Budget-Friendly February Break Activities for Families

Posted: February 2026

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At the beginning of each year, I really like to see how budget-friendly I can make February break for us.  And this year…you can do all 5 activities, depending on what you have for equipment, and if you can score some museum passes from your library, for as little as $40 for the whole week!  

OK, let’s dive into 5 activities that you can do with kids if you are staying local during February vacation.

And…be sure to tag @thewanderingchickadee on Instagram in any of your adventures so we can see that budget-friendly adventure in action!

1. Ice Skating:

With skate rentals and aides, bathrooms, a heated indoor area, and good tunes, Thompson’t Point Ice Rink is a great outdoor skating option for the family!  Thompson’s Point is also a WinterKids Passport location!  Kids are able to skate for FREE (valid twice per child).

WinterKids Ambassador Tip: The WinterKids Passport Program offers 8 additional discounts to skating centers across the state (and one in New Hampshire!), so be sure to check them out!

For a comprehensive list of skating rinks in Maine, check out the Maine Tourism Association’s website. They include admission rates, if skate rentals are available, and open skate times!

Budget Costs for a family of 4: Varied ($0-$72) depending on the rink, if you need skate rentals, and/or are using the Winter Kids Passport Program.

2. Snowshoeing:

Snowshoeing is a very EASY way to get out there and enjoy the snow! Never tried? Be sure to check out my Beginner’s Guide for some tips.    

If you need rentals, be sure to check out Maine Gear Share and consider renting snowshoes for the WHOLE week, which will cost around $45 for a children’s rental for the week….OR check out some places that offer rentals. 

Oxbow Brewing in Oxford has a Portland Gear Hub outpost there. And, Carter’s XC Ski Center and the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center are just a few snowshoe centers that offer rentals! 

Many smaller centers also offer snowshoe rentals (sometimes FREE) and be sure to check in with your library to see if they offer rentals as well.

Looking for some FREE trails? My latest favorite is Libby Hill Trails in Gray! Thanks to a great tip from a local mama, I have fallen in love with these trails! 

I went with a friend to Libby Hill and didn’t snap enough pics for an “official” Wandering Chickadee review but…I can say that these trails are well labeled, maps are available at every trail intersection and you can make a trail plan that includes short, medium, and longer loops should you want to extend or need to bail. 

With ample parking, and a Hannaford close by if you need a bathroom, this is a great FREE option! 

WinterKids Ambassador Tip: The WinterKids Passport Program offers 14 additional discounts to snowshoe and cross country ski centers across the state (and one in New Hampshire!). So again, be sure to check them out! 

Budget Costs for a family of 4: Varied ($0-$158) depending on the center, if you need rentals, and/or are using the Winter Kids Passport Program.

3. The Library Switch Up

You all know how magical I think libraries are and…they are even more magical when you go to a new one!  One of my favorite things to do is to visit a library nearby.  There is just something fun and unique about exploring the new-to-us children’s book areas, play spaces, and reading nooks of libraries you don’t frequently attend.  🙂

With many of your neighboring libraries participating in not one, but TWO of the reciprocal use programs in our state, this means that if you have a valid library card from a library participating in the program, you can use your library card to borrow materials from other libraries on the list. 

And when you are ready to return the books…just drop them off at your home library.  It’s that simple!

Libraries often run some special vacation programming and events too!  So be sure to check out their website and social media accounts before heading out!  

Budget Costs for a family of 4: FREE

4. Museums are fun!

Yes, children’s museums are great fun but….this year, I am talking about the “ADULT” museums!

It has been well researched that museums provide memorable and immersive learning experiences, spark imagination, and introduce them to new worlds, perspectives, environments, and more for children.  And in Maine, we have some excellent options!  

Many of the following museums offer reduced admissions and/or participate in the Museums for All. And…please check your library on this list to see if they offer FREE/DISCOUNTED passes!  

If you don’t see passes for the museum you want to visit, please call your local library. I will admit this list is due for some updating from me!

Consider visiting:

• Maine Maritime Museum*
• Portland Museum of Art
• Farnsworth Museum
• Maine Jewish Museum*
• Victorian Mansion
• Owls Head Transportation Center*
• The Peary-MacMillian Arctic Museum @ Bowdoin College
• Brick Store Museum*

*=children specific activities, exhibits, and/or interactions.

And don’t forget the COUNTLESS historical societies that you can visit as well!  This is something we are looking forward to doing this February Break!  We just moved to a new town and can’t wait to see the history behind our town.

Budget Costs for a family of 4: Varied ($0-28) based on the museum, discounts, and/or the use of library passes.

5. And so is swimming!

Swimming is a great opportunity to burn off some energy and a fun family event that is very affordable.  Some pools are even offering fun aquatic obstacle courses for those with solid swimming skills (I’m looking at you, Bangor YMCA and the Richards Pool in Cape Elizabeth!) 

And..here is the best part!  If you are not a resident of a town with a community pool, you can still access the facilities by paying just a slightly higher fee than their resident fee. Here is just a small list of community pools here in southern Maine:

• Davan Pool (Westbrook)
• South Portland Community Center Pool
• Reiche Pool (Portland)
• Greely Pool (Cumberland)

Also, all YMCA locations in Maine offer day passes (and reciprocal use passes if you have any out of towners visiting who are members at their local YMCA).

Total Cost: Varied ($22-40) depending on the pool.

In addition to the week’s worth of budget-friendly activities, here are 3 quick tips to making this week even more affordable:

• Bring your own hot cocoa!  While it seems so silly, this is a cost that can really add up!  Hot cocoa for a family of 4 can cost around $20 at most places while a canister of Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa only costs $8 and has over 31 servings.   We love our OG Stanley thermos!  It keeps the cocoa hot all day long!

• Bring your own lunches! Nothing beats a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich and the money you’ll save by doing so!  We also love to do some lunchtime charcuterie with: meats, cheeses, nuts, hardboiled eggs, hummus, carrots, and grapes.  While not an exact match to our lunch containers, these containers are close

• Make the carpool cool again! Headed somewhere a bit far for an adventure with friends?  Maybe it’s just you and kids?  Consider the carpool.  It’s a great way to save a little bit of money, there is built-in entertainment with friends in the backseats, and you get some good adult conversation for the ride. 

I hope this February Vacation Guide gives you some inspiration for activities you can do with your kiddos! 

And… if you get out there and enjoy these activities, be sure to tag @thewanderingchickadee on Instagram!  I would love to see you enjoying your adventures and give you a virtual high-five for saving some $$!

As always, thanks for following along and happy adventuring!

~Natalie

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