Looking for some free winter fun in February? Here are 58 ideas for fun for the whole family in the Annapolis-Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area. Find everything from library story times to teen movie nights and plenty more to keep the kids busy.
1 Wednesday
Pop and Popcorn for Teens
Enjoy snacks, games and different activities. For teens. Free. 3pm. Severn Library. 410-222-6280, aacpl.net/location/severn
Happy Birthday, Laura Ingalls Wilder
Celebrate Laura Ingalls Wilder’s 150th birthday with pioneer games, a craft and snacks. Ages 6-9. Ticket required. Free. 7-7:45pm. Miller Library, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org/locations
2 Thursday
LED Light Up Valentine
Create an LED light-up Valentine’s Day card for someone special. For teens. Free. 3pm. Mountain Road Library, Pasadena. 410-222-6699, aacpl.net/location/mountainroad
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
Harry Potter Book Night
Celebrate J.K. Rowling’s series with reading, activities, crafts and more. Costumes encouraged. Free. 6pm. Severna Park Library. 410-222-6290, aacpl.net/location/severnapark
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
4 Saturday
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
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
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
7 Tuesday
Discovery Day
The book “Float” is a book without words that invites you to imagine in new ways. 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
Boys Read: Sports Edition
Boys read about sports, learn to work as a team and gain the skills to be successful in the classroom and in life. Led by a former NCAA Division I athlete. Free. 4-5:30pm. Glenarden Library. 301-772-5477, pgcmls.info/website/branch/location/Glenarden
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
Nature Explorers Club
Investigate an aspect of the ecosystem through presentations, conversations and hands-on activities. Bring a magnifier. For ages 7-11. Free. 4pm. Crofton Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
9 Thursday
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
Play bingo with family and friends and win small prizes or books. Free. 6:30pm. Crofton Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
Celebrate Laura Ingalls Wilder 100th Birthday
Learn about the American Pioneer experience and celebrate the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder. For second grade and up. Free. 6:30-7:30pm. Prince Frederick Library. 410-535-0291, calvert.lib.md.us/pf.html
10 Friday
African-American STEAM: Portrait Workshop
Kids create portraits of famous African-Americans after learning about art concepts, the basic structure of the face and viewing portraits by famous artists. Registration is required. Limited spots. Free. 2-3pm. Laurel Library. 301-776-6790, pgcmls.info/website/event/29769#branch
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
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
Backyard Birds
Environmental educator will show the sights and sounds of the usual and the rare visitors to Maryland feeders during National Bird-Feeding Month. Then make a tasty toast treat for feathered friends. Ages 7 and up. Free. 2pm. Crofton Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
12 Sunday
Skull Detectives
Learn more about animals by studying the features of their skulls in this hands-on program. Ages 8-10. Registration required. Free. 10:30am-noon. North Tract Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel. 301-497-5887, fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent
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
Valentine Craft Creations
Create Valentine’s Day bracelets and keychains. Ages 9-12. Registration required. 2-3pm. Free. Central Branch Library, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org/locations
13 Monday
Valentine’s Day Preschool Bingo
Come and win some sweets and treats in preschool age bingo. Ages 5 and under. Free. 3pm. Riviera Beach Library, Pasadena. 410-222-6285, aacpl.net/location/rivierabeach
Pigment of Patuxent
Explore the colors of the natural world and learn how different animals use colors to survive. Ages 5-7. Free. 3-4pm. National Wildlife Visitor Center, Laurel. 301-497-5887, fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent
Valentine Bingo
Play Bingo with heart-shaped candies as markers. Small prizes or books for the winners. Free. 6:30pm. Broadneck Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1905, aacpl.net/location/broadneck
Chocolate Creations for Teens
Teens will learn how to melt chocolate and pour it into molds to make delicious, homemade creations. Free. 6:30pm. Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library. 410-222-1770, aacpl.net/location/eastport
14 Tuesday
Valentine’s Day Special
Valentine’s Day program with stories, songs, crafts and more. Free. 10:30am. Annapolis Library. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net/location/annapolis
I <3 Animals
Drop in and create zoo animals using the shape of a Valentine heart. 1:30-2:30pm. Free. Savage Library, Laurel. 410-313-0760, hclibrary.org/locations
15 Wednesday
Dreams in Color
Black History Month Celebration featuring music and dance, games and educational activities. Free. 4-5pm. Oxon Hill Library. 301-839-2400, pgcmls.info/website/event/36335#branch
Anti-Valentine’s Day Teen Party
Anti-Valentine’s Day fun, food, and games. For teens. Free. 4-5:30pm. Crofton Community Library, Crofton. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
After-School Yoga for Teens
Registered yoga instructor Jillian Amodio leads an after-school yoga and meditation class. For ages 13-18. Free. 4:30pm. Broadneck Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1905, aacpl.net/location/broadneck
Click next below for more free events in February.
