KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Thu, Feb 5: Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail Walks at Wilton Wildlife Preserve
& Park
Fri, Feb 6: February Open House at Peek-A-Boo Preschool
Tue, Feb 10: Pokémon Event at Colonie Center Shopping Mall
Fri, Feb 13: We Go Together - Cookie Decorating Class at Shaker Heritage Society
Sat, Feb 14: Jurassic Quest x Brick Fest Live @ Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Mon, Feb 16: African Drum Class - Old Songs
Thu, Feb 19: School Break Camp - Albany Ninja Lab Sat, Feb 21: Home Made Theater presents THE CRUCIBLE
Tue, Feb 24: Sensory Space Play Time at The William K. Sanford Town Library/Colonie Town Library
Sat, Feb 28: Wizard of Oz- Saturday Morning Family Show at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
My first job out of college was as the managing editor at a small medical publishing company in New York City. I worked alongside Steve, our associate editor. My strength was structure and rhythm; his was medical accuracy and detail. We made a good team. One day, Steve walked into my office waving some printed pages. “Deb, can you do that
thing you do, so I can check out the science?” “What thing?” I asked. “You know,” he said, “that magic you work where the writing comes in muddy and you turn it into something clear, logical, and even fun to read.” I’ve never forgotten that moment. Not just because it felt great to be seen, but because of what it taught me about leadership. We’re surrounded by people with unique strengths. As parents, friends, or leaders, one of the most
powerful things we can do is notice those strengths and say them out loud. When we do, people rise. Kids rise. They lean into what they’re good at, and their futures get brighter. It’s not magic—it’s just the natural result of being seen and valued—but it feels like it. Over the years, as I raised kids, built a business team, and worked within various communities, I kept returning to that lesson: Leadership isn’t about having a title, it’s about paying attention.
You can’t run a family or a business unless you know who you’re with and what makes them shine. And once you start validating others (“You know that thing you do? Please do that!”) you become a leader. Even if you're just leading someone to be more themselves. So today, find a reason to start a conversation: “You know that thing you do?...” You won't see it right away, but trust me: Their horizon will glow.
—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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Camp Invention 2026 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. |
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For over six decades, Niskayuna Cooperative Nursery School (NCNS) has been a pillar of early childhood education, proudly serving families in Niskayuna, Schenectady, Albany counties, and beyond. Our affordable preschool model is rich in history and reflects
our unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds in an uplifting nursery school community. Using a play-based learning model fosters a lifelong love of learning.
In a co-op community preschool, parents are not just spectators in their child's educational journey; they are ACTIVE participants, working with the teacher to run the preschool. Every family contributes to making up the magic that adds to the NCNS school culture, keeping it an affordable preschool rich in interpersonal experiences, steeped in meaningful connections.
This hands-on approach allows parents to witness their child's first steps into the world of learning. Parents foster a deeper understanding of their child's unique learning styles and preferences. It's a…
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Join Greta, our loveable therapy dog every Saturday! Kids can build reading skills in a relaxed judgement free space. Boost your child's reading skills and wellbeing: Join Greta every Saturday from noon to 1 pm, Kids may read to her or just visit. All
are welcome!
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FREE Union Women's Hockey & Kids Activities! Join Union College student-athletes and student leaders for an afternoon of fun and free hockey! Stop by before the game for games, activities, and giveaways. Pick and choose the activities you'd like to do -
all led by Union College teams and organizations. Then enjoy Union Women's Hockey vs. Yale at 3 pm. All activities are free for children and families, and admission to the game is free for all.
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Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Albany. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Taylor Swift at UAlbany Performing Arts Center under the gentle glow
of candlelight.
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- International Creativity Month: Collaborative Popsicle Stick Collage - Albany Public Library - Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210, Jan 30-Feb 1, All day
- Build a Fort After Hours! - Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, Friday, January 30, 6:00PM-7:15PM
- Free Ice Skating at the Rink at Empire State Plaza - New York State Office of General Services, Albany, NY, USA, Jan 30-Feb 1, Tuesday - Friday: 10 am - 1:30 pm & 2:30 pm - 6 pm 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 - New York State Museum, 222 Madison Ave,
Albany, NY 12230, Jan 30-Feb 1, 10 am - 2 pm
- Reading with Greta at Troy Public Library - Troy Public Library, 100 2nd Street, Troy, NY 12180, Saturday, January 31, 11 am to 12 pm
- National Girls and Women in Sports Day - M&T Bank Center at Mohawk Harbor, Schenectady, Saturday, January 31, 2:00 PM
- Mid-Winter Open House - Doane Stuart School - Doane Stuart School - 199 Washington Ave, Rensselaer, NY 12144, Saturday, January 31, 10 am - 12 pm
- Full Moon Hikes - 90 Scout Road, Gansevoort, NY, USA, Sunday, February 1, 5:00 PM
- Sunday School - Bethlehem Lutheran Church - 85 Elm Ave, Delmar, NY 12054, Sunday, February 1, 9:45 am
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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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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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