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Looking for something special for your kids to do during school vacation next week? You have no shortage of options.

Free fun at the libraries

Your local public library is the best deal in town, so check to see what’s going on in your town. Here’s just a sampling of what some of them are cooking up for vacation week — free of charge.

The Rogers Free Library, 525 Hope St., Bristol (401/253-6948) welcomes Animal Experiences with Dave Marchetti from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22. Children can create things with Legos to their hearts’ content from 3:15-4:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 (children under 7 must bring a grownup). From 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, enjoy a screening of “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial.” All events will be held in the Herreshoff Community Room.

East Providence libraries will be hopping over vacation week. Weaver Memorial Library, 41 Grove Ave. (401/434-2453), has the following fun on tap:

• Kids ages 2 to 10 are invited to a Princess Party at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, and a Pirate Party from 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. Both parties feature stories, games, snacks and more. Costumes are optional.

• Dave Marchetti hosts Animal Experiences from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22. Meet and learn about several animals including snakes, turtles, tree frogs, lizards, a hedgehog, a chinchilla and more. Children will be allowed to hold the animals at the end of the program.

• Play chocolate games like “M&M Relay,” “Pass the Peanut M&M” and “Guess that Candy Bar” while enjoying chocolate treats at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23.

• Teens are invited to show off their talents at an Open Mic Café at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. Bring your voice, guitar, keyboard, etc. and perform for your friends. Bands, soloists, and/or other group acts are welcome.

• An ink blot art class for grades 1 to 5 will be held from 10-11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24. Call the library to register ahead.

Weaver isn’t the only East Providence library with vacation fun. The Rumford branch, 1392 Pawtucket Ave., Rumford (401/434-8559), invites all ages to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a special project from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21. The Fuller branch, 260 Dover Ave. (401/434-1136), hosts a Presidents Day pendant craft program for all ages from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22. Finally, the Riverside branch, 475 Bullocks Point Ave., Riverside (401/433-4877) invites all ages to make a flag frame from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 23.

George Hail Library, 530 Main St. Warren (401/245-7686 or www.georgehail.org) will host the following programs over break. Registration is required unless otherwise noted.

• “Can You Picture This,” a reading and illustration workshop, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21. Margurite and Dr. Len will read their book “My Dog Shag,” and children ages 5 to 10 will then illustrate their own copy to bring home.

• Biomes Marine Biology Center will present a live animal demonstration of marine animals from Narragansett Bay at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21. There will be touch tanks with crabs, lobsters, sea stars and an amazing puffer fish to learn all about. It’s for ages 6 to 10.

• Kids ages 11 and up are invited to a “Just Dance” party at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. Enjoy an evening of dancing with friends, video games, fun and pizza. Registration is preferred.

• Animal Experiences with Dave Marchetti is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. Kids ages 6 to 10 can shake hands with a hedgehog, wiggle with a snake, talk with a tree frog or just pet a bunny and enjoy this hands-on animal adventure.

• The library will show two movies with popcorn. First up is “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, for ages 11 and up; then “Dolphin Tale” at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, for ages 6 to 10. Registration is preferred.

Seekonk Public Library, 410 Newman Ave., Seekonk (508/336-8230, ext. 140) holds a movie marathon from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22. If you want to know the titles of the movies, call the library. Popcorn will be served.

Barrington Public Library, 281 County Road, Barrington (401/247-1920) welcomes Celtic harpist Mary King, who will play traditional Irish music and children’s sing-alongs from 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21. From 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, aerospace educator Gary T. Pozzato will present a hands-on multimedia space program called “Go for the Stars.” If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be an astronaut, you’ll want to check it out. Because of the nature of the program, no children under 5 can be accommodated.

Free marionette show

Tanglewood Marionettes brings “The Dragon King” to Pennfield School, 110 Sandy Point Ave., Portsmouth, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. The free program is open to the public and features colorful sea creatures and an exciting adventure: A terrible drought has overtaken the land, and all the world has turned brown and lifeless. Dragon King is ruler of the waters, and the people wonder why he has not brought the precious rains in such a very long time. An underwater fantasy based on Chinese folklore, it’s the tale of a wise grandmother who journeys to the bottom of the sea to seek the Dragon King, and the answers to why he has forsaken the land above. For more information, call 401/849-4646 or visit www.pennfield.org.

We built this city on recyclables

Sandywoods Farm, 43 Muse Way, Tiverton, invites children and their families to bring their recycled materials and imaginations to create a “city” out of found objects like cardboard boxes, string, egg cartons and other stuff. It all takes place from 10 a.m. to noon and 2-4 p.m. Monday to Friday, Feb. 20-24. At 10 a.m. Monday, learn about composting through a talk by the R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation. On Saturday, Feb. 25, there will be a celebratory potluck party from 3-7 p.m. For more information, contact Mary Geisser at marygeisser@cox.net or visit www.sandywoodsfarm.org.

Jazz it up

Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth, hosts the 13th annual Live Jazz for Kids from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23. Musicians this year will be Dick Lupino on bass and vocals, Yvonne Monnett on piano and vocals and David Polanski on trumpet. Mr. Polanski will also perform original music for kids, on both piano and vocals. The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary refreshments will be served for the kids and wine tastings are available to purchase for adults. For more information, call 401/847-3777.

Newport Winter Festival

The vineyard jazz event is part of the 2012 Newport Winter Festival, which returns to the City by the Sea and surrounding area from Feb. 17-26. Don’t miss the Children’s Fair which will feature face-painting, balloon creations, arts and crafts and more at the Newport Marriott from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 19 and 20. Winterfest buttons, which allow you discounted or free admission to the many events, are $9. Purchase them online and find a complete schedule of events at www.newportevents.com.

Nature fun at Audubon

Vacation week programs are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, Feb. 20 to 24, at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Environmental Education Center (EEC) at 1401 Hope St., Bristol. Special activities are available each day and are free with admission. For more information, call 401/245-7500 or visit www.asrieec.org.

Nature crafts are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, as well as nature story readings at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Animal interviews are at 11:30 a.m. Registration is not required.

Special programs for children of all ages also are available each day at 1:30 p.m.: Eco-Games (Feb. 20), Snow Tracking (Feb. 21), Owl Detectives (Feb. 22), It’s Cold Out There (Feb. 23) and Native Tales and Explorations (Feb. 24). They are free with admission, except for Owl Detectives, which has a $3 fee.

The EEC will also be hosting an Owl Prowl from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, for ages 6 and older. Begin the evening with a presentation and visit with one of Audubon’s live owls, then walk the evening tails in search of these intriguing birds in their natural setting. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. The fee is $12 for adults and $6 for children ($8/$4 for members). To register, call 949-5454, ext. 3041, or e-mail programs@asri.org.

Teenagers interested in environmental science can learn more at the EEC from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 23 and 24. Learn background information on what jobs in this field are really like, what you should look for in a college and how to give yourself an edge in this market. Topics are “Wildlife Conservation” with senior director of conservation Scott Ruhren on Feb. 23 and “Environmental Education” with education coordinator Jennifer Klein on Feb. 24. Register early as class size is limited. The fee is $8 ($6 for members). To register, call 949-5454, ext. 3041, or e-mail programs@asri.org.

Fight the winter blues with a large dose of fresh air and a hike at “Going Coastal” from 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren. This property has a fantastic salt marsh, beautiful coastal views and more. Scott Ruhren, Audubon senior director of conservation, will lead the program. The walking is easy but expect it to be wet. The fee is $10 for adults and $5 for children ($8/$4 for members).

Vacation camps

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, 101 Ferry Road, Bristol, is offering a fun-filled week of Camp Sequoia for youngsters in grades 1 to 4. Go for the whole week, one day, or even a few half days. Camp staff will encourage children to get involved in active outdoor winter play such as nature hikes and learning about winter ecology, as well as indoor activities such as exploring the mansion, putting on plays, and taking part in games and winter arts and crafts.

Each day has a new theme that will combine indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) activities: Real Heroes Day (Feb. 20), Snowflake Bentley Day (Feb. 21), Winter Sports (Feb. 22), Mystical Magical Day (Feb. 23) and Pajama Party! (Feb. 24).

The cost is $160 for the week, $45 per day and $25 for a half day ($140/$35/$25 for members). Early bird drop-off at 8 a.m. is an extra $10. For more information, call 253-2707 or visit www.blithewold.org.

The Bayside YMCA, 70 West St., Barrington, hosts a camp is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, Feb. 20 to 24, for boys and girls in kindergarten to grade 6. The fee for the week is $142 for members and $163 for non-members. Options are available for two, three or four days.

The week will feature activities such as art, nature, sports, cooking, outdoor play and swimming. Each child should bring sneakers, shorts or sweatpants and T-shirt or sweatshirt, morning snack and a bag lunch with a non-carbonated drink, as well as lots of water. Be prepared for outdoor activities as weather permits.

Stop by or call 245-2444 for more information or to register. Online registration is available for YMCA members at www.ymcagreaterprovidence.org/bayside. Registration is required 48 business hours in advance.

Learn to swim in no time

The Bayside YMCA will also be giving “express” swim lessons designed to jump-start beginners and advance beginners with basic techniques. Lessons are available Monday to Friday, Feb. 20 to 24. Swimmers will have instruction from the same teacher for the entire week. Lessons are available for preschool and youth and the fee is $35 for members and $75 for non-members. Stop by or call 401/245-2444 for more information or to register. Online registration is available for YMCA members at www.ymcagreaterprovidence.org/bayside.

Hands-on at Coggeshall

Coggeshall Farm, 1 Colt Drive (off Poppasquash Road), Bristol, hosts “Kids in the Kitchen” from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, Feb. 21 to 24. Children and their families will learn how to cook farm-raised produce over the fire at the hearth of the 18th-century tenant farmhouse. Select produce preserved for winter storage, investigate old recipes in an 18th-century cookbook and then prepare a dish as it was done 200 years ago. For safety reasons, one adult may not accompany more than two children. The cost is $25 for adults and $17 for children 6 to 12 ($20/$15 for members). Space is limited and reservations are required; call 401/253-9062 or e-mail info@coggeshallfarm.org.

The farm will continue its Breakfast in the Barnyard series from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22. Spend the morning getting up close and personal with the museum’s rare-breed livestock and join costumed interpreters to help with the morning chores. After the chores, help cook jonnycakes on the hearth of the 1790s tenant farmhouse. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for a morning in the barnyard. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and children 6 to 12 ($5/$3 for members). No reservations are required.

Be a history detective

The Barrington Preservation Society, lower level of the Barrington Public Library, 281 County Road, hosts a History Detective Day for children of all ages from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. To help with their detective work, children use a “Historical Quest” booklet with clues to objects on view. Get a star for each you find; when the booklet is filled with stars, receive a Detective Badge and a special prize. There also will be cookies. For more information, visit www.barrpreservation.org.