KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Apr 18: Star Party at Landis Arboretum
Sat, Apr 18: Pitch in for Parks - Thacher State Park
Sat, Apr 18: World Circus Day at The Big Top Group
Sat, Apr 18: Wriggly Reptile Day - Via Aquarium
Sun, Apr 19: A Celebration of
Earth Day After Dark
Mon, Apr 20: African Drum Class - Old Songs
Mon, Apr 20: Sheep Shearing Weekend - Hancock Shaker
Village
Sun, Apr 26: Hero 5K & Walk for Autism
Sun, Apr 26: Earth Day Cleanup at Dancing Grain Farm
Thu, Apr 30: Archive Adventures: Discover New York’s Hidden Stories - New York State Museum
Sat, May 2: Hudson Children's
Book Festival 2026
Tue, May 5: Lupine Walk - Albany Pine Bush Preserve & Discovery Center
Sat, May 9: Albany Tulip
Festival 2026 at Washington Park
Sun, May 10: Mother's Day Brunch at Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Sat, May 16: Niska-Day 45
Sat, May 23: Bookganza - Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Sat, May 30: Muscle Cars at the Museum - Saratoga Automobile Museum |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
As I write this column, three Americans and one Canadian are hurtling home from a trip around the Moon, inside a machine that had better do exactly what it’s supposed to do. For years, every person involved in the mission obsessed over every detail at every stage until as little as possible was left to chance. “Failure is not an option,” an ethos long associated with
our quest to explore outer space, makes perfect sense when we're talking about Artemis II. But decades ago, the attitude leaked out of the space program and into everyday life, and that was a mixed blessing. When I was a teenager, “failure is not an option” might as well have been tattooed on my brain: For me, not only was failure not an option, but anything below an A grade wasn’t an option, either. I was so afraid of not being perfect that if I felt unprepared for a test,
I’d stay home “sick.” I looked successful from the outside, but because I was working so hard to avoid mistakes, I played it safe. So I didn't actually accomplish much aside from some sharp-looking letters on a report card. It took me years out in the real world to realize that real accomplishment usually looks less like gliding and more like bumping into things until you find the way through. So these days, failure and I are best buddies: I've replaced "failure is not an
option" with "nothing ventured, nothing gained" as I inch toward and away from success each day. Even writing my column each week is an act of resilience: I add and then murder my words until they say what I mean, and I'm always aware in the end that it could be better. One of my goals when I was homeschooling Madison and Ella was to make failure safe and ordinary... cheerful, even... a sign of progress. Kids need chances to try things that might flop: recipes that taste
weird, projects that collapse, math problems they have to redo, conversations they wish they’d handled better. I wanted them to understand that when the stakes are low, failure is not a tragedy, it’s just how learning works. It doesn't usually feel fun, or comfortable. But it's the only way to fly.
—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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Come see a dozen of the world’s most talented four-legged performers, in an uproariously funny, comedy dog spectacular that is leaving audiences everywhere howling for more! The all-star lineup includes a Guinness World Record holder, and an America’s Got Talent fan favorite, and a host of amazing rescue dogs that will dance, prance, flip, and skip their way right into your heart. Deemed “A must see” by The Washington Post, Mutts Gone Nuts Unleashed is sure to win Best in Show! Reserve your tickets today!
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Our beloved Spring event, Baby Animal Days, kicks off on April 3 and will run until April 26! The exhibits will be open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. Visit with adorable baby animals like ducklings, lambs, goat kids, piglets, bunnies, chicks, etc., and discover interesting facts about their species. Stop by the Baby Animal Barn for our Name That Baby! contest, where you have the opportunity to pick out names for a few of the baby animals. Forms will be provided in the Barn for you to fill out. Patrons who's name submission are chosen, will be awarded a prize.
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Join us for a sunset luminary walk to help create a culture that’s smart about mental health. Suicide prevention starts with everyday heroes like you. Money raised goes to critical research, education programs, advocacy, and support for those affected by suicide. Check-in and pre-hike activities begin at 6:30 pm at the Visitor Center. At the Overlook there will be an opportunity to decorate a luminary bag to honor a loved one or your own mental health journey, interact with area community organizations/partners, purchase AFSP merchandise, and enjoy local food trucks (Buena Comida and Uncle Gino’s Ices).
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250 years ago, rumors of revolution deeply divided the people of Schenectady. Fearing the coming conflict, common people gathered weapons and organized militia companies. This program discusses the grueling conditions of frontier combat. We’ll explore the arms and equipment available to people in Revolutionary Schenectady and demonstrate a live firing of a musket. Admission is free for Family+ members of SCHS, otherwise $10 for kids 5 and over. Younger siblings are welcome at no charge, as are parents/caregivers. Parents/caregivers must remain with their child for the duration of the program. This is not a drop-off event.
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KidsOutAndAbout's Katie Beltramo reviews Water for Elephants. This immensely satisfying musical is recommended for ages 8 and up, and it's jam-packed with music, acrobatics, dancing, puppetry, and spectacle. Read more about the musical as well as ideas for family discussions before and after the show.
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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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- Wiggly Wanderers 9:30am - Moreau Lake State Park, Old Saratoga Road, Gansevoort, NY, USA, 04/10/2026, 9:30 AM
- Break Week Fun: Parachute Play! - Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065, United States, 04/10/2026, 1:00PM-1:45PM
- Break Week
Fun: Mountain Mysteries - Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065, United States, 04/10/2026, 3:00PM-4:00PM
- Free Buddhist Temple Tours Upstate New York in Sullivan County Catskills - Kadampa Meditation Center New
York, Sweeney Rd, Glen Spey, NY, USA, 04/10/2026, 1:30PM
- Annual Open Mic Poetry - Willard Memorial Chapel, 17 Nelson St, Auburn, NY 13021, United States, 04/11/2026, 2-4 PM
- Paint a Planter - Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East Street, Rensselaer, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States, 04/11/2026, 1 PM
- Sinister Spring: A Mystery Author Event - Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road,
Clifton Park, NY 12065, United States, 04/11/2026, 12:00PM-4:00PM
- Storytime with Author Heather E. Schwartz and Dancer Jennifer Lavenhar - Barnes & Noble, Colonie Center, Albany, Colonie, NY, USA, 04/11/2026, 11:00 AM
- Utica Mobile Zoo: Amazing Adaptations! - New York State Museum - New York State Museum, 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12230, United States, 04/11/2026, 11 am
- 18th Century Crafting Workshop at Schuyler Mansion - Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, Catherine Street, Albany, NY, USA, 04/11/2026, 1PM-4PM
- Sunday School - Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Delmar, NY, 85 Elm Ave, Delmar, NY 12054, 04/12/2026, 9:45
am
- Free Buddhist Temple Tours Upstate New York in Sullivan County Catskills - Kadampa Meditation Center New York, Sweeney Rd, Glen Spey, NY, USA, 04/12/2026, 1:30PM
- Albany Family Barn Dance - Love Albany Center, 8 Kate Street, Albany, NY, USA 12209, 04/12/2026, 3:00PM
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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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