as New England’s only private marine education facility and has the critters to back it up. With over 120 different species on site, kids can pet a shark, meet a tortoise and learn about all manner of aquatic life. The center is open daily from noon to 5 p.m., and feeding demonstrations happen daily during weekends and school vacations. biomescenter.com
Frosty Drew Observatory
The Frosty Drew Observatory and Sky Theatre in Charlestown is open every Friday night for stargazing, weather permitting. Bundle up to enjoy an up-close look at the moon, stars or whatever happens to be passing by in the night sky. The website is updated every Friday by 3 p.m. with weather information and details on the evening’s plans. frostydrew.org
Ice Skating at The Providence Rink
The Providence Rink at BankNewport City Center is open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers ice skating and skate rentals for children and adults. Tickets are available online or in person, and lessons are offered on select days during the week. For a different kind of thrill, check out the ice bumper cars — individually operated bumper cars with a 360-degree turn radius for when you bump opponent out of the way to claim your spot on the ice. Visit the website for details and ticket prices. theprovidencerink.com
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