If your children still have their February school vacation this year, there’s no shortage of attractions open offering activities especially for this break. The Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport and the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme are just a few of the examples you’ll find in this listing:

Participate in a time-honored tradition and make your own hand-dipped paraffin candle at the Windsor Historical Society’s Hands-On History Learning Center on Monday through Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Choose from different colors and scents to make a unique hand-made candle. Cookies and juice will be provided; all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Admission is $10 per family or $5 per adult, $4 for seniors, $3 for children, and $2 for members of the Society. Windsor Historical Society is at 96 Palisado Ave. Information: 860-688-3813 or http://www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org.

Old Sturbridge Village kicks off February school vacation week with events for Presidents’ Day Weekend and will continue with programs and hands-on activities throughout the week. Participate in a ball honoring George Washington and learn more about the first president. Throughout vacation week, children can make paper militia hats, prepare Washington Cake, marbleize paper and learn how to write with a quill pen. The Craft Center will be open all week and features activities including dipping candles, sewing, weaving bookmarks, and making a tin candle sconce (small fees apply to Craft Center activities.) In addition to hands-on indoor activities and special performances, families can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the Common, ice skate on the Village rink and sled with 1830s-style sleds (weather permitting). Winter hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors; $7 for children ages 3 through 17; those under age 3 are free. Information: http://www.osv.org or 800-SEE-1830.

Chase away the winter blues at the Florence Griswold Museum’s 11th annual “Winter Wonderment: A Three-Day Family Festival” Tuesday through Feb. 24. Activities include “Can You Find Me? Cards,” scavenger hunts, and special performances throughout the festival. Performances include “Rhythms of Life: An Interactive Musical Storytelling Program with Playtivity” on Tuesday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., “VOWELS & More: Smart Children’s Music with Steve Elci” on Wednesday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and “Father Goose’s Tales: A Shadow Puppet Spectacular by Nappy’s Puppets” Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Admission to the museum for children is free; $5 for adults. There is a $5 charge per person for special performances. Reservations are required for performances: http://www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org or 860-434-5542, Ext 111. The museum is at 96 Lyme St., Old Lyme.

Mystic Seaport is offering one free youth admission with every paid adult admission ($24) during “Liberty Days: February Vacation Week” Feb. 19 through 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to the seafaring village, experience the new exhibit “Pastimes and Playthings,” which includes old-fashioned parlor games, and tavern puzzles, create a souvenir silhouette, and climb aboard a whale ship. For more information and a detailed schedule of activities, visit http://www.mysticseaport.org or call 860-572-0711. Mystic Seaport is located at 75 Greenmanville Ave.

Explore President’s Day at Connecticut’s Old State House, 800 Main St., Hartford, on Wednesday. From 1 to 3 p.m., children can learn about two of America’s greatest Presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They will paint their own Washington portrait, trace a silhouette of “Honest Abe” and role play a Senate debate. This event is recommended for children in grades 3 through 6, and is $5 per student and parent staying for the program. Parents are encouraged to stay, but also have the option the drop their child off and pick them up when the program is over. Call Jenn at 860-522-6766 or visit http://www.tinyurl.com/OSHPresidentsDay to register.

If your child is between the ages of 6 and 12 and loves animals, head to the Beardsley Zoo for February Frolic Tuesday through Feb. 24. Includes zoo keeper talks, behind the scenes tours, hands-on-learning games, games, crafts and more. Children can sign up for one day or all three. The program runs 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with drop-off available at 8:45 a.m. For members, the cost is $35 per day; non-members pay $40 per day. Visit http://www.beardsleyzoo.org for registration forms, or call 203-394-8563 for more information. The Beardsley Zoo is at 1875 North Ave., Bridgeport.

Join the Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road, Farmington, on Wednesday for February Vacation Mini-Art Adventure. From 10 a.m. to noon, children in grades K through 4 can embark on an “Art Safari,” exploring art inspired by nature, including Monet’s landscapes and Whistler’s seascapes. Children will then be able to create their own art using paint and clay. Admission is $16 for members and $24 for nonmembers. Pre-registration is required: 860-677-4787, Ext. 142 or http://www.hillstead.org.

The Children’s Museum, 950 Trout Brook Road, West Hartford, offers “Space Sunday” this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet Rachel Manzer, an astronaut in training in the Teachers in Space Program. Also, make and launch your own model rocket, see what happens in the vacuum of space, learn how to find and draw the constellations and check out the solar observation telescope (weather permitting). Free with general admission. Information: http://www.thechildrensmuseumct.org or 860-231-0705. February vacation activities at the Children’s Museum run Feb. 18 and 21 through 25. Pre-registration is required: 860-231-2824, Ext. 44, or e-mail events@thechildrensmuseumct.org.

The Cora J. Belden Library, 23 Church St., Rocky Hill, invites you to Animal Antics over February break. A variety of kid-friendly activities are scheduled, beginning Tuesday and running through Feb. 26. On Tuesday join Stephney at 10:30 a.m. for “Teaching Creatures,” a reading of “The Frog House” and “How the Sun Was Brought Back to the Sky”; at 2 p.m., enjoy a showing of “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” and at 6:30 p.m., see “Legends of the Guardians: Owls of Ga’Hoole.” Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. the Lutz Museum presents “Peter and the Wolf,” an interactive reading with music. Some activities require reservations. For a full list of events and to register, visit http://www.rockyhilllibrary.info or call 860-258-7623.

The New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerfod Park, 191 Farmington Ave., Kensington, offers February Vacation Classes Tuesday through Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon for children in grades K through 3. This week’s activities are: Tuesday, Woodland Adventures and Wednesday, Rain Forest Safari. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $18 for members, ($60 for 4 days), and $24 for non-members ($80 for 4 days). Visit http://www.newbritainyouthmuseumorg or call 860-827-9064 to register and for the full schedule of classes.

Children ages 5 through 12 care invited to attend A Kid’s-Eye View of Harriet Beecher Stowe beginning Saturday and running through Feb. 27. Learn about the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and participate in “I Spy” scavenger hunts with prizes for the winners. Children can also dress in 19th clothing while touring the Victorian-style cottage where Stowe lived from 1873 to 1896. At the end of the tour, participants will be given a journal to take home and encouraged to begin their own journals. Tours run every half hour, Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-12. Registration is suggested: 860-522-9258 or info@StoweCenter.org.

The 21st annual Chester Winter Carnival and 8th annual Tractor Parade is Sunday at 10 a.m. in Chester Village Center, Main Street. Includes face painting, balloons, street performers, store and gallery openings, ice carving competitions, and a chili cook-off sponsored by the Firehouse (nominal fee required for tasting all chili). This free event will run all day, featuring a parade of decorated tractors beginning at 2:15 p.m. Park in the commuter lot at Exit 6 off Route 9 and take the free shuttle bus to the town center. Information: http://www.visit-chester.com.

Children ages 4 through 10 can visit the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center for February Vacation classes Monday and Tuesday. Monday attend “Snow Snakes” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. to learn about and meet Connecticut’s snakes. Then create special wooden snakes that glide across snow and ice and participate in a snake competition. Tuesday, join the Nature Center for “Animal Signs” at 1 p.m. to learn and read the signs of the forest, and know what happens in the forest when you’re not around. Both classes are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. The nature center is at 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic. Information: 860-536-1216.

Wednesday attend “Wearable Art: Design & Paint Your Own T-Shirt” at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams St., New London. Ages 6 through 10 can sketch their own designs and logos to paint onto t-shirts using specially formulated fabric paint. Registration is required; $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers. Please specify youth M, L, XL shirt at time of registration. Information and registration: Mollie Clarke at 860-443-2545 or e-mail Clarke@lymanallyn.org.

Attend February Vacation Programming at the Connecticut Audubon Society, 189 Pomfret St. (Route 169), Pomfret Center, beginning Tuesday and running through Feb. 24. Children can attend one or all three days; each day has a different theme. Call 860-928-4948 for full program schedule and registration. Fee is $35 per day for members and $45 per day for nonmembers.

Terra Firma Farm offers February Vacation Winter Day Camp, Monday through Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attend one or all days and experience winter life on the farm through daily chores and activities (both indoor and outdoor), see all the animals, play games, make crafts, and explore the farm. Each day will have a different theme. Tuition is $50 per day; $250 for the week. Information: http://www.terrafirmafarm.org.

During February break, attend Raptors of the Lost Ark Dinosaur Camp at the Dinosaur Place, 1650 Hartford New London Turnpike, Oakdale. Starting Monday, and running through Feb. 25, children age 3 and older can participate in a variety of dinosaur-themed games and activities designed to stimulate their imaginations and further their dinosaur knowledge. This camp is free and there is no registration or check-in required; between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. arrive and depart at your leisure. Information: http://www.thedinosaurplace.com or 860-443-4367.

Visit the Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut for February Break Fun Monday through Feb. 26. The museum is open for extended hours for the week, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each day features a different theme. Activities are free with admission to the museum, which is $6 for all. The museum is at 409 Main St., Niantic. Information: 860-691-1111 or http://www.childrensmuseumsect.org.

On Saturday at 2 p.m. go on a Seal Watch Cruise at UConn Avery Point. This 2 and a half hour tour begins with a presentation about seals, followed by a trip aboard the “Enviro-Lab” where visitors will travel to popular winter seal haunts. The cabin aboard the ship is heated, but make sure to wear warm clothes and bring your camera. The cost for adults is $25 and $20 ages 6 to 12 (children under 6 are not permitted for safety reasons). Visit http://www.oceanology.org/sealwatch.html or call 860-445-9007 for more information. UConn Avery Point is located at 1084 Shennecossett Road, Groton.

The Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, offers exhibits for the whole family this vacation week, including “Mindbender Mansion,” challenging the mind with logic and teasers. Opening Monday is the Ski Simulator Exhibit, where arcade meets science. The museum is also offering a Vacation Science Exploration Camp for grades 1 through 6 Feb. 21 through 25. Visit http://www.ctsciencecenter.org or call 860-SCIENCE for a full listing of events, descriptions, and to register for camp sessions.

Join the New England Air Museum Monday through Feb. 25 for a week of activities for children. A “Lego Challenge” kicks off the week on Monday, building straw rockets on Tuesday, and building foam flyer airplanes on Wednesday. Daily activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the museum open until 5 p.m. The New England Air Museum is located adjacent to the Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. Informaiton: 860-623-3305 or http://www.neam.org.

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