15 Things to Do During School Vacation Week

The first day of school vacation in Weston begins on Friday, Dec. 24, and regular classes resume on Monday, Jan. 3. 

With the kids at home, you may be wondering how to keep all of you occupied without breaking out into extreme cabin fever. 

Here's a list of things to do for the pre-high school set. Some might require pre-registration, so be sure to check and call ahead before making any permanent plans.

ALL WEEK

• The library will be open Thursday, Dec 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library requests parents not send their children there after school on Thursday, Dec. 23, as the library will be closed. The library will be closed on Friday, Dec. 24, and Saturday, Dec. 25. It will reopen Sunday, Dec. 26, with a regular schedule for the rest of the week, until Thursday, Dec. 30, when it will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be closed Friday, Dec. 31 and Saturday, Jan. 1, reopening on Sunday, Jan. 2.
• The Weston Public Library has all week. There will be a  different self-guided craft every day for vacation week, appropriate for children from 3 to 12 years old. Children who cannot read must be accompanied by an adult. Monday, Dec. 27 through Wednesday, Dec. 29 the craft is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, the craft is from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
• The School of Rock is holding a Winter Break Camp from Dec. 27 to 30. Call 617-923-3434 for more information or to register. 
• Leventhal-Sidman JCC in Newton is holding a . Kids can choose activities in sports, arts or some of both. Programs are offered Friday, Dec. 24, and from Dec. 27 to 31. Kids can choose which days to attend—all, just one, or a few. Early drop-off and extended day are available. Register at jccgb.org/schoolvacations or email schoolvacations@jccgb.org or call 617-558-6527 for more information. Costs are $100 per day or $540 for all six days. Open to all.
• The at Regis will be open during vacation week on Thursday, Dec. 30, Friday, Dec. 31 and Sunday, Jan. 2 from noon to 5 p.m.  Activities for children will be available. Currently on exhibit is "Music on Stamps - The Spellman Philatelic Philharmonic Hall." The show is a great way for children to learn about famous composers and musicians plus about instruments from around the world.  For more info call 781-768-8367 or www.spellman.org

MONDAY, Dec. 27

• The Weston Recreation Department has made arrangements with to secure ice time for Weston resident skating during the holiday break. The sessions will be Monday, Dec. 27 from 8:20 to 9:20am for general skating and Wednesday, Dec. 29 for stick and puck time only between the hours of 8:20 to 9:20am. This program is open to all Weston residents and their guests. There is a $5 fee per person with a cap of $20.00 for a family. Helmets must be worn. For more information please call the Recreation Department at 781-529-0203.
• will be available in the Children's Program Room from 10 a.m. to noon at the Watertown Free Public Library.

TUESDAY, Dec. 28

• Kids are invited to the Newton Free Library on Tuesday, Dec. 28, at 10:30 a.m., to sing and dance with . 
• Join the for an afternoon with Mittens! A Vacation Week Family Program. Participants will read the story The Mitten about animals taking shelter in a lost mitten, and then invent new uses for mittens in a craft activity. The cost of this event is $15 per family, or $10 for Historic Newton members, and includes museum admission, a snack and materials. Prepaid registration is required.  To register, call 617.796.1450. The program begins at 2 p.m.
• The Flannery Brothers play songs from their new album, "The New Explorers Club," from 11 a.m. to noon at the . For children ages 5 and under. Registration not needed.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29

• The WCCA is sponsoring a magic show on Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. in the Country School cafetorium, feature magician Bonaparte. The cost is $7 for members and $10 for non-members. Children under 1 are free. 
• The Weston Recreation Department has made arrangements with Rivers School to secure ice time for Weston resident skating during the holiday break. The sessions will be Monday, Dec. 27 from 8:20 to 9:20am for general skating and Wednesday, Dec. 29 for stick and puck time only between the hours of 8:20 to 9:20am. This program is open to all Weston residents and their guests. There is a $5 fee per person with a cap of $20.00 for a family. Helmets must be worn. For more information please call the Recreation Department at 781-529-0203.
• The Watertown Free Public Library is holding a rated PG, which has a running time of 95 minutes and will start at 2 p.m.  All are welcome to attend. 

THURSDAY, DEC. 30

• Bring the whole family to a hands-on vacation week program at the Jackson Homestead and Museum called .  To celebrate the museum's new exhibit, Mapping a New Town, participants will read Mapping Penny's World by Loreen Leedy and make a map that charts their everyday adventures. The program begins at 2 p.m. The cost of this event is $15 per family, or $10 for Historic Newton members, and includes museum admission, a snack and materials. Prepaid registration is required.  To register, call 617.796.1450.
• The School of Rock is also holding a free all-ages concert on Thursday, Dec. 30, at The Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St. in Inman Square, Cambridge, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., featuring student musicians from the Winter Break Camp.
• There will be available in the Children's Program Room at the Watertown Library from 3 to 4 p.m.   Best for children in grades 1 to 5.