Looking for some February fun for preschoolers? Here’s a list of activities in Maryland this month perfect for families with a preschooler. From Valentine’s Day fun to nature activities, get ready to have a blast with your little one. Whether you live in Annapolis or Baltimore or anywhere in between, there is something on our list just for you and your preschooler.
1 Wednesday
Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails
Through-May 7. Climb into Thomas’ cab and explore the engine’s inner workings, flip levers and investigate other moveable parts and more at this new exhibit. $14.95; ages 2 and under, free. Tues.-Fri. 9:30am-4:30pm; Sat., 10am-5pm; Sun., noon-5pm. Port Discovery, Baltimore. 410-727-8120, portdiscovery.org
Parent Child Art Class: Valentines Hands
Class combines art elements with fun, messy, creative projects. Ages 2-6. $15. 10-10:45am. Thrive Gymnastics, Annapolis. artworksstudio.info/Studio-Annap.html
Education Connection: Mitten Challenge
Feb. 1, 3-15, 17 and 21-24. Education Connection at Choo Choo Blue Kids Zone in the B&O Roundhouse. This month discover the importance of using the right tools in Mitten Challenge, a wacky and wild way to build. Free with admission, $12-18. 10am-noon. B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore. 410-752-2490, borail.org
Winter Puppet Theatre
Nature-themed puppet show based on the story “Spotted Turtle Can’t Find Her Spots” followed by a craft. $5. 11:30am. Robinson Nature Center, Columbia. 410-313-0400, howardcountymd.gov
2 Thursday
Creek Critters
Thursdays weekly. Learn about the environment with indoor and outdoor activities. See what critters live in the woodlands and creek. Share stories, songs, games and crafts. Ages 3-10. Free with $4 museum admission. 10am-noon. Chesapeake Children’s Museum, Annapolis. 410-990-1993, theccm.org
Toddler Time
Listen to a classic railroad story, create a craft, enjoy playtime at Choo Choo Blue Kids Zone and a ride on the indoor train carousel. Included with admission, adults, $18; children 2-12, $12. 10:30am. B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore. 410-752-2490, borail.org
African-American History Treasure Hunt
Get an interactive look at African-American history with a fun- and prize-filled treasure hunt through the library. Free. 4-5pm. Largo-Kettering Library, Largo. 301-336-4044, pgcmls.info/website/event/33872#branch
3 Friday
Tales & Tails
Fridays weekly. Animal stories followed by an animal meet and greet. Free. 10-11am. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills. 443-738-9220, explorenature.org
First Fridays
First Friday discounted admission to the museum. $10. 5-8pm. Maryland Science Center, Baltimore. 410-685-2370, mdsci.org
Parents Night Out
Children participate in games, relays and more while parents enjoy a night out. Pizza is provided. $40; price per child decreases the more children you enroll. 5:30-8:30pm. My Gym, Annapolis. 410-573-9899, mygym.com/annapolis/camp
4 Saturday
Chinese New Year Celebration
Celebrate the Year of the Rooster at an annual Chinese New Year Celebration. Make Chinese New Year Lucky Charms, see festive dragons, make fortunes, chopstick training and more. Check website for activity schedule. $14.95; ages 2 and under, free. 10am. Port Discovery, Baltimore. 410-727-8120, portdiscovery.org
Juice Box Jams
Entertainment, glitter tattoos, face painting, lego table and more. $5. 10:30am. Paladar, Annapolis Towne Centre. 800-255-2071, juiceboxjams.com
Disney Reads Day
Read popular Disney stories, fun activities and giveaways. Free. 11am. Barnes & Noble, Annapolis. 410-573-1115, stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2866
Family Afternoon: Newspaper Fort Challenge
Construct a fort made of newspapers and tape. Learn about the triangle and create tetrahedral caverns small enough for one, or big enough for your family. Free. 11am-2pm. National Building Museum, Washington, D.C. 202-272-2448, nbm.org
Discovery Days
Learn about native plants and animals through song, stories, games and crafts. $5. 11:30am-noon. Robinson Nature Center, Columbia. 410-313-0400, howardcountymd.gov
Water Drop Program
Feb. 4-5. Learn about the earth’s precious resource and how we can help. Hands-on activities. Ages 5 and older. $10; $3 for each adult. 1-3pm. Chesapeake Children’s Museum, Annapolis. 410-990-1993, theccm.org
Walk in Art Program
Make your own mini version of artist Andrew Logan’s Cosmic Galaxy Egg sculpture with a special clay-like material and sparkly bits. $5 plus museum admission, $15.95; $9.95, student; free, ages 6 and under. 1-4pm. American Visionary Museum, Baltimore. 410-224-1900, avam.org
‘Honk Jr.’
Feb. 4-12, Sat. and Sun. A play based on the book “The Ugly Duckling.” Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. $18. Performances at 1 and 3pm. Pumpkin Theater, Owings Mills. 410-902-1814, pumpkintheatre.org
Ice Fest
Ice sculptures, an ice skating rink, an ice playground and Baltimore Mobile Zoo’s penguin. Free. 1-6pm. Sykesville Main Street. sykesvillemainstreet.com/event/icefest
Family Valentine’s Dance Party
Dance, play and eat at Port Discovery’s Valentine’s Day party. Registration required. $20. 6-9pm. Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore. portdiscovery.org
5 Sunday
Peaceful Kids Yoga
Sundays weekly. Children learn to manage stress in a healthy way with yoga, art, meditation, singing and more. Karma Yoga for adults takes place across the hall. $10. 4pm. Imagine Yoga & Wellness Center, Bowie. 443-510-6308, imaginetheplace.com
6 Monday
Tiny Tots: Nature and Music
Learn about wildlife at the refuge through fun and interactive songs and rhyming. Ages 16-42 months. Free. 10:30-11:15am. National Wildlife Visitor Center, Laurel. 301-497-5887, fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent
Architecture Fairy Tales
Celebrate the power of architecture through the magic of storytelling. The National Building Museum and Blank Space present the winners from the 2017 Fairy Tales competition. Registration required. $12, members, $5, students; $20, non-members. 6:30-8PM. National Building Museum, Washington, D.C. 202-272-2448, nbm.org
7 Tuesday
Discovery Day
The book “Float” is a book without words that invites you to imagine in new ways. Find out how to make hats and other creative sculptures with newspaper and other recycled materials. Reservations required. Free. 9-10am. Indian Creek School, Evergreen Campus, Crownsville. 410-923-3660
Inflatables
Feb. 7-12. Create an inflatable sculpture using recycled materials and high speed fans. See how air makes things inflate. Free with admission, $16.95-24.95. 10am-5pm. Maryland Science Center, Baltimore. 410-685-5225, mdsci.org
Kids Club: Banana Breakfast Bowls
Children’s culinary workshop using all natural ingredients. Registration required. $5. 11-11:45am. Whole Foods Market, Annapolis. 410-573-1800, wholefoodsmarket.com/events?store=1994891
8 Wednesday
Valentine’s Day Story Time
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with stories and songs, and make a card for someone you love. Free. 9:30am. Linthicum Library. 410-222-6265, aacpl.net/location/linthicum
Healthy Teeth and Healthy Me
Celebrate National Dental Health Week with stories, activities, crafts and a tooth healthy snack. Free. 10am. Annapolis Library. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net/location/annapolis
Colgate Dental Van
Visit the Colgate Dental Van to celebrate National Dental Month and to provide children with information to improve their oral health. Birth-5. Free. 10:30am-12:30pm. South Bowie Library. 301-850-0475, pgcmls.info/website/event/37893#branch
Disney on Ice
Feb. 8-12. Disney on Ice presents Dream Big. High flying jumps, daring acrobatics, skating and more. $31-158. Check website for times. Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore. royalfarmsarena.com
9 Thursday
Peter Pan Club
Story time and hands-on craft activities for ages birth-5. Free with museum admission. Adults, $4; children, $2; ages 1 and younger, free. 10:30am. Aviation Museum, College Park. 301-864-6029, collegeparkaviationmuseum.com/page62383.aspx
The Columbia Orchestra Presents….
Listen to child-friendly music while learning about families of instruments and how different instruments produce their sound. Ticket required. Free. 11-11:30am. Miller Library, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org/locations
Valentine’s Day Story Time
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with stories and songs, and make a card for someone you love. Free. 6:30pm. Linthicum Library. 410-222-6265, aacpl.net/location/linthicum
Valentine Bingo
Enjoy an evening playing bingo with family and friends and win small prizes or books. Free. 6:30pm. Crofton Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
10 Friday
Valentines Party
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with music, games, cupcakes, and valentine decorating.
$21. Three sessions at 1:30, 4:45 and 6pm. My Gym, Annapolis. 410-573-9899, mygym.com/annapolis/camp
Full “Snow” Moon Campfire
Campfire under the full “snow” moon, pop popcorn over the fire and more. Registration required. $3. 7pm. Benjamin Banneker Historical Park, Oella. 410-887-1081,
11 Saturday
Tracks and Scat
Become trackers and discover what kind of animals live at the park with the clues you find. Free. 10-11:30am. Holt Park, Baltimore. 410-887-5307, overleafrc.com/programs/holtpark
Valentine’s Day Story Time and Crafts
Featured titles are “The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story” and “Valentine’s Day Is Cool.” Followed by Valentine’s Day themed activities. Free. 11am. Barnes & Noble, Annapolis. 410-573-1115, barnesandnoble.com
Lil’ Stars
Feb. 11 and 25. Discover outer space through stories and songs. This month’s focus is on rocky planets. $3, with $5 admission. 11-11:30am. Robinson Nature Center, Columbia. 410-313-0400, howardcountymd.gov
Valentine Chocolate Bingo
Play bingo with tasty prizes awarded to the winners. Free. 2pm. Glen Burnie Library. 410-222-6270, aacpl.net/location/glenburnie
Valentine Shrinky-Dink Workshop
Make jewelry, key chains and more. Children will receive their first two sheets of blank Shrinky Dinks free; additional sheets available for 50 cents each. All ages. Free. 2-4pm. Brentwood Arts Center, Brentwood. 301-277-2863, arts.pgparks.com/page69520.aspx
Valentines Party and Parents Night Out
Learn about all things chocolate, play games, learn how animals choose a mate and more. Drop off program. Registration required. $7. 5:30-8:30pm. Holt Park, Baltimore. 410-887-5307, overleafrc.com/programs/holtpark
12 Sunday
History Festival: Expressions of a People
Black History celebration featuring musical performances, children’s activities, workshops, and entertainment. Free. 1-6pm. Harmony Hall Regional Center, Fort Washington. 301-203-6070, arts.pgparks.com/page69275.aspx
For the Love of Chocolate
Learn the history of chocolate and make a treat. $3. 1-2pm. Holt Park, Baltimore. 410-887-5307, overleafrc.com/programs/holtpark
Click next below for more events for preschoolers.
