Manicures, mammals, museums and more: 15 South Shore things to do during February vacation
February school vacation is next week, and the South Shore will have plenty of events to keep young ones engaged, active and entertained.
Some activities will exercise their minds by providing learning experiences without feeling like school, while others − such as sports camps, ice skating and rock climbing − will keep them moving instead of sitting inside and staring at screens.
Many of the events are free but require registration. Here are some highlights:
Free ice skating in Quincy
Quincy's new ice skating rink downtown is open through the end of the month. The free rink is open daily from noon to 8 p.m.
Rental skates, which are also free, are available at the rink. Skaters will leave collateral (their own shoes) when they rent skates.
Helmets are encouraged, and children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult.
The rink is on a city-owned parking lot at 100 Parkingway near Generals Bridge.
There is limited street parking in the city center, but there is space at the nearby Kilroy Square Garage at 25 Cottage Ave. Rates are $1 an hour for the first six hours on weekdays and $1 an hour for the first 12 hours on weekends.
It is about a five-minute walk from the garage to the rink.
Winterfest returns on Presidents Day
This year's Winterfest celebration on the Hancock Adams Common will feature a family-friendly slate of new and returning attractions from 1 to 7 p.m. Feb. 19. Some of the events will take place outside, others in heated tents and still others inside city hall and the Church of the Presidents.
New to the Presidents Day lineup are igloos, a “selfie station” where people can pose with past commanders-in-chief, an aerialist performance presented by the Boston Circus Guild, a kid-oriented dinosaur show featuring life-sized Mesozoic monsters by Dinoman, puppet shows by Pumpernickel Puppets and a grand finale concert by U2 cover band Joshua Tree from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.
Returning attractions include two presentations by the Blue Hills Trailside Museum, one about birds of prey and the other about reptiles. Other familiar acts include stilt walkers, ice sculptures by Ice Man Craig, a fire show by Boston Circus Guild and musical performances by The Birch Swart Band and The Brendan Ryan Band.
All events are free, but some require tickets. To get tickets in advance, visit the "game tent" between the Church of the Presidents and city hall between noon and 1 p.m.
Education and entertainment at Pilgrim Hall Museum
Family-friendly activities at Pilgrim Hall Museum will be free during school vacation week.
Events are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, through Friday, Feb. 23, with daily treasure hunts for all ages, tours of the museum and special programs for young learners.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit Pilgrimhall.org for a full schedule of events.
4 days of activities at the Marshfield Boys & Girls Club
The Marshfield Boys & Girls Club has lined up activities for Tuesday, Feb. 20, through Friday, Feb. 24.
Activities include daily cooking classes, arts and crafts, obstacle courses and tournament challenges.
Each day will have a different sports activity, including flag football, hockey, basketball and soccer.
The events run daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The cost for a full day is $45, and half days are $25. Two options are available for the half days: 9 a.m. to noon and noon to 3 p.m.
To see the complete list, visit the club's Facebook page. To register, visit Bgcmarshfield.org.
The club is at 37 Proprietors Drive in Marshfield. For questions, call 781-834-2582.
A whale of a time at Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Unless your name is Jonah, you probably haven't had an opportunity to see the inside of a whale, but that's about to change with a presentation for kids from Whale and Dolphin Conservation at Plimoth Patuxet Museums.
The Tuesday, Feb. 20, event will introduce children to Delilah, a life-sized, inflatable North Atlantic right whale based on a real whale that lived along the East Coast.
Educators from Whale and Dolphin Conservation will explain how important whales are to the health of our oceans and what can be done to help protect them.
This free 60-minute program includes exploring inside Delilah to learn about whale anatomy and other facts about the endangered whales.
After the program, join Plimoth Patuxet’s Wampanoag and Colonial educators for stories and activities exploring the importance of whales to the people of Patuxet and Plymouth. There are two sessions: 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m.
These programs have a suggested donation of $5. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. To register for the event, visit Plimoth.org/events.
Braintree Recreation offers day trips during school vacation
The Braintree Recreation Department is planning a day trip to Bellingham Vital Climbing on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The trip will include a three-hour pass for all attractions, including trampolines, the Warrior Course, Sky Rider and more.
Children must be at least 41 inches tall for rock climbing and at least 48 inches for the zipline and ropes course. A lunch of two slices of pizza and juice is included. Drop-off will be at 74 Pond St. at 9 a.m., and pickup will be at 2:30 p.m. All participants must fill out a waiver before attending.
A trip to the New England Aquarium and Simons Theater follows on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Kids will have a chance observe and learn about different aquatic life both face to face and in a movie in the Simons Theater.
Parents should pack a lunch for their children or send them with money to buy a lunch from the cafeteria at the aquarium. Drop-off will be at 74 Pond St at 9 a.m., and pickup will be at 2:30 p.m.
For registration and other information, visit Braintreerma.my.rec.com.
Hingham school vacation soccer camp
South Shore Select Soccer is hosting a camp to focus on skill development for kids ages 5 to 14.
The camp will run from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 21-24 at the South Shore Sports Center at 55 Recreation Park Drive in Hingham.
For registration and other information, visit Selectma.com.
Starland in Hanover
Starland Sportsplex and Fun Park has a full week of events lined up for kids ages 5 to 11 during February vacation.
From Monday, Feb. 19, through Friday, Feb. 23, kids can enjoy Starland classics such as laser tag, bumper cars, inflatables and arts and crafts.
The cost for the full week is $389. A one-day pass (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is $90. A half-day option (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) is available for $65. Early drop-offs (8 to 9 a.m.) and late pickups (4 to 5 p.m.) are an additional $15.
To sign up, or for more information, visit Starlandsports.com/rec. Starland is at 637 Washington St., Hanover.
February vacation at Derby Street
Derby Street Shops in Hingham has planned a full week of February vacation activities, with proceeds going to the Hingham Public Schools.
The events begin Monday, Feb. 19, when Legal Sea Foods will host a "Lunch with Elmo" event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is required for the lunch and meet-and-greet with the "Sesame Street" fan favorite.
Also planned at Derby Street:
Crafts at Shake Shack
Among Tuesday's highlights is "Crafts and Crinkle Fries" at Shake Shack from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
While enjoying their lunch, kids can decorate a tote bag with patches and more.
They can fuel their creativity with Shake Shack's crinkle fries (one free order per customer with the purchase of a sandwich).
A $5 ticket reserves a spot at the event, including all materials for decorating a tote bag. Tickets are required (for kid crafters only), and 100% of proceeds will be donated to Hingham Public Schools.
Yoga and stories at Barnes & Noble
If crafts and fries aren't your child's cup of tea, they can also attend a "Sensational Yoga and Storytime" with Arc of the South Shore at Barnes & Noble on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m. to noon.
Each family will receive a free take-home sensory book kit. This event is inclusive and sensory-friendly. All are welcome. Tickets are free, but registration is required.
Taylor Swift bounce class at Pulse Studio
The pace picks up Wednesday at a Taylor Swift-themed bounce class at Pulse Studio from 10: 45 to 11:25 p.m.
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The class is for ages 7 and up, and caregivers are welcome to drop them off while they run an errand during the 40-minute class. If signing up siblings, parents are asked to sign up twice with one child per trampoline.
Shopping party at Athleta
Thursday, Feb. 22, is for the girls with the "Athleta GIRLS Shopping Party" from 10 a.m. to noon.
The party will include promotions for little fashionistas to shop the latest collection, get a glitter tattoo and decorate a notebook to head back from break in style.
Tickets are required for kids only.
The $5 ticket includes a store voucher for$15,a glitter tattoo and a craft. All ticket proceeds will be donated Hingham Public Schools.
Mother-daughter special at Miniluxe
The week ends with "Mom & ME" at Miniluxe from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23.
The mom-daughter event (or grandmother, aunt or caregiver) includes an afternoon of pampering at Miniluxe.
Book a regular mani or pedi for yourself and a "Teenyluxe" manicure for your little one during the 1 to 4 p.m. time period, and the child's mani will be free.
All ages up to 10 are welcome for the manicures.
Participants can sign up at miniluxe.com/pages/hingham. Upon checkout, use the code TEENYLUXE.
Anyone who signs up and is unable to attend a Derby Street Shops event is asked to cancel at least 48 hours in advance to open the spot for others.
Reservations and ticket purchases can be made by visiting Derbystshops.com/events.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: South Shore family activities for February school vacation week
