KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One day last week, I was driving home around 7 pm when I glanced out the passenger's window and saw a stunning rainbow stretched fully across the sky, glowing in front of dark gray storm clouds that were rushing away to the east. I was approaching a stop light. Left was the way home, where various chores awaited... but right was the way to the rainbow. My husband
was driving behind me, and I knew that if I turned right, he was going to think I had lost my mind. For a split second, practicality made its case: Don’t be silly; go home, you have stuff to do. But then another question darted into my mind: Am I a person who chases rainbows, or am I not? Once I framed it that way, the answer was easy. For kids and grownups alike, this can actually be a helpful way to make all kinds of decisions. When
the moment comes to act, it helps to ask not just What do I feel like doing? but Who am I? Am I a person who tells the truth? Am I a person who helps? Am I a person who persists when times are hard? Am I a person who stops to notice the beautiful things around me? We build identity one choice at a time for our entire lives. The clearer we are about who we want to be, the easier it becomes to know what to do in the moment, to give ourselves evidence that we are, in fact, that sort
of person. I hope the kids in your world grow up thinking of themselves as people who seek what is bright and good and full of wonder. It’s our job to show them that delight is often worth the detour.
—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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This summer, give your child a space to explore, experiment, and create at the Arts Center! Our Summer Art Camps offer an immersive experience for young artists ages 6–12. Each weekly session is a new adventure—from "Mixed Media Magic" to "Sculpture Secrets"—guided by professional instructors who prioritize curiosity over perfection. Campers will dive into hands-on projects, learn new techniques, and build confidence through visual storytelling. Each week culminates in a Friday "Mini-Gallery" show for family and friends. Space is limited, so register early to ensure a summer filled with color and discovery!
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Float by the Aquarium on April 25th to Celebrate Earth Day! While Earth Day is officially celebrated on April 22nd, we’re continuing the celebration on April 25th with a fun and educational experience for all ages! Get ready for our Jellyfish Touch Tank—yes, you read that right… you can touch a real, live jellyfish! Learn all about these fascinating creatures and why they play such an important role in our oceans. Afterward, visit our composting partners, VERMILUV, to learn how composting supports a healthier planet—and how you can get involved at home. Finally, build your own mini terrarium and watch it grow into a tiny ecosystem!
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Bring the whole family for an exciting day where you can get up close and personal with a variety of vehicles, including emergency response vehicles, construction equipment, and much more! This unique event is a fantastic opportunity for kids and adults alike to explore, learn, and interact with the vehicles that help keep our communities safe and running smoothly. Indoor activities include bounce house, arts and crafts, remote control cars, face painting, STEM activities, and more! Sunday, April 26 from 2-4 pm at the Schenectady JCC on Balltown Road in Niskayuna. Buy online ahead of time for $8/person or pay $10/person on the day of the event. Children under 2 are free. This event will take place rain or shine.
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Unplug, slow down, and engage with the collections in a new way. Join us for a self-guided sketching experience in the galleries as part of a new museum initiative to foster creativity, mindfulness, and deeper observation. Visitors are invited to pick up a sketch pad and pencil, find an easel in the designated gallery, and spend time drawing the exhibits that inspire them. Whether you’re an experienced artist or trying sketching for the first time, this relaxed, interactive program offers a new lens through which to connect with the Museum’s collections.
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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, Friday, 04/24/2026, 9:30 AM
- “Fear Not, We Come!”: A Timeline of Firefighting with Brad Utter - New York State Museum - New York State Museum, 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12230, Friday, 04/24/2026, 12 pm
- Wildflower Walk - Saratoga Spa State Park, Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY, Friday, 04/24/2026, 1:00 PM
- Quiet Sketch: A Gallery Drawing Series -
New York State Museum - New York State Museum, 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12230, Saturday, 04/25/2026, 10 am
- Little Boy’s 15th Birthday Party - Iroquois Museum, 324 Caverns Road, Howes Cave, NY 12092, Saturday, 04/25/2026, 10 am -3 pm
- Meet Bo the Beaver! - Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065, Saturday, 04/25/2026, 3:00PM-4:30PM
- Touch a Truck at the Schenectady
JCC - Jewish Community Center, 2565 Balltown Road, Schenectady, Niskayuna, NY 12309, Sunday, 04/26/2026, 2-4 pm
- Sunday School - Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Delmar, NY - 85 Elm Ave, Delmar, NY, Sunday, 04/26/2026, 9:45 am
- Earth Day Cleanup at Dancing Grain Farm - 180 Old West Road, Gansevoort, NY, Sunday, 04/26/2026, 10 am - 2 pm
- Chess A2Z April Webinar with WGM Zoey Tang "Think in Pawn Structures: The Key Positional Ideas You Must Know" - Chess A2Z - 10940 SW Barnes
Rd 247, Portland, OR, Sunday, 04/26/2026, 7PM to 8PM PDT
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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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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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