From whales to Hollywood: School vacation fun across Rhode Island | Your Weekend 401 guide

With schools closed across the region next week, here’s a roundup of family-friendly events to keep kids curious — and parents sane — all week long

"Little Amelie or the Character of Rain" is one of the many films screening as part of the Providence Children's Film Festival
“Little Amelie or the Character of Rain” is one of the many films screening as part of the Providence Children’s Film Festival
Share
"Little Amelie or the Character of Rain" is one of the many films screening as part of the Providence Children's Film Festival
“Little Amelie or the Character of Rain” is one of the many films screening as part of the Providence Children’s Film Festival
From whales to Hollywood: School vacation fun across Rhode Island | Your Weekend 401 guide
Copy

Looking for tips on what your kids can do during school vacation week? We’ve got you covered.

Time Travel Week

Travel back in time at the New Bedford Whaling Museum with different themed-activities each day. Explore the Revolutionary War, the region’s industrial history, the Cape Verdean culture of New Bedford, and of course the history of the whaling industry.

  • Where: New Bedford Whaling Museum
  • When: Monday, Feb. 16 - Friday, Feb. 20, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Website: whalingmuseum.org

Providence Children’s Film Festival

A celebration of local, regional, national and international film for youth and families. Film screenings, stop motion animation workshops, live music, delicious soup, engaging Reel Connections, and bottomless popcorn.

Gwendolyn Goes Hollywood, Ballet RI

Join Gwendolyn and Omar, two dancing pigs with big dreams, as they leap from their small town to the bright lights of Hollywood! Based on David Ira Rottenberg’s charming book, this delightful children’s ballet is full of humor, heart, and toe-tapping fun for the whole family.

  • Where: Ballet RI Black Box Theatre, 825 Hope Street, Providence
  • When: Feb. 15, Feb. 21, Feb. 22. 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
  • Website: BalletRI.org

Nature Activities with Audubon Society

Go on a winter nature hike, learn about the Madagascar hissing cockroach or compare turtle speeds in a turtle race. The Audubon Society has a different activity every weekday during school vacation week as well as a nature story and an “animal interview.”

  • Where: Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Bristol
  • When: Feb. 16 - 20, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Website: asri.org

“Ahab’s Head: American Vengeance”

Artist Heidi Whitman’s mixed-media installation at the New Bedford Whaling Museum is named for Captain Ahab of the whaling ship Pequod in Herman Melville’s epic novel “Moby-Dick,” who becomes consumed with his desire to pursue and slay the whale that bit off his leg. Whitman spoke with afternoon host Mareva Lindo for this week’s Weekend 401 feature.

Send us your suggestions!
Tell us what’s happening in your community! If you’re putting on an event or just want to highlight something cool we should know about, let us know.

Providence Children’s Film Festival and the New Bedford Whaling Museum are underwriters of Ocean State Media. Editorial decisions are made independently of business support.

Health care, housing, education and President Trump are all likely to take center stage during the 2026 legislative session, which got underway on Tuesday
Researchers have identified 15 North Atlantic right whale calves this winter
With cold weather and snow coating our roofs, you might wonder if solar panels are still effective this time of year. So this week on Possibly we’re answering your snowy solar panel questions
Questions loom on the budget, taxes, hospitals and education
Brown University Health has moved to Respiratory Virus Status Red as doctors urge vaccination amid a severe flu season
This creamy lemon broccoli pasta is fresh, comforting, and effortlessly weeknight-ready. Bright lemon zest, tender broccoli, and a light, creamy sauce come together for a dish that feels indulgent but stays refreshingly simple