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25 things to do with kids on winter break

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

February 05, 2012|By Kara Baskin

(Illustrations by Ryan Snook )

ARTS & CRAFTS

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

February Vacation Week at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The MFA turns into a zoo just in time for winter break. The “Paper Zoo” exhibition, which launches February 7, showcases prints, drawings, and photos of animals by artists such as Picasso and Rembrandt. To accompany the exhibition, naturalists from Drumlin Farm visit daily during vacation week. Kids can see live hawks, owls, snakes, and more at the museum’s Druker Family Pavilion and learn how to sketch animals. February 20-24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Wednesday until 8 p.m.), no charge for program, museum admission free for children 17 and under during vacation week

> 465 HUNTINGTON AVENUE, BOSTON, 617-267-9300, MFA.ORG

Vacation Week Workshops at Create a Cook, Newton

Kids (and parents) whip up mouthwatering masterpieces with the help of trained chefs at this fully equipped kitchen offering a range of themed classes. Older kids (12 and up) can enroll in workshops with teen-friendly themes like Takeout Thai and Cupcake Crazy; ages 7 to 11 can take a variety of classes, including Better Than Takeout and I Love Chocolate; younger kids can join their parents at a Princess and Pirates dinner party or learn to make sushi. February 20-24, times vary and prices range from $50 to $80

> 53 WINCHESTER STREET, NEWTON, 617-795-2223, CREATEACOOK.COM

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

February Vacation Camp at ImprovBoston, Cambridge