February break is just around the corner for many families with school-age children in the Upper Valley. During the wintertime, sometimes it seems like the best thing to do is just hunker down and wait for the first signs of Spring…but if you’re looking to venture out and find an interesting way to spend your time off, here are five places to check out this month! 

The Montshire Museum 

1 Montshire Road, Norwich, VT 05055

Just off of Exit 13 on I-91 and situated right beside the Connecticut River, you will find the Montshire, an interactive and educational science museum with over 150 exhibits covering a range of topics such as nature, technology, astronomy, and the physical sciences.  Montshire Museum of Science encourages curiosity and engagement with the natural world and offers rewarding learning opportunities for all ages. Take a look at the latest visitor guide to view current exhibitions, visitor guidelines, and maps of outdoor trails.

To explore the science of winter and enjoy the outdoors, the Montshire offers a seasonal activity, Igloo Build, which is free with museum admission. The goal of Igloo Build is to learn how to build a sturdy and insulated home that is entirely made of snow. The next Igloo Build is scheduled for February 12, 2022, from 10:30 am to 3 pm. Other winter-specific Monsthire activities include Fun With Ice (experiment with ice using color, lights, and salt in the Science Discovery Lab), Frosty Science (create sub-zero temperatures in the lab), Ice Fishing (use tools to extract a fish from a block of ice), and Snowshoe Exploration (enjoy the outdoor trails at Montshire; snowshoes are available to borrow at the front desk).

The museum is open year-round. The Montshire is open every day except Tuesdays from 10 am to 5 pm. September through May, general admission is $17 for adults and $14 for children. June through September, general admission is $19 for adults and $16 for children. Members and children two and under always receive free admission. Call (802) 649-2200 for more information. 

The Vermont Antique Mall & Toy Museum

5573 Woodstock Rd. Quechee, VT 05059

Open 10 am to 5 pm daily, The Vermont Antique Mall & Toy Museum in Quechee Gorge Village might seem like an odd choice for a kid-friendly outing. But don’t be fooled–a visit to the Antique Mall is a great way to get your kids engaged in a dialogue about history and art, and it’s a fun opportunity to play treasure-hunter for an afternoon!

Stroll through multiple levels of antique paradise and ask questions about interesting items you find: What do you think this was used for? What do you notice about this piece of art? Does this antique remind you of anything we have or use at home? Or, give your child a small bill ($5-10) and let them choose an item that catches their eye. Ask them to share why they chose the item and what they find interesting about it. If you want, purchase the item, take it home, do some research on it, and learn something new!

Afterward, you can check out the Toy and Train Museum in the same building and walk through displays of toys from across the decades, featuring antique lunch boxes, wind-up toys, TV toys, cap guns, Star Wars, and Barbies!

The Lake Morey Ice Skating Trail 

82 Clubhouse Rd. Fairlee, Vermont 05045

Craving some outdoor time or looking to improve your balance? The 4.3-mile skate trail at Lake Morey Resort opened on January 15 and is the longest skate trail in the United States. The trail is free to the public, though donations are appreciated and help support trail maintenance and improvements. Skates and skating accessories are available for rent in the Morey Room through the main lobby at the resort. Rentals can be made beginning at 11 am Monday through Friday and beginning at 10 am on the weekends. All rented equipment must be returned by 4:45 pm.

Lake Morey Resort posts a daily ice report on their Facebook page to be sure the ice conditions are safe before you break out your skates and snow gear. 

Billings Farm & Museum 

69 Old River Rd, Woodstock, VT 05091

Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, Vermont, is a fun destination to visit any time of the year. From February 12-27, 10 am - 4 pm, check out Magic of Maple, where you can learn about maple trees and the sugaring process, meet local maple sugerers, and participate in sugar-on-snow.

Public, horse-drawn sleigh rides are offered on February 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24 & 25 from 11 am - 3 pm. Rides cost $5 in addition to the price of a general admission ticket to the farm and museum. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Ticket Desk. Private 30-minute sleigh rides for up to 10 adults and 5 children can be reserved online in advance.

For some outdoor winter exercise, try the torchlight snowshoe on February 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Afterward, you can warm up at the firepit, enjoy s’mores and hot drinks, and learn about the history of the land from National Park Rangers. Reserve your tickets in advance–$10 for adults and $5 for youth. 

Arrowhead Cardboard Sled Race

18 Robert Easter Way, Claremont, NH 03743

If you’re looking to get creative while having some outdoor winter fun, consider entering your own cardboard sled design at The Arrowhead Recreation Area Cardboard Sled Race, held in the Pine Grove tubing area at the Arrowhead Recreation Area in Claremont, NH. This year’s race will be held on February 19, 2022.

Cardboard, tape, and wax are the only materials permitted in the design of your sled. Your sled will be judged based on artistic design and construction, and costumes are taken into account, so be sure to dress up! Speed and strength of the sled will also be considered. Registration is held on race day in the main lobby of the Recreation Area from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm; entry costs $10 for a single sled/racer, $15 for two, and $20 for a team of three or more. For more information, read about the event on their website.