The Best Activities for February Vacation

(Editor's note: This article was updated on Feb. 7 to reflect the cancellation of the Melrose Winter Festival at Mount Hood.)

February school vacation runs from Feb. 20 to the 24, but registration for programs often begins earlier, and parents can be scrambling to find something for their kids to do.

So for this week's Patch Picks, we asked: What are the best activities for February vacation? Here's a roundup of things to do:

• Kidcasso Art Studio classes: Amy suggested this kid-centric art studio, with locations in Wakefield and in Arlington, saying that prices are "very reasonable, 1-2 hour classes for kids." 

• Come Play the Animal Way! At Stone Zoo: Beat the humdrum winter routine and watch coyotes, North American river otters and others have fun in the cold, and learn about neat animal adaptations to the winter temperatures. The zoo has to come up with novel enrichment activities to keep the animals stimulated and happy—visit to  see all the creative things the zoo does for our animals, and learn how they keep the animals active and engaged throughout the winter using enrichment techniques.

• : The Project Learn Extended Day Program will once again offer school age child care during the February school vacation week. The February Vacation Club wil serve children in grades K-5th. Arts & Crafts, swimming, sports & games and a field trip to the Museum of Science will be some of the daily activities.