KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Jan 14: Isaías Craft Café at Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch
Library
Thu, Jan 15: Third Thursday FREE ADMISSION at the Buffalo Zoo presented by M&T Bank
Fri, Jan 16: Mozart’s Mass With the BPO
Sat, Jan 17: Feed the Fish at the Botanical Gardens
Mon, Jan 19: Kids Day at the Botanical
Gardens
Wed, Jan 21: Afternoon Cozy Crochet at Town of Collins Public Library
Sat, Jan 24: Owl Moon at Genesee Country Village & Museum
Sun, Jan 25: Make Your Own Glass Windchime at Corning Museum of Glass (Ages 4+}) Fri, Jan 30: Orchid Exhibit at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
Sat, Jan 31: Beaded Lizard Family Workshop at Buffalo Museum of Science
Sun, Feb 1: St. Benedict School Open House Fri, Feb 6: Shostakovich No. 5 With the BPO
Sat, Feb 7: Storytime at the Botanical Gardens |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
I'm in Phoenix this week for a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, where I'm giving a talk about my new book, The Eclipse Effect. One of the best parts of being here is getting to attend the other presentations, too, which is how I found myself Monday night inside under the Dorrance Planetarium Dome at the Arizona Science Center, gazing up at a sky unlike any I’ve ever seen. Thanks to cutting-edge LED projection technology and the first imagery from the nearly-complete Rubin Observatory in Chile, the dome became a portal into the depths of our galaxy and beyond, rendered in light so vivid and
detailed it felt like we could fall in. The room was full of astronomers, researchers, educators—professionals who have dedicated their careers to explaining the universe. These were the very people who helped build the tools, who'd worked the math, who’d waited decades to see the science take shape... and even they were astonished: Their faces were lit up with the kind of awe you usually only see in children. It was a reminder that at its heart, science is about
connection. Connecting those points of light above my head, yes; connecting the dots, sure... but also connecting people—to each other, to wonder, and to what’s possible. If you want your kids to connect deeply with science—or history, or nature, or culture, or space—you don’t need a telescope on a mountain, you just need a person. So go to the museum, walk the trail, step into the planetarium. But don’t stop at the exhibit signs: Find the people! Ask them
questions. They want to talk to you! These docents, tour guides, librarians, explainers, and educators are the ones who turn information into illumination. They are the lens your kids can look through to see what their future might be. So seek the sky painters. Then stand next to your kids, look up, and be amazed together.
—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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Do your kids know that utilities like water and electricity aren’t free? Show them the bills—it’s a great way to help them connect daily actions with real costs. Try simple swaps to save energy and money: Wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat, shovel snow for exercise, go sledding instead of to a movie, and turn off the tap while brushing. Only wash dirty clothes, run full laundry or dishwasher loads, and reuse craft supplies from home. Show your kids how much you’ve saved—and let them choose a fun way to spend the extra cash! Click the graphic for youth bank account info.
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Join the Buffalo Museum of Science for a family-friendly version of its popular museum mystery event! A car has crashed in our In Motion Exhibit, but who did it? Families work together at their own pace to collect evidence from museum staff stationed throughout the museum to catch the critter culprit. Recommended for ages 4-10.
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Winter Faire 2025 is Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 10 am - 3 pm. Come one, come all to the most magical event of the year at Aurora Waldorf School! Our beloved Winter Faire is a school tradition, a day of magical entertainment open to all! Enjoy craft activities, storytelling, a visit to the enchanted castle, jump rope making, and more! There will also be maple cotton candy, a delicious lunch for purchase, and shopping. This is a must-loved Buffalo southtowns event, celebrated for decades at AWS! Grab your tickets early and don’t miss this affordable, family-friendly event!
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Do you have leftover holiday wrapping paper, bows, bags, and cards you don't know what to do with? Share them with your community by donating them to the Kenmore Library! We are gathering items for a holiday wrapping exchange in December of 2026. Note: partially used wrapping paper rolls and lightly used gift bags are ok to donate! Wrapping items can be brought to the library any day we are open up until January 31st. Thanks in advance!
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Help us feed our fish friends! Get up close and personal with our family of koi fish at this exciting event! Enjoy early access to the Botanical Gardens before we open to the public with a special learning experience that’s fun for all ages. Each participant receives a cup of koi fish food and time to help feed our fishy friends!
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This craft is a HOOT! Join us for this nature-inspired craft while learning about the different owls found in our region and how to ID them. Meet in front of the Education Center next to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Welcome Center at Parking Lot 1 inside Niagara Falls State Park. Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the program. Programs are free. Materials will be provided. You are more then welcome to bring your own craft supplies. Parking is limited and parking fees may apply.
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Explore Reinstein Woods on snowshoes and search for animal signs. Explore Reinstein Woods on snowshoes and search for animal signs. We will walk if there is no snow. Dress for the weather and wear boots. If there is less than 6" of snow on the ground, we will still walk. Please note that you must provide a phone number in order to confirm your registration. You will receive a call asking which snowshoe size(s) you will need. You will also receive a reminder call before the event. Our programs often have waiting lists; if at any time your plans change, please let us know by calling 716-683-5959. All children attending programs must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
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- Free Outdoor Ice Skating at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza - Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY, 01/09/2026-01/11/2026, varies, see below
- Buffalo & the Erie Canal: An Enduring Legacy - Central Library - Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System, Buffalo, NY 14203, 01/09/2026-01/10/2026, All day
- Glass Snow Family at Corning Museum of Glass - Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY 14830, 01/09/2026-01/11/2026, 9 am - 5 pm
- Toddler Time - Lackawanna Public Library, Buffalo, NY, 01/09/2026, 10:30 AM
- Holiday Wrapping Paper Donation Drive at Kenmore Library - Kenmore Branch Library, Kenmore, NY, 01/09/2026-01/10/2026, all day
- Free Community Art Classes - Locust Street Art, Buffalo, NY 14204, 01/10/2026, Saturday 1-5pm
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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 Buffalo and WNY 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 great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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