Here are 5 indoor activities in NH to try during February break

Looking for a way to entertain the kids over February vacation?

While most children look forward to the annual week-long break from school, finding things for them to do at home while the harsh New England winter rages on outside can be difficult. Luckily, New Hampshire has plenty of indoor activities that can provide fun for the whole family, including everything from children’s museums to rock-climbing spots.

Here are five indoor activities around the Seacoast to try with the kids over February vacation this year.

Ice skate indoors

It might be cold outside, but active kids can still ice skate indoors at the Dover Ice Arena. The Dover arena has both regular recreational skate sessions and instructional skate sessions, where skaters can practice hockey or figure skating skills with coaches. During February break, instructional skate is open from 10-11:50 a.m. every weekday, and recreational skate is open from noon to 1:50 p.m. every weekday or 1-2:50 p.m. every Sunday.

Tickets for either cost $7 for adults or $5 for children ages 4-17 and seniors ages 62 and over, and skate rentals are an additional $5. Dover Ice Arena is located at 110 Portland Ave. in Dover.

Visit a museum

For an educational activity over the school break, head to the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, which is full of hands-on discovery exhibits perfect for curious children. At $14.50 per person, children can explore caves, learn about dinosaurs, create crafts in the art studio, experiment in the STEAM lab and more. Advanced ticket reservations are recommended.

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is open at 6 Washington St. in Dover from 9 a.m. until noon every day except Monday, with extra hours from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Go bowling

Head over to Portsmouth’s Bowl-O-Rama Family Fun Center for a classic game of bowling. The alley is complete with 22 lanes, sofa seating, an arcade with 35 games and a restaurant with appetizers, pizzas, craft burgers and for the adults, craft cocktails – including spiked milkshakes.

Open bowling costs $35 per hour per lane on weekdays or $45 per hour per lane on weekends, with an additional $4 for shoe rentals. Reservations can be made by visiting the bowling alley’s website or by calling 603-436-0504.

Bowling is open at 599 Lafayette Road in Portsmouth from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday or 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Try your luck at an escape room

If you’re looking for a challenge for older kids, Portsmouth is home to two escape room venues: Portsmouth Escape Room and Monkey Mind Escape Rooms.

Located at ​​10 Vaughan Mall Suite 214, Monkey Mind Escape Rooms has five immersive adventure games, including searching for a lost diamond, exploring an Egyptian tomb, traveling back in time, searching for hidden pirate treasure and diving into the lost city of Atlantis. Monkey Mind’s hours are 4-10 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, but extended hours will be offered for February break. Tickets cost $36, with half-priced tickets available on Thursdays.

At Portsmouth Escape Room, be prepared for a challenge – 68% is the highest success rate of any game. Players can pick from four original escape rooms: Westower’s Study, a search for a valuable necklace; The Secret Laboratory, a science experiment; The Dojo, an exploration of a martial arts academy; and The Surgeon, an escape from a creepy doctor.

Escape rooms at Portsmouth Escape must be booked for 4-10 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday or 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Games with one to four players cost $40 per person, and games with five or more players cost $35 per person. Located at 95 Brewery Ln. #13.

Bounce at a trampoline park

Need to get the kids’ energy out? Off the Wall Kidz in North Hampton is not just a trampoline park, but an indoor play center for kids of all ages. Attractions include slides, climbing areas, a ball blaster pit, trampolines, inflatable areas and an arcade.

When the kids get hungry from all the playing, Off the Wall also has a snack bar with chicken tenders, fries, pizza, soft drinks and even coffee for the adults. Tickets costs $19.95, and adults are welcome for free with paid child admission.

Off the Wall Kidz’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Located at 5 Lafayette Road, Unit 8 in North Hampton.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Catherine Messier.