February Adventures: 13 Things To Do With The Kids This Month
Imagine Van Gogh: The Immersive Exhibition
Daily through Feb. 20
Boston
This immersive exhibition at Boston’s SoWa Power Station features more than 200 of the Dutch artist’s paintings. The unique experience brings Van Gogh’s canvases to life in a vivid, spectacular way: the audience enters the artist’s world of dreams as visitors are literally transported on a journey to the heart of the artist’s work. Admire The Starry Night, Irises and Sunflowers. Imagine Van Gogh is accompanied by the music of the great composers Saint-Saëns, Mozart, Bach, Delibes and Satie. Tickets start at $33.99. imagine-vangogh.com.
Hike & Seek: Tales of Trees
Daily beginning Feb. 3
North Andover
Explore nature in winter with this family-friendly outdoor self-guided program at the Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens. You'll be emailed an activity bundle then look for clues along the trail and work as a team to discover the tiny world beneath your feet and towering trees above your head. Pre-registration for one person is required to receive a downloadable bundle of activities to enjoy along the trail or at home, including maps, a scavenger hunt, crafts, additional reading list and recipes. The special trail will run through March 13. thetrustees.org.
Family Night Hike and Owl Prowl
Feb. 5, 12, 19
Natick, Belmont & Princeton
Join this winter night hike through fields and forest, searching for signs of owls. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Belmont, and Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton are hosting family-friendly hikes to learn about and search for owls this month. Check out samples of owl wings, skulls, talons, and feathers and learn about owl calls, behaviors, and habitats. Search and listen for screech, barred, and great horned owls. For ages 4 and up. Advance registration required. Members $17, nonmembers $21. massaudubon.org.
Dino and Dragon Stroll
Feb. 5 and 6
Springfield
Encounter colossal sized dinosaurs, climb inside a dinosaur egg, and enter the Dragon’s Den surrounded by fantastical, legendary fire-breathing dragons. The Dragon and Dino Stroll at the Big E brings these amazing creatures to life. The massive dinos and dragons – some over two stories high – feature scaly skin, feathers and fur, moving heads, swinging tails, and blinking eyes. The event also boasts bounce house inflatables and “dinosaur rides.” Children can participate in story time and craft stations. Tickets start at $17.99. Children under 2 are free. A sensory-friendly session will be held Feb. 5. dinostroll.com.
Preschool Story and Nature Hour
Feb. 9, 10, 11, 18
Worcester
Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester and Wachusett Meadow in Princeton each host two nature-based story hours for preschoolers this month. Read a story, make a take-home craft and walk the wildlife sanctuaries’ trails. Topics explored include groundhogs, snow and the colors of winter. Dress for the weather and be prepared to be outside. Pre-registration required. Children $5, members $4. massaudubon.org.
Blue Man Group
Select dates beginning Feb. 10
Boston
A dynamic combination of art, music, comedy and technology, Blue Man Group encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner (and outer) child in order to see the world through a new perspective. Three bald and blue men explore today’s cultural norms with wonder, poking fun at the audience’s collective quirks and reminding them how much they all have in common. The show is continually refreshed with new music, stories, custom instruments and state-of-the-art technology. This theatrical phenomenon returns to Boston’s Charles Playhouse on Feb. 10. Tickets start at $38.75. blueman.com/boston.
Clay Valentine’s Chimes and Cards Workshop
Feb. 12
Lincoln
Make and decorate ceramic Valentine’s chime ornaments and cards for someone special. Hot cocoa with marshmallows and cider with mulled spices will be served to accompany this festive, outdoor, all-levels workshop at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. Instruction, tools, materials, seating and work surfaces for building and decorating a clay card and three smaller Valentine’s Day chime ornaments will be provided during this family-styled workshop. Work will be fired and ready for pick up at a later date. Cost is $60; members $48. thetrustees.org.
ARTfull Play
Feb. 16
Lincoln
Fill your morning with art and play at deCordova Sculpture Park. Each play-based hour features a unique opportunity to engage with art, stories, materials, nature, and new friends. Best for children ages 2-5 accompanied by a caregiver. Pre-ticketing is required in order to maintain capacity. Tickets include Museum and Sculpture Park admission. Adults $18, children and members free. thetrustees.org.
Tap a Tree
Feb. 16, 23, 26, 27
Sharon
Learn about maple sugaring at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary by exploring the tools of the trade and adopting a maple tree. At home, design your own tree label, then hike to the sugar bush and attach it to your chosen tree. Along the way you will learn about what it means to be a maple farmer - from identifying the tree, to learning the tools of the trade to the actual tapping of the tree. At the end of the sugaring season, each family will receive a bottle of Moose Hill syrup from this year's season to complete the experience. Registration required. Cost is $75 per family; $50 for members. massaudubon.org.
Monster Jam
Feb. 18-20
Worcester
Witness heated rivalries, high-flying stunts and fierce head-to-head battles as the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills, Donuts and Racing competitions at Worcester’s DCU Center. The Arena Championship Series East features eight skilled athletes fighting for the championship while putting on a spectacle, constantly innovating and always entertaining. Brandon Vinson gets behind the wheel of the black and green wrecking machine, the legendary Grave Digger, and Bernard Lyght makes his debut in Megalodon. Brianna Mahon in Whiplash and fan-favorite Coty Saucier return to arena competition. Tickets start at $20. dcucenter.com.
Enchanted Forest at Fruitlands
Feb. 19-27
Harvard
During February School Vacation Week, visit the Enchanted Forest at the Fruitlands Museum and enjoy self-guided explorations. Fairy, Gnome, and Elf houses installed on the yellow trail bring the winter forest to life. Your registration includes a pass for grounds access and link to a digital activity kit including map, craft activity guide, story time reading, and more, inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s “The Frost King, of The Power of Love” from her book Flower Fables. Carload $15, members $5. thetrustees.org.
Family Maple Syrup Workshop
Weekends beginning Feb. 20
Hamilton & Ipswich
Try your hand at maple sugaring at Appleton Farms in this fun, hands-on workshop. After exploring maple sugaring tools, use a hand drill to practice tapping a tree. Go through the whole process from maple sugar tree ID to boiling sap, and be sure to play along the way. Finish up with a story– and, of course, a maple syrup sample! This is a two-hour educational family program and pre-registration is required. Adults $20, children $15. thetrustees.org.
Professional Bull Riders’ Velocity Tour
Saturday, Feb. 26
Worcester
See some of the best bull riders in the world battle the sport’s rankest bovine athletes in the ultimate showdown of man versus beast. Forty competing riders will attempt one bull each in the opening round, then the Top 10 will then advance to the championship round where they will attempt one final bull, all in an effort to be crowned the event champion. Tickets start at $15. dcucenter.com.