Things to do with kids during February vacation in Boston and beyond.

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  PERFORMANCES AT THE PUPPET SHOWPLACE THEATRE, BROOKLINE This Brookline theater draws puppet troupes from all over the country. During vacation week, kids 5 and up can enjoy “The Little Bread Hen” and “Trickster Tales!” performed by the Barefoot Puppets from Richmond, Virginia; also that week, Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers from Bar Harbor, Maine, perform “Everybody Loves Pirates.” Book in advance, though; the venue has only 100 seats. February 18-26, show times vary, $10 > 32 STATION STREET, BROOKLINE, 617-731-6400, PUPPETSHOWPLACE.ORG
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  Photograph from Boston Children’s Theatre

  CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP AT THE BOSTON CHILDREN’S THEATRE, BOSTON The 60-year-old theater hosts weeklong acting, singing, and dancing classes for ages 4 to 13. Younger kids learn the art of improvisation and storytelling, and older kids rehearse and perform “Annie Jr.” Classes are taught by the theater staff, and parents are invited to the grand finale. Preregistration is preferred, but last-minute registration will be available on-site February 20. February 20-24, 9 a.m. to noon for children ages 4 to 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children ages 8 to 13, starts at $200 > 316 HUNTINGTON AVENUE, BOSTON, 617-424-6634, BOSTONCHILDRENSTHEATRE.ORG
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  NORTHEAST NTRAK MODULAR RAILROAD CLUB AT THE NATIONAL HERITAGE MUSEUM, LEXINGTON This model-train exhibit is great fun for kids who can’t get enough of the railroad. NTRAK trains – which are a bit smaller than traditional model trains – climb mountains, pull freight, wind along narrow tracks, and stop at scaled-down model stations. The museum also features exhibits on American history and pop culture. February 18, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and February 19, noon-4 p.m., $7 per family > 33 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, 781-861-6559, NATIONALHERITAGEMUSEUM.ORG
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  photograph by Dan Watkins

  BIG BOUNCING AT SKY ZONE, EVERETT This indoor trampoline park is an active kid’s dream, outfitted with trampolines for open jumping, a foam pit for practicing flips and tricks, and a 3-D dodge ball court. There’s also a toddler section for tot-friendly adventures. Sky Zone operates a Boston location, too, but that one doesn’t have the foam pit. Open seven days a week, activity times vary, $12 for one hour of jumping > 69 NORMAN STREET 1B, EVERETT, 617-387-1000, EVERETT.SKYZONESPORTS.COM
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  photograph by Dave Brow

  VACATION WEEK ADVENTURES AT BAREFOOT BOOKS STUDIO, CONCORD Barefoot Books is more than a bookshop: It’s an independent children’s book publisher whose Concord studio is also a pottery space and a community center that hosts concerts, workshops, kids’ crafts, and storytelling for young readers. Each morning during vacation week, drop in on activities like pirate- or animal-themed storytelling and pottery painting, African stories and mask-making, and a Mardi Gras party. Best of all, you can get select books and pottery at a discounted price after each class. Events are suitable for kids up to age 12. February 20-24, 10:30 a.m., free > 89 THOREAU STREET, CONCORD, 978-369-1770, BAREFOOTBOOKS.COM
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  BEDTIME STORIES PAJAMA PARTY AT HOTEL COMMONWEALTH, BOSTON Parents may know the Hotel Commonwealth for Eastern Standard, Island Creek Oyster Bar, and the new Hawthorne cocktail bar, but kids will find plenty of fun, too, at the hotel’s annual storytelling and pajama party. Storytellers from ReadBoston, Mayor Tom Menino’s literacy organization, read bedtime tales. Kids and parents then retire to a hot cocoa bar with tons of toppings. Families spend the night and wake up to a pancake-making class taught by Eastern Standard and Island Creek chef Jeremy Sewall. In-room touches like complimentary kids’ slippers from L.L.Bean make winter feel a bit warmer. February 24 or 25, 7 p.m., $219, overnight stay included > 500 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE, BOSTON, 617-933-5000, HOTELCOMMONWEALTH.COM
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  GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY AT OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE, STURBRIDGE This 1830s-era time warp celebrates Washington’s birthday in style. Kids can learn traditional toasts and hear songs, stories, and myths about the first US president over the long holiday weekend. Activities held all week include candle-making, hearthside cooking demonstrations, and, weather permitting, sleigh rides, ice skating, and sledding. February 18-20 for Washington’s Birthday activities, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., $24 for adults, $8 for children ages 3 to 17, free for children 2 and under > 1 OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE ROAD, STURBRIDGE, 800-733-1830, OSV.ORG
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  “SHAPESHIFTING” AT THE PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM, SALEM “Shapeshifting” is the museum’s new Native American art exhibition, which will include vacation week performances by noted dance troupe Yellow Bird, weaving demos, drumming concerts, film screenings, and storytelling by members of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. Kids can also learn how to draw using porcupine quills. February 18-24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $15 for adults, free for children 16 and under > 161 ESSEX STREET, SALEM, 978-745-9500, PEM.ORG
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  photograph by Cheryl Richards

  ROYALTY DISCOVERY AT THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM, BOSTON It’s only fitting that the regal and newly renovated Gardner Museum’s vacation theme should be royalty, nobility, and crown jewels. Gawk at giant portraits of royal families dressed in lace and armor and then adjourn to the museum’s studio to construct crowns and armor to take home to your own castle. February 20-26 (closed February 21), 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $15 for adults, free for children under 18 > 280 THE FENWAY, BOSTON, 617-566-1401, GARDNERMUSEUM.ORG
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  VACATION WEEK AT BOSTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, BOSTON Budding scientists, rejoice! On February 18, seldom-seen hawks and owls visit the museum as part of Wingmasters raptor-education program. On February 26, the museum celebrates National Engineering Week with activities devoted to various types of engineering, led by volunteers from the MIT chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. February 18-26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Fridays open until 9 p.m.), $12 for adults and children ages 1 and up > 308 CONGRESS STREET, BOSTON, 617-426-6500, BOSTONCHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG