February Vacation Activities for Kids
From stargazing to ocean adventures, local activities the whole family can enjoy.
Darwin the Diamondback Terrapin at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol. 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. 23. 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 just over the border in Seekonk, Mass. Every day during February vacation week the Nature Center and Aquarium will offer a nature story at 10 a.m. as well as animal interviews at 11 a.m. Special programs for children six and older will take place at 1 p.m., including winter nature hikes, turtle races, touch tank opportunities and more. Meanwhile, Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge will have special sessions on raptors, reptiles and owls on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Note: Some programs require advance registration. asri.org
Providence Children’s Museum
The Providence Children’s Museum is offering an exciting lineup for school vacation week. On Monday, the museum is hosting an all-day vacation week kick-off party complete with karaoke, a “freeze dance,” games and more. Come Tuesday, put on your dancing shoes and get ready to enjoy an energetic music performance by the Toe Jam Puppet Band. Next, Save the Bay will stop by on Wednesday with a special touch tank filled with friends like Horseshoe Crabs, spider crabs, periwinkle snails and more. Then on Thursday, join Circus Dynamics for an exciting video game-themed show complete with juggling and balloons. Finally, Friday will round out the week with a visit from Reach Out and Read Rhode Island. Visit the website for details on programming or to reserve tickets ($20 per person per day). providencechildrensmuseum.org
Providence Children’s Film Festival
The Providence Children’s Film Festival is back with ten days of family-friendly, independent films and interactive workshops. The seventeenth annual festival kicks off on Friday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. with welcome celebration followed by a screening of the “prismatic epic” Arco at Hope High School in Providence. Over the next week, twenty films will be screened at a variety of locations including the Wheeler School Gilder Center, RISD Museum’s Metcalf Auditorium and the Community Libraries of Providence’s Mount Pleasant Branch. 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 ($12.50 for adults and $9.50 for children) through February 28. The Carousel Village will also be open daily during school vacation week from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online or in person. 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., Saturday, February 14 to Friday, February 20. Activities are free with museum admission and include hands-on crafts, a planet detective challenge, a Mission Space museum quest and more. Each day from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. get the chance to Explore the Glow of Space Science with plasma globes. Plus, venture on a whirlwind trip through the solar system during daily planetarium shows at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. providenceri.gov/museum
New Bedford Whaling Museum
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is celebrating February vacation week with a trip back in time. From Monday, Feb. 16, to Friday, Feb. 20, families can participate in a daily schedule of Storytime in the Kid’s Corner at 10 a.m., make and take craft activities between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., hands-on history-related activities from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Storytime in the Sailor’s Nook at 3 p.m., a costume parade (participation encouraged — come as your favorite pirate, mermaid or historic figure!) at 3:30 p.m., and a movie showing in the Cook Memorial Theater at 4 p.m. See website for the full list of activities, crafts and films. whalingmuseum.org
Yawgoo Valley
With even more snow in the forecast, 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. The one-hour tours depart from downtown Newport, and proceeds support the organization’s educational programs. See website for times and prices. 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 Mission Box, an all-in-one gaming experience featuring reactive LED tiles and dynamic light-up buttons for six different game modes (think: the floor is lava, trivia, and more). 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 more than 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 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
Winterfest Story Time at the Breakers*
*Programs are currently full, but you can be added to the waitlist by emailing programrsvp@newportmansions.org
The Breakers Stable and Carriage House will host story time for the little ones as part of WinterFest 2026. 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 Magical Snow Garden” by Tracey Corderoy and Jane Capman (Feb. 16), “A Day So Gray” by Marie Lamba (Feb. 17), “Little Red Gliding Hood” by Tara Lazar and Troy Cummings (Feb. 18), “Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy” by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick (Feb. 19), and “So Much Snow” by Kristen Schroeder and Sarah Jacoby (Feb. 20). 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
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