KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
If it weren’t for a Polish pastry, I might not exist. When my great-grandmother Karolina Stelmach was a teenager in a small village in Poland, she was told she’d be entering an arranged marriage. But her heart belonged to Sylvester Nowakowski. So she left... on her own, by boat... and made her way to America. She found work in a restaurant, where
she made her family’s signature dessert: chrusciki. One day, a “distinguished gentleman” insisted on meeting the pastry chef, and he offered her a better-paying job in his own kitchen. She took it, saved enough to bring Sylvester over, and they married. Which means if chrusciki didn’t exist, neither would I. Stories like this do more than entertain. According to psychologist Robyn Fivush, interviewed on a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, they help kids develop
identity, resilience, and self-worth. The more children know about their family’s past—not just the “big” stories like crossing oceans, but even the day-to-day moments and struggles—the more connected and grounded they become. Fivush and her colleagues at Emory University found that kids who know more family stories have higher self-esteem, greater emotional understanding, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose. But it’s not just the information that matters...it’s the telling. When we sit
down and share what came before, we help kids feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that they belong. No AI can replicate that. A chatbot can write a story, sure. But it can’t tell your kids how Grandma’s meatloaf could’ve doubled as a construction material, or how two little girls in the 1950s turned a couple of ice cream cones into a front-porch endurance contest. So this year, make a point of telling your kids about your family's shared history:
about mistakes, about perseverance, about love, about dessert. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated: Just pull up a chair, pass the cookies, and pass down the stories.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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THIS SATURDAY: The Future of Robotics! Don’t miss the biggest STEM event of the year! The Capital Region Classic (CRC) hits the Albany Capital Center THIS Saturday, Jan 17. Witness hundreds of elementary and middle school students piloting robots in the "Mix & Match" game, featuring high-stakes matches and incredible engineering. Presented by STEAMwhiz and UAlbany CNSE, this is a FREE family event. Whether you are a teacher looking to start a team or a parent with a curious kid, come see what the buzz is about! Info: steamwhiz.com/crc Location: Albany Capital Center (Free Admission)
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Grafton Lakes State Park and the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park will host the 41st Annual Winter Festival on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The Winter Fest will feature outdoor events along with indoor exhibits, food vendors, and family-friendly recreational activities. The event is free of charge and will take place from 11:30 am to 3 pm. This event is perfect for the whole family. You can join snowshoe and kicksled adventures, savor the delights of local food trucks, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride! Other outdoor offerings this year include our popular snow bowling hill, snowball toss, and free snowmobile rides- courtesy of the Grafton Trail Blazers. You can also warm up inside and meet the live animals from Uncharted Wild, and birds of prey from NYS Rehabilitation Council President, Kelly Martin. All of this, and much more!
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Meet Barbie®: the multi-generation powerhouse that started it all, made history, and broke boundaries. Barbie™: A Cultural Icon Exhibition celebrates Barbie as a reflection of culture, with exclusive designer interviews and an up-close look at vintage dolls, iconic cultural moments, and fashion trends from each era. The exhibition features a priceless collection of over 300 artifacts from the 64-year history of Barbie, including the very first 1959 doll, an original Barbie Dreamhouse, behind-the-scenes prototypes, as well as some of the most infamous Barbie dolls throughout history. Visitors will also find numerous photo ops throughout the exhibition for shareable moments. A role model, a muse, a best friend—Barbie means something to everyone. Step back into your childhood and join us on this exhibition of a six-decade evolution, and the making of a global icon.
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YMCA Camp Weona’s Winter Kids Camp Weekend is a cozy, adventure‑filled escape where kids can unplug, explore the snowy outdoors, and make new friends. From sledding and winter hikes to crafts and campfire fun, it blends classic camp magic with the excitement of the season. It’s a perfect way for kids to stay active, build confidence, and enjoy a memorable winter getaway.
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Join us in celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr on Monday January 19, 2026 with a Beloved Community March at 11 am, stepping off on Madison Avenue in front of the New York State Museum and concluding at the Dr. MLK Jr statue in Lincoln Park with a wreath laying ceremony. This event is free to attend and sponsored by the City of Albany Commission on Human Rights & Office of Cultural Affairs.
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- Free Ice Skating at the Rink at Empire State Plaza - New York State Office of General Services, Albany, NY, Saturday, January 17 & Sunday, January 18, Saturday & Sunday: 10 am - 12 pm, 1 pm - 3 pm, & 4 pm - 6 pm
- Barbie™: A Cultural Icon Exhibition at the New York State Museum - Albany, NY, Friday, January 16 to Sunday, January 18, 10 am - 2 pm
- International Creativity Month: Collaborative Popsicle Stick Collage - Albany Public Library - Albany Public Library, Albany, NY, Friday, January 16 to Sunday, January 18, All day
- Saturday Story Time - Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, Clifton Park, NY, Saturday, January 17, 10:00AM-10:30AM
- Winter Festival - Grafton Lakes State Park - Grafton, NY, Saturday, January 17, 11:30 am
- Sunday School - Bethlehem Lutheran Church -
Delmar, NY, Delmar, NY, Sunday, January 18, 9:45 am
- Experience Emma - Emma Willard School, Troy, NY, Friday, January 16, 8 am - 12:30 pm
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Albany area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's best places to take kids in the Capital District as voted by New York parents! Parents vote, we do the math, and the result is the Top 20 Places to Take Kids! But there is LOTS more to do in Albany than even just this wonderful list: visit
KidsOutAndAbout.com to see our events calendar, find seasonal activities, get ideas for the perfect day trip and MORE.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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