KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Mar 28: Family Jam 2026 at Heldeberg Music Together
Sat, Mar 28: Princess & Protector Party at FASNY Museum of Firefighting
Sun, Mar 29: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Sat, Apr 4: Egg Layers from Around the World - Thacher State Park
Sat, Apr 11: Baby Animal Days at Indian Ladder Farms
Sat, Apr 11: Hike for Hope Luminary Walk at Thacher Park Visitor Center
Wed, Apr 15: Healthy Families Annual Free
Community Baby Shower - Mechanicville Area Community Services Center
Sat, Apr 18: 3D Origami Workshop - Shaker Heritage Society
Sat, Apr 18: Tulips & Tours at the Ten Broeck Mansion Sat, Apr 25: Little Woodworkers Workshop at Saratoga Joinery
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes. I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out
of it. “This makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.” Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy. That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too.
Karate helped Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts. Growth
rarely happens inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the link to the portal page. These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com,
co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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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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Review of The Sound of Music at Proctors KidsOutAndAbout's Katie Beltramo reviews The Sound of Music, at Proctors this weekend. You already know that The Sound of Music is a fantastic family-friendly story with some of the most engaging songs ever written. But should you and your kids go to the show? Of course you should! Read more about the musical as well as ideas for family discussions before and after the show in our KidsOutAndAbout review. |
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Let’s Sing Taylor - A Live Band Experience - the ultimate tribute to the music of Taylor Swift. Coming to the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on March 28th! We can show you incredible things, including the most faithful and lively covers of Queen
Taylor’s expansive and sacred catalog. Taking the country by storm, we’re bringing the communal experience of celebrating Taylor’s music in a live setting to Swifties near and far.
So, let the games begin. Calling all Swifties to sing your hearts out and sport your Taylor- inspired attire. You can show up at our party any time.
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Experience the sweetest weekends of the year! Maple Open House Weekends invite you to step onto the farm, explore New York’s rich sugarmaking traditions, and taste pure maple syrup in all its delicious forms, fresh from the source. Visit verified maple
producers on March 21-22 & March 28-29, 2026, and see firsthand how maple sap transforms into liquid gold. Don’t miss this chance to savor the region’s freshest maple delights! Click here to find participating producers.
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April Break (Ages 6-8) is Here & Summer is Selling Out!
Need plans for April 6th–10th? Our April Spring Break Camp still has spots open for our Beginner (Ages 6-8) "Robotics & Minecraft Engineering (Jr. Edition)" track! (Note: Intermediate/Advanced is fully sold out). Your child will build hands-on robotics and design incredible Minecraft theme parks.
Looking ahead to Summer? Please do not wait. Our 2026 STEAM camps are booking at record speed, and our most popular weeks are already on waitlist status.
Secure your child's April and Summer schedules right now to avoid going on the waitlist and missing out on the fun!
Register now: steamwhiz.com/summer2026/
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Join Dr. Gwendolyn Saul, Curator of Ethnography at the New York State Museum, for an engaging exploration of five remarkable Mohican and Haudenosaunee women artists whose work speaks powerfully to Indigenous experiences, histories, and creativity rooted in
their homeland territories in what is now New York State. Beginning with Six Nations artist Shelley Niro, whose work is currently on view at the NYSM, Dr. Saul will introduce artists whose practices reflect distinct cultural traditions, materials, and contemporary expressions connected to their communities. Participants will have the opportunity to view artworks from the Museum’s collections, including a sneak peek at two recent acquisitions! This in-person talk invites visitors to deepen their
understanding of Indigenous art, sovereignty, and storytelling through the voices of women shaping the present and future of their communities.
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Come celebrate the New York Tradition of Maple Sugaring at our 2026 Maple Weekend Open House. March 21, 22, 28, & 29, 10 am - 3 pm each day. Stop on by to take advantage of the on going guided & self guided tours of our sugarhouse, free raffles,
free samples of all our products along with samples of our favorite recipes. This is a family friendly event. A kids corner will be set up with new crafts, education learning, a kids raffle and sampling table. Stock up on our Award Winning Maple Syrup and Maple Products which will all be available for purchase.
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Join us for a welcoming, inclusive Easter celebration designed for children of all ages and abilities. Families can enjoy coloring, reading, and quiet activity areas, plus photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny and Quacker Jack. Kids can search for
hidden eggs throughout the showroom. Along with a monetary contribution from Raymour & Flanigan, all proceeds will benefit the Autism Society Greater Hudson Region.
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The 5th Annual Saratoga Reptile & Exotic Pet Show returns to the Saratoga Springs City Center on Saturday, March 21st from 10AM–4PM for an unforgettable family adventure. With 3,000+ attendees last year, kids will have the chance to explore the
fascinating world of exotic animals up close, seeing incredible creatures they usually only encounter in movies, books, or documentaries. From colorful geckos and tortoises to fascinating snakes and other unique species, it’s an experience that sparks curiosity and excitement. Families can enjoy balloon twisting, reptile-themed face painting, ice cream treats, and a special Macaw parrot interaction. Select experiences are offered by participating vendors. Purchase tickets at
SaratogaReptileShow.com. Children 5 and under are free.
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It's spring, and that means some of our favorite places to go are opening for the season! Check out our list of amusement parks, ice cream shops, adventure parks, and more! Hooray for spring!
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The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
January 27, 2026
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- Photos with the Easter Bunny at Colonie Center Shopping Mall - Colonie Center, Central Avenue, Albany, NY, Friday, March 20, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, See website for details
- Five Indigenous Women Artists to Know
Now - New York State Museum - New York State Museum, 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY, Friday, March 20, 2026, 12 pm
- Spring Equinox Hike at Albany Pine Bush Preserve & Discovery Center - Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Discovery Center
Parking Lot, New Karner Road, Albany, NY, Friday, March 20, 2026, 6:30 pm
- Women of Science at the New York State Museum - New York State Museum, 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 am - 2 pm
- Easter Egg Hunt - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Elm Avenue, Delmar, NY, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10:00 am
- Special Visitor Storytime: The Leprechaun Who Stayed for
the Day - Castleton Public Library, S Main St, Castleton-on-Hudson, NY, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11:30 am
- Reading with Greta - Troy Public Library, 100 2nd Street, Troy, NY, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11 am to 12 pm
- Maple Weekend at Sugar Oak Farms - Sugar Oak Farms, 50 Atkins Rd, Malta, NY, Saturday, March 21, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, 10 am - 4 pm
- Star Party - March 21 - Landis Arboretum, Lape Road, Esperance, NY, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 8:00PM
- Sensitive Easter Bunny at Colonie Center Shopping Mall - Colonie Center, Central Avenue, Albany, NY, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 9 am - 10:30
am
- Sunday School - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 85 Elm Ave, Delmar, NY, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 9:45
am
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Albany area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our
guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Charlotte area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Capital Region? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues, unlock secrets, and complete your mission-all before time runs out!
Whether you're escaping a spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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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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